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 this stage in the meeting.  However, during the consideration of the Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 – Consultation responses and outcome (Minute No 15), Councillor Prater declared a voluntary interest in that he was the Chairman of Sandgate Parish Council.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2020 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report summarises the 2019/20 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund revenue expenditure compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 3 projections.

The report summarised the 2019/20 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund revenue expenditure compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 3 projections.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee;

RESOLVED:

1.        That Report C/20/09 be received and noted.

2.        That £388k of unspent 2019/20 budgets be allocated to the Carry Forward Reserve, as detailed in paragraph 2.4 of the report.

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

REASON FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because Cabinet needs to be informed of the council’s General Fund revenue 2019/20 final outturn position.

This report summarises the 2019/20 provisional outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 3 projections. 

The report summarised the 2019/20 provisional outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 3 projections. 

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee;

RESOLVED:

1.        That Report C/20/10 be received and noted.

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

Councillor Peall arrived at the meeting during the consideration of this item.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because it is essential they are kept informed of the Housing Revenue Account final 2019/20 position.

This report summarises the 2019/20 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 2019/20.

The report summarised the 2019/20 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 2019/20.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Prater;

RESOLVED:

1.        That Report C/20/11 be received and noted.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

a)           Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because it needed 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 provides an overview of the financial impact of COVID-19 on the council and also outlines the work underway to address the pressures currently anticipated.  

The report provided an overview of the financial impact of COVID-19 on the council and also outlined the work underway to address the pressures currently anticipated.  

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Whybrow; and

RESOLVED:

1.           That report C/20/14 be received and noted.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The impacts of COVID-19 are unprecedented including in the context of Local Government finance.  The paper sought to provide Cabinet with a high level summary of the potential impact and the work underway to address the position, and to aid their understanding of the issue and support them in fulfilling their corporate responsibilities. 

This report sets out changes to the Kent scale of election fees of Folkestone & Hythe’s Returning Officer to undertake the arrangements for managing and conducting district, parish and town council elections. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic all elections have been suspended for this current financial year (2020-2021) in accordance with The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

In 2021 a new scale of fees will be submitted to Cabinet for the 2021-2022 financial year.  This will be used for any election taking place on or after Thursday 6^th May 2021

The report set out changes to the Kent scale of election fees of Folkestone & Hythe’s Returning Officer to undertake the arrangements for managing and conducting district, parish and town council elections. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic all elections have been suspended for this current financial year (2020-2021) in accordance with The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

In 2021 a new scale of fees will be submitted to Cabinet for the 2021-2022 financial year.  This will be used for any election taking place on or after Thursday 6^th May 2021. 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.                To receive and note report C/20/05.

2.                To adopt the scale of fees for 2020/21.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The scale of fees enables a fair and reasonable recharge to be made by Folkestone & Hythe District Council to town and parish councils for their elections.

This report provides an overview of the Councils response to date in relation to COVID-19 and seeks approval of a framework which will guide the development and delivery of the Council’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

This report provides an overview of the Council’s response to date in relation to COVID-19 and seeks approval of an overarching framework which will guide the development and delivery of the Council’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

Proposed by Councillor Whybrow,

Seconded by Councillor Prater; and

RESOLVED:

That the environment and the response to climate change be added as an additional key theme to the recovery framework.

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

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.           That report C/20/13 be received and noted.

2.           That the Council COVID-19 response to date and key issues arising be noted.

3.           That the COVID-19 Recovery Plan Framework and related Underpinning Principles be agreed (including the amendment agreed above).

4.           That the strapline ‘Creating tomorrow together’ be adopted to promote the recovery phase.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations as the development and delivery of a Recovery Plan in response to COVID-19 will be a priority for the Council as the country moves into recovery phase. The Recovery Plan will include actions in four key areas which the Council has both direct and / or indirect responsibility to address: Community, Economy, Council Operations and Council Finance.

The Framework will establish a set of principles which will underpin the development of the Recovery Plan and align with the emerging Corporate Plan, council service delivery and strategic priority programmes and projects.

Report No. C/19/48 considered the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 as presented to Cabinet on 11/12/2019. The report detailed how high quality play areas will be provided and maintained throughout the District over the next ten years. Cabinet resolved:

1.    That report C/20/04 be received and noted.

2.    That the suggestion of sites to be sold in respect of non-strategic play areas be removed.

3.    That the principles of the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 and associated action plan be approved.

4.    To proceed to formal consultation.

5.    That a report be brought back to Cabinet following formal consultation with a view to approving the Strategy from 1^st April 2020.

