Agenda and draft minutes

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 made.

The decisions of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 September 2024 numbered CAB 28 to CAB 38 (inclusive) are attached.

It was agreed that the decisions of the Cabinet meetings held on 2 September 2024, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 28 to CAB 38, be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was agreed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation, made at its meeting held on 9 September 2024 (Minute No. 43) be approved as follows:

That a six-week campaign be run to encourage people to get involved in local democracy at all levels with the aim of achieving a more diverse range of candidates for election to parish and district councils. This campaign should be low cost and include the following:

(a)  PR/Social media promotion and posters in support of the campaign

(b)  Engagement at local community events and the Council’s jobs and skills fairs

(c)   Promotional material at Council-organised events and on the Community Roots bus

To consider the attached report of the Planning Policy and Projects Manager.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

(a)    It was agreed that it be recommended to Council:

(i)            That the Inspectors’ Report into the examination of the Dover District Local Plan be noted (Appendix 1a), and main modifications agreed (Appendix 1b).

(ii)           That the Dover District Local Plan to 2040, including Policies Map, as amended by the main modifications set out in Inspectors’ Report and the Council’s additional (minor) modifications, be adopted as part of the Development Plan for the district (Appendix 2).

(iii)          That the current adopted Development Plan documents consisting of Saved Policies from the Local Plan 2002, the Core Strategy 2010 and the Land Allocations Local Plan 2015, be superseded by the Dover District Local Plan to 2040 in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Regulation 8(5).

(iv)          That Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to make further additional modifications to the Dover District Local Plan to 2040 and SA Adoption Statement that relate exclusively to factual updates and grammatical and formatting corrections, prior to making the documents available for inspection.

(b)    It was agreed:

(v)           That the Dover District Local Plan be modified in accordance with the recommended Main Modifications identified in the Inspectors’ Report (Appendix 1b).

(vi)          That up to £50,000 be taken from the Regeneration Reserve to cover costs arising from the examination process.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

It was agreed:

(a)  That the proposed Policy be approved and adopted.

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

To consider the attached report of the Head of Planning and Development.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

It was agreed that having considered the results of the public consultation exercise, the making of the District of Dover (Dour Street, Dover Conservation Area) Town and Country Planning Direction Number 1 of 2024 Article 4 Direction, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Planning and Development.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

It was agreed:

(a)  That the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2023/24 (Appendix 1) and supporting CSV spreadsheets, (Appendix 2) be published on the website no later than 31 December 2024.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment, to undertake the incorporation of any minor factual amendments to the IFS and CSV files, as required.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Parks, Open Spaces and Countryside.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property

It was agreed that the Kingsdown and Walmer Beach Local Wildlife Site Management Plan 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

That it be agreed:

(a)  That the Council’s commitment, as expressed in a Motion adopted in October 2019, to the principles of Fairtrade be noted.

(b)  That officers be requested to develop a strategy towards achieving ‘Fairtrade Community’ status for the Dover District. This will include:

(i)            How to actively promote Fairtrade locally, through support for local groups, in the media (including social media), the Council’s newsletter, website, and at events.

(ii)           How the Council can support Fairtrade and serve Fairtrade products wherever possible, practical and in accordance with procurement rules, at Council events, meetings and within Council buildings.

(iii)          How to organise events and publicity during national Fairtrade Fortnight – the annual national campaign in September to promote sales of products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.

(iv)          The appointment of a Dover District Fairtrade Steering Group, to sit alongside the current Dover and Deal Fairtrade Groups, to support ongoing work to promote Fairtrade.

(v)           Setting out what the Council will need to do to achieve ‘Fairtrade Community’ recognition from the Fairtrade Foundation.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves 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 Property Assets.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

It was agreed:

(1)  That a five-year contract (with provision to extend for two further periods of 5 years) be awarded to Mears Ltd for Responsive Maintenance and Void works to residential properties in the ownership of Dover District Council.

(2)  That it be delegated to the Strategic Director (Place and Environment), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education, the functions of having regard to observations in relation to proposals to award a long-term agreement as required by Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003, and confirming the award of the contract (or reporting further to Cabinet) as he considers appropriate.