Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of the Chairman, Councillor Kite. In his absence the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Shippam, chaired the meeting.

There were no further apologies for absence.

To receive declarations of interest from Members including the terms(s) of the Grant of Dispensation (if any) by the Audit Board or the Chief Officer &  Director of Corporate Services.

There were no declarations of interest.

Summary:

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 June 2023.

Recommendation:

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 June 2023 as a correct record.

The Cabinet considered the minutes of its meeting which took place on 8 June 2023.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 June 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record.

There were no urgent items.

The Cabinet received the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet Advisory Panel A which took place on 18 July 2023 and had regard to the views expressed by the Panel throughout the meeting.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet Advisory Panel A held on 18 July 2023 be noted.

There were no references from other committees.

Summary:

To consider a draft Policy on Consultation with Residents on Housing Policy/Strategy which sets out the approach to consultation with Council tenants and leaseholders in the formulation of housing policy and/or strategy.

Recommendations:

1. That the draft Policy on Consultation with Residents on Housing Policy/Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved; and

2.    That the Director of Housing and Public Protection be granted delegated authority to approve any legislative or minor in-year amendments to the Policy, as required.

The Director of Housing & Public Protection introduced a report which presented a draft Policy on Consultation with Residents on Housing Policy/Strategy. The Policy explained the Council’s approach to consultation with Council tenants and leaseholders in the formulation of housing policies and strategies.  The report highlighted the requirement on social landlords to ensure that residents are given a wide range of opportunities to influence and be involved in the formulation of their landlords housing-related policies and strategic priorities, and the greater focus placed by the Regulator of Social Housing around scrutiny and the need to evidence the fact that involvement activities were being undertaken and were effective and meaningful. One method of demonstrating this was through the annual tenant satisfaction measure – TP06: satisfaction that the landlord listens to tenant views and acts upon them. The new policy had evolved from the Code of Practice on Consultation with Residents on Housing Policy/Strategy, which had been considered by the Housing Advisory Board in October 2022.

The Policy detailed how all tenants and leaseholders, the Dartford Tenants’ and Leaseholders Forum and the Housing Advisory Board, would be made aware of the opportunity to give their views to inform the policy/strategy development process. Opportunities to participate would be promoted to tenants and leaseholders through various mediums, including, through the website, text, email, social media, and the Link newsletter. Details of consultations would also be communicated to Council Members to assist in raising awareness. The Policy would ensure that the Council complied with the legal requirements on consultation, known as the ‘Gunning Principles.’ The report explained how this would be achieved in terms of the information provided to residents, the duration and methodology of the consultation process, the feedback to residents following consultation, and the arrangements for reporting to the Cabinet, as the decision maker, to inform decision taking.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing said that the draft policy had been discussed in depth by the Housing Advisory Board and that it was an excellent piece of work.

            RESOLVED:

1. That the draft Policy on Consultation with Residents on Housing Policy/Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved; and

2.    That the Director of Housing and Public Protection be granted delegated authority to approve any legislative or minor in-year amendments to the Policy, as required.

Summary:

To consider an update on the Council’s Housing New Build project at Gilbert Close.

Recommendations:

1. That Cabinet note and consider the issues raised in the report; and

2. That Cabinet agree the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Director of Housing & Public Protection introduced a report which provided an update of progress on delivering phase 3 of the Council’s new build programme which began in the spring of 2020. So far three elements of the programme had delivered Dartford Council social housing properties for rent for local Dartford residents at Milton Road & Keary Road in Swanscombe and Mead Crescent on the Tree Estate. However works at the final site at Gilbert Road, in Swanscombe had been delayed.

