Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received from Cabinet Members.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2020, be confirmed and signed.

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.

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests made by Cabinet Members.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

There were no issues raised during the public participation period.

To receive a presentation from Portfolio Holders on the latest progress in relation to the Council’s response to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the need to stay alert in light of recent local lockdown measures introduced in other areas of the country.  A COVID-19 incident control outbreak plan was being prepared in collaboration with local partners, which would be shared with councillors in due course.

Portfolio Holders gave a presentation with an update on the Council’s response to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic. The slides from the presentation are attached to these minutes for reference.

Housing Services

·        Services were now operating “business as usual” with Housing Maintenance in particular working hard to reduce the backlog of non-essential repairs.  It was noted that an increasing number of trade operatives were being allowed into homes which was a sign that confidence was returning within the community.

·        Suitable accommodation for homeless households continue to be sought following the impact of the height of the pandemic through April and May.

·        Work continued at pace to support the Council’s ambitions of delivering greater numbers of affordable homes for those with housing need in the New Forest.

Environment and Regulatory Services

·        Guidance was being offered to the food industry as lockdown measures were relaxed, whilst support for public carriage drivers to install appropriate protective screens was taking place.

·        The increased demand for garden waste services continued, with a total of over 3000 new customers now subscribed to the service.

·        In response to significant littering, particularly along the coastline, both messaging and enforcement were being increased.

·        20 out of 23 public toilets would be open before the end of the weekend.

Planning and Infrastructure

·        All car parks were now open.  Arrangements were being progressed for those residents who had purchased either quarterly or annual parking clocks and had been unable to use them for the period within which the car parks were closed.

·        The cumulative lost income in parking receipts was now in excess of £0.5 million.

To receive a verbal update from the Leader of the Council on the progress of the four COVID-19 RECOVERY Task and Finish Groups.

The Leader of the Council reported briefly on the first meetings of the Council’s four COVID-19 Recovery Task and Finish Groups, which engaged a total of 41 councillors across a broad range of issues.  These included the internal challenges faced by the Council in respect of finance and resources, and running essential services, to the more outward looking Groups assessing the impact of the crisis on the local voluntary and business sectors.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Investment and Corporate Services thanked Members and Officers for their initial work on finance and resources.  It would be the focus of the Group to bring forward proportionate responses to address the Council’s financial position and the impact COVID-19 will need to have on other strategies such as ICT and HR.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Affairs highlighted the breadth of local community organisations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.  The Community Stakeholder Engagement Task and Finish Group would seek to collect information from local community organisations in a themed way.  It was expected that a Position Statement would be ready by September 2020.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing reported on the significant impact of COVID-19 on Health and Leisure Centres.  He expressed his sincere thanks to the Task and Finish Group which considered in detail the plans for a phased reopening, alongside the associated financial implications.  It was noted that income losses in Health and Leisure could be as much as £5 million by the end of the year.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development highlighted the need for a strong understanding of the impact of the lockdown period has had on the local economy.  The resilience and adaptability of local businesses has been a real success.  Whilst grants and advice had been well delivered throughout the height of the crisis, ongoing support would be crucial and the Group would look to hear evidence from a range of partners in the business sector to inform recovery plans for the local economy.

To consider a report from the Chief Finance Officer, including associated recommendations from the COVID-19 RECOVERY -  Finance and Resources Task and Finish Group.

RESOLVED:

1.           That measures to control employee costs around a Vacancy Control procedure, to ensure only essential staffing posts are filled including considerations for redeployment of existing staff where roles have been impacted by COVID-19, be implemented.

2.           That the COVID-19 RECOVERY – Finance and Resources Task and Finish Group focus on an immediate review of 2020/21 budgets, including, but not limited to:-

a.     Review of the Asset Maintenance Budgets

b.     Review of savings generated in 2019/20

c.      Review of Capital Programme financing and Reserve transfers

d.     Review of Service budgets, such as Travel and Subsistence and Fees and Charges which have been directly impacted by COVID-19

3.           That the re-opening of Health and Leisure Centres be managed in a way that does not present further increases in net costs beyond those currently being incurred as a result of COVID-19.

