Agenda, decisions and minutes

No members of the public registered to speak.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no urgent items.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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

Corporate

This report sets out the proposed terms of the new Public Spaces Protection Orders and seeks approval of the process for consultation and the making of those new orders.

Resolved:

1.  That the terms of the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders annexed to this report are approved.

2.  That officers are authorised to publicise the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders and carry out consultation and notification as required by the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

3.  That the Corporate Portfolio Holder in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services is authorised to consider the outcome of the consultation and to approve the making of the PSPOs with such amendments as are deemed necessary. 

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Portfolio Holder, which set out proposed terms for new Public Spaces Protection Orders relating to alcohol consumption and dog-related issues as the current orders would expire in October 2020.

It was noted that a consultation would be undertaken on the proposed new PSPOs in order to comply with the requirements of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.  All representations received through the consultation process would be considered when making the final PSPOs.

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

Resolved:

1.  That the terms of the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders annexed to this report are approved.

2.  That officers are authorised to publicise the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders and carry out consultation and notification as required by the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

3.  That the Corporate Portfolio Holder in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services is authorised to consider the outcome of the consultation and to approve the making of the PSPOs with such amendments as are deemed necessary. 

Finance

To seek approval for the write off of uncollectable debts.

Resolved:

That the debts detailed in the report, totalling £194,506, be written off in the Council’s accounts as uncollectable.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance Portfolio Holder, which sought approval for the write off of business rates and sundry debts that proved to be uncollectable, in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations.

The report identified four debts for which there was no reasonable prospect of recovery. It was recommended that they were written off in the Council’s accounts

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

Resolved:

That the debts detailed in the report, totalling £194,506, be written off in the Council’s accounts as uncollectable.

Finance

To consider the Capital Strategy for 2019/20 to 2024/25.

Recommended:

That the updated Capital Strategy 2019/20 to 2024/25 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance Portfolio Holder which presented an update of the Capital Strategy 2019/20 – 2024/25.

The Capital Strategy aimed to demonstrate that the Council takes capital expenditure and investment decisions in line with service objectives and properly takes account of stewardship, value for money, prudence, sustainability and affordability.

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

Recommended to Council:

That the updated Capital Strategy 2019/20 to 2024/25 be approved.

Councillor Flood provided Cabinet with a brief update on the Central Government Budget.

Councillor Flood advised that there would be a £3,000 relief for businesses eligible for small business or rural rate relief. It was estimated that approximately 1,850 businesses in Test Valley would be eligible.

Councillor Flood advised that there would be increased Retail relief from 50% to 100% and that eligibility for the relief could be expanded.

Councillor Flood also advised that Pub relief would be increased from £1,000 to £5,000. It was noted that this would only affect a small number of properties in the Borough.