To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 February 2016, as a correct record

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 4 February 2016 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were none.

There were none.

The Chief Officer Environmental and Operational Services presented the report which sought approval for adoption of an updated Procurement Strategy.   The Finance Advisory Committee had considered the same report and had agreed to recommend it to Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder Economic & Community Development requested that in future revisions of the strategy, more consideration was given to small and medium sized businesses.  Members requested that the wording of the third paragraph under ‘Social value’ be revised to plainer English, and the second paragraph under the same heading be further clarified.  It was agreed that reference to the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 also needed to be referred to under the heading ‘Supporting Local Business and Small and Medium Enterprises.’

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That the updated Procurement Strategy be adopted, subject to delegated authority being given for Officers to revise section 2 ‘Procurement Principles’ in agreement with the Chairman.

The Partnership and Project Officer presented a report which set out information about the Community Grant Scheme and summarised applications received by the Council from voluntary organisations for funding during 2016/17 and set out recommended grants.  For information the report also detailed the appraisal process, which had included a lengthy and detailed consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic & Community Development, Cllr Hogarth, the Deputy Portfolio Holders for Economic & Community Development, Cllrs Hogarth, Abraham, Maskell, and Cllr Mrs Bosley. Members had been trained in appraisal techniques.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic & Community Development congratulated officers and Members for all the hard work that had gone into the process.  He took pride in the fact that the Council was able to still commit to grant funding which was to everyone’s credit.  He explained that the quality of applications had been very high, and if approved he hoped to see the benefits across the District in the good work carried about by the grant beneficiaries.  He further reported that the Economic & Community Development Advisory Committee had considered and noted the same report.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That the Grants, as set out in Appendix C to the report be approved, subject to the following conditions:

                        i)          that performance indicators as set out in the application forms are adhered to and monitored; 

                      ii)          that appropriate Safeguarding policies and arrangements are in place, where necessary;

                    iii)          that appropriate recognition of this Council’s funding contribution is made in all their publicity; and

                     iv)          where services are provided over a wider area than the District boundaries, organisations will be required to hold grant aid from this Council in a restricted fund for the benefit of Sevenoaks District residents.

The Corporate Customer Services & Delivery Manager presented a report which sought Members approval for the District Council to seek to continue the partnership agreement which had existed for fourteen years between Sevenoaks District Council and Swanley Town Council for the operation of services through a local office in Swanley – ‘Swanley Link.’  The current agreement was due to expire on 31 March 2016, and approval was sought to renew the agreement to end on 31 March 2018.  In response to questions the previous two contracts had been 3 and 5 years long, however it was felt a 2 year contract helped focus delivery and gave more negotiating ability and opportunity to revise standards. 

The Chairman and Portfolio Holder for Policy & Performance advised that the Advisory Committee had considered the same report and had agreed to recommend it to Cabinet.  At that meeting the amount of payments taken there, the Council’s branding, and the benefits of the Allpay system had been discussed.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That the renewal of the provision of a Local Office service for a further 2 years with Swanley Town Council based on the current terms and value, be approved.

The Chief Officer Communities and Business, presented the report which reminded Members that Cabinet had approved the demolition of the former Working Men’s Club at 18 High Street Swanley, the former Bank at 16 High Street Swanley and the vacant shop units and accommodation above them at 27 – 37 High Street Swanley, subject to further investigation into the possible VAT and CIL implications of developing the site.  The report informed Members about the VAT and CIL implications, and the planning implications for 27-37 High Street Swanley of it being listed as an Asset of Community Value.  The report also sought consent to proceed with the demolition process at the former Working Men’s Club at 18 High Street, the former bank (CAB centre) at 16 High Street and the disposal of the temporary building currently on the Bevan Place site.

The Policy & Performance Advisory Committee had considered the same report and had agreed to recommend it to Cabinet.

It was moved by the Chairman and

Resolved: That, under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendices Bto the report, on the ground that likely disclosure of exempt information was involved as defined by paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) as identified in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Members discussed the confidential appendix.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That

a)      the CIL and VAT implications of developing land at 16 – 18 High Street be noted, and the demolition of both buildings (The former Working Men’s Club and former CAB building) at the earliest opportunity, be approved, noting that the demolition works had already been procured and the contractor was ready to mobilise;

b)      the revised costings for the demolition, contained in Appendix B to the report, and the fact that the previous contractor remained the best value for money, be noted; and

c)    the demolition of the former Working Men’s Club and CAB building be approved, and the fact that this was subject to a Prior Approval Notification, be noted.

IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS

This notice was published on 7 March 2016.  The decision contained in Minute 78 takes effect immediately. The decisions contained in Minutes 79, 80 and 81 take effect on 15 March 2016.