Agenda and minutes

For those meetings that are being broadcast (as agreed by Council in July 2022) there will be a link to view the live broadcast under the ‘Media’ heading below. Guidance on how to watch live broadcasts of meetings.

The link to view a recording of a meeting that was broadcast can be found on the Council’s YouTube channel (@doverdc)

Venue: Council Chamber. View directions

Contact: Rebecca Brough  Democratic Services Manager

Items
No. Item

71.

Apologies pdf icon PDF 24 KB

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S F Bannister, N Dixon, J M Heron, L A Keen and P Walker.

 

72.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 141 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2019 (to follow).

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

73.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 37 KB

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

74.

Announcements pdf icon PDF 27 KB

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Leader, Members of the Cabinet or Head of Paid Service.

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor S S Chandler, made the following announcements:

 

(a)  To inform Members that this was the last meeting of the Director of Governance, Mr David Randall. Mr Randall had started with the Council in October 1998, and had been appointed Audit Manager in 2002, Head of Governance in 2005 and Director of Governance in 2010. He had been involved in the early work developing shared services with other authorities, oversaw the installation of cabling in the building and developed the Council’s successful apprenticeship scheme.

 

The Chairman on behalf of Members thanked him for the advice he had provided them with over the years and for his valuable contribution to the Council.

 

(b)  To thank those councillors who would not be back after the elections on 2 May 2019 for their service to the Council and their local communities and to wish them well for the future.

75.

Leader's Time pdf icon PDF 34 KB

To receive an oral report at the meeting from the Leader (and Cabinet) on the business of the Executive or on any topic or subject that it is felt should be brought to the attention of the Council.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (Leader’s Time):

 

(a)  The Leader (and Cabinet) shall have up to 15 minutes to make within this report any statements that they wish on any topic or subject that they feel should be drawn to the attention of the Council.

(b)  The Leader (or their nominee) of the Major Opposition Group (Labour Group) shall be allowed up to 10 minutes to respond.

(c)  The Leader (or their nominee) of the Other Opposition Group (Progressive Group) shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to respond. 

(d)  The Leader of the Council shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to exercise a right of reply (or 25% of the time given to the Opposition Group Leaders, whichever is the greatest).

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris, included the following matters in his report:

 

(a)  To remark that every political group on the Council and all the group leaders had changed since 2015.

(b)  That the Council was continuing to plan for No Deal in the absence of a BREXIT agreement. As part of this the BREXIT Task Force was sending letters to the Department of Transport in respect of the proposals to use Manston Airport for lorry routing; Operation Brock; and the Port of Dover and the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of Port Health matters. The Task Force wanted a clear plan for non-freight traffic and objected to proposals to route it through Dover.

(c)  The Council and the Local Government Association would be hosting a round table on 15 March 2019 to help inform local businesses over BREXIT. A concession had been agreed to ensure that local businesses would get a special pass allowing them direct access to the Port.

(d)  The Local Plan Housing Review was expected to be completed by June and the Local Plan would be going to Cabinet in October 2019 and Council in January 2020 prior to undergoing consultation.

(e)  To advise that 3 grants under the Council’s High Street Grant Scheme had been approved with another 8 under consideration.

(f)   That he would keep Members informed over the situation in respect of M&S in Deal and he thanked those Members who had shown their support for keeping M&S in Deal.

(g)  That the Council had granted £7,000 to the Astor Theatre after Deal Town Council pulled out. This would enable the Astor to go ahead with its plans to show classic movies.

(h)  The first draw for the new district lotto had taken place the previous week.

(i)    The first phase of works in respect of Deal Pier had completed and Cabinet had approved £600,000 for the second phase of works.

(j)    That the new District Leisure Centre was a great amenity and had lots of new sign-ups since it opened.

(k)  That the new Lidl store and the ‘Lock-in’ store had opened.

(l)    That the Council had been nominated for 2 awards for its apprenticeship programme. The Council currently had 12 apprentices.

(m) To offer his thanks to those Conservative Members who were retiring at the next election for their service to the Council and to thank the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for their service to the Council over the last four years.

 

The Leader of the Opposition Labour Group, Councillor K Mills, included the following matters in his report:

 

(a)  To offer his thanks to Labour Members who were retiring at the next election for their service to the Council.

(b)  To thank the Director of Governance for his service to the Council.

(c)  To state that in his view the BREXIT Task Force should be cross-party.

(d)  To express concerns that the proposals to route non-freight traffic through Dover would be a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

76.

Seat Allocation and Group Appointments pdf icon PDF 29 KB

To receive from Group Leaders any changes to seat allocations or appointments.

 

(Note:  Any changes must be within the approved allocation of seats to political groups in accordance with the political balance rules (where applicable).)

Minutes:

There were no changes.

77.

Questions from the Public pdf icon PDF 45 KB

To receive answers in respect of questions from the public to Members of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 11 of the Council Procedure Rules.

 

(a)  Questions will be asked in the order in which notice of them was received, except that the Chairman may group together similar questions.

