Council - Wednesday 28 February 2024, 7:00pm - Folkestone & Hythe webcasting

Council
Wednesday, 28th February 2024 at 7:00pm 

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  1. Slide 1Slide 1
  2. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  3. Microphone Forty
  4. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  5. Dr Susan Priest
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  1. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  3. Cllr Gary Fuller
  4. Councillor Tony Hills
  5. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  6. Cllr James Butcher
  7. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  8. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  11. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  12. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  13. Cllr Jackie Meade
  14. Cllr Adrian Lockwood
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  16. Cllr Clive Goddard
  17. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  1. Microphone Forty
  2. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
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  4. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  4. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  5. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  6. Cllr Adrian Lockwood
  7. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  8. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  9. Cllr Nicola Keen
  10. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  11. Cllr Nicola Keen
  12. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  13. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  14. Cllr Nicola Keen
  15. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  16. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  17. Cllr Nicola Keen
  18. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  19. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  20. Cllr Nicola Keen
  21. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  22. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  23. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  24. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  25. Cllr Nicola Keen
  26. Cllr Jim Martin
  27. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  28. Cllr Nicola Keen
  29. Cllr Jim Martin
  30. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  31. Dr Susan Priest
  32. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  33. Cllr Tony Cooper
  34. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  35. Cllr Jim Martin
  36. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  37. Cllr Tony Cooper
  38. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  39. Cllr Alan Martin
  40. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  41. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  42. Cllr Alan Martin
  43. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  44. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  45. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  46. Cllr Alan Martin
  47. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  48. Cllr Jim Martin
  49. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  50. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  51. Cllr Tony Cooper
  52. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  53. Cllr Jim Martin
  54. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  55. Cllr Tony Cooper
  56. Cllr Jim Martin
  57. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  58. Cllr Laura Davison
  59. Cllr Rich Holgate
  60. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  61. Cllr Laura Davison
  62. Cllr Rich Holgate
  63. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  64. Cllr Laura Davison
  65. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  66. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  67. Cllr Laura Davison
  68. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  69. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  70. Cllr Stephen Scoffham
  71. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  72. Cllr Stephen Scoffham
  73. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  74. Cllr Tony Cooper
  75. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  76. Cllr Laura Davison
  77. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  78. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  79. Cllr Laura Davison
  80. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  81. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  82. Cllr Nicola Keen
  83. Cllr Tim Prater
  84. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  85. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  86. Cllr Nicola Keen
  87. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  88. Cllr Nicola Keen
  89. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  90. Cllr Paul Thomas
  91. Cllr Jim Martin
  92. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  1. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  3. Cllr Jim Martin
  4. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  5. Cllr Connor McConville
  6. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  7. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
  8. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  9. Cllr Jim Martin
  10. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  1. Cllr Connor McConville
  2. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  1. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  2. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  3. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  4. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  5. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  6. Cllr Nicola Keen
  7. Cllr Jackie Meade
  8. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  9. Cllr Nicola Keen
  10. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  11. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
  12. Cllr Connor McConville
  13. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  14. Cllr James Butcher
  15. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  16. Cllr Jackie Meade
  17. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  18. Ms Jemma West
  19. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  20. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  1. Cllr Tim Prater
  2. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  3. Cllr Tim Prater
  4. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  5. Cllr Adrian Lockwood
  6. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  7. Cllr Connor McConville
  8. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
  9. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  10. Cllr Laura Davison
  11. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  12. Cllr Belinda Walker
  13. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  14. Cllr Jim Martin
  15. Cllr David Wimble
  16. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  17. Councillor Tony Hills
  18. Cllr Alan Martin
  19. Cllr Tony Cooper
  20. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  21. Cllr Tim Prater
  22. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  23. Ms Jemma West
  24. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  25. Webcast Finished
Slide selection

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:00:20
we will start with my Minister referendum, Anita Mackenzie, leading us with praise.
Microphone Forty - 0:00:31
thank you Chair, good afternoon evening, everyone.
so this evening I'd like to share an interfaith perspective on peaceful coexistence and community by interfaith, I refer to to the inclusive, non denomination or practice of working with those of all faiths and none.
this evening, in your role as custodians of local community cohesion, I'd like to invite you to consider for a moment the qualities of loving kindness, compassion, empathy.
follow.
the qualities of loving kindness, compassion, empathy and equanimity, and how these characteristics may lead us all to a better and more peaceful human existence.
especially in times of great upheaval and perceived scarcity,
we have many examples of exemplary human beings that hub that have modelled these human qualities for us, and the international women's month, which starts on Friday, is a good opportunity to consider and honour those tenacious and empowered local women, whose contributions, as leaders are worthy of our notice and respect for some this could mean redefining values and success, sharing power and credit building community and relationships and ultimately and especially for women and girls.
tackling the roots of oppression, oppressive structures and social norms that hold back progress for all people.
so there is the invitation would developing more loving kindness, compassion, empathy and equanimity be important prerequisites for our all round peace as individuals in our mind, body, soul and spirit, and are they compatible for you as nominated individuals?
coming together as a Council of leaders that works positively and collectively by doing their best in order to cultivate by example.
a thriving peaceful coexistence for all the local community,
thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:03:11
thank you referendum, Anita McKenzie, so good evening and welcome to the meeting of Full Council. This meeting will be webcast live to the internet. For those who do not wish to be recorded or filmed. You'll need to leave the Chamber for members officers and others speaking at the meeting. It is important that the microphones are used, so viewers on the webcast and others in the room may hear you would anyone with a mobile phone, please switch it to silent mode as they can be distracting. I'd like to remind members that, although we all have strong opinions on matter matters under consideration, it is important to treat members officers and public speakers with respect. Please note, I will permit members to speak without the need to stand at meetings of the Council
OK, so we will start with apologies for absence.

1 Apologies for Absence

chief Executive, are there any apologies?

2 Declarations of Interest

Dr Susan Priest - 0:04:07
thank you, Chair and good evening, members and colleagues and members of the public, we have two apologies for absence this evening from Councillors, Chapman and Godfrey, thank you, thank you next item,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:04:20
declarations of interest does anyone have any interest to declare in relation to any of the matters that are being discussed in this meeting?
Councillor Fuller
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:04:30
thank you Chair, I'd like to declare an interest interest in Item 12,
Cllr Gary Fuller - 0:04:34
as I am a council tenant, thank you, Councillor Hills.
I remember Kent County Council, so I like that noted.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:04:44
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:04:46
thank you, Councillor Hills, Councillor Butcher,
Cllr James Butcher - 0:04:53
thank you Chair, I declare an interest as director of opportunities in relation to the item on the Housing Revenue account, thank you, Councillor Mead.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:04:59
I must say the same.
in addition.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:05:10
Councillor Unwin
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:05:15
legal Chair.
level of opportunity.
thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:05:26
yeah
1
is it?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:05:35
maybe that's switched off.
not once, which is a topless man.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:05:42
Cllr Jackie Meade - 0:05:43
that should be working now.
Cllr Adrian Lockwood - 0:05:50
thank you, Chairman, also director of opportunities in relation to item 12, Councillor Goddard.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:05:56
yeah, thank you also where opportunities, thank you.
Cllr Clive Goddard - 0:05:59
OK, I think that's it, thank you very much.

3 Minutes

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:06:06
right so item number 3 minutes of meeting held 24th January, are we all agreed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 24th January 2024 are a correct record of what transpired,
thank you, Members, that's unanimous.
I will now sign the minutes.
which?
Mr H, J.
thank you.

4 Chair's Communications

OK, so we move on to item number 3 chairs communications. Since my last communication, I have been honoured to continue to act as an ambassador of the district, within our towns and villages, and across Kent. I take my role very seriously and try to say yes to every engagement, because I relish any opportunity to tell people about this beautiful district that I love, but also I want to help to fundraise by way of my contributions to the many well deserving charities that there may have support last month I have been feeling rather off for a couple of days, but I would love to renege on any promises that I'd already made and therefore carried on my week as usual, filling it with work, family life as a single mother, my roles as both a district and town councillor, my work as a charity owner and my engagements as Chair of the District Council and Deputy Mayor of Folkestone. It came to the end of the week and I was in attendance at an evening event in Faversham. I was feeling the Tajik and had a persistent pounding headache. I tried to carry on as usual, but everyone kept on telling me and, of course, the kindest and most compassionate way they could that I did not look good,
in fact, I looked unwell and should go home and rest there were, of course, right. I went home early that night and then stayed in bed for two weeks recovering. Yes, it was that bad, and yes, I was that ill. In that time I had to cancel several engagements and I also missed the last full Council. Thank you to my Vice Chair, Councillor Jones, for uncovering. For me, I was told that you did exceptionally well and I'm excited about what you will achieve achieved next year in this role. Anyone who knows me well knows that I may not be physically active, but when it comes to mental agility and sheer volume of work, including meetings and engagements, I'm at at least a quick the equivalent of an Olympic triple gold medallist, but, as Audrey Lord said,
caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self preservation and that is an act of political warfare. I am the sum of all my thoughts, deeds and actions, but the physical manifestations of who I am exists within this body. Without this body I cease to exist, so it is essential that I preserve, and I indulge it in, not only activities that help the world external to my body, but also activities that help me as an individual to nurture me and my physical, mental and spiritual needs, because without this body I would not be able to do any of the things listed above. It is essential that we do not lose sight of our health in pursuit of action and the fear of missing out there will always be another day. There will always be new things to do, but there will never, ever in the full entirety of the universe, ever be anybody like you again, I'm now learning to say no on occasion and I hope you too can find new ways to say no, but mean a yes for your health
and this is not part of what I originally wrote, but on my way here and I am still a little bit shaken, so please.
Bear with me and give me some grace, I actually did see a traffic accident on my way to my car to drive here, the person had turned on their side, there was glass and smashed all the across the road, there was a big group of people surrounding them and I asked, have you phoned the police, have you phoned the ambulance and obviously if they hadn't I would have stayed and made sure that I was there so I would have been late but that is more important and I was really really
overwhelmed by the number of people who are standing around this woman who is an elderly woman, her car was on the side and people were talking to her reassuring her and redirecting the traffic, and that's the sort of people that we have in Folkestone, so I'm very very proud to have them so the last sentence of my speech was whether you are in the Chamber or watching at home take care of yourself as you are very precious.

5 Petitions

OK, so, moving on to Item number 5 petitions, there are no petitions.

