Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 19th February, 2020, 7.00 pm

Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre Folkestone

Contact: Jemma West 

Media

Items
No. Item

92.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the Council should declare any discloseable pecuniary interest or any other significant interests in any item/s on this agenda.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Fuller declared a DPI in respect of minute no 103 (Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital original budget 20/21), in that he lived in a council property.

 

Councillors Rolfe and Gane declared a DPI in respect of minute no 101 (Update to the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme and Budget Monitoring 2019/20) in respect of their roles as Directors on the Board of Oportunitas.

 

Councillor Rolfe also declared a personal interest in respect of minute no 102 (General Fund Budget and Council Tax 2020/21), due to her role as a New Romney Town Councillor, and due to her owning a business on the High Street.

 

Councillors Gane, Keutenius and Meade also declared personal interests in respect of minute no 102, due to their roles as Councillors on Folkestone Town Council.

 

Councillor Mrs Carey declared a personal interest with regard to Minute No 101 (Update to the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme and Budget Monitoring 2019/20), as she was a customer of Oportunitas.

93.

Minutes

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the council held on 29 January 2020 and to authorise the Chairman of the Council to sign them as a correct record.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2020 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

94.

Chairman's Communications

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman gave the following communications:

 

“Firstly I would like to thank our Officers and the team on their quick response to the severe weather that we have had over the past couple of weeks. The officers were in touch with the Environment Agency who are continuing to monitor the severe weather conditions.  The officers were and are on standby should any emergency occur. Partners were advised that SWEP would be implemented on Saturday and Sunday due to the severe weather warnings.

 

Thanks must also go to all the Emergency services that have worked long hours to keep the roads open and us safe.

 

Our website has a comprehensive guide on flooding and you can sign up for free phone, email or text alerts from the Environment Agency.

 

Since the last full Council meeting, the Deputy Chairman and I, supported the Ashford Mayor’s Charity at the London Beach Hotel in Tenterden and also the Mayoral Civic Service in Broadstairs.

 

On Sunday 2nd February I was pleased to attend the 125th Anniversary of All Souls Church in Cheriton. The service was very well attended and we all had a chance to meet up at the buffet in the church hall afterwards.

 

On Tuesday 4th February I attended the Installation of The Rev Dr John Walker as Priest in charge to St Mary and St Eanswythe Church in Folkestone. This came after a long interregnum of just over two years. It was pleasing to see so many of his fellow Priests in support.

 

The Bishop of Dover, The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin conducted the service. During her talk to the Congregation she asked the newly installed Priest, Dr John what his favourite song was, then proceeded to ask one other person.  I was hoping like a great many I’m sure, that I would not be asked. However, when the time came for me to stand and say a few words of welcome on behalf of the District to Rev Dr John Walker, I mentioned that, had I been asked by the Bishop what my favourite song was, I would have said, Oh Happy Day!”.

95.

Petitions

There are no petitions to be presented.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no petitions to be presented.

96.

Questions from the Public

 

1.    From Mrs Lawes to Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities

 

Following a briefing to district councillors in 2016/17 about Community Led Local Developments (CLLD). Now known as Folkestone Community works.

 

Councillors from the deprived wards of Harbour, East Folkestone and Central were assured that jobs would be created for long term unemployed. With the amount of funding so far distributed from Folkestone Community fund of £2.9 million to a number of New businesses.

 

Could you let me know how many long term unemployed have gained employment if any, and what type of employment ie: part time, full time or seasonal, zero hours minimum wage?

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

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

97.

Questions from Councillors

(Questions can be found on www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk from noon 2 days before the meeting, on Modern.gov, under the agenda for this meeting).

 

Up to 45 minutes is allowed for questions from councillors.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The questions asked, including supplementary questions (if any), and the answers given are set out in Schedule 2, appended to these minutes.

98.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council on the business of the cabinet and on matters that the leader considers should be drawn to the council’s attention. The leader shall have 10 minutes to make his announcements.

 

The opposition group will have an opportunity to reply to the leader’s remarks.  The opposition group leader shall have 5 minutes to respond after which the Leader of the Council will have a right of reply.  Any right of reply will be for a maximum duration of 5 minutes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Leader gave the following announcements:

 

“Good evening to you all.

