Winchester City Borough Council Council Meeting

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 17 January 2024 be approved and adopted.

Councillors Porter, Tod and Warwick declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in respect of the agenda items due to their role as County Councillors.

Councillor Scott declared an interest in respect of item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25 (and other agenda items, where reference was made to the HRA budget), as was a tenant of the council.

Councillor Becker declared a pecuniary interest in respect item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25 as a property owner with a connection to a council sewage treatment works.  Councillor Becker left the room during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

Councillor Horrill declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25, as her husband was a member of the Trinity board.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25, as her husband was a member of the Trinity board.

Councillor Westwood declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25, as was a member of the Winchester Housing Trust board.

The Mayor referred to several events that she was to attend, including her hosting in Abbey House the annual Pie and Mash luncheon that was in aid of her charities.  The Mayor then reminded Council of the annual Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards ceremony in the Guildhall on Thursday 7 March.

The Chief Executive announced apologies for the meeting.

Two written questions had been received from members of the public who attended the meeting to present their questions. Supplementary questions were also asked. The questions received and their response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.

Councillor Becker left the meeting before consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

Councillor Westwood (Cabinet Member for Housing) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

Council noted that due to an administrative error, an incorrect version of the minute extract of Cabinet had been included in the agenda pack for the meeting.  The Recommendations for Council on the agenda front sheet were correct.  The correct version of the minute extract of Cabinet had been distributed in a supplementary agenda to Council in advance of the meeting.

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute and report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.That the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of report CAB3445.

2. That the 2024-25 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

3. That the 10-year indicative HRA capital programme be approved as set out in appendices 3 and 4 of the report.

4. That capital expenditure in 2024-25 of £18.649m for the Maintenance, Improvement and Renewal programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

5. That the proposed budget in 2024-25 for new homes of £15.524m be approved as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report subject to individual scheme approvals.

6. That the proposed indicative funding for the HRA Capital Programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report.

7. That the proposed additional investment in the council housing stock of £30m over the next eight years to 2030-31 to retrofit properties on a fabric first basis to help improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for tenants be noted. This additional annual investment brings the total annual investment here to £5.6m a year and £45m in total (see paragraph 12.5 of the report).

8. That the proposed strategic change in direction moving from a plan based upon direct delivery of new homes to one based upon a mixture of actively acquiring s106 affordable housing directly from developers alongside future development with grant funding and using Right to Buy resources be approved (see paragraph 13.7 of the report), including the continuing commitment to rural housing, including through rural exception sites.

9. That the current financial viability assessment for new build be noted and that at present all potential development sites based on current assumptions evaluated this year have not been assessed as being financially viable within the existing viability model (see paragraphs 13.1-13.10 of the report).

10.That the proposed move to 80% market rent to help improve the viability of new homes development and to mitigate the increasing cost of delivery be approved (see paragraph 13.5 of the report).

11. That a revenue savings target of £400k over two years to assist with bridging the forecast gap in financing future capital expenditure be approved (see paragraph 14.2 of the report).

12.That the disposal in principle of Barnes house in 2024-25 be approved, and in addition the disposal of £0.500m of surplus HRA property per year over the next eight years to generate additional capital receipts to help fund the increased investment requirement over these years be approved (see paragraph 14.3 of the report).

13.That the average formula rent increase for 2024-25 for all affordable and social housing of 7.7% based on the September 2023 CPI figure of 6.7% +1% be approved (see paragraphs 15.1- 15.4 of the report).

14. That the proposed move from RPI+0.5% to CPI+1% for existing council shared owners in the HRA from 2024-25 onwards, as well as in all future HRA shared ownership leases be approved. Note that the impact of this in 2024-25 will be a reduction in rent rises this year from 9.4% to 7.7% (see paragraph 15.4 of the report).

15.That a 7.7% increase in tenant service charges in 2024-25 be approved (see paragraph 15.5 of the report).