(b)  The period for questions by the public shall be limited so that no further questions shall be put after the elapse of 15 minutes from the commencement of the first question.

(c)  A maximum of three minutes is allowed for the each question to be read.

(d)  A questioner who has put a question in person may also put one supplementary question without notice to the member who has replied to his or her original question. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply.

(e)  Afterwards, any other Member at the Chairman's discretion may speak for up to two minutes on a question or reply.

 

Questions from the Public

 

(1)  A question was received from Ms S Gleave within the notice period and is set out in the agenda papers.

 

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Ms S Gleave asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris:

 

“Young people and their parents in Dover District are aware we have just 12 years to avoid catastrophic climate change by limiting global warming to below 1.5°C, Sir David Attenbrough and the IPCC report make this plain. By the time young Dovorians grow up it will be too late. It is worse than when KCC said some years ago “Climate change is likely to affect flood risk through sea level rise, more frequent and higher storm surges, increased winter rainfall, drier summers with periods of more intense summer rainfall'. Problems elsewhere will also come to Dover's shore line. As councils across Britain like Bristol, Hastings, Scarborough and Oxford step up to the plate, will Dover District Council commit to doing everything within the Council's power to make Dover district carbon neutral by 2030 and press the Government to provide the necessary powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible?”

 

In response Councillor K E Morris advised that Officers were aware of current trends and good practice and that the local plan review would consider these issues.

 

The Council also intended to make the BRT as green as possible and was looking at possible options for this as part of the work being undertaken.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.8, Ms Gleave exercised her right to ask a supplementary question.

78.

Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Governance presented the Pay Policy Statement.

 

It was moved by Councillor M D Conolly, duly seconded, that option 2 of the report be approved and  

 

RESOLVED:     That the Pay Policy Statement set out at Appendix 1 to the report be approved and published on the Council’s website.

79.

COUNCIL BUDGET 2019/20, MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2019/20–2022/23 AND 2019/20 COUNCIL TAX SETTING pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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

Minutes:

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) introduced the report on the Council Budget 2019/20, the Medium Term Financial Plan 2019/20 and the Council Tax setting 2019/20.

 

It was moved by Councillor M D Conolly, and duly seconded by Councillor P G Heath, that the recommendations set out in the report incorporating the recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting held on 4 March 2019 be approved.

 

It was moved as an AMENDMENT by Councillor M R Eddy, and duly seconded by Councillor B Gardner, that

 

"Council resolves to add an additional project to the capital programme entitled ‘Installation of solar canopies’ with a proposed budget of £200k expenditure split equally between 2019/20 and 2020/21, with the intention of installing up to 100 solar canopies in appropriate locations across the council's estate, to be funded from general reserves or other resources that the Strategic Director (Resources) may identify, and to invest the savings from electricity bills (estimated at £25,000 per annum if all 100 solar canopies are in operation) in an ear-marked reserve to aid the future installation of electric charging points and the conversion of the council's vehicle fleet to electric vehicles."

 

Councillor K E Morris acknowledged the merit of the idea and suggested that if Councillor M R Eddy withdrew the amendment he would ask for a feasibility report to be submitted to Cabinet exploring the costs and savings of the proposed Amendment by Councillor M R Eddy’s amendment. 

 

Councillor M R Eddy agreed to withdraw his amendment in light of the Leader’s assurance that the report would be produced.

 

On being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED:   (a)   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;

 

                          (b) That a Council Tax increase of 2.7% for DDC purposes be approved, resulting in an increase on Band D properties of £4.95 per year and an annual DDC Council Tax of £187.29.

 

(c)   To note that it is the view of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), the Section 151 Officer, that the budget has been prepared in an appropriate and prudent manner and that based upon the information available at the time of producing this report the 2019/20 estimates are robust and the resources are adequate for the Council’s current spending plans in 2019/20;

 

(d)   That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the attached budget and MTFP, and summarized in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, are approved as follows:

 

(i)               Approve the General Fund Revenue budget for 2019/20 and the projected outturn for 2018/19;

(ii)              Approve the policies and protocols regarding the General Fund balances and earmarked reserves, and transfers between reserves as set out in Annex 4.

(iii)            Approve the HRA budget for 2019/20 and the projected outturn for 2018/19 at Annex 5.

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

(v)             Approve that capital resources required to finance new projects are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

Recorded Vote
TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
COUNCIL BUDGET 2019/20, MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2019/20–2022/23 AND 2019/20 COUNCIL TAX SETTING Resolution Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 80.

    Questions from Members pdf icon PDF 59 KB

    Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.  Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

     

    Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

     

    The questions received are set out in the agenda papers.

     

    Minutes:

    In accordance with Rule 12(1) of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Cabinet responded to the following questions:

     

    In the absence of Councillor L A Keen, questions (1) to (4) as per the agenda papers were not asked.

     

    (5)         Councillor M R Eddy asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris:

     

             “Can the Leader of the Council describe what representations this Council has made to Government to defend the hard-won rights of the many writers and artists living within this district in the event of a no-deal Brexit?”

