Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received at the meeting.

To approve the summary of recommendations and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 09 March 2017, copy attached.

Councillor Lin Fairbrass proposed, Councillor Crow-Brown seconded and Members agreed the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 09 March 2017.

Cabinet noted that currently there were five off street car parking areas that were free of charge. If these areas were changed to pay and display with an hourly charge in line with other areas, additional revenue would be generated for the Council and that revenue would partly be used for running and maintenance costs of these areas. It was hoped that charging would also assist with better turnover of vehicles and marked parking bays would help deal with inconsiderate parking.

Cabinet further observed that there were a number of on street parking areas around the district that could benefit by having a resident’s parking scheme, pay and display or both. Some of these areas were currently time limited bays. Enforcement of these time limited bays was drawn out, as officers needed to return to check vehicles, which was not the most effective use of officer time. Council would go to public consultation with the proposals for new schemes. This process would include having a statutory consultation before adopting the new parking schemes.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure 20.1:

Councillor Dawson;

Councillor Campbell;

Councillor I. Gregory;

Councillor Game;

Councillor Partington;

Councillor Taylor-Smith;

Councillor Matterface;

Councillor K. Gregory;

Councillor Grove;

Councillor Dexter;

Councillor Ashbee;

Councillor Savage;

Councillor Johnston;

Councillor Bayford.

Councillor Brimm proposed, Councillor Wells seconded and Cabinet agreed that all new areas for on and off street parking go out to public consultation and are implemented in accordance with the phased approach.

Members observed that the establishment of a local lottery is a concept being explored by a number of local authorities across the country. Aylesbury Vale, Tonbridge and Malling, Portsmouth and Mendip have set up their own lottery schemes. At a time when there are increasing pressures on resources, lotteries are seen as a way of providing supplementary funding for councils.

Cabinet was advised that although there was the option to run the lottery in-house, it would require significant amounts of resources. To procure the services of an External Lottery Manager (ELM), on contract terms to be agreed was considered a more attractive option.

Councillor Matterface spoke under Council Procedure 20.1.

Councillor Townend proposed, Councillor Wells seconded and Members agreed the following:

1.  That Cabinet approves the process to establish a Good Causes Lottery in Thanet in accordance with the 9 February Council decision regarding the budget for 2017-18;

2.  That the purpose of the Lottery is to raise funds for local Good Causes which benefit Thanet residents;

3.  That the Director of Corporate Resources & Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to appoint an External Lottery Manager (ELM) subject to due diligence and appropriate procurement activity;

4.  That all income and expenditure in relation to the lottery be administered within a lottery reserve, administered by the S151 Officer;

5.  That the Director of Corporate Governance & Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to promote and operate the lottery on behalf of the council and establish personal licence holders as part of the internal governance arrangements.

Council uses its property assets for a range of purposes including direct delivery of services, revenue generation and supporting corporate plan objectives. The current general fund portfolio is diverse and is reviewed regularly in relation to maintenance liability, revenue generation and capital appreciation.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy was premised among other factors on ongoing cost savings in the maintenance of assets to be achieved by rationalising the asset base. In addition the capital programme required funding from receipts generated from asset disposal and part of that disposal process would include the option for community group ownership of some of the assets which are of community value.

Members were advised that Cabinet was being asked to agree an in-principle decision before the disposal process was commenced. A final decision would be made by Cabinet at the appropriate time in the disposal process.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure 20.1:

Councillor Game;

Councillor Campbell;

Councillor K. Gregory;

Councillor Partington;

Councillor L. Potts;

Councillor Johnston;

Councillor Dawson;

Councillor Matterface;

Councillor Taylor-Smith.

Cabinet agreed to withdraw from the disposal list, the land adjacent to the Northdown Park (which is maintained by Margate Garden Gate Project).

Cabinet also clarified that the Quarterdeck (which has a 99 year lease that expires in 2063) will be unaffected by the proposed asset disposal.

Thereafter Councillor Townend proposed, Councillor Wells seconded and Members agreed the following, subject to the above amendment and clarification:

1.  To proceed with the disposal of assets listed in Annex 1 (to the Cabinet report), with sale proceeds being used to fund the asset management and capital programme;

2.  To proceed with the transfer of assets listed in Annex 2 (to the Cabinet report), to Parish & Town Councils and eligible Community Groups to ensure their continued use for the benefit of the community;

3.  To agree to further investigations being undertaken in respect of further properties to be listed and brought forward for disposal in the future.