16.That consultation on the move to full cost recovery from 2025-26 for both private and tenant connections of the council’s sewage treatment works be approved and it be noted that this will include transitional protection and be achieved within a nine year timeframe, but subject to a further report in Autumn 2024 (see paragraphs 15.7-15.12 of the report).

17.That it be noted that officers are currently beginning a review of the current Housing IT management system with a view to evaluating whether it is still fit for purpose or needs to be replaced, as well as beginning work on the re-procurement of the repairs and maintenance contract. The Business plan provides for this to happen over the following two years at a provisional one-off cost of up to £2m (see paragraph 12.10 of the report).

18. That it be noted that the draft HRA Business 30-year Plan is viable and sustainable and has the capacity to support the council’s ambitious delivery of 1,000 new affordable homes over the next 10 years. The proposed plan provides sufficient funds over the life of the plan to still deliver over 1,500 new affordable homes in total

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

By way of an update, the meeting had been provided with revised Council Tax Resolution information following review of the decisions made at the Hampshire County Council budget meeting of the same day – Thursday 22 February 2024.  At Resolution 2 (a), the Council Tax Base was updated to £53,691.65 (was £53,691.67).  This change had a consequential impact and reduction on each of the precepts for Hampshire County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as set out at Resolution 5.  These had been updated respectively to £82,322,185 (was £82,322.216), £14,038,219 (was £18,486,042) and £4,447,816 (was £4,447,818).

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute and report.

AMENDMENT – Moved by Councillor Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Bolton:

Amend the recommended minutes by addition of a new recommendation 2e: The removal of overnight parking charges in city centre car parks, funded by the deletion of long-term vacant posts.

As the Mayor was satisfied that there had been adequate debate of the original motion, the Mayor called for a short adjournment to the meeting whilst the amendment was circulated in writing.

Upon its reconvening, Council proceeded to debate the matters in the Amendment.  At conclusion of debate, Councillor Cutler was invited to exercise his right of reply before Council voted on the Amendment.

In accordance with legislative requirements on recorded votes at Budget meetings, a recorded vote was taken on the Amendment before Council.

The following Members voted in favour of the Amendment before Council:

1. Councillor Neil Bolton
2. Councillor Caroline Brook
3. Councillor Susan Cook
4. Councillor Patrick Cunningham
5. Councillor Stephen Godfrey
6. Councillor Caroline Horrill
7. Councillor Fiona Isaacs
8. Councillor Paula Langford-Smith
9. Councillor Steve Miller
10. Councillor Frank Pearson
11. Councillor Michael Read
12. Councillor Jan Warwick

The following Members voted against the Amendment before Council:

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal
2. Councillor Vivian Achwal
3. Councillor James Batho
4. Councillor Kathleen Becker
5. Councillor Adrian Brophy
6. Councillor Chris Chamberlain
7. Councillor Angela Clear
8. Councillor Steve Cramoysan
9. Councillor Neil Cutler
10. Councillor Chris Edwards
11. Councillor Nathan Eve
12. Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith
13. Councillor Brian Laming
14. Councillor Kelsie Learney
15. Councillor Danny Lee
16. Councillor Jonny Morris
17. Councillor Jerry Pett
18. Councillor Jackie Porter
19. Councillor Margot Power
20. Councillor George Prest
21. Councillor Mark Reach
22. Councillor Jane Rutter
23. Councillor Jamie Scott
24. Councillor Lucille Thompson
25. Councillor John Tippet-Cooper
26. Councillor Martin Tod
27. Councillor Malcolm Wallace
28. Councillor Chris Westwood
29. Councillor Jonathan William

AMENDMENT LOST.

Following summing up by the proposer of the substantive motion (which was the Recommended Minute of Cabinet) and the seconder exercising his right to speak, in accordance with legislative requirements on recorded votes at Budget meetings, a recorded vote was first taken regarding Recommendations 1 – 9 of the Recommended Minute of Cabinet.

