Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 5 February 2020.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 February 2020 were agreed and signed as an accurate record.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Leader welcomed all to the authorities first virtual meeting and advised that Cabinet would soon be considering a Covid-19 Response report.  He had requested that the Scrutiny Boards be involved in forming recommendations for the future. 

The Leader announced that the Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant scheme for those businesses which did not qualify for previous grants was now open encouraged any business owner who might qualify to apply.

Finally, he congratulated Cllr Pike and his wife who had announced that they were expecting a baby shortly and advised that some interim changes to Cabinet responsibilities would be made to allow Cllr Pike to take a three-month sabbatical.

RECOMMENDED that the following Delegated Decisions be noted:

(1)  HBC Street Name and Numbering Service

(2)  Approval of Digital Strategy

Cabinet RESOLVED that the following Delegated Decisions be NOTED:

(i) HBC Street Name and Numbering Service

(ii) Approval of Digital Strategy

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(i)            NOTED the use of Skype for Broadcast for public committee meetings; and

(ii)          AGREED the commencement of remote meetings for HBC from 3 June 2020.

The Leader introduced the report, which sought approval for the commencement of remote meetings using Skype for Business.

In response to questions, Cabinet was advised that the Council was working towards moving to Microsoft Teams, along with delivering visuals as well as audio.  The ability for the public and councillors to deliver deputations in forms other than in writing was also being explored.

During the debate Cabinet supported the use of Skype for Business as an interim solution, however stressed the importance of delivering visuals to the public as soon as practicable.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(i)            NOTED the use of Skype for Broadcast for public committee meetings; and

(ii)          AGREED the commencement of remote meetings for HBC from 3 June 2020.

RESOLVED that Cabinet Noted:

(i)            the provisional outturn for 2019/20; and

(ii)          the proposed transfers to and from Reserves to be actioned by the Chief Finance Officer.

Cllr Turner introduced the report as the relevant Cabinet Lead.

In response to a question, the Chief Finance Officer agreed to provide Cllr Bains with a breakdown of the Neighbourhood Support deficit included at Appendix A.

RESOLVED that Cabinet Noted:

(i)            the provisional outturn for 2019/20; and

(ii)          the proposed transfers to and from Reserves to be actioned by the Chief Finance Officer.

The Cabinet is asked to consider whether to pass a resolution excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the agenda.  If members wish to do so then this could be achieved by passing the following resolution.  Members are not required to pass the resolution but the Solicitor to the Council recommends this as to the item set out below.

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item headed and numbered as below 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 shown against the heading in question; and

(b)        in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Cabinet RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item headed and numbered as below because:

(a)       it was 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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 shown against the heading in question; and

(b)       in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

In passing the exemption, Cabinet agreed that Cllr Francis remain in the meeting for the exempt item.

Report to follow under separate cover.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(i)            Authorise the surrender/ re gear of the existing lease dated 28th May 1985 vested between Havant Borough Council xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx set out in the terms included in Appendix A. 

(ii)          Note the cash flow analysis of the scheme shows the scheme would be financially sustainable (Appendix B)

(iii)         Note the need to reflect the recommendations above through the Pre-Submission Local Plan and its supporting studies 

Cabinet NOTED:

(i)            the cash flow analysis of the scheme shows the scheme would be financially sustainable (Appendix B); and

(ii)          the need to reflect the recommendations above through the Pre-Submission Local Plan and its supporting studies.

Cllr Pike introduced the exempt report as the relevant Cabinet Lead.  The proposal would ensure the delivery of one part of the strategy and would be a long-term solution with added environmental benefits.

Cabinet was pleased that the council was at the forefront in devising and progressing a mitigation scheme that would provide a solution to the nutrient neutrality issue which would allow the Local Plan and regeneration aspirations of the council to progress.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(i)            Authorise the surrender/ re gear of the existing lease dated 28^th May 1985 vested between Havant Borough Council and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx as set out in the terms included in Appendix A

Cabinet NOTED:

(i)            the cash flow analysis of the scheme shows the scheme would be financially sustainable (Appendix B); and

(ii)          the need to reflect the recommendations above through the Pre-Submission Local Plan and its supporting studies.