Decisions

(Report of Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive)

Consideration was given to the published Community Safety Partnership (CSP) annual plan of work which provided details of the initiatives carried out during the previous year and of the priorities for the forthcoming year.

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

The Community Safety Partnership Plan 2020/21, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be supported and endorsed.

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

This report brought forward comments received during the public consultation on the draft Haysden Country Park Management Plan and recommended final approval of the Plan.  The report also recognised the current Covid 19 situation and the impact this may have on future management of the site.

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

The proposed amendments be made to the draft Management Plan as shown at Annex 3 to the report, and the Management Plan for Haysden Country Park 2020-2024 be approved.

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

The report provided an update on progress with the themes/activities identified within the Parks and Leisure section of the recently approved First Year Addendum to the Council’s Corporate Strategy.  This included updates on the reopening of the Council’s Indoor and Outdoor Leisure Facilities, progress with Capital Plan Projects, potential outsourcing of Leybourne Lakes Country Park to the Leisure Trust and the 2020/21 Events Calendar.

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

(1)  authority be delegated to the Director of Street Scene Leisure and Technical Services in liaison with the Cabinet Members for Communities and Finance, Innovation & Property to proceed with negotiations regarding the first short term adjustment to the Service Fee in advance of the next meeting of the Advisory Board;

(2)  subject to legal advice and the agreement of the Trust, the List C capital plan evaluation for Leybourne Lakes Country Park be presented to the Finance, Innovation & Property Advisory Board in September 2020 with a view to seeking approval at Full Council in October 2020.

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

Consideration was given to the level of financial penalties to be applied to private rented sector landlords for breaches of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.

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

The use of the Council adopted Private Sector Housing Financial Civil Penalties Policy to determine the level of fine to be imposed on private rented sector landlords for breaches of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 be endorsed.

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

Consideration was given to the adoption of a policy for determining the level of financial penalty for non-compliance by landlords with the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations in the Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council area. 

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

(1)  the policy for determining the level of financial penalty for non-compliance with the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations in the Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council area 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 increase the length of time limit above the minimum 12 months a publication penalty is publicised on the PRS Exemptions Register if determined appropriate.

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

The report summarised the implications of the introduction of Homelessness Reduction Act and the new duties placed on Councils to prevent and relieve homelessness which, combined with the increase in demand on temporary accommodation and growing pressure on social housing, had necessitated a review of all housing options for those approaching the Council as homeless or threatened with homelessness.  It was noted that Legislation allowed the Council to discharge its homeless duties into the private sector and that work had been progressed in respect of the Council’s offer to landlords to encourage them to work with the Authority.  It was anticipated that this would increase the supply of affordable and decent housing in which to place homeless households.  To ensure compliance with legislation the Council was required to have in place a Discharge of Duty into the Private Rented Sector Policy.  The report advised that there were no immediate financial implications of adopting the Policy.  It was hoped that having more private rented homes into which the duty could be discharged together with a wider pool of housing options would increase opportunities to prevent homelessness, which would be a more cost effective approach.

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

The Discharge into the Private Rented Sector Policy be approved.

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report set out information on the three key budget areas of salaries, major operational income streams and investment income.  Performance of the key budget areas, together with approved variations to the revenue budget and areas identified through revenue budget monitoring, were summarised to provide an indicative overall budget position for the year.

Details of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Borough Council’s finances to the end of June and projected for the year 2020/21; the scale of the potential longer term impact on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Savings and Transformation Strategy and, in turn, savings and transformation contributions required to balance the budget, were also set out.

Finally, updates on capital expenditure and variations that had been agreed in relation to the capital plan were provided. 

Following consideration by the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property resolved that:

(1)             The likelihood that the Covid-19 pandemic would have a significant adverse impact on the Council’s finances and reserve balances and as a result, in turn, on the scale and timing of the savings and transformation contributions required be noted;

(2)             the decision made by Cabinet to impose an ‘essential spend only’ policy for 2020/21 in order to preserve resources and to set a ‘savings target’ of £500,000 to be delivered as a result of this policy be noted;

(3)             the decision made by Cabinet that the general revenue reserve balance should not fall below £2m at any point during the MTFS 10-year period and to retain a minimum of £3m by the end of the period be noted;

(4)             the decision made by Cabinet in light of the difficult financial landscape that lays ahead to set a savings target of £100,000 to be delivered by April 2021 followed by a further £100,000 by April 2022 be noted;

(5)             the need to not only deliver any new targets, but to also deliver on the ‘outstanding’ decisions made prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and factored into the MTFS be noted;

(6)             the intention to bring a draft revision of the Savings and Transformation Strategy to Cabinet in the Autumn be noted; and

(7)             the financial challenge was such that financial sustainability was at increased risk be noted.

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report gave details of renewal applications for discretionary rate relief for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022.  Details of three new applications were also set out.  The Council’s policy in respect of discretionary rate relief was attached at Annex 1 of the report.

Following consideration by the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property resolved that:

(1)             discretionary rate relief be awarded for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022 in respect of the re-applications for relief as set out at Annex 2 to the report;

(2)             the application for discretionary rate relief received from Tree of Hope be refused;

(3)             the application for discretionary rate relief received from Samaritan's Purse International Limited be refused; and

(4)             the application for discretionary rate relief received from Refugease be refused.