| Number | Item |
| | Agenda Front Page  |
| | Agenda Papers |
| | Minutes for this Meeting |
| 1. | Apologies |
| 2. | Declarations of Interest |
| 3. | Minutes – To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on the 12th October 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 - None for this Meeting |
| | Part III – Ordinary Decision Items - Key Decisions Annotated* |
| | This report seeks to update members and the public on the performance of the Council against its Corporate Plan during Quarter 2 2017/18. This includes information on what the Cabinet has achieved through its decision-making key performance data and consideration of the wider borough picture which impacts upon the Council’s work.The organisation’s approach to the monitoring of its performance against this plan has been revised. Accordingly attached are summary highlights from the online Performance ‘Dashboard’ for each of the Council’s Corporate Plan areas. |
| | Ashford Borough Council's Performance - Quarter 2 2017/18 |
| 7. | This report presents an assessment of the outturn based on the first half of the financial year including the General Fund the Housing Revenue Account and the Collection Fund.The General Fund is projecting an overspend against the original budget with an overall movement from last quarter of £14000 there are a number of variances affecting this position detailed in the body of the report however it should be noted last quarter £100000 of the service contingency was utilised this has now been removed from the forecast.The Housing Revenue Account is projected to be underspent by £78000 there are a number of variances affecting the position detailed in the body of the report.Members are asked to delegate authority to the Director of Place and Space in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to increase Planning Fees in line with Statutory fee increases. |
| | Financial Monitoring – Quarter 2 2017/18 |
| 8. | This report presents the Medium Term Financial Plan a budget forecast including underlying assumptions covering a five year period from 2018 to 2023 for the General Fund (the Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account will be covered separately in a report to the December Cabinet.The Plan highlights a budget gap from 2020/21 and measures to close this gap including the Inflation Management Strategy. |
| | The Medium Term Financial Plan 2018-23 |
| 9. | This report examines Ashford Borough Councils progress in the Mid Kent Joint Waste Partnership and asks Cabinet to agree to continue with the same collection methodology until re-procurement begins in 2019 / 20 and to make some slight adjustments to non-statutory services to cover costs and encourage digital service participation. |
| | Mid Kent Joint Waste Partnership – Ashford’s Progress |
| 10. | Both of these strategies have been produced by Max Associates to assess current and future demand for indoor and outdoor sports facilities. They both support the emerging Local Plan and will address the Borough’s qualitative and quantative needs. This Report seeks endorsement of the draft strategies and authority to adopt them following public consultation. copies of both strategies can be found in the Members Room and on the Ashford Borough Council website. |
| | *Playing Pitch and Sports Facilities Strategy (2017 – 2030) |
| 11. | The Open Spaces Strategy has been produced to detail how Ashford Borough Council in partnership with a range of organisations plans to protect enhance and provide open spaces to 2030 and helps inform relevant sections of the emerging Local Plan.Following formal consultation of the draft Open Space Strategy a number of comments have been received (refer Appendix 1) which has resulted in a few updates to certain parts of the strategy.This report seeks endorsement of the final strategy a copy of which can be found in the Members Room and on the Ashford Borough Council website. |
| | Adoption of the Open Spaces Strategy (2017-2030) |
| 12. | The attached strategy sets out how the council will go about developing greater online service delivery to provide customers with the widest choice of ways to access to services and to improve efficiency of service provision.The report recommends that Cabinet approve and adopt the strategy and associated action plans and delegate the member level monitoring of the strategy delivery to the IT & Digital Transformation Advisory Committee. |
| | *Digital Transformation Strategy |
| 13. | This report seeks Cabinet approval to implement the Garage Commercialisation Strategy which will improve revenues from existing garages and provide improved parking and landscaping in and adjacent to the Councils estates. The strategy will also identify sites suitable for development or alternative uses. |
| | Garage Commercialisation Strategy |
| 14. | The purpose of this report is to seek delegated authority for the Head of Service to enter into Primary Authority partnerships with suitable businesses.Primary Authority partnerships describe an arrangement between businesses and regulators which improve the sharing of advice and guidance on regulatory matters relating to food hygiene health & safety and licensing.The benefit can be increased business confidence enabling them to concentrate more on enterprise; the regulator can make better use of limited resources and those protected by regulation benefit from greater compliance and raised standards. |
| | *Primary Authority Partnerships |
| 15. | The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served and their families are treated fairly. This commitment is made in recognition of the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country. The Covenant is not designed to give Armed Forces Veterans and their families preferential treatment compared to other citizens but it should ensure that they get a fair deal and are not disadvantaged because of their Service.This report outlines an action plan for delivering the Council’s commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and strengthening support for the Armed Forces Community. |
| | *The Armed Forces Covenant |
| 16. | This report sets out the Council’s proposed response to the current consultation document from the Department of Communities & Local Government entitled ‘Planning for the right homes in the right places’. |
| | Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places – Response to DCLG Consultation |
| 17. | Part IV – Information/Monitoring Items |
| | Economic Regeneration and Investment Board – Notes of 27th September 2017 |
| 18. | Local Plan and Planning Policy Task Group – Notes of 13th September and 5th October 2017 |
| 19. | To set out the latest Schedule of Key Decisions to be taken by the Cabinet of Ashford Borough Council. |
| | Schedule of Key Decisions |
| 20. | Items for Future Meetings |
| 21. | Part V – Cabinet Member Reports - None for this Meeting |
| | Part VI – Ordinary Decision Items - None for this Meeting |