Agenda and minutes

To give consideration to the approval of alternative arrangements for appointments to bodies set up by Cabinet or external bodies, or the making or terminating of such appointments.

a)    Winchester Charity School Education Foundation (until October 2021)

b)    WinACC (until May 2019)

RESOLVED:

1.         That Councillor Mather be re-appointed as the Council’s representative on Winchester Charity School Education Foundation until October 2021.

2.         That Councillor McLean replace Councillor Warwick as the Council’s representative on WinACC for the remainder of the 2018/19 Municipal Year. 

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillor Humby declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as a County Councillor in respect of Report CAB3071 which directly impacted upon his Cabinet role at the County Council.  He left the room during consideration of this item and took no place in the debate or decision.

Councillor Warwick also declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in CAB3071 as she was a County Councillor.  However as there was no material conflict of interest, she voted on items as below, under the dispensation granted by the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 July 2018 and Special Meeting held 20 August 2018, less exempt minute, be approved and adopted

– to note the names of members of the public wishing to speak on general matters affecting the District or on agenda items (in the case of the latter, representations will normally be received at the time of the agenda item, after the Portfolio Holder’s introduction and any questions from Cabinet Members).

There were no questions asked or comments made.

Portfolio Holders made a number of announcements as summarised below:

·    Hilliers Haven (the new open space area next to Hilliers Way public car park) had been awarded first prize in the recent Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Countryside Award 2018.  Cabinet passed on its congratulations to the Head of Landscapes and Open Spaces and team for this success;

·    The planning review had concluded and would be published for Councillors and parish councils in advance of the briefings to be held shortly;

·    Following recent Government announcements, the Council was formulating a bid for at least £25m of increased borrowing allowance from the Government to further facilitate its new homes building programme.

Councillor Warwick introduced the report and highlighted various areas where improvements had been made.  These included a reduction in recorded NOx levels at the two road side air quality monitoring stations (paragraph 11 of the report refers).  It was anticipated that moving the coach park to Bar End would further assist as it would decrease the requirement for coaches to enter the central one-way system.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Thompson addressed Cabinet as summarised below:

·         The Council should take further steps to reduce traffic in the centre of Winchester.  This should include improvements to pavements to encourage walking and to road surfaces to assist cyclists.  Bus use should also be encouraged and the Council should consider subsidising additional services.

·         Differential car parking pricing had made a difference to some extent but more action was required.  Introducing a Clean Car Zone would be expensive – were the Council considering partnering with other local authorities to reduce costs?

·         A hope that the County Council’s Movement Study would provide more imaginative ways of reducing pollution, including further use of park and ride.

In response to Members’ questions, the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing explained that despite the reduction in NOx levels, the Council had not yet met the necessary requirements for the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) to be undeclared.  A report had been commissioned to examine the potential for electric taxis which had highlighted the requirement for a rapid charging point, currently being proposed for Worthy Lane coach park.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons outlined above and set out in the Report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the progress made in the delivery of the Air Quality Action Plan be noted.

2.         That data continue to be gathered on whether additional enforcement of the Traffic Regulation Order on St Georges Street will have a positive impact on traffic flow at peak times.

3.         That the work of the Winchester Movement Study be recognised, which will inform on whether the City’s air quality would benefit from a northern park and ride site and the implementation of a ‘Clean Air Zone’.

4.         That ‘smart’ ticket machine options be further evaluated and that a future report with recommendations, be brought back to Cabinet.

5.         That in view of the considerable capital costs associated with the delivery of a charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ), that Members await the findings of the Winchester Movement Strategy before deciding whether to adopt a CAZ.

6.         That it be ensured that air quality is sufficiently reflected within the City Council’s updated Procurement Policy.

7.         That work continues in partnership with Southampton City Council on an Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document for the district.  

8.         That it be noted that an Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy will be presented to Cabinet later in the year.

Councillor Humby left the room during consideration of this item.

Councillor Brook introduced the report, noting that the matter had been considered at The Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 September (paragraph 6.3 of the report refers).  She stated that following a query raised at that Committee, Officers had confirmed that the regulations specified a limit of 15% of CIL to parish councils unless they had a neighbourhood plan when the limit was raised to 25%.  In relation to other comments made by the Committee, a communications plan would be formulated to increase understanding of and access to CIL funds (and an additional resolution was agreed as set out below).  In addition, the Council would review the Regulation 123 list on an annual basis.

