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 26 May 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2021 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report provides an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) on its provisional financial outturn and activities undertaken for the financial year ending 31 March 2021 and is 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 to present the report and address any questions.

The report provided an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) on its provisional financial outturn and activities undertaken for the financial year ending 31 March 2021 and is in-line with the requirement contained in the Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee;

RESOLVED:

1.    That report C/21/12 be received and noted.

2.    That the provisional financial outturn for Oportunitas Ltd for the period from 1April 2020 to 31 March 2021 be noted.

3.    That the disposal of land adjacent to 84 Leyburne Road, Dover be noted and approved, and delegated authority be given to the Director of Housing & Operations to proceed with the sale achieving best value for the company.

4.    That the waiving of clause 3.3 defined in the fixed charge (set out in section 4.8 of this report) on proceeds raised from a potential sale of land adjacent to 84 Leyburne Road, Dover and be approved, and the company be authorised to retain it for future investment purposes.

(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 sets out how the Council has delivered for local people in the district in 2020-21 in response to the previous Corporate Plan (2017-20) vision of investing for the next generation ~ delivering more of what matters.

The report set out how the Council has delivered for local people in the district in 2020-21 in response to the previous Corporate Plan (2017-20) vision of investing for the next generation ~ delivering more of what matters.

This report had been considered at the meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 15 June 2021.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/21/11 be received and noted.

2.        That the Annual Performance Report 2020-21 be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Annual Report highlights the activities and achievements of Folkestone & Hythe District Council in 2020-21 against priorities set out in the previous 2017-20 Corporate Plan.

This report summarises the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund capital programme compared to the latest approved budget. The report also summarises the outturn position for the approved prudential indicators for capital expenditure in 2020/21.

The report summarised the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund capital programme compared to the latest approved budget. The report also summarised the outturn position for the approved prudential indicators for capital expenditure in 2020/21.

This report had been considered at the meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 15 June 2021.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/21/08 be received and noted.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

a)           Cabinetis 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.

b)           CIPFA’s Prudential Code for Capital Finance requires the actual prudential indicators for the financial year to be reported.

This report summarises the 2020/21 provisional outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections. 

The report summarised the 2020/21 provisional outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections. 

This report had been considered at the meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 15 June 2021.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee;

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/21/10 be received and noted.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetis asked to agree the recommendations because it is essential they are kept informed of the Housing Revenue Account final 2020/21 position.

This report summarises the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund revenue expenditure compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections.

The report summarised the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund revenue expenditure compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections.

This report had been considered at the meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 15 June 2021.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/21/09 be received and noted.

2.         That £393k of unspent 2020/21 budgets be allocated to the Carry Forward Reserve, as detailed in paragraph 2.7 of the report.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetis asked to agree the recommendations because Cabinet needs to be informed of the council’s General Fund revenue 2020/21 final outturn position.

The paper considers the establishing of a Customer Access Point initially within the Civic Offices and subsequently within Folca in Folkestone town centre.  It considers the nature of the service provision and also updates members as to progress of discussions with the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP). 

The paper considered establishing a new Customer Access Point (CAP) initially within the Civic Offices and subsequently within Folca in Folkestone town centre.  It considered the nature of service provision and also updated members on the discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). 

Proposed by Councillor Field,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/21/15 be received and noted.

2.         That the service delivery approach for the new CAP be agreed; 

3.         That the initial establishment of the CAP at the Civic Offices be agreed;

4.         That the future intention to locate the CAP at Folca be agreed;

5.         That officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Digital Transformation, prepare and establish a CAP at Folca;

6.         That officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Digital Transformation, continue discussion with the DWP to provide services from Folca;

7.         That the comments from Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in paragraph 2.8 be noted;

8.         That the estimated cost of the initial launch and subsequent move can be met from the overall agreed budget of £250,000 for civic office feasibility work. 

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations so that the council could launch a new Customer Access Point, initially at the Civic Offices before moving to Folca, and continue discussions with the DWP to co-locate at the Folca site.

The Marsh coastal areas are much loved throughout the summer season and welcome large numbers of tourists as well as providing recreational space to local residents. Like all areas of Folkestone & Hythe’s District, numbers have increased year on year and increasingly during the Pandemic. Managing these numbers, whilst actively promoting and supporting the areas moving forward is important.

It details the request for an additional £518,000 in capital funding to deliver the proposed project consisting of beach huts, toilet facilities including a changing places toilet, a concession/café, car parking facilities and public realm improvements that will link with New Romney Town Councils “The Green” area to create a true visitor destination. The project also delivers a surplus revenue to the council from year one and continuing throughout the 25 year lifetime of the scheme.

The Marsh coastal areas are much loved throughout the summer season and welcome large numbers of tourists as well as providing recreational space to local residents. Like all areas of Folkestone & Hythe’s District, numbers have increased year on year and increasingly during the Pandemic. Managing these numbers, whilst actively promoting and supporting the areas moving forward is important.

The report details the request for an additional £518,000 in capital funding to deliver the proposed project consisting of beach huts, toilet facilities including a changing places toilet, a concession/café, car parking facilities and public realm improvements that will link with New Romney Town Councils “The Green” area to create a true visitor destination. The project also delivers a surplus revenue to the council from year one and continuing throughout the 25 year lifetime of the scheme.

Proposed by Councillor Collier,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1)    That report C/21/13 be received and noted.

2)    That the scheme detailed in the report be approved.

3)    That the £375k in this year’s capital budget for two schemes be used exclusively on this project.

4)    That a report be submitted to Full Council in July to ask for additional funding of £518k to deliver the outlined scheme,

5)    That officers proceed with a grant funding application to NDA/Magnox to support the project should initial discussions be positive.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The investment into Coast Drive Car Park will create a Coastal Destination, boost tourism and business on the Marsh whilst providing an important revenue stream into the council. This project shows an investment into the Marsh by the council and with the proposed long term actions presents an exciting opportunity for not just the Marsh but the whole district. 

This report sets out for approval, proposed updates to the administrative arrangements for the handling of the planning application for Otterpool Park Garden Town following a recent court case and makes a recommendation for future handling arrangements.

The report set out for approval proposed updates to the administrative arrangements for the handling of the planning application for Otterpool Park Garden Town following a recent court case and makes a recommendation for future handling arrangements.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.         That report C/21/14 be received and noted.

2.         That the updated handling arrangements contained in appendix 1 for the Otterpool Park Garden Town application (and all post application matters) be approved;

3.         That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make minor or consequential amendments to the arrangements if necessary to keep it up to date;

4.         That the Director of Place be authorised to approve future handling arrangements in the same or similar form where the Environmental Impact regulations apply and the Council is both the applicant and the Local Planning Authority.

(Voting figure: 7 for, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

In order to ensure that the administrative arrangements for handling the Otterpool Park Garden Town application are updated to meet the requirements as recently set out in a court judgement, Cabinet is asked to approve the arrangements.