Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the council held on 18 January 2017 and to authorise the Chairman of the Council to sign them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2017 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman stated that in terms of civic events, the last month had been fairly quiet.  She had however attended the ‘Armed Forces in the community’ event the previous Friday which she stated was an absolute delight.  The free fun and information day had been open to all of the Armed Forces Community including Serving Personnel, Reservists, Veterans and families.  Various organisations attended to provide help, advice and free health checks, and there had been a backdrop of entertainment too. 

The Chairman expressed her thanks to those involved in organising the event, and to the organisations which took part.

There were no petitions.

1.         From Bryan Rylands to Councillor David Monk, Leader of the Council

Please could SDC provide me with the total sum of any pension deficit they may have and an explanation of how this has come about.

2.         From Graham Corr to Councillor David Monk, Leader of the Council

Are Investors in Private Capital Ltd the guarantors for Cozumel estates, who have a collaboration agreement with SDC?

3.         From Christopher Deane to Councillor David Monk, Leader of the Council

In the light of almost daily reports on the crisis in our cash strapped hospitals, and the particular problem of ‘bed blocking’ brought about by cuts in funding and social care provision for the elderly at a local level, will Shepway District Council be lobbying for the maximum permissible increase Council Tax in order to facilitate the best possible local provision.

4.         From Aaron Roche to Councillor Alan Ewart-James, Cabinet Member for Housing

Could the Council please detail the exact criteria and methods of assessment for the triggering of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and whether there are any instances where these criteria have been met but SWEP not implemented in time this year?

5.         From Nick Southgate to Councillor Alan Ewart-James, Cabinet Member for Housing

Can the council clarify its position on both social and affordable housing? In particular, how many proposed new-build homes will be utilised for social housing and how much would a first-time buyer need to be earning, assuming they have a 10% deposit, to purchase a new-build 'affordable home'?

The questions asked, including supplementary questions (if any) and the answers given are set out in Schedule 1, appended to these minutes.

(Questions can be found under the date of the Council meeting -

www.shepway.gov.uk from noon 2 days before the meeting).

Up to 45 minutes is allowed for questions from councillors.

The questions asked and the answers given are set out in Schedule 2 appended to these minutes.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor David Monk, gave an update on the following:

·         The judicial review of the lorry park was due to be conducted in June, although he believed there were ongoing negotiations between Highways England and the owner of Westenhanger Castle, so it was possible that a resolution could be found prior to this.

·         The Otterpool Park collaboration board, and Shepway District Council continued to work on the design guide and identification of restraints. Further public consultations would be taking place the following month. In the mean time, a ‘frequently asked questions’ leaflet had been produced and would be distributed to the majority of homes in Shepway, answering most of the questions that were being asked.

·         Cabinet had approved the submission of the Princes Parade scheme for planning permission, and all being well, a decision would be made on whether to proceed later in the year.

·         By the end of the week, the Economic Development team would have submitted the second round bid for the £5million European Community Led Local Development scheme which was designed to provide jobs and businesses in Central and East Folkestone.  Shepway District Council were one of only three councils in the South East of the country to be asked to bid for this. The Leader paid tribute to the Head of Economic Development and her team for the effort put into the submission which had the potential over the next five years to make a significant improvement to the social and economic wellbeing of the area.

Councillor Laws, Leader of the UKIP Group thanked the Leader for his updates, and made the following points:

·         He was pleased that the lorry park was going to judicial review, and he stated that he would like the lorry parks to be spread evenly across the county, rather than having one big one.

·         In terms of Otterpool, opinions were still being sought, and much of the issues had not even been drawn up.

·         Were there doubts around Princes Parade proceeding?

·         The bid by Economic Development would be welcomed to the area, particularly with Brexit on the horizon, and he hoped that the Government would underwrite it.

The Leader responded to comments made with the following additional points:

·         Otterpool was a large area, and the restraints as to where the council could not build were clear.

