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 at the meeting.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2021 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report outlines the draft Tenant Engagement Strategy and Action Plan for the Housing Service.

The report outlined the draft Tenant Engagement Strategy and Action Plan for the Housing Service.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/89 be received and noted.

2.        That the Tenant Engagement Strategy be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet were asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)    This is the first tenant engagement strategy since bringing the housing service back in house and it is important that members are aware of, and approve the approach to tenant engagement. . 

b)    There are several regulatory requirements that housing providers must adhere to:

                      i.        The Council must follow the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing’s Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard 2017.  This document enables this involvement.

                    ii.        The 2020 Housing White Paper ‘The Charter for Social Housing Residents’ was produced following the lessons learnt from the Grenfell Tower fire.  A key lesson was for tenants to ‘have your voice heard by your landlord’ and that engaged tenants should be a key part of any landlord’s governance arrangements.  In approving the Tenant Engagement Strategy members are agreeing a framework through which the tenant’s voice will be heard.

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 requires local authorities to produce, adopt and keep under review Management Plans for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Kent Downs AONB covers 24% of the district, predominantly in the northern half, but also running east-west through Saltwood and Lympne and, working with other authorities in the Kent Downs AONB, a review has been undertaken to update the current plan for the period 2021 – 2026.

All 12 local authorities with land area within the Kent Downs AONB are legally required to adopt the same AONB Management Plan.

This report proposes adoption of the reviewed document, which strongly reflects the existing, already adopted plan.

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 requires local authorities to produce, adopt and keep under review Management Plans for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Kent Downs AONB covers 24% of the district, predominantly in the northern half, but also running east-west through Saltwood and Lympne and, working with other authorities in the Kent Downs AONB, a review has been undertaken to update the current plan for the period 2021 – 2026.

All 12 local authorities with land area within the Kent Downs AONB are legally required to adopt the same AONB Management Plan.

The report proposed adoption of the reviewed document, which strongly reflects the existing, already adopted plan.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/90 be received and noted.

2.        That the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan Review 2021-26 provided in Appendix 1 be adopted.

3.        That the formal date for adoption be shortly after the last of the 12 local authorities resolves to adopt the plan – this will be confirmed to the council by the Kent Downs AONB Unit.

4.        That delegated authority be given to theDirector of Corporate Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the District Economy and the Member of the Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee to make any minor amendments resulting from:

a)     The recommendations of Cabinet; and

b)     Modifications proposed by the other AONB partner local authorities taking the Management Plan to adoption. 

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)         Adoption will fulfil the Council’s statutory duty to work with the 11 other Local Authorities to prepare, review and adopt a management plan for the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

b)         The plan offers considerable benefit to the District and will help meet the Council’s strategic objectives, our response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies and the health and wellbeing of our communities.