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 14 September 2023 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 has previously purchased 129 hectares of land of to the west of Horton Heath to deliver and is progressing with the planning and delivery of a new community. Reports have been brought to Cabinet discussing progress to date and relevant approvals in October 2017, July 2018, April 2019, September 2020, and December 2021 with the resultant project known as “One Horton Heath”. (Paper 6)

Consideration

Budgetary approval is sought from Cabinet to progress planning for self- delivery phases known as Quobleigh Breach and Upper Acre and also to begin planning the community’s Local Centre.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  noted the One Horton Heath progress report including any recommendations from the Audit and Resources Committee;

(2)  approved capital budgets to progress the next two residential planning applications on a self-delivery basis, namely £719,000 for Quobleigh Breach (c.280 dwellings Conversion of Fir Tree Farmhouse and four flexible commercial units) and £950,000 for Upper Acre (c.420 dwellings of £950,000) to be funded from future income from the scheme; and

(3)  approved a capital budget of £300,000 to bring forward the feasibility and planning work for the Local Centre to be funded from future income from the scheme.

[NOTE: Councillor Tidridge spoke on this item and asked if there was sufficient information to be able to approve the recommendations.]

Issue

In accordance with paragraphs 43 and 44 of the National Planning Policy Framework (September 2023), Local Planning Authorities are encouraged to publish a list of information requirements for planning application submissions (known as the ‘Local List’). This covers information that is required over and above the national information requirements set by the Government. (Paper 7)

Consideration

The Council’s current Local List was adopted in 2013 and requires updating to take account of new policies and legislation. Approval is sought for the updated Local List to be published for consultation.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approved the updated Local List for the purposes of consultation.

Issue

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 detail the requirement for an internal audit function. Internal audit plays a critical role in an organisation’s operations and corporate governance. Internal Audit provides management with a level of assurance on its activities and identifies where the management of risk could be improved. (Paper 8)

Consideration

For a number of years it has been recognised that the capacity of the Internal Audit function will be impacted as the delivery of the housing programme progresses including the reopening of the Housing Revenue Account, along with the evolution of other activities being undertaken by the Council.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  noted the contents of this report; and

(2)  approved the increase in capacity of the Internal Audit Team.

Issue

On 20 October 2022, Cabinet approved changes to the Domestic Waste & Recycling Policy. In order to further improve and develop waste and recycling, provide clearer and simpler information to help residents recycle and manage their waste, it is now timely to consider making minor adjustments to this Policy. (Paper 9)

Consideration

A number of changes are requested to be considered to enable the Council to meet its waste obligations and objectives.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet agreed the proposed revisions to the Domestic Waste & Recycling Policy.

Issue

The Biodiversity strategy aligns with the “Protecting our Environment” theme identified in the EBC Corporate Plan 2023-2026. Within this theme the plan identifies opportunities to deliver environmental mitigation on our land assets as a corporate priority. (Paper 10)

Consideration

An updated draft Biodiversity Strategy for Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) is presented for public consultation. An earlier draft was approved for consultation on 9 December 2021 but following comments from a task and finish group the document has been revised and updated to include nature recovery mapping for the borough and a biodiversity action plan.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approved the updated and revised draft Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2033 to go out to public consultation, with the amended final document to be brought back to Cabinet for adoption after the consultation period.

[NOTE: An email was sent to all Cabinet Members from local resident George Baker from the Wildern Nature Reserve project with regards to the Strategy. Councillor House has responded to the email.]