Resolved: That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2012 be approved and signed as a correct record.

In relation to Item 8, Community Grant Allocations 2012/2013, Councillors Ramsey and Mrs Clark declared personal interests as the HAWK scheme was run by their parishes.

Councillor Mrs Davison declared a prejudicial interest in Item 8, Community Grant Allocations 2012/2013, and left the meeting for the duration of this item.

There were no questions from Members.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Improvement introduced a report explaining the need to amend the timetable for publishing the Allocations and Development Management DPD so that it took full account of the NPPF and enabled further consideration to be given to key development sites.  The report also outlined other changes to the LDF timetable, including the production of a Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy and planning for gypsies and travellers.

The Chairman questioned the amount of partnership working with neighbouring authorities to ensure the smooth implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).  The Principal Planning Officer provided assurances that work was ongoing with other local authorities in Kent. It was also noted that the Council will have greater control over CIL receipts compared to the current S106 planning obligations arrangements.

The Chairman noted that the Gypsy and Traveller DPD would not be completed until August 2014 and questioned the action that would be taken by Sevenoaks District Council until the DPD had been implemented.  The Principal Planning Officer reported that an interim policy of granting temporary consent of up to three years had been implemented.  The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Improvement highlighted that the new Gypsy and Traveller DPD would replace the Gypsy Needs Assessment.

            Resolved that the revised Local Development Scheme be agreed to help ensure the Allocations and Development Management DPD is sound, to bring forward a Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and provision for gypsies and travellers in a timely way and to keep the Local Development Scheme up to date.

The Portfolio Holder for Safe Communities introduced a report setting out aims and commitments for the West Kent Equality Partnership.  The Partnership was formed in 2010 between Sevenoaks District Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.  The Partnership developed a joint response to the requirement to publish equality objectives intended to support improved partnership working and to allow authorities to report shared outcomes against common objectives.  The Chief Executive reported that the Aims and Commitments for 2012-2016 had been approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and would shortly be considered by the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Scrutiny Committee.

The Portfolio Holder for Safe Communities stressed that that the commitments outlined in the report applied to all Councillors and Staff within the District and should be reflected within the new Code of Conduct regime.

            Resolved that to ensure the Council complies with its obligations under the Equality Act 2010:

(a)   the West Kent Equality Partnership Aims and Commitments for 2012-16 be adopted; and

(b)    authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Safe and Caring Communities to respond to any comments by the Social Affairs Committee, in order to comply with the statutory timescale.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Wellbeing introduced a report setting out information about the Community Grant Scheme and summarising applications received by the Council from voluntary organisations for funding during 2012/13.  The aim of the Community Grant Scheme was to support voluntary organisations that, through their work, contributed to the priorities set out in the Sustainable Community Action Plan 2010-13.  The grant guidelines were reviewed during 2010/11 and revised guidelines were agreed by Cabinet on 30 September 2010.

The grant scheme was publicised widely across the District within the voluntary sector, through town and parish councils, libraries and in the press in September 2011.  The total budget available for distribution in 2012/13 was  £153,331, including £98,540 for the Citizen’s Advice Bureaux in the District.  A total of 38 Grant applications were received, representing total grant requests of £105,672.  A full list of grants recommended to voluntary and youth groups was attached to Appendix C to the report..  An Equalities Impact Assessment had been undertaken and the allocations scheme was assessed as compliant.

The Chairman noted that grants had been allocated to a range of organisations and that the organisations worked hard to provide exceptional value for money.  The Chairman reported that he was proud to be able financially to continue to support voluntary organisations within the District and congratulated the organisations on the excellent work that they did to support the most vulnerable people in the District.

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

(i)      that performance indicators are adhered to and monitored; 

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

(iii)    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.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

This notice was published on 12 March 2012.  The decisions contained in minutes 82 and 85 take effect immediately.  The decisions contained in minutes 83 and 84 take effect on 20 March 2012.