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 18 October 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2023 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Leader.

This report makes recommendations for parking charges to be introduced in and around shopping streets in Folkestone, Sandgate, Hythe and New Romney as shown in appendix 1.

The report made recommendations for parking charges to be introduced in and around shopping streets in Folkestone, Sandgate, Hythe and New Romney as shown in appendix 1 of the report.

This item was withdrawn.

The Parking Enforcement Contract ends on 31 March 2024. The contract is currently with NSL Services part of Marston Holdings Ltd. The council has tendered the contract as well as evaluated the option of returning the service in-house.

The Parking Enforcement Contract ends on 31 March 2024. The contract is currently with NSL Services part of Marston Holdings Ltd. The council has tendered the contract as well as evaluated the option of returning the service in-house.

Proposed by Councillor Polly Blakemore

Seconded by Councillor Mike Blakemore and

RESOLVED:

1.       That report C/23/53 be received and noted.

2.       That the Parking Enforcement Services Contract be awarded to Marston Holdings Ltd for the initial period of four years starting 1 April 2024.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The reasons for the recommendation are detailed in Part 4 and 5 of the report. In summary these are, the quality evaluation response received, the competitive difference in costs between the tender price and in-house service options, and the continued economic benefit of the ‘hours worked’ method of charging.

In response to all analogue telephone systems being switched off by 2025, the council’s housing service has instigated a project to commence decommissioning the analogue hardwired telecare (Lifeline) equipment in the 631 Independent Living properties and 405 ‘age designated’ housing properties.

Procurement is underway for a replacement hybrid IP digital telecare solution for the 14 independent living schemes, and tenants in the age designated properties will be offered dispersed Lifeline units as an alternative solution.

This will have an impact on the service charge element for those tenants living in such accommodation, and any subsidies tenants have previously been receiving.

In response to all analogue telephone systems being switched off by 2025, the council’s housing service has instigated a project to commence decommissioning the analogue hardwired telecare (Lifeline) equipment in the 631 Independent Living properties and 405 ‘age designated’ housing properties. Procurement is underway for a replacement hybrid IP digital telecare solution for the 14 independent living schemes, and tenants in the age designated properties will be offered dispersed Lifeline units as an alternative solution. This will have an impact on the service charge element for those tenants living in such accommodation, and any subsidies tenants have previously been receiving.

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Polly Blakemore and

RESOLVED:

1.          That report C/23/54 be received and noted.

2.          To commence consultation with affected tenants to increase their service charge for the Lifeline service for the 2024/25 rent year, subject to approval by Cabinet and Council in February 2024 as part of the budget setting process.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations in order to ensure that the council recovers the full costs incurred in providing tenants with a digital Lifeline service.

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 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.

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). 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.

Proposed by Councillor Tim Prater

Seconded by Councillor Jim Martin and

RESOLVED:

1.          That report C/23/55 be received and noted.

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

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To enable the council to monitor progress with the actions in the Corporate Action Plan and to take mitigating measures as necessary.