Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

57.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D G Cronk, N S Kenton, K Mills and A S Pollitt.

58.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meetings held on 18 October 2017 and 6 December 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meetings held on 18 October 2017 and 6 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

59.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 37 KB

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

Minutes:

Councillor N A G Richards declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) in Motion (2) by reason of his employment and announced his intention to withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

60.

Announcements

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Leader, Members of the Cabinet or Head of Paid Service.

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

61.

Presentation of Honorary Alderman Awards

Presentation of Honorary Alderman awards to former district councillors Mr G J Hood and Mr P A Watkins, who were conferred Honorary Alderman status at a meeting of the full Council convened for the purpose on 18 October 2017.

Minutes:

The Chairman announced that following the decision of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 18 October 2017 to make former district councillors G J Hood and P A Watkins Honorary Aldermen, the Council was now able to present them with their awards. The awards were in recognition of their decades of community service and the esteem that members of the Council held them in.

 

The Chairman presented the scrolls to both Aldermen and invited them to say a few words to the Council.

62.

Leader's Time

To receive an oral report at the meeting from the Leader (and Cabinet) on the business of the Executive or on any topic or subject that it is felt should be brought to the attention of the Council.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (Leader’s Time):

 

(a)  The Leader (and Cabinet) shall have up to 15 minutes to make within this report any statements that they wish on any topic or subject that they feel should be drawn to the attention of the Council.

(b)  The Leader (or their nominee) of the Major Opposition Group (Labour Group) shall be allowed up to 10 minutes to respond.

(c)  The Leader (or their nominee) of the Other Opposition Group (UKIP Group) shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to respond. 

(d)  The Leader of the Council shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to exercise a right of reply (or 25% of the time given to the Opposition Group Leaders, whichever is the greatest).

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris, included the following matters in

his report:

 

(a)  The launch of the next phase of the review of the council’s electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). The current phase of consultation on ward patterns would run from 30 January 2018 to 9 April 2018.

 

(b)  That the Homelessness PAG had met before Christmas. The meeting had considered a four stage process for intervention in respect of homelessness and the Council was investigating building and buying housing, including the use of modular homes. The January 2018 monthly update was encouraging against performance indicators.

 

(c)  That Kent had been approved as a pilot area for business rate retention. The pilot was for 1 year but could be extendable for an additional year.

 

(d)  The Medium Term Financial Plan would make provision for additional funding for Dover Town Centre. A new town centre officer post would be funded.

 

(e)  That internal changes would being made to put enforcement into one office under one manager. A legal officer would also be co-located with the enforcement team.

 

(f)   That Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council and Thanet District Council had contracted with Civica for 7 years. The contract had transferred 230 jobs to Civica and would also see an East Kent trading hub set up which the three authorities would share in the profits for as new work was taken on. The contract would also deliver savings to be split between the three authorities and safeguard jobs.

 

(g)  That he had met with the new owners of the Discovery Park who remained focussed on the growth of life sciences at the site. They would also look at retail, leisure and new homes opportunities.

 

The Leader of the Main Opposition Labour Group, Councillor M R Eddy, included the following matters in his report:

 

(a)  To express his disappointment that the LGBCE had decided on 32 councillors as it did not provide enough members to provide for effective scrutiny.

 

(b)  To welcome that the Leader had started the meetings of the Homelessness PAG and to express support for modular homes and buying properties.

 

(c)  To welcome the news of the Business Rate pilot while expressing that as a one year pilot it reinforced the volatility in local government finances. He urged the Council to work through the Local Government Association on this issue.

 

(d)  That while the St James (DTIZ) development was beginning to bear fruit it was important to ensure that work commenced now on developing the rest of the town.

 

(e)  To welcome the creation of a single enforcement team as it was a major issue for the district. He urged a zero tolerance approach to unkempt buildings.

 

(f)   To express concern that the Civica deal while cheap in the shorter term would leave local government with a mess to clean up down the road.

 

(g)  To welcome the news that the Discovery Park would continue to focus on life sciences  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

63.

Questions from the Public

To receive answers in respect of questions from the public to Members of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 11 of the Council Procedure Rules.

 

There were no valid questions from the public received within the notice period.

Minutes:

There were no valid questions received from members of the public.

64.

Seat Allocation and Group Appointments

To receive from Group Leaders any changes to seat allocations or appointments.

 

To note the following changes by the Conservative Group:

Dover Joint Transportation     Councillor P D Jull to replace Councillor M J Holloway

Licensing Committee              Councillor P D Jull to replace Councillor M J Holloway

 

(Note:  Any changes must be within the approved allocation of seats to political groups in accordance with the political balance rules (where applicable).)

Minutes:

(a)  The Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor K E Morris, gave notice of the following changes to group appointments:

 

Dover Joint Transportation Board

Councillor P D Jull to replace Councillor M J Holloway.

 

Licensing Committee

Councillor P D Jull to replace Councillor M J Holloway.

