Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received 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 29 July 2021, copy attached.

Councillor Ashbee responded to a question from Councillor Wing and advised that her written request for a response to an issue considered under minute item 750 was forwarded by email by Councillor Ashbee to Mr Gavin Waite and Mr Mike Humber on 11 August 2021 at 2.10pm.

Councillor David Saunders proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Members agreed the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 29 July 2021.

Members discussed the petition that had been referred to Cabinet by Full Council. The petition with 2,180 signatures was considered by Full Council on 3 June 2021, requesting that seaside lifts in Viking Bay and Ramsgate be reopened. The meeting was given an update on the current situation that covered all aspects of the seaside lifts. Cabinet would be meeting with community groups before they considered a final and more comprehensive report with specific recommendations for decision.

Cabinet received an update regarding the lifts in Ramsgate and Broadstairs that require repairing.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure 20.1:

Councillor Albon;

Councillor Garner;

Councillor Austin;

Councillor Bailey;

Councillor Wing.

Councillor Pugh proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Members agreed to note the report.

The report explained that the SCI sets out how the Council would consult on planning policy issues, planning applications and neighbourhood plans. The SCI was originally adopted by Council in 2007. A reviewed and updated SCI was adopted by Council in 2012.

The SCI should be reviewed now in line with the forthcoming Local Plan review, and to reflect changes in methods of communication and engagement. There was a requirement under the Town and Country Planning Regulations that SCIs be reviewed every five years. The Council carried out a public consultation on the SCI Review from 25 February to 9 April 2021 and the main issues raised by residents in response to that consultation and any resulting changes to be made to the SCI were now being reported to cabinet for recommendation to Full Council for final approval.

Concerns were raised regarding the proposal to charge an administrative fee for processing lengthy and complex representations to the Local Plan.  It was not the intention that this should affect the ability of local people to make representations, and following the consultation, it was recommended that this proposal be not included in the SCI.

The report was also considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Panel on 26 August, and they recommended without further amendments the SCI to Cabinet for onward submission to Full Council.

Councillor Ashbee proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Members agreed that the reviewed Statement of Community Involvement be reported to Full Council for adoption.

Cabinet considered the report requesting the approval of adding an additional scheme into the Capital Programme from the Towns Fund. The capital funding within the programme would be no more than the total £22,200,000; this being the maximum award for the delivery of the projects already agreed for the Margate Town Deal. The Council being the accountable body for the Fund, and since 90% of the funding was capital, there was a need to add it to the Council’s Capital Programme in order to be spent on capital projects.

Members were advised that all the investment and costs associated with the Margate Town Deal were fully funded from external grants and contributions, and all expenditure relating to the interventions would be managed within the total package of funding provided, to ensure there was no risk of financial exposure to the Council.

Councillor Garner spoke under Council Procedure 20.1.

Councillor Pugh proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Cabinet approved the addition of a new scheme into the Capital Programme from external funding (Towns Fund), but recognise the potential need to transfer an element of this funding to Revenue, subject to final approval. The value of the scheme will be no more than the total £22,200,000, this being the maximum award from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for delivery of the pre-agreed projects within the Margate Town Deal.