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.
(Up to fifteen minutes is allowed for the Report of the Leader (and Cabinet), up to ten minutes is allowed for the Leader of the Major Opposition Group (or his nominee) to respond, up to five minutes is allowed for the Leader of any other Opposition Group (or his nominee) to respond. The Leader is allowed up to five minutes as 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 Paul Watkins, included the following matters in his report:
(a) Recent flooding had affected at least 30 properties in several areas of the District. It was estimated that, working with partner agencies, Council staff had managed to save 16 properties as a result of their efforts to assist homeowners in protecting properties. It was possible that performance in other areas might be affected by staff resources having been diverted to the flooding emergency. Work would continue over the coming weeks to administer financial help to householders affected.
(b) The Council was one of only 10 successful bidders, out of 128 who submitted entries, to receive funding of £100,000 as part of a central government initiative to assist bidders in better managing their heritage assets. The funding would be used to set up a trust in order to access further funding for the District’s heritage assets.
(c) There were radical changes planned for the delivery of healthcare through the Better Care Fund. Kent was taking part in a pilot project to develop an integrated scheme involving social and mental health services where funds would be diverted back into the community in order to enable patients to be discharged from hospital earlier in order to receive care at home which would be better coordinated and managed. Initial proposals would be submitted to Government by the end of March, with delivery starting in 2015.
(d) There was likely to be a reduction in Government funding for transport projects. Loans for such projects were currently on hold, but those which could potentially be affected included the Waterfront Development at Dover, Middle Deal Road/Albert Road/Minter’s Yard access, and changes to the Duke of York’s roundabout. In relation to Connaught Barracks, it was likely that the Homes and Communities Agency would transfer the historic Fort Burgoyne element to a special trust. Consultation on the first phase of development of the officers’ mess site had started.
(e) In relation to other regeneration matters, 73 companies were now based at Sandwich Discovery Park, employing around 1,500 people. The electrification of the High Speed rail line from Ashford to Canterbury was on schedule with Government funding allocated. A new apprenticeship scheme at the East Kent Light Railway was bearing fruit, with rail industry jobs guaranteed for apprentices on completion.
(f) The former P & O computer site at Fanum House was due for demolition in the week beginning 10 March.
(g) East Kent College had taken over K College in Dover and Folkestone. A meeting had taken place with the principal who was also an educational representative on the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. Hadlow College had taken over K College at Ashford.
The Opposition Group Leader, Councillor M R Eddy, responded by referring to:
(a) Praise for Council staff and their efforts during the flooding and recognised that performance might be affected in other areas as a consequence. Canute Road, Deal had been badly affected due to the inadequacy of soakaways.
(b) Concerns about performance in Planning and the levels of staffing in Planning and Legal sections.
(c) Welcomed the receipt of £100,000 funding for the management of the Council’s heritage assets. The District was blessed with impressive assets which needed to be preserved, conserved and presented to the public effectively in order to boost tourism.
(d) The new healthcare proposals sounded positive but success depended on how effectively they were delivered. It was not helpful that the District was divided between two Clinical Commissioning Groups, the effect of which was likely to weaken the Council’s input.
(e) It was disappointing that funding for transport projects was likely to be reduced. As a hub, the District needed an effective transportation network.
(f) Further education changes were welcome, but educational attainment at primary and secondary level needed improvement in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered by these changes.
The Leader of the Council responded to points raised by the Leader of the Opposition Group in his report as follows:
(a) Agreed that the District’s division into two Clinical Commissioning Groups was not ideal. Proposals were underway to merge the Canterbury and Ashford Health and Wellbeing Boards.
(b) Transport was a critical issue for the District because of the port. A priority for the Council was the construction of a third Thames Crossing, although this could have an adverse impact on the A2 depending on where it was sited.
(c) Flooding at Canute Road, Deal had been caused by blocked drains, but the number of dropped pavements there was also an issue.
(d) Major changes were underway in Planning, and their relocation in offices with Regeneration would facilitate a cohesive approach.