The Finance, Innovation and Transformation Cabinet Advisory Board met on Monday 6 July 2026 to review the council's strategic risk register and discuss the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2027-28. The board also received updates on property transactions and investment in Royal Victoria Place.

Strategic Risk Register

The board considered the council's strategic risk register, which outlines potential future events that could impact the achievement of objectives. Lee Collier, Director of Finance, Growth and Delivery, presented the report, explaining that the register is a live document reviewed annually.

During the discussion, Councillor Hugo Pound raised concerns about the potential impact of creating new town councils on the existing risk mitigation scores, particularly regarding resource implications. The risk owner for this area will be responsible for assessing this further. Councillor Pound also highlighted the absence of water resilience in the local plan risk assessment, citing recent water supply issues in his ward. The board agreed to record this as a point for Cabinet to consider.

A question was also raised about the risk register's mitigation for the successful development of Royal Victoria Place (RVP), specifically concerning a listed building application at 5-7 Camden Road. David Candlin, Head of Economic Development and Major Projects, explained that a Certificate of Immunity from Listing has been submitted to establish a clear timetable for a decision from Historic England. He also noted potential complications with local government reorganisation timelines.

The board recommended that the strategic risk register and the arrangements for managing strategic risk be noted, and advised that further information would be beneficial for future reporting.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2027-28

Zoe Kent, Head of Mid-Kent Revenues and Benefit Partnerships, presented the report on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2027-28. The scheme, which provides financial assistance to low-income households, was last updated in April 2021.

Councillor Pound questioned whether working Universal Credit recipients automatically had their council tax reduction included, and if there was a cut-off for backdating claims. Ms. Kent confirmed that all Universal Credit recipients receive automatic alerts, and the backdating period had been extended to 12 months.

A discussion ensued regarding the potential to increase the level of support, with Councillor Pound suggesting a review of arrangements similar to those in Maidstone and Swale, which offer higher levels of support. Councillor Christopher Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, explained that while numbers were crunched last year, stakeholders like Kent County Council (KCC) had not supported a move to 90% or 100% support due to concerns about service cuts. He advocated for a coordinated strategy with neighbouring West Kent authorities before making unilateral decisions. Councillor Pound argued that the council could set a precedent by leading on this issue. Councillor David Osborne supported the current position, citing KCC's representations last year and suggesting that any readjustment of the tax base would be more appropriate when a new unitary council is formed.

The board recommended that no changes be made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2027-28, except for a percentage increase to the income bands in line with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) annual uplift. Councillor Pound requested his vote be recorded against this recommendation.

Property Transaction Report

Peter Benfield, Senior Estates Surveyor, presented the Property Transaction Report for January to June 2026. The report detailed various transactions on the council's property portfolio, including the acquisition of the TN2 Community Centre. He noted that some disposals were taking longer than anticipated but were expected to complete in the next half of the year. Mr. Benfield also mentioned the introduction of assured periodic tenancies to replace assured shorthold tenancies, which he believed would reduce administrative burdens for long-standing tenants.

A question was raised about whether rental increases would be standard across all properties or subject to negotiation. Mr. Benfield confirmed that it would always be a negotiation, reflective of individual market conditions, unless a lease specified a fixed percentage increase.

Due to the need to discuss exempt information, this item was deferred to a private session.

Royal Victoria Place (RVP) Investment Transactions Report

David Candlin, Head of Economic Development and Major Projects, presented the RVP Investment Transactions Report for April to June 2026. The report detailed lease renewals, new leases, deeds of agreement, and licences for short-term occupation.

Councillor Bassi inquired about the length of time covered by the short-term occupation licences. Mr. Candlin explained that licences are typically for less than a year, and tenancy at will letters are used to protect the council's position while lease renewal terms are negotiated.

The board recommended that the report be noted.

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