6 Questions from the Public

and item number 6 public questions, there was one question from a member of the public, and that's from Brian violence to Councillor Shooby, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, Mr violence, because you come to the front, thank you.
Microphone Forty - 0:11:18
returning Councillors.
so the question is quite simple.
landlords who neglect to carry out any I see are, along with any suggested work prior to the start of a new tenancy, may face a fine of up to 30,000 pounds, the enforcement of these regulations falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities as outlined in the Housing Act 2004
the question is how many landlords has this Council used the 2004 Howe Housing Act against for failure to carry out any ICR prior to rental or, after rent, so Councillor Shoe, by sending letters to?
correct Councillor, she can speak.
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:12:04
thank you for your question, so the private sector housing team deal with electrical safety issues through the course of their tenant complaint investigations in private rented properties, generally most landlords are able to produce an E, I C R, when requested in compliance of the electrical safety standards in the private rented sector brackets England,
regulations 2020.
and those that do not have one in place, once requested, have instructed an electrician to carry out the Electric Test inspection, and any hazards highlighted have been addressed in a timely manner, some landlords automatically send them to the Council and the private sector housing team check these when received.
any visible electrical faults found during a health or housing, health and safety rating system inspection are reported to the landlord and, if not remedied in a timely manner, subsequent enforcement action is taken under the Housing Act 20 that 2004 in the form of an improvement notice,
part of the schedule of work for any electrical hazard remedy would always ask for a new test report to be provided as evidence of the safety of the electrical installation after the remedial works have been carried out.
those landlords who fail to remedy any hazard listed on an improvement notice, possibly including electrics, are served with a civil penalty penalty notice of up to 30,000 pounds all prosecuted in a magistrates' court.
since the inception of the Council's civil penalty policy on January in January 2021, the private sector housing team have served eight civil penalty notices totalling 34,370 pounds in fines.
Microphone Forty - 0:14:10
thank you, Councillor Hughes.
Mr. Rylance, do you have a related supplementary question?
yes, thank you, thank you.
it carries on, so how many landlords has the Council use the memes, which basically that's the PCC rulings against for failure to either provide an APC at the time of the tenancy or after a tenants say yeah, so I know Rebecca yeah, Councillor Chouf doesn't have the answer to that and she will,
OK, thank you very much, Councillor Hughes, did you want to say
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:14:50
anything I know what he said?
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:14:52
OK, then, thank you.

