Following the Committee’s decision in November 2022 to market the lease for Cobtree Manor Park Golf Course, an extensive marketing and applications process has been undertaken and decisions are now required to award the lease to the preferred applicant.

1.  That Heads of Terms for the lease of Cobtree Manor Park Golf Course including the clubhouse building, ancillary buildings and facilities are exchanged with Applicant 2 in order to begin the due diligence work required.

2.  That, subject to satisfactory completion of the due diligence work, the lease of Cobtree Manor Park Golf Course including the clubhouse building, ancillary buildings and facilities is granted to Applicant 2.

3.  That delegated authority is given to the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to agree the final lease with Applicant 2.

4  That delegated authority is given to the Head of Mid-Kent Legal Services to enter into such lease documents and complete any relevant statutory notices and similar statutory documentation in order to complete the lease process.

To seek approval of the Housing Strategy 2023-28 Action Plan, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, following approval of the Housing Strategy that was adopted by the (then) Executive on 22 March 2023 which has been used to inform the development of the Action Plan.

That the Housing Strategy 2023-28 Action Plan at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

This decision relates to the biannual report on the implementation of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan following the annual review of the Action Plan agreed in April 2023 and includes an overview of each action’s status, comments from action owners, and key indicators used to monitor progress (Appendix 1 to the report). The report also details indicative costs for electrifying the fleet, retrofitting, and decarbonising key buildings, upgrading housing stock EPCs, as well as costs for offsetting (investing in renewable energy generation and carbon sequestration), to achieve as close to Net Zero by 2030 for the Council’s own operations. This is set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

That

1.  The Action Plan implementation updates and indicative costs of achieving net zero by 2030 for the Council’s operations be noted and that implementation of the Action Plan be expedited selectively;

2.  Delegated authority be given to the Biodiversity and Climate Change Manager to submit a bid to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for funding to facilitate decarbonisation of key Council properties;

3.  A report on the succession of the Quality Bus Partnership and a provisional timetable for the work on the revised Integrated Transport Strategy be produced for the next ordinary meeting of Cabinet; and

4.  The comments from the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee relating to Urban Heat Islands be noted.

This decision considers the background to updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and rolling it forward to cover the five-year period 2024/25 to 2028/29. It considers the issues and risks involved, starting with the Council’s current financial position, and sets out the key assumptions to be made in determining the strategy. The decision also the subsequent steps involved in developing an updated MTFS and agreeing budget proposals for 2024/25.

That:

1. The issues and risks associated with updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy be noted;

2. The assumptions described in this report for planning purposes and to establish the remit for detailed budget development be noted, in particular the assumptions set out in paragraphs 2.21 (Council Tax increases), 2.30 (Fees and Charges) and 2.40 (Housing Investment Fund) be noted; and

3. The proposed approach outlined to development of an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2024/25 – 2028/29 and a budget for 2024/25 be approved.

To seek an agreement to develop plans for use of the Palace as a wedding and events venue.

An extensive process of member and public consultation has been carried out about future use of the Archbishop’s Palace. Following expiry of the former preferred development partner’s exclusivity period, and vacation of the building by Kent County Council, it is appropriate to consider the next steps.

1. Option 2 of the report, namely to develop plans for use of the Palace as a wedding and events venue be agreed.

2. Delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services to select and appoint professional advisers to develop the plans, enter into contracts for applicable services as necessary, and to invite offers from potential operators for a conditional agreement for lease; and

3. Delegated authority be given to the Head of Legal Services to negotiate and complete all necessary legal formalities arising from the purchase of services and invitation for offers as set out above.

To seek approval that the Strategic Plan milestones not be reviewed this year, as Councillors reviewed them in 2022/23, and agree the corporate planning timetable at 3.3 of the report.

That the Strategic Plan not be reviewed in 23/24 and the corporate planning timetable at 3.3 of the report be approved.

To seek approval for an updated Communications and Engagement Strategy and a new Action Plan for 2023/24. The report details the performance of the communications team across various communications channels. The Action Plan for 2023/24 is focused on Pride in Place and promoting work and services that achieve our strategic priorities.

That the refreshed Communication and Engagement Strategy and Action Plan for 2023/24 at Appendices 1 and 2 of the report be approved.

This report sets out the 2022/23 financial and performance position for the services reporting as at 31st March 2023 (Quarter 4). The primary focus is on:

·  The 2022/23 Revenue and Capital budgets; and

·  The 2022/23 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that relate to the delivery of the Strategic Plan 2019-2045;

·  Corporate Risk Register

That the:

1. Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 4 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted;

2. Capital position at the end of Quarter 4 for 2022/23 be noted;

3. Performance position as at Quarter 4 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been identified, be noted;

4. Proposed new KPIs for 2023/24 be approved;

5. Risk Update, attached at Appendix 3 to the report be noted;

6. Recovery & Renewal Update, attached at Appendix 4 to the report be noted;

7. UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 5 to the report be noted; and

8. Uncollectable Business Rates (NNDR) listed at Appendix 6 to the report be approved for write-off.

As per the approved CIL governance arrangements, and in relation to the Strategic CIL Bidding Cycle 2021/22, this decision approves projects for the allocation of Strategic CIL Funding. Three infrastructure projects are approved for Strategic CIL funding: Junction 7 of the M20; Heather House community facilities; and St Faith’s Community Centre. These have all been subject to an external moderation report by Turley consultancy (Appendix 1 to the report) and internal officer preliminary evaluation (Appendix 2 to the report). Appendix 3 to the report sets out all the meetings held by the CIL Steering Board.

1.  That Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding that has been collected is allocated (as minima) to the following strategic projects for the period to 31 March 2025:

• M20 Junction 7 Upgrade - £1,836,729 in Strategic CIL monies, subject to appropriate due diligence by the Director of Finance, Resources & Business Improvement in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services

• Heather House Community Centre Redevelopment - £956,420

• St Faith’s Community Centre Redevelopment - £250,000; and

2.  That a report evaluating the CIL process, including the proposed prospectus for the next round of funding, be added to the Forward Plan for a Cabinet meeting in the Autumn 2023.

The seek approval for the renewal of the Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Oder (PSPO) that will expire in September 2023.

That the Head of Housing and Regulatory Services renew the existing Town Centre Public Space Protection Order for a future three years.

To seek approval of the revisions to the Council’s Covert Surveillance Policy (‘the Policy’), which are set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

That the revisions to the Covert Surveillance and Access to Communications Data Policy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.