The Gravesham Borough Council Cabinet met to discuss budget monitoring reports, corporate performance, and the development of land at Milton Place. They approved recommendations for the Milton Place development, and approved increases to the budget for the Disabled Facilities Grant scheme and the Brookvale PV Panel scheme, as well as adding the Warm Homes Programme to the capital programme.

Development of Land at Milton Place

The Cabinet approved recommendations for the development of land at Milton Place, Gravesend, which is the first project to be brought forward by the Gravesham Community Investment Partnership (GCIP). The council agreed to dispose of the land parcel associated with the proposed development to the GCIP for nil value, based on an independent valuation report, with the Director (Communities and Inclusive Growth) authorised to take all necessary actions. They also approved an additional budget requirement for Milton Place within the capital programme, as detailed in the Part B Report.

The report noted that a planning application had been submitted for the construction of 76 dwellings and associated infrastructure at the site, consisting of 61 one-bedroom flats for independent living and 15 houses, with 80% of the units being affordable. The proposals also retain 84 public parking spaces at the site, alongside additional parking for the new residents. At a Planning Committee meeting on 30 July 2025, planning consent was granted subject to finalisation of planning conditions and completion of a Section 106 Agreement¹.

It is intended that the flats for independent living will be acquired by the council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA), while the houses will be sold on the open market. All sale proceeds will be retained within the scheme and used to finance the project. Any profit derived from the development will be shared 50:50 between the council and Hill Investment Partnerships after costs have been met.

The report also detailed legal and financial considerations, including Subsidy Control assessments² and land disposal in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972³.

General Fund Budget Monitoring Reports Q1

The Cabinet approved an increase of £335,070 in the budget for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) scheme within the capital programme, as well as an £85,000 increase for the Brookvale PV Panel scheme, and the addition of the Warm Homes Programme, in the sum of £950,000 over three years, to the current year capital programme.

The report noted that at the end of Quarter One, there was a projected £257,000 favourable variance for the year, with significant movements against budget detailed in the report. The most notable variances arose from the council's proactive Balancing the Budget activity across all directorates.

The report highlighted that the council's original budget for 2025/26 included a projected general pay award of 3% for all staff, but following negotiations, a pay increase of 3.2% across all staffing grades was agreed.

Key points from the directorate reports included:

• Communities & Inclusive Growth Directorate: A £7,000 adverse variance was reported, despite a £62,000 favourable variance from budget savings exercises, including the introduction of charges for disabled parking and memorial plaques in parks. A £20,000 adverse variance was attributed to the Gurdwara car park being passed back to the temple.
• Corporate Services Directorate: A £63,000 favourable variance was reported, due to increased civic centre rental income and a staffing restructure.
• Environment Directorate: A £5,000 favourable variance was reported, due to the decision to remove the supply of black sacks to residents.
• Housing Directorate: A £111,000 favourable variance was reported, primarily due to higher than budgeted income at Wrotham Road and the removal of a statutory contribution to the HRA.

The report also provided an update on the council's Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and horizon scanning, including risks and the delivery of the Balancing the Budget programme.

Corporate Performance Report: Q1 2025-26

The Cabinet reviewed the Corporate Performance Report for Quarter One of 2025-26. The report provided a statistical overview of the council's performance against the Corporate Plan for 2023-27, covering the period from April to June 2025.

The report included performance data for various indicators across different portfolios, including the Leader's Portfolio, Community & Leisure, Planning & Business Development, Operational Services, Performance & Administration, and Housing Services.

For example, under the Leader's Portfolio, the report included data on the total number of car park uses, showing a decrease from 90,503 in 2024-25 to 87,914 in 2025-26. It also included data on the percentage of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) financial savings target delivered, which was 66.1% in Q1 2025-26, and the percentage meeting attendance rate of councillors, which was 87.0% in Q1 2025-26.

Under the Community & Leisure portfolio, the report included data on the number of recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour, the number of businesses supported by the Town Centre Team, and the number of attendances at sports and leisure facilities.

Under the Housing Services portfolio, the report included data on the number of new homes delivered, the number of empty homes brought back into use, and tenant satisfaction measures.

Council Achievement Report

The Cabinet received the Council Achievement Report, summarising key achievements from May to August 2025.

Achievements highlighted in the report included:

