Agenda, decisions and minutes

To record the names of apologies given.

Apologies were received from Councillor Porter.

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)    Local Plan Advisory Group

To confirm membership as follows:

Cabinet Members: Councillors Porter (Chairperson), Thompson, Weir

Lib Dem: Councillors Evans and Rutter

Con: Councillors Brook and Horrill

Terms of reference have been drafted and will be discussed at the first meeting of the Group.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

1.          That the membership of the Local Plan Advisory Group be confirmed as follows:

Councillors Porter (Chairperson), Brook, Evans, Horrill, Rutter, Thompson and Weir

2.          That the terms of reference be confirmed at the first meeting of the Group, scheduled for 16 March 2020.

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.

Councillors Tod declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of agenda item 8 (report CAB3224) due to his role as a County Councillor.

Note: Councillors wishing to speak about a particular agenda item are requested to advise the Democratic Services Officer before the meeting.  Councillors will normally be invited by the Chairperson to speak during the appropriate item (after the Cabinet Member’s introduction, questions from other Cabinet Members and public participation).

Councillors Horrill and Lumby were invited to make their representations under the relevant agenda item(s).

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the previous meeting held 12 February 2020 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).

Dave Walker Nix (Winchester Friends of the Earth) addressed Cabinet regarding agenda item 8 (report CAB3224) and in summary expressed the view that comments submitted by Winchester Friends of the Earth during consultation had not been taken into account.  In general, he considered the Strategy did not go far enough or act quickly enough to reduce traffic levels in order to address the declared climate emergency.

The Leader and Cabinet members made a number of announcements as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Thompson

The external structure of new Winchester Sport & Leisure Park had been completed and marked by a “topping out” celebration.

Councillor Learney

Provided an update on her decision regarding the Central Winchester area redevelopment made at the Cabinet Member Decision Day on 10 March 2020.

1.      That the consultation responses to the draft Winchester Parking and Access Strategy 2020 – 2025 be considered and noted.

2.      That local meetings be held in the parished and Market Town areas to develop a local parking and access plan as required.

3.      That the Winchester Parking and Access Strategy 2020 - 2030 as attached to the report CAB3224  be approved.

4.      That the Council implement the next steps to finalise the Winchester Parking and Access Strategy and develop an action plan to feed into the annual car park improvement works and the Winchester Movement Strategy (WMS).

5.      That authority be delegated to the Head of Programme to make any minor amendments to the Strategy.

6.      That authority be delegated to the Head of Programme in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to liaise with Hampshire County Council and bus operators and to agree funding to support bus service improvements in support of the parking and access strategy.

Councillor Tod introduced the report which set out results of the consultation on the Strategy and provided recommendations on the next steps.  He emphasised that individual Parking and Access Plans would be developed for the market towns to address particular local requirements in collaboration with local groups, parish and town councils and ward members.

Phil Gagg (WinACC) spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Believed that the Strategy was a major advance on the previous Strategy and was explicitly linked to the climate emergency declaration.  However, in general considered that the Council should take further action without delay, such as closure of central car parks and introduction of a work place levy.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Lumby addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Emphasised the opposition to the proposals from market towns because residents had limited access to public transport and were consequently reliant on travel by car.  Requested that the options for market towns be reconsidered.

Councillor Tod responded to the comments made above and also by Mr Walker Nix (Winchester Friends of the Earth) during public participation.  He offered to meet Mr Walker Nix to discuss further his concerns. 

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

RESOLVED:

1.         That the consultation responses to the draft Winchester Parking and Access Strategy 2020 – 2025 be considered and noted.

2.         That local meetings be held in the parished and Market Town areas to develop a local parking and access plan as required.

3.         That the Winchester Parking and Access Strategy 2020 - 2030 as attached to the report be approved.

4.         That the Council implement the next steps to finalise the Winchester Parking and Access Strategy and develop an action plan to feed into the annual car park improvement works and the Winchester Movement Strategy (WMS).

5.         That authority be delegated to the Head of Programme to make any minor amendments to the Strategy.

6.          That authority be delegated to the Head of Programme in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to liaise with Hampshire County Council and bus operators and to agree funding to support bus service improvements in support of the parking and access strategy.