4.           That non-essential Capital Schemes be postponed.

5.           That up to £80,000 of the existing £500,000 Smarter Working budget be utilised to support the democratic role of Members.

6.           That the impact that COVID-19 has had on the income generation at Dibden Golf Centre be noted, and that the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing would in due course enter into discussions with the provider over future rents.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Finance, Investment and Corporate Services.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted that COVID-19 was not a single event whereby actions quickly moved towards recovery.  An ongoing response to the crisis and continual assessment of the impact on the Council’s finances would be crucial.  It was confirmed that the £80,000 funds from the existing Smarter Working budget would cover all councillors standard ICT equipment if required, although it was not anticipated that the full amount would need to be utilised.

To consider a report by the Executive Head of Resources.  Associated recommendations from the COVID-19 RECOVERY - Council Services Task and Finish Group will be made available to Cabinet once the Group has met on Thursday 25 June 2020.

RESOLVED:

1.           That the Council’s Health and Leisure Centres are re-opened on a phased basis, when Government guidance allows.

2.           That in respect of the revised Government National Furlough Scheme, all NFDC Council staff who have been placed on Furlough are aligned to the national scheme from 1 August 2020 to 31 October 2020, whereby the Council will pay 80% of wages subject to a cap of £2,500 for the hours an employee is on furlough and the Council will pay ER NICs and pension contributions for the hours the employee is on furlough.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report and recommendations from the Task and Finish Group.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Leisure and Wellbeing.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report and recommendations from the Task and Finish Group.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder proposed that, in respect of the revised Government National Furlough Scheme and in response to the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group, all NFDC Council staff who have been placed on Furlough should be aligned to the national scheme from 1 August 2020 to 31 October 2020, whereby the Council will pay 80% of wages subject to a cap of £2,500 for the hours an employee is on furlough and the Council will pay ER NICs and pension contributions for the hours the employee is on furlough. The Cabinet unanimously supported the proposal.

RESOLVED:

1.           That the updated position statement, including the highlights from 2019/20 be noted;

2.           That the development of the new performance framework in progress be noted;

3.           That the provisional outturn of the General Fund revenue and capital budgets for 2019/2, be noted; and

4.           That the provisional outturn of the Housing Revenue Account for 2019/20, be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Leader and Corporate Affairs

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and highlighted that it was a transitional document this year as the Council moved into the period covered by the new Community Matters Corporate Plan.  It was noted that the report had been well considered by the Council’s four Overview and Scrutiny Panels and their support for the report was included within the covering paper.

RESOLVED:

On the basis that the Council formally adopt the Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy at its meeting on 6 July 2020:-

1.     A six week consultation on the proposed amendments (Appendix 1 of the Cabinet Report shown in red) to the Statement of Community Involvement, be agreed; and

2.     That the outcome of the consultation be reported back to Cabinet for it to consider whether to adopt the amended document.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted its importance to the Council and those engaged locally in the planning process.  The Chief Planning Officer highlighted that it would also provide clarity to all those involved in neighbourhood planning.

RESOLVED:

On the basis that the Council formally adopt the Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy at its meeting on 6 July 2020:-

1.     That a requirement for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain to all planning permissions granted on or after 7th July 2020 be introduced;

2.     The net gain requirement be set as a minimum of 10% increase in biodiversity; and

3.     The requirements be applied to all new build developments, except householder applications.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted that the recommendations did not retract from requirements within the Local Plan, therefore the 10% biodiversity net gain was in addition to these requirements and should be welcomed as a positive step for all new build developments.

RESOLVED:

That the revised recreation mitigation project for the Fawley area be agreed as follows, to replace projects fa1 and fa3:-

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and welcomed the proposed change which had been studied in great detail, and would create a far better facility than previous plans.