7 Questions from Councillors

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:14:56
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:15:01
OK, we move on to Item number 7, Councillor questions.
the first question is from Councillor Lockwood, to Councillor M Blakemore cabinet member for community and collaboration, Councillor.
Cllr Adrian Lockwood - 0:15:14
thank you, Chair discount, this question was actually submitted by a Town Councillor Jane Darling, but too late for the public question, so I'm asking it on their behalf, as I say I'll reprobates him, as you are aware, Kent County Council has taken the decision to end commissioning of youth services in Kent Salas to whom KCC subcontract running of youth provision wants to continue to operate the Hive Youth Centre which has over 800 members from across the district.
and remain responsible for safeguarding procedures at other youth clubs, they are actively trying to secure alternative sources of funding, does this Council have any plans to offer support for youth services across the district, including this one?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:16:06
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:16:07
Councillor M Blakeman, thank you, Councillor Lockwood, and I do and definitely share Councillor Darling's concern about this issue. However, whilst the Council recognises the importance of working with young people and engaging with the monitor on the delivery of key services, regrettably we cannot step in and fund KCC services in part due to our own financial position. We will continue to work with KCC through the local children's partnership group, which I'm a member of
for folks to have HIV as their family hub model develops, and we always look at ways of supporting young people on joint projects or other initiatives, for example through the Folkestone and Hythe Community Safety Partnership and local sports and leisure providers, and we seek to work with them, for example with relation to the District Food Network,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:16:54
thank you, Councillor Lockwood, was there related question?
Cllr Adrian Lockwood - 0:16:58
I think, rather than ask a supplementary question, could I just request Councillor Blakemore and Councillor Darling, connect and I'm I'm happy to facilitate that purpose, yet I have met her in the past
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:17:09
and in other countries, I'm very happy to do that yeah.
thank you OK, we move on to question 2 from councillor keen to
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:17:15
Councillor shoe cabinet member for housing and homelessness Councillor
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:17:20
shape, although I take on board the lack of council housing in the district, is it appropriate to place families with small children in houses an age designated to state where the properties are cramped and are very little secure outside space?
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:17:41
thank you for your question, Councillor Keane, generally speaking, all Council homes are allocated via the choice, based, letting system Kent Home choice and an applicant will only be offered a property if they have chosen to bid for it and are eligible to do so.
the Housing Service does not have aged designated estates.
we have only some age designated blocks or individual units, for instance at Warren Close, although the flats are age designated, all the houses are general needs and the houses all have private back gardens.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:18:24
Councillor Keynes, you have a related supplement yeah, I really think you need to look at Warren Close then, because in the flats that are age designated, there are people under 40 living.
and they are making it quite difficult for the elderly residents that live there, so maybe we need to look at who we are placing into those flats, because this is why the questions have risen because residents are struggling.
I am very happy to take that up with you or of the meeting.
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:18:56
thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:19:01
right question number three from Councillor Keen to Councillor Shoe began.
it's me again.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:19:04
could it please be explained why we as a Council find it appropriate to place families with babies and newborns and children in temporary accommodation where they are not allowed to take washing machines and freezes, these families are often in accommodation for over a year and sometimes longer,
launderettes and there are only two in Folkestone and Cheriton, this money in Hyde are expensive and these families are more often than not fleeing domestic violence, they're economically challenged, and the tie in it's time consuming, if you're fitting this in around.
children at school and work, I think.
we need to look at this.
thank you, Councillor Chamberlain, thank you, thank you again for your
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:19:54
question, I really appreciate the living in temporary accommodation must be extremely difficult for households who are affected by homelessness, unfortunately, due to the nature and limited supply of temporary accommodation available at short notice is often not possible to provide washing machines and freezes in the accommodation, although we will always provide fridges and ovens for cooking, the accommodation is intended to be short term and due to the work of our housing options team on average households spend less than four months in temporary accommodation before moving on into permanent accommodation.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:20:38
do you have a supplementary question? Yeah, I do when I think you
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:20:39
misunderstood my question. They want to take their own washing machines and fridge freezers to these properties. Quite often, young mums freeze their breast milk. Most of the mums and dads that we accommodate in temporary housing are on very limited or low wages, they can't afford to go to a laundrette, they can't afford to buy food in small packets and the accommodation has got space for them. What I don't understand is why we're not allowing them to take their own goods into these properties
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:21:17
again happy to take that up, if you've got specific examples after the meeting, can I just say your housing officers have got specific examples I've given them to them.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:21:27
thank you.
we move on to question number 4 from Councillor Keen to Councillor P Blakemore cabinet member for transport, regulatory services and building control.
I like getting up and down.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:21:43
the vote of remembrance, where we recently had the landslip and where over the years there have been several near misses for the drivers for drivers and pedestrians alike, could I ask that we speak with the CQC and either make this road one way or pedestrianised before there's a bad accident?
thank you, Councillor Blake.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:22:08
thank you Chair, and thank you for the question, Councillor Kane.
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:22:10
officers have been working closely with Kent County Council following the original landslip on the 27th January KCC as the highway authority have closed the road for public safety until the slip area is cleared. There have been further significant slips over the last weekend and on Monday this week, timescales for clearance work are unknown at this time, as the safety of people working in the area has to take, priority officers will provide further updates to Members in due course. Meanwhile, officers have made contact with the East Kent highway improvements team and asked them to consider your request to either make the road one way or have it pedestrianised. They will consider any road safety and accident data that they have available when considering this proposal, officers will update you when I hear back from the east Kent highway improvements team
thank you, Councillor Kane, do you have a question related question?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:23:07
thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:23:12
OK, we move on to question 5 from Councillor Kane again.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:23:18
to Councillor M J Martin, Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Pontypool Park Planning Policy.
yeah, could we could we have an update on what the yearly cost of the hospital site is staff, salaries, directors' fees, etc etc please later.
thank you very much, Councillor Kane.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:23:43
excellent question as usual.
as Members will recall, in October 23 the Cabinet agreed the outcomes of an in-depth management review of the Ospel Park project, which I completed personally, along with the support of external advisers and senior officers, in summary, the outcome of the review that we should seek to progress the delivery of article park through a strategic joint venture partnership and that we worked through the process to secure a partner an 18 month transition plan and budget would be put in place for possible Park L P.
the development of the LP budget has been subject to the same rigorous scrutiny that all Council projects and services had been through as we have prepared the budget with a focus on identifying only essential spend for the expected 18 month transition period, this has included a review of the staff resource required for this period subject to the decisions to be taken on the Council's budget later this evening
the 18 month operating budget for the LPA will be circa 9.9 5 million.
as per the cabinet decision last October, this has been agreed by the Section 1 5 1 Officer, in consultation with me as the Leader and is within the overall budget, which the Council has already set aside for the project.
so to answer your specific questions, the budget includes 964,000 pounds for site related costs 1,000,600 and 7,000 pounds for staff salaries and 45,000 pounds for directors, renew narration, once agreed, updates on the LLPs transition plan and budget will be included in the regular finance monitoring reports to the Finance and performance subcommittee Cabinet and the article park owners meeting work to secure investment into the project through a joint venture partnership will be subject to reports to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet in due course. And if I can just add, we've had a very big guy in terms of the development of vertical park today I can't release the details at the moment.
but
I'm very, very positive about the future of development, thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:26:46
thank you, Councillor Kane, do you have a related question, yeah, just
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:26:49
a brief one later, could you inform the Council if the Councillors who sit on the board about a poll receive an additional Issara?
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:27:04
well, I stand to be corrected, but yes, they do, I'm happy to to be corrected on this, but my understanding is that the both Members protocol do receive an SRA. Would you like to add something chief
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:27:22
Dr Susan Priest - 0:27:22
exec, please go ahead, thank you. Thank you leader. Yes, the members at are on the board are entitled to claim an ESA or if they choose to, but there's only one, so if they chew, if they are in receipt of or are an ESA or elsewhere in the Council, they need to opt which is Isadore
thank you.
thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:27:48
right we move on to question 6 from Councillor Cooper to Councillor J Martin and Councillor pupils, would you like me to read it for you or
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:27:55
your right to read it if you want to hear? Blues OK, that's fine,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:27:58
given the developers has appealed the planning committee's decision to refuse outline planning permission at High Knock the people of dim church want to know if the District Council will be supporting them and be contesting the developers planning appeal to the Inspector.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:28:17
thank you very much, Chair, thank you very much, Councillor Cooper as a member of the Planning and Licensing Committee yourself, I am sure that you will appreciate that the appeal is subject of a statutory legal process.
all I will therefore say is that the planning committee's reasons for its refusal of this scheme will be defended robustly in any appeal process or hearing, and I'll leave it at that if you don't mind.
do you have an additional question, may I just say to the Chair that
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:28:56
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:28:59
is very pleasing to hear and obviously if anyone affected by this development or appeal my advice to them is to write to the Inspector, thank you very much, Councillor Lamb,
thank you, we move on to question 7 from councillor, A Martin to
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:29:12
Councillor M Blakemore and cabinet member for community and collaboration, thank you Chair.
Cllr Alan Martin - 0:29:19
during last month's debate on the motion to the to delay introduction of the committee system, I had a lot of Members in the Chamber expressed the view that this change is something residents are strongly passionate about, given the extremely poor attendance at the public meeting and the low response to the consultation, is it fair to assume that this is a this topic is of no interest to the public or does the Council have a problem with how it engages with residents?
Councillor Blake,
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:29:48
thank you for the question, Councillor Martin, as you rightly say, when Councillor last met, several Members in this Chamber highlighted public interest in this subject, and I am keen we do all we can to engage with residents I took part in the open public session and numbers were much lower than expected, however the fact that there was an invitation to the public to contribute to the debate and that the meetings of the member working group which steers the move to a Committee system can be viewed online as an example of the commitment of this administration to improve engagement on this important subject to your wider point, I do not believe this Council has a problem with how it engages with residents. This administration is actively championing the need for better engagement on local issues and doing more than this Council has ever done to ensure residents views are taken on board across a wide range of issues.
I am aware that members are actively meeting with communities across the district, which represents a significant step forward for the Council, including the creation of a community forum in Folkestone North towns, ward councillors have established their own forum along with my fellow Cheriton Councillors, I'm involved in setting up a similar forum in my own ward our work to engage on regeneration projects has also stepped up a level, for example the methods of consultation employed for the Folkestone upright, a future project have been extremely well received with young people and schools better.
at the core of at the core of the engagement last night, Overview and Scrutiny agreed we should explore further the possibility of establishing a Youth Forum to I'm positive about the Council's approach to engagement with residents across the district, but I do think that we can continue to improve on the excellent progress this administration has made if members have views on how this might be achieved, then I would be very, very pleased to hear from them.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:31:37
Councillor Martin, do you have a related question?
I guess my only follow-up question wouldn't necessarily be for yourself, but if we don't have a problem with engagement and we're
Cllr Alan Martin - 0:31:47
doing lots to encourage positive engagement, I guess my question is, why is the public not that interested in the topic of moving to a committee system?
Councillor Blake, 1.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:32:00
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:32:02
there could be lots of reasons for that and I think I've worked in communications, most of my career, and that involves a lot of of different ways to engage with people and to consult with people it isn't an easy thing to do.
on some subjects is much easier than others.
and I'm sure you can think of examples where residents have engaged very fully, for example colleagues here, organised meetings on buses or on parking, and they're very well attended and there was an awful lot of engagement with them, so on some subjects it's very easy to engage with people on others we do have to work much harder and I think that's what we are doing and should continue to do and as I say very happy to hear other ideas and how we can do that.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:32:45
thank you, OK, we move on to question 8 from councillor, A Martin to Councillor J Martin, thank you.
Cllr Alan Martin - 0:32:50
I'm pleased to see the ongoing engagement with Southern Water in relation to the various issues with sewage and pumping stations.
is there an opportunity within these discussions to raise the topic of the treatment plants and pumping stations that the Council inherited from East Kent Housing, which are currently under the management of the Council on the Marsh, these create a significant cost and management burden to us and arguably Southern Water are better placed to take ownership of them.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:33:21
thank you, Councillor Martin, thank you very much, Chair, thank you
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:33:24
very much, Councillor Martin, an excellent.
question the the
I'll have to prefix the are answer by saying that the drainage of the Marsh is complex.
so if it, if you if you are in debt of some of the details, I will be very, very happy to to explain or later or in an e-mail, but, believe me, it is, it is a complex position, so originally the sewerage system you refer to would have served the Council owned properties across the Marsh and other rural areas within the district over time a number of properties have been bought oblique sold.
under the right to buy scheme, leading to the numbers are shown in table 1, which I will send you, I won't announce them, but I'll send you in in a written answer all of the properties which have been sold by the Council had clauses within the title deeds which means they have to contribute to the cost of maintaining and repairs.
to the system to which they are connected. The clauses within the title deeds differ throughout the periods for which they would have been sound, but mainly they say the same thing. The only exemption is the 12 houses or more clubs that were built in the early 1990 s for a housing association and are now owned by Southern Housing. These titles, the titles for these properties, are slightly different, so the clauses are slightly different. The cost of services
it varies depending on the works required and a number of properties, and the number of properties connected to the individual system for the year 24 25 at a costs vary between 432 19 pounds and 1,372 pounds capped per property without the cap, the true cost for the most expensive system per property would be something like.
2,434 pounds.
since the council housing service came back in, house, officers have been trying to get a meaningful dialogue with Southern Water regards the pumping station and the water treatment works that fallen that currently fall into our remit on the Marsh, unfortunately, Southern Water continue to maintain that these systems are not eligible for adoption.
the difficulty reminds that none of the facilities pump into the Southern Water, sewer but into a private network so are owned by the Council, they have stated that even if we were able to put in a main sewer scheme and these assets were connected to it rather than the treatment works, they would still not be adopted as the DEFRA criteria requires that they be connected before the 1st of July 2011 to be eligible, there is difficult discussions with Southern Water continue.
the long term management management of the sewerage service on the Marsh will need to be reviewed as part of the service charge de-pooling exercise that is currently being carried out.
as in some cases, we have a small number of tenants, alongside a number of private owners benefiting from the scheme. In some instances, there is a lack of equity in the service charges levied between some of the hit and some of the historical capping of costs applied, which means that the Council do not receive all of the income to it in the management and maintenance of these pumping stations which, as indicated above, is a burden to the HRA and the Council. So, finally, in answer to your question, Councillor Martin x agree, these systems create a significant cost and management burden to us and indeed arguably Southern Water might be better placed to take ownership of them, but currently they do not agree
I will attach a list of the properties connected to research wastewater treatment systems that come under the HRA in my written answer to you, thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:38:19
I didn't think so.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:38:26
I think that was quite a comprehensive answer, wasn't it?
