Agenda and minutes

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a)   disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)   other significant interests (OSI);

c)   voluntary announcements of other interests.

A Cabinet Member sought clarity from the Monitoring Officer as to whether or not an interest should be declared in respect of the item relating to the Play Area Strategy if they were a Member of a Town or Parish Council. The Monitoring Officer confirmed this was not necessary.

There were no declarations of interest at the meeting.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 20 November 2019.

The minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 20 November were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report provides an update on the Council’s performance for the first quarter of 2019/20, covering 1^st April 2019 to 30^th June 2019. The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved key performance indicators for each service area. 

Key performance indicators will be monitored during 2019/20 and reported to CLT and Members quarterly.

The report provided an update on the Council’s performance for the first quarter of 2019/20, covering 1^st April 2019 to 30^th June 2019. The report enabled the Council to assess progress against the approved key performance indicators for each service area.  Key performance indicators were monitored during 2019/20 and reported to CLT and Members quarterly.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.              That report C/19/49 be received and noted. 

2.              That the performance information for Quarter 1 2019/20 be noted.

(Voting figures: 6 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)                   The Council is committed to monitoring performance across all of its service areas to ensure progress and improvement is maintained.

b)                   The Council needs to ensure that performance is measured, monitored and the results are used to identify where services are working well and where there are failings and appropriate action needs to be taken.

The report sets out the background for Cabinet to consider adopting the Fair Tax Declaration on behalf of the Council.

The report set out the background for Cabinet to consider adopting the Fair Tax Declaration on behalf of the Council.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.            That report C/19/47 be received and noted, and no further action be taken.

(Voting figures: 6 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Council was asked to agree the recommendations because it had been requested to consider the item by Council.

This report sets out the Council’s Draft General Fund budget for 2020/21.

The report set out the Council’s Draft General Fund budget for 2020/21.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 10 December 2019. The minutes of the meeting had been circulated to the Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/50 be received and noted.

2.         That the budget estimates, as detailed in the report, be approved as the basis for preparing the final 2020/21 budget and council tax recommendations for approval by Full Council in February 2020.

(Voting figures: 6 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because they form part of the budget-setting process which will culminate in Full Council approving the budget and council tax for 2020/21 on 19 February 2020, in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

This report presents an updated Risk Management Policy & Strategy for adoption by Cabinet which will provide a framework for Members and officers in the management of risk.

This report also provides Cabinet with an updated Risk Register, as considered by the Audit and Governance Committee on 4 December. 

This report presented an updated Risk Management Policy & Strategy for adoption by Cabinet which would provide a framework for Members and officers in the management of risk.

The report also provided Cabinet with an updated Risk Register, as considered by the Audit and Governance Committee on 4 December. 

Proposed by Councillor Meyers,

Seconded by Councillor Godfrey; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/51 be received and noted.

2.         That proposed Risk Management Strategy & Process be adopted.

3.         That current Risk Register be noted.

(Voting figures: 6 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

A clear framework as outlined within the strategy will ensure consistency in approach across the organisation, provide clarity of roles with respect to Risk Management and enable progress towards an embedded Risk Management culture within the organisation. 

The Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 details how high quality play areas will be provided and maintained throughout the District over the next ten years.  The Strategy outlines how Folkestone & Hythe District Council will work with Town and Parish Councils, Community Groups and other stakeholders to provide a network of Priority and Strategic Play Areas across the district that provide high quality play space, are well maintained, have good access and are financially sustainable.

The Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 detailed how high quality play areas would be provided and maintained throughout the District over the next ten years.  The Strategy outlined how Folkestone and Hythe District Council would work with Town and Parish Councils, Community Groups and other stakeholders to provide a network of Priority and Strategic Play Areas across the district that provide high quality play space, are well maintained, have good access and are financially sustainable.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 10 December 2019. The minutes of the meeting had been circulated to the Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Councillor Wimble made a voluntary declaration in that he was a Member of New Romney Parish Council who were going to take responsibility for one of the play areas.

Proposed by Councillor Collier;

Seconded by Councillor Meyers; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/48 be received and noted.

2.         That the suggestion of sites to be sold in respect of non-strategic play areas be removed.

3.         That the principles of the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 and associated action plan be approved.

4.         To proceed to formal consultation.

5.         That a report be brought back to Cabinet following formal consultation with a view to approving the Strategy from 1^st April 2020.

(Voting figures: 6 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Current play area provision across the district is unsustainable. The Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 outlines how the Council will work with partners to provide a sustainable network of Priority and Strategic Play Areas across the District. Cabinet are asked to consider and approve the principles of the draft strategy which sets out clear direction of how these important community facilities will be managed, maintained and enhanced over the next ten years.

This report is to update Cabinet on progress with the Places and Policies Local Plan (PPLP), following consultation on a proposed site for gypsies and travellers (see C/19/13). The report seeks Cabinet’s approval to publish and consult on main modifications to the plan, the final stage before the planning Inspector issues his report and the PPLP can be taken forward for adoption

The report updated Cabinet on progress with the Places and Policies Local Plan (PPLP), following consultation on a proposed site for gypsies and travellers (see C/19/13). The report sought Cabinet’s approval to publish and consult on main modifications to the plan, the final stage before the planning Inspector issues his report and the PPLP can be taken forward for adoption.  

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 10 December 2019. The minutes of the meeting had been circulated to the Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         To receive and note report C/19/45 be received and noted.

2.         That the main modifications to the Places and Policies Local Plan set out in Appendix 1 be approved for publication and  consultation;

3.         That the submission of the consultation comments on the main modifications to the Planning Inspector at the end of the consultation period be approved; and

4.         That the publication of the changes to the Policies Map set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

(Voting figures: 6 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To allow the Places and Policies Local Plan to progress to adoption. On adoption the PPLP will have full weight in planning decisions.