As Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services I agree to:
A) APPROVE to issue the draft consultation report set out in Appendix B.
B) APPROVE to Issue the consultation response set out in Appendix C.
C) Note that KCC remain committed to a full town centre library provision in Folkestone Town Centre.
D) APPROVE that further work be undertaken to explore and implement an alternative town centre location for the temporary library and registration service, from which a greater range of services could be delivered, within current budgets, until a permanent library and registration service location is opened in the town centre.
E) APPROVE that the options for the future of the Grace Hill building which involve KCC retaining responsibility for maintenance and repair of the building, be discounted, acknowledging that this will very likely require KCC to make a disposal of the building to a third party (by way of freehold transfer or grant of a long lease), and progress actions relating to its listing as an asset of community value (ACV), including issuing a notice to Folkestone & Hythe District Council of intention to dispose (Folkestone & Hythe District Council being the statutory body that administers the ACV process under the Localism Act 2011) This notice will trigger the ACV process.
F) APPROVE that further work be undertaken on the two remaining options, including further engagement with Creative Folkestone and, if appropriate, other individuals or groups who may make proposals for the Grace Hill building (including through the ACV process).
G) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to issue the draft consultation responses
H) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services to proceed with the work required on the remaining two options, noting that these will be subject to further governance and decision making
I) Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.
J) Delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.