so we move on to question 9 from Councillor Cooper to Councillor J Martin. How many people would you like me to read out to you as well,
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:38:35
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:38:37
OK, then it has been brought to my attention. The Jimmy Church De Percy, swimming group have had to advise their members, it was not advisable to go into the sea due to continued discharge of sewage and water across the bay. Could you please advise on the actions the Council has taken on 1, putting pressure on Southern Water to upgrade the sewage plants on the Marsh and to stop them polluting our beaches to querying? Why is Hive been upgraded and not to Romney Marsh and three notifying people and others to ensure the residents of and visitors to, the Bromley Marsh are updated about the beaches and sea water standards. And finally, would you please call a public meeting and invite the Environment Agency, Southern Water, local parish councils and concerned local stakeholders to come along in order to work together to try to resolve these and similar matters?
thank you Chair and thank you Councillor Cooper, there's a lot about
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:39:34
Southern Water this evening, so you know.
buckle up.
so thank you very much for your question, Councillor Cooper, I think there is a very real shared concern across the Council and in our community generally, about the performance of Southern Water.
and its management and investment in local water infrastructure, the council has actively and at times robustly, raised these concerns at a regional and local level, with Southern Water and the Environment Agency, who had the regular tree responsibility, we have now regular engagement with Southern Water and
I understand Councillor Cooper that you recently attended one of these meetings. As you know, I signed a letter to of what, recently, along with many other district councils across the south of England, asking of what to take legal action against Southern Water for their consistent failure to meet customer needs. However, I have asked officers to contact Southern Water for a specific update on your first two points regarding the upgrade of the sewage plants on the Marsh and in Hyde, I will ask them to share their response with you when it is received, as far as I currently know, and you will notice from the Southern Water presentation that we both received, the problems around little stone might be associated with a
leaking cesspits Southern Water had offered to renew the cesspits elsewhere, Southern Water had been relining sewers and trying to find illegal connections and or disconnecting them.
the problems, however, persist.
the latest testing included a species markers to try and establish if the E coli in the sea came from livestock, this extensive testing showed seabird and human traces in every sample and while there were traces of most livestock, these were very low, these were very low levels and are intermittent the current thinking.
is the problem is from human sources,
on your third point about notification, the Council is required to update a finding water quality signage at beaches if the classification changes in time for the start of the bathing season in May.
this is completed by the Environment Protection Team, who have changed the main notice that little stone and will be updating the other signs along the beach shortly Further to this, we have recently renewed all of the beach site signage and included QR codes which, when scanned take the user directly to the beach boy at with live water quality information for that location. In response to your last point about a public meeting with Southern Water and the Environment Agency, I believe that a meeting is being arranged by Southern Water and the Environment Agency to which the Council has been invited and I have committed personally,
we are expecting details soon and as soon as I get them, I will share them with you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:43:13
thank you, Councillor Martin, Councillor Coupar, thank you for that
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:43:15
answer, Councillor Martin, can I just add an observation. There is a lot of concern regarding testing by the Environment Agency. There was a lot of concern that not all the information actually goes onto Beach Boy, et cetera, and there is a lot of concern about the effect, the adverse effect that these tests are going to able during the summer, especially our next season, and there's a lot of businesses and people out there who want action and whilst it's easy, I'm please don't misunderstand me here for people to use words, words and OK, but people need action to be backed up from those words if at all possible. Thank you, Cheetham, I'll just I'll hand called. I share all of those concerns, so they are all very real and pertinent. Thank you
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:43:59
thank you both question 10 from Councillor Davidson to Councillor
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:44:06
Holgate Cabinet Member for Place Plan Heritage, Tourism and District economy. Thank you Chair, please could we have an update about the
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:44:14
medical centre that was proposed for the Victorian part of Foca previously Debenhams Councillor Holgate. Certainly, thank you for your
Cllr Rich Holgate - 0:44:24
question, Councillor Davidson. The provision of a new medical centre remains a priority for this Council and partners, along with ensuring that the whole of the Foca buildings brought back into positive use for the town centre, the local GP practices leading the medical centre project and integrated care board are working together with the council to bring this ambitious project to fruition. I don't have details to share yet, unfortunately, but there will be a full member and community engagement in due course.
in parallel, and to share some wider context, we are working up plans for the redevelopment with a focus to building the art deco fronted building, including proposals to the Council to relocate to there from the current Civic Centre site, this proposal will also include the potential for other public sector agencies to be based in Foca and options for commercial leisure use, faced in a brighter future, the levelling up fund of 22 million pounds included circa 2 million, spend for initial works that are required for the first phase of redevelopment of Foca 2, no matter what the building will be used for in the future and we have a design team working on this at present, works are planned to start in Summer 24 subject to the relevant proposals. Excuse me,
I share that added context because there is the complex prod these are complex projects that do take time to come forward from a timeline perspective, it is intended that we are, we will take a report, overview and scrutiny committee and then Cabinet through April and May 2024 setting out proposals for Foca and the medical centre.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:45:54
thank you, Councillor Davidson, do you have an additional, why can you clarify if other sites are being looked at for the potential medical centre?
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:46:00
yes, they are.
Short and sweet OK.
Cllr Rich Holgate - 0:46:07
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:46:09
next item question number 11.
from Councillor Davidson to Councillor M Blackmoor, cabinet member for community and collaboration and channelling Councillor Caine, here,
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:46:21
and please could we have some more details about the work of the Folkestone Community Forum, for example, the topics that have been discussed and work, that's taking place.
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:46:32
Councillor awakening, of course, thank you for your question. Councillor Davidson, Folkestone is undergoing a dramatic period of change, at the heart of this will be the are at the heart of this will be the 20 million pound levelling-up fund, regeneration of the town centre, a new fruit future for the Foca building which we've just been talking about, along with the seafront Harbour and Ship Street developments, which will also transform our town. There are many stakeholders involved in this and all deserve a voice, the many community groups and organisations which enrich Folkestone and help to make it what it is now and what it will be in the future, offer invaluable perspectives. As the District Council, we have a leading role in managing the change taking place around us and believe its work will be supported through the establishment of a community forum, to bring the Council closer to stakeholders and then to each other, to seek common purpose and find ways in which we can all work together to best effect.
therefore, a Folkestone Community Forum was established in October 23 by Cabinet Members to create a forum for members officers and representatives of stakeholder groups to have meaningful engagement in an effective and efficient way the Leader Councillor Holgate, and I are the main Cabinet members involved.
been agreed that the Forum will meet quarterly and be chaired by a community representative. Folkestone Town Council are also invited to take part. There have been just two meetings thus far, and the main topics of discussion were the levelling up from project Foca parking, transport links, Gristle Library, the Licensing Forum and Community Safety. These topics for discussion were brought forward by the community groups as well as by the Council. I'll be happy to send you a copy of the terms of reference for the group and a list of the members if that's helpful
Councillor Davidson, thank you very much that Sarah very helpful
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:48:17
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:48:20
information, and could we look at how we make sure there is a link between district councillors in Folkestone and the Forum?
because I think I am right in saying, although it could be corrected, that there isn't a Councillor District Councillor representation on the Forum at the minute other than via the cabinet members that you've that you've talked about, and could we look at perhaps a way to share the minutes from the meetings with with members to,
yeah, I don't think it's prompt share the minutes if the community
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:48:50
forum covers the whole of the Town Council area, so I think I'm right in saying that would be 12 district councillors, so we were very keen when we set it up that it wasn't to council heavy so that was why we didn't involve lots of district councillors in it but obviously as there are,
usually one or two Town Councillors present very much led by the community rather than by us, they set the agenda in consultation with us very happy to share that I'm very happy if any Member wants to come along to a meeting, I'm sure that won't be a problem although again I think that's probably for the Chair of the Forum to to agree.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:49:30
thank you question 13 from Councillor Cooper to Councillor Scott Scotland.
cabinet Member for climate change, environment and biodiversity, would you like me to read it, so the paper?
who did I miss out?
I am so sorry.
we do this because I've already read it out and we can come back, yes,
Cllr Stephen Scoffham - 0:49:53
OK, so the public can get information about discharges in the bay from
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:49:56
things such as, for example, Beach Boy and SWRSS, but this only gives discharge information for the outlets at designated bathing areas, however, there are other outlets which are not considered at designated bathing areas such as, for example, at Woolhope Redoubt, which is used by a number of sea swimmers, as you will be aware, is understood. Discharges from any outlets affect one hobby, which is evidenced by dim Church, not re, releasing all last season, but having high bacteria readings during test dates when other outlets were discharging. Can we please find out why there was no apparent transparency about these outlets and please can the Council pressure? Southern Water and the EA are making this data available on Beach Boy, etc. In so doing, I, along with a number of others, would like to have a look or tour at a New Romney plant and the Willem de Dépôt to get a better
understanding of how it works or should work, can you please use your best endeavours to make this happen and also include other interested parties?
Cllr Stephen Scoffham - 0:50:59
well, thank you very much for your question, Councillor Cooper, we've already had quite a lot about the sewage and the problems of dealing with Southern Water and the Environment Agency this evening I share your concerns, as you do, and we heard from the Leader about poor bathing water quality, which is quite unacceptable. Your supporting, constructive suggestions about better monitoring and site visits is something which I very much appreciate. I've asked officers to contact Southern Water about the points you make and to ask for a response they can be shared with you.
the equally visited to visit New Romney and Woolhope facilities, and we'll see if this can be arranged.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:51:46
thank you, Councillor McLoughlin that's very helpful guy also will
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:51:48
make a point here that, among other things, that we need to involve more people, could you allow specialists out there who were aching unwilling to get involved and offer support, and some people feel, among other things, start to hit and again against a brick wall, but let's be more responsive to what people are saying out there and I think can be deducted better that would be, but thank you for your
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:52:17
help there, thank you. So we move back, OK, so a question from Councillor Davidson to Councillor PBA, thank you, please could we have
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:52:22
an update on the lease pavilion development from the council's perspective?
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:52:30
of course, we understand that works have progressed on site with the construction of the below-ground sprinkler tanks, which is now around 60% complete these works are being carried out with a limited workforce and are to be completed before progress can continue building upwards on the two wings of the project, we have been informed that the developer is in the process of changing funders due to their existing funders modifying their terms and demands in response to the shifting economic climate. However, they are confident that this renegotiation of funds will conclude by the end of March which will enable work to continue on site in April.
I share your concern about the reduction of activity on site, so I'm encouraged to hear that the developer has extended their thanks to the Council for our continued support and has confirmed that they are looking forward to completing the development.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:53:26
Councillor Davidson, thank you, I hadn't said that actually about the
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:53:30
concern, it was just a question of what I wanted to have an update from the council's perspective.
have you got any information about changes to or road restrictions around the site, for example, as we know around the site at the moment, pavements are nonexistent on some sides of the site, is there any information about that in relation to the development and changes there?
I haven't got that information now, but I can certainly get it for you and feed that back.
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:53:57
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:54:03
thank you move on to question 14 from councillor keen to Councillor Peter Deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and government.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:54:13
can they be Councillor, can you tell us how many of our tenants are in receipt of housing benefit and how many are working and receiving housing benefit plays?
Cllr Tim Prater - 0:54:26
thank you for your question Nicola on Monday there were 1,496 Council tenants in receipt of housing benefit of these households, 50 are registered as in employment or self-employed.
Councillor
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:54:44
Councillor Keen, do you have a related question, thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:54:51
upon to the question 15 from Councillor Kane to Councillor Shoop,
sorry, I wasn't quite ready for that one.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:54:59
I'm not picking on a you, Rebecca sorry.
what is the age breakdown of residents in aged designated apartments in Warren Close,
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:55:13
thank you for your question to make the best use of housing stock council properties are designated as being for either general needs use which general needs properties, such as houses or flats, which will usually be allocated to persons under 60 unless there are special circumstances.
then we have age designated properties, such as some bungalows, which will normally be allocated to those 50 or over, or those under 50, with a band B, medical assessment for mobility, who require this type of accommodation.
although in areas of lower demand, some properties designated for older people may be advertised without an age restriction, this is very different to sheltered housing or independent living for older people when allocating independent living properties, although the same general principles as for other property types will apply.
an assessment of an applicant's suitability and the needs for support must be completed before any tenancy is offered.
independent living schemes are managed differently, being subject to slightly different regulation with on-site officers, whereas general needs stocks will have a patch based neighborhood services officer.
should tenants need to discuss any tenancy or neighborhood matters, although in order to be eligible for sheltered housing under the current allocations, policy applicants must be over 50 years old or registered disabled, in reality, applicants are more likely to be 60 plus when allocated the property and the current age criteria for independent living is being reviewed.
Warren Close is currently referred to as a as age designated properties and is managed as part of the general needs, socially rented stock Warren Close itself, comprising 34 properties the youngest tenant is 46 and the oldest tenant is 96, the average age is 64,
Nissan Court, which has 22 properties, which is also a more and close the youngest tenant, is 52, the oldest tenant is 88 and the average age is 67, I trust that responds to your query.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:57:46
Councillor Ryan,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:57:50
OK, so we move on to question number 16 from Councillor Thomas to Councillor J Martin, thank you Chair, I thought we haven't talked
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:57:57
enough about flooding and sewage, naturally, so we'll top it off with this one. Can the Leader confirm that flood prevention measures, including pitch inspections that were not carried out in the periodic inspection programme in 2017, will now be actioned as a matter of urgency? The ditches in question were in St Nicholas, Road, New Romney and the responsibility of the District Council. Thank you
thank you Chair.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:58:26
thank you very much for your question, Councillor Thomas.
a post in our District Council assist with the maintenance of St Nicholas Road drainage, ditch under the Land and Drainage Act 1991 using its permissive powers, as the properties in St Nicholas Road have a ditch backing onto their gardens, they have riparian ownership and the maintenance responsibility ultimately remains with the property owners and not the District Council focusing hard District Council inspect this ditches under its permissive powers granted by the land and try and check 1991 on an annual basis and carry out strimming on a yearly basis where ditches are accessible.
and, as required, clear silt from the ditches.
in April 2017 EPS design carried out a full survey of all drainage ditches and produced a report of obstructions, no inspection was possible of stretch g which is a properties from 64 to IT 8 St Nicholas Road as there was no direct means of access to the ditch for maintenance purposes and it appears that some of the gardens of the surrounding properties have been extended and built over that pitch, it could not be confirmed that these sections had been culverted following the report in 2017 a number of obstructions were cleared, while I focused on hard District Council to all ditches.
the challenge with St Nicolas Road ditch is that access is very restricted for the majority of its length, as it is contained within private resonance gardens, Folkestone, Hart District Council have inspected St Nicholas Road, where pupils possible, we have responded to residents' report of possible obstruction and we have written to property owners when advising of challenges what we cannot do is inspect pitches which are entirely within a properties owner's garden on a yearly basis or if they are culverted.
if there is an obstruction, we have to rely on reports, probably individual property owners.
thank you very much and we have run out of time for this section,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:01:07
there is a supplementary question, and there is an answer which has already been provided and which will be sent to you, we need to move on to the next item.
thank you.

