Decisions Register

To approve the letting of the land at Bayham Road, Tunbridge Wells with a minimum annual rent and a reducing maintenance contribution to enable funding to improve the provision of sports facilities within the Tunbridge Wells Borough.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report.

1.     To acknowledge this summary report, which provides an update on the progress of year 1 action plan of the adopted Corporate Carbon Descent Plan.

2.     To acknowledge and note the findings of the updated yearly Greenhouse Gas report up to and including 2021/22.

3.     Climate emergency and carbon reduction is focused on both reducing and reaching the carbon neutral goal for our own operation and services as part of the Corporate Carbon Descent Plan.  At the same time work is also progressing to develop the borough wide Climate Emergency strategy to empower and support our communities in meeting the carbon neutral goal.

4.     Seek approval of  year 2 action plan as set out in the main report to support the delivery of the objectives as identified in the Corporate Carbon Descent Plan.  Several of the year 2 actions are already in progress and are part of the next phase of activities linked to year 1 actions.  Information on progressing the year 1 action plan has in the past been communicated via members briefings and the members information pack.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the summary report, which provides an update on the progress of the year 1 action plan of the adopted Corporate Carbon Descent Plan, be noted.

2.    That the findings of the updated yearly Greenhouse Gas report up to and including 2021/22, be noted.

3.    That the climate emergency and carbon reduction is focused on both reducing and reaching the carbon neutral goal for our own operation and services as part of the Corporate Carbon Descent Plan. At the same time work is also progressing to develop the borough wide Climate Emergency strategy to empower and support our communities in meeting the carbon neutral goal, be noted.

4.    That the year 2 action plan as set out in the report to support the delivery of the objectives as identified in the Corporate Carbon Descent Plan, be approved.

5.    That several of the year 2 actions are already in progress and are part of the next phase of activities linked to year 1 actions. Information on progressing the year 1 action plan have also been communicated via members briefing and the members information pack, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: The recognition of a climate emergency acknowledges the importance of acting and for the Council to take an effective leadership role on climate action.

To consult on proposed increases to parking charges in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Paddock Wood and Southborough. 

RESOLVED –

1.    Increase the prices for parking as stated in the Sales Prices, Fees and Charges Cabinet report 20 July 2022 (excluding Dunorlan Park) as soon as the necessary steps to implement the changes have taken place, with the exception of:

                                      i.        The free period for Yew Tree Road, Southborough and/or

                                     ii.        The free period for Paddock Wood

which will be maintained while other options for funding, including those suggested in the consultation, are explored. The Council will engage with Southborough Town Council and/or Paddock Wood Town Council to discuss funding the revenue foregone by retaining the current free parking periods, be approved.

2.    Cabinet agree for officers to commence an informal public consultation, seeking views on options to improve the amenity value of Dunorlan Park, including the introduction of parking charges, be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To bridge some of the £944,000 revenue budget deficit for 2022/23 and support the budget setting process for 2023/24, thereby protecting other council services.

To seek Cabinet approval to progress the Brenchley and Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan to referendum, to ensure the community had the final say on whether the neighbourhood plan comes into force or not.  The referendum area is that of the Neighbourhood Area i.e. Brenchley and Matfield Parish.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the independent examiner’s Report on the Brenchley & Matfield Neighbourhood Development Plan (BMNDP) received on 20 June 2022 at Appendix A be noted and published.

2.    That the BMNDP be modified in part as set out in Appendix B, according to the examiner’s recommendations, following discussion with Brenchley & Matfield Parish Council be approved.

3.    That the Decision Statement at Appendix C and the decision to progress the BMNDP as set out at Appendix D to referendum be approved.

4.    That in the event the referendum result on the BMNDP is positive with more than 50% of the vote, the Council formally makes the BMNDP as set out in Appendix D so that it has effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the Neighbourhood Area be approved.

5.    That a referendum will take place on 10 November 2022 be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: Approved Neighbourhood Plans become part of the development plan for the Borough and are a key document in the determination of planning applications that allow the local community to take responsibility for land use planning in their area.

A small Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared in Hawkhurst on 1 December 2021, based on exceedances of the annual mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide.  The Council is required to develop an Air Quality Action Plan describing the measures by which it is hoped to tackle these exceedances.  This report describes a number of potential actions which have been developed in collaboration with various colleagues, partners and stakeholders.  We are requesting permission to hold a public consultation on these potential actions.  Feedback from the consultation will be incorporated into a final draft of the AQAP, to be presented to Members early in the new year.

RESOLVED –

1.    Measure No. 8 on Appendix A to be clarified by the Environmental Protection Team Leader.

2.    Measure No. 1 on Appendix B be added to Appendix A.

3.    That authorisation be given to the Environmental Protection Team Leader to consult on the proposed actions set out in Appendix A and amended as above, as part of the development of an Air Quality Action Plan for the new Hawkhurst AQMA be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure the Council continues to comply with all relevant Air Quality legislation, guidance and best practice.

To receive the financial position as at the end of June 2022. 

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator position for 2022/23 be noted.

2.    That the forecast for investment and bank interest is £745,000, an increase of £300,000 from the approved budget of £445,000 be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: Ensuring effective cash flow management was vital in order to support all the services provided by the Council. The interest received from investments was an important source of income in helping to set a balanced budget.

To receive the financial position as at the end of June 2022.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the actual gross and net expenditure for the year and the sources of finance as shown in Appendices B to D be noted.

2.    That the proposed variations to the Capital Programme, set out in the note 4.3 to 4.5 be approved.

3.    That the proposed movement between years set out in note 4.6 be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: Managing and forecasting capital expenditure effectively was vital in order to support all of the services provided by the Council.

To receive the financial position as at the end of June 2022. 

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Quarter 1 net expenditure on services year to date was £3,268,00, £224,000 less that budget be noted.

2.    That by year end the Council anticipates net expenditure of £15,382,000 on services be noted.  And that this forecast is £300,000 over budget be noted.

3.    That by year end the Council anticipates receiving an increase in funding of £300,000, due to additional investment interest, which is the same as the additional spend forecast for services be noted.

4.    That the new and updated charges for the Crematorium as set out in the report be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To show the actual expenditure on services compared to the revised budget for the period ended 30 June 2022, and the forecast outturn position, highlighting significant variances from the revised annual budget.

To consider an outline of the Council’s performance against key strategic indicators.  Measures prescribed by central government through the Single Data List (SDL) and the progress against each of the strategic projects as at the end of June 2022.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the summary of projected performance over quarter one, 2022/23, at Appendix A be noted.

2.    That the summary of service performance over quarter one, 2022/23, at Appendix B be noted.

3.    That the Recovery Plans for quarter one, 2022/23, at Appendices C-F be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To monitor the effectiveness of the Council’s actions and plans to meet all of the objectives within the Five-Year Plan, highlight underperforming areas, and propose actions to remedy any underperformance to ensure the key objectives are met.

To note the contents of the report, along with the work undertaken to secure a safe and healthy working environment. 

RESOLVED –

1.    That the contents of the report, along with the work undertaken to secure a safe and healthy working environment be noted.

2.    That the priorities for 2022/23 be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Council continues to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ensure that there is effective monitoring and review of health and safety management throughout the Council.

To consider proposals for the draft budget (Stage 1 of 4 in setting the forthcoming year’s budget).

RESOLVED – That work continues towards reducing the projected budget deficit in line with the Budget Strategy, to report back in October and prior to the public consultation on the draft budget in December be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To agree the form of consultation and begin the process of setting the budget for 2023/24.