The meeting on the 19th of December looks set to be a busy one, with the Council receiving an update on its financial position, setting out its plans for the future of the Coachworks site, and considering a motion to support residents struggling with the rising cost of living.

Cost of Living Support

Councillor Buchanan has tabled a motion asking the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting that he reinstate the Winter Fuel Allowance. The motion follows a previous letter from the Leader of the Council to the Chancellor on the same topic, in which he expressed concern about the removal of the allowance.

...the Winter Fuel Payment should be reinstated. It had been suggested that up to 2 million of the pensioners (in three groups) who were having these payments removed, desperately needed them...

The Motion was amended to request a further letter from the Leader to the Chancellor. The originally proposed motion suggested that the Council write to the Chancellor requesting a discretionary fund to support residents with the cost of fuel over winter.

Council Finances

The Council is scheduled to receive an update on its financial position, including details of spending against budget. The report, which can be read in full in the Cabinet Minutes, indicates an in-year overspend of £100,000.

Coachworks

Councillor Dean has submitted a question to Councillor Betty about the future of the Coachworks site. He has asked for an update on efforts to make the site more accessible to visitors arriving at the nearby train station. Councillor Betty has responded by saying that whilst the Council continues to pursue the purchase of land adjacent to the site from Network Rail, it is collaborating with the site's new tenant on other improvements, such as signage and marketing.

...in the summer a new tenant took over the Coachworks site. The tenant has considerable experience in the hospitality sector and is passionate about the potential of the Coachworks...

Revelation (St Mary’s Arts Trust)

Councillor Suddards will be asked to consider a report on the future funding of Revelation, the arts and entertainment venue run by St Mary’s Arts Trust, and to approve continued funding of £30,000 per year for the next three years.

...Revelation (St Mary’s Arts Trust) was Ashford Town Centre’s only arts venue, which regularly hosted shows for a broad audience...

Housing Complaints

The Council will receive a report on complaints received about its Housing Service during the last financial year. The report identifies the most common reasons for complaints, as well as setting out the steps the Council is taking to improve its performance in this area. The Council will also consider whether to approve the adoption of a new Housing Complaints Policy.

Political Balance

The Council will consider a report on the political balance of its committees following the recent by-election in Aylesford and East Stour ward.

...The balance calculations as contained in the Appendix to this report have been agreed by Group Leaders.

Appeals Committee Decision

The Council will consider whether to approve the minutes of the Appeals Committee meeting that was held on 28 November. The minutes relate to the appeal of a decision to dismiss a member of staff.

Member Grants Scheme

Councillor Shilton will propose a motion asking the Council to amend the guidance it issues to councillors about its Member Grants Scheme. The Scheme allows councillors to award grants of up to £1000 to local community groups and organisations, however the guidance is ambiguous about the extent to which groups have to be geographically located within a councillor's ward to be eligible for funding.

...That recent applications on behalf of the Ashford Volunteer Centre (AVC) Volunteer Community Car Scheme were unsuccessful on the grounds that the AVC was not based in the ward, or an adjacent ward, despite the fact that the AVC scheme has a direct and demonstrable benefit for residents in the relevant wards...

Councillor Hayward will propose that the Council does not amend the scheme immediately, and instead asks its Community Grants Panel to consider the issue at its next meeting.