8 Announcements of the Leader of the Council

so we move on to Item 8 announcements of the Leader of the and the Council, Councillor Martin, please provide us with your announcements.
thank you very much Chair.
Cllr Jim Martin - 1:01:37
welcome to everyone, but particularly I would like to welcome the newly elected Member for Romney, Marsh.
Tony Hills, Councillor Tony Hills, that brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, particularly in all matters pertaining to flooding, so it is a very, very welcome addition in terms of his expertise and, as he knows, I am always very very grateful for Tony's advice so I'm moving on to my announcements, I joined the personnel committee for their final deliberations on this year's pay award.
when I chaired the meeting with the union representatives and staff representatives to discuss the negotiations were frank and fair, and I was very impressed by the professional approach of all members of the negotiating team, and I hope that the recommendations will be accepted.
she's made the leaders of all four political groups and the independent councillor, Paul Thomas, had been meeting regularly as we move towards a committee system.
I have attended many meetings regarding article park with government agencies and developers and these discussions continue and, as I said earlier, I have got some very positive indications of our direction of travel, should we say or notable, I attended a meeting with many other council representatives in my role as a armed forces Champion I have been visiting businesses in the district as usual hotels, hospitality outlets and for me Chartered Surveyors,
business House, some very interesting perspectives of the future of the district and this Council, as always, remains a good friend to business.
regarding the Princess Parade hold, I am delighted to announce that the hoardings surrounding Princess Parade site will shortly be dismantled, I am also delighted to announce that the holdings and the concrete blocks that support them will be recycled to article park where they will be stored and used as required once the site is re fenced we will be consulting next year to ask local people for their views on the future of Prince's Parade.
my regular contact with stage coach continues this month, we will begin work on our joint use it or lose it campaign to encourage people to use the district's bus services, Councillor Scotland and I attended a presentation by Southern Water.
regarding the declining bathing water quality around our coast, I have been in regular contact with Southern Water and held many meetings with them, mainly because of the sewerage problems on the Copperfield Estate in late the flooding Oudin Road in Tim Church and the failure of the pumps or the Range Road pumping station in high I have further meetings with Southern Water, the Environment Agency and KCC councillors this month, along with many coastal district councils I continue to attend monthly meetings organised by the Environment Agency to collectively express our shared concern about Southern Water, consistent failure to meet the needs of their customers.
I have attended the Kent leaders' forum to discuss the issues which affect the councils in Kent.
I have also attended meetings of the East Kent leaders' forum, which has a more focused view on the issues affecting the East Kent Districts, I spent a morning with the team responsible for our sheltered housing, and I was very impressed with the dedication and commitment and commitment of those Council staff I accompanied our excellent homes in multiple occupation team.
to carry out a licensing inspection.
essential work carried out with a high degree of professionalism and empathy by our Council team.
I have held meetings with local charities and agencies, including citizens advice focused in parks and pleasure grounds, local business groups and local community groups.
I was pleased to talk to the students at East Kent College about the future of the district and potential key career opportunities.
I attended the brilliant youth speaks event at Brockhill School, along with Councillors, Belinda Walker and Council Councillor Anita Jones, in their respective roles as mayors of Folkestone and Hyde great thanks must be extended to the local Rotary clubs, who worked so hard to put this fantastic event on.
I am minded to write to David Cameron and ask him to support the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, this will allow for the opening of humanitarian corridors which will allow food, water and medical supplies to be provided, I will also request the immediate release of hostages and prisoners together with an arms embargo to allow the people of Gaza to resume their daily lives. I will be writing my letter on Friday and I will be happy to add the names of any councillor who wishes to express the sentiments to the foreign secretary.
the Surrey.
excuse me.
getting on.
yeah
so so thank you so much for your comment, but something has been said, could you please sit down so we can continue?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:08:02
councillors.
his response just arrived.
why is the Council?
moving around frightening and through of people dying in cold.
in response to that, you have so, with all respect, we are district councillors, we have responsibility for this district, we cannot so, with all due respect.
we can saw because we care very much about the situation, that's why so.
so please sit down.
please sit down, I'm trying to keep you in here, okay, you.
OK, we now have an adjournment of the Council, can we go into the parlour and will thank you.

8 Announcements of the Leader of the Council

8 Announcements of the Leader of the Council

home you might be watching this live stream, there was some disruption in the Chamber and we had to adjourn to wait for it to be cleared, as you might note, and I think I do speak on behalf of all the Councillors here, we are Councillors because we do care about the people not only in this district, but we care in general about human suffering, but we also care about being able to make a difference, and we speak on things that we can make a difference to. So we were speaking on sewage, we were speaking on all manner of things because those are the things that we can actually make an impact on, and we do support anything that reduces human suffering, but we do need to and we have, we have a duty to do the work that we need to do within this district and to carry that out to the best of our ability. So, although we are not able to discuss Gaza and do a debate on Gaza, it doesn't mean that we do not care. It just means that we are dealing with the business that we were elected to deal with, so now we're going to move back to the business that we're supposed to be on and
Cllr Tony Cooper - 1:10:38
will go back to our leader to finish his communication. Thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:10:41
Thank you very much. Chair
I
if you've got a good memory, I began, I began my announcements by
Cllr Jim Martin - 1:10:53
welcoming newly elected Member for a Romney Marsh, I will close by saying goodbye to one are represented, focusing on how our district council this month, at the funeral of Michael Lyons Michael served as a district councillor a hive town councillor and speaker of the Cinque ports he gave a matter of himself to his community always with generosity, politeness and good humour district.
is a poorer place without him, and just one final thing if, on my chair, I just want to say a few words about civilians.
guide or helper, and our problem solver Sue is one of the most organised and communicative officers in the Council and, sadly, she is leaving of the 36 years of fantastic outstanding service.
in 36 years Sue has seen many leaders, many councillors, and she has helped and been helpful to all of them, so on behalf of all councillors, present and past, thank you for your service to the people of Folkestone and Hythe District Council, thank you so.
thank you Chair.
say sorry, and we have our responses from the opposition, Councillor McConville.
thank you Chair.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:13:03
and thank you for your for your update, Jim full of information, as has always particularly focus on the on the Youth speaks event that
Cllr Connor McConville - 1:13:11
you mentioned, hopefully we will have a louder voice in our district for work for young people at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee last night the Committee discussed the idea of a potential Youth Council or similar forum, very pleased to say that that work will continue and hopefully I and all of us look forward to some responses that we get for the further engagement work we do on that to hopefully bring that to to somewhere positive in the very near future.
on your on your letter, I would just like to in terms of our our sort of position.
I would just like to read what was voted on in the House of Commons last week, it was a Labour amendment to an SNP motion, so I just might just give a bit more.
emphasis on on on what your sort of sentiment is to to write.
so that this House believes that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah risks catastrophic humanitarian consequences and therefore must not take place.
c notes the intolerable loss of Palestinian life, the majority being women and children. This House condemns the terrorism of Hamas who continue to hold hostages. This House supports Australia, Canada and New Zealand call for Harasta Reece release and return all hostages and for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which means an immediate stop to the fighting and a ceasefire that lasts and is observed by all sides. Noting that Israel cannot be expected to cease fighting if Hamas continue with violence and that Israelis have the right to assurances that the horrors of onset of the 7th of October cannot happen again. Therefore, this House supports diplomatic mediation efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire that ceasefire demands that rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief is provided in Gaza. This House also demands an end to settlement expansion and violence, urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice's provisional measures. This House also calls for the UN security council to meet urgently and also urges all international partners to work together to establish a diplomatic process to deliver the peace of a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state, including working with international partners to recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to rather than outcome of that process, purely because statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not in the gift of any neighbour, and this was voted on and I thank all the MPs in the House of Commons who voted for this statement. And all I would ask of anyone watching at home is that please write to our local MP and implore him to ask his government to agree to the terms of of what was agreed in the House of Commons last week.
and on that I'll leave that there, but I look forward to adding my name to your letter and finally wish you every every all the best in any everything you do moving on, so we're going to miss you loads too.
thank you, Councillor McConville, Councillor Walmsley, please provide us with your response.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:16:27
thank you Chair, I'm going to try and remember some of the some of the things that Aleida talked about, can I just also say welcome to Tony
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 1:16:34
Hills, I'm absolutely delighted that he made such an impression down on the Marsh and and won the by-election down there and of course, as Councillor Martin said, he will be a great addition in terms of his knowledge of the Marsh and R flood issues in particular, so welcome Tony and welcome to the team. I also was part of the negotiations team for the pay award and I have to agree with what the Leader said.
an article Ike I couldn't go past.
leaving not to fall out, it's very close to my heart as one of the the probably.
very few Councillors who voted for it in the first place in this Chamber, and I have to keep reminding you of that, but you know that and also you know what a.
addition and what a project it is for this district and, as the Leader has mentioned on several occasions.
many other districts are very, very jealous of what we have.
of course, businesses are very important to this area without businesses we wouldn't have the employment and we won't have that investment purchase parade will, I think everybody knows my view on that I'm I'm extremely disappointed in that we are going to spend out quite a lot of money 70,000 in erecting another fence in place of the existing fence that is,
quite it does a job and until consultation has taken place, it seems ridiculous to me that that's a decision that's been made, and so that's where where we are, I would also that when the consultation takes place that it as I understand, from scrutiny last night, it will be an open consultation and that it will not just be restricted to parks and gardens and wildlife but it will be an autumn of consultation across the district.
I welcome, obviously your comments with regard to Southern Water and Environment and the Environment Agency agency, I support certainly your comments about the housing team I know from my experience they've worked extremely hard, continue to work extremely hard, sometimes in very challenging circumstances, particularly in respect of homelessness.
I'm glad you're having conversations with citizens advice bureau again, it's another interest that I had, and I hope very much that the District Council will continue to support them with their grant.
schools, environment, anything that we can do to get good involved and get them to understand how all how the district works, how I mean there are so many people out there, not just schoolchildren who do not understand the difference between district.
county government, and it doesn't matter how often you try it, it's very difficult to get through to so many people, what different councils or what different levels of councils of government do.
on Gaza, I think what I would say, it's very, it's very disconcerting when somebody disrupts a meeting when we're trying as as the Chair says, to carry out the business of this Council.
my my, my group, we will do what we want to do individually, it's an individual.
on Michael Lyons, I have to say I was a little bit disappointed that we didn't have a minute's silence, usually when a Councillor Priest account of
the retired Councillor did dies, we do have a minute's silence, so I would perhaps ask maybe at the next meeting if we could have that he was, he was a character.
and we we, we certainly love them in this Chamber and all of it, particularly on the Planning Planning Committee.
but.
and and as our thoughts go to his his rather actually and his family, and of course I couldn't go without mentioned it, so can I. I'm probably if the person that's no, no the longest here.
always smiling always willing to support, always I will send you an e-mail if you, if you issues, if she thinks you're not doing the right thing, although we are doing the right thing and you're not doing it in the right way she will she will remind you about things.
I I mean, I'm very good at leaving my mobile and my laptop here and she will share, no should count, she'll get it, she'll put it away and look after it until until I come and collect it, so I too would like to wish to every every best wish for the future.
and thank you very much indeed for all what you've done for all of us and and personally, thank you so much indeed.
thank you.
Councillor Martin, do we have a proposer, I assume you are?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:21:59
the Chair, you'll be grateful to here that I've run out of words.

9 Portfolio Holder reports to Council

10 Opposition Business

Cllr Jim Martin - 1:22:07
OK, then, do we have a seconder? Thank you, Councillor Prêtre, are we
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:22:12
all agreed? Thank you. Thank you, Members. That vote is carried so item number 9 portfolio reports. There are no debates or on vote or vote. The portfolio holder reports are included in the agenda. We move on to Item 10 opposition business Councillor McConville. Could you please speak on this matter and identify which of the four options you are speaking on? Thank you, Chair, in light of the the disruption, are
Cllr Connor McConville - 1:22:36
going to defer the item until the next Full Council meeting disappointing, but due to the important nature of the other items on the agenda
thank you, we are very grateful for that.
OK, so we'll move to Item 11 motions unnoticed, or there is no motion or there are no motions.

11 Motions on Notice

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:22:54
and then item 12 draft housing revenue, account revenue and capital, original budget 2024 25.