The design & build contract to deliver all four sites was awarded to the successful contactor and the programme had progressed well with the first three sites completed to a very high standard and within budget.  The final site  at Gilbert Close, the largest of the four sites, was scheduled as the final phase of the project due to the extensive pre start works required to satisfy the pre start planning conditions. Works included changes to the access to the allotments (completed), works to redesign and increase the parking provision in front of the flats (commenced) and finally to satisfy the pre commencement archaeological study requirements, as supervised by Kent County Council.       However, due to the delays caused by the pandemic, rising costs of labour and materials, and due to the significant foundation redesign required to satisfy the outcome of the archaeological surveys, the original tender sum was no longer sufficient to deliver the 14 housing units planned and the contractor was seeking additional payment to cover the increased costs to deliver the project. The report detailed the options available, which included retendering the remaining works, abandoning the project and absorbing the costs already incurred, redesigning the project to a smaller scale or paying the additional costs to finish the project to its original specification. It was felt that any retendering would be likely to reflect the general increases in prices since the contract was originally offered and abandoning the project would involve significant losses for no gain.

The project at Gilbert Close had been severely delayed by the archaeological investigations, which had been far more extensive than could have been anticipated and had resulted in additional costs associated with carrying out the surveys, including site security & working with Kent County Council, who were due to sign off the project. However there was money to fund this from the HRA and the Council had housing need that the development would help to meet. The Cabinet was therefore asked to agree to pay the additional costs, which the Council’s independent consultants felt to be reasonable in current market conditions, to finish the project and deliver the housing units.

            RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet note and consider the issues raised in the report; and

2. That Cabinet agree the recommendations as set out in the report.

Summary:

To consider the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Dartford. The LCWIP is a strategic document for Dartford Borough Council (DBC) to identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements, and to support funding bids. The document outlines how new cycling and walking infrastructure can be focussed on routes and their sections, as identified in the LCWIP network cycling corridors and walking zones.

Recommendations:

1. That the draft Dartford Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved and that the Head of Planning Services be given delegated authority to make non-material changes to the Plan, including document and mapping presentation;

2. That authority to produce a user-friendly summary illustration of Borough cycling/walking options, informed by the LCWIP as evidence, be delegated to the Head of Planning Services;

3. That it be agreed to continue the cycling and walking feasibility study on London Road, Stone, subject to reporting back to Cabinet on outcomes (and prior to any related public consultation);

4. That authority for bidding for cycling and walking infrastructure funds and producing necessary associated expressions of interest or preliminary project outlines (or equivalent) as informed by the LCWIP, be delegated to the Head of Planning Services; and

5. That authority to update the LCWIP, which is a ‘live’ strategic document, with latest data and information be delegated to the Head of Planning Services.

The Director of Growth & Community introduced a report which presented the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Dartford. She explained that this was a strategic document for Dartford Borough Council (DBC) to identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements, and would provide a framework and methodology to support funding bids. The document outlined how new cycling and walking infrastructure can be focussed on routes and their sections, as identified in the LCWIP network cycling corridors and walking zones. LCWIPs are prepared based on substantial technical data, analysis, auditing of routes and the application of Department for Transport (DfT) methodology.

Dartford’s LCWIP flowed from local planning and transport policies including the Dartford Local Plan (and its supporting Sustainable Transport Strategy document), and provided an evidence base for prioritising Dartford’s CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding for projects. Engagement on the initial information gathering and assessment was carried out following identification of potential relevant Public and Interest Groups, Delivery Partners and other organisations including the Dartford and Gravesham Cycling Forum, Dartford Community Cycle Training, Dartford Health Walks and Stone Parish Council (following the Stone Neighbourhood Plan). It was envisaged that more detailed engagement and consultation with the wider public, residents and businesses would be carried out as and when sections of the network are identified for infrastructure improvements and funding has been secured. 

The initial focus of the LCWIP has been on routes where demand is high and therefore the majority of the cycling corridors and the walking zones in the current version of the LCWIP were located in the urban areas of the Borough. However the Plan was a living document which would evolve and develop over time, and could be expanded to include more rural routes as the network developed where there was suitable infrastructure to support it, as had been explained at the Cabinet Advisory Panel. As a result of the analysis already carried out the Council had been able to bid successfully for funding from Kent County Council to carry out a feasibility study to improve walking and cycling provision on the section of London Road between Cotton Lane and Horns Cross. The next step would be to produce a summary document that could be more widely disseminated.

