Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N J Collor (who was absent on Council business) and N S Kenton.

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 13 January 2020 numbered CAB 104 to CAB 118 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the meeting held on 13 January 2020, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 104 to CAB 118, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

It was agreed that the order of business be varied in order to consider Agenda Item 5 (Draft Corporate Plan 2020-2024) as the first substantive item.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Leadership Support.

Responsibility: Leader of the Council

It was agreed that the Draft Corporate Plan 2020-2024 be approved and placed on the Council’s website for comments. 

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

(a)  It was agreed:

(i) That, subject to Council approving the 2020/21 budget, the grants to  organisations, as set out in Annex 9 of the report, be approved as follows:

Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2020/21 - £38,355

Various grants towards rentals/lease charges

Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:

Your Leisure - £100,350

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 the club

Dover Bowling Club - £4,000

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 use of the Property Services (Special Revenue) allocation be approved;

(iii)          That the use of the provision for internal costs to facilitate new projects be approved;

(iv)          That the draft budget is placed on the Council’s website for comments;

(v)           That it be noted that the Council Tax Resolution and Treasury Management, Investment and Capital Strategies will be added to the MTFP and other minor adjustments made before being presented to Council in March.

(b)  It was agreed to recommend to Council:

(i)            That the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2020/21, the capital and Special Projects Programmes, the Housing Revenue Account budget and the content of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), as proposed in Appendix 1, be approved;

(ii)           That the various Council recommendations at the end of sections within the budget and MTFP be approved as follows:

(A)  Approve the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2020/21 and the projected outturn for 2019/20;

(B)  Approve the policies and protocols regarding the General Fund balances and earmarked reserves, and transfers between reserves, as set out in Annex 4 of the report;

(C)  Approve the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2020/21 and the projected outturn for 2019/20 at Annex 5 of the report;

(D)  Approve the Capital and Special Revenue Projects Programmes;

(E)  Approve that capital resources required to finance new projects are secured before new projects commence;

(F)  Approve the Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategies, including the Prudential Indicators and Minimum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Transport and Licensing

It was agreed:

(a)  That consultation on the proposal to extend the charging period by 1 hour, from 09.00-1700 hours to 09.00-18.00 hours, for all on and off-street parking places be approved.

(b)  That the proposed on-street parking and permit charges, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.

(c)   That the Transport and Parking Services Manager be authorised to take all necessary legal and procedural processes to give effect to recommendations (a) and (b), including the giving of notices, the making or amendment of any orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Licensing, the consideration of any representations received during the consultation process. 

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Environment and Commercial Services

It was agreed:

(a)  That a project to construct a new-build wet-side and health and fitness leisure centre (retaining the sports hall and tennis centre) on the existing site at Tides Leisure Centre be developed further.

(b) That it be confirmed that the existing site at Tides Leisure Centre remains the    preferred location for leisure provision in Deal.

(c)  That the proposed project management arrangements, by the establishment of a Project Advisory Group and the approval of its Terms of Reference, be approved.

(d) That the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised to procure and contract to secure the professional services required to support the project lifecycle, and that he also be authorised to appoint Faithful & Gould as Lead Consultant for the project lifecycle.

(e)  That £500,000 be set aside from the Capital Programme, tobe drawn down by the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial), in consultation with the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), as required to support the next stage of the project, and that the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised to prepare and submit a grant application to Sport England’s Strategic Facility Fund.

(f)  That the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised to engage with prospective partners and funders on the options for financing the new leisure centre.

(g) That the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised to negotiate revised operational and financial management arrangements with Your Leisure to support the funding model.