Issue - meetings

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

Item 1 – Draft Air Quality Strategy

One Member welcomed the strategy, but expressed his wish to see more statistics for infant and young people in the district.  He hoped that these statistics would be included in future versions to support the strategy’s development.

Item 2 – Housing Landlord Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Strategy

One Member welcomed the detail of the strategy and hoped that liaison with town and parish councils would be built into its implementation.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 5 – Financial Monitoring Report

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, the Leader introduced the item and moved the adoption of the recommendations, to approve the reallocation of net residual pay award in support of preparations for Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve the reallocation of the net residual 2024/25 Pay award contingency (£496,000) to create a new £150,000 Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) reserve, with the remaining £346,000 being applied to the Council’s existing Corporate Priority Reserve.

Item 6 – Adoption of the revised Statement of Community Involvement

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy introduced the report and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:-

1.     notes the outcomes of the public consultation that took place for 6 weeks on the proposed amendments to the SCI and agrees the draft responses to the representations received (set out in Appendix 2);

2.     agrees the changes to the SCI set out in Appendix 1 and formally adopts the amended SCI document; and

3.     that any final editorial changes to the document prior to publication be agreed by the Strategic Director of Place, Operations and Sustainability in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy.

Item 7 – Asset Maintenance and Replacement Programme and General Fund Capital Programme 2025/2026

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, the Leader introduced the item and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr M Wade moved an amendment, to include a modest capital contribution of £60,000, as a contribution to the Hythe Ferry company, towards the repair costs of the pontoon.  In support of the amendment, Cllr M Wade spoke of the Hythe Ferry as a heritage asset, its history and role as a key sustainable travel option in the district.  Cllr Osborne seconded the amendment.

The Council’s Section 151 Officer clarified that the amendment, if carried, would require external borrowing as part of the Council’s Capital Strategy.

Members speaking for the amendment highlighted the vital travel service with strong links to key considerations in the Council’s local plan preparations.  The heritage of the site was reiterated.  It was suggested that the Council’s contribution could positively lead to matched funding from others.

Members speaking against the amendment, whilst supporting the ferry as a concept, including its heritage, raised concerns about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56