 

(b)  The Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor M R Eddy, gave notice of the following changes to group appointments:

 

Licensing Committee

Councillor M R Eddy to replace Councillor N A G Richards.

 

65.

Council Tax Base 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To consider the attached report of the Director of Finance, Housing and Community.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.6 a recorded vote will be held in respect of this item.

Minutes:

The Director of Finance, Housing and Community presented the report on the Council Tax Base 2018/19.

 

It was proposed by Councillor M D Conolly, duly seconded and

 

RESOLVED:     (a)   Determine that for the financial year 2018-19, the empty homes discount remains at 0% for Class C empty properties, and continue to remove the discount for 2nd homes so that Council Tax will be payable in full on these properties.

 

(b)   Determine not to revise the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2018-19.

 

(c)   Approve the District's Council Tax Base for 2018-19 as 37,962.69 and the tax base for the towns and parishes in the Council’s administrative area, as set out in the table below:

 

 

 

 

Parish

2017-18 Tax Base - using collection rate

2018-19 Tax Base using collection rate

Alkham

306.43

307.61

Ash

1120.04

1126.94

Aylesham

1103.18

1365.88

Capel-Le-Ferne

626.51

660.15

Deal

6,594.87

6,651.71

Denton-with-Wootton

172.20

171.45

Dover

7,924.76

8,073.27

Eastry

779.46

788.15

Eythorne

775.78

782.97

Goodnestone

173.67

171.61

Great Mongeham

268.30

268.71

Guston

374.32

374.95

Hougham-Without

181.32

183.08

Langdon

227.85

227.56

Lydden

253.51

254.42

Nonington

295.17

293.16

Northbourne

269.79

267.72

Preston

302.76

326.30

Ringwould-with-Kingsdown

1,013.04

1,018.86

Ripple

150.81

152.03

River

1,497.88

1,487.35

St Margarets-at-Cliffe

1,283.08

1,303.27

Sandwich

1,925.51

1,922.46

Shepherdswell-with-Coldred

738.74

753.56

Sholden

670.64

746.02

Staple

228.32

229.77

Stourmouth

111.50

113.25

Sutton-by-Dover

305.59

307.40

Temple Ewell

639.36

645.05

Tilmanstone

153.23

153.26

Walmer

3,277.47

3,290.37

Whitfield

1,899.84

1,933.63

Wingham

672.16

681.07

Woodnesborough

442.87

464.24

Worth

444.44

465.46

Total

37,204.40

37,962.69

 

The manner of voting was as followed:

 

FOR (40)

AGAINST (0)

ABSTAIN (0)

J S Back

 

 

S F Bannister

 

 

T J Bartlett

 

 

P M Beresford

 

 

T A Bond

 

 

P M Brivio

 

 

B W Butcher

 

 

P I Carter

 

 

S S Chandler

 

 

N J Collor

 

 

M D Conolly

 

 

M I Cosin

 

 

G Cowan

 

 

N Dixon

 

 

M R Eddy

 

 

A Friend

 

 

R J Frost

 

 

B Gardner

 

 

B J Glayzer

 

 

D Hannent

 

 

P J Hawkins

 

 

P G Heath

 

 

J M Heron

 

 

M J Holloway

 

 

S J Jones

 

 

P D Jull

 

 

L A Keen

 

 

P S Le Chevalier

 

 

S M Le Chevalier

 

 

K E Morris

 

 

D P Murphy

 

 

A M Napier

 

 

M J Ovenden

 

 

G Rapley

 

 

N A G Richards

 

 

M Rose

 

 

D A Sargent

 

 

F J W Scales

 

 

P Walker

 

 

P M Wallace

 

 

 

 

66.

Calendar of Meetings 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Governance (to follow).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager presented the report on the Calendar of Meetings 2018/19.

 

It was moved by Councillor M D Conolly, duly seconded and

 

RESOLVED:       That the Draft Calendar of Ordinary Meetings for 2018/19 be approved in principle subject to final ratification at the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2018.

67.

Members' Allowance Scheme 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 63 KB

To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance (to follow).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager presented the report on the Members’ Allowance Scheme 2018/19.

 

It was moved by Councillor M D Conolly, duly seconded and

 

RESOLVED:       That the Members’ Allowance Scheme 2018/19 be made at the levels of 2017/18, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, subject to an increase in the Dependent Carers Allowance to £7.83 per hour in line with the National Living Wage from April 2018.

 

68.

Questions from Members pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question providing that the supplemental question arises directly out of the original question or the reply.

 

The questions are set out in the agenda papers.

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Rule 12(1) of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Cabinet responded to the following questions:

 

(1)       Councillor B J Glayzer asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris:

          “Would the Leader of this Council advise this Council as to what is being reviewed to assist the problems around empty shop fronts on our Dover high street. Where adequate spending provisions can be addressed to bring back the much needed opportunities for local business entrepreneurs, promoting our Towns tourism and wellbeing.”

