Agenda item

Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of the Council or on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.  Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

The questions received are set out in the order received in the agenda papers.

In accordance with Rule 12(1) of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Cabinet responded to the following questions:

QUESTION 1 RAISED BY COUNCILLOR M BATES UNDER COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 12:

“Is the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Environmental Services aware that HGV commercial vehicles are still causing disturbance and damage in the Aycliffe Estate when seeking to use the lorry park at South Military Rd. Our local MP has addressed the matter to the senior highways manager for KCC and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport and could he provide details of the representations he has made to KCC to have this situation resolved.”

REPLY BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT, LICENSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES:

“In respect of your question, having raised this with the Community Services Manager whose remit of responsibility include both the Community Safety and Resilience Team and the Parking and Transport Team, I can confirm that neither of these teams have received any complaints on this matter for many months. If you are in receipt of recent complaints, can I request that you ensure that officers are provided with them or encourage the reporters of these matters to report them direct to the council, so that the officers can help take whatever action is feasible to prevent any nuisance to local residents.

In the meantime we will continue to press the Highways Authority to look to reposition the Dover TAP further back up the A20, to prevent the nuisance caused by stationary lorries and the ancillary noise effecting the local residents in Aycliffe.”

There was no supplementary question asked.

QUESTION 2 RAISED BY COUNCILLOR D R FRIEND UNDER COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 12:

“Could the Leader of the Council provide an update on what action he has taken regarding planning enforcement activity related to the unlawful occupation of land south of Summerfield House in Woodnesborough, following the commitments he made in his response to a question from a member of the public at the Council meeting on 19th July 2023.”

REPLY BY THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL:

“Officers are continuing to work on this matter and are considering the Council’s position.  At this stage no further update can be provided as this is a live planning enforcement matter.”

There was no supplementary question asked.

QUESTION 3 RAISED BY COUNCILLOR C A VINSON UNDER COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 12:

“Could the Leader of the Council confirm how many service-by-service reviews have been completed since the cancellation of the Council's transformation programme in 2023?”

REPLY BY THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL:

“All Heads of Services undertook service reviews as part of the budget setting process for 24/25. Many identified savings and efficiencies which will be given effect during the next financial year.

In addition to this, we are currently working on a more structured programme of service reviews, with a request to be made for a Continuous Improvement Officer through the Council’s Authority to Recruit Group in the coming weeks.

The new officer will assist Heads of service with identifying best practice and appropriate bench marking data to drive productivity and ensure a consistent approach to service reviews across the Council. The programme of reviews in conjunction with the training plans and Digital and ICT investment will be the cornerstone of organisational development going forward.”

A supplementary question was asked in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.6.

QUESTION 4 RAISED BY COUNCILLOR O C de R RICHARDSON UNDER COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 12:

“Could the Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property provide an update on progress with the delivery of plans for the rebuilding of Tides Leisure Centre in Deal?”

REPLY BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE PROPERTY:

“Following Cabinet’s meeting on 3 November 2023, the Council has been working with Atkins Realis to update & re-assess the financial modelling for the replacement of Tides Leisure Centre; this element of work is complete and there remains a substantial deficient in funding the reduced replacement proposal. In parallel, other facility mix options are being re-examined and explored in more detail in line with Member recommendations.

Work is progressing for example, survey investigation is ongoing to inform the option for extending the life of the building. The mechanical & electrical survey report is recently complete and now under review by officers. However, the structural survey requires more time; it involves enabling works, specialist access equipment to safely the access high levels of the superstructure which cannot be conducted when public have access to the pool or surrounding areas.

When complete officers will review and assess the overall financial implications of extending the life of the building. Officers have also engaged with potential delivery partners to explore alternative ways of financing and delivering the project, findings from this will be presented to Members when all areas of work are closed out and a holistic picture can be presented to inform the recommended direction of travel. It is anticipated that a full and detailed report will follow to Members in early Summer 2024.” 

A supplementary question was asked in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.6.