12 Draft Housing Revenue Account Revenue and capital Original Budget 2024/25

do we have somebody to propose?
Councillor Shupe.
do we have a seconder?
o
which one?
Jim was first OK, Councillor J Martin.
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 1:23:24
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:23:26
became Chair Councillor J Martin, and that is now open for debate,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:23:32
Councillor Shoop, thank you first of all, I'd like to thank all the officers for all the work that has gone into making this budget, and
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 1:23:41
it comes off the back of the HRA 30 year business plan which was published towards the end of last year.
as set out in the report, the HRA is a ring fenced account for our current and future housing stock, and Members will no doubt remember, we have a number of priorities which were agreed by members last year and this budget reflects those priorities will enable us to deliver on them as well as being confident that we can fulfil all our responsibilities and obligations as a social landlord,
so just to recap.
we need to maintain the highest health and safety standards and compliance, we want to run a good housing service so that all our homes are well maintained and repaired, that we maintain the decent homes standard by investing in our homes and making capital improvements as needed that we insulate our homes to reduce our carbon emissions and make them more comfortable to live in.
and, crucially, that we can add more good quality homes to our current stock and that we can afford the ongoing maintenance of those new homes.
the HRA is has been under a lot of pressure.
largely the sort of inflationary costs that have had particularly hit hard and the building industry, and that's led to many of our costs increasing, nonetheless, I'm hugely relieved that this budget has managed to include a 5 million a year for the next 18 years for new builds and acquisitions.
a lot of this has been achieved by careful work, looking at rationalising the maintenance programme, wherever possible, to achieve savings, and prior to this work, funding of any new acquisitions was looking ambitious, to say the very least.
I think it's important to note that 5 million is, or is not going to provide us with all the the homes that we actually need.
but it is, it is a start, a much-needed start. So finally, this budget does include a rent increase of 7.7% as allowed for by legislation. I want to stress that no one wants to put up rents and I, as I've said times, are challenging for everyone. However, the proposed rents remain well within the local housing allowance and are significantly below market rents and finally, appropriate rents are absolutely crucial to delivering the best housing services we can for our tenants and on that basis I am happy to move this report.
thank you.
does anybody else who wants to wish to speak, OK, Councillor Mead?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:26:34
thank you Chair, I just wanted to raise the issue on the increase in the council rents.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 1:26:39
Cllr Jackie Meade - 1:26:40
if you add this to the increase from last year, that's nearly 15% over two years, and as much as we've heard this evening that a lot of our tenants are in receipt of benefits and they will actually be covered by that there is a significant number of our tenants that are not and are working and hard-working people who are trying to keep a roof over their head, the whole point of social housing is to help those not
as affluent as some of us are, and by putting out up by 15%, I just feel that we've gone that little too far this time.
I would also like to add we know that some of our stock is in very poor state, we see it constantly in eastern harbour.
and to add insult to injury, we then want to put them up by 15% over two years, I'm sorry, I just can't agree to that, I'm sorry.
thank you, Councillor Kane.
I'm I'm gonna echo what Councillor Mead said the reason we'd got Council housing is for people that can't afford to buy or privately
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:27:53
Cllr Nicola Keen - 1:27:53
rent council housing has always been lower rents than private.
my ward is one of the poorest wards in Kent.
and I cannot believe, as a Council that professed to care about the residents of this town that were put in their rent up by 7% 7.7%, I mean what are very painful for that, I've been in houses recently, I've got a list to give to the housing officers at 2.00 houses in my ward are disgusting absolutely disgusting and we're going to offer them 7% on your rent.
so what are they paying for Princes Parade and not a poll, I am disgusted with this Council, I really am and I didn't stand to as a Councillor, to let the people that voted for me down and I won't let them down and we shouldn't let them down as a Council of 7% is too much.
thank you, Councillor Kane anybody else who would like to speak, Councillor Holland speak.
thank you Chair.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:28:59
nobody wants to put rents up, that's the last thing we want to do, but
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 1:29:08
we also have to consider that maintaining our stock and
to keep them and and, as Councillor Caine has said, if we want to improve them and make sure that they are up to the right standard, then obviously we need finance to do that and, of course, as I understand it, the majority of income for the housing revenue account comes from French, so I I think as a group we're not against putting up their rents and we understand the need for it but Councillor Godfrey who can't be here this evening and who is our housing sort of officer has has actually sent me a note and said,
that, whilst accepting the need for rent increase to maintain agents' stock, the headlong rush to Net Zero is being shown to harm the economy and increased cost of living, particularly hitting less well-off.
in view of this, we are not convinced by Net Zero ambitions or the capital programmes in particular retrofitting, therefore I think my Group will be abstaining on this.
on this report, thank you, Councillor Hornsby Councillor Cunningham.
feature?
it is it is, it is, I can understand, one and all the arguments there, you know, we we need, we need, we need the revenue to obviously
Cllr Connor McConville - 1:30:35
provide the service.
is it is it too much, I know the government obviously allows us to say what we're allowed to put it up by, in terms of the the inner workings of of of what that might look like you know understood the difference. I think between 7 and 7.7 was something like 100,000 pounds so where would where with that 100,000, if that ended up being the decision, where would that go? Where would that come from? So there's a lot of challenging questions and I I think there needs to be a lot more discussion in in over the next over the next years in terms of
what those decisions are, what those choices are, the implications of them and how and how we we, how we get there.
obviously, in light of all that, obviously I'll be abstaining.
Key.
thank you, Councillor Alan Campbell Councillor Buchanan.
I just wanted to make a point about the context of this, having had a
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:31:41
bit about objections and at 0 Councillor she mentioned there's
Cllr James Butcher - 1:31:45
5 million pounds available for acquisitions new builds that's 20 homes at 250,000 each, the report also makes clear that every right to buy sale that goes through we get 100,000 from that and if I've understood that right,
that means that every time there's a right to buy just to stand still if we're replacing like for like that costs taxpayers 150,000 a year, and to me of course, that's a popular policy, if you give people free money is gonna be popular but is not a wise policy and it contributes to the situation we find ourselves in.
OK, so it was originally, we were going to vote by show of hands, but do you think we need to do a recorded vote?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:32:32
yes, check with a recorded vote, please also do we have enough members of one to five wants to.
Cllr Jackie Meade - 1:32:41
OK, then, so will do a recorded vote, so all those four minutes.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:32:45
or should I also read it out?
Councillor O'Keeffe Kelley
Councillor Mike Blakemore.
Ms Jemma West - 1:32:59
4 Councillor Polly Blackmoor.
4 Councillor Butcher, 4 Councillor Cooper.
Councillor Davidson abstained.
Councillor Goddard.
Councillor Holgate.
for Councillor Mrs. Hollings be.
abstain Councillor Hills, have Steyn Councillor Jones for Councillor Kane, abstain Councillor Lockwood.
abstain
Councillor Alan Martin abstain, Councillor Elaine, Martin 4 Councillor Jim Martin,
4 Councillor McConville.
abstain Councillor MacShane, abstained Councillor Mead of Stone Councillor Prater, 4 Councillor Schofield, 4 Councillor Shoop 4, Councillor Speakman, 4, Councillor Thomas abstained, Councillor Walker abstain, Councillor Womble, abstain and Councillor wing for
so we have 12 for 0 against.
and 14 abstained, so it's carried.

13 Revenue Budget, Capital Strategy, Capital Programme, Reserves and Balances, Treasury and Investment Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy and Council Tax for 2024/25

