New Forest Borough Council Corporate Affairs and Local Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel Meeting

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2021 be confirmed and signed.

There were no declarations of interest on any agenda item.

There was no public participation.

Cllr E Heron:

Solent Freeport - progressing well. An exciting opportunity for the Waterside and the wider district.  Once the Freeport was established, there would be arrangements for retained business rates to be pooled and used for infrastructure spending, including on environmental projects, with an aspiration to be the greenest freeport in the country.   This meant achieving economic development in a sensitive area, via sustainability, innovation, with mitigation and enhancement of the environment.

The business case was expected to be submitted in March 2022. It was estimated that approximately 50,000 jobs would be created and a £2bn net benefit brought to the area. The aim was to better distribute the benefits of economic growth, in the context of low incomes and inclusive growth, with the Freeport providing opportunities for local people.  These opportunities would include training and upskill opportunities to enable people to access the new jobs created by the Freeport.   The outline business case was about to be submitted and it was understood that the Chancellor had referred to the Solent Freeport as already having been designated.

It was agreed that a report be brought to a future Panel meeting on the ‘pros and cons’ of the Freeports initiative, once the business case had been submitted.

Smarter Working proposals were being submitted by officers for future hybrid working arrangements.

The Corporate Plan review had been completed, which officers and Portfolio holders would be working towards, and the Panel would see KPI data at appropriate times.

Cllr Harris

A number of initiatives were outlined:

·       High Streets Conference – a recording of the Conference was now available to view online. A number of initiatives had emerged as a result.  

·       GoNew Forest – The Council continued to liaise with GNF.

·       Economic Development Team was now complete, with a full compliment of staff. Sally Igra was now leading the team.

·       Business support grants were being distributed.

·       Employment Hub - A new initiative involving New Forest, Eastleigh and Test Valley and Winchester, collaborating to form an Employment Hub, with various initiatives to help 18-24 year olds. Two hubs had been set out in the New Forest, in Brockenhurst (at the college) and in Totton.

·       Income Generation - Further consideration would be given to income generation on the Council’s website.

Cllr J Heron

·       New ICT Manager - It was reported that the new ICT manager, Paul Downton, had been in post for 2 months and was reviewing future improvements.

·       Medium Term Financial Plan Work was in progress on reviewing the Medium Term Financial Plan.

·       Financial position The Council’s financial position remained strong, though there were some challenges for the future.

·       Chancellor’s statement – detail was still awaited on the implications for the Council of theChancellor’s statement.

The Panel considered the Council Tax reduction scheme for 2022/23.

RESOLVED:

(i)             That it be a recommendation to the Cabinet that options A, B, C and as detailed in Section 6 be adopted from 1 April 2022.

(ii)            That a Task and Finish Group review a Banded scheme during 2022, along with the vulnerable category with any proposals for change to take effect from 1 April 2023.

The Panel considered the Council Tax Empty Homes Premium and Care Leaver Disregards.

It was noted that most Councils in Hampshire charged the maximum premiums available, and the aim was not to generate income, but to bring empty properties back into use.

RESOLVED:

That it be a recommendation to the Cabinet:

(i)  That the empty homes premium is increased from 150% to 200% for properties

that have been vacant and unfurnished for more than five years, and

(ii) That the empty homes premium is increased from 150% to 300% for properties

that have been vacant and unfurnished for more than ten years, and

(iii) That where a property is subject to an empty homes premium and a new owner

becomes liable for council tax, they will be exempt from the premium for a six month period, and

(iv) That the adoption of a care leaver disregard for care leavers aged under 25 be agreed.

The Panel received presentation on Universal Credit. A copy of the slides is attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.  

Universal Credit went live in 2017 in job centres across the district, and replaced working and child tax credits, income support, housing benefit, employment and support allowance and jobseeker allowance claims.

The decline in Housing Benefit claims was noted.

Figures on the migration to Universal Credit were explained. For the New Forest, the migration for working-age claimants was anticipated to take place in 2023/24 and the Council would work with partners to support claimants.

The Panel considered the report of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group.

Cllr Craze had chaired the Group and explained that its members had met with each Cabinet member, who were asked a number of questions.  The Group were impressed with their depth of understanding and knowledge.

RESOLVED:  

That the content of the report be noted and that the follow up actions for carrying through to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panels, be endorsed.

The Panel considered the report of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group.

Cllr Craze had chaired the Group and explained that its members had met with each Cabinet member, who were asked a number of questions.  The Group were impressed with their depth of understanding and knowledge.

RESOLVED:  

That the content of the report be noted and that the follow up actions for carrying through to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panels, be endorsed.

The Panel considered the report of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group.

Cllr Craze had chaired the Group and explained that its members had met with each Cabinet member, who were asked a number of questions.  The Group were impressed with their depth of understanding and knowledge.

RESOLVED:  

That the content of the report be noted and that the follow up actions for carrying through to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panels, be endorsed.

The Panel received and noted its work programme.