The Finance, Innovation and Transformation Cabinet Advisory Board met on Monday 6 July 2026 to discuss the strategic risk register, the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, and property transactions. The Board noted the strategic risk register, recommended no changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2027-28 beyond an annual uplift, and noted reports on property transactions.

Strategic Risk Register

The Board considered the Council's strategic risk register, which outlines potential future events that could impact the achievement of its objectives. Lee Colyer, Director of Finance, Growth and Delivery, presented the report, highlighting that the register is a live document reviewed annually. A key discussion point was the potential impact of the new unitary structure on risk mitigation, with the Chief Executive identified as having overall responsibility for managing this risk. Concerns were also raised about the omission of water resilience from the register, particularly in light of recent local water supply issues. The Board noted that the risk associated with the successful development of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) had increased due to an application for listed building status for 5-7 Camden Road. To mitigate this, a Certificate of Immunity from Listing (COIL) had been submitted to Historic England, with a decision expected in mid-August or early September. The Board was informed that a strategic partner for the first phase of local government reorganisation (LGR) had been appointed, and a second procurement exercise would take place once the geography of LGR was known. The Board agreed to note the strategic risk register and the arrangements for managing strategic risk, and requested further information to strengthen their understanding of risk management.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2027-28

Zoe Kent, Head of Mid-Kent Revenues and Benefits Partnership, presented the report on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2027-28. The current banded scheme, introduced in April 2021, means working-age claimants have their council tax reduced based on their earnings, with those not working receiving a maximum of 80% support. A consultation in summer 2025 reviewed the scheme, with over 300 respondents. The recommendation was to maintain the current scheme, with the only change being an increase to the income bands in line with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) annual uprating percentage. This would ensure claimants do not drop a band due to minimum wage increases.

During the discussion, Councillor Hugo Pound raised concerns about whether working Universal Credit recipients also had their council tax automatically included, which was confirmed. He also queried the one-month cut-off for backdated claims, and was informed it had been extended to 12 months. Councillor Pound also questioned whether numbers had been run on increasing the support to 100% for some claimants, as other councils like Maidstone and Swale had done. It was explained that this had been reviewed the previous year, but major stakeholders like Kent County Council (KCC), Kent Fire and Police had not supported a change to 90% or 100% due to concerns about reducing the tax base and potential service cuts. The consensus was that it would be more sensible to discuss and coordinate a strategy for the whole West Kent region as part of the upcoming local government reorganisation (LGR). Councillor Christopher Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, noted that a proper democratic mandate would be needed for such changes. Councillor David Osborne added that KCC had strongly represented that reducing the tax base would lead to service cuts, and that the most appropriate time to readjust the base would be when a new unitary council was formed. Councillor Pound recorded his dissent from the recommendations. The Board recommended that no changes be made to the CTRS for 2027-28, except for the DWP annual percentage uplift.

Property Transaction Report January to June 2026

Peter Benfield, Senior Estates Officer, presented the Property Transaction Report for the first half of 2026. The report detailed various transactions on the Council's property portfolio, including the acquisition of the TN2 Community Centre in January. Some disposals were taking longer than anticipated but were expected to complete in the next half of the year. Lease renewals for smaller businesses had been more challenging, but Coldbrook Industrial Estate remained a strong performer. A surrender was taken from a struggling business, with the premises quickly going under offer at a higher rent. The introduction of assured periodic tenancies to replace assured shorthold tenancies was noted as affecting the TN2 Community Centre portfolio, with minimal expected impact on the Council's direct holdings. Benfield recommended the report for approval. In response to a question about rental increases, it was clarified that these would always be a negotiation process, reflective of individual market conditions, unless a lease specified a fixed increase. Due to the need to discuss exempt appendices, the decision on this item was deferred to a private session.

RVP Investment Transactions April to June 2026

David Candlin, Head of Economic Development and Major Projects, presented the RVP Investment Transaction Report for April to June 2026. The report detailed transactions completed under delegated authority at Royal Victoria Place (RVP). Three lease renewals and one new lease were completed, along with one deed of agreement and 14 tenancy at will letters. Four licences for short-term occupation were also granted. Councillor Ukonu Obasi asked for clarification on the length of time covered by short-term licences, and was informed they were typically less than a year. Tenancy at Will letters were explained as a measure to protect the council's position during lease negotiations. The Board noted the report.

The meeting then moved into a private session to discuss exempt items.