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 19 November 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Parker-Jones questioned the re-opening of the pedestrian and cycle access on Fir Tree Lane. Councillor House advised that a detailed answer will be provided over the next few days. 

Councillor David Betts, Allbrook Parish Council, praised staff for the excellent housing developments in Eastleigh Town Centre.

Issue

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a statutory requirement for relevant planning applications. BNG can make a significant contribution to improving the biodiversity resource within the Borough, which aligns with the aim of “protecting our environment” in the Corporate Plan 2023-26. In order for BNG to deliver maximum benefits, monitoring and reporting is essential. (Paper 5)

Consideration

All relevant planning applications are now required to achieve a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The Environment Act 2021 mandated this requirement for major planning applications submitted on or after 12 February 2024, and 2 April 2024 for certain other planning application types.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approved the proposed charging schedule for Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fees to be applied to relevant planning applications to cover future resource demand. These will added to the existing fees and charges annual report and kept under review.

Issue

Regular monitoring and management of the Council’s operational and financial performance is essential to understanding and supporting delivery against the corporate themes set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2023-2026 and contributes to the management of corporate risk. (Paper 6)

Consideration

During the quarter, the Council has progressed a range of actions across all Corporate Plan themes and performance monitoring shows performance against Corporate Performance Indicators (CPIs) was comparable to performance of the same period during 2023/24.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approved the performance of the Council for the second quarter of 2024/25 and the Council’s forecast increased transfer of £482,000 from the General Fund reserve, and consider any recommendations from the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel;

(2)  noted performance against Service Improvement and Efficiencies targets in Appendix B;

(3)  noted the performance of the Community Investment Programme (Appendix C);

(4)  approved the Prudential Indicators (Appendix D); and

(5)  noted the performance of Treasury Management in Appendix I.

Issue

Creating homes and communities is identified as one of the key themes within the Council’s Corporate Plan (2023-26) and this includes ensuring that there is a planned housing supply to meet residents’ requirements for new housing in the Borough. In addition, the Corporate Strategy for Housing (February 2018) also explains that the Council is a housing delivery enabler, and the Eastleigh Homes Delivery Strategy (December 2020) provided further direction for the Council’s Strategic Housing Programme activity from 2021. (Paper 7)

Consideration

By regulating sales practices and promoting affordability through shared ownership and fair incentives, these policies enable Eastleigh Borough Council to act as a proactive housing delivery enabler, consistent with the directives set out in the Corporate Strategy for Housing and the Eastleigh Homes Delivery Strategy.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approved the adoption of the Open Market Homes Sales Policy to ensure transparent and fair sales processes for all new-build homes offered on the open market by eastbrooke homes, in compliance with the New Homes Quality Code (NHQC).

(2)  approved the adoption of the Shared Ownership Sales Policy to provide a clear framework for the allocation and sale of shared ownership homes, ensuring affordability and adherence to industry standards.

(3)  approved the adoption of the Sales Incentives Policy to regulate the use of sales incentives in a strategic manner that supports sales objectives while maintaining financial integrity and compliance with NHQC requirements.

(4)  delegated authority to the Head of Sales, Communications & Marketing to oversee the implementation and ongoing management of these policies, with regular reviews to ensure their continued alignment with strategic objectives.

Issue

A key Council Corporate Plan (2023-26) theme of ‘Creating homes and communities’ seeks to ensure there is a planned housing supply to meet residents’ requirements for new housing in the Borough. Furthermore, the Corporate Strategy for Housing (February 2018) also explains the Council is a housing delivery enabler and taking responsibility for making development happen in the area, with an emphasis on actively using its own assets and capabilities to unlock housing opportunities. The One Horton Heath development is a key programme in achieving this objective. (Paper 8)

Consideration

Cabinet endorsed an Eastleigh Homes Delivery Strategy in December 2020, which provides a direction of travel for the Council’s Strategic Housing Programme activity from 2021. The Delivery Strategy confirms the Council’s aim to enable and encourage green and sustainable lifestyles for all.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet noted the Council’s progress across various projects within the One Horton Heath programme.

Issue

A key Council Corporate Plan (2023-26) theme of ‘Creating homes and communities’ seeks to ensure there is a planned housing supply to meet residents’ requirements for new housing in the Borough. The Corporate Strategy for Housing (February 2018) also explains the Council is a housing delivery enabler and taking responsibility for making development happen in the area, with an emphasis on actively using its own assets and capabilities to unlock housing opportunities. The One Horton Heath development is a key programme in achieving this objective. (Paper 9)

Consideration

Cabinet endorsed an Eastleigh Homes Delivery Strategy in December 2020, which provides a direction of travel for the Council’s Strategic Housing Programme activity from 2021. The Delivery Strategy confirms the Council’s aim to enable and encourage green and sustainable lifestyles for all.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approved the revised Lower Acre Business Plan to enable the award of the contract to Wates Construction Ltd to deliver homes on the Lower Acre at One Horton Heath; and

(2)  acknowledged the continuing need to review the approach to delivery on future phases of the One Horton Heath development to ensure they are financially viable.

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 paragraphs 1 and 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.