Rushmoor Borough Council Cabinet Meeting

Having regard to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, no declarations of interest were made.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21st November, 2023 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2401, which set out the anticipated financial position for 2023/24, based on the budget monitoring carried out with Heads of Service and Service Managers during October 2023. Members were informed that the Council was facing a number of external budget pressures that were having an impact on the 2023/24 budget and the Council’s finances over the medium term. These included higher than expected interest rates and the rate of inflation. It was reported that, at this stage of the financial year, the projected General Fund net adverse variation was £2.352 million. The Report set out the reasons for this variance and it was confirmed that the risks and pressures were being closely monitored by budget holders. The Cabinet was supportive of the approach proposed and expressed appreciation for the work that had been carried out by the Council’s financial officers.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the revenue budget forecast and impact on reserve balances, as set out in Section 3 of Report No. FIN2401, be noted; and

(ii)          the Capital Programme forecast, as set out in Section 5 of the Report, be noted.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PG2401, which set out the draft Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Rushmoor Habitat Bank Procedure Note for adoption.

Members were informed that the Environment Act 2021 had introduced a new mandatory requirement for new development to provide at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). To support the implementation of this requirement and to maximise local BNG delivery, the Council had developed a proposal to establish a ‘Habitat Bank’ of off-site BNG units. It was reported that the purpose of the Biodiversity SPD and the Habitat Bank Procedure Note was to provide further guidance to applicants. Members were assured that the matter would be brought back to the Cabinet for further consideration should substantive amendments be required to either document.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the adoption of the Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document be approved, with the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Development and Economic Growth Portfolio Holder, being authorised to make any necessary factual, statutory and/or non-substantive amendments;

(ii)          the collection of a Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fee be approved, with the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Development and Economic Growth Portfolio Holder, being authorised to set the level of fee charges;

(iii)         the launch of the Rushmoor Habitat Bank be approved, with the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Development and Economic Growth Portfolio Holder, being authorised to approve the pricing of the Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Units prior to launch; and

(iv)         the adoption of the Rushmoor Habitat Bank Procedure Note be approved, with the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Development and Economic Growth Portfolio Holder, being authorised to make any necessary factual, statutory and/or non-substantive amendments.