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 21 March 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

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 were appointed to the following organisation:

a)  South East Employers Local Democracy and Accountability Network;

(4)  Appointments were made to the following organisations, details of which are contained in Appendix 1 to the report:

a)  Partnership for South Hampshire Overview and Scrutiny Committee

b)  Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Activities Centre

c)  Road Safety Council

d)  Southampton International Airport Consultative Committee;

(5)  That 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)  That the Leader of the Council was authorised to make any changes to the above appointments should any representative request a change to their appointment or that are identified following the review of governance arrangements due to commence in June 2024.

Issue

To make an appointment to the Procurement Executive Group for the 2024/25 year.

Consideration

Cabinet is asked to make an appointment to the Procurement Executive Group for 2024/25.

RESOLVED –

Councillors Corben and House were appointed to the Procurement Executive Group for 2024/25.

Issue

To make an appointment to the Strategic Risk Management Group for the 2024/25 year.

Considerations

Cabinet is asked to make an appointment to the Strategic Risk Management Group for 2024/25.

RESOLVED –

Councillor Duguid was appointed to the Strategic Risk Management Group for 2024/25.

Issue

On 7 December 2023, Cabinet agreed to approve the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) following public consultation in June – September on the draft statement. The SCI details how the Council will consult and engage on planning matters including the preparation of the Local Plan and planning applications. (Paper 8)

Consideration

The Statement of Community Involvement is a key document in the preparation of the Local Plan Review. The SCI will ensure the involvement of individuals and organisations to inform and shape planning policy and to comment on planning applications.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  Approved the revised Statement of Community Involvement for adoption; and

(2)  Delegated authority to the Planning Policy Manager to make minor corrections to the document that do not change its content prior to publication.

[NOTE: a resident submitted questions with regards to the Local Plan and SCI. These were circulated to Cabinet Members and the Leader confirmed that a response would be sent in writing.]

Issue

Each year the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) makes grants available to local authorities for Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) purposes and a report is taken to Cabinet with an updated DHP policy to reflect the new funding allocation. (Paper 9)

Consideration

The main objective of the DHP policy is the prevention of homelessness and to sustain tenancies.

Local authorities have the discretion to completely disregard war pension related incomes when calculating entitlement to Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit.

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

In February 2023, Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) regarding the administration and delivery of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) 2022-24. DLUHC allocated grant funding of £1,332,042 to the Council who agreed in principle to deliver nine properties for households that meet eligibility criteria. (Paper 10)

Consideration

In October 2023, the Council approached the Freeholder of unit 25a The Precinct with a view to purchase the property under the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Funding Programme. The property was a mix of residential above, which formed a two-bedroom maisonette flat, and the ground floor is a retail unit.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet noted the special urgency decision, as per provisions set out in the Constitution; taken by the Leader and Chief Executive.