Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies made at the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest. Members are advised to consider the advice contained within the Declaration of Interest advice attached to this Agenda. If a Member declares an interest, they should complete the Declaration of Interest Form

To approve the summary of recommendations and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 March 2019, copy attached.

Councillor Ashbee proposed, Councillor Game seconded and Members agreed the minutes as a correct record of the meeting that was held on 14 March 2019.

Members discussed the report on the corporate performance for the last quarter of 2018/19. They were advised that there was an overall improvement in performance. Of the twenty nine targets, twenty were either at target or within five percent of target and sixteen were reaching or exceeding the target.

The level of waste sent for recycling, the low level of graffiti on streets, reports on how the council had dealt with anti social behaviour and the number of homelessness cases prevented was at a corporate plan period high.

The development of a new corporate statement to cover the period ahead, will also lead to new corporate objectives and performance targets being set for that same period.

Councillor Albon and Councillor Whitehead spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1:

Councillor D. Saunders proposed, Councillor Game seconded and Members noted the Council’s performance for the period up to 31 March 2019.

Members considered the approach to be used when developing the new corporate statement and its related core business objectives for the Council.

Cabinet agreed that the Overview & Scrutiny Panel will review the cabinet proposals before they are presented to Full Council. Once adopted by Council, the core business objectives would be translated into operational service plans for 2019/23. These objectives would be monitored through the Council’s performance management framework.

Councillor Bayford proposed, Councillor Game seconded and Cabinet noted the approach.

Cabinet considered the proposals for a way of working between the executive and scrutiny functions. The Leader of Council offered proposals that would include early and regular engagement between cabinet and the scrutiny panel.

As part of the new arrangement regular meetings would be held between the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel to discuss the cabinet’s future work programme and identify potential topics for pre-decision scrutiny.

A ‘cabinet-scrutiny protocol’ to define the relationship between cabinet and scrutiny, will be jointly developed by the Leader and Panel Chairman in order to create a positive and effective relationship which recognises the key role of scrutiny as a ‘critical friend’ to the executive.

The protocol would be developed through workshops with scrutiny and cabinet members, and then presented to Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for adoption.

Councillor Campbell and Councillor Stuart Piper spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1.

Councillor Bayford proposed, Councillor Ashbee seconded and Cabinet noted the intention to build a new formalised working relationship between the Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel which will include a new Cabinet-Scrutiny Protocol. This will reflect their separate but complementary roles in the operation of the Council.

Report to follow.

The meeting was advised that in December 2018, Cabinet agreed in principle to an Overview & Scrutiny Panel recommendation that a cross party cabinet advisory group be set up to consider an approach for setting future fees and charges proposals. This approach would add value to the budget setting process.

Councillor Campbell and Councillor Everitt spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1.

Councillor Bayford proposed, Councillor Ashbee seconded and Cabinet reviewed the fees and charges approval process and to set up a Cabinet Advisory Group on fees and charges, whose membership is as detailed below:

3 Conservative Members;

2 Labour Members;

1 Green Member;

1 Thanet Independents Member.