The following Members voted in favour of Recommendations 1 – 9:

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal
2. Councillor Vivian Achwal
3. Councillor James Batho
4. Councillor Kathleen Becker
5. Councillor Adrian Brophy
6. Councillor Chris Chamberlain
7. Councillor Angela Clear
8. Councillor Susan Cook
9. Councillor Steve Cramoysan
10. Councillor Neil Cutler
11. Councillor Chris Edwards
12. Councillor Nathan Eve
13. Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith
14. Councillor Brian Laming
15. Councillor Kelsie Learney
16. Councillor Danny Lee
17. Councillor Jonny Morris
18. Councillor Frank Pearson
19. Councillor Jerry Pett
20. Councillor Jackie Porter
21. Councillor Margot Power
22. Councillor George Prest
23. Councillor Mark Reach
24. Councillor Jane Rutter
25. Councillor Jamie Scott
26. Councillor Lucille Thompson
27. Councillor John Tippet-Cooper
28. Councillor Martin Tod
29. Councillor Malcolm Wallace
30. Councillor Chris Westwood
31. Councillor Jonathan Williams

No Members voted against Recommendations 1 – 9 of the Recommended Minute of Cabinet.

The following Members abstained from voting:

1. Councillor Neil Bolton
2. Councillor Caroline Brook
3. Councillor Patrick Cunningham
4. Councillor Stephen Godfrey
5. Councillor Caroline Horrill
6. Councillor Fiona Isaacs
7. Councillor Paula Langford-Smith
8. Councillor Steve Miller
9. Councillor Michael Read
10. Councillor Jan Warwick

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (Recommendations 1 – 9, as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.              That the level of General Fund Budget for 2024/25 be agreed, as in the summary as shown in Appendix A of report CAB3444.

2.                  That the Greener Faster and carbon reduction investment proposals set out in section 14 of the report be approved, including:

a.     £200,000 per annum for the carbon reduction measures on waste and recycling vehicles to enable the change to HVO fuel.

b.     £1,400,000 per annum (less assumed 80% government funding) to expand recycling services to include food waste collections.

c.     £400,000 per annum to implement other changes to the collection of recyclables.

d.     £250,000 reduction in the annual waste income budget to reflect proposed changes to the Hampshire Inter Authority Agreement on waste.

3.                 That in relation to the Cost of Living focus of the Council Plan, the following be approved:

a.     In the absence of any government funded scheme, the allocation of up to £100,000 from the Cost of Living / Living Well reserve to wholly or partially fund a local Council Tax Support Fund for 2024/25 in accordance with section 19 of the report.

b.     Extending the council tax Exceptional Financial Hardship Fund, with the remaining balance of 2023/24 funding (£38,000 as at Jan 2024), to 2024/25 to support any council tax payers experiencing exceptional hardship, regardless of whether they are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.

c.     A discretionary 7.7% cap for 2024/25 on the annual increase in rent for Partnered Home Purchase scheme property owners, in line with the increase in social and affordable rents to existing tenants and for shared owners in the HRA.

4.                 That in relation to the council’s Homes for All priority the following be approved:

a.     an additional £20,000 per annum contribution to the New Burdens Reserve to support the Preventing Homelessness Strategy, including funding the increased costs of providing temporary accommodation for homeless households where required.

b.     to reduce the long term empty property period from 2 years to 1 year, of the 100% council tax premium which applies to all unoccupied and unfurnished property.

5.                 That in relation to the council’s TC25 transformation programme the following be approved:

a.     The £607,000 of immediately recognised TC25 savings set out in section 13 of the report be reassigned to contributions to the Transitional Reserve for 2024/25 and 2025/26 to support the delivery of the wider transformation programme.

b.     A new budget of £100,000 per annum for the support and coordination of digital channel shift work across the council’s services.

c.     The transfer of the £130,000 of additional 4% Funding Guarantee income to the transitional reserve to invest in the TC25 transformation programme.

6.                 That the unavoidable budget growth of £100,000 per annum to fund increased external audit fees be approved.

7.                 That savings in corporate property budgets for Non Domestic Rates (NNDR) of £177,000 to reflect reduced liabilities be approved.

