Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 3 June 2020.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 June 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

The Leader was pleased to report that the Discretionary Grant Scheme to support those businesses previously not eligible for a grant was now open for applications.  He advised that this meeting would be the first virtual meeting of the council to receive deputations in person rather than solely in writing and in order to make best use of this he had agreed to extend the usual time limit.

RECOMMENDED that the following Delegated Decision be noted:

(1)          Havant Borough Council – Council Tax Hardship Fund (COVID-19)

Cabinet RESOLVED that the following Delegated Decision be NOTED:

(i) Havant Borough Council – Council Tax Hardship Fund (COVID-19)

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommends to Full Council that it:

                 i.          Approves the publication of the changes to the Pre-Submission Havant Borough Local Plan (Appendix A);

                ii.          Approves the consultation on the changes on the Pre-Submission Havant Borough Local Plan (Appendix A);

               iii.          Authorises the Planning Policy Manager[1], in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Planning Regeneration and Communities¹ and the Cabinet Lead for Communications¹ to prepare relevant consultation material;

              iv.          Delegates authority to the Planning Policy Manager¹, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Planning, Regeneration and Communities¹ to make any necessary additional changes to the Havant Borough Local Plan prior to the start of the consultation;

               v.          Notes that following any approval under (i) the changes to the Havant Borough Local Plan would have material planning weight and would be a material consideration in decision making;

              vi.          Notes the publication of the additional submission documents (the Sustainability Appraisal, the Habitats Regulations Assessment, Integrated Impact Assessment, evidence base, Statements of Common Ground);

             vii.          Notes the Borough’s five year housing land supply position as of December 2019 (available at www.havant.gov.uk/localplan/evidence-base);

            viii.          Notes the change in title of the plan to “Havant Borough Local Plan” and the resultant need to amend any emerging Council strategies;

              ix.          Delegates authority to the Planning Policy Manager¹ to prepare a report, which forms one of the required documents to submit to the Secretary of State, noting the number of representations made through the consultation (recommendation ii) and a summary of the main issues raised;

               x.          Approves the submission of the Havant Borough Local Plan, including the proposed changes, to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government following the consultation (ii) and the publication of the consultation report (vi); and

              xi.          Delegates authority to the Planning Policy Manager¹ to prepare a schedule(s) of proposed changes for the Planning Inspector to consider before and/or throughout the examination of the Local Plan.

Cllr Inkster left the meeting in accordance with his previous declaration of interest.

Cabinet members confirmed that they had read the five public deputations that had been received in respect of this item.  In addition, three of the deputations received were delivered verbally at the meeting from Ms Law, Mr Tate and Mr Hunnibal.

Cllr Hughes introduced the item as the relevant Cabinet Lead.  He commended the changes to Cabinet, for onward recommendation to Full Council.

In response to questions, Cabinet was advised that this was the first local plan created under the National Planning Policy Framework, which had a significantly different approach in respect of land supply.  Havant was a relatively constrained borough, which was the reason why sites discounted in previous local plans were now being considered.

It was explained that there were not enough brownfield sites within the borough to meet the housing need, even with the higher housing densities proposed on these sites.  Extensive green field sites would therefore have to be allocated in order to demonstrate a five-year land supply and meet housing need.

Cabinet members highlighted the importance of demonstrating a five-year land supply and for deliverable sites to be put forward by the council within a local plan.  If not included by the council they would be likely to be added by the Planning Inspectorate during examination and not necessarily include the same mitigation measures.

Proposed by Cllr Hughes and second by Cllr Rennie it was unanimously RESOLVED that Cabinet recommends to Full Council that it:

                 i.          Approves the publication of the changes to the Pre-Submission Havant Borough Local Plan (Appendix A);

               ii.          Approves the consultation on the changes on the Pre-Submission Havant Borough Local Plan (Appendix A);

              iii.          Authorises the Planning Policy Manager[1], in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Planning Regeneration and Communities¹ and the Cabinet Lead for Communications¹ to prepare relevant consultation material;

              iv.          Delegates authority to the Planning Policy Manager¹, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Planning, Regeneration and Communities¹ to make any necessary additional changes to the Havant Borough Local Plan prior to the start of the consultation;

               v.          Notes that following any approval under (i) the changes to the Havant Borough Local Plan would have material planning weight and would be a material consideration in decision making;

              vi.          Notes the publication of the additional submission documents (the Sustainability Appraisal, the Habitats Regulations Assessment, Integrated Impact Assessment, evidence base, Statements of Common Ground);

             vii.          Notes the Borough’s five year housing land supply position as of December 2019 (available at www.havant.gov.uk/localplan/evidence-base);

            viii.          Notes the change in title of the plan to “Havant Borough Local Plan” and the resultant need to amend any emerging Council strategies;

              ix.          Delegates authority to the Planning Policy Manager¹ to prepare a report, which forms one of the required documents to submit to the Secretary of State, noting the number of representations made through the consultation (recommendation ii) and a summary of the main  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

RESOLVED that:

(a)  Cabinet agree that there should be a delay in this year’s round of Strategic CIL Pot spending until there is more certainty surrounding CIL income for period ending 31 March 2021.

(b)  If there are insufficient funds, that there is no ‘annual CIL Strategic Fund bidding process’ this year and further spending from the Strategic CIL Pot (due for decision February 2021) is postponed until February 2022. This would not include funds previously committed through annual or interim decisions. Decision on funding new interim projects would be subject to an appropriate review of predicted 2021 income at 30 September 2020.