            RESOLVED:

1. That the draft Dartford Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved and that the Head of Planning Services be given delegated authority to make non-material changes to the Plan, including document and mapping presentation;

2. That authority to produce a user-friendly summary illustration of Borough cycling/walking options, informed by the LCWIP as evidence, be delegated to the Head of Planning Services;

3. That it be agreed to continue the cycling and walking feasibility study on London Road, Stone, subject to reporting back to Cabinet on outcomes (and prior to any related public consultation);

4. That authority for bidding for cycling and walking infrastructure funds and producing necessary associated expressions of interest or preliminary project outlines  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Summary:

To consider an update on progress on the Dartford Town Centre Regeneration project and an updated programme and review of the areas covered by the Project and phasing. The report also sets out details for Phase 2B West Hill junction and Phase 3A Spital Street in order to consult on the design.

Recommendations:

1. That progress on the various phases of the project, as detailed in the body of the report, be noted;

2. That the updated phasing of the project and the project programme as shown in Appendix B to the report be agreed;

3. That consultation with businesses and residents along Spital Street should begin in order that responses can inform the final detailed design of the scheme;

4. To agree, in principle, that the Spital Street car park be incorporated into the phase 3A Spital Street tender package subject to cost estimates being reported subsequently to Cabinet for agreement;

5. To agree to carry out work to consider the feasibility of options for improvements at Phase 4 and the potential inclusion of Hythe Street to improve cycling connections;

6. That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning Services to make applications/seek additional funding for the project from other sources as appropriate, including Community Infrastructure Levy and Active Travel England;

7. That Essex Road crossing improvements, funded by neighbourhood CIL funding, be incorporated into the Phase 2b West Hill junction works;

8.  That delegated authority be given to the Director of Growth and Community and the Head of Planning Services to make submissions for relevant, and appropriate, national awards for the Dartford Town Centre Regeneration project; and

 9. That a report be brought to Cabinet later in 2023 that sets out spend so far and estimated costs of completing current phases and delivering future phases.

The Director of Growth & Community provided an update on progress on the Dartford Town Centre Regeneration Project. She said that this covered general aspects of the project and there would be a more in-depth report to Members in the autumn.

The original four phase project was to have been delivered by Summer 2021 but progress was heavily impacted by the global Covid-19 pandemic, rising construction costs and subsequent material supply issues which affected the construction of Phases 1a and 2. Delays were exacerbated by the contractor for phases 1A and 2 starting work on site later than set out in the tender. In addition, unforeseen issues arose, as work on the High Street was carried out and the original scope of the wider project was expanded to include Spital Street. In addition further opportunities for improvements to the transport infrastructure had been are identified as works progressed which could be best delivered through the scheme.  Although the overall completion date for the project was now later than predicted the project was already delivering on-going transport related improvements to the town centre. The report detailed progress against each phase of the project, some of which were inter-dependent, and revisited the timing of the programme of works along with detailing the funding implications. It was noted that feedback from residents, business and potential investors in the area had been good and that quality of delivery, under the Council’s direction, remained high and in step with new development and other changes to the town centre.

The Chairman noted that works at the Instone Road junction were well advanced and commented on the quality of the project design and finish overall. He asked whether there had been any progress with lighting at the Bull’s Head and was advised that this was being looked at. In terms of the Phase 3A Spital Street progression Members asked whether the design would include provision of an area for use by delivery bike riders. It was explained that they had currently been allocated an area at the Westgate site on a trial basis, but that this was being kept under review until the conclusion of the trial. The Cabinet asked for a solution to be included in the design work. The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community Safety & Youth said that it was a shame that the infilling of the subway at the junction of Overy Liberty and Home Gardens seemed to have been removed from the project as it was subject to flooding and detracted from the rest of the project. The Cabinet felt that this should be reconsidered.

