Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Binns.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2015 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2015 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

Cllr Beeton disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in Item 4 (Minute no 25).

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised in the public participation period.

The Chairman reminded members that this was the last meeting of the Cabinet that would be attended by Mr Yates prior to his retirement.  Although the majority of the Council’s thanks would be expressed at the forthcoming meeting of the Council, the Chairman wished to mark this occasion and to thank Mr Yates for his support for the work of the Cabinet and its meetings.  All those present applauded Mr Yates to express their appreciation.

To consider the options for the replacement beach huts on the promenade at Milford on Sea and to agree what will go forward to the detailed design stage.

RESOLVED:

That the following options be taken forward as the preferred option for the design of the 119 replacement Beach Huts at Milford on Sea and that the design team progress this option through to detailed design, planning application submission and tender construction stage:

·        Inhabited roof enabling the lower promenade to be widened

·        Concrete Frontages to all of the huts

·        Layout C no huts situated at the eastern end of the lower promenade

·        A curved access ramp at the western end of  the promenade

Cllr Beeton disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a member of Milford on Sea Parish Council which had commented on this matter.  She concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent her from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

The Cabinet was addressed by Mr Holdsworth of the New Forest Beach Hut Owners’ Association; Mrs Frost, Mrs Preston, Mr Gibbons and Parish Cllr Bishop of Milford on Sea Parish Council

Members were advised that the consultants engaged to progress the replacement of the beach huts at Milford on Sea had developed a number of alternatives on 4 key design areas.  These had been subject to extensive consultation through the Council’s website and a public engagement event at Milford Community Centre on 14 August, which had been very well attended.  In all 355 questionnaire responses had been received to the consultation exercise.  These had been analysed, together with other factors, such as the environmental pressures that applied in this sensitive area, and considered by the Beach Hut Board.

The Board recommended that the huts should be placed at the western end of the promenade where the vulnerability to damage from the sea was less, while also opening opportunities for improved public access; that the huts should be constructed to allow the public to walk along the roof area; allowing the huts to be placed further back, widening the lower promenade; and that the huts should have concrete frontages and coloured doors.  In addition the access ramp at the western end of the promenade should curve around the pill box.  The projected cost, at £1,332,000, represented an increase of £73,000 against the original estimate.

The Cabinet noted the comments made during the public participation period and advised that a number of the technical concerns that were being raised, for example relating to ventilation and access for people with disabilities, would be addressed as the project progressed towards the submission of the planning application.  The decision before members at this stage sought to define the broad approach to be taken in developing the proposal further.  It was acknowledged that there were indeed equality and disability implications that would need to be taken into account as part of that process.  The beach hut owners group also asked that the terms of the site licence for these huts should be reviewed.

The Cabinet was satisfied that the Beach Hut Board’s recommendation achieved the correct balance between the competing aspirations and needs of the beach hut licence holders, local residents, visitors to the area and council taxpayers.  They noted that Milford on Sea Parish Council concurred with that view.

RESOLVED:

That the following options be taken forward as the preferred option for the design of the 119 replacement Beach Huts at Milford on Sea and that the design team progress this option through to detailed design, planning application submission and tender construction stage:

·       Inhabited roof enabling the lower promenade to be widened

·       Concrete frontages to all of the huts

·       Layout C  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

To be advised of the Council’s financial performance in the year to date.

RESOLVED:

(a)             That the timeline for reporting the development of the Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in paragraph 8 of report item 5 to the Cabinet, be approved; and

(b)             The development of plans for options to support the Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in the timeline, be approved.

Members considered the developing Medium Term Financial Plan which now included the draft resource plan for each portfolio, as attached as Appendices 1-6 of Item 5 considered by the Cabinet.  The draft portfolio resource plans would be further reviewed to ensure that they would deliver the new Corporate Plan which would be published in draft in November 2015.

Although the Chancellor had made a number of statements about possible future changes to local government funding, current indications remained that the Council would face further reductions in Government funding, which would present increasing challenges to continue to deliver high quality services.  A number of actions were being taken to reduce the overall budget requirement and actions to deliver savings of £1 million had already been identified, as set out in Appendix 8 to the report.  Work on the budget would continue, with the outcome of the Government’s spending review likely to be announced in December 2015 and the provisional Local Government Finance settlement in January 2016.

A number of questions relating to the portfolio resource plans were discussed.

RESOLVED:

(a)   That the timeline for reporting the development of the Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in paragraph 8 of report item 5 to the Cabinet, be approved; and

(b)   That the development of plans for options to support the Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in the timeline, be approved.

To agree the following dates for Cabinet meetings in 2016/17 (all Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m.).

RESOLVED:

That the following dates be agreed for Cabinet meetings in 2016/17 (all Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m.).

RESOLVED:

That the following dates be agreed for Cabinet meetings in 2016/17 (all Wednesdays at 10.00 a.m.).