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 1 February 2021 numbered CAB 80 to CAB 92 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 February 2021, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 80 to CAB 92, 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 that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation, made at its meeting held on 6 February 2021 (Minute No 92), be accepted, as follows:

That a series of meetings be held with Southern Water, with the objective of finding a solution to the issues in Deal.

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

It was agreed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s endorsement of Cabinet decision CAB 88, made at its meeting held on 8 February (Minute No 95), be acknowledged.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance and Investment (to follow).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital

(a) It was agreed:

(i)             That the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) be authorised, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital, to administer funding for local businesses and families as intended by the Government.

(ii)            That, subject to Council approving the 2021/22 budget, the grants to organisations, as set out at Annex 9 of the report, be approved as follows:

Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2021/22 - £37,580

Various grants towards rentals/lease charges:

Sandwich Tennis Club - £50

Aylesham Parish Council - £75

Dover Bowling Club - £225

Victoria Park Bowling Club - £355

Aylesham Parish Council - £150

Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,225

Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,750

Dover Athletic Football Club - £2,500

Dover Athletic Football Club - £8,000

Dover Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £10,000

Deal Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £10,000

Cross Links - £3,250

Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:

Your Leisure - £100,350

Agreed budget for Tides Leisure Centre

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 - £16,000

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

Victoria Bowls - £1,000

Contribution to running expenses of the club

Dover Bowling Club - £4,000

Grant towards grounds maintenance at Dover Bowling Green.

Dover Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £102,000

Core funding grant including £10,000 from Housing Revenue Account, plus £3,500 service charge contribution and £1,500 for other potential services

Neighbourhood Forums - £22,500

Grant to support voluntary and community organisations

Deal Town Council - £5,000

Astor Theatre grant

Action with Communities in Rural Kent - £3,500

Contribution to rural housing

(iii)           That, subject to Council’s approval of the Capital and Project Programme, the refuse and recycling vehicle capital project be approved.

(iv)           That the various Cabinet recommendations produced at the end of the sections within the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan, summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, be approved.

(b) It was agreed that it be recommended 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 the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital, be authorised to;

Draw on the Council’s earmarked reserves to fund the 2021/22 budget as required;

Apply new burdens funding as intended by the Government;

Take any surplus 2020/21 new burdens funding and ‘non-earmarked’ funding into earmarked reserves to support the General Fund budget and to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

To consider the report of the Head of Leadership Support (to follow).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital

It was agreed that the Council’s Performance Report and Actions for the Third Quarter 2020/21 be noted.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health

It was agreed that the contents of the report, which relates to statutory Health & Safety compliance matters associated with managing the housing stock, as well as the actions being taken to verify the accuracy of the compliance data, be approved.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the report of the Head of Inward Investment and Tourism (to follow).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holders for Inward Investment & Tourism and Environment &

                        Corporate Property

It was agreed:

(a)   That the lease arrangements for the Co-Innovation site should not be continued beyond 22 August 2021.

(b)   That the Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) be authorised to invite tenders and award a contract for the demolition of the building.

(c)   That market opportunities and expressions of interest for the permanent use of the site be considered; and

(d)   Arrangements for an interim use of the cleared site pending a permanent use be prepared, should this be necessary.