Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor E. Green.

To approve the summary of recommendations and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 May 2014, copy attached.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the chairman.

Cabinet considered the asset disposal of surplus property and land. Cabinet Members were also requested to give direction regarding progressing the application for a licence of land by a children’s nursery and the granting of a lease at less than the best consideration.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 24.1:

Councillor C. Hart;

Councillor Matterface;

Councillor Wiltshire;

Councillor Bayford.

Councillor Everitt proposed, Councillor Nicholson seconded and Cabinet agreed:

1.  That the sites contained in Annex 1 were surplus and be progressed through the disposal framework for freehold sale;

2.  To re-confirm the decision to dispose of sites in Annex 2 of the Cabinet report; so they can be progressed through the disposal framework for a freehold sale;

3.  To officers progressing negotiations for the letting of the Margate Caves site at a peppercorn rental in accordance with option 3.1.3 of the Cabinet report;

4.  That in principle; a licence be issued for the use of plot 3 in Annex 4, on page 25 of the report for forest school purposes and instructs officers to proceed on that basis and in accordance with s123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members noted that as a Local Housing Authority, the Council had a statutory duty to ensure that all private sector homes in the Thanet area are maintained in a safe condition. For fairness and transparency, it was important that the Council was open about how it conducted itself by publishing an enforcement policy with associated guidance. Cabinet acknowledged that most landlords maintained properties in good working order. However Cabinet was determined to tackle the problem of poor housing that was provided by some landlords in a few of the cases.

Cabinet also observed that the Council’s existing Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, which was last updated in 2009, was now largely out-of-date and therefore required refreshing and that since 2010, the Housing Regeneration Team has endeavoured to innovate, make efficiencies, and improve the overall service to customers. Members said that there had been some informal consultation with the Overview & Scrutiny Panel before the proposals were brought before Cabinet.

Councillor Wiltshire spoke under Council procedure 24.1.

Councillor Nicholson proposed, Councillor D. Green seconded and Cabinet adopted the new Enforcement Policy and Guidance document for Housing Regeneration, subject to the incorporation of a Foreword by Councillor Nicholson as the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning Services.

Members considered the notice of motion that was referred to Cabinet by Council. They noted that residents were concerned about the preservation of what was good and distinct about Cliftonville’s architecture and the designation of a conservation area for Cliftonville would ensure that preservation. Cabinet said that it would be important to approach the issue in a more focused and contained way.

Councillor C. Hart and Councillor Bruce spoke under Council Procedure Rule 24.1.

Councillor D. Green proposed, Councillor Nicholson seconded and Cabinet agreed option 3.1 that included the timetable set out at 2.2 of the report, whose highlights were as follows:

a)  A report is taken to Cabinet on 31^st July 2014 seeking guidance on which defined area should be proposed for designation and seeking leave to go out to consultation. The report will also summarise the findings of the recent Academy of Urbanism Diagnostic visit;

b)  After public consultation, the matter is brought back to Cabinet on 13^th November 2014 setting out the results of the public consultation and seeking a recommendation to Council;

c)  The matter is taken to Council on 18^th November 2014 for decision as to whether to designate an area of conservation.

As part of the updates of Council representatives on Executive Appointed Outside Bodies; the Leader brought before Cabinet a list of such Bodies as agreed by Annual Council and sought Cabinet consent to nominations of Members to sit on these Bodies that were highlighted in Annex 1 to the report.

Councillor Johnston proposed, Councillor Nicholson seconded and Members agreed the list of nominations to the Executive-related outside bodies as shown in Annex 1 of the Cabinet report.