Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 December 2024

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 December 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report and annexes provide data on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are aligned to the Corporate Strategy 2023-2027 and monitored on a quarterly or annual basis.

The report provided data on Key Performance Indicators for the period July – September 2024 (quarter 2) that were aligned to the Corporate Strategy 2023-27, monitored on a quarterly or annual basis and was a key tool in assessing performance management, helped to deliver positive change and provided the Cabinet with an insight into areas where the Borough Council was performing well and areas that needed greater focus.

Cabinet noted the positive quarterly trends in respect of increased attendance at leisure facilities, increased recycling and composting figures, a reduction in fly tipping and an improvement in major and minor planning applications.  Areas of focus included addressing the challenges with the Housing Register, increasing numbers of people in temporary accommodation and the Local Development Scheme following the decision to pause work on the Regulation 18b Local Plan due to a revised NPPF.

Cabinet also noted the concerns expressed at the lack of information in respect of Housing Register KPIs for the longer term. The number of households on the register currently was not an accurate reflection as these figures were artificially low whilst Housing Services dealt with the backlog of assessments.    However, operational monthly statistics tracking progress of applications/assessments could be shared with Members to provide a general oversight of performance.

RESOLVED:  That the positive and negative trends as set out in the report be noted. 

Consideration of recommendation HP 24/45 of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee.

(Decision Notice D250002CAB)

Consideration was given to the proposal to replace the Non-Amendments Policy and adopt a new procedure on amendments to planning applications set out in Annex 1.

Following the request of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 3 December 2024, the Cabinet Member for Planning had consulted with Officers on the amendments as set out in Annex A. 

Whilst Cabinet supported the amendments at Annex A, on the grounds that it was not within the power of Planning Committees to force an applicant to make an amendment, it was proposed by Cllr  Boughton and seconded by Cllr Taylor that the following change be made:

·       Minor amendments will be encouraged following a deferral at an Area Planning Committee, especially on the grounds articulated by Members for a deferral.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             subject to updated wording of one sentence from ‘Minor amendments will be accepted where requested by a majority of votes at an Area Planning Committee, to ‘Minor amendments will be encouraged following a deferral at an Area Planning Committee, especially on the ground articulated by members for a deferral’, the procedure set out in Annex 1, as amended in Annex A, be adopted; and

(2)             the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee be asked to review the progress of the new procedure after 6 months of operation.

The minutes of meetings of Advisory Panels, Boards and Other Groups are attached.  Any recommendations arising from these minutes are set out as individual items on this agenda.

The Minutes of the meetings of the following Advisory Panels and other Groups were received and noted:

·        Parish Partnership Panel of 21 November 2024

·        Tonbridge Community Forum of 25 November 2024

·        Joint Transportation Board of 2 December 2024

A record of the decisions taken by portfolio holders since the last meeting of Cabinet are attached.

Any decisions taken subsequent to the publication of the agenda will be published as a supplement.

Details of the Decisions taken in accordance with the rules for the making of decisions by executive members, as set out in Part 4 of the Constitution, were presented for information.

The Notice of Key Decisions anticipated to be taken during January and February 2025 is attached.  This may be subject to change due to adjustments to the reporting timetable.

The Notice setting out Key Decisions anticipated to be taken during January to February 2025 were noted.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

The Chairman moved, it was seconded and

RESOLVED:  That as public discussion would disclose exempt information, the following matters be considered in private.

(Reasons Private: LGA 1972 - Sch 12A Paragraph 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

The report summarises the tender process for the installation of solar PV at Larkfield Leisure Centre using grant funding and requests Cabinet approve the award of contract.

(Decision Notice D250003CAB)

(Reasons: Part 2 – Private: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 3 – Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

Following the Borough Council’s successful application for external grant funding through the Governments Swimming Pool Support Fund, the report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Regeneration and Property summarised the tender process for the installation of solar PV at Larkfield Leisure Centre and sought approval to award the contract.

Cabinet had due regard to the tender evaluation, the financial and value for money considerations, the legal implications and risk assessment detailed in the report and welcomed the potential significant impact on reducing emissions in support of the Council’s target of being carbon neutral by 2030 and protecting the natural environment through onsite generation of electricity.

It was also confirmed that a fire rated board was being installed on the flat roof areas as part of the re-felting work currently being undertaken and that the installation of the solar panels would significantly increase the amount of on-site electricity generation.

RESOLVED:  That the contract to install solar PV at Larkfield Leisure Centre be awarded to Convert Energy