The Sevenoaks Council Cabinet meeting on 13 June 2024 covered several key topics, including the Swanley Neighbourhood Plan, the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan, and financial monitoring for the fiscal year 2023/24. Decisions were made to advance the Swanley Neighbourhood Plan to a referendum and to adopt the High Weald AONB Management Plan.

Swanley Neighbourhood Plan

The Portfolio Holder for Development & Conservation presented the Swanley Neighbourhood Plan, which outlines a vision for the future of Swanley parishes, including objectives and planning policies. The Cabinet resolved to proceed with the plan to a referendum, subject to minor modifications agreed with Swanley Town Council. If the referendum outcome is positive, the plan will be formally adopted by Full Council. The plan aims to guide future development and will hold the same weight as Local Plan Policies once adopted.

The plan was future-proofed as far as it could be, the Town Council had been closely worked with and the previous local plan and emerging local plan had been taken into consideration, the Portfolio Holder noted.

High Weald AONB Management Plan

The High Weald AONB Management Plan was presented by the Portfolio Holder for Development & Conservation. The Council is legally required to prepare and publish a management plan for the High Weald AONB, which is delivered through the High Weald Joint Advisory Committee. The plan, developed with public consultation and Council input, aims to preserve the natural beauty of the High Weald. The Cabinet recommended its adoption by the Full Council.

Financial Monitoring 2023/24

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Investment presented the financial monitoring report for the fiscal year up to January 2024. The forecast deficit had been reduced to £195,000. Key points included an average pay award increase of 5.7% from April 2023, post-pandemic waste levels affecting Direct Services, and additional costs from planning appeals. Favourable variances included investment income receipts and unfilled vacancies, which resulted in a favourable variance of £791,000. The capital programme forecasted expenditure of £10.7 million against a budget of £33 million due to re-evaluations and delays in key projects like Bevan Place and White Oak residential scheme.

Carry Forward Requests 2023/24

The Cabinet approved revenue and capital carry forward requests from the 2023/24 budget to 2024/25. The revenue carry forward requests totalled up to £908,000, and the capital carry forward requests totalled £748,000.