Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T A Bond, P Walker and H M Williams.

It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillor K Mills had been appointed as substitute member for Councillor H M Williams.

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 confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 July 2021, 13 September 2021 and 11 October 2021 (to follow).

The Minutes of the meetings held on 25 July 2021, 13 September 2021 and 11 October 2021 were approved as a correct record for signing by the Chairman.

To receive the Cabinet decisions in respect of recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The decisions of the Cabinet relating to recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 1 November 2021 were noted.

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager presented the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions to the Committee for its consideration.

In the absence of any dissent, it was agreed to note the Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions.

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager advised that there were no issues referred to the Committee by Council, Cabinet or another Committee.

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager presented the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme to the Committee for its consideration.

Councillor C D Zosseder advised Members that the trial day for fishing at Admiralty Pier had gone well.

RESOLVED:       That the Work Programme be noted, subject to the inclusion of an item on blood tests at Deal Hospital and an update on the latest situation with the Regent Cinema.

Please note that in accordance with the agreed Protocol for Public Speaking at Overview and Scrutiny, the right to speak only applies to agenda items 10 - 11.

Members of the public wishing to speak must register to do so by no later than 2.00 pm on the second working day before the meeting.

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager advised that no members of the public had registered to speak on items on the agenda to which the public speaking protocol applied.

To consider the attached report of the Senior Policy Planning Officer (Planning, Regeneration and Development).

The Head of Planning, Development and Regeneration presented the Dover District Council Local Development Scheme (LDS).

Members were advised that the latest LDS superseded the Council’s previous LDS that was published in December 2020. It had been updated to take into account changes to the preparation, consultation and adoption of the District Local Plan and Conservation Area Character Appraisals.

The application for additional costs was to cover the cost of the inspection and based on a worst case scenario. The Council set aside reserves for this purpose and drew down from the reserves as needed.

To receive an update from the Head of Commercial Services.

The Head of Commercial Services provided an update on Rural Car Parks.

Members were advised that a report had been submitted to the Cabinet in 2020 on this matter but work had been impacted by the pandemic. The Council had discussed the issue of charging for parking in rural car parks with Eastry, Wingham, St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe and Ash Parish Councils. In total it amounted to 100 car parking bays in these parishes.

These car parks were currently free to park in and there was concern that introducing parking charges in these locations would adversely impact on rural businesses and the local communities. The example of St Margaret’s was cited where there was limited street parking available, and the car park had a lot of community use consequently.

The issue of rural car parking arrangements would be reviewed and as part of the review the consideration would be given to the situation at Aylesham.

Members welcomed the decision to include Aylesham as part of the review but expressed concerns over the length of time it had taken to undertake the consultation. It was advised that the consultation was expected to be concluded by the end of the year and many of the issues raised would be picked up in the annual review of parking charges.

It was agreed that this issue should come back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee once the consultation had been completed.

It was moved by Councillor M Rose, duly seconded by Councillor D R Friend and

RESOLVED:   That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business on the grounds that the items to be considered involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the report of the Head of Investment, Growth and Tourism (to follow)

The Head of Investment, Growth and Tourism presented a summary on the costs and benefits of the 149^th Open Golf Championship.

Members discussed the short and long term economic impact of the Open and its legacy as well as the costs incurred by the Council and its partners in facilitating the event.