Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Jenkins-Baldock.

Councillor Cleator was present as Substitute Member for Councillor Jenkins-Baldock.

There were no urgent items.

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items on the agenda be taken in public.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Transition and Nature Recovery stated that the Maidstone House and the Link decarbonisation item would be moved to January 2025 to allow the Council to explore its options for the project after the tender exercise.

In response to concerns from the Committee, the Leader of the Council stated that the Council would need to explore its options as the cost of materials for scheme, particularly cladding, were subject to market forces and currently too excessive. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources further clarified that the Council would explore implementing aspects of the current scheme. It was explained the Council could not apply for the next round of government funding due to a limited timeframe, but that further rounds of funding could be available for the scheme.

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan relating to the Committee’s Terms of Reference, be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources introduced the report and stated that the banded scheme had been operating since April 2021 and the only change recommended for 2025/26 was an increase within the banded income grid by the rate of inflation as used by the Department of Work and Pensions. It was stated that there had been an increase in expenditure in delivering the scheme, but this was primarily due to the increase in council tax percentage increases.

In response to questions the Head of Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits stated that the scheme was previously funded by central government, but the majority was now funded by preceptors including Kent County Council (KCC), Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue. It was confirmed that the preceptors would continue to fund the scheme.

The Committee expressed supported the continuation of the scheme and recommended it to Cabinet.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to CABINET:

1.  To note the progress of he income banded scheme;

2.  To consider recommending to Council that the scheme continues with the principles of the existing scheme and the percentage awards (maximum award of 80%) continue for 2025/26; and

3.  To consider recommending to Council that the grid amounts be amended in-line with the DWP annual percentage increase of welfare benefits for 2025/26.

6:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.