Agenda and minutes

Venue: This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, and livestreamed here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClT1f_F5OfvTzxjZk6Zqn6g. View directions

Items
No. Item

62.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To agree minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 26 November 2020, as a correct record.

Minutes:

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Improvement and Innovation Advisory Committee held on 26 November 2020, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

63.

Declarations of interest

Any declarations not already registered.

Minutes:

There were no additional declarations of interest.

64.

Actions from previous meetings

Minutes:

There were none.

65.

Update from Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman advised that Kent Leaders had met discussing the roadmap out of Lockdown and working with other agencies going forward over the coming weeks and months.

 

66.

Referral from Cabinet or the Audit Committee

Minutes:

There were none.

67.

Equality Policy Statement and Objectives pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Under the Equality Act (2010), public authorities were required to prepare and publish one of more objectives and review at least every four years. There were five proposed equality objectives relating to the council’s role as a community leader, service provider and employer. The objectives would be subject to review, including consultation with stakeholders on the publication of Census 2021 data later in the year, and emerging guidance from Central Government.

Members asked questions of clarification and were advised that once the objectives were identified they would be turned into an action plan to ensure that it was embedded into work the Council does. Members were informed that many key considerations were already included in staff policy documents, and that following the Census more up to date information on the District would be available.

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

a)      the Equality Policy Statement and Objectives be adopted; and

 

b)     a full review of the Equality Policy Statement and Objectives take place on the publication of Census 2021 data be agreed.

 

68.

Emerging Economic Development Strategy pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Minutes:

The Strategic Head of Property and Commercial updated Members on the Emerging Economic Development Strategy to ensure appropriate support measures were put in place to aid recovery following the pandemic and to support business and employment formation within the District. 

 

Following the expiration of current Economic Development Strategy and changing economic landscape, consideration was made to refreshing the Council's strategy. As part of the scoping exercise to define the Strategy’s outline and brief, reviews had taken place on the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) Recovery & Renewal Strategy, and West Kent Partnership’s Priorities for Growth, amongst other documents. Emerging strategic priorities included: sustainability, green recovery, business resilience and growth, and infrastructure first. The outline also proposed thematic areas such as skills and employment, tourism and rural, business and enterprise, town centres. Proposed key objectives of the Economic Development Strategy included: skilled workforce, digital connectivity and inclusion, clean growth, supporting innovation and collaboration.

 

The Strategic Head of Property and Commercial informed Members of several deliverable projects and activities such as the Kickstart Programme which had already launched. It was anticipated that the strategy would be ready for formal adoption by winter 2021.

 

Members discussed the emerging plan including the opportunities and challenges coming forward, and took the opportunity to ask questions of clarification.

 

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

69.

Update on Capital Projects pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report on capital projects and received a presentation from the Strategic Head of Property and Commercial which highlighted some of the current projects that had been delivered including Burlington Mews, Sevenoaks, and 27-37 High Street which was under development. Planning permission had also been granted for residential units at White Oak, and Alder Way in Swanley. Members were also advised of projects which were in developmental stages, such as Bevan Place in Swanley and in the process of acquiring planning permission, such as Stangrove Estate, Edenbridge. Members were also provided with an overview of the proposed work plan.

 

Members discussed the projects and the needs of residents and took the opportunity to ask questions of clarification.

 

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: that the report be noted.

 

70.

Work plan pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Minutes:

The work plan was noted, with rural landowners being moved to 24 June 2021 which would include an update on Boradband.

 

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