Agenda and minutes

Apologies were given from Councillor Yates.

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 25 January 2024, copy attached.

Councillor Everitt proposed, Councillor Duckworth seconded and Members agreed the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 25 January 2024.

Councillor Albon left the Chamber during this item due to his declaration of interest.

Homelessness and the linked need for temporary accommodation was a priority issue for the council. The commitment to temporary accommodation is well evidenced by the council. The success of  its approach had been recognised by the council’s in-house Foy House project winning a national award. Foy House provides eight self contained flats for homeless households. It is owned  and run by the council.

The council had been seeking to acquire a property in Truro Road to secure the longer term use of the property and to provide accommodation to meet the needs of homeless Thanet households. The acquisition price of 8 Truro Road stood at £650,000. The priority of the council was to support local families and keep them close to their support networks, schools and employment.

Councillor Bayford spoke under Council Rule Procedure 20.1.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, Councillor Keen seconded and Cabinet agreed:

“To proceed with the purchase of the building using the allocated funding within the capital programme.”

Councillor Albon returned to the Chamber.

The report asked cabinet to authorise a six year contract, with an option for the council to extend for 12 months, for the replacement of fire doors in flatted blocks. This would include a replacement programme in blocks where the fire risk assessment has highlighted this as a requirement. The value of the contract was expected to be in the region of £3.9 million. Cabinet was asked within the report to delegate authority to the Director of Place following a consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing with the Director of Finance to enter into the procurement and implement the contract to the value specified. The contract would address the backlog of fire door replacements which had been identified through fire risk assessments.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, Councillor Duckworth seconded and Cabinet agreed:

“The letting of a 6 year contract, with the provision for extending this (at the Council’s discretion) by a further 1 year, for the supply and fit of fire rated door sets for flatted blocks. This contract will also include replacing loft hatches and meter boxes with fire rated types within the communal areas.”

The report asked the cabinet to approve two new policies: the compensation policy and the write off policy. It was also being asked to accept the amendment of three reviewed policies: the disabled aids and adaptations policy, the anti-social behaviour policy and the rechargeable works order policy. The report also asked cabinet to delegate authority to the Head of Tenant and Leaseholder Services to make minor operational changes to the policies when required.

These policies give officers a framework to work to, and the power to, resolve issues without the need for escalation. The approach and process was essential to be both fair and clear to residents. 

Councillor Whitehead proposed, Councillor Keen seconded and Cabinet agreed to:

“1. Approve the adoption of the 2 new policies and accept the amendments of 3 x reviewed policies

2. Delegate authority to the Head of Tenant and Leaseholder Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to make minor operational changes to the policies, as required.”

The report recommended that cabinet approve expenditure which is above the key decision threshold, which would support the delivery of Ramsgate and Margate Levelling Up and Town Deal funded projects. The report requested the approval of procurement of services for project management including the remaining design, construction and handover phases; design teams; specialist ro-ro berth surveys; and cost consultant services.

Councillor Pugh spoke under Council Rule Procedure 20.1.

Councillor Everitt proposed, Councillor Keen seconded and Cabinet agreed to:

“Approve Option 1 set out in section 3 of this report and:

1. To agree expenditure in excess of the key decision threshold and as estimated at paragraph 3.1 of this report, for the procurement of external project management support for the remaining design, construction and handover phases of the Walpole Bay Pavillion project and Ramsgate Levelling up projects.

2. To agree expenditure above the key decision threshold and as estimated in

paragraph 3.1 of this report, for the procurement of necessary Berth survey work for the second phase of the work in respect of the Ro Ro Ferry service.

3. To agree expenditure above the key decision threshold and as estimated at

paragraph 3.1 of this report, for the procurement of cost consultant support for the technical design, construction and handover phases of the Margate Town Deal and Ramsgate Levelling up projects.

4. To agree expenditure above the key decision threshold and as estimated at

paragraph 3.1 of this report, for the purposes of the Engagement of Full Design

Teams for the Remainder of the Design and Delivery Period in respect of the

following projects:

- Port Infrastructure

- Green Campus”

The report outlined the requirement to reallocate funding within the Town Deal monies of the simplification pathfinder pilot. There was £500,000 available within the Coastal Wellbeing intervention and £4 million within the aborted Destination Dreamland project.

Councillor Duckworth proposed, Councillor Whitehead seconded and Cabinet agreed that:

“Cabinet would provide approval to:

1. Note that moving funding between themes and projects up to a value of £5,000,000 is permissible under the Simplification Pathfinder Project.

2. Note that the reallocation of the Destination Dreamland project fund has been discussed and agreed within the Simplification Pathfinder Project.

3. Agree that the £4,000,000 from the aborted Destination Dreamland Project now be reallocated to a scheme for the Margate Winter Gardens.

4. Agree that the £325,000 from the aborted project on the Coastal Wellbeing intervention be reallocated to the Walpole Bay Pavillion project.

5. Agree that the £175,000 from the aborted project in the Coastal Wellbeing intervention be reallocated to the Skatepark project.”

The report outlined the proposal to carry out refurbishment works to the Newington Community Centre. Survey work for the Ramsgate Levelling Up project had identified works which were required. These works would improve energy efficiency of the building, also leading to lower operational costs for the centre in the long term.

Councillor Everitt proposed, Councillor Albon seconded and Cabinet agreed to:

“1) Approve a new project for Newington Community Centre as part of the HRA capital programme.

2) Approve that the refurbishment works to the Newington Community Centre be delivered with the Levelling Up Fund project at the Centre.”