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.

There were no declarations of interest at the meeting.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meetings held on 11 and 20 December 2019.

The minutes of the meetings held on 11 and 20 December were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report provides an update on the Council’s performance for the second quarter of 2019/20, covering 1^st July 2019 to 30^th September 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 second quarter of 2019/20, covering 1^st July 2019 to 30^th September 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.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/62 be received and noted.

2.         That the performance information for Quarter 2 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.

This report seeks Cabinet agreement to take on the responsibility for maintaining the Step Short commemoration Memorial Arch, including paying for its maintenance.

The report sought Cabinet agreement to take on the responsibility for maintaining the Step Short commemoration Memorial Arch, including paying for its maintenance.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 21 January 2020. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/56 be received and noted.

2.         That the transfer of the commemoration Memorial Arch asset to the Council be agreed, and financial responsibility for the maintenance costs which are estimated at £6k per annum, be assumed.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Step Short charity is seeking to divest itself of the commemoration Memorial Arch asset and has requested that the District Council takes on this asset and assumes responsibility for its maintenance.  On transfer of this asset the charity proposes to wind itself up.

In December 2018, Folkestone & Hythe District Council (“FHDC” / “the Council”) was granted outline planning permission for 19 houses at its development site at Fernfield Lane, Hawkinge. This report is seeking approval for the disposal of the whole of the site, recommending that marketing of the site commences at the start of 2020 aiming to obtain capital receipts in the 2020/21 financial year.

In December 2018, Folkestone & Hythe District Council (“FHDC” / “the Council”) was granted outline planning permission for 19 houses at its development site at Fernfield Lane, Hawkinge. The report sought approval for the disposal of the whole of the site, recommending that marketing of the site commences at the start of 2020 aiming to obtain capital receipts in the 2020/21 financial year.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 21 January 2020. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Collier,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/63 be received and noted.

2.         That the Director – Housing & Operations be authorised to proceed with the disposal and achieve best value for the Council.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The site at Fernfield Lane was considered to be surplus to current requirements. Capital receipts identified can be used under the flexible capital receipts guidance.

This report sets out the draft 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.

The report set out the draft 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.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 21 January 2020. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.   That report C/19/60 be received and noted.

2.   That the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2020/21 (set out in paragraph 2.1 and Appendix 1 of the report) be recommended to Full Council. 

3.  That the increase in rents of dwellings within the HRA on average by £2.22 per week, representing a 2.7% increasewith effect from 1 April 2020 (set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report) be recommended to Full Council.

4.   That the increase in service charges (set out in section 3.5 of the report) be recommended to Full Council.

5.   That the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget 2020/21 (set out in paragraph 4.1 and Appendix 2 of the report) be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations as the Local Government Housing Act 1989 requires the Council, as a Local Housing Authority, to keep a separate Housing Revenue Account and to produce estimates to ensure that the account does not go into deficit. The authority also has a duty to set and approve rents in accordance with government guidelines that are outlined in the self-financing determination. The Constitution requires that the annual Budget and any variations to the Budget are approved by Council.

This monitoring report provides a projection of the end of year financial position for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme based on net expenditure to 30 November 2019.

The monitoring report provided a projection of the end of year financial position for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme based on net expenditure to 30 November 2019.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

That report C/19/61 be received and noted.

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

REASON FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because Cabinet needed to be kept informed of the Housing Revenue Account position and take appropriate action to deal with any variance from the approved budget and be informed of the final 2019/20 position.

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.

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 set out the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2020/21 to be approved by full Council.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 21 January 2020. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Godfrey; and

RESOLVED:

1.             That report C/19/58 be received and noted.

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

3.       That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement for 2020/21 set out in appendix 3 to the report be recommended to Full Council.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)             It needs to be kept informed of the existing General Fund Medium Term Capital Programme position and take appropriate action to deal with any variance from the approved budget.

b)             Proposed extensions to existing schemes are required to be considered and approved before being included in the council’s Medium Term Capital Programme.

c)             The proposed Medium Term Capital Programme needs to be considered before it is submitted to full Council for approval as part of the budget process.

d)             The Council must also have regard to CIPFA’s Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities when carrying out its duties under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003.

e)             The Council is required to approve a Minimum Revenue Provision statement for 2020/21 in advance of the start of the financial year.

This monitoring report provides a projection of the end of year financial position of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the 30 November 2019.

The monitoring report provided a projection of the end of year financial position of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the 30 November 2019.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 21 January 2020. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/19/64 be received and noted.

2.         That up to £400k be utilised to provide interim capacity for the delivery of Corporate Priorities that meet the conditions outlined in paragraph 2.3 of the report, to be agreed by the Head of the Paid Service in consultation with the Leader of the Council. 

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because it needed to be informed of the council’s General Fund Revenue Budget position and take appropriate action to deal with any variance from the approved budget.

This report sets out the proposed strategy for treasury management for 2020/21 including Treasury Management Indicators.

The report set out the proposed strategy for Treasury Management for 2020/21 including Treasury Management Indicators.

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 21 January 2020. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.     That report C/19/59 be received and noted.

2.     That the strategy for Treasury Management in 2020/21 set out in the report be adopted.

3.     That the Treasury Management Indicators for 2020/21 set out in the report be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations because:-

a)    The Council must have regard to CIPFA’s Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services when carrying out its duties under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003, including approving an annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement in advance of the financial year.

b)    The Council’s Financial Procedure Rules require an annual plan and strategy for treasury management to be approved in advance of the financial year.