Havant Borough Council Cabinet Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Fairhurst.

There were no declarations of interest from members present.

The minutes of the last meeting of Cabinet held on 06 September 2023 were agreed as a true record.

The Leader notified members about a Waterlooville Vacant Shop Scheme.

The main shopping precinct in Leigh Park, (Park Parade and the Greywell shopping centre) currently has 12 vacant units, which represents around 14% of all the shops in that area. Some of these are large units that have been empty for some time. The Council recently promoted a vacant shop scheme for Waterlooville of which we had 30 applicants demonstrating that there was a call for this type of support to stimulate growth. I am announcing today a similar initiative for the Leigh Park Shopping Centre whereby we are inviting applications from new businesses to the area, or for existing businesses who wish to expand into larger premises.

Currently 20% of all the retails units within the shopping area are related to provision of hair and beauty services. The Council, through this initiative, will be seeking bids in particular from retail, leisure & arts, entertainment and healthcare to try and encourage a more diverse offer for shoppers.

The size of the pot that can be bid for is £150,000 and details of how businesses can bid for this money will be released shortly. The Council intends to fund this from the specific Regeneration reserve and there will also be a requirement for a resource to manage this programme. Because this is capital scheme is being funded from reserves it will require onward approval at Full Council, and a report on this will be presented on the 22 November 2023.

There were no questions put to Cabinet by Councillors under the provision of this standing order.

There was 1 matter for Cabinet to consider under the provision of standing order 68.7.3.  This matter arises from the meeting of Full Council held on 20 September 2023 and relates to a motion regarding Making Space.

A motion proposed by Councillor Robinson to agree the recommendations as set out in the published report, was seconded by Councillor Lloyd.

Questions and points of clarification raised by Councillor Philippa Gray on behalf of Councillor Redsull were responded to by Councillor Robinson within the meeting.

Cabinet discussed the motion, including the options available, and Councillor Rennie reiterated that this was a recommendation to Council.

Following a vote, it was

RESOLVED that

Cabinet recommend to Council to:

a)    decline funding for Making Space but reiterate the offer to support the organisation with assistance in kind.

b)    recommend to Making Space that they bid for funding direct from the South Western Railways funding for local communities, and other funding bodies. Reiterate the offer to support the organisation with assistance in kind, including supporting the application process if necessary.

The minutes of meetings as set out in the agenda were noted.

Councillor Rennie, as Leader of the Council, introduced a report that proposed Havant Borough to twin with Yavoriv Raion Council.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Councillor Bowdell to adopt the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report which outlines some shared attributes that Yavoriv Raion council has with Havant Borough ie its military background and both being similarly sized councils.

Cabinet discussed the motion in detail, including the options available to Cabinet. Councillor Rennie and officers responded to questions raised.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that the Borough Council agree the proposed town twinning between the Council and Yavoriv Raion Council and that the Leader shall facilitate the union.

Councillor Bowdell, as relevant Cabinet Lead, introduced a report which recommends a drawdown of up to £1,328,800 from the Council’s reserves to be used over a three-year period to enable the strategic commissioning of services, systems and software across the council.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Bowdell and seconded by Councillor Robinson to adopt the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report.

Cabinet discussed the motion in detail, including the options available.

Following a vote, it was

RESOLVED that Cabinet

1.     approve the strategic commissioning of services, systems and software across the Council through a hybrid delivery model utilising both specialist external support and internal resource. 

2.     Cabinet recommends to Council to:

a)      Approve the transfer of £1,328,800 from the Council’s central reserves to a ringfenced reserve created for the strategic commissioning of services, systems and software across the Council; and

b)  Approve the draw down of up to £1,328,800 from the ringfenced reserve to be used for the strategic commissioning of services, systems and software across the Council.

Councillor Bowdell, as relevant Cabinet Lead, introduced a report outlining a misalignment that exists between the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Spending Protocol that was adopted by the council in March 2022 and the Capital Strategy which was adopted by the council in March 2023.  The report recommends that the Capital Strategy be amended to provide clarity on CIL spending decisions.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Bowdell and seconded by Councillor Bowerman to adopt the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report.

Cabinet discussed the motion in detail, including the options available.

Following debate, it was

RESOLVED that

Cabinet recommend to Council that:

a)    the Capital Strategy be amended to confirm that CIL spending decisions are governed by the separate CIL Spending Protocol March 2022;

b)    authority be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer to amend the Capital Strategy.

Councillor Lloyd as relevant Cabinet Lead, introduced a report that outlines the work of the Climate Change & Environment Panel and assesses progress against the Action Plan priorities identified by Cabinet in July 2022.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Bowerman to adopt the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report.

Cabinet discussed the motion in detail, including the options available.

Councillor Lloyd responded to questions raised.

Following debate, it was

RESOLVED that Cabinet

a)    note the work of the Climate Change and Environment Panel to date, including the progress against the priorities identified by the Cabinet on 13 July 2022

b)    vary resolution 30 D of the Climate Liaison Panel report to Cabinet of 15 December 2021 to read “decide that the Climate Change & Environment Panel will bring annual update report to Cabinet”.

In Councillor Fairhurst’s absence, Councillor Rennie, as Leader of the Council, introduced a report that recommended the use of £140,000 of round 4 Household Support Grant Scheme funding, to support residents with rent arrears and help to prevent homelessness, as was successfully carried out in round 3.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Councillor Robinson to adopt the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report.

Cabinet discussed the motion in detail, including the options available to Cabinet. Councillor Rennie and officers responded to questions raised.

Following a vote, it was

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve that the discretionary element of the Household Support Fund of £140,000 is used to support residents with rent arrears to allow them to sustain a tenancy, prevent homelessness or enable a move to a more sustainable tenancy.

Councillor Rennie reminded Cabinet that information in the appendix is private and confidential and Cabinet should make the Chairman aware of any wish to vote to exclude members of the press and public in order to discuss the exempt information. 

Councillor Bowerman, as relevant Cabinet Lead, introduced a report following the appointment of a new Managing Director in April 2023 and the agreement of the Shareholder Sub Committee and Norse South East (NSE) to review and resubmit the Annual Business Plan 2023/24. 

A motion was proposed by Councillor Bowerman and seconded by Councillor Rennie to adopt the recommendations for the reasons set out in the report.

Cabinet discussed the motion, including the options available.

Following a vote, it was

RESOLVED that Cabinet resolved to approve the revised Norse South East Ltd Business Plan 2023/2024.

There was no requirement to resolve to exclude members of the press and public.