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 Cabinet meetings held on 3 and 6 February 2025, numbered CAB 76 to CAB 88 and CAB 89 to CAB 93 respectively (inclusive), are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 and 6 February 2025, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 76 to CAB 88 and CAB 89 to CAB 93 respectively, be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached report of the Section 151 Officer.

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

Due to their size and the number of other agenda items, this report will be published with the Budget 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025/26-2028/29 as a supplement.

It was agreed that the report be noted and taken into account when considering the 2025/26 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025/26-2028/29.

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

Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment

Due to its size and the number of other agenda items, this report will be published as a supplement. 

(a) It was agreed:

(i)            That, subject to Council approving the 2024/25 budget, the grants to other organisations, as set out in Annex 9, be approved as follows:

Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2024/25 - £30,125

Various Grants towards rentals/lease charges:

Sandwich Tennis Club - £50

Aylesham Parish Council - £75

Dover Bowling Club - £225

Victoria Park Bowling Club - £355

Deal & Walmer Angling Club - £325

Capel-le-Ferne Parish Council - £450

Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,255

Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,750

Dover Athletic Football Club - £2,500

Dover Athletic Football Club - £8,000

Dover District Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £11,800

Cross Links - £3,250

Model Boat Association - £120

Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:

Your Leisure - £117,440

Budget for Tides Leisure Centre, increased by 6% in line with Consumer Price Index

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 - £20,688

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 the Winter Shelter costs

Dover Rugby Club - £15,600

For grounds maintenance at Crabble Athletic Ground

Victoria Bowls - £1,000

Contribution towards running expenses

Dover Bowling Club - £1,000

Grant towards grounds maintenance at Dover Bowling Green

Dover District Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £111,850

£101,850 Core Funding grant including £10,500 from Housing Revenue Account, plus £8,500 for full service charge contribution and £1,500 other potential services

Neighbourhood Forums - £22,500

Grant to support voluntary and community organisations

Deal Town Council - £5,000

Astor Theatre grant

(ii)           That the various Cabinet recommendations produced at the end of the sections within the budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1 of the report 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 (Finance and Housing), in consultation with the

Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment, be authorised to draw on the Earmarked Smoothing Reserve to meet in-year variations in the budget.

(iii)          That a Council Tax increase of 2.98% for Dover District Council (DDC)

purposes be approved, resulting in an increase on Band D properties of £6.21 per year and an annual DDC Council Tax of £214.38.

(iv)          That it be noted that it is the opinion of the Section 151 Officer that the

Council’s budget has been prepared on a rigorous and robust basis and the Council’s reserves are sufficient for its immediate needs. However, it is also the opinion of the Section 151 Officer that there are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

To consider the report of the Planning Policy and Projects Manager (to follow).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Local Development Scheme 2025 (comprising the following Local Development Documents: Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), Developer Contributions SPD, Design Codes SPD, Local Heritage List SPD, Dover Town Archaeological Plan SPD, Biodiversity Net Gain SPD and Site- Specific Flood Risk Assessment SPD) be adopted.

(b)  That a Local Plan review should not be programmed to commence within the 3-year period covered by the Local Development Scheme.

(c)   That the other ongoing work projects/documents and their timetable for production be noted.

(d)  That the Head of Planning and Development be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment, to update the Local Development Scheme to incorporate the timescales for proposed Neighbourhood Plans (once confirmed).

To consider the attached report of the Head of Property Assets.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Housing and Assets

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Disabled Adaptations Policy be approved and adopted.

(b)  That the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Education and Skills, to make minor amendments to the Policy as required. 

To consider the attached report of the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets.

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

                        Environment

It was agreed:

(a)  That acceptance of the Warm Homes Local Grant funding from the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero, to deliver the Warm Homes Local Grant scheme as the lead authority in a consortium with Dartford Borough Council, be approved.

(b)  That the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets be authorised to deliver the Warm Homes Local Grant scheme in full. 

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 proposed Beach Hut Policy be approved and adopted.

(b)  That the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, to make minor amendments to the Policy as required.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property

It was agreed:

(a)  That the proposed parking bay suspension charges set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved, as follows:

·         General/commercial requests - £155 to set up the suspension plus £30 per bay/day (off-street to add VAT)

·         Community organised non-profit events - £75 (plus VAT off-street) to set up the suspension (including 10 bays off-street, 5 bays on-street).  Additional bays charged at daily tariff rate per bay/day.

(b)  That the Transport and Parking Services Manager be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, to take all necessary legal and procedural processes to give effect to the approved recommendation, as set out in the report, including the giving of notices and the making or amendment of any orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

To consider the attached report of the Team Leader – Planning Policy.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

To consider the attached report of the Climate Change Officer.

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

                        Environment

It was agreed that the Authority Monitoring Report 2023/24 and the updated 5-year land supply position 2024-2029 be approved and published.

To consider the report of the Head of Corporate Services & Democracy and the Continuous Improvement Manager (to follow).

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

                        Environment

It was agreed that the Council’s Strategic Performance Dashboard for Quarters 1 to 3 2024/25 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 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 Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

It was agreed:

(a)  That a project to acquire the freehold of four affordable homes at Cavell Square, Deal be approved.

(b)  That the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education, 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, acceptance of Homes England grant funding, allocation of developer contributions and appointing any necessary professional advisers.