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:34:50
okay, so we move on to Item 13 Revenue Budget, Capital Strategy, capital programme, reserves and balances, treasury and investment
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:35:05
strategy and medium term financial strategy, and Council Tax for 2024 25 I seek a proposal most quick item, I'm happy to move.
a seconder.
Cllr Tim Prater - 1:35:23
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:35:25
Councillor Jim Barton this motion is now open for debate, Councillor Prater, thank you, I'll try and keep this brief, which, as you know, is my talent.
I would just start this evening by a quick look at the scale of what
Cllr Tim Prater - 1:35:39
we've achieved together in this budget and I can do much of that in one line, which is about the last line of Appendix 1 on paper a 23 24 it's at the foot of that Appendix 1 and it reads the surplus slash deficit per year this year that deficit was budgeted at 1,786,247 pounds will come under that in 2024 25 that deficit will be 0.
this is an actually balanced budget for Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
but that we've got to that position.
is testament to the superb work and commitment of the Chief Executive Directors, officers and all staff of this Council through the last six months, at least, and not least, their engagement with the transformation project.
I need to give my huge thanks to Susan Lydia Ola and Jonathan for all they have done to bring this budget to us, and my apologies to them for the questions, feedbacks are feedback, ideas, changes and general hassle I brought to their life for the last six months but actually the credit is also due to all of the Councillors in this room.
we've made this budget, I just get to present it.
the transformation included. Redundancies would absolutely try to minimise that, but we thank all staff, including those who are now leaving their contribution. Cabinet members have the joy of the star chamber process in September and they're still. They're still reeling where we went through a 5,000 line. Budget department by department, line by line councillors here have played their part in finding savings in evaluating the benefits of any proposals giving their feedback, and we've listened to it. I wondered why, in particular, the roles of the finance and performance subcommittee look in detail at proposals as they are brought forward and whose in-depth look is not only invaluable and led to our changing the budget in a number of ways, but they even found errors in the budget which we corrected. Laura think about
it also mentioned that the personnel committee chaired by Connor, who guided us through both the transformation and the pay rise at negotiations with skill and empathy, thank you.
and all of that work means we'll have no deficit next year, we secure all key services, we fully fund a decent pay rise for our staff, which I'm delighted to say, they have overwhelmingly accepted, and we have a strong position from which we get to.
revise our Corporate Plan over the next year and redesign our priorities and rebuild.
now in getting to the final budget, you go through round after round after round of changes which are forced on us by the stupidly late setting of the local government settlement and various other government announcements and changes, however, I need to be fair before somebody else makes the point for me before Christmas we still had a funding gap prior to the local settlement at local government settlement announcement that settlement was rather better for this Council than we expected we had planned for the worst and the worst did not happen.
that has helped us bring us to a place of balance this evening.
however, one saving that went to the early February Cabinet round was a reduction of 15,000 pounds in ward grunts that reduced the amount each councillor could allocate to community projects in their ward by 500 pounds that was a reduction flagged to us off as being of concern by the Finance and performance subcommittee also Clive Goddard amongst other people and we agreed we hugely value the ability for Councillors to make a direct difference through their ward grants.
but we can hardly give that ability back to councillors from budgets set on the sacrifice of staff and officers, so we found a different way to put that 15,000 pounds back into the budget while making sure it was clearly at the expense of councillors and not staff specifically or at the sacrifice of the leader and deputy leader who are sacrificing their allowances above cabinet members Jim and I will no longer take the larger Leader and Deputy Leader allowances just to be clear that sacrifices 90% on Jim Martin and 10% on me and he's a hugely honourable man and I'm very proud to be working with him.
Even between the early February cabinet meeting, where you will have seen the last round of this budget and the one today, there have been some other changes to the budget, including dealing with the pay rise and a number of other changes, but one which was introduced was along the CPI rating of member allowances when somebody checked the constitution and we haven't built in any.
increases for Councillor allowances and somebody checked the constitution, and we found that it was in there, but we should upgrade it by CPI.
now we think that was a change too far, a 6.7% CPI increase on Councillor allowances would have been higher than the 5% increase that we've just had accepted by staff, and that just seems wrong, and also clearly a flat rate increase, including on essays would have seen those with us are raised benefiting more than those without.
so Connor brought an amendment to me
with which the Cabinet has agreed today unanimously, to restrict the increase in the basic allowance to the same 5%, that staff have been offered at, and also to freeze surer levels at the current rate for this year.
that's the piece of paper which is in front of you and is should be taken alongside the our budget recommendations which are there so that's to freeze, so that has been added to our recommendations, that we will be only upgrading a number basic allowances by 5% and essays will be frozen for the next year.
and just be clear that impacts all committee members and Cabinet members of the Sri change and actually more of the Labour Group are impacted by that change than any other group, so thank you for your suggestion and thank you for your sacrifice on that budget which we accept the additional savings that that makes will go into the corporate initiatives reserves which is effectively there to help us deal with in-year events and pressures as they come up during the course of the next year like bits of Folkestone falling off them to other bits of Folkestone or bits of hive becoming full of water that sort of stuff.
just because people worried about the what that meant to allowances were entering the last year of the cabinet system and the independent remuneration panel is already considering our structure and what the allowances would be appropriate for next for following years on that structure, so the freezing of essays is therefore carry for the one year and will listen to the in I R P on their views who are consulting across the groups for the future.
so essentially where we're two is that all major services have been saved, a staff pay rise is fully funded, ward grants are all protected and the deficit has been eliminated, there are not many councils in the UK that are going to be saying that, so let's take some pride in being one of them.
this is a good budget.
this is a balanced budget, please support it and my thanks to every one of you for making it happen.
thank you, does anyone want to speak on this?
Councillor Lockwood,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:43:01
thank you Chair, I just wanted to pick up some of the charges that are
Cllr Adrian Lockwood - 1:43:08
buried in the 5,000 lines, things like garden waste collections are going up from 48 to 60 pounds as a 25% increase.
bulky waste collections, a slightly odd one, because it's going up to three items from one, but that's going up over 50% for a minimum charge footfall that people can pay to to have something collected.
there are many, many, many of these, I mean the parking permit for a controlled parking zone.
outside your house is going from 38 pounds 30 to 42 pounds that's a 9.6% increase, I just not sure why these charges are going up higher than inflation, going back to the council.
rent increase somebody in a council house who's working not in receipt of benefits.
on a low income is going to get hit disproportionately hard by all of these in inflation busting increases.
I just think when you add all of these up 7.7% rent increase four quid on your garden bin, another 12 sorry 12 quid on your garden been four quid on your car park, they start to add up by just personally in the middle of a cost of living crisis I would have sacrificed the
the the
the reserve position and just had inflationary rises on charges and, if that required some modest use of reserves to balance the budget, I I would have gone gone down that route,
so I won't be supporting this budget.
thank you, Councillor Lockwood.
Councillor McConville.
thank you, Chair, sorry, I wouldn't say.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:45:23
but I'm happy with the budget, I mean a lot of a lot of pain has gone
Cllr Connor McConville - 1:45:26
into to producing this, and you know we will lose staff largely through through through voluntary redundancy, and you know, hopefully we limit the any any other redundancies to to the bare minimum and you know I'm quite hopeful and confident we will do that which you know it is is or is a silver lining to to all of this.
I would say that the the the process has has been much much better from my personal point of view, from in previous years, I think that the work of the Finance Sub-Committee
has been.
has had a better remit in terms of to what comes to it and the discussions that we have also the work of overview and scrutiny in, as we looked at some of those key decisions as they came through throughout the budget process, so that is positive and something to take into next year similar to my comment in terms of the rent increase I think fees and charges I think we've
the issue. I think we looked at fees and charges. Didn't we in December, and the financial outlook to the Council, then was not so great if fees and charges perhaps we looked at a bit closer to this date, whether for the financial picture was a little bit better. Maybe maybe some of those figures could have. Maybe the debate could have been stronger on some of those figures, so maybe that's something we can look at in moving forward. Maybe do we have to set those fees and charges so far in advance of not really having that clear picture of how our RN sort of heroine sort of goal that
be something I'd take away to work to look at for next year.
obviously I can't vote for my a budget that's from another administration that but I will, but I will abstain, thank you.
Councillor Huggins, we.
right thank you, Chair.
as a leader, I've actually made some notes whether I would actually stick to them all use them, you have to bear with me because I got
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 1:47:35
off, as a leader has acknowledged many times, and the external trainer clearly stated the financial position of the Council in May 2023 was extremely positive much better than many other councils in Kent and I have to say to Councillor Prater, all budgets are genuine, all budgets are actual.
our budgets balance all budgets need sign-off from the 1 5 1 Officer.
as I continue to state the previous administration put in place non-essential spending and
though I have mentioned the figure several times on that and and there was a re, a refund from VAT.
the previous administration budgets made provision for future income in light of diminishing government funding.
the current proposed budget does very little of that and in some ways I agree with.
Councillor McConville that, although I am not sure whether it's Councillor McConville, or something we've said previously, we have to go to government finance, although lovely this year we had a 120 821 in the followed by 174, I think it was from from central government government general funding generally is diminishing and this counts per council in previous in previous administrations has been tried into increased income for the Council as as we lose government funding.
the
the on page 1 0 6, that's of our our bundle for the Council, not for the cabinet.
you talked about the priority based budgeting, and I and I understand that and the course concepts it says on page 1 0 6 are eliminate unnecessary spending committee system 100,000 budgeted for the committee system, no one can make a decision all to be done by committee many decisions delegated to officers 23 responses from consultation exercise 3 members of the public attending a briefing is this value for money.
Princess Parade, and I know this is not a revenue issue, but I can't go in a budget without mentioning it
rather than referencing the site and then next year conducting a public consultation, would it not be more efficient to cans to conduct the consultation first and then make decisions following this and I I know in the in the contamination report is it says it is recommended that the existing holding fencing remains in place until it can be demonstrated that the risks associated with the proposed future uses are acceptable and can be managed.
well, that contamination has been going on for some period of time, Councillor Martin over many, many meetings will remember his his comments and reports on contamination, nothing's been done there not to any great extent, and yet we are willing now to take that hold down and put up a smaller stock fencing is that value for money.
capital strategy, can I just ask, is there a contradiction in this strategy and I know I now have entirely different, is there a contradiction in this strategy 3.4 page 1 to 9 states the authority does not borrow to invest for the primary purpose of financial return but 5.4 page 1 3 for states with financial return being the main objective.
is there a contradiction there, I ask now look, let's look at how this budget has been achieved.
as I am well done on a balanced budget, of course we all want to see a balanced budget, but let's look at how it's been achieved.
better than expected, government settlement 821 followed by 100 and 71.
lower inflation and interest rates airshow not going ahead Tall, ships project with Baloy partnership axed over 2 million staff costs cuts, we are told that a large proportion were voluntary.
the question must be why are staff keen to take redundancy?
1.5 million service reductions, litter bins reduction in street cleansing, reducing the Area Officer teams increased in, I only found this out yesterday I thought I'd read something about it, but I couldn't remember where so I asked a question. Increasing hours charge for parking from 6 pm to 9 pm in Stonegate Road.
and coastal park car parks. I couldn't get an answer it had it took the chief executive to get me an answer on that it seemed to have gone through somehow without people knowing and I I have a meeting with Damian Collins today in Parliament actually so it's been a busy day and he wasn't aware of the detail and said what about the restaurant owners and the hoteliers, what's what's happening about that?
and then I mean is that encouraging these are encouraging people to take advantage of the night-time economy, I don't think it is, and no provision in revenue for write-off of capital spend on PLA of Princess Bride 4.2 million os.
right article park, picking up the cost of removing the existing holding, and I know that that article thought will use it, but it's a cost that we would have had to under underwrite.
and part of the s 1 5 Officer is now charged to audible park.
reducing councillors' allowance. Could you start summing up now and guess I'm I'm just apogee, almost on councillors' allowances? I totally agree with the proposition put by Councillor McConville. I do not disagree. I do disagree with the Leader commendable as it is and Councillor Prater reducing their allowances because I think it's not sustainable and it's not right for those who follow. Thank you for your comments, Ewan, can I just thank you and I need to move more officers. Can I please I'd like to just thank officers for the work and I know there's an awful lot of work being done on the budget. Thank you very much like to thank Lydia and Ola. I mean he's given me many lessons on this budget. I can tell you, I don't think I don't think I I, I mean I think I've a much better understand, thank you so much, we need to move on so other people can speak, thank you, Councillor Davidson.
thank you Chair, I will try to remember the points that I was going to make, I want to just to echo what Councillor McConville said about the
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:55:23
Cllr Laura Davison - 1:55:25
items that came before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, I think that was really helpful and thank you for the time that was spent on doing that and hopefully we can build on that over the next year.