 

It is interesting times we live in, we have held the first meeting of the Cabinet today that has diverse representation from across the Council. I think it went very well and I look forward to it proceeding in the future to the benefit of the whole of the district.

 

On a more local issue, on the closure of Debenhams, we have just negotiated to take a licence to enter the premises to animate the windows. Now this will take three to four weeks and then we will make the whole building look a lot happier.  I’m pleased to say a local business man, Martin Jackson has taken a great lead in this and has liaised with a lot of local business who have raised money to help bring this project forward  that is all from my report this evening.  Thank you”.

 

 

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the announcements of the Leader be noted.

 

 

99.

Opposition Business

There is no Opposition Business.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no opposition business.

100.

Motions on Notice

There are no motions on notice.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no motions on notice.

101.

Update to the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme and Budget Monitoring 19/20

This report updates the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme for the five year period ending 31 March 2025. The report provides an updated projected outturn for the General Fund capital programme in 2019/20, based on expenditure to 30 November 2019. 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. This report also sets out the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2020/21 to be approved by full Council. Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 21 January 2020 ahead of Cabinet approving it for submission to full Council on 22 January 2020. The report has been updated to incorporate changes to the Medium Term Capital Programme which have occurred since these meetings.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The report updated the General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme for the five year period ending 31 March 2025. The report provided an updated projected outturn for the General Fund capital programme in 2019/20, based on expenditure to 30 November 2019. 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. The report also sets out the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2020/21 to be approved by full Council. Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 21 January 2020 ahead of Cabinet approving it for submission to full Council on 22 January 2020. The report has been updated to incorporate changes to the Medium Term Capital Programme which have occurred since these meetings.

 

Proposed by Councillor Prater,

Seconded by Councillor Whybrow;

 

That the following recommendation be inserted as recommendation two (and subsequent recommendations be renumbered):

 

The Princes Parade (Princes Parade Leisure and Housing development) allocated budget of £28.608m be deleted and that a future capital programme considers the required budget for a leisure centre on an alternative site, probably at Martello Lakes.

 

In accordance with the council procedure rule 17.5 five members present demanded a recorded vote.

 

FOR: COUNCILLORS DAVISON, KEUTENIUS, FULLER, GANE, KEEN, J MARTIN, MCCONVILLE, MEADE, PRATER, SHOOB, TRELOAR, WADE, WHYBROW, WING (14).

 

AGAINST: COUNCILLORS MRS BERRY, BROOK, MRS CAREY, COLLIER, FIELD, GODDARD, HILLS, MRS HOLLINGSBEE, P MARTIN, MEYERS, MONK, MULLARD, PEALL, ROLFE, WIMBLE (15).

 

ABSTENTIONS: (0).

 

(Voting figures: 14 for, 15 against, 0 abstention).

 

The amendment was therefore LOST.

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

1.         That report A/19/26 be received and noted.

2.         That the updated General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme, as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

3.         That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement for 2020/21, as set out in appendix 3 to the report be approved.

 

(Voting figures: 8 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

 

In accordance with the council procedure rule 17.5 five members present demanded a recorded vote.

 

 

FOR: COUNCILLORS MRS BERRY, BROOK, MRS CAREY, COLLIER, FIELD, GANE, GODDARD, HILLS, MRS HOLLINGSBEE, P MARTIN, MEYERS, MONK, MULLARD, PEALL, ROLFE, WIMBLE (16).

 

AGAINST: COUNCILLORS DAVISON, KEUTENIUS, FULLER, KEEN, J MARTIN, MCCONVILLE, MEADE, PRATER, SHOOB, TRELOAR, WADE, WHYBROW, WING (13).

 

ABSTENTIONS: (0).

 

(Voting figures: 16 for, 13 against, 0 abstention).

102.

General Fund Budget and Council Tax 2020/21

This report concludes the budget setting process for 2020/21. 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.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

This report concludes the budget setting process for 2020/21. 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.

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

1.         That report A/19/29 be received and noted.

2.         That the District Council’s budget for 2020/21 as presented in Appendix 1 to the report and the Council Tax requirement for 2020/21 be approved, to be met from the Collection Fund, of £13,044,673.

