The Cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss several topics, including the adoption of the Tonbridge Town Centre Masterplan Framework, the allocation of funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, staff training plans, and recommendations regarding the Angel Leisure Centre replacement project. They will also be considering the Annual Audit Report and Risk Management recommendations from the Audit Committee.

Tonbridge Town Centre Masterplan Framework

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the adoption of the Tonbridge Town Centre Masterplan Framework and its Delivery Strategy, following a public engagement exercise. The masterplan, created by Mace, Architects Periscope, and Vail Williams, focuses on the area east of Tonbridge High Street, including the Angel Leisure Centre and surrounding car parks.

The Masterplan Framework Survey Results public engagement survey, which received 1,458 responses, indicated support for the masterplan’s objectives. Key themes included:

• A preference for a new GP surgery over residential development at Sovereign Way East car park.
• Support for a riverside park along the south bank of the River Medway.
• A desire to retain the Angel West car park for parking.
• A preference for a mixed-use development over solely residential use for the old Angel Centre site.

The Masterplan Framework Addendum 1 provides additional information on parking within the masterplan area.

The proposed Delivery Strategy outlines a phased approach, anticipating that the full masterplan could take over 10 years to deliver. The strategy prioritises the new leisure centre and addresses key considerations:

• Local Government Reorganisation: The strategy acknowledges the ongoing local government reorganisation process in Kent and Medway, with new unitary councils expected by April 2028.
• Parking: The strategy aims to retain over 60% of the current parking provision within the masterplan area, with further surveys to be undertaken as developments progress.
• Linear Riverside Park: The linear riverside park will be delivered in stages, funded by Section 106 agreements¹ from developments within the masterplan area.

The report pack states that the Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations of the Tonbridge Town Centre Programme Board from its meeting on 26 September 2025.

UKSPF Community Development Grant Scheme

The Cabinet will consider the allocation of grants from the third round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Community Development Grant Scheme. The report pack notes that 56 eligible bids were received, requesting a total of £124,312, which exceeds the available grant fund of £76,660.

The report pack states that the proposed grant allocations, detailed in Annex 2 - Summary of proposed grant allocations, are based on a scoring system outlined in Annex 1 - Guidlines and Scoring Criteria. The scoring criteria prioritises projects that:

• Deliver a specific project within 5 months of funding.
• Are funded from various sources, with the Council providing additional support.
• Support the armed forces.
• Align with the Council's Corporate Strategy, addressing priorities such as helping vulnerable communities, supporting healthy lifestyles, improving community safety, helping people gain skills, and supporting environmental initiatives.

The report pack notes that applicants with higher scores will receive a larger percentage of their requested amount.

Staff Training - Safeguarding and Equalities and Diversity

The Cabinet will be asked to approve staff training plans related to safeguarding, equalities and diversity. The report pack notes that the Annual Service Delivery Plan 2025/26 includes actions for Cabinet to approve staff training plans in relation to safeguarding and equalities and diversity.

The proposed training will be delivered through a tiered framework, with different levels of training based on the roles and responsibilities of staff. The training plans, detailed in Annex 1 - Safeguarding Training Plan and Annex 2 - Equalities and Diversity Training Plan, include e-learning modules, face-to-face workshops, and refresher sessions.

Angel Leisure Centre - Replacement Project

The Cabinet will consider recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Angel Leisure Centre replacement project.

The report pack notes that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the project on 11 September 2025, following an all-member presentation on 29 July 2025. The presentation slides, attached as Annex 1 - All Member PowerPoint for OS Committee 1 Sep 25, provide a summary of the project's progress, objectives, costs, and public consultation.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee made the following recommendations:

• The Tonbridge Town Centre Programme Board should consider options for using proceeds from the redevelopment of the current Angel Centre site to offset debt incurred for the new leisure centre.
• The intention to present a fully costed business case to members before seeking approval for the final construction of the Angel Leisure Centre replacement should be noted.
• The progress being made on the replacement of the Angel Leisure Centre should be noted.

Annual Service Delivery Plan 2025/26 - Quarter 1

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of the milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set out in the Annual Service Delivery Plan 2025/26.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the report on 11 September 2025, and made the following recommendations:

• Appreciation be recorded for the overall progress made during Quarter 1.
• Appreciation be recorded for the achievements made during Quarter 1.
• The areas needing focus be noted.

The report pack notes that the Annual Service Delivery Plan April-June 2025 (Q1) indicates that 70% of activities were rated as green, indicating good progress, while 3% were red, indicating serious issues with missed deadlines. The report pack also notes that 52% of KPIs were rated as green, while 26% were red.

Executive/Scrutiny Protocol

The Cabinet will consider recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Executive/Scrutiny Protocol.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the protocol on 11 September 2025, and recommended that the revised protocol, attached as Annex 1 - Executive Protocol September 2025, be approved. The revised protocol includes a reference to IT Strategies within the standing items for consideration in the Scrutiny Work Programme.

Annual Audit Report 2024/25

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the Annual Audit Report Year Ending 31 March 2025 from Grant Thornton UK LLP, the council's external auditors. The Report of Management Team includes recommendations from the Audit Committee.

The auditor's report covers three areas: financial sustainability, governance, and improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The report pack notes that no significant weaknesses were found in financial sustainability and governance, although some improvement recommendations were made.

The report pack also notes that one key recommendation from 2023/24, concerning the role of procurement, has been implemented in full. However, one improvement recommendation remains concerning the reserves forecast.

The report pack states that this year's report has not identified any significant weaknesses, with only one improvement recommendation being made in respect of the response to the Internal Audit recommendation on the Agile Software implementation².

Risk Management

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations of the Audit Committee in respect of the risk management process and the Strategic Risk Register (SRR). The Report of Management Team includes the recommendations of the Audit Committee.

The report pack includes an Executive Summery - Strategic Risk Register and the Strategic Risk Register, as well as a schedule of Service Risks.

The report pack notes that the current red risks remain as:

• Achievement of Savings and Transformation Strategy
• Failure to agree a Local Plan
• Managed exit from the Agile System

The Cabinet will also be asked to review the Risk Management Strategy and accompanying Risk Management Guidance. The Risk Management Guidance has been updated to reflect a shift from a 4 x 6 risk matrix to a 5 x 5 risk matrix.