          In response, the Leader of the Council advised that a recent report to Cabinet had set out a range of matters that the Council would be engaging on including proposals in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2018/19. As part of the MTFP there were proposals for the allocation of funds of £80,000 for regeneration enabling costs in Dover, town centre improvement works of £300,000 and £100,000 for enhancements to the public realm in Market Square. As part of the Local Plan process the opportunity existed for the development of a new strategy for the town centre and the Council would be pressing other organisations to participate in helping improve the town centre.

          In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor B J Glayzer exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.

 

(2)       Councillor P D Jull asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris:

          “Following your promise at a previous council meeting to set up a Policy Action Group on the subject of homelessness, could the Leader give an update on what has happened since?”

          In response, the Leader of the Council advised that the Homelessness Project Advisory Group had met for the first time on 13 December 2017 and received a report outlining the current position in respect of homelessness in the Dover District and the various actions that were being undertaken by the Council to address the issue. This had already seen some progress with the number of people in temporary accommodation falling over the past three months by 13% from 109 to 96. In addition, the number in bed and breakfast accommodation had fallen from 45 to 27 over the same period. The various actions and projects would be monitored through monthly performance reports and meetings.

          In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P D Jull exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.

 

(3)       Councillor M J Ovenden asked the Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor M J Holloway:

          “Through the good work of the Community Partnership Unit and its joint working with Kent Police, KCC and other organisations, and working closely with Kent’s Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, this Conservative led District Council gives priority to making our communities safe, bearing down on crime and anti-social behaviour.

          Can the Portfolio Holder reassure residents that community safety will remain a District priority in 2018? In answering the question could the Portfolio Holder confirm:

·           That despite budget pressures, District staff numbers and resources allocated to the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

69.

Motions pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Motions for which notice has been given are listed on the agenda in the order in which notice was received, unless the Member giving notice states, in writing, that they propose to move it at a later meeting or withdraw it.

 

If a Motion set out in the agenda is not moved by the Member who gave notice thereof it shall, unless postponed by consent of the Council, be treated as withdrawn and shall not be moved without fresh notice.

 

The Motions received on notice are set out in the agenda papers.

Minutes:

(1)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor M J Holloway moved the following Motion:

 

“That the Council agrees that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government setting out the circumstances and actions taken around the Chimes at St Peter’s Church Sandwich and request the provision of robust guidance in dealing with statutory noise nuisance emanating from Church Bells and Chimes. In the meantime the authority will continue to work with the Churches Conservation Trust to achieve a satisfactory resolution to the issue.”

 

The Motion was duly seconded by Councillor P I Carter.

 

On being put to the meeting the Motion was CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED:    “That the Council agrees that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government setting out the circumstances and actions taken around the Chimes at St Peter’s Church Sandwich and request the provision of robust guidance in dealing with statutory noise nuisance emanating from Church Bells and Chimes. In the meantime the authority will continue to work with the Churches Conservation Trust to achieve a satisfactory resolution to the issue.”

 

(2)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor P Walker moved the following Motion:

 

“Dover District Council will introduce an incentive scheme to aid small businesses in Dover’s Town Centre (from Cannon Street to London Road incl.) in order to help them benefit from the developing DTIZ.

 

This scheme should look at:

 

·         How business rates are applied.

·         Relocation to a more advantageous position in the town.

·         Appointing a Small Business Advisor.”

 

The Motion was duly seconded by Councillor M R Eddy.

 

            It was moved as an AMENDMENT by Councillor F J W Scales:

 

“Dover District Council explore the possibilities of operating an incentive scheme to aid small businesses in Dover’s Town Centre (from Bench Street to the Maison Dieu) in order to help them benefit from the developing DTIZ with a report back to Cabinet.”

 

The Amendment was seconded by Councillor M D Conolly.

 

Councillor P Walker, with the consent of his seconder, agreed to accept the Amendment and it became the SUBSTANTIVE Motion.

 

On being put to the meeting the SUBSTANTIVE Motion was CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED:    “Dover District Council explore the possibilities of operating an incentive scheme to aid small businesses in Dover’s Town Centre (from Bench Street to the Maison Dieu) in order to help them benefit from the developing DTIZ with a report back to Cabinet.”

 

(Councillor N A G Richards declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) in Motion (2) by reason of his employment and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this matter.)

 

(3)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor P M Wallace moved the following Motion:

 

“A councillor’s relationship with the community in their ward is one of the most

important factors in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

Urgent Business Time

To consider any other items deemed by the Chairman of the Council to be urgent in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.

    Broadcast and Recording of Council Meetings

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      (b) The broadcasts and recordings are the copyright of the Council and may not be copied, displayed or published to the public, adapted or dealt with in any other way restricted by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

      (c) The Council will not make available copies of the recordings either in whole or in part other than in compliance with a legal requirement arising under The Freedom of Information Act 2000, UK GDPR, The Data Protection Act 2018 or some other enactment, rule of law or direction of a court or tribunal which is binding on it.

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