Decisions

(Report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

The report provided an update on the current and proposed future management arrangements for Basted Mill Public Open Space, Borough Green following formal notification of resignation from the existing Joint Management Committee by the three participating parish councils.

The work of the parish councils and volunteers over the years in the management and maintenance of the Public Open Space was acknowledged.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)          the resignation of Plaxtol, Platt and Borough Green Parish Councils from the Basted Mill Public Open Space Joint Committee be noted;

(2)          the Basted Mill Public Open Space Joint Committee be “wound up” on 1 April 2021 and the management and maintenance of the site be undertaken solely by the Borough Council;

(3)          the current contribution made by the Borough Council to the Joint Committee be transferred in full to a revenue budget for the future maintenance of the site; and

(4)          any residual funding from the Joint Committee be transferred to the Borough Council on 1 April 2021 in accordance with the adopted Constitution and ring-fenced in a designated “Reserve” to be solely used for the future management and maintenance of Basted Mill Public Open Space.

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report provided an update on community development work taking place in the Borough’s three priority communities of Trench, East Malling and Snodland.  Consideration was given to the continuation of support for 2020/21 in accordance with budgetary provision.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

The Council continue to support Community Development Partnerships in each of the priority communities.

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report gave details of summaries of progress achieved against the objectives set out in the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with a number of key voluntary sector bodies at the end of the existing one year term.  It was noted that each organisation had been consulted to establish the implications for service delivery if a reduction were applied to their grant which would enable the SLA to be extended for a suggested four year term, thus providing increased security and stability.

A summary was presented of the responses received from each grant recipient and future options considered.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)          based on the good progress by all voluntary bodies and the vital support provided to residents, grant funding be continued for each organisation in line with Service Level Agreements;

(2)          based on the positive responses received regarding the suggested longer term settlement of four years and the level of difficulty highlighted with any reduction to grant, the following be agreed:

(a)  the grants to Citizens Advice North and West Kent (CANWK) and Age UK Sevenoaks and Tonbridge be maintained at existing levels for a one year term and a more detailed review be undertaken via the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to fully explore options for the future; and

(b)  in respect of Imago, Involve and Maidstone and West Kent Mediation Schemes, each organisation be offered a choice as follows:

-       set grants at the reduced rate for a fixed four year settlement, OR

-       maintain the grant at existing levels for a one year term and undertake a more detailed review via the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to fully explore options for the future.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report recommended the implementation of a private sector housing financial (civil) penalties policy under the Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016.  This would enable the Council to adopt an alternative approach to prosecution of a private landlord or agent for certain housing offences or breaches of a banning order.  It was noted that implementation of financial penalties would allow the Council to re-use the income to self-finance some of its future targeted enforcement activity.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Housing resolved that:

(1)             the Private Sector Housing Financial Civil Penalties Policy set out at Annex 1 to the report be endorsed; and

(2)              authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to approve amendments to the policy to reflect any changes to the law affecting the enforcement of civil penalties under the Housing Act 2004, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 or other relevant legislation.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided information on the current approach to using Local Lettings Policies (LLPs) for affordable housing in partnership with Registered Providers, clarified the use of such LLPs in the future and proposed a pro-forma document for adoption for all new housing developments in the Borough.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Housing resolved that:

(1)             the current approach to using Local Lettings Policies be noted and the following priorities for using LLPs be agreed:

(a)   local connection to the area in which the development is located using housing sub-market areas;

(b)   an aim for 50% of lettings to be to economically active households; and

(2)             the pro-forma Local Lettings Policy set out at Annex 1 to the report be approved subject to amendment of section C to clarify the definition of economically active households.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report gave details of a proposal for the Council to have a Housing Strategy outlining its priorities and strategic approach to housing delivery in the Borough.  Consideration was given to the approval of a project plan for the development of the Housing Strategy.

A number of suggestions were made regarding the scope of the strategy, its ambitions and supporting policies.  Officers undertook to report back at the research and drafting stage of the project plan.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Housing resolved that:

The Housing Strategy Project Plan set out at Annex 1 to the report be approved.