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 5 February 2024 numbered CAB 69 to CAB 79 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the meeting held on 5 February 2024, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 69 to CAB 79, be approved as a correct record 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

It was agreed that the report be noted and taken into account when considering the Budget 2024/25 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024/25-2027/28.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director (Finance and Housing) (to follow).

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

(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

Action with Communities in Rural Kent - £3,500

Contribution to rural housing

(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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

It was agreed:

(a)  That the content of the proposed Policy be approved.

(b)  That the adoption of the proposed Housing Revenue Account Rent-Setting Policy be approved.

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

To consider the attached report of the Interim EKS Service Transition Manager.

Responsibility: Leader of the Council

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Council should exit from the contract with Civica UK Limited for the delivery of revenue, benefits and customer services.

(b)  That the Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) service delivery vehicle be approved as the preferred option for future service delivery.

(c)   That the business case for the LATCo, pursuant to Article 2(2)(b) of the Local Government (Best Value Authorities) (Power to trade) (England) Order 2009, be approved.

(d)  That the East Kent Services Committee, to the extent that it is not otherwise authorised to do so, be authorised to exercise the powers and functions of the Council to form the LATCo and to enter into the contract with it to include (but not limited to) making decisions on behalf of the Council in relation to the matters set out in paragraph 9 of the report.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Environmental Services

It was agreed that the purchase of additional modules in TechnologyOne to replace Adelante and Pay360, and to take all necessary actions to deliver the project, including awarding the contract, be approved.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community and Property

It was agreed that, due to the presence of water voles, an additional £25,000 from the Special Revenue Contingency budget for the construction of a new bridge be approved.  

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 that the Council’s Strategic Performance Dashboard for the Third Quarter 2023/24 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 paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Place and Growth.

Responsibility: Leader of the Council

It was agreed:

(a)  That the award of the first-stage design and build contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to Jenner Contractors Limited be approved.

(b)  That a package of further surveys and design work as described in the report, releasing Levelling Up Fund and Future High Streets Fund grant funding that has already been received to cover the costs, be approved.

(c)   That the Strategic Director (Place and Environment) be authorised, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to take all decisions and actions necessary that do not increase the costs of the project to progress it up to, but not including, the award of the second stage design and build construction contract(s), subject to all actions being in accordance with the memorandums of understanding with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and, where appropriate, with the oversight of the Dover Beacon and Dover Town Regeneration Project Advisory Group.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Council enters into a contract with Vertase FLI Ltd for the sum set out in the report, using funding accepted via the Brownfield Land Release Fund Round 2 (BLRF R2), to undertake remediation works at the development site in order to facilitate the delivery of 24 flats for temporary accommodation.

(b)  That future decisions regarding the acceptance of BLRF R2 funding, the detailed appointment of the contractor and entering into the works contract be delegated to the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

It was agreed:

(a)  That the award of the 2-year contract for repointing and associated works to Council dwellings to AW Construction Services Limited, for the sum set out in the report, be approved, subject to the 30-day notice period required by Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) Regulations 2003. 

(b)  That the Strategic Director (Place and Environment) be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education, to have the function of having regard to observations in relation to the proposals to award a contract agreement as required by Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) Regulations 2003, and to confirm the award of the contract (or report further to Cabinet) as he considers appropriate.