Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor White.

Councillor Everitt was not present.

To receive any declarations of interest by members of the Council in items on the agenda. For any advice on declarations of interest, please contact the Monitoring Officer before the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To note any Visiting Members or members of the public wishing to speak, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 18 and 19, and which items they wish to speak on.

There were no members of the public or visiting Members of the Council registered to speak.

To approve the minutes of a previous meeting as a correct record. The only issue relating to the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting dated Wednesday 12 October 2022 be taken as a true record.

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan as at Tuesday18 October 2022 be noted.

Mark O’Callaghan, Overview and Scrutiny presented the report as per the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members and Officer clarification included:

                 i.          The report was taken as read.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report be supported.

David Candlin, Director of Economic Development and Property presented the report as set out in the report.

Discussion and questions from Members and Officer clarification included:

                 i.          In terms of the funding, Members were advised that it was a use it or lose it situation, with an expectation that you would spend the money in that financial year and a potential review at the end of the year.

                ii.          The carbon reduction at the Weald had a budget, however there were additional funds that were required but that had not been budgeted for.

               iii.          It was confirmed that the funds were for projects that benefited the rural community and those did not necessarily have to be new.

              iv.          It was meant to build on the leader program however it was not the same priorities or interventions under that program and did not replicate the money available under leader.

                v.          It was confirmed that the post at West Kent was an additional post and the budget for that was funded through funds retained by the West Kent Partnership budget retained for rural intervention.

              vi.          Members understood the need for the Weald project to go ahead however they were concerned about the funds being used to assist in a shortfall in the decarbonisation of the Weald Leisure Centre rather than used for new projects levelling up in rural Communities.

             vii.          Members were advised that although the Council owned the Leisure Centre, it provided a service to the Community.

            viii.          It was suggested that a note went to Cabinet that Members were not convinced about the allocation of funds to the Weald project.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the recommendations to Cabinet would be supported subject to a particular issue being addressed, that Members agreed with the Kent wide approach but not the allocation of funds outlined in the report for year 1 and year 2.

To consider any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business for consideration.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 25 January 2023.

The date of the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 25 January 2023.

Exempt by virtue of paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended): Information relating to the financial business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information.

RESOLVED – The decision was made in public session and the exempt information was taken as read.