            RESOLVED:

1. That progress on the various phases of the project, as detailed in the body of the report, be noted;

2. That the updated phasing of the project and the project programme as shown in Appendix B to the report be agreed;

3. That consultation with businesses and residents along Spital Street should begin in order that responses can inform the final detailed design of the scheme;

4.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Summary:

To consider an update on the progress of the Dartford Town Centre Parking Study for all the sub-zones within the study area and to make a slight amendment to the agreed working stages to create more efficiencies. A separate report on the outcome of the concept design and technical review work for sub zone 1 (West Hill / Town wards area) is also later in the agenda.

The report also seeks approval for proposals to progress the Parking Study for all six sub-zones from initial public consultation with local residents and businesses to the development of concept and detail designs whilst working closely with local ward Members.

Recommendations:

1. That the progress of the Parking Study be noted;

2. That the Parking Study’s stages, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, be agreed; and

3. That the Head of Planning Services be granted delegated authority, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, to progress the Parking Study for each sub zone.

The Cabinet considered a report on the progress of the Dartford Town Centre Parking Study for all the sub-zones within the study area. Progress had been made on three of the six sub-zones identified for the Town Centre Study boundary area. Progress on Sub-zone 1, which commenced in April 2022, had now reached stage 2 and was reported in detail later in the agenda. Work on Sub-zones 2 and 3 commenced in August 2022 and September 2022 respectively and the informal public consultation was undertaken in October 2022 and November 2022 and the results would be reported to the relevant Parking Study Member Consultative Group. Given the progress made so far and the learnings from experience with the process for Stages 1 & 2 for sub-zone 1, Officers had reviewed the stages and reporting requirements for progressing the Parking Study. A more streamlined process had been identified which will maintain the aims of the Study whilst introducing efficiencies in the approach and timescale to implementation. This should result in a significant reduction in the time taken to deliver the study in each sub zone going forward from approximately 19 months to an estimated 7 months whilst ensuring that the Parking Study is delivered in a more co-ordinated and cost-effective manner whilst maintaining ongoing engagement with internal and external stakeholders and continuing to work closely with Ward Members. It would also enable progress to be undertaken on all the sub-zones, albeit at different stages of the process. This would ensure that there was less impact resulting from displacement parking elsewhere within the study area.

            RESOLVED:

1. That the progress of the Parking Study be noted;

2. That the Parking Study’s stages, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, be agreed; and

3. That the Head of Planning Services be granted delegated authority, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report, to progress the Parking Study for each sub zone.

Summary:

To consider a report detailing the outcome of the technical review and concept design for the West Hill / Town wards area (Sub-zone 1) of the Dartford Town Centre Parking Study, following Cabinet’s consideration of the results of initial public consultation carried out between 11th July and 22nd August 2022.

Recommendations:

1. That the concept design proposal, shown in drawing sheets 1 to 5 in Appendix B to the report, be consulted upon and agreed, subject to consultation with the relevant Parking Study Member Consultative Group (PSMCG); and

2. That following completion of the consultation the Head of Planning Services be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the PSMCG, to progress the detailed design for sub-zone 1 and implement the statutory Traffic Regulation Order.

The Cabinet considered a report which detailed the outcome of the technical review and concept design for the West Hill / Town wards area (Sub-zone 1) of the Dartford Town Centre Parking Study following Cabinet’s consideration of the results of initial public consultation carried out between 11th July and 22nd August 2022. The report outlined the brief given to the Council’s contractor, AECOM, who had carried out the work and the guiding principles behind the proposals. AECOM had developed proposals which they considered the optimum option for the area, detailed in Appendix B to the report, but had also provided other options as part of the detailed design work. However, any alternative options should have consideration of the need to minimise displacement parking and to create a sustainable parking strategy for the town centre and its surrounds. The parking controls implemented should also seek to deter commuter parking on residential roads directing long term car parking to town centre car parks or encourage alternative means of transport to access the town centre.

