Agenda and minutes

It was noted that there were no apologies for absence.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Decisions of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 February 2019 numbered CAB 85 to CAB 97 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 February 2019, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 85 to CAB 97, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached recommendation of the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee.

It was agreed that the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee’s recommendation, made at its meeting held on 12 February 2019 (Minute No 108), be rejected since it was considered that putting the receipts from the Matthews Close ditch grant of easement into the affordable housing fund would limit what the money could be spent on when flexibility was needed.

To consider the attached recommendation of the Scrutiny (Community and Regeneration) Committee.

It was agreed that the Scrutiny (Community and Regeneration) Committee’s recommendation, made at its meeting held on 13 February 2019, be rejected since the review of the Local Plan had not yet been completed and the recommendation was therefore premature.  

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance

Due to its size, this report is reproduced as a supplementary paper to the main agenda.

(a)  It was agreed:

(i)            That, subject to Council approving the 2019/20 budget, the grants to organisations, as set out in Annex 9 of the report, be approved as follows:

Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2019/20 - £38,355

Various grants towards rentals/lease charges

Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:

Your Leisure - £111,500

Grant payment linked to revised funding agreement with lease for Tides Leisure Centre

Your Leisure - £5,000

Grant for Walmer paddling pool

Pegasus Playscheme - £1,500

Provision of a playscheme for children with disabilities

Age Concern - £1,500

Provision of area office services

Kent County Council - £3,000

Contribution to Sports Partnership

Gazen Salts Nature Reserve - £4,500

To assist in managing and maintaining the reserve

Sandwich Town Cricket Club - £10,000

To assist the club in defraying its expenditure in managing, maintaining and improving the recreation grounds at The Butts and Gazen Salts

Dover Outreach Centre - £10,000

Grant towards Winter Shelter costs

Dover Rugby Club - £12,000

For ground maintenance at Crabble Athletic Ground, covered by saving made in the landscape maintenance contract

Victoria Bowls - £1,000

Contribution to running expenses of club

Dover Bowling Club - £6,000

Grant towards grounds maintenance at Dover bowling green.  Covered by savings within the grounds maintenance budget

Dover Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £105,000

Core funding grant plus £3,500 service charge contribution

Neighbourhood Forums - £22,500

Grant to support voluntary and community organisations

Home Improvement Agency - £8,000

‘In Touch’ housing improvement agency funding

Deal Town Council - £5,000

Astor Theatre

Action with Communities in Rural Kent - £3,500

Contribution to rural housing

(ii)           That the various Cabinet recommendations produced at the end of the sections within the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), and summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1 of the report, be approved as follows:

(b)  It was agreed to recommend to Council:

(i)            That the General Fund Revenue Budget, the Capital and Special Projects Programmes, the Housing Revenue Account Budget, the Council Tax Resolution and the content of the MTFP be approved;

(ii)           That a Council Tax increase of 2.7% for Dover District Council (DDC) purposes be approved, resulting in an increase on Band D properties of £4.95 per year and an annual DDC Council Tax of £187.29;

(iii)          That it be noted that it is the view of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) (Section 151 Officer) that the budget has been prepared in an appropriate and prudent manner and that, based upon the information available at the time of producing this report, the 2019/20 estimates are robust and the resources are adequate for the Council’s current spending plans in 2019/20;

(iv)         That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the attached budget and MTFP, summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, be approved as follows:

(A)  Approve the General Fund Revenue budget for 2019/20 and the projected outturn for 2018/19;

(B)  Approve the policies and protocols regarding the General Fund balances and earmarked reserves, and transfers between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Built Environment

It was agreed that the Authority Monitoring Report 2017/18, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved and made available on the Council’s website.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance

It was agreed that the Gender Pay Gap Report, as set out at paragraph 3 of the report, be approved, prior to publication on the Council’s website and the Government portal. 

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance

It was agreed that, with effect from 31 March 2019, the Head of Governance be appointed as the Senior Information and Risk Owner (SIRO), and the Digital Services Manager be appointed as the Deputy Senior Information and Risk Owner for the Council, and they be authorised to discharge the functions and responsibilities of those roles.