Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J M Heron and K Mills.

It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillors P J Hawkins and P M Wallace had been appointed as substitute members for Councillors K Mills and J M Heron respectively.

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

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

Please note that in accordance with the agreed Protocol for Public Speaking at Overview and Scrutiny, the right to speak only applies to agenda items 11, 12 and 13.

The right of the public to speak does not apply to the following agenda items: Apologies, Appointment of Substitute Members, Declarations of Interest, Minutes, the Forward Plan, the Scrutiny Work Programme, any agenda item that is not accompanied by a written report and items that are exempt business.

Members of the public wishing to speak must register to do so by no later than 2.00 pm on the second working day before the meeting.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that no members of the public had registered to speak on items on the agenda to which the public speaking protocol applied.

The following decisions were taken by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 4 December 2017 in respect of recommendations from the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee:

·         Update on the Regent Cinema

·         Performance Report – Q2, 2017/18

Members received the decisions of the Cabinet relating to recommendations made by the Committee.

RESOLVED:     That the Cabinet decisions relating to recommendations from the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee be noted.

There were no issues for consideration.

(a)    Items placed on the agenda by a Member of the Committee or any individual Non-Executive Member

       Any individual Councillor may request that a matter is placed on the agenda of one of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committees by providing Democratic Support with notice of the matter prior to the agenda being published.

       There are no items for consideration.

(b)    Items the subject of Call-In

       Executive Decisions may be called-in by the Chairman or Spokesperson of the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee or any three non-executive members.

       There are no items for consideration.

(c)    Public Petition

       There are no items for consideration.

There were no issues for consideration.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions to the Committee for its consideration.

RESOLVED:   That the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions be noted.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Scrutiny Work Programme to the Committee for its consideration.

Members asked that an update on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as it applied to the Council be given to a future meeting and that a briefing note be provided to all Members.

Councillor P M Wallace asked if Ms Mahlo could be advised when the issue of Dover Town Centre comes before the committee in light of her previous petition on the matter.

RESOLVED:     (a)   That the Work Programme be noted.

                          (b)   That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to seek clarification on the pre-scrutiny arrangements in place.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Head of Regeneration and Delivery presented the Authority Monitoring Report.

Members were advised that the National Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) stated that Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) must publish information at least annually that showed progress with Local Plan preparation, reported any activity relating to the duty to cooperate and demonstrated how the implementation of policies in the Local Plan were progressing.

Members were reminded that the Council had agreed to commence a Local Plan review and as a consequence the Council was in the process of producing a new Local Plan and Area Action Plan for the Dover Waterfront.

The evidence base that underpinned the plan making was in the course of being reviewed. The reviews of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and the Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA) had been completed. Further studies had been commissioned including:

·         Retail Needs Assessment;

·         North Deal Study;

·         Sustainability Appraisal/Habitats Regulation Appraisal;

·         Strategic Flood Risk Assessment;

·         Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (DDC consultation); and

·         The Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment.

In response to a question, it was stated that play areas and green infrastructure would be the subject of reviews.

Members were advised that in planning terms most of Sholden and Walmer were considered to be in the Deal urban area and this was reflected in the figures for development.

As part of the assessment of the local housing market the issue of inward migration was reviewed and it was found that there were no specific issues for the district. However, private rental arrangements by authorities from outside the district would not be registered in this information.  

Members highlighted the need to highlight, at least in summary, the infrastructure restraints such as highways issues, utilities and educational provision that constrained development.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to Cabinet:

(a)  That the Authority Monitoring Report 2016/17 be approved and made available on the District Council’s website.

(b)  That in future the Authority Monitoring Report should have a section highlighting the infrastructure constraints that have stopped development.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The Director of Environment and Corporate Assets presented the report on the River Dour Enhancement Work and Repairs to Dolphin House Garages.

It was intended that the enhancement work and repairs would be completed prior to the opening of the St James’s Development in February as the location abutted the westerly edge of the development near a primary route to the town centre.

Members welcomed the enhancement work to the River Dour but questioned whether the repairs to the garages were being used for car parking or commercial storage. In response to the suggestion that given the low rental income generated by the garages their demolition in favour of creating additional car parking would be a better use of the location, the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets advised that there were some issues of access that might make the site difficult to use as a car park.   

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to Cabinet:

(a)       That the business case to carry out the riverside enhancement works be approved.

(b)       That the repairs to the Dolphin House garages not be undertaken in order for the usage (i.e. car parking, commercial storage, etc.) of the garages to be established.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The Director of Environment and Corporate Assets presented the report on the Overnight Opening of Deal Pier.

The provision of overnight opening occurred on Deal Pier each Saturday night/Sunday morning (00.00hrs – 08.00hrs) between April and November each year. It was being reviewed as the current arrangements  were no longer financially viable due to a number of factors including low usage levels and also challenges in staffing these hours. The average cost of overnight opening was £116.33 compared to an average income of £45.07 per overnight opening.

The Cabinet had agreed to reduce overnight opening to once a month from April to November, although the Pier would still be available for hire for events. The new arrangements would be staffed by contracted staff and it was hoped that they would be more financially viable through better promotion.

Councillor R J Frost highlighted the importance of linking the overnight opening dates with the best fishing tides (on a four weekly cycle) rather than a set calendar period of once per month.

Members expressed concern over the changes and suggested that staff contracts be reviewed to see if it would be possible to provide for more overnight opening.

RESOLVED:  That it be recommended to Cabinet that while the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee recognises the current situation, the Cabinet be requested to reconsider the decision before implementing it in order to review staffing arrangements with a view to providing for full night opening at Deal Pier.