Agenda and draft minutes

Members of the committee 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.

Councillors James Butcher and John Wing both declared voluntary interest as Directors of Oportunitas.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2024 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2024 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

A series of short presentations will be received, thereafter members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be encouraged to ask questions.

Toby Howe, Highways & Transport Strategic Resilience Manager and Andy Jeffery, Head of Resilience & Emergency Planning at Kent County Council (KCC) will be in attendance to provide members with a presentation on the EU Entry / Exit System which is due to be implemented later this year.

Following this the following guests will be invited to share their perspective on the matter:

Overview & Scrutiny Members will be invited to lead the discussion on issues of concerns for residents, businesses, and guests.

Toby Howe, Highways & Transport Strategic Resilience Manager and Andy Jeffery, Head of Resilience & Emergency Planning at Kent County Council (KCC) introduced the item and provided members and guests with a presentation on the EU Entry / Exit System (EES) which is due to be implemented later this year.

The following guests were invited to speak:

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover.

Natalie Benville, Regional Affairs Manager of EuroTunnel.

Nadeem Aziz, Chief Executive of Dover District Council.

Mr Jamie Pout, Deputy Leader of Dover District Council.

Chris Johnson, Chair of Hawkinge Town Council.

John Neale, Chair of Newington & Penne Parish Council; and,

Dee Elson, Council Centre & Resilience Manger (FHDC).

Doug Bannister advised members on how the Port of Dover plans to tackle the upcoming implementation of the EU Entry / Exit System. Followed by Natalie Benville, who shared a short presentation with members (attached).

Jamie Pout and Nadeem Aziz shared their concerns and insights for Dover and the surrounding authorities.

Chris Johnson and John Neale also shared the concerns raised by residents within their wards.

Dee Elson provided members with a short presentation (attached) on how Folkestone and Hythe District Council is preparing for the EES.

Throughout the meeting members raised several points, including:

·       Several members raised the importance of communication with residents on the lead up to the implementation, and during operation TAP and Brock (if stood up).

·       Members also asked if back up plans had been considered if technical problems arise at the Port of Dover and/or Eurotunnel – Both Doug Bannister, and Natalie Benville confirmed plans were being discussed.

·       Members were also concerned with motorists’ welfare should the EES result in long delays and queuing traffic – Andy Jeffrey, advised there is ongoing planning and discussions around welfare and making sure people are prepared when travelling.

·       Members asked how town and parish councils and communities can provide ideas and feedback – It was confirmed that FHDC would have a dedicated email address (EES@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk), which could also be fed into impact groups. Toby Howe also advised both Chris Johnson and John Neale that he is happy to arrange a meeting between himself and Hawkinge Town Council and Newington & Peene Parish Council to discuss concerns.

·       Members asked whether further updates could be provided – The EES item is part of the OSC Work Programme 24/25, and it was also advised that an update would be provided to the Folkestone & Hythe’s District & Parish Council Joint Committee later this year.

This report considers the potential impacts for the district, of Kent County Council’s decision to end its accommodation and support provision for care leavers once they reach the age of 19.

Adrian Hammond, Housing Strategy & Homelessness Manager introduced the item.

The report considered the potential impacts for the district, of Kent County Council’s decision to end its accommodation and support provision for care leavers once they reach the age of nineteen.

Following the introduction, Members raised several points, including:

·       Members raised the questions on what the district, neighboring authorities and members could do to elevate the potential issues and concerns.

·       Members asked for clarification on why the risk assessment outcome had been set at medium, in respect of the likely impact for the young people affected (as detailed in paragraph 4) the Risk Management Issues table) – The Housing Strategy & Homelessness Manager explained that the council currently does not know how many individuals will be affected and that the assessment could change when further information is known over the coming months.

·       As per paragraph 3.4 and 3.5 of the report. Members asked whether the council would look to work with other organisations to tackle this issue – It was confirmed that the council will look and continue to work with organisations in and outside the district. However, the assistance available from other partners would not be as intensive as the support currently available from KCC.

·       Members raised concerns around allocations, and what might happen when young adults approach the council - The Housing Strategy & Homelessness Manager advised members that the council will continue to work with Housing Associations and Private Landlords to try and mitigate issues that arise, along with the use of the councils own housing stock and temporary accommodation. It was noted that although the council sometimes temporarily houses individuals outside of the district, the council recognises individual needs and support networks, and does its most to re-house those individuals within the district.

·       Members asked whether there is a more detailed breakdown of the number of young adults coming of age, and whether this would be part of the councils monitoring process – Officers advised that this data could potentially be obtained from KCC and potentially be included as part the council’s monitoring process.

·       Members asked for information around the current processes for care leavers and what services are offered to them - The Housing Strategy & Homelessness Manager explained that services offered included help with obtaining accommodation through private landlords, help in applying to the housing waiting list in order to access social housing and sign posting to support services.

·       Member asked whether further updates would be provided – It was advised that officers could look to bring further updates to members later in the year.

Proposed by Councillor Connor McConville,

Seconded by Councillor James Butcher; and,

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report OS/23/14.

2.         To comment on the points set out in the report; and,

3.         That a further update be brought to the committee at a later date.

(As there was no dissent the recommendations were approved by affirmation of meeting)

This report sets out a proposed work programme for Overview and Scrutiny for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Chair and Amandeep Khroud, Assistant Director - Governance, Law, and Democracy, introduced the item.

The report set out a proposed work programme for Overview and Scrutiny work for the municipal year 24/25.

Following the introduction, it was suggested that the ‘Oportunitas – review of strategic funding assessment’ and the ‘UKSPF & REPF’ as seen within appendix 1 of the report could be brought to the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Anita Jones,

Seconded by Councillor Connor McConville; and,

Resolved:

1.     To receive and note report OS/23/12.

2.     To adopt and implement the Scrutiny work programme, set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report, for the municipal year 24/25, with the following minor amendments:

a.     Item 5 (EES) to be amended to a reserve item; and,

b.    Item 10 (Corporate plan) to be implemented as a main item.

3.     To note paragraph 1.4 of the report.

(As there was no dissent the recommendations were approved by affirmation of meeting)

This report sets out the work that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee have completed during 2023/2024.

Councillor Laura Davison, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the item.

The report set out the work that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee have completed during 2022/2023.

Both the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny and the Chair of the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee thanked members and officers for their hard work.

Members then thanked Councillors Laura Davison and Connor McConville for their dedication and work in chairing both Committees.

Proposed by Councillor Elaine Martin,

Seconded by Councillor Bridget Chapman; and,

Resolved:

1.               To receive and note report OS/23/13.

(As there was no dissent the recommendations were approved by affirmation of meeting)