3.         That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2020/21 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

a)    £105,350,102 – 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)    £92,305,429 – 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)    £13,044,673 – 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)    £333.55 – being the amount at 3(c) above divided by the tax base of 39,109.15 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)    £3,104,691 – being the aggregate of all special items (including parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

f)     £254.16 - being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by the tax base of 39,109.15 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

 

Folkestone

 348.59

Being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(f) above the special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council area mentioned here divided in each case by the appropriate tax base calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

 

Sandgate

329.90

 

Hythe

312.32

 

Lydd

315.69

 

New Romney

385.24

 

 

 

 

Acrise

256.45

 

Elham

312.54

 

Elmsted

271.67

 

Hawkinge

362.41

 

Lyminge

301.24

 

Lympne

304.49

 

Monks Horton

263.57

 

Newington

301.17

 

Paddlesworth

265.04

 

Postling

282.25

 

Saltwood

279.20  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

103.

Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Original Budget 20/21

This report sets out the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Budget for 2020/21 and proposes an increase in weekly rents and an increase in service charges for 2020/21

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The report set out the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Budget for 2020/21 and proposed an increase in weekly rents and an increase in service charges for 2020/21.

 

Proposed by Councillor Meade,

Seconded by Councillor McConville; and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That paragraph 3.5.2 of the report be amended to read as follows:

 

“Service charges for heating and hot water in sheltered housing schemes should be set at actual cost or 10%, whichever is lowest”.

 

(Voting figures: 26 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

 

Councillors Gane and Goddard left the chamber for this vote.

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

1.   That report A/19/27 be received and noted.

2.   That the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2020/21 be approved.  (Refer to paragraph 2.1 and Appendix 1)

3.   That the increase in rents of dwellings within the HRA on average by £2.22 per week, representing a 2.7% increase, be approved, with effect from 1 April 2020.  (Refer to paragraph 3.2)

4.   That the increase in service charges be approved. (Refer to section 3.5)

5.   That the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget 2020/21 be approved. (Refer to paragraph 4.1 and Appendix 2)

6.   That the additional funding to be allocated between 2020/21 – 2022/23 of £10 million for the investment into the existing housing stock through an enhanced capital programme be approved. (Refer to paragraph 4.1.3).

7.   That Service charges for heating and hot water in sheltered housing schemes should be set at actual cost or 10%, whichever is lowest. (Refer to paragraph 3.5.2).

 

(Voting figures: 28 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

 

Councillor Fuller left the chamber during the consideration of this item, and returned after the vote.

104.

Housing management options appraisal - outcome of formal consultation

An options appraisal was completed in October 2019, reviewing the delivery of housing management services provided by East Kent Housing (EKH) on behalf of Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Thanet District Council. The four councils agreed that the preferred option for future service provision to the four councils’ tenants and leaseholders is that it should become an in-house service, subject to consultation. The attached Cabinet report sets out the outcomes from the formal consultation exercise undertaken with EKH tenants and leaseholders. It proposes that officers from across the four councils be instructed to negotiate ending the agreement with EKH and to make preparations for the housing management service to be brought in-house.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

An options appraisal was completed in October 2019, reviewing the delivery of housing management services provided by East Kent Housing (EKH) on behalf of Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Thanet District Council. The four councils agreed that the preferred option for future service provision to the four councils’ tenants and leaseholders is that it should become an in-house service, subject to consultation. The Cabinet report sets out the outcomes from the formal consultation exercise undertaken with EKH tenants and leaseholders. It proposes that officers from across the four councils be instructed to negotiate ending the agreement with EKH and to make preparations for the housing management service to be brought in-house.

 

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Carey,

Seconded by Councillor P Martin; and

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.             That Report A/19/28 be received and noted.

2.             That it be recommended to Cabinetthat:

(1)      That having noted the results of the tenant and leaseholder consultation, the cost/benefit analysis and the risk analysis, it be agreed that the management of the council’s housing stock be brought back in-house.

(2)      That the Director of Transformation and Transition, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Transport and Special Projects be authorised to negotiate and conclude a termination of the management agreement with EKH as soon as practicable.

(3)      That the Director of Transformation and Transition, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Transport and Special Projects be authorised to take such decisions as may be necessary to facilitate the process of bringing the housing service in-house in discussion with the appropriate statutory officers..

 

(Voting figures: 29 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

105.

