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Cabinet - Wednesday, 28th February, 2024 5.00 pm

February 28, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)

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Summary

The council meeting focused on approving the minutes of a previous session, discussing housing compliance policies, and finalizing the council budget for the upcoming year. Key decisions included updates to housing policies and significant adjustments to the council's financial plan, including councilor allowances.

  1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: The minutes from January 31st were unanimously approved without amendments, indicating agreement on past discussions and decisions.

  2. Housing Compliance Policies: Councillor Rebecca Shroop presented updates to asbestos and electrical safety policies, reflecting current legislation and best practices. Minor changes were noted, emphasizing proactive interventions and controlled access procedures. The council approved these updates, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and enhancing tenant security.

  3. Council Budget and Allowances: Councillor Prater detailed the budget adjustments, including a necessary increase in staff pay to 5% to align with inflation impacts, funded without dipping into reserves. An amendment proposed reducing the planned increase in councilor allowances from 6.7% to 5% and freezing special responsibility allowances (SRA). This amendment, aimed at fairness and fiscal responsibility, was passed unanimously. This decision not only aligns councilor compensation increases with staff pay raises but also contributes to maintaining a balanced budget.

The meeting was marked by a collaborative and pragmatic approach to budget management and policy updates, reflecting a strong focus on fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance.

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorGary Fuller
Councillor Gary Fuller  Liberal Democrats •  Sandgate and West Folkestone Ward
Profile image for CouncillorConnor McConville
Councillor Connor McConville  Independent •  East Folkestone Ward
Profile image for CouncillorJeremy Speakman
Councillor Jeremy Speakman  Green •  Hythe Rural Ward
Profile image for CouncillorLaura Davison
Councillor Laura Davison  Labour •  Folkestone Central Ward
Profile image for CouncillorMike Blakemore
Councillor Mike Blakemore  Green •  Cheriton Ward
Profile image for CouncillorStephen Scoffham
Councillor Stephen Scoffham  Green •  North Downs East Ward
Profile image for CouncillorPolly Blakemore
Councillor Polly Blakemore  Green •  Cheriton Ward
Profile image for CouncillorTim Prater
Councillor Tim Prater  Leader of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Group •  Liberal Democrats •  Sandgate and West Folkestone Ward
Profile image for CouncillorRebecca Shoob
Councillor Rebecca Shoob  Deputy Leader of the Green Group •  Green •  Cheriton Ward
Profile image for CouncillorJim Martin
Councillor Jim Martin  Leader of the Green Group •  Green •  Hythe Ward
Profile image for CouncillorRich Holgate
Councillor Rich Holgate  Green •  Hythe Ward

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Revised appendix 7 agenda item 5 28th-Feb-2024 17.00 Cabinet
Agenda frontsheet 28th-Feb-2024 17.00 Cabinet

Additional Documents

5 FHDC Council Budget 2024 25 - Appenndix 4 Council Reserves
6 FHDC Council Budget 2024 25 - Appendix 5 Treasury Managment Strategy
Ap1_Housing Compliance Asbestos Policy V2.2 track changes
Public minutes 28th-Feb-2024 17.00 Cabinet
2024_02_28_Cabinet_Housing Compliance policies Asbestos and Electric safety_report
Ap3_Housing Compliance Electrical Safety Policy V2.2 track changes
Declarations of Interest
Ap2_Housing Compliance Asbestos Policy V2.2 clean version
Minutes 31012024 Cabinet
2 Appendix 1 - Mediium Term Financial Strategy
1 FHDC 2024_25 Council Budget - Cabinet Feb 2024
Ap4_Housing Compliance Electrical Safety Policy V2.2 clean version
3 FHDC Council Budget 2024 25 - Appendix 2 Capital Strategy
4 FHDC Council Budget 2024 25 - Appendix 3 Capital Programme