Eastleigh Borough Council Cabinet Meeting

There were no declarations of interest in relation to items of business on the agenda.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

There were no recommendations from Committees on this occasion.

Issue

The Council declared a Climate and Environmental Emergency in July 2019 and agreed that the Council’s Procurement Policy should recognise carbon neutrality as one of the primary considerations. When included within the Council’s total carbon emissions, ‘Scope 3 emissions’ (‘Scope 3’ includes business travel, commuting, working from home and procurement) account for approximately 80% of the overall carbon footprint (of which the emissions relating to the procurement of goods and services account for the overwhelming majority). (Paper 6)

Consideration

The purpose of this Policy is to inform all Council employees, procuring managers, suppliers and contractors of the Council’s new expectations in relation to procuring goods and services in a more sustainable way. This includes considering the wider environmental, social and economic benefits when procuring goods and services, and in particular the suppliers’ carbon emissions.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approves the Procurement Policy Summary and Guidance and Implementation document (at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2) to go out for consultation with key suppliers, with the amended final document to be brought back to Cabinet for adoption after the consultation period.

The timeframe for the consultation period and subsequent further Cabinet approval will be set to allow the implementation of a final Policy by 1 October 2023 (subject to consultation), as per the implementation timeframe outlined in paragraph 17.

Issue

The Strategic Land Purchases, whilst delivering nutrient and phosphate mitigation provide the opportunity to explore and develop opportunities to meet other strategic objectives which include investment in green infrastructure, habitat creation and renewable energy infrastructure. (Paper 7)

Consideration

The projects being identified and carried out on Council owned land will contribute to creating a Green Borough by providing an Excellent Environment for All, developing our green infrastructure and by Improving Wellbeing through enhancement and access to nature.

The Health and Wellbeing Corporate Strategy (2018) similarly emphasises the importance of increasing the use of open space and green infrastructure for everyday physical activity.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  note the contents of this report; and

(2)  approve a revised interim charge for Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG) to be collected from developers that wish to mitigate their recreation impacts on the New Forest using Eastleigh Borough Council projects delivered on the strategic land.

Issue

Fees and Charges for Council services are reviewed on a regular basis. In accordance with the Budget Plan, fees and charges levied by the Council are reviewed annually with the intention of any changes being introduced, where possible, with effect from January 2023. (Paper 8)

Consideration

A minimum increase in yield of 10.1% for all fees and charges should be implemented, where possible, from January 2023, reflecting the national CPI level of inflation as of July 2022.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approve all proposed fees and charges in the report and Appendices A to I to come into effect on the dates outlined in the report, subject to clarification on the pest control service charge of rats and mice.

Issue

Regular monitoring and management of the Council’s performance is key to ensuring delivery against strategic objectives set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2015-2025, delivery of actions in the Corporate Action Plan 22/23, and contributes to the management of corporate risk. (Paper 9)

Consideration

The report details key performance indicators which allow the monitoring of performance trends. Individual performance measures are being actively managed by service managers with the support of the Resource Management team.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet note the service performance of the Council for the second quarter of 2022/23.

Issue

The financial monitoring for the second quarter of 2022/23 is forecasting a total net unfavourable variance against the budget of £360,000 based on best estimates in a changing economic environment. If this were the outturn position, the deficit would be met by the General Fund reserve. Capital expenditure for the first half of the financial year of 2022/23 was £25.7M compared to the rolling budget for the year of £69M representing a 37% spend at the half year. (Paper 10)

Consideration

The financial monitoring for the first six months of 2022/23 informs councillors on the financial performance of the Council for the current year.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  Note the Council’s forecast financial position for the year and the revised Medium Term Financial Plan (Appendix A);

(2)  Note the performance of the Community Investment Programme (Appendix B);

(3)  Note the performance of Treasury Management (Appendix C); and

(4)  Note the intention of the Chief Executive to conduct a Pay and Progression review.

Issue

Cabinet approval is sought to enter intocontract with Homes England as a member of the Wayfarer Consortium of registered providers of affordable housing. As a consortium member the Council is able tobid for Affordable Homes Programme funding via the CME (Continuous Market Engagement) route. The Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) provides grant funding to support the capital costs of developing affordable housing for rent or sale. (Paper 11)

Consideration

Entering into contract is necessary in order to claim grant funding, if successful following a CME bid for affordable housing units as part of the Council’s Housing Programme projects. Entering into contract is subject to obtaining approval in accordance with Council’s standing orders. Cabinet approval is therefore sought to enter into the necessary Agreements with Homes England and the Wayfarer Consortium members.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approves entering into a Deed of Adherence to the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 Grant Contract Agreement, and associated Supplemental Agreement to the Wayfarer Consortium Agreement; and

(2)  delegates authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in consultation with the Leader to authorise future grant applications via the continuous market engagement (CME) process, in accordance with Wayfarer’s terms.

Issue

Eastleigh Borough Council (the Council) has been a local authority Registered Provider of affordable homes since May 2021 and is due to be the landlord of its first affordable housing tenants (from the Hampshire Home Choice Register) in 2023/24. As a registered provider of affordable housing the Council must ensure that it meets not only its regulatory requirements but also puts in place a transparent, high-quality service for its customers. (Paper 12)

Consideration

Several policies require approval to enable the timely delivery of the Council’s new affordable housing service. The draft policies are fully compliant and up to date with the latest regulations. The policies will be monitored and reviewed annually, using lessons learnt and tenant input to further improve them and the services they underpin.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet consider the first tranche of policies (allocations; lettings; local lettings; complaints; and compensation and redress) and they be approved on the terms as outlined in this report.

[NOTE: Councillor Bicknell joined the meeting at 18:47]

Issue

On 24 March 2022, Cabinet was presented with a detailed report on the Solent Freeport, its positive progress and details related to the Eastleigh element (Navigator Quarter). Since this date, the owners of Eastleigh Railway works, Diageo, withdrew from being part of Navigator Quarter, the Full Business Case for Solent Freeport was then reworked and submitted to DLUHC, Solent Freeport was subsequently launched and Navigator Quarter was formally designated as a tax site on 14 October 2022. (Paper 13)

Consideration

Within the March 2022 Cabinet report, recommendation 4 was to approve the principles of the final draft Business Rate Retention Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and delegate final approval to the Executive Head for Finance and Housing and the Leader of the Council. Following the approval of this local districts MOU, as part of the final approval stages of the Freeport designation process, there is a requirement for all Rating Authorities, to enter a further Memorandum of Understanding with Government. The terms of the Government MOU do not undermine the previously agreed local MOU and consequently the Council is being asked to sign up to this.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Financial Officer (S151) and the Leader of the Council to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Council as part of the Freeport designation process.

Issue

The purpose of the report is to seek approval to fund feasibility and preplanning work for Council-owned sites as part of the Housing Programme

during 2022-23. (Paper 14)

Consideration

The Council’s strategic housing programme includes residential construction projects delivered in partnership or directly by the Council via contractors. The pipeline of schemes includes investigating land in Council ownership, often for brownfield regeneration and redevelopment projects. In accordance with national planning policy, local planning authorities should make effective use of land and support proposals to use retail and employment land for homes in areas of high housing demand, provided this does not undermine key economic sectors or sites.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approve expenditure of up to £100,000 for feasibility and pre-planning studies and design work for housing proposals on Council-owned land, to be funded from the development of future schemes in the Strategic Housing Programme.

RESOLVED -

(1)  That, in pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and

(2)  That, in pursuance of the public interest test, the public interest in disclosing the information contained in the following item of business was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining the exemption.