8.                  That service income annual budgets be amended as follows, in response to revised estimates:

a.Building control fees reduced by £100,000

b.Land charges income reduced by £100,000

c.Legal services reduced by £50,000

d.Garden waste service income increased by £90,000

e.Car parking income increased by £100,000

9.                     That the sum of £1,273,758 be treated as Special Expenses under Section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in respect of the Winchester Town area as set out in section 16 and Appendix D of the report.

A recorded vote was then taken regarding Recommendations 10 – 13 of the Recommended Minute of Cabinet.

The following Members voted in favour of Recommendations 10 – 13:

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal
2. Councillor Vivian Achwal
3. Councillor James Batho
4. Councillor Kathleen Becker
5. Councillor Neil Bolton
6. Councillor Caroline Brook
7. Councillor Adrian Brophy
8. Councillor Chris Chamberlain
9. Councillor Angela Clear
10. Councillor Susan Cook
11. Councillor Steve Cramoysan
12. Councillor Patrick Cunningham
13. Councillor Neil Cutler
14. Councillor Chris Edwards
15. Councillor Nathan Eve
16. Councillor Stephen Godfrey
17. Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith
18. Councillor Caroline Horrill
19. Councillor Fiona Isaacs
20. Councillor Brian Laming
21. Councillor Paula Langford-Smith
22. Councillor Kelsie Learney
23. Councillor Danny Lee
24. Councillor Steve Miller
25. Councillor Jonny Morris
26. Councillor Frank Pearson
27. Councillor Jerry Pett
28. Councillor Jackie Porter
29. Councillor Margot Power
30. Councillor George Prest
31. Councillor Mark Reach
32. Councillor Michael Read
33. Councillor Jane Rutter
34. Councillor Jamie Scott
35. Councillor Lucille Thompson
36. Councillor John Tippet-Cooper
37. Councillor Martin Tod
38. Councillor Malcolm Wallace
39. Councillor Jan Warwick
40. Councillor Chris Westwood
41. Councillor Jonathan Williams

No Members voted against Recommendations 10 – 13 of the Recommended Minute of Cabinet, or abstained from voting.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (Recommendations 10 – 13, as follows) be approved and adopted:

10.  That the Council Tax for the Special Expenses in the Winchester Town area at Band D for 2024/25 be increased by the maximum allowed under the referendum limit of 2.99% combined between the town and district.

11.  That the surplus balance on the Council Tax Collection Fund for distribution to this Council, calculated in January 2024 of £118,152.14, be approved.

12.  That the level of Council Tax at Band D for City Council services for 2024/25 be increased to £159.36, an increase of £4.07 reflecting an average Council tax increase of 2.6%.

13.  That the new Council Tax Reduction scheme income bands (set out in appendix E of the report) that ensure claimants continue to receive the same level of support after the increase in Universal Credit from April 2024 be approved.

Council Tax for the City of Winchester for the year commencing 1 April 2024.

In accordance with legislative requirements on recorded votes at Budget Meetings, a recorded vote was then taken regarding the Council Tax Resolutions (1 – 7) (as set out on pages 85 – 91 of the agenda pack, as amended above and as set out below).

The following Members voted in favour of the Council Tax Resolutions (1 – 7, as amended above and set out below):

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal
2. Councillor Vivian Achwal
3. Councillor James Batho
4. Councillor Kathleen Becker
5. Councillor Neil Bolton
6. Councillor Caroline Brook
7. Councillor Adrian Brophy
8. Councillor Chris Chamberlain
9. Councillor Angela Clear
10. Councillor Susan Cook
11. Councillor Steve Cramoysan
12. Councillor Patrick Cunningham
13. Councillor Neil Cutler
14. Councillor Chris Edwards
15. Councillor Nathan Eve
16. Councillor Stephen Godfrey
17. Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith
18. Councillor Caroline Horrill
19. Councillor Fiona Isaacs
20. Councillor Brian Laming
21. Councillor Paula Langford-Smith
22. Councillor Kelsie Learney
23. Councillor Danny Lee
24. Councillor Steve Miller
25. Councillor Jonny Morris
26. Councillor Frank Pearson
27. Councillor Jerry Pett
28. Councillor Jackie Porter
29. Councillor Margot Power
30. Councillor George Prest
31. Councillor Mark Reach
32. Councillor Michael Read
33. Councillor Jane Rutter
34. Councillor Jamie Scott
35. Councillor Lucille Thompson
36. Councillor John Tippet-Cooper
37. Councillor Martin Tod
38. Councillor Malcolm Wallace
39. Councillor Jan Warwick
40. Councillor Chris Westwood
41. Councillor Jonathan William

