To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 February 2023, as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2023, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.  

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

There were no questions from Members.

There were none.

The Portfolio Holder for Cleaner & Greener presented the report, which outlined how the Environmental Health Team intended to meet and discharge its statutory obligations with regards to Statutory Nuisance, Animal Welfare, and Licensing and Environmental Permitting Regulations for the upcoming year.

The Environmental Protection Team Leader set out that the Cleaner & Greener Advisory Committee considered the same report and recommended its adoption.  He explained that the report also outlined the volume of work undertaken by the team and how it had streamlined its processes with technology to cope with increase workloads with current resources.

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 that the Environmental Protection Service Plan 2023-2024 be adopted.

The Portfolio Holder for Cleaner & Greener presented the report which set out the restructured fees for Licensing pre-application advice and the introduction of some new smaller admin fess to cover the resourcing costs of providing the services. The Cleaner & Greener Advisory Committee supported the recommendations.

The Head of Licensing Partnership further advised that by re-structuring the fees it was hoped it would lead to an increased uptake of the service. The ‘check and send’ fees were also proposed to be increased, and a similar fees structure for work on temporary event notices were to be introduced. Due to an increase demand on the services, an introduction of smaller admin fees for updating contact details for lottery registrations, and replacement invoices for the statutory annual fee was also proposed.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That

a)       the restructured fees for Licensing pre-application advice as set out in Appendix B, be approved; and

b)       the introduction of some new smaller admin fees to cover the resourcing cost of providing the service as set out in Appendix B, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which outlined the 2023/24 Community Grant Scheme draft allocations. She advised that Officers carried out a full appraisal alongside herself and the Deputy Portfolio Holder, reviewing applications on how they supported the scheme’s priorities, amongst other criteria. The People & Places Advisory Committee considered the same report.

The Community Projects & Funding Officer advised that in total 31 applications were received, with a total grant request of £116,000 against £49,800 that was available for the scheme. They outlined some of the applications received which highlighted the diversity of projects supported.

Members considered the applications received and asked questions of clarification, noting the recommended conditions.

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 conditions set out below

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

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

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

·        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 Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health outlined the Health and Wellbeing Action Plan for 2023/24, which was built on the current Action Plan and feedback from Partners and Stakeholders regarding the scope and opportunities for collaborative work. The Housing and Health Advisory Committee had considered and supported the report.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer – People & Places advised that the Action Plan proposed a new population health approach to planning, with an emphasis on reducing health inequalities as well as improving overall health. The four main pillars for this were the wider determinants of health, health behaviours and lifestyle, places and communities, and the integrated health and care systems.

Members considered the report.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the 2023-24 Sevenoaks District Health & Wellbeing Action Plan be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for People & Places presented the report which set out the 2023-24 Sevenoaks District Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer – People & Places set out that the Strategy had seven priorities which were built on the Strategic Assessment and local data from Partner Organisations. The Community Safety Unit would work alongside these priorities in day-to-day work, with dedicated actions to reduce, enforce and education around each priority. The People & Places Advisory Committee had supported the report.

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 that the 2023-24 Sevenoaks District Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan be adopted.

The Portfolio Holder for Improvement and Innovation presented the report which updated Members on the key programme to be delivered via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The Council was allocated £1,000,000 for the period 2022-2025. The Improvement and Innovation Advisory Committee had considered the same report.

The Economic Development Officer further advised that the programme included a range of projects working with other Council Teams and external partnerships, emphasising building upon existing activity and groups. Some projects would be delivered across the West Kent Partnership. All funding for Sevenoaks District would only be used to support organisations within the District.

Moving onto Rural England Prosperity Fund, Members were advised that funding would be offered to rural businesses to provide a West Kent grant scheme for rural businesses and community groups, building on the successes from the former West Kent Leader scheme. The Council was currently awaiting approval for spending from the REPF.

Resolved: That the update on the key programme to be delivered via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including the Rural England Prosperity fund proposals, be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Improvement & Innovation Advisory Committee updated Members on the development proposal for White Oak Leisure Centre Residential Scheme. Particular emphasis was given to the decreased density from 81 to 61 units, to create a better-quality environment and more family houses. The Improvement and Innovation Advisory Committee had considered the same report and endorsed the recommendations to Cabinet and Council.

The Regeneration Development Project Manager further advised Cabinet that the procurement approach had been updated to reflect the needs of modern methods of construction. The Council had successfully obtained £840,000 of Brownfield Land Release grant funding for the site, and had a guaranteed fixed works price from its contractor, which gave the cost plan a high degree of certainty.

Members were advised this will be the Council’s first modern methods of construction scheme that will deliver high quality, environmentally efficient and sustainable homes with new open space, trees and enhanced landscaping.

Members discussed the report.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That

a)          the receipt of £840,000 grant funding from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund which has required the need to adopt an accelerated procurement process, be noted;

b)          this would be the Council’s first modern methods of construction (MMC) scheme that would deliver 61 new high quality, environmentally efficient and sustainable homes and that the Council has procured a preferred contractor in compliance with procurement regulations and the Council’s standing orders, be noted;

c)          the development site as outlined red in Plan A (appendix E) be appropriated for planning purposes in accordance with the section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 (in reliance on section 227 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) consequentially facilitating the Council’s powers under sections 203 to 206 of the Housing & Planning Act 2016 to override any outstanding interests, be agreed;

d)          the Strategic Head of Property and Commercial in consultation with the Chief Officer Finance and Trading and the Head of Legal Services, be delegated authority to submit a planning application and to enter into any necessary contracts to facilitate the development and construction of the proposed scheme in accordance with the Council’s ContractsProcedure Rulesand forthe disposalof theresidential units to be developed;

e)          theStrategic Head of Property and Commercial and the Chief Officer Finance and Trading, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Investments, be delegated authority, to undertake further detailed design and feasibility work and to proceed with the scheme subject to final scheme viability; subject to Council’s approval of the capital provision of £21,852,476; and

f)           it be recommended to Council that the total project budget be increased to £21,852,476 and that the Capital Programme, be accordingly amended to deliver the scheme, which was to be funded as set out in the Financial Implications of the report, be approved.

This notice was published on 17 March 2023. The decisions contained in Minutes 101 and 105 take effect immediately. The decisions contained in Minutes 102 and 103 take effect on 27 March 2023. The decisions contained in Minutes 100, 104 and 106 are references to Council.