To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 October 2022, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered.

There were none.

There were none.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, provided an update on the services within her portfolio. The bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund regarding Brabourne Lakes was unsuccessful. It had received positive feedback, and would be altered for resubmission in February 2023. Investigations into beginning desilting works prior to the bid decision were underway.

The CCTV Hub had received praise from the police for helping apprehend two prolific shoplifters in Sevenoaks town.

The new waste collection rounds had begun successfully, despite issues at the start of the process, and were creating savings in time, fuel, and emissions. A report on the new collection rounds would be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Lord Lieutenant of Kent would present a tree at Bradbourne Lakes to the Council as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project in January.

There were none.

The Head of Finance presented the report which set out updates to the 2023/24 budget process within the existing financial strategy.  SDC was not immune from the financial challenges affecting the country therefore this budget process was expected to be particularly challenging. 

No changes had been made to future assumptions at the stage which would be reviewed during the budget process, as usual.  However, due to the April 2022 pay award being higher than previously assumed and an annual savings target of £100,000 already included, an annual budget gap of £735,000 was currently reported.

The report presented growth and savings/additional income proposals that had been identified which needed to be considered. It requested further suggestions from Members before finalising the budget for 2023/24. Informed by the latest information from Government and discussions with Cabinet, it was proposed that the Council once again sets a balanced 10-year budget and continues to aim to be financially self-sufficient.

The Committee considered the growth and savings/additional income proposals identified in Appendices E & F to the report and the Supplementary Agenda. Further consideration was given to possible savings by reviewing current methods used for the collection of refuse and recycling, such as reducing the number of black sacks provided for free by the Council. They further discussed the generation of profits from EV chargers, and heard that work was already underway in this respect.  

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved that:

(a)  it be recommended to Cabinet that the growth proposals (SCIA’s 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 20) and savings/additional income proposals (SCIA’s 15, 16, 17, and 18) identified in Appendices E & F to the report and the Supplementary Agenda applicable to this Advisory Committee, be considered; and that

(b)  No further income or growth proposals were identified.

The Head of Licensing Partnership presented the report, which set out the proposed fees for applications for Scrap Metal licences. They explained the fees were set out on a cost recovery basis, and provided the authority with the funding needed to administer the legislation and ensure compliance. The 5% increase in fees would come into effect in April 2023.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that the fees as below be approved:

The Head of Direct Services presented the report, which outlined the capital work plan for Mill Pond, Sevenoaks. He explained that the Council were working on alternatives for the pond, as the pollution was likely to reoccur, but in the meantime the Council had a statutory duty to maintain it, as the landowner.

In response to questions, he outlined some of the alternatives, such as extending the Thames Water culvert, and possible uses of the area. He further explained some of the work that had been undertaken to reduce pollution in the pond, including clearing out excess pipework, and installing cages to trap paper waste. However, he emphasised that the system had been designed to overflow into the pond during emergency situations, and that these measures were insufficient to prevent future pollution.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that the Mill Pond Capital Works plan be considered, and support for a capital bid be developed as part of the 2023/24 budget setting process.

The Work Plan was noted, with the following addition:

14 March 2023

• Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)