| Number | Item |
| | Minutes for this Meeting  |
| | Tabled Paper |
| | Agenda Front Page |
| | Agenda Papers |
| 1. | Apologies |
| 2. | Declarations of Interest |
| 3. | Minutes – To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on the 14th September 2017 |
| 4. | To receive any Petitions |
| 5. | Leader’s Announcements |
| 6. | Part I – Matters Referred to the Cabinet - None for this Meeting |
| | Part II – Consideration of Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee |
| | Recommendations in Respect of Health Infrastructure Requirements in the Borough |
| 7. | Part III – Ordinary Decision Items - Key Decisions Annotated* |
| | The purpose of this report is to present to cabinet a final version of Ashford Borough Council’s Taxi Licensing Policy for adoption.The prior version of this policy effectively ‘expired’ in April 2017. The latest version includes relevant updates and incorporates result from the public consultation period. |
| | *Taxi Licensing Policy |
| 8. | The Ashford Heritage Strategy seeks to safeguard and enhance the borough’s cultural heritage assets in a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment. It sets out a series of aims and objectives to safeguard assets increase visibility and sustainably manage and develop the borough’s offer as well as providing an evidence base for the Local Plan to 2030.The strategy was produced with significant stakeholder engagement including a series of engagement workshops and exhibitions. It highlights and explores eight key themes in the borough’s rich heritage as well as highlighting particular case studies local best practice and opportunities to capitalise on the borough’s unique offer.Following formal consultation a number of representations have been received which has resulted in a few updates to certain parts of the strategy. It is intended that the strategy as well as supporting Council documents can provide a useful guide and support for local heritage groups across the borough. |
| | Ashford Heritage Strategy |
| 9. | This report set out proposals to address the Councils aspirations to level the playing field for disabled adaptations regardless of tenure. The report provides feedback from the Kent wide multi agency research project commissioned by Kent Housing Group which concluded earlier this year and suggests interim measures to bring down waiting times for those applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). |
| | Disabled Facilities Grant |
| 10. | Beginning on 1st April 2016 the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 has placed a duty on local councils in England to keep and have regard to a register of people who are interested in self-build or custom-build projects in their area. Local planning authorities must give planning permission to enough suitable serviced plots of land to meet the demand on this Self and Custom Build Register (SCBR). Applicants to the SCBR must meet a series of eligibility criteria. Furthermore local authorities are able to set further optional criteria including the payment of a fee to cover officer time and administrative burden.Purpose of the reportThe report explains the Council’s responsibilities with regard to the SCBR. It outlines the way in which the overall ‘demand’ for serviced plots for self and custom build is calculated clarifies the current level of demand and what this means for the Council. It will outline the measures currently being undertaken internally to be able to plan for and meet the demand for self and custom build within the borough. This will provide the context and rationale for requesting that Cabinet agrees a fee should be required from applicants to enter onto the SCBR and a renewal fee charged annually on 31st October to remain on the register. |
| | Self and Custom Build Register |
| 11. | The purpose of this report is to present to Cabinet the Ashford Borough Council’s Business Continuity Policy for adoption.The Policy highlights the roles and responsibilities for Business Continuity as part of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. |
| | Business Continuity Policy |
| 12. | Government has announced that it is seeking bids from areas to pilot 100% Business Rates Retention. Kent as a two tier shire county which includes a unitary Authority would be an excellent area for government to pilot this scheme and provide an opportunity for Kent Authorities to shape the direction of this policy. In addition Pilot status would secure additional resources for Local Authorities within a Kent Pilot area that could be used to address key priority areas. |
| | 100% Business Rates Retention – Bid for Pilot Status |
| 13. | Part IV – Information/Monitoring Items |
| | To set out the latest Schedule of Key Decisions to be taken by the Cabinet of Ashford Borough Council. |
| | Schedule of Key Decisions |
| 14. | Items for Future Meetings |
| 15. | E1 Strategic Acquisition (Paragraph 3) - (WITHDRAWN) |
| 15. | Part V – Cabinet Member Reports - None for this Meeting |
| | Part VI – Ordinary Decision Items |
| | That pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of this item as it is likely that in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure of exempt information hereinafter specified by reference to Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act where in the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information |