The Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee convened to discuss the medium-term financial plan, performance metrics, and the disposal of surplus properties. The committee endorsed the disposal of a property in Dover, while a decision on the disposal of the Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre was delayed for further consideration.

Medium-Term Financial Plan Update

The committee reviewed the proposed process and timetable for updating the medium-term financial plan (MTFP), acknowledging the challenging financial position inherited by the new administration. John Betts, Interim Corporate Director of Finance, outlined the timetable and process for updating the plan, including addressing price increases and demographic pressures. He noted that the government's spending review and fair funding formula update could have significant implications for the budget and MTFP.

Harry Rayner asked about the impact of changes in government policy on the MTFP. Mr Betts responded that it was difficult to give a definitive figure at this time, as there were a number of unknowns, including how the government would distribute specific grants and how business rates would be reset. He added:

Our preliminary view, and I do need to emphasise this is preliminary, is that we're probably not going to do as badly out of it as we had originally envisaged.

Alister Brady asked about the estimation of social care grants and when the strategic statement would be finalised. Brian Collins, Deputy Leader, said that the administration was working on its own strategies and policies, and an update would be provided in July, with further developments in November. The Leader of the Council added that the strategic framework was in hand and would be translated into a paper for relevant committees in due course.

Mr Rayner asked for more details from Dave Shipton on the impact of the latest government announcements. Mr Shipton explained that they did not yet know how much would come through the annual local government finance settlement or departmental specific grants. He said that they expected to receive around 2.5% of the £3.5 billion that would come through grant settlements to local authorities over the three-year period planned for local government. He added that the big unknown was council tax equalisation and how that would operate.

Antony Hook suggested lobbying the government to take account of topography, including island and coastal communities, when allocating funding. Mark Hood asked when the committee would receive a report from the cabinet member, Mr Fraser-Moat, regarding dolge¹. The Leader of the Council said that she would include details in her leader's speech at the full council meeting on Thursday.

The committee noted the report on the MTFP update, with the chairman summarising the valuable issues raised, including Mr Hook's comments on topography and coastal areas, the leader's comments on the strategic framework, and the ongoing work with central government regarding fair funding allocation and council tax.

Performance Dashboard

The committee reviewed the performance dashboard for the Chief Executive's Department and Deputy Chief Executive's Department. Matt Wagner, the Council's Chief Analyst, presented the results up to the end of March 2025, noting that 22 of the 27 key performance indicators (KPIs) were rated green, one was amber, and four were red. The four red indicators were:

• Percentage of sundry debt due to KCC under six months old
• Freedom of Information Act requests completed within 20 working days
• Data Protection Act Subject Access Requests completed within statutory timescales
• Complaints responded to in timescale

Mr Wagner also presented the recommended KPIs and targets for the current financial year, including new KPIs related to the publication of accounts and budget deadlines, and the percentage of e-learning training programs evaluated as having delivered the stated learning outcomes.

Paul Chamberlain asked if the KPIs were fit for purpose in giving a clear financial picture. Mr Betts responded that they provided a reasonable overview of the organisation's financial resilience and monitoring.

Mr Hook raised concerns about the long-standing red ratings for Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs), questioning whether the staff team was big enough to meet the demand. Mr Collins responded that there had been more FOI requests since the new administration had taken over, and that there could be an argument for more resources, but that increasing costs was not desirable. Mr Watts added that there had been considerable improvements in performance in recent months, but also a significant increase in the number of requests.

Mr Brady raised questions about sundry debt, contact centre KPIs, complaints, and capital receipts. He questioned why the service provider for the contact centre was not being judged when call volumes were exceptionally high, and asked for more information on the timescales for responding to complaints. He also asked about the strategy for disposals, given the high level of capital receipts banked.

In response to Mr Brady's questions, Mrs Spohr said that the council was working closely with finance colleagues to calibrate capital receipts to the requirements of the MTFP, but that the council had a responsibility to dispose of surplus assets.

Mr Rayner asked whether the administration would be willing to give consideration to a change in the policy of property disposals, given the government's plans for local government reorganisation. Mr Collins responded that they were in a stage of review of existing policies, and would give consideration to changing them if they were not the right ones.

Mr Hood asked for the percentage of complaints responded to in timescale to be broken down by directorate, and questioned why the SEN division was only achieving 9% within timescale. He also asked about the council's policy on accepting bids below market value for community assets.

The committee noted the report and agreed to review the KPIs at a later date.

Freehold Disposal of Thistley Hill, Melbourne Avenue, Dover

The committee considered the proposed disposal of Thistley Hill, Melbourne Avenue, Dover. Mr Collins introduced the item, noting that the property was in very poor condition and costing the council money to maintain. He added that there was also a risk to residents, especially younger residents.

Mr Hook asked if the local members in Dover had expressed any views on the disposal. Mr Collins responded that none had been received. Mr Hook then asked if the funds from the sale of the site would be specifically recycled back into Dover, given the administration's stated priority of coastal regeneration. Mr Collins said that the funds would go into the capital budget, but that he would have to look at the practicalities of ring-fencing them for Dover.

Mr Brady asked why the building had been allowed to get into disrepair. A council officer responded that the property was a former school that had been converted into offices, but that it was no longer fit for purpose. The office service had been moved to Dover District Council offices, and the council had not been able to undertake the necessary maintenance due to a lack of resources.

The committee endorsed the proposed decision to dispose of Thistley Hill.

Freehold Disposal of Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre, Hatton House, Bradbourne Road

The committee considered the proposed disposal of Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre, Hatton House, Bradbourne Road. Mr Collins introduced the item, noting that the property was currently being used as an adult education centre, but that it would be vacated towards the end of the summer.

Mr Brady questioned why it was unlikely that the council would get a tenant for the property, given its premium location in Sevenoaks. He also asked if the green space adjacent to the property was part of the land holding, and if not, who owned it and what conversations had taken place with those landowners.

Mr Hook said that it was surprising that a town the size of Sevenoaks would not have an adult education centre, and questioned whether the new administration would want to look again at the decision, given its value of adult education.

Richard Streatfeild, a local member, said that there was general disappointment in Sevenoaks that the AEC was closing, given the growing over-65 population and their desire for education for leisure and pleasure. He also said that Sevenoaks retained a requirement for basic skills courses, and that the AEC remained the most likely place where those courses could be run. He added that Sevenoaks did not have a site for special educational needs education, and that all pupils with special education needs were transported out of the district at a huge cost to the county. He asked the committee to recommend that the decision be delayed so that the administration could look again at the decision in light of its views on special education needs, basic skills training, and local government reform.

Mr Collins said that he had listened intently to Mr Streatfeild's comments and would take them into consideration.

Following Mr Streatfeild's arguments, the committee voted on a motion to delay the decision until proper consideration could be given to the issues he raised, and for the outcome of that reconsideration to be reported to a future Policy and Resources Committee prior to a decision being made. The motion was defeated, and the committee endorsed the original proposal, meaning that the points raised would be considered by Mr Collins in his decision-making.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work program for 2025/26. Mr Brady suggested bringing items such as disposal, asset management strategy, leases, and latcos² to the work program. Mr Rayner asked for a report on the sale of Sessions House, given speculation in the media about it being sold to Chinese interests. He also suggested that the committee should receive a report on the move of staff from Invicta House into Sessions House.