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

Councillors David Owen and Mrs Claire Jeffrey declared voluntary announcements in respect of minute 65 - Quarter 3 Performance Report 2016/17. There interest arose as they had family members who had or were applying for benefit support. They remained in the meeting during discussion and voting on this item.

To receive and note the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2017 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman with the following amendment:

Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey was in the Chair for this meeting.

Report C/16/117 sets out the progress that has been made on the review of the Core Strategy Local Plan (CSLP), including updates on the various technical work streams being undertaken.  It also sets out the necessary actions to continue progressing the  review in accordance with a programme that envisages a public consultation, pursuant to Regulation 18  of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, in January  2018.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/117 sets out the progress that has been made on the review

of the Core Strategy Local Plan (CSLP), including updates on the various

technical work streams being undertaken. It also sets out the necessary

actions to continue progressing the review in accordance with a

programme that envisages a public consultation, pursuant to Regulation 18 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England)

Regulations 2012, in January 2018.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Chris Lewis, Planning Advisor, informed members that the key documents referred to in the report are the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, the Sustainability Appraisal and the Shepway Growth Options Study.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment – to focus on housing needs going forward, , taking into account environmental constraints. The council will need to take into account existing commitments and proposals in the emerging Places and Policies Local Plan in calculating the additional housing that will need to be identified in the CSLP review. The current evidence suggest a requirement to plan for an additional 6,300 homes up to 2037 in order to meet projected housing needs.

Sustainability Appraisal – a requirement by law that assesses the sustainability of proposed locations, tested against options and alternatives.

Shepway Growth Option Study – AECOM commissioned to do the study which has looked at the  potential suitability of land across the district for strategic level development  Phase 1 of the study identified 6 character areas with the  only area found suitable for strategic level development being the “Sellindge and Surrounding Area” (which includes substantial land south of the M20). Phase 2 of the study is assessing in greater detail specific areas of land within this character area, including the area of Otterpool Park

Mr Lewis informed members that other evidence based studies will need to be carried out to inform CSLP review and these are listed in section 7 of the report.

The next steps are to use the Sustainability Appraisal to test options that come out of the Growth Study and to carry out  a Habitat Regulation Assessment. This work will inform the  drafting of  new policies for the Core Strategy leading to a further report to Cabinet in December.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor David Owen and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/16/117.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Presentation by Chris Lewis, Planning Advisor on the Government White Paper – Fixing our Broken Housing Market.

Ben Geering, Head of Planning, presented members with an overview of the Government White Paper – Fixing our Broken Housing Market. The attached presentation provides the background to the paper and the main themes the government want to work to.

Members were informed that it is out to consultation on the first two chapters. A list of proposals is set out in the presentation attached with Mr Geering paying particular reference to the Policies in Local Plans to bring forward smaller sites - 0.5 hectares and under (around 15 dwellings) and local authorities are being asked to work with landowners to divide larger sites into smaller parcels to encourage competition between house-builders. Authorities are asked to work together in meeting the needs for housing, with a focus on authorities meeting their own need where they can.

This consultation will finish in May with further consultations coming forward once the government has finished developing more detailed proposals.  A response from SDC will be made, to be agreed with the cabinet members for Housing and the Economy.

Members paid particular attention to the following:

·         Potential for local authorities to consider track record of developer when granting planning permission.

·         Time-scales for permissions to be reduced from 3 to 2 years, except where shorter timescale could hinder deliverability and if this would make a difference. Members noted that the application form is being changed and the developer would need to specify moving forward.

·         Members were happy to see proposals to simplify and speed up process of serving Completion Notices on stalled sites.

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor David Owen and

Resolved:

1.         To note the presentation.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/109 provides details of the recent review of the Major Emergency Plan and the new Recovery Guidance for the Council.

This report will be considered at Cabinet 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/109 provides details of the recent review of the Major

Emergency Plan and the new Recovery Guidance for the Council.

This report will be considered at Cabinet 19 April 2017.

Members noted the new updated version of the plan which is set out in a more concise and simplified form that will be easier to use in an emergency.

Members raised the following points:

·         The emergency escape route from the Marsh area out of the district is, in members view, not fit for purpose as the roads are in disrepair and dangerous if an accident occurs during evacuation. Although this is a responsibility of KCC officers will note it and raise with KCC as an operationalmatter.

·         Members asked what contingencies are in place if a disaster occurs and how will this effect European funding and were advised that this would be addressed as/when it occurs.

·         Town and Parishes should have their own community resilience plan and members were informed that officers have offered support and will attend meetings at request. To date St Mary in the Marsh and Dymchurch have plans in place. 

