Agenda item

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.4.

The Leader, Councillor Ashbee, presented her report to Council, covering the following key points:

·  The meeting would hopefully seek the appointment of the Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid service, and the Interim Monitoring Officer. This would be continuity and stability to the council.

·  Thanks were offered to officers and staff for their commitment during the recently experienced difficult period. Particular thanks were offered to senior management teams over the last months for the extra responsibility whilst the future structure was put in place.

·  There was still a lot of work to do in the last 9 months of the term, but good progress could be made. It was asked that everyone supported a positive attitude of the council.

·  Members had been briefed on the new approach of street cleansing, and how this would be operated.

·  The district faces many challenges in the operational area, but the new structure plan would achieve good results.

·  The local plan, adopted in July 2020, covered the period up to 2031. The government directed the council to complete a review to cover a further additional 9 years, up to 2040. Cabinet had agreed that the timetable set out by the government was not realistic and noted this as unachievable.

·  Reintroduction processes of the Ramsgate Outdoor Market had begun. The council would be putting this out for tender for a new operator, with various locations being considered.

·  Marketing exercises of the Old Town Hall in Margate had also begun. There was significant amounts of renovation work required, and this was to be reflected in any lease deal. Importance was placed on finding a new tenant to bring the building back to life.

·  The future of the Westbrook Loggia building would be determined through the disposal framework. The framework included specific sale conditions relating to its use, the development timescales and buy back in any events of failure to deliver.

·  An extensive refurbishment of the children’s playground in Cliftonville had taken place, and the playground was reopened on the 1st June. The playground would now be known as the Jubilee Play Park, in honour of the Queen’s jubilee. Renovation costs had been paid for by KCC community park funding.

·  The prosecution of the owner of a Grade II listed building in Westgate was successful. This had been ordered by Magistrates, the owner was to pay a total of £50,130.

·  The £150 energy rebate scheme had been successfully paid out over £8.4 million to more than 56,000 properties. 

Councillor Everitt as Leader of the Labour Group made the following points:

·  The council was entering another stage in a long progress regarding senior leadership. Difficult challenges remained.

·  The presentation on street cleaning was interesting. However, the question is whether residents see an improvement over time.

·  Residents in Ramsgate did not want the Ramsgate Market to be moved from outside of the central town.

·  Cliftonville West Councillors welcomed the Jubilee Play Park and the new equipment.

The Leader responded to Councillor Everitt’s comments with the following points:

·  The cabinet would do everything they could to deliver in the last 9 months of term; this included everything the cabinet could do for the Winter Gardens.

·  The Ramsgate Market was a long and drawn out process, with rules and regulations which would be followed. The process gave residents a choice, and council would listen to the consensus regarding where the market should be stationed.

Councillor Garner as Leader of the Green and Independents Groups made the following points:

·  Thanks were offered to the Leader.

·  Additional thanks were offered to officers, particularly to senior officers which had stepped up in previous months. Hopes were that this signalled a better working atmosphere where officers and members supported each other.

·  It was recognised that there was a great deal of work left to do. This success would be judged when there was a fit for purpose constitution and governance structure.

·  Keeping the streets clean was especially challenging in the summer months due to welcoming thousands of visitors every day in the district. It was important to find ways to push forth with this, encouraging visitors to be more respectful with their litter, and taking action on those individuals who are not respectful with their litter.

·  It was vital to provide proper traveller sites.

·  Progress was welcomed regarding reintroducing Ramsgate Market. Members of the town council, ward councillors and traders should be consulted before a decision was made. Ramsgate Market needed to be in the centre, this would threaten local shops otherwise.

·  Pleased to see that shrubs and trees had been preserved in the Jubilee Play Park build. There was hope that the council would find a way for additional funding for other playgrounds in need of urgent attention.

·  Thanks were given to finance officers in regards to the energy rebate scheme.

The Leader replied to Councillor Garner’s comments with the following points:

·  Ramsgate market would be decided by the Ramsgate’s town council and the residents.

·  Councillor Kup was looking at other ways in securing funding for playgrounds.

·  Thanks were offered in supporting officers.

Councillor Rev. Piper as Leader of the Thanet Independents made the following points:

·  The thanks given were echoed.

·  Thanks were offered to Councillor Rusiecki whilst he worked with the Thanet Independent Group.

The Leader replied to Councillor Rev. Piper’s comments with the following point:

·  Councillor Rusiecki was welcomed to the Conservative party.

Members noted the report.