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.

Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee declared an OSI in respect of Minute Nos 41 and 42 (Otterpool Park Stewardship and Otterpool Park – proposed collaboration agreement with Homes England) due to her role as a Director of the Board.  She indicated that she would move to the public gallery during consideration of the report, and would not participate in the debate or vote. 

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2022 were submitted, approved and signed by the Leader.

This report provides an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) on activities undertaken so far during the 2022/23 financial year, including a projected outturn for the profit and loss account for the period to 31 March 2023 compared to the original forecast. This report 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 of Cabinet to present the report and to address any questions.

This report provided an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) on activities undertaken so far during the 2022/23 financial year, including a projected outturn for the profit and loss account for the period to 31 March 2023 compared to the original forecast. This report is in-line with the requirement contained in the Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee;

RESOLVED:

That report C/22/49 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 8 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 provides a progress update on work undertaken so far to deliver the high-level actions documented within the Council’s Corporate Action plan that covers the three-year period (2021-24).

The report provided a progress update on work undertaken so far to deliver the high-level actions documented within the Council’s Corporate Action plan that covers the three-year period (2021-24).

A member raised concerns about the proposal to demolish part of the Folca building to provide a new medical centre. A proposal was put and for this matter to be brought back to Cabinet. A vote was taken and the proposal was lost.

(Voting figures: 2 for, 5 against).

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/52 be received and noted.

2.         That the Corporate Action Plan progress updates set out in Appendix 1 be noted.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

·       The Council has a key role to play in making the district an even better place to live, work and visit. The action plan is designed to set out how the Council intends to deliver against the three year priorities defined within the corporate plan to ensure the primary needs of the district and residents are met

·       It is essential that the Council has an action plan in place so that it can inform operational plans, financial plans, strategies and policies over the medium term.

·       This report provides members with an update on our progress towards the three year (2021-2024) actions agreed.

This report provides an update on the Council’s performance for the first quarter of the year covering 1^st April 2022 – 30^th June 2022. The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved key performance indicators arising from the Council’s new Corporate Action Plan.

Key performance indicators will be monitored during 2022-23 and reported to CLT and Members quarterly.

This report provided an update on the council’s performance for the first quarter of the year covering 1^st April 2022 – 30^th June 2022. The report enables the council to assess progress against the approved key performance indicators arising from the Council’s new Corporate Action Plan.  Key performance indicators will be monitored during 2022-23 and reported to Members quarterly.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/45 be received and noted.

2.         That the performance information for Quarter 1 2022-23 in Appendix 1 be noted.

3.         That the ongoing review work being undertaken into the call levels being answered by Customer Services set out in section 3.1 be noted.

4.         That the inclusion of the additional KPIs set out in section 4.1 be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

a)             The Council is committed to monitoring performance across all of its corporate service ambitions to ensure progress and improvement is maintained.

b)            The Council needs to ensure that performance is measured, monitored and the results are used to identify where things are working well and where there are failings and appropriate action needs to be taken.

This report provides an update on the Council’s treasury management activities that have taken place during 2022/23 against the agreed strategy for the year. The report also provides an update on the treasury management indicators approved by Cabinet earlier this year.

The report provided an update on the Council’s treasury management activities that have taken place during 2022/23 against the agreed strategy for the year. The report also provided an update on the treasury management indicators approved by Cabinet earlier this year.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

That report C/22/53 be received and noted.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinetis asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)    Both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules require Members to receive a report on the Council’s treasury management activities during the year.

This monitoring report provides an initial projection of the current financial position for the General Fund capital programme profiled for 2022/23, based on expenditure to 31 August 2022, and identifies variances compared to the latest approved budget.

The monitoring report provided an initial projection of the current financial position for the General Fund capital programme profiled for 2022/23, based on expenditure to 31 August 2022, and identifies variances compared to the latest approved budget.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

That report C/22/42 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 8 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 of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the 31 August 2022.

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 2022.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

That report C/22/41 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 8 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 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 2022. 

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 2022. 

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

That report C/22/43 be received and noted.

(Voting figures: 8 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.

The report provides details on a recent grant application for the Changing Places Grant (Round 2). If successful this will provide funding for three Changing Places Toilet Facilities within the District at the Coastal Park, Coast Drive Destination Project and FOLCA.

The report provided details on a recent grant application for the Changing Places Grant (Round 2). If successful this will provide funding for three Changing Places Toilet Facilities within the District at the Coastal Park, Coast Drive Destination Project and FOLCA.

