There were no apologies.

There were no urgent items.

Councillor Russell was present as a Visiting Member for Item 22 – Corporate Planning Timetable.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

There was one question from a Local Resident.

Question from Kate Hammond to the Leader of the Council:

‘Please could you confirm how much has been spent on the Lenham Heath/Heathlands garden settlement project since 1^st April 2024?’

The Leader of the Council responded to the question.

Kate Hammond asked the following supplementary question:

‘The Council’s budget has £1.2 million set aside this municipal year to continue developing Heathlands, given your new administration’s lukewarm reception of the Heathlands proposals and the absolute important of spending taxpayers money wisely, will you commit to reinstating the Heathlands Progress Report to all future Overview and Scrutiny committee meetings to give members and residents sufficient opportunity to scrutinise the plan.’

The Leader of the Council responded to the supplementary question.

To listen to the answer to the question, please follow this link:

Cabinet – Wednesday 24 July 2024 - YouTube

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RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan be noted.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 4 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted;

2.  The Capital position at the end of Quarter 4 for 2023/24 be noted;

3.  The Performance position as at Quarter 4 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been identified, be noted;

4.  The UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 3 to the report be noted;

5.  The uncollectable Business Rates (NNDR) listed at Appendix 4 to the report be approved for write-off; and

6.  The Risk Update, attached at Appendix 5 to the report be noted.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That

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

2.  The proposed approach and timetable for the development of updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2025/26 – 2029/30 and a budget for 2025/26 be approved.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That

1. Capital expenditure of £5.85 million for the decarbonisation project, comprising Salix grant funding of £3.13 million and a Council contribution of £2.72 million be approved;

2. £300,000 to complete 4th floor refit works, funded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership be approved;

3. Further reports be received as the project progresses; and

4. The Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement be delegated authority to select and appoint contractors for applicable services as necessary.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That

1. £57,000 be allocated to scoping, feasibility and design work, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, with other measures considered over time as appropriate;

2. The Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Transition and Nature Recovery, be delegated authority to conclude agreement on terms for disbursement of the funding with the South East Rivers Trust and the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board; and

3. A review of the outcomes from the proposed work be reported to Cabinet within 12 months.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That

1.  Investment in solar photovoltaic projects, as outlined in the report, be approved for:

a.  Lockmeadow Entertainment Complex;

b.  Parkwood Depot; and

c.  Mote Park and the Leisure Centre.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Corporate Planning Timetable included at paragraph 3.3 to the report be approved subject to the addition of Members being added to the list of consultees for August-September 2024.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That

1.  The financial returns for the proposed acquisition as shown in Exempt Appendix 3 to the report, which supports the Housing Development and Regeneration Investment Plan and overall Development Strategy be approved;

2.  Delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement to:

a.  Negotiate terms for the purchase of the proposed acquisition for the sum as shown in the Exempt Appendix 3 to the report;

b.  Procure and enter into all such deeds, agreements, contracts and documents which may be required to facilitate the purchase of the site, and the subsequent redevelopment works required to deliver the scheme referred to in this report. Including (but not limited to) any related appointments such as suitably qualified consultants and a Contractor;

c.  Subject to satisfactory conclusion of all due diligence, to negotiate and finalise and complete all legal formalities, deeds and agreements which may be required to facilitate the purchase.

3.  The Head of Mid Kent Legal Services be authorised to appoint the Solicitors required to negotiate and complete the necessary contract documentation, deeds and agreements associated with the purchase and construction works on the terms as agreed by the Director of Finance, Resources & Business Improvement; and

4.  It be agreed, post completion of the procurement process, to appoint a contractor for the works cost detailed in the financial summary at Exempt Appendix 3 to the report. If in the event tenders for the works cost are in excess of the agreed sum then officers will return to the Committee/Cabinet to seek further approval prior to the development itself commencing.

5.  The Council maximises the green space by available means and that the size of the maisonettes meet Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS), and to return to Cabinet if unable to achieve standards.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That the item be considered alongside Item 23 – Council House Building Programme.

6.30 p.m. to 8:27 p.m.