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 meeting held on 16 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2020 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

Following the recent review into the council’s Scrutiny arrangements, this report proposes adoption of a Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Protocol, to clarifyrelationships between the Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Members, help to ensure the smooth conduct of Overview and Scrutiny business and encourage effective communication between the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet.  The protocol was endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 6 October 2020.  

Following the recent review into the council’s Scrutiny arrangements, the report proposed adoption of a Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Protocol, to clarifyrelationships between the Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Members, help to ensure the smooth conduct of Overview and Scrutiny business and encourage effective communication between the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet.  The protocol was endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 6 October 2020.  

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Whybrow; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/20/35 be received and noted.

2.         That the Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Protocol, set out at appendix 1 of the report be approved and adopted.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The adoption of the protocol will ensure clarity of expectations on members of both Overview and Scrutiny and Cabinet, thereby assisting in making the council’s scrutiny process more effective.

This monitoring report provides a projection of the end of year financial position of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the 31 August 2020.

The monitoring report provided a projection of the end of year financial position of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the 31 August 2020.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That Report C/20/43 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetis asked to agree the recommendations because it needs 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 monitoring report provides the latest projection of the current financial position for the General Fund capital programme in 2020/21, based on expenditure to 31 August 2020, and identifies variances compared to the latest approved budget.

This monitoring report provided the latest projection of the current financial position for the General Fund capital programme in 2020/21, based on expenditure to 31 August 2020, and identifies variances compared to the latest approved budget.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/20/38 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations because it needs to be kept informed of the General Fund capital programme position and take appropriate action to deal with any variance from the approved budget.

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 31 August 2020. 

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 31 August 2020. 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That Report C/20/41 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetis asked to agree the recommendations because Cabinet needs 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 2020/21 position.

This report reviews the council’s treasury management activities for 2019/20, including the actual treasury management indicators. The report meets the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities. The Council is required to comply with both Codes through Regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003.

The report reviews the council’s treasury management activities for 2019/20, including the actual treasury management indicators. The report meets the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities. The Council is required to comply with both Codes through Regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.                 That Report C/20/39 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations because:-

a)    Both CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management in the Public Services and their Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, together with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules, require that an annual report on treasury management is received by the Council after the close of the financial year.

This report provides details of the district’s electric vehicle (EV) charging point infrastructure, and make recommendations for further charging points to be installed to meet anticipated future EV uptake.

The report provided details of the district’s electric vehicle (EV) charging point infrastructure, and made recommendations for further charging points to be installed to meet anticipated future EV uptake.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/20/37 be received and noted.

2.         That Cabinet seek Full Council approval for the capital funding of £40,000 to be provided in the current financial year 2020/21 for 15 on-street fast chargers (7kw-22kw), and that this expenditure is met from the Climate Change Reserve.

3.         That charges of 25p per kWh (minimum of £2.50) be applied to all units to cover the cost of electricity usage and credit/debit card charges when the new charge points are installed.

4.         That EV drivers continue to pay for parking in chargeable car parks and on-street locations.

5.         That charges be reviewed annually in line with council’s fees and charges policy.

6.         That the precise location of charge points be agreed by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Transport and Special Projects.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations because:

1.    The additional charge points will contribute to the council’s Carbon Action Plan to reduce carbon footprint by encouraging the adoption of EVs.

2.    Charging infrastructure needs to be in place to give residents and businesses the confidence to purchase EVs.

3.    Additional EV charge points are needed in the district to fulfil the required number identified in a recent study commissioned by Kent County Council

4.    There is already an expectation from residents and visitors that places will have adequate coverage of convenient and affordable EV charging infrastructure available to use.

5.    Full Council approval is required for proposed budget changes to the General Fund Capital Programme.

This report summarises the proposals in the Government’s Planning White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’, currently out for consultation. The report sets out proposed comments from Folkestone & Hythe District Council, which, if approved by Cabinet, will be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as the district council’s formal response to the consultation.

The report summarised the proposals in the Government’s Planning White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’, currently out for consultation. The report set out proposed comments from Folkestone & Hythe District Council, which, if approved by Cabinet, would be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as the district council’s formal response to the consultation.

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Monk; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/20/40 be received and noted.

2.         That the draft consultation comments set out in Appendix 1 be approved for submission to MHCLG, with any final amendments or additions agreed by the portfolio holder, in consultation with the Leader.

3.         That a letter be sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government highlighting the council’s comments.

4.         That the council’s response to the consultation be made available on the council’s website.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

So that the district council’s comments can be taken into account by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in finalising its proposals.

To exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 –

‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  “Financial or business affairs” includes contemplated as well as current activities.’

Part 2 – Exempt Information Item

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

That the public be excluded for the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 –

‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  “Financial or business affairs” includes contemplated as well as current activities.’

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

The Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) regulates the relationship between FHDC as the Waste Collection Authority and KCC as the Waste Disposal Authority. The current agreement ends in January 2021. This report summarises the proposed new agreement.

The Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) regulates the relationship between FHDC as the Waste Collection Authority and KCC as the Waste Disposal Authority. The current agreement ends in January 2021. The report summarised the proposed new agreement.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Monk; and

RESOLVED:

1.    That report C/20/42 be received and noted.

2.    That the completion of the new IAA on the terms outlined in the report be approved.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

a)    The current agreement ends in January 2021. A new agreement is required to confirm the waste transfer locations and the shared financial savings for the recycled materials collected.