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 11 November 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2020 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report provides an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) on its financial outturn for the financial year ending 31 March 2020 and on activities undertaken so far during the 2020/21 financial year, including a financial statement for the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 October 2020, in-line with the requirement contained in the Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council. The chairman of Oportunitas will be available at the meeting of cabinet to present the report and to address any questions.

The report provided an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) on its financial outturn for the financial year ending 31 March 2020 and on activities undertaken so far during the 2020/21 financial year, including a financial statement for the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 October 2020, in-line with the requirement contained in the Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council. The Chairman of Oportunitas was available at the meeting of Cabinet to present the report and to address any questions.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.          That report C/20/57 be received and noted.

2.          That the Full Statement of Accounts and Directors’ Report for the financial year ending 31 March 2020, be noted.

3.          That the Financial update covering the period 1April 2020 to 31 October 2020 be noted.

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

REASON FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations because Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) is required to provide regular updates to Cabinet as set out in the Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council.

This report outlines the proposal to support individuals who have left the care of Kent County Council, who live in the Folkestone & Hythe District with Council Tax until the age of 25.

The report outlined the proposal to support individuals who have left the care of Kent County Council, who live in the Folkestone & Hythe District with Council Tax until the age of 25.

Proposed by Councillor Prater,

Seconded by Councillor Whybrow; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/56 be received and noted.

2.        That the proposed change to the Council’s Financial Support scheme be agreed.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Following a motion to Full Council on 25 October 2020, Cabinet were asked to consider proposals to amend the Council’s Financial Support Scheme to include additional support for Kent County Council care leavers aged 22 to 25.

This Budget Strategy sets out the guidelines for preparing the 2021/22 Budget. It supports the Corporate Plan and aligns with the direction and objectives of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The Budget Strategy takes account of current and future financial issues, sets out the underlying assumptions and initial budget-setting proposals and provides a timetable for delivering a balanced budget in 2021/22.

The Budget Strategy set out the guidelines for preparing the 2021/22 Budget. It supports the Corporate Plan and aligns with the direction and objectives of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The Budget Strategy takes account of current and future financial issues, sets out the underlying assumptions and initial budget-setting proposals and provides a timetable for delivering a balanced budget in 2021/22.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/20/59 be received and noted.

2.         That the Budget Strategy for 2021/22 set out in the report be approved.

3.         That the General Fund revenue growth & savings proposals for 2021/22 (Appendix 2) be approved.

4.         That the General Fund capital growth proposals for 2021/22 (Appendix 3) be approved.

5.         That the proposed timetable for preparing 2021/22 budgets (Appendix 4) be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations because:

(i)             The Budget Strategy provides the framework for compiling the detailed 2021/22 budgets;

(ii)      The Budget Strategy will support the delivery of the MTFS; and

(iii)      The council’s constitution requires approval of such a Strategy at least two months in advance of final budget approval.

This report focuses on the proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 which will contribute towards meeting the council’s 2021/22 budget objectives and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The report focused on the proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 which will contribute towards meeting the council’s 2021/22 budget objectives and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Council’s Fees and Charges Policy was revised and agreed by Cabinet on 15 November 2017 (Report C/17/54).

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.    That report C/20/58 be received and noted.

2.    That the following be approved:

(i)         The 2021/22 fees and charges which are set at the discretion of the council for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, as outlined in Appendix 2;

(ii)       The parking charges in Appendix 3;

(iii)     The statutory charges subject to discretionary charges in Appendix 4.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet agreed the recommendations because the fees and charges are essential to support the delivery of the MTFS and Budget Strategy.

This report sets out the responses received during the public consultation for the draft Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2020/25. The 8 week period of consultation ended on 2^nd October. Subject to the proposed amendments in the report, it is recommended that the Strategy be adopted by the Council.

The report set out the responses received during the public consultation for the draft Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2020/25. The 8 week period of consultation ended on 2^nd October. Subject to the proposed amendments in the report, it is recommended that the Strategy be adopted by the Council.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.          That report C/20/54 be received and noted.

2.         That the consultation responses received and the proposed amendments to the draft strategy set out in section 2.2 of the report be noted.

3.         That the draft Homelessness Prevention Strategy be formally adopted by the Council, subject to the amendments set out in the report.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

a)             The Homelessness prevention Strategy is the Council’s key tool for planning how the Council and its partners intend to respond to homelessness and related issues in the district.

b)             The Homelessness Act 2002, requires all local housing authorities to produce an effective homelessness strategy for their area.

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 Mrs Hollingsbee; 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 current Joint Working Agreement for the Waste Service with DDC ends in January 2021. It is proposed that the joint working arrangements continue as they have proved successful and effective in the management of the waste contract. DDC have drafted a new agreement for the next contract period largely based on the existing agreement.

The current Joint Working Agreement for the Waste Service with DDC ends in January 2021. It is proposed that the joint working arrangements continue as they have proved successful and effective in the management of the waste contract. DDC have drafted a new agreement for the next contract period largely based on the existing agreement.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Godfrey; and

RESOLVED:

1.    That report C/20/55 be received and noted.

2.    That the continued delegation of the management of the waste services function to DDC under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the terms outlined in the new draft Joint Working Agreement be approved.

3.    That the delegation be approved to start from 16 January 2021 and to continue for the eight year period of the new Waste, Recycling & Street Cleansing Contract.

4.    That the Director of Place be authorised to conclude the completion of the new Joint Working Agreement.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The current Joint Working Agreement ends in January 2021. A new agreement is required to continue the operation of the joint Waste Team and the joint management of the Waste Contract.