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/16/109.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/119 provides an update on the Council’s performance for the second quarter of 2016/17, covering 1^st October 2016 to 31^st December 2016.  The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved performance indicators for each service area. 

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/119 provides an update on the Council’s performance for the

second quarter of 2016/17, covering 1st October 2016 to 31st December

2016. The report enables the Council to assess progress against the

approved performance indicators for each service area.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Members paid particular attention to section 2 of the report in respect of performance issues namely those issues surrounding housing benefit and the time it is taking to process applications.

Members are aware that significant changes have taken place, including that of a new online customer self-service facility, but it then raised concerns surrounding the length of time applications are processed.

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor David Owen and

Resolved:

1.         To ask Cabinet to put extra staff resources in the benefits section to help with the impact of the new processes.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0: Abstentions 0)

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/16/119.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/116 presents the draft Equality and Diversity Policy for 2016-2020 for consideration by Cabinet. The existing Policy covered the period 2012-2016 and therefore a refresh was required. The duties with regard to equality and diversity have not changed and therefore the proposed changes to the Policy are minor. The aim of the Equality and Diversity Policy remains the same; to ensure everyone has the right to be treated fairly at work or when using the council’s services. 

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/116 presents the draft Equality and Diversity Policy for 2016-

2020 for consideration by Cabinet. The existing Policy covered the period

2012-2016 and therefore a refresh was required. The duties with regard to

equality and diversity have not changed and therefore the proposed

changes to the Policy are minor. The aim of the Equality and Diversity

Policy remains the same; to ensure everyone has the right to be treated

fairly at work or when using the council’s services.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

In line with statutory duties the policy is updated every four years with the last one covering a period of 2012 to 2016. The policy is largely unchanged and those changes that have been made are shown in section 2 of the report.

Members asked if this information could be sharedwith Parish and Town Councils to encourage them to introduce and officers were happy to take this on board.

Proposed by Councillor David Owen

Seconded by Councillor Ian Meyers and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/16/116.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/124 presents the draft Corporate Plan for consideration by Cabinet. The Corporate Plan set outs the framework for delivering the Council’s priorities over the next three year, outlining the strategic objectives, priorities and key outcomes to meet the vision for the council and district.

This item will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/124 presents the draft Corporate Plan for consideration by

Cabinet. The Corporate Plan set outs the framework for delivering the

Council’s priorities over the next three year, outlining the strategic

objectives, priorities and key outcomes to meet the vision for the council

and district.

This item will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Members noted the key changes listed in section 2 of the report.

Proposed by Councillor David Owen

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Ann Berry and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/124.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/122 sets out details of proposed changes to the council’s Housing Allocations Policy.  The proposed changes will ensure that the policy takes full account of current Government guidance and good practice.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/122 sets out details of proposed changes to the council’s

Housing Allocations Policy. The proposed changes will ensure that the

policy takes full account of current Government guidance and good

practice.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Ann Berry and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note this report C/16/122.

(Voting: For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/118 seeks agreement for Shepway District Council, as the programme’s Accountable Body, to submit a stage 2 application for european funding for the Folkestone Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Programme and to provide the public sector match funding for the programme management costs.

This item will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/118 seeks agreement for Shepway District Council, as the

programme’s Accountable Body, to submit a stage 2 application for

european funding for the Folkestone Community Led Local Development

(CLLD) Programme and to provide the public sector match funding for the

programme management costs.

This item will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey

Seconded by Councillor Peter Gane and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/118.

(Voting: For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 1)

Report C/16/111provides a projection of the latest financial position for the 2016/17 General Fund capital programme, based on expenditure to 28 February 2017. The report identifies projected variances to the approved capital programme to 31 March 2017 including slippage on schemes from 2016/17 to 2017/18.

This report will be considered at Cabinet 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/111provides a projection of the latest financial position for the

2016/17 General Fund capital programme, based on expenditure to 28

February 2017. The report identifies projected variances to the approved

capital programme to 31 March 2017 including slippage on schemes from

2016/17 to 2017/18.

This report will be considered at Cabinet 19 April 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Ann Berry and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/111.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/112 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 28 February 2017.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/112 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 28 February 2017.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/112.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/113 provides a projection of the end of year financial position for the General Fund revenue expenditure, based on net expenditure to 28 February 2017.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Report C/16/113 provides a projection of the end of year financial position

for the General Fund revenue expenditure, based on net expenditure to 28

February 2017.

This report will be considered at Cabinet on 19 April 2017.

Proposed by Councillor David Owen

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/113.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)