Decisions

(Joint report of Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report provided an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and projected funding gap ahead of the forthcoming budget cycle.  Reference was made to the latest assessment of budget or potential budget pressures which could increase the projected funding gap from the £675,000 reported to Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board to £800,000 with the possibility of it being doubled in the event that New Homes Bonus was withdrawn without replacement. 

The importance of delivering at least this year’s savings and transformation contribution of £100,000 was acknowledged.  The number, scale and timing of requisite savings/contributions would be determined on moving through the forthcoming budget cycle.

It was reported that the 2020/21 Local Government Finance Settlement Technical Consultation had recently been published and the main intentions were outlined.  Consideration was given to a mechanism for responding by the deadline of 30 October 2019.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)          the latest MTFS position statement be noted together with the need to meet at least the commitment to identify and implement opportunities to deliver this year’s savings and transformation contribution of £100,000; and

(2)          delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Transformation, in liaison with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, to respond to the Technical Consultation prior to the deadline of 30 October.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 29 August 2019 in relation to the review of the Council’s offices at Gibson Drive, Kingshill undertaken in 2018 and subsequent discussions with Kent County Council.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved as follows:

(1)          a formal response be sent to Kent County Council declining their proposal as being financially unviable; and

(2)          officers continue to pursue opportunities to maximise the rental income from third parties for occupation and use of the Gibson Building.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 20 June 2019 in relation to the review of customer service surgeries at Borough Green, Larkfield and Snodland.  Further evidence from each surgery had been collected and was presented at Annex 1 to the report.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved as follows:

The closure of the customer service surgeries in Borough Green, Larkfield and Snodland on the grounds of financial unsustainability due to the low footfall visiting each site be supported in principle subject to an Equality Impact Assessment being undertaken.

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

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 20 June 2019 in relation to the review of the concessionary charging regime applicable to Tonbridge Castle.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved as follows:

(1)          the concessionary user discount list be discontinued; and

(2)          any future discounts be authorised by the Director of Central Services on an  exception only basis.

[Councillor N Heslop declared an Other Significant Interest in this item on the grounds of being a member of the Board of The Bridge Trust.  He withdrew from the meeting during its consideration and Councillor M Coffin took the Chair.]

(Item PE 19/20 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 2 October 2019)

Consideration of recommendations to the Cabinet from the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 2 October 2019.  A detailed proposed response to the consultation was circulated in advance of the meeting.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The proposed response to the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation be approved for submission by the consultation deadline on 1 November 2019 subject to:

(1)             movement of the paragraph on support for the approach of meeting identified needs for future development within the borough of Tunbridge Wells to the general preamble of the response;

(2)             the insertion of the words “ including north-south travel throughout Tonbridge and Malling and any flood mitigation measures” after the words “adverse impacts on existing infrastructure and services” at the top of page 2 of the response”; and

(3)             the final version being sent to the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure prior to submission.

(Item FIP 19/36 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 18 September 2019)

Consideration of recommendations to the Cabinet from the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 18 September 2019.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board be approved as follows:

The correct Building Control fees schedule for 2019/20, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be adopted with effect from 1 November 2019.