(c)  Work should continue on the Revised Funding Decision Protocol to ensure this document is compliant with the CIL Regulations, Planning Practice Guidance and the Constitution; to ensure we have a robust set of rules ready for future funding requests. After Cabinet, the Governance and Finance Board will consider the matter on 29 July 2020 inputting to the process that will lead to consideration of the revised protocol at Cabinet on 2 September 2020 before it is then considered by the Full Council.

(d)  The bidding process for the Neighbourhood Portion continues under the existing CIL Funding Decision Protocol and that the bidding dates are announced as being 19 August to 30 September 2020. Projects that provide infrastructure supporting recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 will be given priority.

Cllr Turner introduced the item as the relevant Cabinet Lead.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the Governance, Audit and Finance Board would scrutinise and input into the final proposals put forward in respect of the new process and that there would be an all member briefing prior to the Cabinet meeting in September.

Cabinet was keen that projects which delivered a tangible community benefit were supported by CIL funding. Cabinet was mindful that some wards in the borough had historically put forward fewer applications for CIL funding and encouraged suitable communication and community engagement in order to try to redress the balance.

Proposed by Cllr Turner and seconded by Cllr Wilson, it was unanimously RESOLVED that:

(a)  Cabinet agree that there should be a delay in this year’s round of Strategic CIL Pot spending until there is more certainty surrounding CIL income for period ending 31 March 2021.

(b)  If there are insufficient funds, that there is no ‘annual CIL Strategic Fund bidding process’ this year and further spending from the Strategic CIL Pot (due for decision February 2021) is postponed until February 2022. This would not include funds previously committed through annual or interim decisions. Decision on funding new interim projects would be subject to an appropriate review of predicted 2021 income at 30 September 2020.

(c)  Work should continue on the Revised Funding Decision Protocol to ensure this document is compliant with the CIL Regulations, Planning Practice Guidance and the Constitution; to ensure we have a robust set of rules ready for future funding requests. After Cabinet, the Governance and Finance Board will consider the matter on 29 July 2020 inputting to the process that will lead to consideration of the revised protocol at Cabinet on 2 September 2020 before it is then considered by the Full Council.

(d)  The bidding process for the Neighbourhood Portion continues under the existing CIL Funding Decision Protocol and that the bidding dates are announced as being 19 August to 30 September 2020. Projects that provide infrastructure supporting recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 will be given priority.

Report to follow under separate cover.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

This item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Please note that the Appendices A, C and D to the report contains information that is classed as exempt under Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

If Cabinet wishes to discuss the detail of the exempt appendix it is recommended that the below resolution excluding the public from the meeting during consideration be passed:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item because:

(a)       it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information of the descriptions specified in paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agree

i)  to the award of £X grant to Two Saints, (see EXEMPT Appendix A and C), to be met from the Affordable Housing Developers’ Contributions fund and the Homelessness Reduction Act Prevention fund 2020/21 (see EXEMPT Appendix C); and

ii)  The Director of Regeneration and Place in consultation with the S151 Officer be delegated the resolution of all grant terms and conditions provided they meet the minimum criteria (Appendix D) and authorised to take all steps to finalise the grant.

Cllr Turner introduced the item as the relevant Cabinet Lead.

In response to questions Cabinet was advised that the premises had on site management at all times and that there were separate blocks and entrances for the family and single occupancy units.

Cabinet was supportive of the proposal, although encouraged a second phase project to provide support for residents.

Proposed by Cllr Turner and seconded by Cllr Bowerman it was unanimously RESOLVED that Cabinet agree:

i)  to the award of £X grant to Two Saints, (see EXEMPT Appendix A and C), to be met from the Affordable Housing Developers’ Contributions fund and the Homelessness Reduction Act Prevention fund 2020/21 (see EXEMPT Appendix C); and

ii)  The Director of Regeneration and Place in consultation with the S151 Officer be delegated the resolution of all grant terms and conditions provided they meet the minimum criteria (Appendix D) and authorised to take all steps to finalise the grant.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a.      Noted the Council’s response to Covid-19

b.      Noted the emerging financial impact on the council budget.

c.      Noted the policy for the administration of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants; and

d.      Invited Governance, Audit and Finance Board to co-ordinate the scrutiny of the Councils response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and to note the Governance, Audit and Finance Boards response.

The Leader introduced the item, commending and thanking officers for their work during this difficult time.

Proposed by the Leader and seconded by Cllr Turner it was unanimously RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a.      Noted the Council’s response to Covid-19

b.      Noted the emerging financial impact on the council budget.

c.      Noted the policy for the administration of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants; and

d.      Invited Governance, Audit and Finance Board to co-ordinate the scrutiny of the Councils response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and to note the Governance, Audit and Finance Boards response.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)     agree to the preparation of a Covid -19 Recovery and Transformation Strategy and Plan; and

b)     create a Recovery and Transformation Liaison Panel, with the terms of reference set out in Appendix B.

The Leader introduced the item as the relevant Cabinet Lead.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the timeline for the likely reoccupation of the Plaza was based upon LRF modelling, although the Council was undertaking its own research into the matter and recognised that it had a community leadership role to play.

Proposed by the Leader and seconded by Cllr Bowerman it was unanimously RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)     agree to the preparation of a Covid -19 Recovery and Transformation Strategy and Plan; and

b)     create a Recovery and Transformation Liaison Panel, with the terms of reference set out in Appendix B.

Report to follow under separate cover.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

This item had been withdrawn from the agenda.