The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Vice-Chairman-in-the-Chair drew Members’ attention to the emergency evacuation proceedures.

To approve the Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 1 February 2017 (Minute Nos. 1158-1173) and the Co-Located Cabinet Meeting held on 22 February 2017 (Minute Nos. 1211 - 1213) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 1 February 2017 (Minute Nos. 1158-1173 and the Co-Located Cabinet Meeting held on 22 February 2017 (Minute Nos. 1211-1213) were taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked Dave Thomas as this was his last attendance at Cabinet Meeting prior to his retirement.  The Chairman wished him well.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Property Services and the above Cabinet Member which set out the proposals for the Property Asset Strategy 2017 – 2020.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance highlighted the key changes to the current strategy at 3.2 on Page 2 of the report, and advised that the gross annual income generated from rents and licence fees was £530,000.  He thanked the Policy Development and Review Committee (PDRC) for their recommendations as shown in the table at 5.2, Page 3 of the report and agreed that these were acceptable.

Resolved:

(1)       That the recommendations of the Policy Development and Review Committee (PDRC) as set out in Section 5.2 of this report be considered.

(2)       That the Property Asset Strategy together with any amendments resulting from the PDRC recommendations and comments from other consultees be approved.

(3)       That delegated authority be given to the Head of Property Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to make the agreed amendments and a final version to be published on the Council’s website.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer and the above Cabinet Member which showed the revenue and capital projected outturn for 2016/17 as at the end of December 2016.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance highlighted the projected net underspend on services of £648, 970, the difficulty in projecting planning fees income and the increase in parking fees, resulting in increased revenue.  He added that The Mill Skatepark project was progressing.

In response to a question from a Member, the Chief Financial Officer confirmed the numbering of the section under Capital Expenditure on page 62 should follow in number sequence and start at 3.11 as detailed in the recommendations.  This was noted by Members.

Resolved:

(1)       That the net revenue underspend of services of £716,590 (including £785,000 on additional income), a proposed rollover of specific grants of £67,620 for 2016/17 be noted.

(2)       That the capital expenditure of £1,581, 600 to end of December 2016 be noted.

(3)       That the projected capital underspend of £502,000 be noted.

(4)       That capital receipts of £100,000 be earmarked for Minster Churchyard wall as detailed at 1.12 on page 63 of the report.    

(5)       That funding for the three capital schemes as detailed at 1.12 on page 63 of the report be approved.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Commissioning & Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Member, which sought to extend the external bailiff services contracts by two years, up to 14 May 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance explained that whilst an in-house bailiff service was recently introduced, the team were still in their early stages and the proposal would allow in-house team to settle in.

Resolved:

(1)       That the extension to the external bailiff services contracts relating to the recovery of unpaid Penalty Charge Notices and the collection of unpaid Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates for a further two years to 14 May 2019 be agreed.

Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the above Cabinet Member, which sought to extend the existing CCTV Partnership Agreement by one year to 31 March 2018, with the option to extend by a further one year.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities explained that changes in the partnership may impact on the current service provider and in order to understand and absorb the changes, the proposed extension was prudent.

Resolved:

(1)       That the extension of the existing Memorandum of Agreement for the CCTV Partnership by 1 year to the 31 March 2018, with the option to extend by a further 1 year be agreed.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the above Cabinet Member which gave an update on the progress and recommendation to transfer the Lakeview Village Hall to the Lakeview Village Hall Trust.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance thanked the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services for her efforts on the project.

Resolved:

(1)       That the Lakeview Village Hall be transferred to the Lakeview Village Hall Trust on a 125-year lease.

(2)       That delegated authority be given to the Head of Economy and Community Services and the Head of Property Services to negotiate the final terms of the lease, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

(3)       That delegated authority be given to the Head of Mid-Kent Legal Services to complete the documentation required for the lease on the terms as agreed by the Head of Economy and Community Services and the Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

(4)       That a grant of £40,000 from the S.106 budget, to cover the Trust’s initial forecast shortfall, be provided.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Member which set out the issues at Sheerness Paddling Pool and the options to resolve them.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs outlined the issues with the filtration system and advised that £100,000 was spent on improving the pool 15 years ago and the £22,500 proposed would secure the facility for the next three years.  He added that the cost to close the facility would be a similar amount, and highlighted the pool’s popularity to both residents and visitors.

In response to a question from a Member, the Leisure and Technical Services Manager advised that some water features were broken and the cost did not include the removal of these features.  A discussion followed, and Councillor Alan Horton proposed the following motion:

“That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, to consider the inclusion of the removal of inoperable water features from the Sheerness Paddling Pool facility.”

The motion was seconded and on being put to the vote, agreed by Members.

Resolved:

(1)       That funding of up to £22,500 for upgrading the plant, water features and surfacing as detailed in section 2.7 (required works) be approved, and the facility be kept open for residents and visitors.

(2)       That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, to consider the inclusion of the removal of inoperable water features from the Sheerness Paddling Pool facility.

Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural Affairs

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Member which sought authority to award the Beach Lifeguard Service contract.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs introduced the report and reported that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has provided a good service for the previous 4 years.  The Chairman highlighted that the service included the beaches at Leysdown, Minster Leas and Sheerness.

A visiting Member reported that a jet bike had been provided for the RNLI but there was no facility to launch it.  He asked if launch facilities in the area could be considered?  The Chairman advised that there was a shingle ramp at Minster but this was some distance away.  The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs agreed to research the issue further with officers and the RNLI.

Members expressed their support for the service which they considered a vital addition for residents and tourists.

Resolved:

(1)       That the procurement process undertaken be noted and the award of the beach lifeguard services to the RNLI for a period of 5 years (and option of 2 year extension) be approved.

(2)       That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and Head of Legal, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural Affairs, to negotiate the terms and conditions and complete the contract award.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Member which provided an update of the Iwade Recreation Ground development and recommended the transfer of the site to Iwade Herons Football Club.

The Cabinet Member gave a brief background as presented in the report, and advised that consideration had been given over who was best placed to take on the running of the site and, Iwade Herons Football Club, with the support of Iwade Parish Council, had agreed to the transfer of the whole site, excluding the playground.

A visiting Member raised concerns in the wording of the lease and sought reassurance that the facilities could be used by all residents, not just for football-related events.  The Cabinet Member agreed that this would be considered under delegated powers and picked up in the final lease negotiations.

Resolved:

(1)       That the Iwade Recreation Ground, car park and the changing pavilion be transferred to Iwade Herons Football Club on a 125-year lease at nominal rent.

(2)       That the principle of transferring the children’s playground to Iwade Parish Council on a 125-year lease at nominal rent be agreed.

(3)       That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to negotiate the final terms of the leases.

(4)       That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Mid-Kent Legal Services to complete the documentation required for the leases on the terms as agreed by the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

The Chairman advised that there were no recommendations at the Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting on the 6 March 2017, that required Cabinet approval.