Agenda, decisions and minutes

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 14 February 2019

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14 February 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Item PE 19/3 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 5 March 2019

Item PE 19/3 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 5 March 2019

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board at its meeting of 5 March 2019 regarding reviews of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and High Weald AONB Management Plans.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the adoption of the High Weald AONB Management Plan 2019 – 2024 as a material planning consideration by 31 March 2019 be confirmed by the Council; and

(2)             the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan 2014 – 2019 be retained as a material consideration in its current form unless and until a revised and amended Plan has been agreed and adopted by all Local Authorities.

*Referred to Council

The report provides information on the consultation exercise undertaken on the Innovation Park Medway Masterplan and seeks approval to adopt the document for economic development and marketing purposes.

Due to their large size, Appendices 1 and 2 are separate documents.

Decision Notice D190032CAB

The notes of meetings of Advisory Boards are attached, any recommendations identified by an arrow being for determination by the Cabinet. Notices relating to any decisions already taken by Cabinet Members under the arrangements for delegated decision making have previously been circulated.

The notes of the meetings of the following Advisory Boards were received, any recommendations contained therein being incorporated within the decisions of the Cabinet reproduced at the annex to these Minutes.

Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 20 February 2019

Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 26 February 2019

Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 5 March 2019

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The minutes of meetings of Advisory Panels and Other Groups are attached, any recommendations being identified by an arrow.

The Minutes of the meetings of the following Advisory Panels and other Groups were received, any recommendations contained therein being incorporated within the decisions of the Cabinet reproduced at the annex to these Minutes.

Parish Partnership Panel of 7 February 2019

Tonbridge Forum of 25 February 2019

Joint Transportation Board of 11 March 2019

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

An information report to advise Cabinet of the current strategic risks and how they are being managed.

The report of the Management Team provided an update on the current strategic risks and how they were being managed.  The latest iteration of the Strategic Risk Register was annexed to the report and reflected preparations for any impacts of Brexit on the local community, the implementation of the new waste contract and cyber security.  It was noted that a separate risk register for cyber security was being prepared as recommended following the Local Government Association’s cyber security stocktake.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The report provides an overview of the MHCLG consultation paper: “Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources” together with the response agreed in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property.

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation advised that alongside the 2019/20 provisional local government finance settlement, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had confirmed its intention to implement the Fair Funding Review in April 2020 and had published a further consultation paper.  The report provided an overview of the paper, “Review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources”, together with the response agreed in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property for submission by the 21 February 2019 deadline.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The report provides an overview of the MHCLG consultation paper: “Business Rates Retention Reform” together with the response agreed with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property.

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation advised that alongside the 2019/20 provisional local government finance settlement, the MHCLG had confirmed the aim of introducing 75% Business Rates Retention for all in 2020/21.  The report provided an overview of the consultation paper on possible changes to the system entitled “Business Rates Retention Reform”, together with the response agreed with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property for submission by the 21 February 2019 deadline.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and 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.

LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 2 – Information likely to reveal information about an individual

Approval of the writing off of debts considered to be irrecoverable.

(LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 2 – Information likely to reveal information about an individual)

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