Agenda and minutes

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bowerman and Denton.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.

The Chairman had nothing to report.

There were no recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider at this meeting.

Cabinet noted that the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 March 2023 would be submitted to the next Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Pike, Cabinet Lead for Levelling Up, introduced a report appraising the Cabinet on the Local Authority Housing Fund launched by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities. He advised Cabinet that the Council had provisionally been identified as eligible for capital grant funding of £705,888 (under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003) to provide a minimum of 5 houses for families from Afghanistan and Ukraine who had a right to remain in the UK. These houses had to be delivered by 30 November 2023.

Cabinet discussed in detail:

a.                  how the houses would be funded;

b.                  the ownership and management of the properties if provided; and

c.                   the potential for increasing the Council’s housing stock.

A proposal by Councillor Pike, which was seconded by Councillor Lloyd to adopt the recommendations set out in the report was agreed.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to:

1          note that HBC have accepted the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) grant funding of £705,888 and that this is already in the Council’s approved capital programme.

2          delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Section 151 officer and monitoring officer to:

a)         negotiate the terms for the acquisition of the real estate assets required following receipt of the LAHF grant; and

b)         subject to a financial appraisal being approved by the S151Officer, agree the terms and conditions upon which borrowing maybe secured from PWLB in order to part fund the acquisition of the property concerned

3          approve a delegation to the S151 Officer to amend the Council’s Capital programme to reflect this additional borrowing once known.

Councillor Pike, as Cabinet Lead for Levelling, introduced a report recommending the acquisition of a new property asset management system using Council reserves.

Cabinet discussed the benefits of a new system and the need to review the data to be integrated with the system and way the data would be displayed.

A proposal by Councillor Pike which was seconded by Councillor Robinson to agree the recommendations set out in the report was approved.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to:

1.                  approve the acquisition of a new property asset management system and that authority be given to utilise up to 140,000 of Corporate Reserves to fund the procurement, contracting and deployment of it and that this is added to the Council Capital Programme; and.

2.                  delegate authority to the Executive Head of Commercial in consultation with the Section 151 officer and monitoring officer to procure and enter negotiations over contract terms with a preferred supplier.

Councillor Pike, Cabinet Lead for Levelling Up, introduced a report recommending Cabinet to approve the release of corporate reserves to fund a surrender of lease for a Council owned site at Southmoor Lane, Havant.

Cabinet noted that the site, the subject of the report, had no connection with Southern Water Authority’s proposals for a water recycling plant because it was too small for their requirements

Councillor Munday asked questions, under Standing Order 68, which were answered by Councillor Pike.

The majority of the Cabinet considered that the proposal was an opportunity to be released from old lease and maximise income that could be generated by this land.

A proposal by Councillor Pike which was seconded by Councillor Lloyd to accept the recommendations set out in the submitted report was

approved.

It was therefore

RESOLVED that the use of Corporate Reserves facilitate the surrender of the head leasehold interest in the council owned site at Southmoor Lane, Havant be approved.

Councillor Rennie, Leader of the Council, introduced a report updating members on the final Council Tax rates from precepting authorities and the Council Tax Base following confirmation of their charges in respect of the financial year 2023/24.

A proposal by Cllr Rennie, which was seconded by Councillor Satchwell, to adopt the recommendation set out the submitted report was agreed.

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to note the changes to the Council Tax Resolution 2023/24.

Councillor Lloyd, Cabinet Lead Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality, introduced a report asking for a decision on Havant Borough Council’s approach and involvement with a water quality sampling programme to test the water quality in Langstone Harbour.

Cabinet discussed

a.                  the benefits of a water sampling programme;

b.                  who would oversee the water sampling programme; and

c.                   the proposed sampling locations.

A proposal by Councillor Lloyd, which was seconded by Cllr Robinson to approve the recommendations set out in the report was agreed.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that:

1.         the need for water quality sampling in Langstone harbour be noted; and

2.         Council be recommended that:

a.         the Cabinet Lead for Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality be authorised to work with Langstone Harbour Board to put in place a programme of water quality sampling in Langstone Harbour.

b.         the Cabinet Lead for Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality be requested to report back to full Council on progress..