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 23 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor House thanked Councillor Pretty for his hard work over the years as a Cabinet Member for Economy and welcomed Councillor Duguid to Cabinet as the Cabinet Member for Economy and Transport.

A member of the public asked a question in relation to charities and The Point. It was agreed that the Cabinet member for Health and Social Policy and the Business Manager arrange a separate meeting to discuss any concerns.

Issue

In addition to attending Council meetings and other constituency work, Councillors and some staff are required to sit as representatives of the Council on other organisations and agencies known as Outside Bodies. An Outside Body is an organisation that has a separate governance structure to that of the Council. (Paper 5)

Consideration

The Council appoints elected members, and in some instances staff, to represent it on a range of Outside Bodies at a national and local level. Such appointments ensure that the Council’s and residents’ interests are represented within key agencies. The Council recognises the value outside organisations bring to the wider community and in the achievement of Council’s corporate priorities.

RESOLVED –

(1)  The Cabinet Member with the relevant portfolio as shown in brackets was appointed to the following organisations:

a.  Age Concern Hampshire (Health and Social Policy)

b.  Citizens Advice Bureau (Health and Social Policy)

c.  Eastleigh Community Safety Partnership Steering Group (with the Chair of the Licensing Committee) (Health and Social Policy)

d.  Police and Crime Panel (Health and Social Policy)

e.  Project Integra Strategic Board (Environment)

f.  Relate Solent (Regeneration and Social Policy)

g.  Relate Winchester and District (Regeneration and Social Policy)

h.  Eastleigh Business Improvement District (Transport and Economy)

i.  Solent Freeport Board (Transport and Economy)

j.  PATROL Adjudication Joint Committee (Transport and Economy)

(2)  The Leader was appointed to the following organisations:

a)  Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association (with the Deputy Leader; Deputies: any of the other Cabinet Members)

b)  Local Government Association

c)  South East Employers (Deputy: Deputy Leader)

d)  Partnership for South Hampshire Joint Committee (PfSH) (Deputy: Deputy Leader)

e)  Solent Freeport Retained Rates Investment Committee

(3)  The Chairs of both Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel and Audit and Resources Committee was appointed to the following organisation:

a.  South East Employers Local Democracy and Accountability Network;

(4)  Appointments were made to the following organisations:

a.  Partnership for South Hampshire Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Gomer and Councillor Pretty as Deputy

b.  Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Activities Centre - Councillors Pretty and Irish

c.  Road Safety Council – Councillor Duguid and Councillor Irish as Deputy

d.  Southampton International Airport Consultative Committee – Councillors Duguid, Asman and Park.

(5)  Appointments to organisations owned either wholly or in part by the Council were made as set-out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(6)  The Leader of the Council was authorised to make any changes to the above appointments should any representative request a change to their appointment.

Issue

To make an appointment to the Procurement Executive Group for the 2023/24 year.

Considerations

Cabinet is asked to make an appointment to the Procurement Executive Group for 2023/24.

RESOLVED –

Councillors Corben and House were appointed to the Procurement Executive Group for 2023/24.

Issue

To make an appointment to the Strategic Risk Management Group for the 2023/24 year.

Considerations

Cabinet is asked to make an appointment to the Strategic Risk Management Group for 2023/24.

RESOLVED –

Councillor Duguid was appointed to the Strategic Risk Management Group for 2023/24.

Issue

A new Public Art Strategy has been drafted to replace the 2015-2019 Strategy; align with the new Corporate Plan 2023-2026; and identify Public Art commissioning priorities for the next five years. Formal approval of the strategy will enable the Council to continue delivering Public Art projects for the benefit of communities across the Borough (Paper 8).

Consideration

The Council has established a strong track record for delivery of Public Art projects across the Borough. Primarily commissioning with developer’s contributions secured from s106 Agreements, recent projects have included wayfinding schemes to highlight the Borough’s green routes and encourage sustainable travel; bespoke metalwork to enhance new developments and make them more distinctive; and emblematic pieces celebrating local heritage and cultural identity.

RESOLVED –

That the draft Public Art Strategy 2023 – 2028 was formally approved by Cabinet to replace the 2015 – 2019 Strategy.

Issue

The Eastleigh Borough Local Plan (2016 – 2036) was adopted by full Council on 25 April 2022. The adopted Local Plan sets out the development needed to 2036, the sites required to meet 82% of this development, and policies to protect and enhance the quality of life for residents and the environment. The adopted Local Plan gives a commitment to commence a review within one year, and accordingly the preparation of this Cabinet report and associated documents commenced in April 2023. (Paper 9)

Consideration

The Local Plan Review will consider the latest need for development, the most appropriate locations for growth, and the policies needed to protect and enhance the Borough. This review will be informed by the latest national legislation and policies, sub-regional and other guidance, an update of the evidence base, and engagement with local communities and all other interested parties. The process for preparing the Local Plan Review will also follow statutory requirements.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  Approved the Local Development Scheme (Appendix 1);

(2)  Approved the draft Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation (Appendix 2);

(3)  Issued a ‘call for sites’; and

(4)  Delegated authority to the Planning Policy Senior Specialist, following consultation with the Corporate Leadership Board and Leader of the Council, to make changes to the Local Development Scheme as required through the preparation of the Local Plan, and minor changes to the draft Statement of Community Involvement prior to public consultation.

Issue

Discretionary Housing Payments are short-term awards administered by Local Authorities to help people with housing costs. They can play an important role in sustaining tenancies, preventing homelessness, and enabling tenants to move to more affordable accommodation. Increasingly, DHPs are being given to assist those affected by welfare reform. (Paper 10)

Consideration

The award of a DHP is discretionary and must be made in accordance with the Discretionary Financial Assistance Regulations 2001 and with the ordinary principles of good decision-making. The Council has a duty to act fairly, reasonably and consistently.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approved the attached Discretionary Housing Payment policy at Appendix 1; and

(2)  continued to disregard all income related to War Pensions when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support.

Issue

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 performing service for its customer. (Paper 11)

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 approved the fourth tranche of policies (Tenancy Support Policy, Domestic Abuse Policy, Specialist Accommodation Lettings Policy, Safeguarding (Housing) Policy and Mutual Exchange Policy) and they were approved on the terms as outlined in this report.

Issue

The Councils newly established Housing Revenue Account currently has no existing grants or reserves to support the delivery of affordable homes. This combined with the current restrictions on Government grant programmes means the delivery of affordable homes is often unviable. (Paper 12)

Consideration

The report addresses the Corporate Strategy: Housing objectives of accelerating the delivery of new homes, and encouraging a mix of housing types, tenure and sizes. The proposal also addresses the ‘Tackling Deprivation’ objective by improving access to lower-cost housing, helping to reduce time waiting for affordable housing and helping to reduce homelessness.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet agreed the strategy for the provision of affordable homes on Council developed sites.

Issue

To consider a Community Investment Programme (CIP) Scheme (paper 13).

Consideration

The report set out matters relating to a CIP scheme.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approved capital expenditure of £178,383 to be financed from ringfenced UKSPF grant income;

(2)  approved revenue expenditure of £841,617 to be financed from ringfenced capital grant income and;

(3)  delegated authority to the Service Director for Planning and Environment to approve future funding of initiatives within the programme in accordance with the terms of the grant.