Agenda, decisions and minutes

No members of the public registered to speak.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman agreed to the addition of the following item of urgent business to the agenda for the meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 11 September 2019:

Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Council Tax Support Scheme Panel Update

Following the establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Panel to consider the impact of the changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme 2020/21, the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were required to be considered by Cabinet in order for the draft scheme to go out for an 8 week public consultation, beginning 18 September, and allow sufficient time for the feedback to be reviewed and a final scheme approved by Council. Approval of a final scheme was required in a timely manner in order for the Council to be able to continue to provide council tax support to eligible residents in the Borough.

Resolved:

That a consultation be undertaken on the following options:

·  A fixed deduction of £4 per week for non-dependant adults living in the property

·  Eligibility for CTS is limited to claimants with less than £6,000 in savings

·  Removal of the Second Adult Rebate from the scheme

·  Removal of Extended Payments from the scheme

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2019 and 12 June 2019 minutes re-presented be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no further recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny.

Finance

To compare actual revenue income and expenditure against profiled budget for the four months ended 31st July 2019.

Resolved:

That the financial position for each Portfolio and the key revenue areas contained in the Annex to the report is noted.

Consideration was given to a report for the Corporate Portfolio Holder which reviewed the Council’s revenue spending for the first four months of the 2019/20 financial year. Overall, net expenditure to 31 July 2019 was £16,000 less than budgeted for the current stage of the year.

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

Resolved:

That the financial position for each Portfolio and the key revenue areas contained in the Annex to the report is noted.

Corporate

To consider the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2021.

Recommended:

That the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2021, as set out in the Annex to the report, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Portfolio Holder which set out the draft Calendar of meeting for 2021.

The calendar set out the key meeting dates for the Council and its committees which allowed for an efficient and transparent decision making process.

Recommended to Council:

That the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2021, as set out in the Annex to the report, be approved.

Planning

To consider the formal adoption of the new Local Planning Enforcement Plan 2019.

Resolved:

That consideration be given for the formal adoption of the new Local Planning Enforcement Plan 2019.

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Portfolio Holder which proposed the adoption of the new Local Planning Enforcement Plan 2019.

Enforcement Plan outlined the Council’s approach to encouraging compliance with its regulations and policies in a way that was in line with current government legislation and guidance. The Enforcement Plan explained how breaches of planning control would be investigated, provides a common reference point and guidance and set out the priorities the Council had for investigating alleged breaches of planning control.

The Enforcement Plan was intended for all users and providers of the service, including, members of the public, interested parties, Town and Parish Councils and Borough Councillors.

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

Resolved:

That consideration be given for the formal adoption of the new Local Planning Enforcement Plan 2019.

Planning

To consider the arrangements and membership of the Planning Advisory Panel.

Resolved:

That the approach set out in paragraph 5.3.1 to paragraph 5.3.5 of the report regarding the arrangement and membership of the Planning Advisory Panel be agreed.

Consideration was given to the report of the Planning Portfolio Holder which set out a proposed approach to the arrangement and membership of the Planning Advisory Panel.

Members play a valuable role in the formulation and review of planning policy. The Council’s informal member’s panel, the Planning Advisory Panel, provided the forum for members to be briefed and views to be raised.

The Planning Advisory Panel was last reviewed in 2016 and there was now an opportunity to review and update the arrangements and membership of the panel. It was suggested the standing membership of 16 councillors continue with the Planning Portfolio Holder continuing to Chair the Panel and that meetings beheld every two months.

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

Resolved:

That the approach set out in paragraph 5.3.1 to paragraph 5.3.5 of the report regarding the arrangement and membership of the Planning Advisory Panel be agreed.

Leader

To consider adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism.

Resolved:

That the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism is adopted; namely “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.  Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish Community institutions and religious facilities”

Consideration was given to a report of the Leader which contained a proposal that the Council consider that adoption of the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition and Antisemitism.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) was an international organisation consisting of 32 member countries, including the United Kingdom, bringing together member governments to strengthen, advance and promote Holocaust education, research and remembrance.

Cabinet confirmed the Council’s commitment to unlawful discrimination and to the advancement of equality of opportunity between all people.

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

Resolved:

That the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism is adopted; namely “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.  Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish Community institutions and religious facilities”

Resolved:

That, pursuant to Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following report(s) on the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, indicated below. The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information for the reason given below:

Item 13 Estates Property Matters 

Item 14 Estates Property Matters  Paragraph 3

It is considered that these reports contain exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.  It is further considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the information relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information.

Resolved:

That, pursuant to Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following report(s) on the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, indicated below. The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information for the reason given below:

Item 13 Estates Property Matters 

Item 14 Estates Property Matters  Paragraph 3

It is considered that these reports contain exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.  It is further considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the information relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information.

Finance

To consider an Estates property matter.

Recommended:

1.  That the expired leases relating to properties in Romsey and Andover be renewed as set out in paragraphs 2.4 and 3.3 of this report.

2.  That the Head of Estates in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be given delegated authority to conclude all aspects of the lease renewals.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance Portfolio Holder which set out details of expired leases relating to properties in Andover and Romsey.

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

Recommended to Council:

1.  That the expired leases relating to properties in Romsey and Andover be renewed as set out in paragraphs 2.4 and 3.3 of this report.

2.  That the Head of Estates in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be given delegated authority to conclude all aspects of the lease renewals.

Finance

To consider an Estates property matter.

Resolved:

1.  That a reversionary Lease is granted for the property on the terms set out in paragraph 3 of this report.

2.  That the Head of Estates in consultation with the Head of Finance and the Finance Portfolio Holder be authorised to make changes to the proposals if required in final negotiations.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance Portfolio Holder which set out details of a revisionary Lease.

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

Resolved:

1.  That a reversionary Lease is granted for the property on the terms set out in paragraph 3 of this report.

2.  That the Head of Estates in consultation with the Head of Finance and the Finance Portfolio Holder be authorised to make changes to the proposals if required in final negotiations.