To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 February 2017, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 9 February 2017 be approved and signed as a correct record, subject to the insertion of the words ‘government housing’ in a sentence at minute 66.  The sentence will now read:  “The Portfolio Holder confirmed that ‘exceptional circumstances’ would not include the need to make up the government housing numbers.”

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were none.

There were none.

With Cabinet’s agreement the Chairman announced that he would deal with agenda item 7 before agenda item 5.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health presented the report which setout information about a vacant six bedroom social housing property and seeks approval to work with West Kent Housing Association to make the property available for a Syrian refugee family, as part of the Kent Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (SVPRS).  She advised that the Housing & Health Advisory Committee had considered and noted the report, the relevant minutes of which had been circulated earlier that day and tabled for information.

The Head of Housing and Health explained the proposal further and addressed questions raised by members of the public and Members.  She explained that the beneficiaries of the scheme would be selected to ensure their suitability for the property and that it was not viable to under-occupy the six bedroom property in question due to the spare room subsidy.  A formal support arrangement for families resettled under the scheme would be provided through the County Council.  Offers of help from the community had been gratefully received and would be co-ordinated.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010) the Council must have due regard to (i) eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, (ii) advance equality of opportunity between people from different groups, and (iii) foster good relations between people from different groups.  The decisions recommended through the paper directly impacted on end users.   The impact had been analysed and did not vary between groups of people. The decisions recommended through the paper would assist vulnerable families.

Resolved:  That Officers be asked to work with West Kent Housing Association to make available a vacant six bedroom adapted social housing property in Eynsford to resettle a suitable Syrian refugee family as part of the Kent SVPRS.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the report which set out that in order to facilitate the payment of small but urgent items of expenditure, an imprest account was maintained.  The report sought approval for a change to the list of officers authorised to sign cheques and sanction banking instruments on behalf of the Council

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That

a)     Mr John Leach, former Solicitor, no longer be authorised to sign cheques and sanction banking instruments on behalf of the Council in relation to the Chief Executive’s Imprest Account; and

b)     pursuant to Financial Procedure Rules 4.73 and 4.74, Mr Martin Goodman, Head of Legal and Democratic Services, and Mr David Lagzdins, Solicitor, be authorised to sign cheques and sanction banking instruments on behalf of the Council in relation to the Chief Executive’s Imprest Account.

The Portfolio Holder for Direct and Trading Services introduced the report which informed Members of the outcome of the public consultation on the annual review of parking charges for 2017-18, which proposed the extension of charges in the Council’s Blighs car park and a modest rise to one on-street tariff in Sevenoaks town.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That following consideration of the responses to the public consultation, the revised parking charges for 2017-18 be agreed as below

The Chief Officer for Communities and Business presented the report whichoutlined Sencio’s proposals for works to Sevenoaks Leisure Centre to improve the Centre and take advantage of unmet latent demand in the town. Members were asked to recommend that Cabinet agree a 10 year loan of £600,000 for Sencio at an interest rate of 6% per annum.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health and Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that their Advisory Committees had considered the report, the relevant minutes of which had been circulated and tabled for information.

Members discussed the item and there was some consideration of the risks involved with the proposal.  The Chief Finance Officer set out that he was satisfied that the proposal was financially acceptable.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That Sencio be granted a loan of £600,000 over ten years at an interest rate of 6% per annum under the terms set out below

         ‘That the agreed works will be recorded by way of a Licence for Alterations. The Licence will set out the terms for the works, and it is recommended that these will include:

·                That the improvements will be made to the Council’s satisfaction;

·                That the works be carried out in accordance with any statutory requirements, the cost of which need to be met by Sencio prior to any work commencing;

·                Sencio will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of and repairs to the works covered by the loan;

·                At the end of the current lease in 2029, the Council will not be liable to pay Sencio for the improvements made.

·                In the event that Sencio defaults on its loan repayment for the works, the Council will look to declare Sencio insolvent and thereby in breach of the lease and, subject to the Court’s relief, terminate the same.  This will be actioned if Sencio makes one loan repayment in excess of 30 days late or three loan repayments in excess of one day late.’

The Chief Officer Environmental and Operational Services presented the report which sought adoption of the proposed statement of principles associated with enforcing The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1693).  Without a published policy no penalty charges could be required of landlords who were in breach of their duty.  It was recommended that the statement of principles be adopted to ensure a full compliment of actions and financial penalties are available, ensuring the safety of occupiers.

It was advised that the Housing & Health Advisory Committee had considered the same report, the relevant minute of which had been circulated earlier that day and tabled for information.  The Chief Officer Environmental and Operational Services suggested that the appropriate level of fine would be £5,000 for an offence with a 50% discount for early payment being offered in the case of a first offence.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That

a)   the statement of principles and associated penalties charges associated with the regulations be approved; and

b)   that the level of fine be set at £5,000 with a 50% early payment discount for a first offence, with a £5,000 fine and no discount for a second or subsequent offence.

The Partnership and Project Officer presented the report which set out information about the Community Grant Scheme and summarised applications received by the Council from voluntary organisations for funding during 2017/18.

Details of the appraisal process were provided and 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 Maskell and McGarvey and Cllr Mrs Bosley who had been trained in appraisal techniques.

It was noted that the Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee had considered the same report, the relevant minute of which had been circulated earlier that day and tabled for information.  Cabinet noted that the Advisory Committee had requested a vote of thanks be recorded and wished to express the same thanks to volunteers and voluntary groups.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

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

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 Community Safety Manager introduced the report whichsought consideration of the 2017-18 Sevenoaks District Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan.  The plan responded to the community safety priorities identified in the most recent Strategic Assessment. 

It was noted that the Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee had considered the same report, the relevant minute of which had been circulated earlier that day and tabled for information.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That the Community Safety Strategy & Action Plan for 2017-18 be approved.

This notice was published on 13 March 2017.  The decisions contained in Minutes 78, 79, and 82 take effect immediately.  The decisions contained in Minutes 80, 81, 83 and 84 take effect on 21 March 2017.