RESOLVED:

That the Council Tax for the City of Winchester for the year commencing 1 April 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.              That any expenses incurred by the Council in performing in a part of its area a function performed elsewhere in its area by a Parish Council/Town Council/Parish Meeting shall not be treated as special expenses for the purposes of Section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, except in the case of the following special items relating to the non-parished area the aggregate amount of which is £1,273,758 (Appendix D to report CAB3444 refers) and which is shown within the total of special items at paragraph 4(e) below:-

       (a)   Magdalen Hill and West Hill Cemeteries;

       (b)   Allotments;

       (c)   Town centre Christmas lighting;

       (d)   Footway lighting;

       (e)   Bus shelter maintenance;

       (f)   Grants and Vision Delivery (“parish” element);

(g)  Recreation Grounds & Open Spaces (except Abbey Gardens, Riverside Walks, the Weirs and St Giles Hill);

(h)  Neighbourhood Services;

(i)    Public Conveniences

(j)    Maintenance work to Council Owned Bridges

(k)   Night Bus Contribution

(l)    Neighbourhood Plans

(m) Community Infrastructure

(n) Administration of the Town Forum

2.   That it be noted that the Head of Revenues, in consultation with the Corporate Head of Finance calculated the Council Tax Base for 2024/25 at

(a)    £53,691.65

being the amount calculated by the Council for the whole Council area, in accordance with Section 31B(1) (Item T) of the Local Government Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”), as its Council Tax base for the year.

(b) for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish/Town precept relates as in Annex 1 on page 89 of the agenda pack.

3.   Calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding Parish Precepts) is £9,830,059.

4. That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2024/25 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

(a)    £135,046,027

being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

(b)    £120,812,925

being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c)    £14,233,102

being the amount by which the aggregate at 4(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).

(d)    £265.09

being the amount at 4(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (2(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts).

(e)    £5,676,801

being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per Annex 2 on page 91 of the agenda pack)

(f)     £159.36

being the amount at 4(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 4(e) above by Item T (2(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

5.   That it be noted for the year 2024/25, Hampshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner - Hampshire have stated, and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority has recommended the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

Precepting                                    Precept

Authority                                       Amount

Hampshire County         

Council (HCC)                              £82,322,185

Police and Crime Commissioner 

– Hampshire (PCCH)                    £14,038,219

Hampshire Fire and                       £4,447,816

Rescue Authority (HFRA)

         Valuation             HCC             PCCH            HFRA

         Bands

6.   That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in columns 2-9 of Annex 2 on page 91 of the agenda pack as the amounts of Council Tax for 2024/25 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings shown.

7.   That the Council determines that the Council’s basic amount of Council Tax for 2024/25 is not excessive in accordance with principles approved under Section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute and report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.      The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

(i)      the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3443);

(ii)     the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

(iii)    the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix G of the report); and

(iv)   the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F of the report.

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute and report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.              That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2024/25 (and the remainder of 2023/24) be approved;

2.              That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the Council’s pooled property investment and long-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.              That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Operations, as agreed in the Service Level Agreement, to manage all Council investments (other than the high yield portfolio) and short-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

RESOLVED:

For the Planning Committee, Councillor Williams to be a full member of the committee, replacing Councillor Vivian Achwal who will now become a deputy, replacing Councillor Williams.

13 written questions had been received, seven of which were heard at the meeting along with associated supplementary questions, with the responses to all the questions received and their response subsequently set out on the council’s website.