Decisions

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet seeking approval of the budget of £580,000 for design fees for the conversion of the West Wing Council Offices, to 25 new apartments.  The conversion to residential units would increase the provision of housing within the Borough.

Resolved to approve the budget for design fees for the conversion of the West Wing offices.

Licensing Act Policy review and approval

Council also considered a recommendation from the Licensing Committee to adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024.  The proposed policy included changes to statutory guidance since the policy was last reviewed and proposed amendments as a result of consultation responses received.

Resolved to approve the adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-24.

Ashford Relief in Need

It was proposed by Councillor Harvey and seconded by Councillor Harman and

Resolved that Alison Blundell be reappointed as a Council representative trustee to serve on the Board for a further four year term of office until October 2022.

Laleham Charities – Village Hall and Recreation Ground

It was proposed by Councillor Harvey and seconded by Councillor Harman and

Resolved that Richard Stokes, Keith Vigurs and Mavis Duncan be reappointed as Council representative trustees to serve on the Board for a further four year term of office each until December 2022.

Council considered a recommendation of Cabinet on the proposed Calendar of Meetings for 2019/2020.  The meetings have been programmed to ensure that the Council makes decisions in a timely way.

Resolved to approve the Calendar of Meetings for 2019/20 as attached.

Council considered a recommendation from the Licensing Committee to approve the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Policy 2019-2022.  The revised policy reflected changes to statutory guidance and codes of practice issued by the Gambling Commission since the current policy came into effect in 2016.  It also included proposed amendments following consultation responses received.

Resolved to approve the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Policy 2019-22.

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendation to approve a budget of £16.25m for the design team and contractor for the development of the site known as ‘Acquisition T’.  The site will deliver a steady income stream once developed which will support the Council to deliver its ambitious housing and regeneration programme across the Borough to help meet the needs of its residents. The Council needs to generate additional income to offset the revenue impacts of undertaking these projects across the Borough.

Resolved to approve the budget of £16.25m for the design team and contractor for the site known as ‘Acquisition T’. 

Cabinet considered a report on the Outline Budget for 2019/20 to 2022/23 which outlined the current expected budget gaps for 2019/20 and the following three years.

The Provisional Local Government Funding settlement had been delayed until after the ‘meaningful vote’ in Parliament on the Brexit deal which had been due to take place on 11 December 2018 but had now been postponed.  The specifics of the funding settlement would be communicated as soon as they were known and this was now expected to be before Christmas.

Officers were working up proposals to close the budget gaps as set out at paragraph 1.5 of the report, which currently stood at £1.5m, £4.8m, £6m and £4.1 respectively, and would bring these to Cabinet in the New Year.

Resolved that:

1. The net budgeted expenditure (before investment and use of reserves) for 2019-20 be set at a maximum level of £22.2m;

2. Cabinet support the overall strategy set out in the report for addressing efficiencies and achieving medium term financial sustainability; and

3. the financial health indicators set out in paragraph 3.23 be agreed.