Agenda and minutes

To declare any interests which fall under the following categories, as

explained on the attached document:

a) Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI)

b) Other Significant Interests (OSI)

c) Voluntary Announcements of Other Interests

See Agenda Item 2 for further details

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on the 26^th October 2023.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on the 26^th October 2023 be approved and confirmed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the setting up of a Members Task Group to investigate the opportunities for market activity in Ashford Town Centre, alongside the Town Centre Reset, be approved.

Resolved:

That the performance data for Quarter 2 2023/24 be received and noted.

Resolved:

That    (i)        the draft budget for 2024/25, as set out in the report, be agreed for submission to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Budget Task Group for formal scrutiny and used for consultation.

(ii)       a schedule of savings be developed together with the Management Team to reduce the funding deficit within the budget.

(iii)       the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2024/25, at Section 2 to the report, be approved.

(iv)      this report be used as the basis for budget consultation with the public, the business community, Parish Councils and staff.

Resolved:

That    (i)         the priorities of the HRA, as set out in the Business Plan report,           the updated Business Plan, and financial projections be agreed.

(ii)        it be noted that the HRA Business Plan will be referred to Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Budget Task Group, as part of the budget scrutiny process.

(iii)       it be agreed that decisions for acquisitions will continue to be taken on a case-by-case basis within the existing delegations, by the Assistant Director for Housing, giving due regard to the HRA Business Plan and its priorities and subject to available funding.

(iv)      it be agreed that given the positive impact street purchases will have on the overall programme at the current time, these will continue as set out in paragraphs 21 to 23 of the report.

(v)       authority be delegated to the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer to negotiate, finalise and complete all necessary legal agreements and other documents to give effect to the above.

Recommended:

That funding for the street purchases programme in 2023/24 of £2.5m be approved.

Recommended:

That the policy be approved and adopted.

Resolved:

That    (i)        the content of the report and the work undertaken to date to      deliver interventions set out in the UKSPF and REPF Plan be noted.

(ii)        the Rural Green Business Grants Policy be approved.

(iii)      the Rural EV Charging Points Grants Policy be approved.

(iv)      the Rural Place and Provenance Grants Policy be approved.

(v)       authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to approve minor amendments to the three policies where required.

(vi)      authority be delegated to the s151 Officer to approve grants and administer the schemes.

(vii)     the issuing of a tender for a provider to undertake the People and Skills activity outlined in Section 15 of the report be approved.

(viii)    authority be delegated to Officers to make such changes to the grant terms and conditions as the Council’s solicitors advise is appropriate.

Resolved:

That the structure within the Housing Service, including the incoming team following the TUPE transfer, be noted and endorsed.

Recommended:

That the costs associated with the early release of Local Government Pension Scheme benefits in the event the Council is unable to redeploy the post holder (post Number 3141) resulting in the redundancy of this post, be approved.

Resolved:

That    (i)        it be noted that the Chief Executive has exercised her urgency powers to enter into the construction contract for this scheme as   a matter of urgency, and that all relevant due diligence was undertaken by Officers to her satisfaction.

(ii)        it be agreed that fixed-term tenancies be issued for this scheme specifically to aid move-on (as outlined in paragraph 23 of the report).

(iii)      the land required for the scheme as shown edged red in Appendix B to the report, being no longer required for the purposes of a car park and open space, be appropriated for Housing purposes, specifically into the Housing Revenue Account under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

That the latest Schedule of Key Decisions as set out within the report be received and noted.