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 5 December 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

Issues

Committees can refer items to Cabinet under the Council’s Constitution. (Paper 4a)

Considerations

Cabinet must consider any recommendations made by Committee’s as part of their decision-making process.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet agreed the following recommendations from the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel:

The meeting of the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel on 9 January 2025, considered a report by the Service Director – Neighbourhoods and Green Spaces outlining proposed changes to the 2023 Domestic Waste and Recycling Policy.

Following a discussion around the requirement to remove bins from the highway by the end of the collection day, Councillors suggested that this was highlighted within the Enforcement Policy and made the below recommendation to Cabinet.

That Policy & Performance Scrutiny Panel considered and commented on the proposed revisions to the 2023 Domestic Waste and Recycling Policy and made the following recommendation to Cabinet:

(1)  That the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel recommended that an updated Enforcement Policy is brought forward to enable the enforcement of bins left on the highway.

Issue

The Bird Aware Strategy is an established strategic solution that protects local biodiversity and habitats, while helping to ensure a sufficient supply of new homes. (Paper 5)

Consideration

The changes follow an independent review into the strategy and a full financial review. The revised strategy has been extended to cover the time period until 2050 and to operate throughout the year. It includes a larger ranger team with increased resources for projects, communication and engagement and monitoring. The level of contributions remain the same.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approved the Revised Bird Aware Strategy (Appendix 1) for use in determining relevant planning applications.

Issue

On 19 October 2023, Cabinet approved changes to the Domestic Waste and Recycling Policy. To further improve the policy and 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 6)

Consideration

The changes proposed will ensure that the Council is able to continue to meet its aspiration to be an exemplar recycling authority as outlined in the Corporate Plan 2023 - 26. As stated in the Corporate Action Plan 2023-26, the Council aims to achieve a national re-use/recycling target of 55% by 2025 and 65% by 2035.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet approved the proposed revisions to the 2023 Domestic Waste and Recycling Policy and agreed the below recommendation from the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel:

(1)  That the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel recommended that an updated Enforcement Policy is brought forward to enable the enforcement of bins left on the highway.

Issue

As outlined in the previous reports to Audit and Resources Committee and Cabinet, further work is needed to determine the most appropriate delivery model for the remainder of the site. This includes identifying how costs can be reduced and how the site can be planned in order to achieve a financially sustainable Business Plan. (Paper 7)

Consideration

Planning and Design work needs to be completed, scrutinised and approved before the detailed delivery of future parcels can be approved. In order to enable the most appropriate delivery model to be recommended for approval, initial planning and business planning work needs to be carried out across the whole site and in detail on Quobleigh breach, Upper Acre and on the next three residential parcels: The Holme; Homestal and The Folds.

RESOLVED –

That, with oversight of the overall programme business plan,  Cabinet approved an increase in budgetary provision of £3,685,600, to enable wider site proving work and also Reserved Matters planning applications to be submitted and processed for Quobleigh Breach, Upper Acre, The Holme, Homestal and The Folds parcels as part of the Council’s One Horton Heath Development. This will be funded by borrowing to be repaid from future income from the parcels.

[NOTE: A recommendation from Audit and Resources Committee 13 January 2025 was tabled at the meeting and has been appended to the minutes.]

Issue

The Internal Audit function provides independent assurance that the Council’s risk management, governance and control processes are efficient, compliant, work effectively and support the ambitions of the Council. This underpins the successful delivery of the Corporate Plan 2023-26. (Paper 8)

Consideration

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.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  considered the contents of the report and the comments received from pre-partnership engagement with staff; and

(2)  approved the Council’s Internal Audit function being delivered through a joint working agreement with Southern Internal Audit Partnership (SIAP) from 1 April 2025.

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 2 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.