These resolutions have been actioned with the formal consultation beginning 20/12/2019 and concluding on 31/01/2020. This report summarises the consultation responses and minor amendments to the strategy.

Report No. C/19/48 considered the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 as presented to Cabinet on 11/12/2019. The report detailed how high quality play areas will be provided and maintained throughout the District over the next ten years. Cabinet resolved:

1.     That report C/20/04 be received and noted.

2.     That the suggestion of sites to be sold in respect of non-strategic play areas be removed.

3.     That the principles of the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 and associated action plan be approved.

4.     To proceed to formal consultation.

5.     That a report be brought back to Cabinet following formal consultation with a view to approving the Strategy from 1^st April 2020.

These resolutions have been actioned with the formal consultation beginning 20/12/2019 and concluding on 31/01/2020. The report summarises the consultation responses and minor amendments to the strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Collier,

Seconded by Councillor Godfrey; and

RESOLVED:

1.          That report C/20/04 be received and noted.

2.          That the consultation responses to the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 and associated action plan be noted.

3.          That the minor amendments to the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 and associated action plan be noted.

4.          That the  draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 and associated action plan be approved and delegated authority be given to the Director, Housing & Operations to implement the draft Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 from 1^st July 2020.

5.          That the proposed amount of up to £250k for Dowry payments to Town and Parish Councils for the transfer of SIPA and NSPA designated play areas to be met from the General Fund Vehicles, Equipment and Technology Reserve be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Current play area provision across the district is unsustainable. The Play Area Strategy 2020-2030 outlines how the Council will work with partners to provide a sustainable network of Priority and Strategic Play Areas across the District. Cabinet are asked to consider the responses to the formal consultation, the minor amendments to the draft strategy and approve the draft strategy which sets out clear direction of how these important community facilities will be managed, maintained and enhanced over the next ten years.

During consideration of this item, Councillor Prater declared a voluntary interest in that he was the Chairman of Sandgate Parish Council.

The introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) by Folkestone & Hythe District Council in August 2016 necessitates the development of governance arrangements for spending the money that is to be collected. This report seeks approval of a CIL Governance Framework.

The introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) by Folkestone & Hythe District Council in August 2016 necessitates the development of governance arrangements for spending the money that is to be collected. The report sought approval of a CIL Governance Framework.

Proposed by Councillor Whybrow,

Seconded by Councillor Prater; and

RESOLVED:

That the CIL Governance Framework be amended to state that when the IDP is updated members will be consulted along with the other stakeholders.

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

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.          That report C/20/12 be received and noted.

2.          That the Council accept the proposed CIL Governance Framework contained in Appendix 1 of the report (subject to the above amendment), which is to have immediate effect.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To ensure the Council has a process in place to ensure the deployment of CIL income follows clear and appropriate processes.

This report seeks authority to accept a grant offer from the Nuclear De-commissioning Authority (NDA) and to agree the transfer of land into joint ownership with the joint venture partners, East Kent Spatial Development Company (EKSDC), which will enable the construction of a business centre at Mountfield Road Industrial Estate, New Romney to proceed as approved by Cabinet in September 2019 (C/19/22).

The project will make an important contribution to the Council’s Covid 19 economic recovery plans and its development will assist the resurgence of the construction sector which usually leads the way out of recession.   

The report sought authority to accept a grant offer from the Nuclear De-commissioning Authority (NDA) and to agree the transfer of land into joint ownership with the joint venture partners, East Kent Spatial Development Company (EKSDC), which would enable the construction of a business centre at Mountfield Road Industrial Estate, New Romney to proceed as approved by Cabinet in September 2019 (C/19/22).

The project will make an important contribution to the Council’s Covid 19 economic recovery plans and its development will assist the resurgence of the construction sector which usually leads the way out of recession.   

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Godfrey; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/15 be received and noted.

2.        That acceptance of the offer of a capital and revenue grant contribution from the NDA for a business centre at Mountfield Road Industrial Estate, New Romney as outlined in Appendix 1 be authorised.

3.        That the transfer of land for the business centre at Mountfield Road Industrial Estate, New Romney (as outlined in red on the plan at Appendix 2) into the joint ownership of the Council and EKSDC as part of a joint venture agreement, be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The grant application to the NDA for £705,238 (£500,000 capital and £205,238 revenue) had been successful and approval was sought to accept the grant offer. Cabinet had approved a joint venture with EKSDC in September 2019 and delegated authority to the Director of Development to agree terms which have resulted in the principle that if each party is contributing equally to the project, the completed development should be owned jointly including the land.