Agenda, decisions and minutes

No member of the public registered to speak.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no urgent items.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 29 September 2021 and 19 October 2021 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

There were no recommendations to consider from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Finance

To consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 to 2024/25.

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2022/23 to 2024/25 be approved.

2.  That the Medium Term Financial Forecast, as shown in Annex 3 to the report, be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance Portfolio Holder which set out the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 to 2024/25.

The Strategy set out the framework within which the 2022/23 budget would be prepared and also set out the Medium Term Financial Forecast for the General Fund income and expenditure, which would form the basis of the 2022/23 budget.

The strategy reviewed the impact that COVID-19 has had on the Council’s finances in 2021/22 and considered the ongoing effects this would have on budget planning in the medium term.

The Medium Term Financial Forecast was recommended for approval to ensure that the Council has a strategic approach to the management of its finances, and to enable available resources to be allocated to services in line with Council priorities over the medium term.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed the following:

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2022/23 to 2024/25 be approved.

2.  That the Medium Term Financial Forecast, as shown in Annex 3 to the report, be noted.

Finance

To consider the level of charges for services provided by the Council in 2022/23.

Resolved:

1.  That the fees and charges for 2022/23, as set out in the annexes to the report, be approved.

2.  That Heads of Service be authorised to increase relevant fees and charges in line with statutory levels should they change following this report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance Portfolio Holder which presented the proposed Fees and Charges for 2022/23.

The majority of proposed Fees and Charges had remained at the same level as 2021/22 or increased broadly in line with inflation.

Heads of Service have considered the services currently available to the public and the Fees and Charges applicable to them.  Based on recommendations from Heads of Service the report sought approval of the rates of fees and charges for 2022/23.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1.  That the fees and charges for 2022/23, as set out in the annexes to the report, be approved.

2.  That Heads of Service be authorised to increase relevant fees and charges in line with statutory levels should they change following this report.

Housing and Environmental Health

To consider the adoption of the First Homes Interim Policy Position.

Resolved:

1.  That the First Homes interim policy position recommended in the report is adopted.

2.  That the Head of Housing & Environmental Health in consultation with the Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development, Housing & Environmental Health Portfolio Holder and the Planning Portfolio Holder be given delegated authority to:

a.  Prepare and publish a First Homes policy encapsulating the requirements of First Homes Planning Practice Guidance and the recommendations set out at paragraph 5 of this report, and

b.  To amend that policy in response to legislation or governmental guidance on First Homes delivery.

Consideration was given to a report of the Housing and Environmental Health Portfolio Holder which summarised the details surrounding the introduction of First Homes as a mandatory new affordable housing tenure, including the implications that the inclusion of First Homes on all qualifying developments may have on the delivery of other affordable housing tenures.

The report set out Test Valley Borough Council’s proposed interim policy position around the various aspects of First Homes, and recommended the publication of a First Homes Interim Policy Note which expanded upon those proposals.

The interim policy may need to be reviewed and updated to reflect any new guidance or challenges that occur during the inception of the First Homes tenure, and in response to any further government guidance or amendments released following the First Homes Pilot Project. The Local Plan review process can consider the appropriateness for policies on First Home Exception Sites and whether any further evidence is required.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1.  That the First Homes interim policy position recommended in the report is adopted.

2.  That the Head of Housing & Environmental Health in consultation with the Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development, Housing & Environmental Health Portfolio Holder and the Planning Portfolio Holder be given delegated authority to:

a.  Prepare and publish a First Homes policy encapsulating the requirements of First Homes Planning Practice Guidance and the recommendations set out at paragraph 5 of this report, and

b.  To amend that policy in response to legislation or governmental guidance on First Homes delivery.

Planning

To consider the draft Supplementary Planning Document to be published for public consultation.

Resolved:

1.  That the Draft New Forest International Nature Conservation Designations: Recreational Mitigation Framework Supplementary Planning Document shown in Annex 1 to the report be published for public consultation.

2.  That the Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development be given delegated authority to make changes of a minor nature, in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder.

3.  That the New Forest SPA Mitigation - Interim Framework (October 2014) shown in Annex 2 to the report be applied to the updated zones, as indicated in Annex 3 to the report, rather than the zone as indicated in Figure 1 of the Framework until it is replaced by the adopted SPD.

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Portfolio Holder which set out the Draft New Forest International Nature Conservation Designations: Recreational Mitigation Framework Supplementary Planning Document SPD that had been prepared to respond to updated evidence that was published in 2020 and 2021.