·         In terms of Princes Parade, the costs were not known as yet.  The council intended to replace Hythe Pool, and if the development was a way of doing that, then the council would seek to do this.

Proposed by Councillor Monk

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee

RESOLVED:

That the announcements be noted.

The UKIP Group has raised the following matter, the formation of a cross party working group to consider the impact of Brexit.  The working group will carry out a time limited review of the current and likely future impact on Shepway of the UK exiting the EU and consider actions the council could take such as lobbying and local projects to capitalise on the opportunities and challenges that exiting the EU will bring, and then move forward.

Debates on opposition business shall be limited to 15 minutes.  If the time limit is reached or the debate concludes earlier, the leader of the group raising the item shall have a right of reply.

The Council shall:

a)        Note the issue raised and take no further action;

b)        Refer the issue to the cabinet or relevant overview and scrutiny committee, as the case may be for their observations before deciding whether to make a decision on the issue;

c)        Agree to examine the matter as part of a future scrutiny programme;

d)        Adopt the issue raised by opposition business provided that the decision so made is within the policy framework and budget.

Councillor Meyers presented the item which was “the formation of a cross party working group to consider the impact of Brexit”.  He asked that the working group carry out a time limited review of the current and likely future impact on Shepway of the UK exiting the EU and consider actions the council could take such as lobbying and local projects to capitalise on the opportunities and challenges that exiting the EU would bring and move forward.

Proposed by Councillor Meyers

Seconded by Councillor Laws; and

that the subject be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their observations before deciding whether to make a decision on the issue.

(Voting: 9 for; 12 Against; 2 Abstentions).

The motion was therefore defeated and the item FELL.

Report A/16/23 details the arrangements for appointing external auditors following the abolition of the Audit Commission and the end of the transitional arrangements at the conclusion of the 2017/18 audit.  It recommends that opting into a Sector Led Body (Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited) to negotiate and make the external auditor appointment be agreed as the preferred procurement route. The appointment of the external auditor is a decision of the Full Council.

Report A/16/23 details the arrangements for appointing external auditors following the abolition of the Audit Commission and the end of the transitional arrangements at the conclusion of the 2017/18 audit.  It recommends opting into a Sector Led Body (Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited) to negotiate and make the external auditor appointment be agreed as the preferred procurement route.

Proposed by Councillor Miss Carey,

Seconded by Councillor Owen; and

RESOLVED:

1.            To receive and note report A/16/23.

2.            That the Council opts in to the appointing person arrangements made by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) for the appointment of external auditors.

(voting: 24 For, 0 against, 0 abstentions)

Report A/16/26 sets out the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Budget for 2017/18 and proposes a decrease in rents and an increase in service charges for 2017/18.

Report A/16/26 set out the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Budget for 2017/18 and proposed a decrease in rents and an increase in service charges for 2017/18.

Proposed by Councillor Ewart-James,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED

1.         To receive and note Report AC/16/26.

2.         To approve the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2017/18.  (Refer to paragraph 2.1 and Appendix 1)

3.         To approve the decrease in rents of dwellings within the HRA on average by £0.85 per week, representing a 1.0% decrease with effect from 3 April 2017.  (Refer to paragraph 3.2)

4.         To approve the increase in service charges. (Refer to section 3.5)

5.         To approve the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget 2017/18. (Refer to paragraph 4.1 and Appendix 2)

(voting: 24 For, 0 against, 0 abstentions)

Report A/16/22 updates the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme for the five year period ending 31 March 2022. The report provides a projected outturn for the General Fund capital programme in 2016/17, based on expenditure to 30 November 2016. This report also sets out both the prudential indicators for capital expenditure and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement to be approved by full Council. The General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme is required to be submitted to full Council for consideration and approval as part of the budget process. Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 17 January 2017 ahead of Cabinet approving it on 18 January 2017 to be submitted to full Council.

