Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P M Brivio, M F Hibbert, R M Knight, S C Manion, D P Murphy, M Rose and C F Woodgate.

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

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

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

There were no announcements.

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

It was moved by Councillor K Mills, duly seconded by Councillor J L Pout, and

RESOLVED: (a)     That the Council’s continued participation in the East Kent Joint Independent Remuneration Panel be confirmed until 30 November 2027.

(b)     That Mr A Goodall be appointed as one of the two Dover District Council appointed representatives to the East Kent Joint Independent Remuneration Panel for a four-year term commencing 1 December 2023.

(c)     That the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy be authorised to take all necessary steps to advertise and shortlist candidates for the vacancy for the second Dover appointee.

(d)     That a panel comprised of the Chairman of the Governance Committee, the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy (or a nominated member of the Democratic Services team) and the Monitoring Officer be requested to shortlist and interview applicants for the vacancies and make recommendations for the appointment of an applicant to the Council meeting on 31 January 2024.

(e)     That the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy be authorised to agree the arrangements for the administrative support of the East Kent Joint Independent Remuneration Panel.

To consider the attached report of the Electoral Services Manager.

It was moved by Councillor K Mills, duly seconded by Councillor J L Pout, and

RESOLVED: (a)     That the recommended proposals for the Polling District, Polling Places and Polling Stations Scheme be approved.

                        (b)     That the power to designate polling places in accordance with section 18 and 18B of the Representation of the People Act 1983 be delegated to the relevant (Acting) Returning Officer (ARO) / Returning Officer (RO).

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor K Mills, presented the Corporate Plan 2023 to 2027.

Members were advised that the Council’s vision was to build a better and fairer future for the district and to deliver this, the Corporate Plan had four strategic themes as follows:

1.    Improving our housing.

2.    Growing our economy.

3.    Protecting our environment.

4.    Supporting our communities.

A fifth ambition for the Council underpinned these strategic themes: Modernising our Council. The Corporate Plan would undergo an annual review and was considered a living document.

Members discussed the proposed Corporate Plan and the differences and similarities to the previous Plan. The following points were raised:

·         The challenges facing local government finances and the need for multi-year funding arrangements from the Government.

·         The wording of the housing commitment contained within the Corporate Plan.

·         To welcome the commitment to an annual review.

·         The areas of commonality between the new plan and the one it replaced.

·         The importance of the Corporate Plan being an accessible document.

·         The importance of key infrastructure projects.

·         District leisure provision and the future of Tides.

·         The issues facing local residents.

It was moved by Councillor K Mills, duly seconded by Councillor J L Pout, and

RESOLVED: (a)     That Council approve and adopt the Council’s revised Corporate Plan 2023 to 2027.

                        (b)     That Council authorise the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any necessary minor textual changes following full Council.

                        (c)     That Council authorise the Head of Corporate Services and Democracy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree final design and artwork before publication.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.