Proposed by Councillor Collier,

Seconded by Councillor Prater; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/50 be received and noted.

2.         That the Expression of Interest submission to The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for a £205,000 grant for capital funding towards the installation of up to 3 Changing Places toilet facilities be noted and approved.

3.         That authority be delegated to the Director of Housing and Operations to accept grant awarded towards the installation of up to 3 Changing Places toilet facilities, with appropriate update reports given in due course.

4.         That the ongoing revenue implications for cleaning be approved.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations because approval is required to apply for, and accept, any Grant offered to the Council.  The report also updates Members on the Grant applied for including ongoing revenue implications associated with installation of any funded Changing Places toilet facilities. 

This report introduces the draft Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy Priorities and Opportunities Summary document. This is an evidence base document for the local plan and other future planning documents as well as being a material consideration for planning applications.  This report also requests that a public consultation exercise is undertaken in relation to the Priorities and Opportunities Summary document.

The report introduced the draft Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy Priorities and Opportunities Summary document. This is an evidence base document for the local plan and other future planning documents as well as being a material consideration for planning applications.  The report also requested that a public consultation exercise is undertaken in relation to the Priorities and Opportunities Summary document.

Proposed by Councillor Whybrow,

Seconded by Councillor Prater; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/47 be received and noted.

2.         That the draft Priorities and Opportunities Summary document (Appendix 1) be approved for consultation, subject to any amendments that Cabinet considers necessary.

3.         That authority be delegated to the Interim Assistant Chief Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for the Environment, to make any amendments identified following consultation.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

So that the council can consult on the draft Priorities and Opportunities Summary document presented in Appendix 1 to provide an opportunity for the public to comment and make suggestions, to identify joint working opportunities and to prioritise actions.

This report outlines the support that the UK100 network of local authorities can provide to assist Folkestone & Hythe District Council to meet its climate change objectives. The report seeks approval for Folkestone & Hythe District Council to join the UK100 network.

The report outlined the support that the UK100 network of local authorities can provide to assist Folkestone & Hythe District Council to meet its climate change objectives. The report seeks approval for Folkestone & Hythe District Council to join the UK100 network.

Proposed by Councillor Whybrow,

Seconded by Councillor Prater; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/51 be received and noted.

2.         That the district council become a member of the UK100 network of local authorities.

(Voting figure: 8 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASON FOR DECISION:

To support Folkestone & Hythe District Council in achieving its climate change objectives.

This report presents the approach by which it is proposed to deliver the stewardship element the Otterpool Park new garden town development. The report sets out the strategic principles which will underpin the approach to stewardship. The report outlines key considerations for the Council and seeks agreement to establish a dedicated stewardship vehicle in line with the Otterpool Park Charter.

The report presented the approach by which it is proposed to deliver the stewardship element the Otterpool Park new garden town development. The report set out the strategic principles which will underpin the approach to stewardship. The report outlined key considerations for the Council and sought agreement to establish a dedicated stewardship vehicle in line with the Otterpool Park Charter.

Proposed by Councillor Peall,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/46 be received and noted.

2.         That the overall approach to delivering stewardship as set out in the report be agreed.

3.         That the establishment of a stewardship vehicle as a Limited Liability Partnership and as a subsidiary of Otterpool Park LLP be agreed.

4.         That a further report return to Cabinet with more detail on the assets proposed to be transferred to the vehicle, the treatment of assets, and funding model supported in a detailed business plan.

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

Prior to the debate on this item, Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee moved to the public gallery for the remainder of the meeting.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet agreement is required to determine and agree the overall approach to delivery of stewardship and the establishment of a new stewardship vehicle as a subsidiary of the Otterpool Park LLP. The decision is required in advance of the Otterpool Park outline planning application being determined by the Local Planning Authority to confirm that the requirements of the policies related to Otterpool Park stewardship within the Core Strategy have been met.

The report seeks approval in principle to entering into a collaboration agreement with Homes England relating to the delivery of the Otterpool Park project.

The report sought approval in principle to entering into a collaboration agreement with Homes England relating to the delivery of the Otterpool Park project.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/40 be received and noted.

2.         That the principle of entering into a collaboration agreement with Homes England as outlined in the report be agreed.

3.         That a further report be received on the details of the proposed collaboration agreement prior to any final decisions on the matter being made.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations in order that the Council and Otterpool Park LLP can proceed with detailed discussions on the collaboration agreement.