The concept design included the following provisions:

              i.        A proposal to introduce new permit parking areas with a mixture of short term parking at a number of locations including in King Edward Avenue, Miskin Road, Penney Close, Priory Hill, Rutland Close, Summerhill Road, Tower Road and Wyvern Close. These would prioritise parking for local residents and reduce impact of commuter parking;

            ii.        A proposal to introduce double yellow lines to deter inconsiderate parking at unsuitable locations including at junctions. Baker Crescent would benefit from this proposal as such parking issues are regularly reported to the Council and continue to be of major concern to local residents.

           iii.        The retention of existing H-bar marking incorporated into proposed parking bays and single yellow lines specifically at sections of King Edward Avenue, Miskin Road and Wyvern Close. This approach would ensure that continuous bays are maintained at each location and enable signs to be rationalised.

iv.        Rationalisation of waiting and loading restriction timings to improve consistency and management of parking enforcement as well as rationalise signage. This would be the case at King Edward Avenue, Miskin Road, Summerhill Road and Pencroft Drive.

Officers considered that the proposed measures address the parking issues expressed by local residents in the Informal Public Consultation carried out in July 2022, the challenge around commuter parking and the need to prioritise parking for local residents. It was therefore recommended that the sub zone 1 study should progress to Stage 3 and the concept design proposals at Appendix B to the report should be consulted on.

Once this consultation had been completed, the responses received on the concept design should enable the proposed scheme to be progressed to detail design, in consultation with the Parking Enforcement and Kent County Council Highways. This would then be discussed with Ward Members through the Parking Study Member Consultative Group to agree the detailed design to be taken forward. Following agreement on the detailed design this will be progressed to Stage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Summary:

To consider a proposed 3 year Action Plan to demonstrate how the Council will deliver the aspirations of its White Ribbon accreditation to ending male violence against women and girls.  The Action Plan details how the Council intends to promote a message of respect and to lead by example. 

Recommendation:

That Cabinet approves the adoption of the White Ribbon Action Plan for Dartford Borough Council.

The Director of Growth & Community introduced a report which detailed the progress made towards achieving White Ribbon accreditation, which the Council decided to seek at the meeting of the General Assembly of the Council on 25 July 2022, as part of its commitment to addressing male violence against women and girls. The report explained the steps required of any organisation seeking accreditation, including establishing a steering group to develop and oversee an action plan.  This inter-departmental group, chaired by Councillor Mote, had its first meeting on 10 November 2022 and had met quarterly ever since. During the past six months a 3 year Action Plan had been developed and the Cabinet was being asked to adopt this for Dartford Borough Council. Progress against the Action Plan would be reported to Cabinet on an annual basis but it was a live document which would evolve and develop over time.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing said that a lot of work had been carried out to pull together the good things that were already going on across the council in this area and that this was becoming more fully embedded. The Communications Team were also becoming more involved with this work and would be supporting White Ribbon Day in November. He said that currently there were only two councillors on the Steering Group, himself and Councillor Mrs Ozog, the Lead Member for Women & Girls, but that a suggestion had been made at the Cabinet Advisory Panel that the membership should be expanded to include more councillors on a cross-party basis. The Cabinet felt that it would be appropriate to include a member from the Opposition on the Steering Group.

The Cabinet also discussed how Members could become more widely involved and ways that they could support the initiative through training and community engagement. It was noted that online safeguarding training for Councillor was taking place on 31^st July.

            RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the adoption of the White Ribbon Action Plan for Dartford Borough Council, attached at Appendix A to the report.

Summary:

To consider the Council’s annual self-assessment for 2023 against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code.

