To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 18 June 2019, as a correct record.

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 18 June 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interest not already registered.

With reference to Agenda Item 8 (Minute 19) Cllr Raikes declared that he was the Honorary Treasurer of the Sevenoaks District Arts Council and a member of one of the groups that directly benefitted from the Sevenoaks District Arts Council.

For transparency Cllrs Dyball, Hudson and Pett advised they were appointed Council representatives on the Sevenoaks District Arts Council, and Cllr Hudson further advised that she was a member of Swanley Arts Society which was a member of the Arts Council.

There were none.

The Portfolio Holder, People & Places, advised that ‘Silver Sundays’ a week of free events from 30 September to 8 October 2018, for older people in the district.

She had also

·         visited a women’s refuge within the district along with the Deputy Portfolio Holder, and the Deputy Portfolio Holder had then gone on to attend a DAVSS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services) training session

·         Attended the launch of the Darent Valley Community rail partnership and a tour of the improvements at the Bat & Ball Station

·         Been given a Tour of Darent Valley from Westerham to Dartford.

She reported that the new Chief Inspector, Jon Kirby would be invited to the next meeting of the Committee.  After a meeting with the Police & Crime Commissioner there was to be a marketplace style meeting at the youth centre in new Ash Green on 22 October 2019 at 7.30pm with the North West Kent Crime Prevention Panel, and PCSOs.

The planning application for White Oak Leisure Centre would be submitted later in the month.

A Member asked about increasing the numbers on the Domestic Abuse Perpetrators Programme, and it was explained that the course was a 26 week rolling programme so it required someone being committed to wanting to change.   It was noted that DAVSS were giving a presentation to the meeting in March 2020.

There were none.

The Chief Officer Finance & Trading presented a report which explained that this was the second stage of the budget process and ensured that all Members of the Advisory Committees had a role to play in the governance of the Council and the budget decision making process. He explained that since the current financial strategy was introduced in 2011/12, over £7 million of savings had been agreed.

To continue to have a balanced budget position and remain financially self-sufficient, a net savings requirement of £93,000 for 2020/21 was included in the budget.  The Chief Officer Finance & Trading also advised Members that other pressures may come out later in the budget process such as when the Local Government Finance Settlement was announced in December. These may result in additional savings being required.

No growth and savings proposals were included in the report for this Committee but Members were asked for their suggestions, in order to achieve the £93,000 net saving required for the next year, which would be considered by Cabinet, before finalising the budget for 2020/21.

Members gave their individual ideas for growth and savings items and considered whether there was anything they wanted taken forward as potential growth or savings suggestions. A number of growth and savings items were suggested and discussed

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 Cabinet that

a)     no growth and savings proposals had been identified in Appendix D to the report; and

b)     the following options be put forward to Cabinet

Growth (increased expenditure or reduced income)

·       SDC to facilitate youth work

·       Increase in Community Grants budget to facilitate increased grants to bodies contributing to community wellbeing and cohesion

Savings (reduced expenditure or increased income)

·       Consider investing in the tourism/leisure market by providing/co-providing a campsite (touring caravans and static mobile homes)

·       Guided tours of district possibly on vintage bus/train etc. Could also possibly use hire bikes

·       Maximising the potential of our leisure facilities at Edenbridge.

Alan Pett, Chairman of Sevenoaks District Arts Council advised Members on the work and commitment of their organisation in Sevenoaks District.  A membership list was tabled.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

The Community Planning & Projects Officer presented a report which outlined the background and operational model for a Sevenoaks District Council supported internship project that commenced on 9 September 2019. The Supported Internship programme had been established to improve employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, and create a talent pool which would assist the Council in improving diversity of the workforce, developing talent and filling future vacancies.  It was hoped that it would create a two-way learning experience and that the Council would be able to use the experience to improve the customer experience for people with learning difficulties.  Members commended the initiative.

Resolved:  That the contents of the report be noted. 

The Community Planning & Projects Officer presented the Annual Report for the third and final year (2018/19) of the Sevenoaks District Community Plan 2016-19 had been completed and progress against agreed key success measures for each priority within the plan was reported.  A factual correction at paragraph 5 of the report was noted, where it should read ‘Woodlands Court’ not ‘White Oak Court’.

It was noted that the percentage of key success measures that were completed or on target to in the 2018/19 Community Plan Annual Report, stood at 97%.  Members expressed their gratitude and commended all staff involved for their hard work.

Resolved:  That the contents of the report be noted and recommended to Cabinet.

The work plan was noted with the addition of meeting the new Chief Inspector at the next meeting.