Decision details

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

 

There were no speakers on the items resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 7 February 2024.

 

 

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

 

Item 2 – Asset Maintenance and Replacement Programme and General Fund Capital Programme 2024/25

 

Cllr Heron introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Council approve:-

 

(a)   The schedule of projects, as included at Appendix 1 and 2 of the Cabinet report, within the 2024/25 budget, noting this commits the Council to expenditure beyond 2024/25 whereby a project commences in 2024/25 and extends into future years; and

 

(b)   The Vehicle & Plant replacement programme, for a 2-year period, covering purchases due in 2024/25 and 2025/26.

 

Item 3 – Capital Strategy 2024/25

 

Cllr Heron introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Capital Strategy 2024/25 be approved, including the adoption of the MRP statement.

 

Item 4 – Community Grants 2024/25

 

Cllr Poole introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Council approve:-

 

(a)   The Community Grant awards, totalling £130,000 in revenue grants and £96,040 in capital grants, as set out in Appendix 1 (of the report to Cabinet), and in more detail in Appendix 2, be approved for inclusion in the Medium-Term Financial Plan and proposed budget for 2024/25;

 

(b)   The proposed recommendations as set out in section 4.2 of the report to Cabinet.

 

(c)   The Community Transport grants totalling £51,100, as set out in section 5.5 of the report to Cabinet along with the recommendation to respond to the HCC consultation, as detailed in 5.7.

 

Item 5 – Local Plan Review

 

Cllr Tipp introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

A number of Members highlighted the importance of moving forward with a new local plan at this stage, to meet the needs of the District.  This would include engaging with developers and communities to also understand if any undelivered parts of the current local plan could be retained to meet housing needs.  Ensuring a positive relationship with Town and Parish Councils as part of the neighbourhood plan process was also highlighted.

 

In responding to the debate, the Portfolio Holder highlighted that consultation would be undertaken throughout the process and the Council was committed to meeting with Town and Parish Councils as part of neighbourhood planning.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Council agree to:-

 

(a)   Commence a full review of the adopted Local Plan, to include Local Plan Part 1: Planning Strategy 2020 and policies saved from earlier local plans, and the preparation of a Design Code(s) for the Plan Area;

 

(b)   Publish the updated Local Development Scheme work programme at appendix one, initially to cover financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26;

 

(c)   Approve an initial Local Plan budget covering the next two financial years of £700,000, noting that £370,000 is currently allocated in a specific reserve, and that statutory increases in planning fees are expected to yield an additional income of £265,000 over this initial two year period to further contribute towards the cost to complete the full review;

 

(d)   Approve a budget of £200,000 to cover the preparation of a Design Code(s) for the Plan Area;

 

(e)   Agree to update the Statement of Community Involvement to set out how the public and other interested parties will be consulted and can participate in the Local Plan review; and

 

(f)     Agree to the formation of a cross-party working group to provide wider Member engagement, oversight and scrutiny into the preparation of the Local Plan.

 

Item 6 – Tenant Engagement Strategy

 

Cllr S Davies introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

 

One Member highlighted that with 18 responses received to the consultation, it may have warranted revisiting the consultation process prior to adopting the proposed strategy.  Related to this, a Member suggested that a Key Performance Indictor arising from the new corporate plan ought to consider the quality and quantity of consultation with tenants.  It was hoped that with a new, proactive strategy, this could be positively progressed.

 

Some Members considered that low numbers of consultation responses often indicated satisfaction with proposals.  Contrary views were also expressed that whilst the new strategy was a welcome step, low numbers of consultation responses were indicative of poor engagement in the past.

 

Portfolio Holder responded to debate and welcomed support for the policy.  He concluded by highlighting in particular the future of local engagement hubs to hear directly from tenants.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Tenant Engagement Strategy be approved and adopted.

 

Item 7 – Members’ Allowances – Scheme to Apply from 1 April 2024

 

Cllr Cleary introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)   That the Council agree that the current scheme of members’ allowances be made as the scheme to apply from 1 April 2024; and

 

(b)   That officers be requested to make the necessary arrangements for a meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel in Autumn this year, to review and make recommendations on the Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme in the light of 12months’ operation under the new 48 Member Council structure.