Agenda and minutes

Venue: This meeting will be held virtually

Contact: Democratic Services 01732227247  Email: democratic.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Note: The meeting can be viewed live from 3pm here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClT1f_F5OfvTzxjZk6Zqn6g 

Items
No. Item

38.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To agree minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 27 February 2020, as a correct record.

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Improvement & Innovation Advisory Committee held on 27 February 2020, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

39.

Declarations of interest

Any declarations not already registered.

Minutes:

There were no additional declarations of interest.

40.

Actions form previous meeting

Minutes:

There were none.

41.

Update from Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, gave an update on the Council’s recovery from the Covid-19 lockdown. With safety measures in place, reception would open on Monday 29 June 2020 and numbers of staff in the office would rise from 50 to 70, compared to 200 before the Covid-19 lockdown. The use of technology for staff to work from home had been successful. There had been consideration of what the Council could learn from staff working from home which could be implemented in the future. Officers were praised for the continued service provided during the lockdown period.

Building works on Burlington Mews was due to finish by September. The first sale of one of the properties had gone through, viewings were continuing and it had been decided two properties would be rented rather than sold. Groundworks had started on the White Oak Leisure Centre site and communication with local residents had continued to keep them informed. Planning permission was received for the demolition and redevelopment of 27-37 High Street, Swanley. Discussions were had over the next steps for the Council use of Bevan Place. A decision on the use of Sealcroft Cottages, Seal and Land Adjacent to 9 Pound Lane, Sevenoaks was due to take place at Cabinet on 9 July 2020. The Council had been working with Kent County Council on the ownership of the car park at Edenbridge Leisure Centre and were looking at what improvements could be made.

The new Strategic Head of Property and Commercial, Detlev Munster, was due to start at the Council on 1 July 2020.

In response to queries from Members on the flooring of Orchard Academy, Members were advised that discussions with the contractors onsite were taking place to determine if there were any issues before starting work.

 

 

42.

Referral from Cabinet or the Audit Committee

Minutes:

There were none.

43.

COVID19 - Draft Economic Recovery Plan pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Officer for People & Places introduced a presentation on the preparations being made moving from response to recovery which included what the district would look like, roadblocks and opportunities, objectives and actions, and promoting investment and growth.

The Chairman provided a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the Council’s economic recovery plan including plans to help businesses, support employment, support health and community wellbeing, and build public reassurance through marketing and the adaption of the public realm. 

In response to queries on how the Council aimed to maintain communication with businesses within the District after an increase as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Members were advised that businesses would be asked for feedback on the services provided to them along with if they would like to continue communication with the Council.

In response to concerns, Members were advised that bus companies would introduce a new cleaning regime for their buses as many secondary school children relied on them to commute to school. It was acknowledged that some parents may choose to drive their children to school instead which may have an environmental impact.

Resolved:  That the presentation be noted.

44.

COVID19 - Draft Communities Recovery Plan pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Minutes:

The Chief Officer for People & Places reported the communities recovery plan and actions. Members were advised that as lockdown would lift, the needs of people in the community would change. Those shielding would less likely need food parcels but would need a different form of support such as a friend in a buddying system. Further support would include the Housing Energy Retraining Options (HERO) service, financial advice, and a health and wellbeing programme. Volunteer power was currently high and the Council had aimed to utilise this support, bearing in mind the changes in delivery such as moves to online support to service users. There were plans to support those in financial hardship after protection from eviction would discontinue.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

45.

Work plan pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Minutes:

The work plan was noted.

 

Back to top