it is a shame. I think there weren't that many responses to the public consultation on the budget and we have seen that previously, and I'm glad to see that we're saying that we will try to address. That is a difficult time of year. I think, to be consulting with people in December and across the Christmas period and in and into January. I note that some of the comments that came in were about litter bins and the work. That's going to happen around. Looking at the litter bins we have in the district, so I think that will be quite an important thing and will affect all of us in different ways in our in our wards. So it would be good to kind of keep keep an eye on that and make sure we have good engagement on that. Councillor McConville pass me this note, which I feel it's incumbent upon me, to read out for every pound the Council used to receive in 2010 we now receive 10 pence that continued underfunding of local government from Conservative administrations is largely to blame for the collapse of many local councils across the country of all colours. Thank you.
thank you, Councillor Davidson, Councillor Walker.
I just wanted to begin by thanking Councillor Crater and Councillor
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:56:44
Martin for their their personal sort of sacrifice of their their
Cllr Belinda Walker - 1:56:49
allowances and also to thank people for the goodwill that's gone into this budget and the very obvious hard work but having said that, I very much want to echo and support my colleague Councillor Lockwood in what he said about,
really the the largest weight being put on the narrowest shoulders, in this case with rents with.
the waste service and the collection for bulk.
disproportionate affecting those on low income and those who can't afford to run a car.
thank you, Councillor Walker, Councillor Jim Martin, please.
thank you, Chair, just to pick up a couple of things in the debate.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:57:31
Cllr Jim Martin - 1:57:38
I seem to remember, last year the Council had to dip into reserves by up 1.8 million pounds to.
make a balanced budget, and it is a very different position from where we are this year, I don't think I've ever congratulated the previous administration on the robustness of their financial position.
just to put that strike with regard to the committee system, I'm on record many, many times said at the draw before a committee system for me personally was the decision by the previous Leader and not to take seriously the vote in this Chamber to abandoned Princess Parade deciding not to put it on the agenda for a cabinet and therefore Cabinet could not consider it and ratify that single decision led to a loss of 4.5 million pounds by this Council with regard to the hold around a princess parade there is a 30,000 pounds annual cost to keeping the hold where it is largely about removing graffiti.
the the the thing about the Princess Bride.
hold is that it is actually a saving for the Council adaptable, there's a there's a group of properties that were due for demolition in.
the first phase, these are not now going to be demolished, and the disconnection of all primary services to those properties we we've been quoted at 530,000 pounds 2 to disconnect the the properties, they have to be disconnected in order to to make them safe and the alternative.
is to hold them, it's going to cost 300,000 pounds to move the hold from Prince's pride up around these these properties, that's a saving of 230,000 pounds to this Council, so, whichever way you look at it, the the moving of the Holdings at Princess Paradise is,
is a sensible thing to do the the stock fence that Councillor Harleys be refers to 70,000 pounds or 50,000 pounds if that is the fence, 5,000 pounds of that is the ecologist.
10,000 pounds is the archaeologist and 5,000 pounds is the removal of the reptile traps that the previous administration set to to move the reptiles elsewhere so well you know, whatever way you look at that it, it's it's it's it's a sensible move to move that hold, thank you, thank you. Councillor Womble.
thank you Chair.
echo in some of the things that Councillor Hollingbery said at the first meeting of this administration was told by the independent
Cllr David Wimble - 2:00:49
financial adviser that this Council has well basically inherited a very stable, financially sound Council, a council that plan to build 1,000 Council homes over 10 years, don't hear about them any more.
we purchased the poker building which hopefully will be our new home in the short term anyway.
also, I'm not going to work quite as long as Councillor Hollingbery, but you know the French schools counterpart we did we were with the sailing trips, we paid our share of the my portfolio we've put 3 million pounds into High Street regeneration, I'm not seeing anything like that we invested more in Romney Marsh than at any other time 3 million pounds on the business hub the new industrial estate there's no no sign of growth in what I'm reading here.
we work with people like Magnox and IDF who have been amazing partners, this Council and I was just totally shocked that the council couldn't get behind new nuclear Dungeness, they bring in 35 million pounds every year into our economy, but the Council chose that they don't want to to back new nuclear you know it's.
fast-forward 10 months since you've been in, we don't have the show any more that you spin 20,000 people into Boston that did massive amounts of good for local businesses, restaurants, hotels, you know that the previous administration put 10 million pounds aside for the climate emergency as a response to what the Green party Arsenal are not really seeing how that money is being spent.
I was promised a new swimming pool, we're now not going to get a new swimming pool.
the fence is already mentioned. I get what Councillor Martin says, that we would have to spend more money on hoardings auspol, and I'm very pleased to say that I did suggest to him before Christmas about moving them to hospital if that was the case, but surely it would be better if we did have the public consultation first, because if we are a Council that are struggling to to break even we're not not improving in any way we just capping things and breaking, even I just don't have any confidence in it, so I think for that reason I'll be voting against the Budget
thank you, Councillor Hills.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 2:03:25
thank you Chair, I must say 254 pages, I haven't had a chance to read
Councillor Tony Hills - 2:03:31
it fat thoroughly, it's quite a return to days, but on one hand I'd like to thank the Leader for putting the budget together and Ann and his fellow culprits it's a hard job to do.
OK in the hard job to do, but I am disappointed when I read through this and things like, for example, small businesses, a lack of rate relief has been lifted when I was a small business we had written I hope I've got this right by the way I used to get rate relief and I hope we still wield it for very small businesses because it worries me that we are not helping small businesses increasing parking charges beyond inflation.
that worries me fewer waste bins on the coast that worries me, so there's a lot of things here and, of course, what Councillor Lockwood said about green beds. The price increase is massive and our interest to find out how many people cancel their contracts because it could be self-defeating if we get fewer beans at a higher price or more bins. That a lot of what you might have wanted to lower the price of the bins because we need to keep the green waste
its valuable staff it goes into, we get compost and turnage manager fertiliser, all I'm saying is, it seems a little bit a negative budget and and I must say.
I do understand how difficult it is, but I think it will go down like a weapon launch in my neck of the woods, it's a shame because there's no easy solution, these are difficult times for everybody and we have to respect that, but at least you've got left a few bob in the bank, thank you.
Councillor A Martin.
thank you Chair.
given the layout, I won't repeat all the areas where I agree with what
Cllr Alan Martin - 2:05:27
a lot of my colleagues over here have said, I do struggle a little bit with some of the grandstanding, from Councillor Prater about achieving a balanced budget, I think you you have to accept, even if you want publicly that you did receive a pretty decent set of accounts that were challenged from inflationary environment but insufficiently good nick within a relatively short period of time and albeit with a lot of hard work from the officers on the very important transformation project, but beyond that I don't really see a great deal that the administration has done, you've had a VAT refund
you've had handouts from central government and a big part of why the the budget balances is because you've kicked some big strategic projects further further down the line, probably my biggest gripe with the budget.
is actually around the transformation project, so we all where we didn't all vote for that actually, but that was voted for in this Chamber, I think all of us who voted for it, but did so with a heavy heart and during that debate which was quite an emotional one, a lot of the Labour Members who of course voted against raised some very genuine concerns around the
staff cuts and service cuts.
that would come out of that, on balance, I voted for it because I felt it was necessary, but not an easy decision to to make.
my understanding that evening, though, was that the work would be done to see what cuts might be possible should they be required, and I think that the the thing where I feel a bit let down by the administration is, I think,
Councillor Prater and the rest of the administration sat back and allowed the officers to take too much of the pain.
and my feeling is that we've probably made deeper cuts than were really necessary.
had the administration actually been a little bit bolder in its ambitions, and that makes me feel a bit sad and really quite frustrated.
and in terms of kicking the can down the road, there's a lot of emotion around things like Princess Parade.
but, post the consultation, the administration will actually have to face up to the economic consequences of whatever decision they finally make once they finally make one.
and yeah, I just think that we need to reflect on the fact that there are some sort of hidden nasties that are going to have to come out as decisions are made over the next two or three years, so I'll leave my comments there anyway but I'd struggled to vote for this budget.
thank you, Councillor Cooper.
thank you Chair. What might consume basically useless, first of all, let me just say a little thank you to both Councillor Martin and Councillor Prater for sacrificing the special responsibility allowance
Cllr Tony Cooper - 2:08:38
I would also like to say a thank you to the staff for all the hard work and efforts intimate. However, this is not a paper exercise, we all know that the people out there the public, the residents of this district,
gonna put their hands in their pockets to pay for this council tax, the pay for the council tax for the services that this Council provides at this moment in time, people out there watching this on a borderline IoF cost of living crisis have not got deep pockets agenda day KCC have just announced a 5% increase in their council taxes. The local town and parish councils will have an increase in this. Their police and fire brigade will also advocate an increase in those as well as the police and Crime. Commissioner, now
agenda day, as I say, people haven't got bottomless pockets.
and, as Councillor Lockwood said at the start of the debate, this is going to affect the disproportionate large amounts of people unfairly, in my view.
and sadly, I will not be supporting a measure whereby services are potentially being reduced, council taxes are increasing and people out there being affected, but, as I say a little, thank you to the staff.
but for all the efforts involved in it and, as I say, a repeat, a little thank you to Councillor Prater and Councillor Martin for sacrifice in what you did, thank you.
Councillor Greater.
thank you, I'd take many of the comments that have been made on board.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 2:10:20
and some of them were don't fees, and charges have actually already
Cllr Tim Prater - 2:10:23
been set, they were set by them and they're not actually part of the vote. What we're voting on this evening, but a few points on them. Generally, they are inflation if inflation re increases, but there are some larger increases. There are larger increases on some items like bulky waste collection because they are loss making and currently people who aren't using those services are subsidising those people who are using those services. The increase in those costs have been to bring them to full cost recovery.
that includes a green waste collection, currently those people without a green waste collection are paying for those people with it.
all right, because we didn't think so, so we thought we should bring that back to full consideration.
although I accept the point on rent increases, that's not part of the general fund budget rent increases don't go into the general fund, they go into the housing revenue account which we discussed earlier and they are there in order to pay for improving our council house stock, making the houses in your ward better and building new houses for the people who are privately renting and there would love a council house can have a council house in the future that's what therefore,
I love the, we were left a sunny, a sunny position and we've always told so the reports in front of you make clear the budget has been funded for the last three years through spending reserves this year that included 1.8 million pounds being funded from a of the budget being funded from reserves in this year.
you're right, it wasn't all we, we haven't managed to turn all of that around.
in one way we lost one of them, we we saved about one and a half million pounds in savings across departments, about 2 million pounds in transformation and about 1 million pounds from extra government income that we haven't budgeted for, because we planned on the worst side and and it got better.
then came through.
for those who are saying that we're saving that you were saving money on street, sweeping and litter bins, there's no financial saving whatsoever or any changes to street sweeping all litter bins in this financial year, and we've made that clear before where we're saving money on the air show, we save money on the air show because there were no Red Arrows in August, they are abroad, you can't have them, we're not paying for it, it would be nonsense, a new swimming pool. I absolutely agree for you. We need a new swimming pool and that's why it's in the capital budget.
it's in years 3 and 4 of the capital budget funding for a new swimming pool, also 10 million pound climate change reserve, it wasn't true as 5 million David.
the and rate relief isn't set by this Council, I'm afraid, but actually small businesses do have full rate relief, I'm still in a high street property in Sangay and I haven't paid business rates since 2008, and the position is stable, I and no doubt will do many of my neighbours.
one thing that I'd certainly like to come back to is that I think we've made a lot of good steps in making this budget process more open to input from those outside cabinet, but there is much more to do and I fully take that from Conor. I've heard today at reservations on moving the whole budget in one piece, because it doesn't allow granularity of vote. There might be some papers that you're more in favour of than others, and there are a large number of papers and because we don't get to express a view through those votes, one in turn, I think there's more work we can do on that. I think we can improve that process and we were going to learn from that and we're going to come forward to make sure that we do better in future.
it's better than it was it's not perfect, and we'll continue to learn take and put La Mar Laura's point on the consultation yeah, there were exactly four responses to the consultation on that and one of them was mine and I was the one who referenced the bins, so thank you for picking up on the wise and astute consultation and if you want to be name-check next year how about you put your put your views into the constantly into the consultation on the budget as well?
I'm not going to, despite the fact that I have written something exercise The Princess Bride debate because we're very late, so thank you very much, thank you very much for your input into debate and please do support the budget.
okay, it looks like there's nobody else to speak, so we'll go on to a recorded vote please.
Councillor O'Keeffe Kelley
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 2:14:45
well, it's the automatically and a recorded vote yeah abstain
Ms Jemma West - 2:14:49
Councillor Mike Blake, Mark for Councillor, Polly Blackmoor for Councillor Butcher for Councillor Cooper.
Councillor Davidson,
abstain
Councillor Fuller
4, Councillor Goddard.
Councillor Holgate for Councillor Mrs. Hollings be against.
Councillor Hills, against Councillor Jones, for Councillor Kane,
Councillor Lockwood, abstain Councillor Alan Martin, against Councillor Elayne, Martin for Councillor Jim Martin, for Councillor McConville, abstain
Councillor McShane,
I've seen.
Councillor Mead abstain.
Councillor Peter 4, Councillor Schofield, 4 Councillor Tube 4, Councillor Speakman, 4, Councillor Thomas abstaining.
Councillor Walker abstained.
Councillor Womble against Councillor wing for
so 13 for 5 against and 10 abstentions, so it's carried.
thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 2:16:37
OK, so after a very eventful meeting, and what time is it now, 10 12 minutes past 10, we now closed the meeting, thank you very much for your patience.