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 23 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Issue

To consider the Council Tax Resolutions 2023/24. (paper 3a)

Consideration

The report sets out a number of matters relating to Council Tax Resolutions 2023/24.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet noted that the following decision had been taken:

Delegated Authority Officer Decision Notice

Record of Decision taken by an Officer of the Council

There was no public participation on this occasion.

Issue

To consider recommendations from Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel (Paper 5)

Consideration

The report sets out recommendations from the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED –

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

(a)  Improve guides on the planning process for the public and councillors;

(b)  Review the planning website for ease of use;

(c) Provide a training session on the Planning Obligations (S106s) with Local Area Managers and Local Area Committees;

(d) Provide clarity on the long-term monitoring regime on major planning applications;

(e) Identify measures to highlight when planning conditions or obligations are completed; and

(f) Increase the level of dedicated councillor training on planning;

(2)  That Cabinet agreed the following additional recommendation:

(a)  Look to reinstate post-completion audits.

Issue

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 performing service for its customer. (Paper 6)

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 considered the third tranche of policies (Adaptations Policy, Decant Policy and Void Policy) and approved on the terms as outlined in this report.

Issue

The Executive Head of Governance is responsible for the co-ordination of Corporate Risk Management. The Strategic Risk Management Group (SRMG) are responsible for overseeing and monitoring the Council’s response to Risk Management. (Paper 7)

Consideration

This Annual Report provides a summary of Risk Management activity during 2021/22 and also presents the Risk Management Framework (the Policy), Risk Appetite Statement and Terms of Reference for SRMG. The preparation of the report for 2021/22 was paused whilst Internal Audit conducted an independent review of the Council’s risk management arrangements during quarter 3. This has enabled the findings of the Internal Audit review to be incorporated into the review of the Risk Management Framework, Risk Appetite Statement and Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

(1)  considered the Annual Risk Management Report; and

(2)  approved the Risk Management Framework, Risk Appetite Statement and the Terms of Reference.

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 paragraph 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.

Issue

To consider the infrastructure improvements at Itchen Valley Country Park. (paper 9)

Consideration

The report sets out a number of matters relating to infrastructure improvements at Itchen Valley Country Park.

RESOLVED –

That the recommendations in the report be approved.