Agenda and draft 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 4 December 2023 numbered CAB 50 to CAB 57 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the meeting held on 4 December 2023, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 50 to CAB 57, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

It was agreed:

(a) That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation, made at its meeting held on 11 December 2023 (Minute No 75), be approved as follows:

That the Cabinet explores changing the status of the high-speed road

network to special road status in order to obtain assistance in funding cleansing.

(b) That the initial communication about this matter should be in the form of an open letter to the minister.    

To consider the attached report of the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment

It was agreed to recommend to Council that the new Risk Management Strategy and accompanying toolkit be adopted.

To consider the attached report of the Community Services, Asylum & Transport Manager and the Port Health and Public Protection Manager.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holders for Community & Corporate Property and Transport, Licensing & Environmental Services

It was agreed that, having regard to the conditions within Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the variation of the Public Spaces Protection Order (Dover District Council) 2022 be approved.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Fees and Charges (F&Cs) for 2024/25, as set out in Appendices 2.1 to 2.14 and 5.1 (except for the Section 106 Monitoring Fee which has been approved by the Planning Committee) and 5.3 be approved.

(b)  That any F&Cs will be adjusted by Strategic Directors, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders, to comply with any subsequently received government guidelines (when they are received) and any other minor changes made without being the subject of a further report unless they are materially different from current charges or have a material impact on the level of income. 

(c)   That the general principle that fees are set at an appropriate inclusive level, irrespective of VAT status, and that the VAT element within the overall fee level is then determined, be approved.

(d)  That the fees and charges approved separately by the Licensing and Regulatory Committees, as set out in Appendices 3.1 to 3.4, be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Finance and Housing)

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community & Corporate Property

It was agreed:

(a)  That the outcome of the annual review of parking charges be noted.

(b)  That, subject to the exceptions outlined in (c), the proposed parking charge options set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

(c)   That the following proposals be deferred pending the outcome of the strategic review of parking across the district scheduled to be carried out in 2024/25:

·         Introduction of charging in four rural car parks (namely Reach Road, St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe; High Street, Ash; High Street, Eastry and High Street, Wingham) and Borrow Pit car park and Victoria Park car park

·         Introduction of charging for the application and installation of on-street disabled parking bays

(d)  That each of the Transport and Parking Services Manager and the Community Services Manager, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, be authorised to take all necessary legal and procedural processes to give effect to the agreed recommendations set out in Appendix 1, including the giving of notices and the making or amendment of any orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and, also, the making of arrangements with Dover Harbour Board pursuant to Section 33(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy.

Responsibility: Leader of the Council

It was agreed that Option 3 (tea/coffee/biscuits/juice) be approved in respect of providing catering at future Council and committee meetings.

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 attached report of the Head of Property Assets.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property

It was agreed:

(a)  That the sale of the land to the person referred to in the report and on the terms outlined therein be approved.

(b)  That the Strategic Director (Place and Environment) be authorised to agree detailed terms for the disposal, acting in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property.