Agenda and draft minutes

Cabinet - Monday, 3rd February, 2025 6.00 pm

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Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: democraticservices@dover.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

76.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

It was noted that there were no apologies for absence.

77.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 55 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.

78.

Record of Decisions pdf icon PDF 156 KB

The decisions of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 January 2025 numbered CAB 69 to CAB 75 (inclusive) are attached.

Minutes:

It was agreed that the decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 January 2025, as detailed in decision numbers CAB 69 to CAB 75, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

79.

Tides Leisure Centre - Review of Interim Operating Arrangements pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee made at its meeting held on 27 January 2025 following Member call-in (to follow).

Minutes:

(a)   It was agreed that the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, made at its meeting held on 27 January 2025 following Member call-in (Minute No 97), be approved as follows:

 

‘That Cabinet be requested to review all options, including any that may have emerged since the original Cabinet decision, to continue interim operations at Tides Leisure Centre, and to be mindful of the financial impact of any decision on the Council’s budget.’

 

(b)   Cabinet noted that options for interim operations had already been pursued and a Special Cabinet meeting had been called for 6 February 2025 to consider proposals.

80.

Creation of Local Bus Focus Group pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To consider the attached report of the Head of Finance and Investment.

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Environmental Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

(a)   That the creation of a Local Bus Focus Group for Dover District be approved.

 

(b)   That the Terms of Reference and membership of the Group, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved, subject to the addition of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Built Environment to the membership.

81.

Section 25 Report pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To consider the report of the Section 151 Officer (to follow).

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment

Minutes:

It was agreed that the Section 25 Report be received and taken into consideration when approving the Budget 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025/26-2028/29.

82.

Draft Budget 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025/26-2028/29 pdf icon PDF 121 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Finance and Investment (to follow).

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

(a)   That the draft General Fund Revenue Budget, the Project Programmes, the Housing Revenue Account budget, and the content of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), as proposed in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.

 

(b)   That it be noted that the calculation of the 2025/26 Business Rates impact on the General Fund funding is still being finalised, and that any changes will be reflected in adjustments to the use of the smoothing reserve in the final budget.

 

(c)   That it be noted that the remaining annexes, including the Council Tax Resolution and Treasury Management, Investment and Capital Strategies, will be added to the MTFP and that other adjustments may be made before being presented to Cabinet and Council in March.

83.

Fees and Charges 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To consider the attached report of the Head of Finance and Investment.

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Climate Change and Environment

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

(a) That the Fees and Charges (F&Cs) for 2025/26, as set out in Appendices 1.1 to 2.14 (except for the Section 106 Monitoring Fee which has been approved by the Planning Committee) be approved.

 

(b) That any F&Cs will be adjusted by Directors, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders, to comply with any subsequently received government guidelines (when they are received) and any other minor changes made without being the subject of a further report unless they are materially different from current charges or have a material impact on the level of income.

 

(c)  That the Transport and Parking Services Manager, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, be authorised to take all necessary legal and procedural processes to give effect to the agreed recommendations, as set out in Appendices 5a and 5b, including the giving of notices and the making or amendment of any orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and, also, the making of arrangements with the Dover Harbour Board pursuant to Section 33(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

 

(d) That the general principle that fees are set at an appropriate inclusive level, irrespective of VAT status, and that the VAT element within the overall fee level is then determined, be approved.

 

(e)  That the setting of fees and charges at the Council’s venues (including, but not limited to, Kearsney Café and Maison Dieu) be delegated to the Head of Place and Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property.

 

(f) That the fees and charges approved separately by the Licensing and Regulatory Committees, as set out in Appendices 3.1 to 4.2, be noted.

84.

Memorial Benches Scheme pdf icon PDF 77 KB

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

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

(a)   That the proposed memorial bench arrangements at Kearsney Parks be approved, and the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, to extend the scheme across Council-owned open spaces.

 

(b)   That a report be brought to Cabinet in 18 months’ time providing details on the implementation of the pilot scheme.

85.

Exclusion of the Press and Public pdf icon PDF 52 KB

The recommendation is attached.

 

MATTERS WHICH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM SUGGESTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN PRIVATE AS THE REPORT CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED WITHIN PART 1 OF SCHEDULE 12A OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS INDICATED AND IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE PROPER OFFICER CONSIDERS THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MAINTAINING THE EXEMPTION OUTWEIGHS THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN DISCLOSING THE INFORMATION

Minutes:

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

86.

Renewal of Lease with Annabel's Guest House for Temporary Emergency Accommodation for Homeless Households

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

Minutes:

It was agreed that the taking of a new lease of nine rooms at Annabel’s Guest House in Dover for a term of two years and five months, to be used as temporary emergency accommodation for homeless households, be approved.

87.

Purchase of New-Build Properties for Affordable Housing at Sandwich Road, Sholden

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

(a)   That a project to acquire the freehold of 39 affordable homes at Sandwich Road, Sholden, and to further approve the subsequent sale of shares in 10 of the properties designated as Shared Ownership homes, be approved.

 

(b)   That the Director of Housing, Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Skills and Education, to take the necessary decisions and actions to progress the project and purchase the properties including (but not limited to) agreeing the final purchase price, approving the sale purchase agreements, approving the sale and disposal of Shared Ownership properties, allocating developer contributions and appointing any necessary professional advisers.

88.

Dover Town Centre Regeneration - Development Management Services, Masterplanning and Business Case

To consider the attached report of the Head of Place and Growth.

 

Responsibility: Leader of the Council

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

(a)   That the appointment of a development management services provider to undertake a strategic commercial review of the opportunities for regeneration development in Dover town centre be approved.

 

(b)   That the Head of Place and Growth be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Environment and Place and the Leader of the Council, to take all necessary decisions required to take the project to completion of the Strategic Definition stage (RIBA Stage 0).