Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, Folkestone
Contact: James Clapson
Media
Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
Declarations of interest
Supporting documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Rolfe and Councillor McConville
both declared a DPI as they are directors of Oportunitas Ltd. A
dispensation has been applied.
Councillor Shoob declared a DPI as she is a
director of Otterpool Park
LLP.
All members remained in the meeting, taking
part in discussions and voting on all items.
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2. |
2022-23 Quarter 2 Performance Report
This report provides an update on the Council’s
performance for the second quarter of the year covering
1st July 2022 – 30th September
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.
Supporting documents:
Minutes:
Mr Edwards introduced the report that provided
an update on the Council’s performance for the second quarter
of the year, from 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022. The report enables the Council to assess progress
against the approved key performance indicators (KPI) arising from
the Council’s Corporate Action Plan.
During consideration of the item, the
following points were as noted:
- After the publication of the report,
the percentage figure of household waste recycled during quarter
two had been received and was 44.6%.
- Members thanked Mr Edwards for his
report. He had incorporated a number of
suggestions that were made at the last meeting and the report was
now clearer and easier to understand.
- Compliance for the council housing
stock gas and electrical safety certificates were 99.58% and 97.2%
respectively. The contractors had been
unable to access some of the properties to carry out inspections,
and a process for gaining access has now been approved by the
Council’s legal team and the portfolio holder for Housing and
Special Projects.
- Councillor McConville asked Mr
Edwards to provide him with more information about the number of
businesses signposted to support programmes. The number of referrals in quarter one seemed
unusually high.
The Sub-Committee Members noted the
report.
(Voting figures: 4 for, 0 against, 0
abstentions).
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3. |
Budget Strategy 2023/24
This Budget Strategy sets out the guidelines
for preparing the 2023/24 Budget. It supports the Corporate Plan
and aligns with the direction and objectives of the Medium Term
Financial Strategy (MTFS).
In terms of financial planning, the Budget
Strategy takes account of current and future financial and economic
conditions including the outcome of the Government’s recent
Autumn Statement announced on 17 November 2022.
The Budget Strategy also sets out the
underlying assumptions and initial budget-setting proposals and
provides a timetable for delivering a balanced budget for approval
and final Council Tax setting by Full Council on 22 February
2023.
Supporting documents:
Minutes:
Ms Spendley introduced the
report that set the guidelines for preparing the 2023/24 Budget and
drew Members attention the addendum that had been
circulated. She advised that the
addendum amended the tables in paragraph 8.9 and 8.10 of the
report. These changes related to an
increase in off-street and on-street income.
During consideration of the
item, the following points were as noted:
- The parking team had
calculated the estimated off-street parking income for 2023/24
based upon the proposed fees and charges rates and how busy the
off-street car parks had been over the last two years.
- Councillor Rolfe
asked for more information about the reduction in beach hut
income. Ms Spendley offered to collate
the information and respond after the meeting.
- The Hythe Swimming
Pool income increase was because the pool had previously been
non-operational during covid restrictions. The running costs of the pool would be
closely monitored in light of rising energy charges. It was possible that there would be some support
from Central Government to help mitigate these costs.
- All tiers of local
authority were facing budgetary pressures. Regular conversations were taking place across the
county between Chief Executives and Finance Officers to discuss
options for the provision of services.
- The potential for
Members to use their own IT equipment for Council business was in
development, if this went ahead it could reduce the cost of
providing IT equipment for Members.
- It was likely that
some reserves would need to be used to fill the budget
gap. Covid reserves could not be used
for this purpose. There was a need to
critically evaluate every opportunity to see what could be done to
close the gap.
- The Council was
looking at its assets to identify anything superfluous or
inefficient. If an asset was sold it
would generate a capital receipt; normally this could only be spent
on other capital projects, however the Council currently a
dispensation that allowed the receipts to be used on some other
things, such as building enhancements or efficiency
improvements.
- Officers were working
on the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan that would be
considered by the Sub-Committee at the meeting on 10 January
2023. The Government had recently
announced a rent cap, and officers were meeting with external
advisors shortly establish its impact for incorporation into the
plan.
- The budget
consultation would end on 1 February 2023. All the budget information should be collated into
something easily digestible for the public.
- There needed to be
more Enforcement Officers to tackle inappropriate car parking;
particularly in town centres where businesses and residents would
benefit from a better flow of traffic.
- A review of the
Corporate Action Plan should involve members of the
Sub-Committee.
- A discussion was
needed with Folkestone Town Council regarding the provision of CCTV
in the Leas Cliff Hall Car Park.
The Sub-Committee Members noted
the report and made the following suggestions to Cabinet for
consideration:
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