Report A/16/22 updated the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme for the five year period ending 31 March 2022 and provided a projected outturn for the General Fund capital programme in 2016/17, based on expenditure to 30 November 2016. The report also set out both the prudential indicators for capital expenditure and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement to be approved by full Council. The General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme is required to be submitted to full Council for consideration and approval as part of the budget process. Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 17 January 2017 ahead of Cabinet approving it on 18 January 2017 to be submitted to full Council.

Proposed by Councillor Miss Susan Carey,

Seconded by Councillor Monk; and

RESOLVED:

1.        To receive and note report A/16/22.

2.        To approve the updated General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 2 to this report.

3.        To approve the Prudential Indicators for capital and borrowing set out in the Appendix 3 to this report.

4.        To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement set out in Appendix 4 to this report.

(voting: 24 For, 0 against, 0 abstentions)

Report A/16/24 sets out the proposed strategy for treasury management for 2017/18 including the Annual Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Indicators to be approved by full Council. Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 17 January 2017 ahead of Cabinet approving it on 18 January 2017 to be submitted to full Council.

Report A/16/24 set out the proposed strategy for treasury management for 2017/18 including the Annual Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Indicators to be approved by full Council. Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 17 January 2017 ahead of Cabinet approving it on 18 January 2017 to be submitted to full Council.

Proposed by Councillor Miss Carey,

Seconded by Councillor Monk; and

RESOLVED:

1.      To receive and note Report A/16/24.

2.      To approve the strategy for treasury management in 2017/18 set out in the report is adopted.

3.      To approve the 2017/18 Annual Investment Strategy set out in the report is adopted.

4.      To approve the treasury management indicators set out in the report.

(voting: 24 For, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Report A/16/25 concludes the budget-making process for 2017/18. It sets out recommendations for setting the council tax after taking into account the district’s council tax requirement (including town and parish council requirements and special expenses in respect of the Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds Charity), the precepts of Kent County Council, the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner and the Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Service

Report A/16/25 concluded the budget-making process for 2017/18. It set out recommendations for setting the council tax after taking into account the district’s council tax requirement (including town and parish council requirements and special expenses in respect of the Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds Charity), the precepts of Kent County Council, the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner and the Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Service.

Proposed by Councillor Miss Carey,

Seconded by Councillor Monk; and

RESOLVED:

1.        To receive and note Report A/16/25.

2.        To approve the District Council’s budget for 2017/18 as presented in Appendix 1 to this report and the council tax requirement for 2017/18, to be met from the Collection Fund, of £11,444,953.

3.        To approve that the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2017/18 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

a)    £99,405,985 – being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) (a) to (f) of the Act (as in Appendix 2).

b)   £87,961,032 – being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) (a) to (d) of the Act (as in Appendix 2).

c)    £11,444,953 – being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its council tax requirement for the year (as in Appendix 2).

d)   £305.75 – being the amount at 3(c) above divided by the tax base of 37,431.37 calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year.

e)    £2,573,344 – being the aggregate of all special items (including parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

f)     £237.01 - being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by the tax base of 37,431.37 calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates, ie Old Romney and Snargate.

g)   Part of the Council’s area

The following motions have been placed on the agenda in the order received; up to 60 minutes shall be allowed for debates on motions on notice:

Councillor Mary Lawes

Should we as a council and society do more to help the 'Homeless' in our district?

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Lawes

Seconded by Councillor Miss Govett.

‘Should we as a council and society do more to help the ‘homeless’ in our district?’

Substantive Motion

Proposed by Councillor Love.

Seconded by Councillor Monk.

That the motion be amended to read as follows:

‘This Council asks the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider the question: 

“Should we as a council and society do more to help the 'Homeless' in our district?”

in order to take account of: 

1. the details provided tonight by the Cabinet Member for Housing on Shepway’s current activities, and 
2. the emerging agenda of the Homelessness Reduction Bill, once it has completed its passage through Parliament.’

Upon being put, the substantive motion was carried.

(Voting: 24 For; 0 Against; 0 Abstentions).