The Council has decided to approve the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership 2025-26 Strategy and Action Plan, disposals policy, and development approach for a mixed use scheme with a strategic partner

URL: https://cds.sevenoaks.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=391&J=1

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: a)      Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership 2025-26 Strategy and Action Plan   Cllr Dyball moved and Cllr Hogarth seconded the recommendation to approve the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership 2025-26 Strategy and Action Plan. A strategic assessment had been undertaken in November 2024, in partnership with Kent County Council, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Health, Probation and Kent Police, and other partners. It was confirmed that the priorities remained the same as of last year, which included business crime. Cllr Dyball explained that the safeguarding priority covered a range of topics including mental health, Prevent, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Although the partnership's main focus would be the seven priorities, it did not include details of the numerous activities already undertaken by Partners, Town and Parish councils, the voluntary sector and others as part of their day-to-day work. But highlighted activities in addition to core work which Partners would undertake throughout the forthcoming year.   Resolved: That the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership 2025-26 Strategy and Action Plan, be approved.    (Cllr. Scott left the meeting for the above item and did not take part in the debate or voting thereon.)   b)      Disposals Policy   Cllr Maskell moved and Cllr Hogarth seconded the recommendation to approve and formally adopt the disposals policy. Cllr Maskell spoke to the motion, advising that policy, set out the Council’s approach to the disposal of property assets and Community Asset Transfers. It set out a clear process and guidance when dealing with any disposal and highlighted the legislative framework and government guidance applicable to the disposal of property assets and an overview of the disposals process. When disposing of assets, the Council was subject to statutory requirements, in particular to the overriding duty Under Section 123 of the Local Government Act to obtain the best consideration that could be reasonably obtained for a disposal. This duty was subject to certain exceptions set out in the general disposal consent. Within financial limits, this gave councils wider powers to dispose of land and property at less than market value where it could be demonstrated that the councils have promoted the economic social and environmental well-being of an area.   Since government's announcements to progress local government reorganisation in Kent, the Council had received requests from town and parish councils requesting the transfer of certain council assets. The Leader had met with Town Councils in March and were proceeding to work with councils to test the community asset transfer, expression of interest and application activity before the process went live. The report and appendices had been thoroughly considered by Finance & Investment Advisory Committee and Cabinet.   Members debated the motion with some concern expressed around consultation on disposals whilst noting the importance of transfers. This would enable the asset to remain within the public sector especially with Local Government Reorganisation being considered. It was hoped that the policy would remain agile.    Cllr Maskell responded to the debate  advising that if the policy needed to be adapted in the future, it could be reconsidered.   The motion was put to the vote and it was   Resolved: That the disposals policy as set out in Appendix A, be approved.   c)      Land East of Sevenoaks High Street   Cllr Horwood proposed the motion which included the approval of the development approach to deliver a mixed use scheme with a strategic development partner following a tender exercise, and for their appointment to be considered by Finance & Investment Advisory Committee and Cabinet. The motion also included updates following completion of the strategic process of the appointments. Furthermore, the inclusion of a review panel to be established, with Terms of Reference to be agreed, as well as the agreement of an engagement plan. The motion also included the preference that there would be no interruption to the provision of leisure services for the town as a result of the development.   The motion was duly seconded by Cllr Skinner.   Cllr Horwood spoke to the motion delighted to be recommending the highly ambitious project to regenerate this area of the High Street and to secure the financing needed to help deliver a new leisure centre for the town. The project would help facilitate a range of public realm improvements, such as increased signage and pedestrian improvements between Knole Park, the library and the proposed location of the new leisure centre and the high street. Three Advisory Committees  and Cabinet had considered the reports and expressed their views including the approval of a strategic partner, design and good engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders. By engaging, the council would be able to weigh up how to prioritise the many pressures of the project including financing a new leisure centre, whilst meeting the ambitions around suitable parking provision, sustainability, affordable housing and good design.   The motion was debated, with it being stated that one of the top priorities for the Council was to ensure the safe provision of leisure facilities for the future of the Town. Members further debated the leisure centre alongside the need for housing. During debate it was expressed that it was important to get the design right.   In responding to the debate, Cllr Horwood advised that the withdrawal of KCC from the project did not have an adverse impact on the finances or be detrimental to the project either. The design and scales of the buildings would be addressed through the planning process. Grant funding would be looked into with the ambition to provide affordable housing.   The motion was put to the vote and it was   Resolved: That   a)       the development approach outlined in the report to deliver a mixed use scheme in collaboration with a strategic development partner to be procured for a formal tender process and to enter into an appropriate development agreement with the successful tenderer be approved;   b)      prior to the appointment to the preferred strategic development partners a report be submitted to FIAC and then Cabinet for final approval, be noted;   c)   further update reports be presented to the advisory committee and cabinet following completion of the strategic process and appointment of the strategic development partners, be noted; d)   in accordance with the council's planning policies including the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan, a design review panel, be established and be put in place for the duration of the project. The terms of reference and the membership of the design review panel, be agreed by the Innovation and Improvement Committee and by Cabinet;   e)   the engagement plan be established by the strategic development partner once appointed, be subject to agreement by the Innovation and Improvement Committee and by the Cabinet; and   f)    the Council's preference that there will be no interruption to the provision of leisure services for the town as a result of the development, be noted.  

Date of Decision: April 29, 2025