Decisions

Consideration was given to the recommendations (OS 20/21) of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 8 October 2020

The Cabinet resolved that:

The Safer and Stronger Communities Manager

(1)          work with the domestic abuse organisations operating within Tonbridge and Malling to explore and develop options around the new initiatives proposed within the report (detailed at 1.3); and

(2)          review the financial support offered to the Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service and recommend, if appropriate, a level of funding that could be provided by the Borough Council.

(Report of Chief Executive and Management Team)

The report gave an overview on a number of aspects as the Borough Council and its communities continued to adapt to living with coronavirus.  Updates were provided on the key issues identified as part of the framework for review, reorientation and recovery.

There had been good progress made on the actions identified in the Corporate Strategy – One-Year Addendum and included work on a new consultation draft of the Economic Recovery Strategy, the Climate Change Strategy, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Savings and Transformation Strategy, the Air Quality Action Plan and support for the Leisure Trust. 

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)             the Borough Council’s ongoing response to the evolving scenario regarding Covid-19 be endorsed; and

(2)             progress in respect of the Corporate Plan Addendum be noted

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report provided Members with an update to the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Savings and Transformation Strategy.  In addition, the Borough Council’s position regarding business rate pooling for 2021/22 was set out and it was recommended that the Borough Council should not be part of the formal business rates pool due to the prevailing economic climate and budget risks. 

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)             the latest forecast of the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the funding gap of £875,000 (as set out in paragraph 1.2.10 of the report) be noted;

(2)             the need to deliver the savings/transformation contributions already included in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (as set out in paragraph 1.2.11 of the report) be noted;

(3)             the progress being made towards the ‘Essential Spend Only’ target of £500,000 in relation to 2020/21 and the first ongoing savings target of £100,000 (as set out in the table at paragraph 1.2.16 of the report) be noted;

(4)             the submission made in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review (Annex 1) in liaison with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property (as set out in paragraph 1.2.18 of the report) be noted;

(5)             the updated version of the Savings and Transformation Strategy (Annex 2) prepared by the Management Team be endorsed; and

(6)             the view that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council should not be part of the formal Kent Business Rates Pool in 2021/22 be endorsed and submitted to Government by 23 October 2020.

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report sought permission to re-consult on the draft Innovation Park Medway Local Development Order (LDO) following amendments made as a result of discussions with Highways England and Natural England. This document sets out principles for development which will ultimately allow developers and businesses to bring forward high quality development in the high-value technology, engineering, manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sectors.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)          the content of the report be noted; and

(2)          delegated authority be granted to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health and the Director of Central Services, in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, to finalise and approve the Environmental Statement prior to public consultation in the interest of satisfying Environmental Impact Assessment requirements, and to approve any necessary minor amendments to the draft LDO prior to the public consultation for the purposes of presentation and clarity.

Consideration was given to the recommendations (OS 20/16) of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 27 August 2020.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)          the reinstatement of all Community Hub support in the event of a second wave or regional/local lockdown be endorsed;

(2)          the reinstatement of business support in the event of a second wave or regional/local lockdown be endorsed;

(3)          the ongoing commitment to the District and Community Recovery cell to aid support to the local community be endorsed; and

(4)          the suggested amendments (highlighted in paragraph 1.3.7 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee report) regarding revisions to the Economic Regeneration Strategy to support businesses and the local economy be endorsed.

Consideration of recommendations (SSE 20/18) to the Cabinet from the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 5 October 2020

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)             the content of the report be noted; and

(2)             the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services, issue the response set out at Annex 9 to the report as the Council’s formal position on the public consultation.

Consideration of recommendations (SSE 20/16) to the Cabinet from the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 5 October 2020

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)          the revised off-street parking fees and charges as previously agreed by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board (as set out at Annex 1 to this report) be progressed to come into effect from 4 April 2021 in line with all relevant legislation; and

(2)          a survey to ascertain user profiles and duration of stay at the Martin Square and Aylesford car parks be undertaken at a point in time when it is deemed the parking has returned to some level of normality following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Consideration of recommendations (SSE 20/15) to the Cabinet from the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 5 October 2020

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)          the revised Climate Change Strategy, as set out at Annex 2 to the report, be adopted;

(2)          the Year 1 Climate Change Action Plan, as set out at Annex 3 to the report, be adopted; and

(3)          options for the establishment of a Climate Change Forum, to provide a mechanism for engagement with key stakeholders and interested parties, be explored and reported to a future meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board.

Consideration of the resolution (JTB 20/16) from the Joint Transportation Board of 21 September 2020

The Cabinet resolved that:

The resolutions of the Joint Transportation Board of 21 September, as set out in the report and detailed below, be endorsed:

(1)          the consultation for the proposed on-street parking fees and charges be progressed and the outcome reported to the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board of 8 March 2021;

(2)          the outcome of the Phase 12 Parking Action Plan informal consultation be reported to the next meeting of the Joint Transportation Board; and

(3)          subject to the informal consultation responses (set out in Annex 2) with minor alterations to proposals on Queen Street, Discovery Drive and Regent Way, the Kings Hill Parking Review be progressed to formal consultation.

(Joint report of Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

The report provided an update on the progress made since the review of community safety, including the provision of CCTV, was initially considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 2019.  A decision regarding the future level of CCTV operation had been deferred pending correspondence with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Clarion Housing regarding their level of financial contribution.  The responses received were summarised in paragraphs 1.1.6 – 1.1.9 of the report.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)             the responses received from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Clarion Housing be noted; and

(2)             in light of the response of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Clarion Housing and the ongoing discussions with Kent Police (as set out in the report)  this matter be referred back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 December 2020 for further consideration.

Consideration of recommendations (PE 20/18) to the Cabinet from the extraordinary meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 29 September 2020.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)             the response to the Changes to the Current Planning System consultation submitted by the deadline of 1 October be endorsed;

(2)             the proposed response to the Planning White Paper – Planning for the Future (set out in Annex 2) form the basis of the Borough Council’s formal response to Government;

(3)             the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, finalise and submit the Borough Council’s response to the Planning White Paper- Planning for Future consultation by the deadline of 29 October 2020 and having regard for the points raised by Members; and

(4)             the letter setting out in more detail concerns of Members and their constituents be sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government as drafted.