Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D A Hawkes, M Rose and P Walker.

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager advised that no notice had been received for the appointment of substitute members.

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

Councillor T A Bond declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) in Minute No. 111 (Adoption of Indoor Sports Facility Strategy 2023-2040) and 115 (Your Leisure Additional Funding) by reason of his wife’s employment and advised that he would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of those items of business.

To confirm the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 27 February 2023 and 13 March 2023 (to follow).

The consideration of the Minutes was deferred.

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

There were no decisions of the Cabinet relating to recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To receive any public petitions or issues referred by Council, Cabinet or another Committee.

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 Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions to the Committee for its consideration.

In the absence of any dissent, it was agreed to note the Work Programme.

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

Councillor C D Zosseder thanked Members and Officers for their work in delivering the work programme over the previous year.

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 and 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 (Thursday) 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 Strategic Director (Corporate and Regulatory).

The Environmental Protection & Crime Manager presented the report on the Approval of the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for consultation.

Members were advised that the Council’s last AQAP was published in October 2007. The Environment Act 1995 required that AQAPs needed to be reviewed periodically and although there was no time limit is set for this to be done by the guidance suggested that it should be no later than every five years.

The current review, while outside of the five year period suggested by the guidance, reflected the need to review following changes to the road layouts in the 2 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in the district and the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit. The Council was required to consult with relevant stakeholders and the public on the measures proposed in the AQAP and the this would take place over a 6-week period between June and July 2023.

Members were advised that the last time the readings in the AQMA exceeded limits was in 2019. Although not part of an AQMA, the Council had monitored air quality in Aycliffe as a result of TAP and none of the readings in the residential area exceeded the limits.

In response to a question concerning air quality around schools in Deal, Members were informed that the monitoring had shown that there were no air quality concerns. In respect of monitoring at Barton School, the Council was aware from the data that there were spikes in pollution, but the average level was below the limits. The Council worked to Government guidance in respect of air quality levels.

RESOLVED:       That the report be noted and the decision of the Cabinet to approve the Draft Air Quality Action Plan for the purposes of public consultation be endorsed.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Place and Environment).

The Strategic Development Lead Officer (Leisure) presented the report on the Adoption of an Indoor Sports Facility Strategy 2023-2040.

The purpose of the Indoor Sports Facility Strategy was to help guide potential decisions around rationalisation and investment and community use of school facilities. It would also provide evidence to support the Local Plan in determining what facilities were needed in areas of the district and enable the council to seek developer contributions from qualifying new developments.

As a result of the representations received through the consultation there were no significant changes required to the draft strategy.

Members discussed the provision of facilities in Aylesham and the potential use of school facilities.

It was agreed with the affirmation of the meeting to note the report.

(Councillor T A Bond declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item of business by reason of his wife’s employment and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

It was moved by Councillor D R Friend, duly seconded by Councillor H M Williams 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 attached report of the Head of Property Assets.

The Head of Property Assets presented the report on the Award of Contract for Provision of Heating, Servicing, Installation and Maintenance Works to Council Properties.

It was agreed with the affirmation of the meeting to note the report.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Place, Growth, Investment and Creative Services.

The Head of Place, Growth, Investment and Creative Services presented the report on the Dover Beacon Project.

It was agreed with the affirmation of the meeting to note the report.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Place and Environment).

The Strategic Development Lead Officer (Leisure) presented the report on Your Leisure Additional Funding.

It was agreed with the affirmation of the meeting to note the report.

(Councillor T A Bond declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item of business by reason of his wife’s employment and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)