To receive an oral report at the meeting from the Leader (and Cabinet) on the business of the Executive or on any topic or subject that it is felt should be brought to the attention of the Council.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (Leader’s Time):
(a) The Leader (and Cabinet) shall have up to 15 minutes to make within this report any statements that they wish on any topic or subject that they feel should be drawn to the attention of the Council.
(b) The Leader (or their nominee) of the Opposition Group (Labour Group) shall be allowed up to 10 minutes to respond.
(c) The Leader of the Council shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to exercise a right of reply (or 25% of the time given to the Opposition Group Leaders, whichever is the greatest).
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris, included the following matters in his report:
(a) That he had convened a meeting of the BREXIT Task Force to provide a local voice, seek out opportunities and lobby for investment. The Task Force had called upon the Government for investment of £1 billion. The key concerns of the Task Force were to ensure:
· Improved resilience in the road network (such as dualling A2)
· Investment in new technology to ensure frictionless borders
· Maximising jobs in tourism and freight
· Ensuring compatible standards on food and animal health standards
· Working together to ensure that Dover was ready on Day 1
· Maintaining strong cross-channel links
· Working with local businesses on BREXIT impact
· That traffic must be kept moving in Dover
The Task Force had met in September with French counterparts and it was intended that each would put joint pressure on their respective governments.
The Leader advised that he would update Members further through Council and the Members’ Weekly News.
(b) That the Council had entered into an agreement with Dover Big Local for them to use the Co-Op to help fledgling businesses in the hope that they would then transition into the High Street. The tenants would have a year to develop their businesses while the Council determined the final use for the Co-Op site.
(c) That the St James development was 95% occupied or under offer with Kaspers, Burger King and the Entertainer the latest additions. Passengers from the cruise terminal had also been brought to St James.
(d) That he met with 2 out of the 3 town mayors and would be meeting shortly with the Mayor of Dover.
(e) That the William Muge and Snelgrove redevelopment would see 65 new units constructed. A community engagement event would also be held.
(f) That the number of people in bed and breakfast accommodation fell for the 7th consecutive month.
(g) That the Council was developing proposals for a range of modular housing options to be available from the end of 2019.
(h) On the progress of Operation Urban in tackling street drinking in Pencester Gardens which had seen a substantial decrease in anti-social behaviour in the area.
(i) That the Council would be hiring a Strategic Tourism Manager.
(j) That the Council had worked to achieve the removal of hoardings on Town Street and scaffolding by the crypt.
(k) The new vision for the Sandwich Guildhall site.
(l) That works in respect of Deal Pier and the selection of a new tenant for the restaurant were progressing.
(m) That ‘big belly bins’ were being tested in Deal and Walmer and if they were successful they would be rolled out to other areas according to need.
(n) That Dover District Council, the Astor Theatre and Deal Town Council were working together to make provision for a part-time cinema in Deal. The Council had served a s.215 notice on the Regent Cinema due to its poor external condition.
(o) The Council was able to provide some support for small retail businesses from a business rate retention windfall. The support was in the form of a grant of up to £10,000 for the purpose of assisting any small local retailer wanting to open on the High Street or improve/upgrade an existing small business on the High Street.
(p) That the Council had increased its enforcement activity.
The Leader of the Main Opposition Labour Group, Councillor M R Eddy, included the following matters in his report:
(a) To welcome the Leader’s announcement that he had formed a BREXIT task force given the massive problems facing the district and country. He called for investment in the district to tackle the potential problems around the Port post-BREXIT and to emphasise the need for free flowing traffic to/from the Port. He also expressed concerns as to whether the resources would be in place for the required Port Health checks on day one of BREXIT. Overall, he did not believe that the country would be ready on day one of BREXIT.
(b) To welcome the news in respect of St James while also emphasising the need to focus on other areas of the town as well.
(c) To point out that it was a proposal of Councillor P Walker that the Council appoint a tourism manager.
(d) To welcome the increased enforcement activity in the towns.
(e) To welcome the news that the Astor Theatre would be providing a part-time cinema in Deal. However, he remained sceptical about a planning application coming forward for the Regent Cinema to bring it back into use.
The Leader of the Council did not exercise his right of reply.