Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no urgent items.

Councillor Mrs Gooch indicated her wish to speak on Agenda Item 11 – Report of the Joint Mid Kent Improvement Partnership (MKIP) Task and Finish Group.  Councillors Newton and Sargeant indicated that they were just observing the meeting.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED:  That the items on Part II of the agenda be taken in private as proposed.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and Leader regarding the draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020 be approved for
  submission to Council.
 
(2)  To RECOMMEND to COUNCIL: 

  (a)  That the draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020 be approved; and

  (b)  That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in
    consultation with the Leader, to make minor amendments to
     the document as required.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Communities regarding the Budget Strategy for 2015/16 onwards.

Following consideration of the financial risks over the medium term, as set out in the report, the Cabinet resolved to recommend to Council a budget based upon a 1.99% increase in the level of Council Tax.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to COUNCIL:

(1)  That the revised estimates for 2014/15 as set out in Appendix A
  to the report of the Cabinet be agreed;

(2)  That the minimum level of General Fund Balances be set at £2m for  
  2015/16;

(3)  That the proposed Council Tax of £235.71 at Band D for 2015/16 be
  agreed;

(4)  That the revenue estimates for 2015/16 incorporating the growth
  and savings items set out in Appendix A be agreed;

(5)  That the Statement of Earmarked Reserves and General Fund
  Balances as set out in Appendix A be agreed;

(6)  That the Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix A be agreed;

(7)  That the Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix A be agreed;

(8)  That the funding of the Capital Programme as set out in Appendix
   A be agreed;

(9)  That the Strategic Revenue Projection, as set out in Appendix A
  as the basis for future financial planning be endorsed;

(10)  That it be noted that the Council’s Council Tax base for the year
  2015/16 has been calculated as 56974.3 in accordance with
  Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax
  Base) regulations 1992;

(11)  That it be noted that in accordance with Governance guidance the
  yield from business rates has been calculated as £58,252,075;

(12)  That it be noted that the individual parish area tax bases set out in
  Appendix B are calculated in accordance with regulation 6 of the  
  Regulations and are the amounts of the Council Tax Base for the
  year for dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area to which a
  special item relates;

(13)  That the distribution of Local Council Tax Support funding to parish
  councils, as set out in Appendix C, be approved; 


(14)  That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes
  for 2015/16 (excluding Parish precepts) is £13,429,412;

(15)   That the following amounts now be calculated by the Council for
  the year 2015/16 in accordance with Section 31A, 31B and 34-36
  of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended by the
  Localism Act 2011:- 

(1)  That the creation of a pay-to-use leisure facility in Mote Park be approved.  This will include an internal belayed high course, internal belayed high course for children, climbing wall, adventure gold course and Segway hire facility;

(2)  That a capital budget of £790,000 be approved to deliver the project and that authority to spend the project budget is delegated to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Community and Leisure Services and Corporate Services, including the purchase and installation of the necessary equipment for the Adventure Zone;

(3)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to obtain the necessary approval and consents for the Adventure Zone;

(4)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to finalise and implement an operating model for the Adventure Zone in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services;

(5)  That Officers report back detailing proposals for the provision of a café and toilets in Mote Park; and

(6)  That Officers report back on detailed proposals for the provision of an ice rink to form part of the Council’s Festivals and Events Strategy.

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development – A Sustainable Future for Mote Park (Adventure Zone).

DECISION MADE:

(1)  That the creation of a pay-to-use leisure facility in Mote Park be approved.  This will include an internal belayed high course, internal belayed high course for children, climbing wall, adventure gold course and Segway hire facility;

(2)  That a capital budget of £790,000 be approved to deliver the project and that authority to spend the project budget is delegated to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Community and Leisure Services and Corporate Services, including the purchase and installation of the necessary equipment for the Adventure Zone;

(3)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to obtain the necessary approval and consents for the Adventure Zone;

(4)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to finalise and implement an operating model for the Adventure Zone in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services;

(5)  That Officers report back detailing proposals for the provision of a café and toilets in Mote Park; and

(6)  That Officers report back on detailed proposals for the provision of an ice rink to form part of the Council’s Festivals and Events Strategy.

To review full details of this decision, please follow this link:

http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=906

Cabinet considered the report of the Joint Mid Kent Improvement Partnership (MKIP) Task and Finish Group relating to Governance and Communication.

Following some concerns from Members about the lack of clarity within the report of decision making processes when this Council moves forward to new governance arrangements in May 2015 and other more specific points, it was moved by Councillor Burton and seconded by Councillor Mrs Ring that the whole report be deferred until the next meeting which would be held within 28 days.

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet defer this report and request that further information comes back within the next 28 days to give clarity on future decision making arrangements and specific proposals that reflect the new governance arrangements.

Voting

For – 5
Abstained - 1

(1)  That the satisfactory revenue position at the end of the third quarter of 2014/15 be noted;

(2)  That the proposals for slippage and re-profiling in the capital programme to 2015/16 be approved;

(3)  That the detail in the report on the collection fund, general fund balances and treasury management activity be noted;

(4)  That approval be given to utilising £106,500 of the projected underspend for the advancement of the review of office accommodation; and

(5)  That approval be given to set aside £400,000 of the projected underspend for 2014/15 to fund specific projects which support the delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities.

Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Communities regarding Budget Monitoring 3^rd Quarter.

DECISION MADE:

(1)  That the satisfactory revenue position at the end of the third quarter of 2014/15 be noted;

(2)  That the proposals for slippage and re-profiling in the capital programme to 2015/16 be approved;

(3)  That the detail in the report on the collection fund, general fund balances and treasury management activity be noted;

(4)  That approval be given to utilising £106,500 of the projected underspend for the advancement of the review of office accommodation; and

(5)  That approval be given to set aside £400,000 of the projected underspend for 2014/15 to fund specific projects which support the delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities.

To view full details of this decision, please follow this link:

http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=907

Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Communities regarding Treasury Management Strategy 2015-16 including the Treasury and Prudential Indicators.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to COUNCIL:

(1)  That the Treasury Management Strategy 2015/16 and related
  appendices be adopted.

(1)  That the out-turns of the KPIs as set out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Policy and Communications and the definitions set out in Appendix B be noted;

(2)  That the following indicators that are unlikely to achieve the annual performance target be noted:

-  DCV 005 Processing of minor planning applications within 
  statutory timescales (reported at Q3).
-  DCV 006 Processing of other planning applications within
  statutory timescales.
-  WCN 006 Missed bins.
-  HSG 005 Number of households prevented from becoming
  homeless through the intervention of housing advice.

-  PIT Satisfaction with complaint handling

-  BIM 004 Change in the number of outgoing post items.

-  HRO 001 Working days lost to sickness absence (rolling years).

(3)  That the new monitoring KPI for Development Enforcement: DCE 004 Percentage of enforcement cases investigated within 21 days be agreed; and

(4)  That it was agreed that there were no other areas where further action was required.

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Policy and Communications regarding 2014/15 Quarter 3 Key Performance Indicator Report.

DECISION MADE:

(1)  That the out-turns of the KPIs as set out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Policy and Communications and the definitions set out in Appendix B be noted;

(2)  That the following indicators that are unlikely to achieve the annual performance target be noted:

-  DCV 005 Processing of minor planning applications within 
  statutory timescales (reported at Q3).
-  DCV 006 Processing of other planning applications within
  statutory timescales.
-  WCN 006 Missed bins.
-  HSG 005 Number of households prevented from becoming
  homeless through the intervention of housing advice.

-  PIT Satisfaction with complaint handling

-  BIM 004 Change in the number of outgoing post items.

-  HRO 001 Working days lost to sickness absence (rolling years).

(3)  That the new monitoring KPI for Development Enforcement: DCE 004 Percentage of enforcement cases investigated within 21 days be agreed; and

(4)  That it was agreed that there were no other areas where further action was required.

To view full details of this decision, please follow this link:

http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=908

Cabinet did not need to consider the information in the exempt Appendix to the report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development as there was sufficient information in the main report on Part I of the agenda for them to reach their decision.
 

(1)  That the expansion of Bereavement Services to offer a pet cremation service to the public in line with the three strands of the business, as stated in paragraph 1.3.2 of the report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services, be approved;

(2)  That authorisation be given to the Director of Environment and Shared Services in consultation with the portfolio holder for Environment and Housing to implement the expansion of service subject to assessing and confirming the viability of key stages;

(3)  That approval be given to more detailed stakeholder consultation and studies to be undertaken as part of developing the service;

(4)  That approval be given for the service to use existing land at Vinters Park Crematorium which totals 0.6 acres;

(5)  That approval be given for the service to be directly provided by the Council and it be noted that an exit strategy has also been developed; and

(6)  That approval be given to set aside £670,000 as part of the capital programme to establish a pet crematorium.

Head of Schedule 12A/
Brief Description

Paragraph 3 – Information
re financial/business
affairs

Report of the Director of Environment
and Shared Services – Review of
Commercial Project – Expansion of
Bereavement Services

Having discussed the information contained in the exempt Report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services in private, Cabinet:

RESOLVED:  That the public be re-admitted to the meeting.

DECISION MADE:

(1)  That the expansion of Bereavement Services to offer a pet cremation service to the public in line with the three strands of the business, as stated in paragraph 1.3.2 of the exempt report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services, be approved;

(2)  That authorisation be given to the Director of Environment and Shared Services in consultation with the portfolio holder for Environment and Housing to implement the expansion of service subject to assessing and confirming the viability of key stages;

(3)  That approval be given to more detailed stakeholder consultation and studies to be undertaken as part of developing the service;

(4)  That approval be given for the service to use existing land at Vinters Park Crematorium which totals 0.6 acres;

(5)  That approval be given for the service to be directly provided by the Council and it be noted that an exit strategy has also been developed; and

(6)  That approval be given to set aside a sum as detailed in the exempt report as part of the capital programme to establish a pet crematorium.

6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.