To receive a report from the Leader of the Council on the business of the cabinet and on matters that the leader considers should be drawn to the council’s attention. The leader shall have 10 minutes to make his announcements.
The opposition group will have an opportunity to reply to the leader’s remarks. The opposition group leader shall have 5 minutes to respond after which the Leader of the Council will have a right of reply. Any right of reply will be for a maximum duration of 5 minutes.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council made the following announcements:
“Good evening to you all.
Following Cabinet this afternoon, I am pleased to say that it was agreed to formally accept the £19.8 million Levelling Up allocation so we can look forward to the transformation of Folkestone town centre within two years.
We have received from the government Local Authority Housing Fund £1.2 million which with match funding will be used to buy 9 houses to increase our stock. In the first instance they will be for allocation to Ukrainian and Afghan families.
Our planning and policy team have just heard that our CIL Charging Schedule has been approved which means that there will be certainty for developers of what their costs will be. The team really has done well getting this approved, along with the Places and Policy and the Core Strategy Review, that is 3 pieces of major policy confirmed in a remarkably short time. Very well done.
Our S151 officer, Mrs Spendley is leaving us for pastures new next month and in the interim while we are recruiting to replace her, I am pleased to say that her position will be covered by a very experienced officer, Ms Morrison, whose range of experience is exactly what we require now.
As I am on staff matters, I want to formally acknowledge the stirling service given to us by Karen Everett who next Monday, will have been with us for 45 years. Always cheerful, efficient and helpful. Her input has helped us achieve the high level of Customer Service Excellence that we have been awarded. Thank you Karen”.
The Leader of the Opposition responded to the announcements and extended his thanks to the staff on acquiring nearly £20 million in funding. This was not an easy task, and had been a long process. Now the funding was secured, and the council had a broad plan, but as a council, there was still a lot of work to do in terms of communication and engagement with residents and community on that project. There was still a lot of varied public opinion, particular in respect of the bus station. There were many people who believe the council are just getting rid of buses.
With regard to the housing fund, he stated that this was very good news, as the local housing market was challenging. He hoped with this funding the 9 houses could be achieved, and be of a good quality. Again, communication with residents was important, as those sorts of things could cause friction in the community.
In respect of CIL charging, he queried how much say the community had in how CIL funds were apportioned? There was a charging schedule, and the infrastructure statement, but how much engagement with residents was there?
He then wished Charlotte well in her future endeavours, and congratulated Karen on her long service.
The Leader then agreed a massive amount of communication was needed in terms of the levelling up bid and its instigation. He stated that the council were well advanced in terms of roadworks, due to KCC working wonderfully with FHDC. Creative Folkestone had also worked closely with FHDC and there had been consultation all the way along. Further consultations were built in going forward.
Proposed by Councillor Monk,
Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and
RESOLVED:
That the Announcements of the Leader be noted.
(The recommendation was agreed by affirmation of the meeting).