Agenda and minutes

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 7 October 2019 numbered CAB 62 to CAB 72 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the meeting held on 7 October 2019, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 62 to CAB 72, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s endorsement of Cabinet decision CAB 67, made at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 (Minute No 38), be acknowledged.

(b)  That Cabinet decision CAB 67 be reaffirmed.

To consider the attached recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was agreed:

(a) That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation (c), made at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 (Minute No 39), be deferred in order for the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) and the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health to identify whether there is scope to provide more detail as requested by the Committee.

(b) That Cabinet decision CAB 68 be reaffirmed.

To consider the attached recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s endorsement of Cabinet decision CAB 69 and its additional recommendation, made at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 (Minute No 40), be acknowledged.

(b)  That Cabinet decision CAB 69 be reaffirmed.

To consider the attached recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s endorsement of Cabinet decision CAB 79, made at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 (Minute No 41), be acknowledged.

(b)  That Cabinet decision CAB 79 be reaffirmed.

To consider the attached recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s endorsement of Cabinet decision CAB 72, made at its meeting held on 14 October 2019 (Minute No 43), be acknowledged.

(b)  That Cabinet decision CAB 72 be reaffirmed.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

It was agreed:

(a)  That the existing commitment of £300,000 for top-up loans under Kent County Council’s ‘No Use Empty’ scheme be supplemented by a further £300,000 to bring the total availability to £600,000.

(b)  That the Head of Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council, be authorised to sign an agreement with Kent County Council allowing it to continue to administer the funding on behalf of Dover District Council.

(c)   That all monies received from the repayment of loans be used for further top-up loans under Kent County Council’s ‘No Use Empty’ property initiative.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Inward Investment.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community and Tourism

It was agreed:

(a)  That a period of public consultation on the Tourism and Visitor Economy Strategy be approved.

(b)  That the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised, in consultation with the Head of Inward Investment and the Portfolio Holder for Community and Tourism, to further amend, edit, finalise and adopt the Tourism and Visitor Economy Strategy in response to consultation. 

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Environment and Commercial Services

(a)  It was agreed to recommend to Council that a climate change emergency be declared.

(b)  It was agreed:

(i)            That the serious impact of climate change globally and the need for

urgent action be acknowledged.

(ii)           That a cross-party Climate Change Member Working Group be established.

(iii)          That the Terms of Reference for that Group, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved in principle and, in addition, arrangements made to ensure effective engagement with younger generations.

(iv)          That a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, led by the Member Working Group, be prepared, setting out plans for Dover District Council to become a net zero carbon emitter by 2030 at the latest.

(v)           That a pledge to do what is within the powers and resources of Dover District Council to support the wider community so that the district becomes carbon neutral by 2050 be approved.

(vi)          That a baseline audit of the carbon emissions of all the Council’s services be completed, to inform the discussions of the Member Working Group.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive (to follow).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

It was agreed that the Council’s Performance Report and Actions for the Second Quarter 2019/20 be noted.

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the press and the public be excluded during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Finance and Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health

It was agreed:

(a)  That the project to acquire eight affordable homes to be developed on land at Noah’s Ark Road, Dover be approved.

(b)  That the Head of Finance and Housing be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, to take the necessary decisions and actions to progress the project and purchase the properties including (but not limited to): agreeing the purchase price; approving the sale purchase agreements; making a funding application to Homes England and entering into subsequent funding agreements; appointing any necessary professional advisers; and entering into contracts for the provision of support to occupants of the homes. 

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Environment and Commercial Services

It was agreed that the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised to award the contract for the demolition of the former Dover Leisure Centre at Townwall Street, Dover to DDS Demolition, and to authorise the use of the additional £200,000 in the event of any unforeseen works such as ground contamination or archaeological investigations.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Finance and Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health

It was agreed that the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) and the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Commercial Services, to take all necessary actions to deliver the construction phase of the road and enabling drainage works project, including awarding the construction contract, approving variations to the project sum if required and, if circumstances warrant, cancelling the project.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Transport and Licensing

It was agreed that the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Licensing, to explore options regarding Compulsory Purchase Orders to secure the land necessary to deliver the project.