The Overview & Scrutiny Panel met to discuss a range of issues, including budget monitoring, tenant and leaseholder services, asset disposal, and contracts for bus shelters and crematorium maintenance. The panel reviewed the work programme and endorsed the terms of reference for a scrutiny review on tackling poverty in Thanet.

Walpole Coast Protection

The Overview & Scrutiny Panel scrutinised a proposal for Cabinet to approve a contract for the Walpole Coast Protection project, a 100% grant-funded initiative to replace a dilapidated section of sea wall between Hodges Gap and Newgate Gap.

The existing precast concrete coping blocks along the frontage are routinely moving seaward and, in some cases, falling to the foreshore, due to the failure of the steel dowel bars that secure them to the sea wall.

The council was awarded a £1.169m grant from the Environment Agency to undertake the works in the financial year 2024/25/26.

The report considered the impact of climate change and biodiversity:

This project links directly with the climate emergency, specifically the risk of sea level rise and the risk of increased coastal erosion and coastal squeeze . As a separate project, Coast and Engineering Services, have commissioned a 100% EA grant funded coastal adaptation study to examine how the coastline should be adapted to combat the effects of climate change and sea level rise.

The project aims to use green construction techniques and recycle existing concrete coping blocks where possible.

Bus Shelter Contract

The Overview & Scrutiny Panel considered a proposal for Cabinet to approve the award of a contract for the purchase, installation and maintenance of bus shelters across Thanet.

The council applied for approximately £1 million from Kent County Council's £2.5 million grant fund for bus shelters to cover the cost of replacing the current bus stops.

The report set out that a condition survey of the current bus stops has been carried out with two thirds of them requiring replacement in the near future. The remaining third of the bus shelters require substantial refurbishment with only a few being suitable for continued service.

The new contract would allow the council to deliver a 'shared' income stream from advertising fees whilst retaining ownership of the shelters and receiving good social value.

Cremator & Mercury Abatement Service & Maintenance Contract

The Overview & Scrutiny Panel scrutinised a proposal for Cabinet to agree to procure a 10-year cremator and mercury abatement service and maintenance contract using the YPO Framework. The combined cost of this contract would be £835,590.

The council requires its cremators to be under a service and maintenance contract to ensure they are maintained to be fully operational for the duration of their life and to ensure compliance with required emission standards.

A market testing exercise was conducted, but the nature of the technology associated with cremators means that suppliers will only service and maintain cremators which they have supplied.

The absence of a contract will mean the system is not regularly serviced or monitored which could lead to prolonged breakdowns and possible system failures making them unusable, leading to financial and reputational damage.

Asset Management Disposal of Surplus Property

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel considered a proposal for Cabinet to approve the disposal of two surplus properties: the former Adult Education Centre on Tivoli Road, Margate and Pierremont Park Depot in Broadstairs. The panel was also asked to comment on the proposed Community Asset Transfer of the Broadstairs War Memorial, adjacent to Pierremont Park, to Broadstairs and St. Peter's Town Council at nil value.

The report stated that generating capital receipts from asset disposals is a crucial component of the council's financial and budgetary planning. If the council is unable to receipt £1.25m from asset disposals each financial year, key operational buildings and statutory service delivery functions will be impacted due to there being a lack of capital investment available.

The Tivoli Road site has been vacant since October 2018 and has been subject to numerous breaches of security and reports of anti-social behaviour. The property was constructed using asbestos-based material, meaning unlawful entry may result in serious harm.

The Pierremont Park Depot has been vacated due to its condition and its location, which is too far out from the council's main depots to continue as an operational basis.

Budget Monitoring

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel reviewed the 2025-26 Budget Monitoring report No.1, which provided an overview of the 2025/26 budget monitor for the General Fund revenue and capital forecasts against budget, as well as the Housing Revenue Account to 30 June 2025.

At the end of quarter 1 there was a forecast £1.814m overspend on General Fund revenue service budgets, largely due to the continued pressure arising within the Homelessness service alongside significant income shortfalls in a number of other services.

The report recommended to Council for approval a supplementary capital budget and capital programme budget adjustments.

Tenant and Leaseholder Service Annual Reports

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel reviewed the Tenant and Leaseholder Services Annual Report 2024/25 and the Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2024/25.

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 increases the powers of the Housing Ombudsman, meaning the council must be compliant with the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code and publish an annual complaints performance and service improvement report.

Tenant and Leaseholder Service Performance

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel reviewed the Tenant and Leaseholder Service Key Performance Indicators for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. The report included performance information relating to operational performance and the management of tenant and leaseholder health and safety.

Review of the Work Programme

The Overview & Scrutiny Panel reviewed the work programme for 2025/26, which helps the committee to deliver effective scrutiny of executive decisions before, and after, implementation.

Tackling Poverty Scrutiny Review

The Panel endorsed the terms of reference for the Tackling Poverty Scrutiny Review. The scrutiny review group has been formed to look at the cost of living and poverty in Thanet, gathering information about available services and signposting. The review aims to ensure the council is signposting and working jointly with other organisations tackling poverty in the district, and to improve communication with Thanet residents living in poverty about what help is available.

Forward Plan

The Panel noted the Forward Plan and Exempt Cabinet Report list. Councillor Phil Fellows, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel, noted that future Cabinet Member presentations would be requested from Councillor Steve Albon in relation to operational services and a debrief after the summer period, and from Councillor Ruth Duckworth in relation to other regeneration related schemes which did not fall under the Pathfinder Programme.