The Interim Strategic Director (Services) advised that whilst the County Council would prefer to continue to receive their CIL allocation directly, it understood the reasons behind the report’s recommendation.  The importance of transport infrastructure was recognised, particular with regard to the emerging Movement Strategy, and it was therefore proposed that the County Council be represented on the informal panel referred to in paragraph 18.2 of the report.  Cabinet agreed an amendment to recommendation 2 of the report to recognise that discussions would continue with the County Council on shared investment priorities for the use of CIL funds.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillors Porter and Thompson addressed Cabinet as summarised below (where appropriate, responses provided at the meeting shown in italics).

Councillor Porter

·         Could CIL be used for infrastructure payments such as new pavements in the Central Winchester Regeneration area?  CIL funds could not be used for maintenance and repair but could be used for new pavements as suggested.

·         The impact of the Regulation 123 list on the Local Plan;

·         Should the new criteria for utilising CIL funds (paragraph 18.6, Table 5 of the report) include the economic impact or opportunity to free up housing land?

·         Would the opportunity to bid for small funds throughout the year remain? Yes.

·         Impact on charities or other organisations that manage projects; CIL funds could be applied from by any organisation, including charities.

·         The process should be fully transparent;

·         Should the bidding and decision process be halted prior to elections? The Strategic Director confirmed decisions would not be taken during the purdah period.

·         How supportive were the City Council in assisting parish councils prepare neighbourhood plans? The Council were supportive of any parish council wishing to undertake a neighbourhood plan.  But it was not considered appropriate, in terms of the levels of resources required, to actively encourage parish councils.

·         How could the delays in County Council approvals be addressed?

·         Mention of a specific scheme along West Street, New Alresford. As a local Ward Member, Councillor Griffiths was investigating this matter.

Councillor Thompson

·         Support for proposals including ceasing automatic payment of 25% of available funds to the County Council because of the delays in implementation.

·         Could Winchester Town Forum be considered as an exception to the regulations that applied  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

In response to questions, Councillor Ashton confirmed that some capital spend was expected in connection with proposals to consider the introduction of kerbside glass recycling but it was not possible at this early stage to provide an actual estimate.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons outlined in the Report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the progress achieved during the first quarter of 2018/19 be noted and the contents of the Report be endorsed.

2.         That the following be approved, as detailed in paragraph 5 of the General Fund capital section of Appendix 1 of the report:

a)         a supplementary capital estimate of £50,000 in respect of the replacement large format printer;

b)         a supplementary capital estimate and expenditure of £50,000 in respect of the County Council’s contribution to the High Street Security Bollards project; and

c)         a supplementary capital estimate of £50,000 and expenditure of £100,000 in respect of the lighting refurbishment in Brooks car park.

3.         That the supplementary revenue estimate of £75,000 in respect of the drainage works to the West of Waterlooville play area be approve, as detailed in paragraphs 11.3 and 11.4 of the report.

Cabinet noted that the above report had not been notified for inclusion on the agenda within the statutory deadline.  The Chairman agreed to accept the item onto the agenda as a matter requiring urgent consideration in order that the pilot bid would not be delayed.

Councillor Ashton welcomed the proposals which, if the Council was successful in its bid to become part of the pilot, could offer significant financial benefits.  Cabinet congratulated the Strategic Director (Resources) for leading the project on behalf of the county noting that it was a good example of partnership working.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the Report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That a submission bid for Winchester to be part of a Hampshire wide business rate pilot be approved.

2.         That the final submission of the pilot be delegated to the S151 officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

RESOLVED:

            That the list of future items, as set out in the Forward Plan for October 2018, be noted.

(i)            To pass a resolution that the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100 (I) and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

1.         That in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

2.         That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

            That the exempt minute of the previous meeting held 20 August 2018, be approved and adopted

(Report CAB3044 refers)

Cabinet considered the above report which recommended a way forward regarding the Environmental Services contract (detail in exempt minute).