The document provided a mitigation framework in relation to recreational impacts on the New Forest international nature conservation designations and was intended to replace the Council’s interim mitigation framework (2014). The draft Supplementary Planning Document was recommended to be published for public consultation.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed the following:

Resolved:

1.  That the Draft New Forest International Nature Conservation Designations: Recreational Mitigation Framework Supplementary Planning Document shown in Annex 1 to the report be published for public consultation.

2.  That the Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development be given delegated authority to make changes of a minor nature, in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder.

3.  That the New Forest SPA Mitigation - Interim Framework (October 2014) shown in Annex 2 to the report be applied to the updated zones, as indicated in Annex 3 to the report, rather than the zone as indicated in Figure 1 of the Framework until it is replaced by the adopted SPD.

Planning

To consider the North Hampshire Narrative.

Resolved:

That Cabinet endorses the North Hampshire Narrative shown as Annexed to the report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Portfolio Holder which set out the North Hampshire Narrative document.

Test Valley Borough Council along with Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor Council have produced the North Hampshire Narrative to help articulate what the area has to offer, its aspirations for development and what is needed to address housing, economic and infrastructure challenges based on existing local plans, strategies and evidence.

The document would help inform conversations and support bids for future funding with key stakeholders such as Central Government, Homes England, Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, Hampshire County Council and other infrastructure providers.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed the following:

Resolved:

That Cabinet endorses the North Hampshire Narrative shown as Annexed to the report.

Planning

To consider the allocation of a s106 contribution, Chantry Lodge, Andover.

Resolved:

It is recommended that a s106 contribution of £250,000, associated with the development of Chantry Lodge in Andover, is allocated towards a scheme of public realm, cycling/walking infrastructure and landscape improvements, in line with Andover Town Centre Masterplan objectives, to an area within the River Anton corridor and/or to Western Avenue, and/or linking to Shepherds Spring Lane.

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Portfolio Holder which proposed the allocation of a s106 contribution of £250,000 towards public realm improvements and cycling/walking infrastructure enhancements in Andover town centre, in line with the objectives of the Andover Town Centre Masterplan (September 2020), to an area within the River Anton corridor, and/or to Western Avenue, and/or linking to Shepherds Spring Lane.

The options for allocating this s106 contribution were set out in the report and assessed, with regard to their deliverability, the CIL Regulation 122 Tests, the impacts of the development on local infrastructure requirements, the Andover Town Centre Masterplan, policy guidance, Test Valley Borough Council Climate Emergency Action Plan and the Corporate Plan.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed the following:

Resolved:

It is recommended that a s106 contribution of £250,000, associated with the development of Chantry Lodge in Andover, is allocated towards a scheme of public realm, cycling/walking infrastructure and landscape improvements, in line with Andover Town Centre Masterplan objectives, to an area within the River Anton corridor and/or to Western Avenue, and/or linking to Shepherds Spring Lane.

Corporate

To consider approval of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Principles as required by the Gambling Act 2005.

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the revised Statement of Licensing Principles attached as annexed to the report be recommended for approval.

2.  That the Statement as annexed to the report, be effective for a three-year period commencing 31 January 2022 subject to it being kept under review and Council making any changes at such times as it considers appropriate.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Portfolio Holder which set out a revised Statement of Licensing Principles.

Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 requires the Council to publish a Statement of Principles (or Policy) setting out the matters to be considered by the Council when determining applications for licences and permits issued under the Act. The current Statement was published in January 2019 and the Act requires that the Council review the Statement every three years.

Consequently, a draft revised Statement was recommended for adoption following a consultation exercise which commenced in July whereby the existing Statement was distributed to several organisations including those representing existing licence holders. In addition, a copy was either supplied or made available to all members and a number of officers within the Council. Consultees had until 9 September 2021 to respond and no comments were received.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed the following:

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the revised Statement of Licensing Principles attached as annexed to the report be recommended for approval.

2.  That the Statement as annexed to the report, be effective for a three-year period commencing 31 January 2022 subject to it being kept under review and Council making any changes at such times as it considers appropriate.

Corporate

To appoint thePlanning Portfolio Holder to the Partnership for South Hampshire Committee.

Resolved:

1.  The Deputy Leader be appointed to the Partnership for South Hampshire Committee.

2.  In the event that the Deputy Leader is unavailable, that the Planning Portfolio Holder attend in his place.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Portfolio Holder which set out proposals considering the appointment of a Councillor to serve on the Partnership for South Hampshire Committee.

The Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) is a voluntary working partnership of twelve local authorities across South Hampshire that aim to improve the environmental, cultural and economic performance of the South Hampshire area.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, Cabinet agreed the following:

Resolved:

1.  The Deputy Leader be appointed to the Partnership for South Hampshire Committee.

2.  In the event that the Deputy Leader is unavailable, that the Planning Portfolio Holder attend in his place.