To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 September 2015, as a correct record

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 17 September 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were none.

a)     Statement of Accounts 2014/15 - Outcome of External Audit (Audit Committee 8 September 2015, Minute 19)

a)     Statement of Accounts 2014/15 - Outcome of External Audit (Audit Committee 8 September 2015, Minute 19)

The Audit Committee had resolved to advise Cabinet that pending a review of the Team, the Finance Team may require additional resources for the preparation of the 2015/16 Statement of Accounts.  The Chief Finance Officer advised that this followed concerns raised by Grant Thornton about the capacity of the team to deliver the accounts in the required shorter timescales in years to come.  He further advised that the Head of Finance had been working on this and a review of the whole Finance Team was currently taking place including looking at the skills required to produce the accounts.  Other options were also being investigated such as bringing in temporary expertise for certain elements of the accounts process.  Grant Thornton Audit fees were reducing so that could be a possible source of funding if required.

Resolved:  That it be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Health presented the report which sought adoption of the Draft 2015 – 2018 Sevenoaks District Health Inequalities Action Plan, to continue the work of reducing health inequalities across the District.  The Portfolio Holder highlighted the recommendations made by the Housing & Health Advisory Committee who had considered the same report and had agreed to recommend it to Cabinet. 

She reported that it was all part of the government’s preventative agenda, and that the only real area the Council could have it’s main influence was through: meeting the housing needs of people living in the District, including affordable and appropriate housing; and sustaining and supporting healthy communities. It was noted that further funding from Kent County Council (KCC) for 2016/17 had still not yet been confirmed, and that contracts were tied to the programme.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the Draft 2015 – 2018 Sevenoaks District Health Inequalities Action Plan, be adopted.

The Portfolio Holder for Direct & Trading Services presented the report reviewing parking charges for 2016 - 17.  It proposed for consultation, revised tariffs in the Council’s off-street car parks and in on-street pay and display parking bays.   He brought Members’ attention to the tabled recommendations made by the Direct & Trading Advisory Committee who had considered the same report and had agreed to recommend it to Cabinet. 

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the proposals for revised parking charges for 2016 - 17 be agreed for consultation.

The Portfolio Holder for Direct & Trading Services presented the report which sought approval to the proposals for free parking for two Saturdays, 12 and 19 December 2015 preceding Christmas, to help encourage shoppers and other visitors to Sevenoaks and Westerham, in the busy shopping period leading up to Christmas 2015.

The Portfolio Holder drew Members’ attention to the tabled recommendations made by the Direct & Trading Advisory Committee who had considered the same report and had agreed to recommend it to Cabinet. 

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That

                             a)            the proposals for free parking for two Saturdays at Sevenoaks and Westerham, 12 and 19 December 2015 preceding Christmas, be agreed; and

                             b)            it be recommended to Council to authorise the cost of funding be met from Supplementary Estimates.

The Chairman presented the report which set out a proposal for a restructure of the Council’s senior management as part of the Council’s efforts to be well placed to deliver on its vision and promises to the community, to meet future challenges and to support the Council in delivering the savings required to achieve a 10 year balanced budget that was self-sufficient and no longer reliant on direct financial support from central Government.  The report provided the criteria used to help shape the proposal, the proposed senior management structure, a summary of the consultation carried out with staff and the processes that would be followed in appointing to the new posts.

In response to a question it was noted that the services currently managed by the Chief Housing Officer and Chief Officer Legal & Governance would be re-aligned amongst the remaining Chief Officers.

The Chairman reported that the Portfolio Holder Legal & Democratic Services was working hard, within budget, to strengthen the legal team.  The Portfolio Holder Legal & Democratic Services praised the Chief Housing Officer and Chief Officer Legal & Governance for all their efforts whilst working for the Council.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That

a)        the proposed senior management restructure as set out in Appendix A to the report, be endorsed;

b)        it be noted that the costs associated with the restructure of senior management would be limited to, and met from, the earmarked Reorganisation Reserve; and

c)    it be noted that the cost of any service restructures as a result of the new senior management structure would be limited to, and met from, existing service budgets.

Members considered a report which sought approval to develop the Sennocke Car Park and Bradbourne Car Park sites to provide a branded hotel and additional car parking capacity

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 for the following item of business on the grounds 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.

As this was the first major project that may require borrowing for the Council for many years, advice had been obtained from CIPFA to ensure that the Council was looking at the relevant options and to provide initial analysis into those options for both the hotel and car park.

The confidential Appendix D presented three funding options A, B and C, and it was noted that a combination of these could be used depending on available resources. 

The Chairman advised that the proposed funding method for the hotel was Option C and for the car park, Option B.   Members were reminded that whatever funding options were used for this project and other projects, the availability of funds and therefore the number of funding options would change over time.  It was also mentioned that any increase in value of the assets would be in addition to the figures contained within the confidential appendix.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That it be recommended to Council

a)    to agree to proceed with the proposed schemes;

b)    that a Development Management Agreement and Agreement for Lease be entered into with the preferred Development Management Consultant and preferred Hotel Operator on the terms outlined in the confidential Appendix D; and

c)    that the development was in the public interest and therefore the land should be appropriated for planning purposes in accordance with Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 and subject to the powers provided by Section 237 of The Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

This notice was published on 19 October 2015. The decisions contained in Minutes 34(a) takes effect immediately. The decisions contained in Minutes 32 and 33 take effect on 27 October 2015. The decisions taken in Minutes 34(b), 35 and 36 will be considered at Full Council on 3 November 2015.