Housing Revenue Account Business Plan Update 2020 - 2050

The Council is required to produce a comprehensive Business Plan for its housing stock. The Business Plan is focused on improving the quality of the Council’s landlord services and sets out the investment priorities for its existing Council housing stock. The document also provides details of the council’s new build and acquisition housing programme. In view of policy changes implemented by the Government in 2018 to abolish the HRA borrowing cap, it was possible for the Council to increase its delivery target for new builds and the Business Plan was revised to deliver up to 300 homes by 2024/25. Following further reviews of the HRA financial position, its borrowing capacity and the Council’s priorities the Business Plan has been updated to deliver a further 1,000 homes over the 10 year period from 2025/26 to 2034/35. The revised Business Plan also includes capital investment of £10m into existing housing stock. This report provides the details supporting the updated plan.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Council is required to produce a comprehensive Business Plan for its housing stock. The Business Plan is focused on improving the quality of the Council’s landlord services and sets out the investment priorities for its existing Council housing stock. The document also provides details of the council’s new build and acquisition housing programme. In view of policy changes implemented by the Government in 2018 to abolish the HRA borrowing cap, it was possible for the Council to increase its delivery target for new builds and the Business Plan was revised to deliver up to 300 homes by 2024/25. Following further reviews of the HRA financial position, its borrowing capacity and the Council’s priorities the Business Plan has been updated to deliver a further 1,000 homes over the 10 year period from 2025/26 to 2034/35. The revised Business Plan also includes capital investment of £10m into existing housing stock. The report provided the details supporting the updated plan.

 

The Leader advised that Cabinet had met earlier that evening and made an amendment to recommendation 2 of the report. The revised recommendation, which now read as shown below had been circulated to Members at the meeting.

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.         That report A/19/30 be received and noted.

2.         That the number of homes delivered through the HRA new build and acquisition programme be increased to 1,200 homes over the period from 2020/21 to 2034/35.

3.         That £10m be invested into existing housing stock.

4.         That an update to the text of the HRA Business Plan be considered by Full Council in June.

 

(Voting figures: 29 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

 

Councillors Whybrow, Prater, Treloar, J Martin, Meade, Shoob, Keutenius, Fuller, Wing, Wade and Davison indicated that with regard to paragraph 2.2 of the report, in respect of new builds at Princes Parade, they could not support this part of the report, and asked for this to be recorded in the minutes.  

106.

Committee Membership Changes

Under the Folkestone and Hythe District Council Constitution, Part 8.1 ‘Delegation to Officers’, paragraph 3.18, the Head of Paid Service is authorised to make appointments to committees or sub-committees at the request of the relevant political group leader.  This report sets out the appointments made, under these powers, on the instruction of both the Green and Liberal Democrat Group Leaders, following the changes to Cabinet on 1 February 2020.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Under the Folkestone and Hythe District Council Constitution, Part 8.1 ‘Delegation to Officers’, paragraph 3.18, the Head of Paid Service is authorised to make appointments to Committees or Sub-Committees at the request of the relevant political group leader.  The report set out the appointments made, under these powers, on the instruction of both the Green and Liberal Democrat Group Leaders, following the changes to Cabinet on 1 February 2020.

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That report A/19/24 be received and noted.

 

(Voting figures: 29 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

107.

Amendment to the Scheme of Delegation of Executive Functions made by the Leader of the Council

Under the Council’s constitution (part 6, para 1.4.1) the Leader of the Council decides on the delegation of cabinet functions.  The Leader may amend the delegations at any time by giving written notice to the Head of the Paid Service.  Where such a notice is received the Head of the Paid Service must submit a report on the amendments to the next ordinary meeting of the Council.  This report sets out the amendments made by the Leader.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Under the Council’s constitution (part 6, para 1.4.1) the Leader of the Council decides on the delegation of cabinet functions.  The Leader may amend the delegations at any time by giving written notice to the Head of the Paid Service.  Where such a notice is received the Head of the Paid Service must submit a report on the amendments to the next ordinary meeting of the Council.  The report set out the amendments made by the Leader.

 

An addendum to the report setting out further changes had been circulated to all Members prior to the meeting.

 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That report A/19/25 be received and noted.

 

(Voting figures: 16 for, 7 against, 6 abstentions).