• Rosherville Group of Companies: The Shareholder Advisory Board received the Annual Report from the Rosherville group of companies, showing continued progress in their respective fields.
• LGA Peer Challenge: The council underwent a Peer Challenge from the Local Government Association (LGA) in May 2025, resulting in a positive report and an action plan to address the recommendations identified.
• The Charter: The new show flats at The Charter in Gravesend Town centre were officially opened, marking a significant milestone with the marketing of the development commencing in August 2025.
• Procurement: The council was ranked as a 'High Performer' in the Local Government Procurement Index by Tussell, particularly in respect of SME Spend and local spend.
• Backlog of Accounts: The Finance team published the final statement of accounts for 2023/24 and the draft accounts for 2024/25, meaning the Council is now up to date with all the years accounts for the first time since 2018/19.
• Building Control Strategy: A draft Building Control Strategy was presented, setting out the council's vision and approach to Building Control within the Borough.
• Waste Management: Key achievements included the introduction of the kerbside glass recycling scheme, a full commercial waste recycling service, a small electrical recycling initiative, and the use of 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to fuel the vehicle fleet.
• Licensing: A new street trading resolution and policy was introduced, establishing a new licensing regime to promote economic growth and street scene vibrancy.
• Housing Services: A deep dive into anti-social behaviour was carried out, a Consumer Standard Panel and Working Group was introduced, and a 'Gravesham Council Tenants' WhatsApp channel was launched.
• Community & Leisure: Shop Front Grants were provided to 14 businesses, the Council's one day of volunteering was promoted, and the Grow in Gravesham scheme commenced. The Memorandum of Understanding for the allocated LUF funding of £20m from MHCLG for Cascades 2 was formally signed, and new free outdoor exercises classes were hosted.
• Heritage and Tourism: A bid writer was appointed to work on the National Heritage Lottery Fund Development Bid for New Tavern Fort, and new audio tours were offered at the Chantry and the Fort.
• Parks and Open Spaces: Relandscaping of the St Andrew's Upper Gardens commenced.
• Performance and Administration: The annual report from the Information Governance Team provided an update of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests and Subject Access Requests (SAR) made to the council in 2024-25.
• Audit & Counter Fraud: The annual reports for both Internal Audit & Counter Fraud were presented to the Finance & Audit Committee, with a positive annual opinion from the Head of Internal Audit & Counter Fraud.
• Household Support Fund: The Council was allocated £324,523.85 from the Household Support Fund for 2025/26 to support vulnerable households.

The report also noted that the council was active in entering awards, and provided details of shortlisted awards and commendations received.

HRA Budget Monitoring Q1 Report

The Cabinet reviewed the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter One 2025/26. The report provided information on actual performance against the approved Revenue and Capital budgets for 2025/26, including known variances.

The report noted that at the end of Quarter One, expenditure exceeded income by £417,000, and that officers within Finance would work with Housing colleagues to determine whether this spend could be met within the existing budget.

Key points from the report included:

• HRA (Revenue): A £417,000 adverse variance against the original budget was reported, due to a shortfall in rental income and realignment of service charge income between budgets.
• HRA (Capital): The Housing Capital Programme original budget was £27.3 million, with expenditure and commitments to the end of Quarter One of £15 million.
• Supervision & Management: A £59,000 favourable variance was reported, primarily due to vacancy management.
• Repairs & Maintenance: A £4,000 favourable variance was reported, with a £107,000 favourable variance in salary costs offset by adverse variances in CCTV and stock condition survey costs.
• Capital Financing: A nil variance was reported, with significant variances within the budget netted down with equal and opposite variances.
• Rent of Dwellings: A £253,000 adverse variance was reported, due to more Right to Buy sales and a lower opening stock total.
• Service Charges: A £377,000 adverse variance was reported, due to the cessation of the recharge between funds for the homelessness service.
• Use of Priority Reserve: A £148,000 favourable variance was reported, with two items of expenditure now being funded from the reserve.

The report also provided an update on HRA working balances and reserves, as well as details of the Housing Capital Programme.

Gravesham Joint Transportation Board Minutes

The Cabinet reviewed the minutes of the Gravesham Joint Transportation Board meeting held on Wednesday 28 May 2025.

Key items discussed at the meeting included:

• Gravesend Active Travel Scheme: The toucan crossing had been installed and was awaiting sign off from the Road Safety Scheme.
• Hillingdon Avenue and Singlewell Road: A scheme was under design for additional road markings and signage to address safety issues.
• Shorne Crossroads: A design had been commissioned to review the issues at Shorne Crossroads, but it was in the very early stages.
• HGV Traffic Through Higham: A HGV directional scheme was expected to be implemented on 22nd/23rd July 2025.
• Meopham Parade: A scheme to address parking issues had been completed, resulting in a massive improvement in parking in the area.
• Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) in Sole Street: The old VAS could not be repaired, and the site did not meet the criteria for a new VAS.
• Traffic Monitors: Cllr Tony Rana had been sent the telematic speed data and instructions on how to ask for a tube survey to be carried out for routes into Echo Square, Old Road East, Parrock St, Sun Lane, Whitehill Road and Whitehill Lane.
• Highway Forward Work Programme: The Board received an update on the schemes and planned works that had been programmed for delivery in 2024/25 and 2025/26.
• Double Yellow Lines in Marks Square, Northfleet: The Traffic Regulations Team had begun to write a traffic regulation order for the area, but the work was funded by a developer and had to wait until the markings had been installed.
• Ongoing Maintenance of 'A' Road Grass Verges: The Highways Manager Dartford and Gravesham (KCC) advised that the grass grew at different rates dependant on where the grass verge was, and there were different types of areas with different cutting schedules throughout the year.
• Ordinance Road/Chantry School Traffic Control: The traffic control measures would form part of the work under the new development scheme in the area.
• Pothole Strategy Moving Forward: The Highways Manager Dartford and Gravesham (KCC) advised that until the new strategy was agreed it was business as usual for pothole repairs.