Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Rennie.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 28 October 2020 and the extraordinary meetings held on 18 November 2020 and 13 January 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2020 meeting and the extraordinary meetings held on 18 November 2020 and 13 January 2021 were confirmed as correct records, with the exception that Cllr Bowerman had tendered her apologies for the 18 November 2020 meeting.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

The Leader provided updated on the progress of the freeport expression of interest which had been submitted on 5 February 2021 and the benefits that this could have for the Borough.   

The Leader also updated on elections, which the Government had confirmed would take place in May 2021, having been postponed in 2020.  This decision had been taken despite concerns raised by Local Government Leaders from all parties, Chief Executives and Returning Officers, who were of the general consensus that elections should be postponed until later in the year.

RECOMMENDED that the following minutes be noted:

(1) Minutes of the meeting of the Portchester Crematorium Joint

     Management Committee held on 14 December 2020

RECOMMENDED that the following Delegated Decisions be noted:

(1)    23.10.20 – Havant Borough Local Plan: Changes to the Pre-Submission

                          Local Plan (Further Changes Subsequent to Full Council 

                          Decision) - https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=431

______________________________________________________________

(2)    23.11.20 – Test & Trace Support Payments

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=26077&Opt=0

______________________________________________________________

(3)    24.11.20 – Charges for the Collection of Garden Waste

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=438

______________________________________________________________

(4)    26.11.20 – Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=26086&Opt=0

RESOLVED that the following minutes be NOTED:

(1) Minutes of the meeting of the Portchester Crematorium Joint 

      Management Committee held on 14 December 2020

RESOLVED that the following decisions taken under the Scheme of Delegations be NOTED

(1) Havant Borough Local Plan: Changes to the Pre-

Submission Local Plan (Further Changes Subsequent to Full

Council Decision)

(2) Test & Trace Support Payments

(3) Charges for the Collection of Garden Waste

(4) Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme

Report to follow under separate cover.

Cllr Inkster introduced the report as the Cabinet Lead for Finance.

Cabinet thanked officers for their hard work in achieving a balanced budget during difficult times and noted that income generation would need to be looked at closely going forward in order to maintain the current level of services.  Cabinet also highlighted the importance of early budget challenge sessions and involvement by scrutiny. 

Proposed by Cllr Inkster and seconded by Cllr Hughes it was RESOLVED that Cabinet recommend to Full Council:

a.          The proposed Revenue and Capital budgets for 2021-22 including a Council Tax rate of £214.48 at Band D, representing a £5 increase on the current charge;

b.          The proposed Medium-Term Financial Strategy, Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators.

c.          The proposed increase to Fees & Charges schedule for 2021-22.

Cllr Turner introduced the report as the Cabinet Lead with the responsibility for CIL.

In response to a question it was confirmed that bids which related to the work of community groups during the pandemic could be considered, however Cabinet was reminded that bids were required to accord with the remit of CIL, which was for infrastructure to mitigate any impact of development.

Cabinet commended the consistency of the protocol to ensure that funding was as fairly awarded as possible.

Proposed by Cllr Turner and seconded by Cllr Bowerman it was RESOLVED that Cabinet recommends to Council the allocation of Neighbourhood CIL funds to the projects and the amounts as set out below:

Coastal Communities

West of the A3(M)

Wider Havant

The Leader introduced the report.

Mr Comlay delivered a deputation submitted by the Havant Civic Society (attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.)

In reply to a question it was confirmed that the information gleaned during the procurement and site investigations would be retained and could be used in the future.

In response to the deputation submitted, Cabinet reassured that the sale of Brockhampton West had not been rushed in order to fill a funding gap and that regeneration through an interventionalist approach remained a key aim of the administration. 

Proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Inkster it was RESOLVED that

Cabinet approve and delegate to the Director of Regeneration and Place:

(i)      Formal closure of the project in its current form;

(ii)    Formal notification to the remaining two bidders that the project will not be proceeding, in line with specialist external advice;

(iii)   Termination of the signed Funding Agreement with Homes England dated 25 January 2019; and

(iv)   Development of an outline business case, for consideration at a future Cabinet meeting, for the comprehensive development of the wider Civic Plaza site (working title to be known as Civic Plaza Plus).

In accordance with Part Two, Section D1 of the Council’s new Constitution, Cabinet is requested to confirm the membership of the Shareholder Sub-Committee.

Please note that the Shareholders Sub-Committee may only comprise of members of the Cabinet and must include the Leader and the Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for finance.

The appointments to be effective from 1 March 2021, to coincide with the effective date of the Council’s new Constitution.

The Leader introduced the item.

Proposed by the Leader and seconded by Cllr Thain-Smith it was RESOLVED that the following members be appointed to the Shareholder’s Sub-Committee:

·       Cllr Michael Wilson (Leader)

·       Cllr Mark Inkster (Cabinet Lead for Finance)

·       Cllr Narinder Bains

·       Cllr Lulu Bowerman

·       Cllr Leah Turner