Agenda and minutes

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Presentation from Councillor Adams-King to cover all areas of his Portfolio.

The Planning Portfolio Holder, Councillor Adams King, gave a presentation on his portfolio. 

Councillor Adams King explained that the Planning Portfolio covered Transport and Engineering, Planning and Building and Planning Policy areas.  The presentation covered service functions, staff structure, Corporate Plan and Corporate Action Plan links, measuring success and Service budgets, challenges and risks, changes and future plans.

Councillor Adams King highlighted the ‘hot topics’ within his portfolio and took questions on;

·  Strategic Planning -  Nitrate neutrality, Local Plan, Housing Land Supply and Member Training.

·  Development Control – Scheme of delegation, Staffing and Planning Committee System

·  Parking – Parking Charges, Parking Enforcement which returns to Hampshire County Council on 1 April 2020.

·  Traffic Management – These functions had already returned to Hampshire County Council

·  Romsey Future – Citizens’ Assembly, South of Town Centre, Renewing Romsey Future Vision/Strategy Document, Review of work streams and attracting more people to take part.

The presentation also included details on the Engineering and Transport Service, Planning and Building and Planning Policy sections.  A full copy of the presentation will be circulated to members of the Committee.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Adams King for his interesting and informative presentation.

Lead Members to update the Committee on their work streams (20 mins)

The Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development provided a strategic update on the climate emergency work streams.  He thanked members and officers for their time and input into the work undertaken to date.  He had received feedback from members and officers around the overlap of the work streams. The draft action plan will be brought to Overview and Scrutiny on the 18 March for consideration before being submitted to Council on 8 April 2020.

Lead Members of each of the work streams updated members on their progress;

Digital and Smart Working (Councillor Daas) -  The work stream has met and looked at video conferencing between Andover and Romsey, reduction of printing and postage and the climate agenda across the Council.  They are also looking at best practice from other Local Authorities.

Working with our Communities and Businesses (Councillor Hamilton) – In the absence of Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Parker updated the committee on the work stream.  The panel is looking to Parish Councils, community organisations and business connections for best practice. It was also intended to hold a community conference to promote good practice.

Premises and Asset Management (Councillor Brooks) – The work stream has met three times and scoped and identified a number of priorities to be considered at Beech Hurst, FMC, Portway, Bourne House and Crosfield Hall and the Chantry Centre.  The main focus is the reduction in the use of electricity and there are a range of initiatives being investigated.

Reducing, Reusing and Recycling (Councillor Johnston, Environmental Portfolio Holder) – The work stream have looked at the application and practice of recycling across the organisation.  This will be an opportunity to increase recycling and underpin behavioural changes. 

Transport, Fleet and Plant (Councillor Johnston, Environmental Portfolio Holder) – The Council has a diverse range of vehicles and plant.  Some new technology is emerging, particularly small plant. 

Enhancing the Natural Environment (Councillor Rowles)  In the absence of Councillor Rowles, Councillor Gwynne explained that there has been 2 meetings of the work stream.  They are also looking at what the Council can do to support others.

Infrastructure and the Built Environment (Councillor Burley) – The work stream has met twice and are investigating the different types of renewable and low carbon energy technologies that may be suitable for the Council.  The Head of Planning Policy explained that a glossary of terms used would be circulated to members and would be included in the action plan.

Lead Members to update the Committee on the progress of their Panels (10 mins)

The Future of health provision in Andover and Romsey – Councillor Baverstock (Lead Member) reported that the panel met on 7 January 2020 where the Director of Commissioning, NHS West Hampshire CCG and the Head of Primary Care, NHS West Hampshire CCG attended to give a better understanding of the way the CCG works in Romsey and how TVBC could help the CCG to plan better for the Future.  A meeting is planned to look at the role of pharmacists and future plans for Romsey Hospital.

Armed Forces Covenant – The next meeting will be held at the end February/

beginning March 2020.

Council Tax Support Scheme Panel – The recommendations from the panel will go to Council on 29 January 2020.

Budget Panel – The next meeting of the Panel is 29 June 2020.

Audit Panel – The last Audit Panel meeting was held on 9 December where they discussed the Internal Audit Progress Report for 2019/20 to 30 November 2019, the Annual Audit Letter and the Grant Claim Certification.  The next meeting will be held on 16 March 2020.

This report provides an update on the budget setting process for 2020/21 and provides information on proposals to close the budget gap.

Consideration was given to a report which updated the Committee on changes to the 2020/21 budget forecast since the budget strategy was presented in November.  This included the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, the Local Council Tax Support Scheme, New Homes’ Bonus provisional allocations and changes to revenues savings and pressures.

The report also provided an updated Medium Term Financial Forecast covering 2021/22 and 2022/23.  In order to achieve a balanced budget it would be necessary to close the remaining gap of £57,600 before figures are finalised in February 2020.

The Head of Finance updated the Committee on the CPI inflation figures which was currently standing at 1.3% which is a 3 year low.  Subsequently the budget forecast is currently being revised to reflect this rate.

The final budget report would be presented to Cabinet on 12 February 2020.

Recommended to Cabinet:

1.  That the savings options, income generation proposals and budget pressures, shown in Annexes 1 - 3, be endorsed.

2.  That progress on achieving a balanced budget position for 2020/21 and over the medium term, shown in Annex 4, be endorsed.

3.  That the feedback from businesses on the budget consultation, shown in Annex 5, be endorsed.

To enable Members to keep the Committee’s future work programme under review (10 minutes)

The Committee considered and updated the Work Programme as follows;

·  Add round table discussion on Climate Work Streams to 19 February.

·  Add round table discussion on Away Day and development training planning to 18 March.

·  Move round table discussion on Romsey Future to 22 April.

Resolved:

That the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.