Decisions

(Joint report of the Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Transformation and Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer)

The report provided an update on both the Savings and Transformation Strategy and the Medium Term Financial Strategy having regard to the latest financial issues.  Amongst a number of recommendations, Cabinet was asked to note the current position and proactively engage in a prioritisation exercise in order to facilitate savings options being worked up by Management Team.

Reference was made to the contextual background and the current position of the Savings and Transformation Strategy agreed in February 2021.  An update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy following assessment of the current financial risks was provided.

The Chairman advised that it would be the role of the new Cabinet, which was to be appointed on 13 July 2021, to work through the financial implications set out within the report and consider how solutions could be formulated.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)        the escalating scale of the financial challenge summarised in paragraph 1.6.1 be noted;

(2)        the requirements of the CIPFA Financial Management Code for both officers and elected Members be noted;

(3)        the recommendations for the sector from the Northamptonshire County Council Interventions report be noted;

(4)        an exercise by the Management Team commencing during the summer to identify any possible contribution towards the immediate Tranche 1 and 2 savings targets be noted;

(5)        it be noted that a prioritisation of services exercise prepared by elected Members was critical in steering Management Team in the right direction in the identification of more radical solutions, and it was agreed that a facilitated discussion as suggested in paragraph 1.4.14 would assist in this process; and

(6)        the intention to report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in October 2021 with the recommendations arising from the Northamptonshire County Council Interventions report and the exploration of the roles and responsibilities of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of financial challenge and overview be noted.

Consideration was given to the recommendations (SSE 21/12) to the Cabinet from the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 8 June 2021.

Following extensive debate by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, it was felt appropriate that Cabinet consider the recommendations of the Advisory Board.  Cabinet noted that procedural concerns were raised following the meeting of the Board. 

An alternative proposal was put to Cabinet, following which the Cabinet resolved that:

(1)        the roll out of recycling to flats, starting with a trial area, commence no later than the 31 August 2021;

(2)        a timetable for the reinstatement of the Saturday freighter service be presented to the next meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board; and

(3)        the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board receive a report at its next meeting on the enforcement of fly-tipping and littering, including dumping at recycling sites.

(Report of the Chief Executive and Management Team)

The report provided an update on the first-year addendum to the Corporate Strategy adopted in June 2020 in order to provide a framework for the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)        the report be noted; and

(2)        the production of a second-year addendum for approval at a future Cabinet meeting, be agreed.

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

The report provided an update on the ongoing review into how the service dealt with all tree related matters and outlined proposed changes to processes and procedures to facilitate improvements.  Additionally, the report outlined the terms and scope of a Protocol intended to provide a clear and transparent framework on the administration of Tree Preservation Order work.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

The proposed strategy in respect of tree related matters, as set out in the report, be approved as follows:-

(1)   the principle of a Tree Preservation Order Protocol be adopted, subject to

-        consideration by the Cabinet of any necessary amendments to the draft document to reflect all feedback from the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board to ensure it was fit for purpose; and

-        a 6-month review period following the successful appointment to the Tree and Landscape Officer post;

(2)   the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health be granted delegated authority to approve the final protocol in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure;

(3)   Officers seek to develop a new Protocol further to the adopted Planning Enforcement Plan setting out in detail how alleged unauthorised works to protected trees will be investigated and how any evidenced breaches will be addressed;

(4)   Officers progress on-site Member training event(s) to enhance the information provided within the Member Briefing Note at a practical level following the successful appointment to the Landscape Officer post.  Final arrangements for how the training event(s) will take place to be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure;

(5)   Officers continue to develop detailed parameters for the review of historic TPOs across the Borough reflecting all feedback from the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board to ensure it is suitably focused and has a defined and achievable scope;

(6)   Officers build into 1 and 3-5 (inclusive) a review period to take place 6 months following the successful appointment to the Landscape Officer post to be reported to the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board for consideration of an updated, refined Protocol as necessary; and

(7)   Officers continue to review and improve all tree-related internal processes and administrative work to ensure that Members are regularly updated on improvements made.

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

The report provided an update on the garden communities work undertaken to support the delivery of development at Borough Green Gardens, a significant strategic allocation in the Council’s draft Local Plan.  The report informed Members about the creation of a Project Board to enable discussion with technical consultees and delivery partners involved in the Garden Communities project.  In addition it was reported that, in order to progress the draft Development Brief towards formal public consultation later in 2021, it was important to seek the views of the local community, including businesses, residents and community groups so that benefits for existing and future residents could be maximised.  

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

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

(2)   the project next steps and timetable be endorsed to allow community engagement activities to commence.

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

The report provided an explanation of the Government’s Housing Delivery Test which provided an annual measurement of housing delivery at local level.  The report sought endorsement of the preparation of an Action Plan which identified the profile of housing supply within the Borough and actions to be taken to boost delivery.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)   the draft Housing Delivery Test Action Plan, set out at Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed; and

(2)   following engagement with relevant stakeholders, the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure and the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, be authorised to agree the final version of the Action Plan.

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

The report provided a summary of the Statement of Common Ground between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling and sought approval for it to be returned to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to accompany its Local Plan submission to the Secretary of State.  In response to comments regarding the Governance arrangements the Planning Policy Manager advised that the text of Section 7 would be amended to extend the level of Member involvement. The Portfolio Holder agreed to consider any further suggested amendments from Members up to mid-July in order that the Statement could be finalised and returned to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council before the submission of their Local Plan in August.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

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

(2)   subject to the amendment of section 7 and any further proposed changes, the Statement of Common Ground with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be approved.

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

The report provided an update on the activities undertaken by the Planning Enforcement Team over the past 12 months, with particular reference to the effectiveness of the adopted Planning Enforcement Plan and the publication of additional guidance in respect of the issuing of Cautions.  Additionally, the report sought approval to the adoption of a Tree Protection Enforcement Protocol.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)   the principle of a Tree Protection Enforcement Protocol be adopted subject to

-        consideration by the Cabinet of any necessary amendments to the draft document to reflect all feedback from the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board to ensure it was fit for purpose; and

-        a 6-month review period following the successful appointment to the Tree and Landscape Officer post;

(2)   the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health be granted delegated authority to approve the final protocol in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure; and

(3)   the Simple Cautions and Planning Enforcement Guidance Note, as attached at Annex 2 to the report, be adopted.