     

             In response Councillor K E Morris answered that the District had a wonderful cultural heritage of artists and writers and the Council was supportive of all professions within its communities.  Any lobbying and influencing it was doing with Government concerning the UK leaving the EU in the event of a no deal was with a view to supporting tourism, local businesses, professions and communities to mitigate any potential negative impacts.

     

             Culture was part of the Council’s developing Tourism Strategy and as such further investment was being made as detailed in the budget.

     

    In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor M R Eddy exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.

     

     

    (6)         Councillor M R Eddy askws the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:

     

             “Can the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing outline what steps he might consider in order to alleviate the problems caused to residents of Sydney Road by cars parked by users of Walmer Station?”

     

    In response, Councillor N J Collor stated that a Residents Parking Scheme was looked at for this area in 2010 shortly after charges were introduced at Walmer Station Car Park. Following consultation the majority vote was against the scheme so things were left as they were. Since then the Council could not trace any further requests from residents to reconsider the position.

    Naturally, if approached by a number of residents from Sydney Road and the adjacent roads the Council would willingly look at the situation again.   

     

    (7)         Councillor M R Eddy asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:

     

    “At the previous full council the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, in response to a question from Cllr Keen, welcomed the inclusion of both Aylesham and Deal in the list of 22 stations which might benefit from a programme of step-free access. The Portfolio Holder then stated that he was making representations to Railtrack along with the Council's Development Partner for Aylesham. What representations is the Council making on behalf of Deal which is part of the Hi-Speed rail network, serves the expanding settlements of Deal, Walmer and Sholden, and which has a high proportion of residents with mobility difficulties?”

     

    In response Councillor N J Collor stated that he was endeavouring to meet with South Eastern Railways in the near future, as the current Train Operating Committee, to discuss a range of issues associated with rail services across the district going forward including  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

    81.

    Motions pdf icon PDF 37 KB

    Motions for which notice has been given are listed on the agenda in the order in which notice was received, unless the Member giving notice states, in writing, that they propose to move it at a later meeting or withdraw it.

     

    If a Motion set out in the agenda is not moved by the Member who gave notice thereof it shall, unless postponed by consent of the Council, be treated as withdrawn and shall not be moved without fresh notice.

     

    Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.  Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

     

    The Motions received are set out in the agenda papers.

    Minutes:

    In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor M R Eddy moved the Motion of which he had given notice as followed:

     

    “This Council will establish a set of baseline air quality measurements along the principal routes into Dover in advance of 29 March and will continue to monitor air quality on those routes after Brexit. This Council will press Government for adequate funding and other resources to deal with the impact of any increased air pollution.”

     

    The Motion was seconded by Councillor B Gardner.

     

    Councillor N S Kenton, duly seconded by Councillor N J Collor, moved an AMENDMENT to the Motion as followed:

     

    “This Council has established a set of baseline air quality measurements along the principal routes into Dover in advance of 29 March and will continue to monitor air quality on those routes after Brexit. Furthermore, this Council will press Government for adequate funding and other resources to deal with the impact of any increased air pollution.”

     

    Councillor M R Eddy, with the agreement of his seconder, agreed to accept the AMENDMENT and it became the SUBSTANTIVE Motion.

     

    On being put to the vote it was

     

    RESOLVED:     This Council has established a set of baseline air quality measurements along the principal routes into Dover in advance of 29 March and will continue to monitor air quality on those routes after Brexit. Furthermore, this Council will press Government for adequate funding and other resources to deal with the impact of any increased air pollution.

     

    82.

    Urgent Business Time pdf icon PDF 29 KB

    To consider any other items deemed by the Chairman of the Council to be urgent in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

    Minutes:

    There were no items of urgent business for consideration.

      Broadcast and Recording of Council Meetings

      1. (a) Where a meeting has been broadcast via the Council’s website a recording of that broadcast will generally be available for viewing on-line for a period of 30 days from the close of the meeting. In normal circumstances this would be within 2 working days of the meeting. However, there may be circumstances where it will take longer.

        (b) The broadcasts and recordings are the copyright of the Council and may not be copied, displayed or published to the public, adapted or dealt with in any other way restricted by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

        (c) The Council will not make available copies of the recordings either in whole or in part other than in compliance with a legal requirement arising under The Freedom of Information Act 2000, UK GDPR, The Data Protection Act 2018 or some other enactment, rule of law or direction of a court or tribunal which is binding on it.

        (d) Dover District Council is a Data Controller under GDPR. During this live broadcast, if you are participating in the meeting your personal data will be processed. Some of the meetings will be recorded and retained for viewing for 30 days on the Council's YouTube channel. Your information will be handled securely and confidentially in compliance with data protection legislation. For more information on your privacy and how your personal data may be processed during a live broadcasting of a Council meeting, please visit our website and view our Broadcasting of Meetings and Corporate Privacy Notice at www.dover.gov.uk/privacy