Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12^th September 2013.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 12 September 2013, be approved and signed as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were no questions from Members.

In accordance with Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman advised the Committee he had agreed to accept an urgent matter -  ‘New Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013’.

The matter was urgent because due to an administrative error the report was missed from publication with the agenda, and a decision needed to be taken by Cabinet before 1 December 2013.

The urgent matter was taken as Agenda Item 9.

None

There were no matters referred from Council.

There were no references from the Audit Committee or Scrutiny Committee.

a)     Corporate Plan (Strategy and Performance Advisory Committee – 8 October 2013)

b)     New Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (Minute 15, Housing & Community Safety Advisory Committee – 15 October 2013)

c)      Annual Review of Parking Charges for 2014/15 and Christmas Parking 2013 (Minute 13, Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee – 24 October 2013)

(a)   Corporate Plan (Strategy and Performance Advisory Committee – 8 October 2013)

This was considered at Minute 37.

(b)   New Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (Minute 15, Housing & Community Safety Advisory Committee – 15 October 2013)

This was considered at Minute 38.

(c)    Annual Review of Parking Charges for 2014/15 and Christmas Parking 2013 (Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee – 24 October 2013)

This was considered at Minute 39.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Performance, updated the meeting on the deliberations of the Strategy and Performance Advisory Committee.  A further updated draft of the Corporate Plan was tabled and Members were advised of the changes made since that meeting in recognition of points raised, along with some further adjustments.

Cabinet Members’ comments were invited and subject to these it was proposed that Cabinet approve the adoption of the Corporate Plan and delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to approve any final amendments prior to publication.  Members were pleased with the document and the changes made.  A small spelling error was noticed which would be rectified before circulation.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That

a)        the draft Corporate Plan as tabled at the meeting, be approved subject to a small spelling correction;

b)         the draft Corporate Plan be circulated to all Members of the Council for comments by no later than 15 November 2013; and

c)         the Leader of the Council be given delegated responsibility to approve any final amendments.

Members considered the report and the recommendations from the Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee including a tabled revised Appendix B to the report.  It was noted that alternative proposals in respect to Westerham had been submitted by the Westerham Town Partnership and that it was suggested that these be considered and included in the consultation process.

A three week consultation period for any proposals would commence in the New Year and the Town and Parish Councils and known groups such as the Westerham Town Partnership would be contacted directly as part of this.   Officers would then report back either to the meeting in February or March 2013.  

With reference to the provision of free parking in all car parks and on-street parking areas throughout the district for two Saturdays before Christmas 2013.  Members considered the joint request from the Government’s Department for Business Innovation & Skills and Department for Communities and Local Government to support the first ever ‘UK Small Business Saturday’ on 7 December 2013 but were in agreement to offer the preferred dates expressed by the Town Councils.  The Chairman reminded all present that whilst the parking was free maximum stay periods would still apply to ensure a turnover of spaces.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That

a)        all the proposals listed within the report be put to consultation including:

                               (i)          the proposed changes to car park charges for 2014/15;

                             (ii)          the proposed changes to on-street parking charges for 2014/15;

                           (iii)                   whether amendment of the car park evening charge in Sevenoaks town centre should be considered;

                            (iv)                   whether the introduction of parking charges into the Council office car park on Saturdays should be considered;

                              (v)                   whether Sunday charges should be considered;

                            (vi)                   the alignment of the on-street tariffs at Knockholt Station with the tariff structure for Swanley; and

                          (vii)                   the standardisation of the on-street tariffs for Westerham town with others in the district; and

                        (viii)                   the proposals submitted by the Westerham Town Partnership;

b)        free parking be provided in all car parks and on-street parking areas throughout the district for two Saturdays before Christmas 2013 on the preferred dates expressed by the Town Councils (7^th and 14^th December in respect to Westerham and 14^th and 21^st December in respect to Sevenoaks), and that it be RECOMMENDED to Council that the cost in terms of lost income be funded from Supplementary Estimates.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Community Safety introduced the report on the new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 which created a revised regulatory regime for the scrap metal recycling and vehicle dismantling industries, and Members noted the recommendations of the Housing and Community Safety Advisory Committee. 

The Chief Officer, Environmental & Operational Services advised in response to a question that licences were required from each authority an operator worked within.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That the fee levels as set out below, be approved:

Site Licence – Grant (3 years)                                             £415.00

Site Licence - Renewal (3 years)                                         £355.00

Collectors Licence – Grant/renewal (3 years)                    £260.00

Minor administrative change to licence -                             £30.00

Variation - change of site manager -                                  £160.00

Variation from collector to site licence -                             £210.00

Variation from site to collector licence -                             £120.00

This notice was published on 11 November 2013.  The decisions contained in minutes 37 and 38 (a) take effect immediately.  The decision contained in minute 39 takes effect on 18 November 2013.