Recommendations:

1. That the self-assessment, completed in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code, attached at Appendix A to the report, be noted;

2.  That action for addressing any non-compliance with the Code, as set out in the report, be noted; and

3.  That the publication of the self-assessment on the housing complaints section of the Council’s website, be noted.

The Director of Housing & Public Protection presented a report which explained that the Charter for Social Housing Residents (Social Housing White Paper 2020) had set out how the Government would provide residents with consistency across landlord complaint handling by ensuring that social housing landlords self-assessed against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code. The Housing Ombudsman had published a revised Complaint Handling Code in April 2022 which set out strengthened requirements for social landlords to meet in dealing with complaints. Under the Code social landlords must undertake and publish an annual self-assessment of their complaints handling against the Code, take appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the Code and to demonstrate learning from complaints in annual reports to tenants.

The Council had carried out its third annual self-assessment, which had concluded that the Council has a clear and comprehensive complaints process across the organisation. Actions had been taken over the previous year to ensure strengthened compliance, including:

·      Aligning Stage One and Stage Two complaint response timescales with the Code;

·      Increased awareness to residents of the complaints process and the Housing Ombudsman through the Link newsletter, inclusion in the tenant and leaseholders Annual Report, and via an informative in standard letters and surveys; and

·      Setting good practice by providing regular information on complaints that provides insight to the Housing Advisory Board.

The self-assessment identified non-compliance against one ‘must’ do requirement of the Code in respect of acknowledging complaints within 5 working days whereas the Council’s Corporate Complaints Procedure currently provided that complaints must be acknowledged within 7 working days. However, the Council had procured a new complaints management system, which would enable an acknowledgement to be automatically sent on the day that the complaint is received and this would address this particular requirement. It was expected that the new complaints management system would be operational before the end of 2023.

The outcome of the self-assessment would be reported to the Cabinet on 20 July 2023 prior to publication on the Council’s web site.

In terms of future self-assessments, it was anticipated that the Housing Ombudsman and Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman will be publishing a joint Complaint Handling Code in late 2023 which will apply to all local authority complaints from 1 April 2024.

       RESOLVED:

1. That the self-assessment, completed in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code, attached at Appendix A to the report, be noted;

2.  That action for addressing any non-compliance with the Code, as set out in the report, be noted; and

3.  That the publication of the self-assessment on the housing complaints section of the Council’s website, be noted.

Summary:

To inform Members of the outturn position (subject to audit) of the Council’s investments and borrowing for the 2022/2023 financial year and of the outturn position of the Council’s treasury indicators.

Recommendations:

1. That Members note the outturn for the Council’s treasury management operations for 2022/2023, as detailed in the report; and

2. That Members note the outturn for the Council’s treasury indicators, as detailed in section 3.11 of the report.

The Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services introduced a report which informed Members of the outturn position (subject to audit) of the Council’s investments and borrowing for the 2022/2023 financial year and of the outturn position of the Council’s treasury indicators. She drew attention to the over-achievement on investment income and that all of the treasury management indicators had been met.

            RESOLVED:

1. That Members note the outturn for the Council’s treasury management operations for 2022/2023, as detailed in the report; and

2. That Members note the outturn for the Council’s treasury indicators, as detailed in section 3.11 of the report.

Summary:

To inform Members of the detailed final pre-audit 2022/23 figures for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Accounts, including reasons for significant variances compared to the probable outturn.

Recommendation:

                That the 2022/23 outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Accounts, together with the reasons for significant variances compared to probable outturn, be noted.

The Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services introduced a report which detailed the final pre-audit 2022/23 figures for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Accounts, including reasons for significant variances compared to the probable outturn. It was noted that the General Fund had been underspent by £815K and that there was a carry-forward of £231K on the Housing Revenue Account, mainly due to the slippage in the delivery of new homes.

            RESOLVED:

                   That the 2022/23 outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Accounts, together with the reasons for significant variances compared to probable outturn, be noted.

This report is ‘to follow’.

The Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services presented an update on financial performance against the 2023/24 budget to date for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account. She confirmed that services would be delivered within the overall budget, although there were ongoing pressures on particular budgets, notably Temporary Accommodation and Homelessness Prevention. There were no particular concerns to highlight on the Housing Revenue Account.

