Eastleigh Borough Council Cabinet Meeting

Councillor House declared a personal interest in item 6 as he is a Hampshire County Councillor. He clarified that he would be discussing policy and would not be expressing any view on the planning application.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

There were no recommendations from Committees on this occasion.

Issue

Hampshire County Council (HCC) and its partner Authorities, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council, New Forest National Park Authority and South Downs National Park Authority (collectively known as the Hampshire Authorities), are working to produce a partial update to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan (HMWP, the Plan) which will guide minerals and waste decision making in the Plan area up until 2040. (Paper 6)

Consideration

The Hampshire Authorities are consulting on the partial update until 31 January 2023. The Council is advised to respond.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  responded to Hampshire County Council’s (HCC’s) consultation on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan (HMWP) partial update. The consultation response is outlined in sections 18-22 of this report;

(2)  upheld its continued objection to include the former Hamble Airfield site in the HMWP partial update for minerals extraction;

(3)  formally requested (via this committee report and decision) that HCC remove the Hamble Airfield as an allocated site for minerals extraction from the HMWP partial update; and

(4)  delegated the approval of further representations on the HMWP to HCC on minor matters to the Executive Head for Planning and Economy in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Chair of the Bursledon, Hamble-le- Rice and Hound Local Area Committee, and the Chief Executive.

Issue

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Part II provides the statutory framework to enable covert surveillance to be lawfully authorised and conducted by a public authority, including a Local Authority. The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) provides the statutory framework for the acquisition of Communications Data to be obtained by a public authority, including a Local Authority. (Paper 7)

Consideration

On 8 February 2022 the Audit and Resources Committee considered a RIPA Annual Report which highlighted the RIPA Policy was under review. The RIPA Policy review has now been completed and the policy has been substantially updated. This updated policy incorporates a comprehensive framework to ensure investigations are compliant with legislation and that processes are robust. It adds in the framework for the acquisition of Communications Data which enables Eastleigh Borough Council to make use of this powers when appropriate to an investigation.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  approved the ‘Corporate Policy and Procedures- Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA)’

Issue

Eastleigh Borough Council (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-quality service for its customers. (Paper 8)

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:

(1)  Considered the 2nd tranche of policies (Rent Setting Policy, Income Management Policy, Tenancy Policy and Housing Management Policy) and they be approved on the terms as outlined in this report.

Issue

The Executive Head of Finance and Housing Programme is authorised within the Constitution’s Scheme of Delegation to write-off debts of £5,000 or less in respect of housing benefits, council tax and business rates (NNDR) respectively. The Chief Financial Officer is authorised to write-off debts of £5,000 or less and debts over this amount where bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings have been instituted. Anything outside of these limits should be approved by Cabinet. (Paper 9)

Consideration

Writing off a debt does not prevent action to recover the debt subsequently being taken if a debtor is traced, provided such action is not statute barred through lapse of time. The process for debt collection is regularly reviewed to ensure that income to the Council can be maximised.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  noted debts of £5,000 or under approved for write off by the Executive Head of Finance and Housing Programme relating to Council Tax, Business Rates (NNDR) and Housing Benefits with a net total of £95,974.80;

(2)  noted debts relating to bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings, approved for write off by the Corporate Director (CFO) relating to Council Tax, Business Rates (NNDR) and Housing Benefits with a net total of £254,651.39;

(3)  noted debts of £5,000 or under, approved for write off by the Corporate Director (CFO) relating to Sundry Debtors with a net total of £27,401.51; and

(4)  noted debts relating to bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings, approved for write off by the Corporate Director (CFO) relating to Sundry Debtors with a net total of £32,268.51