RESOLVED:

1. That the monitoring update, for the General Fund and Housing Revenue

     Account, at Appendix A to the report, be noted; and

2. That key general fund income streams, at Appendix B to the report, be noted.

This report is ‘to follow’.

The Cabinet considered an update on the progress to date on the schemes in the approved Capital Programme and the latest position on capital resources.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet notes the progress made to date on the 2023/24

    Capital Programme, and the budget and resources detailed in

    Appendices A and B to the report;

2. That Cabinet notes the performance of the prudential indicators for the first quarter of the year as detailed in Appendix C to the report;

3. That Cabinet approve a virement of £700,000 between the capital rewiring budget (M0216) and the revenue modernisation budget (K1405); and

4. That Cabinet approve a virement of £112,000 between the communal areas project and the HRA playground improvements project.

Summary:

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 June 2023.

Recommendation:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 June 2023 be noted.

The Cabinet considered the minutes of the meeting of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 June 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 June 2023 be noted.

Summary:

To report an action taken under Standing Order 38.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet note the action taken by the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Chairman, under Standing Order 38(2)(a), to recommend to the General Assembly of the Council that the capital budget be carried forward into 2023/24, in accordance with Appendix C to the report, thereby increasing the total capital budget by £2.917m.

The Cabinet received a report, in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 38(2)(b), of the delegated action taken under Standing Order 38(2)(a) by the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Chairman, to recommend to the General Assembly of the Council that the capital budget be carried forward into 2023/24, in accordance with Appendix C to the report. At the time that the Standing Order 38 delegation was exercised it was anticipated that this would increase the total capital budget by £2.917m. Following agreement to the delegation by the Chairman of the Cabinet the final outturn position had been finalised and the total increase to the capital budget was £3.445m. This action was necessary in order to seek the agreement of the General Assembly of the Council to this carry forward as the date of that meeting was brought forward to 17^th July, before the date of the Cabinet meeting. The revised capital carry forward figure had been agreed by the General Assembly of the Council on 17^th July 2023.

            RESOLVED:

That Cabinet note the action taken by the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Chairman, under Standing Order 38(2)(a), to recommend to the General Assembly of the Council that the capital budget be carried forward into 2023/24, in accordance with Appendix C to the report, thereby increasing the total capital budget by £3.445m.

Summary:

To report an action taken under Standing Order 38.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet note the action taken by the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Chairman, under Standing Order 38(2)(a), to agree revised terms for the sale of land for residential development at Stone Lodge, on the north side of London Road and east side of Cotton Lane, Dartford.

The Cabinet received a report, in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 38(2)(b), of the delegated action taken under Standing Order 38(2)(a) by the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Chairman, to agree revised terms for the sale of land for residential development at Stone Lodge, on the north side of London Road and east side of Cotton Lane, Dartford. Urgent action was required in order to complete the agreement on the most advantageous terms for the council.

The Director of Growth & Community confirmed the background to the need to revise the terms of sale for the land, including issues caused by third parties. She confirmed that the deal still represented the best value available given current market conditions. She also confirmed that the removal of the public open space requirement was not related to the revised terms of sale but was a condition pertaining to the overall planning permission for the site.

            RESOLVED:

That Cabinet note the action taken by the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Chairman, under Standing Order 38(2)(a), to agree revised terms for the sale of land for residential development at Stone Lodge, on the north side of London Road and east side of Cotton Lane, Dartford.

Summary:

To consider Exempt Appendix A to the main report.

Recommendation:

That the contents of Exempt Appendix A to the main report be noted.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Appendix A to the main report.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of Exempt Appendix A to the main report be noted.

Summary:

To consider exempt Appendices B and C to Appendix A to the main report.

Recommendation:

That exempt appendices B and C to Appendix A to the main report be noted.

The Cabinet considered exempt Appendices B and C to Appendix A to the main report.

RESOLVED:

That exempt appendices B and C to Appendix A to the main report be noted.