1.    ThattherevisedWinchesterDistrict LocalDevelopmentScheme 2020, as set out inAppendix1 to report CAB3226, beapprovedand broughtintoimmediate effect; and

2.    That authorityisdelegatedto theStrategicPlanning Manager, inconsultation withthePortfolioHolderforBuiltEnvironment,to undertakeminorupdating and drafting of any amendments required to therevisedWinchesterDistrict LocalDevelopmentScheme 2020 priorto publication and to publish the revisedWinchesterDistrict LocalDevelopmentScheme 2020.

In the absence of Councillor Porter, the Leader introduced the report.  The Strategic Planning Manager highlighted the importance of the document both as a legal requirement and in terms of transparency in detailing the engagement process.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Horrill addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Comments regarding the potential impact of delays to the production of the District Development Framework and request that performance monitoring reports be considered by the Scrutiny Committee. Welcomed the establishment of the Local Plan Advisory Group and requested circulation of the proposed terms of reference prior to the first meeting.

The Leader and the Strategic Planning Manager responded to comments made.  It was agreed that the terms of reference of the Advisory Group would be circulated prior to the first meeting.

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

RESOLVED:

1.          ThattherevisedWinchesterDistrict LocalDevelopmentScheme 2020, as set out inAppendix1 to theReport, beapprovedand broughtintoimmediate effect; and

2.          That authority be delegatedto theStrategicPlanning Manager, inconsultation withthePortfolioHolderforBuiltEnvironment,to undertakeminorupdating and drafting of any amendments required to therevisedWinchesterDistrict LocalDevelopmentScheme 2020 priorto publication and to publish the revisedWinchesterDistrict LocalDevelopmentScheme 2020.

1.      That, in addition to the approval to acquire properties set out in CAB3216, that approval be given to allow the substitution of alternative properties, subject to consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, that any alternative properties meet the Council’s viability tests and that the overall value of purchases by the end of March 2020 does not exceed the £3m allocated for this purpose.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Legal to negotiate, prepare documentation and complete the necessary transactions in accordance within the agreed Heads of Terms for the purchase of the properties identified in CAB3216 and for any substituted properties.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which provided an update on proposals agreed in report CAB3216. 

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Horrill and Michael Fawcitt (TACT) addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Horrill

Supported the recommendations but queried the reasons for the current situation and also the lack of comments from TACT.

Michael Fawcitt

Confirmed that officers had briefed TACT on the proposals.  Requested that future Housing Revenue Account reports include information regarding new acquisitions in that year.

Councillor Learney and the Strategic Director: Services (Interim) responded to comments made.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That, in addition to the approval to acquire properties set out in CAB3216, that approval be given to allow the substitution of alternative properties, subject to consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, that any alternative properties meet the Council’s viability tests and that the overall value of purchases by the end of March 2020 does not exceed the £3m allocated for this purpose.

2.            That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Legal to negotiate, prepare documentation and complete the necessary transactions in accordance within the agreed Heads of Terms for the purchase of the properties identified in CAB3216 and for any substituted properties.

That the Procurement and Contract Management Strategy 2020-2025 be approved.

Councillor Cutler introduced the report.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Lumby addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

The proposals had been previously considered by the Business and Housing Policy Committee where it had been broadly supported.  Requested that the contract management policy review should be undertaken without delay and clarity should be given on the meaning of “social value”.

Councillors Cutler and Tod responded to comments made and indicated Winchester Fairtrade network had circulated a letter to Cabinet that morning.  

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

RESOLVED:

That the Procurement and Contract Management Strategy 2020-2025 be approved.

That the proposed Discretionary Housing Payment policy (2020) policy be approved as set out in Appendix A of report CAB3225.

Councillor Cutler introduced the report.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Horrill addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Generally supported the proposed update to the policy and requested assurances that the Council was taking all measures available to help any individuals experiencing financial difficulties.

Councillor Cutler and the Service Lead: Revenues and Benefits responded to comments made, noting that the matter had also been discussed at the Business and Housing Policy Committee on 11 February 2020.

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

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Discretionary Housing Payment policy (2020) be approved as set out in Appendix A.

1.    That the contents of report CAB3229 be noted and that the points set out in this report that will form the basis of the Councils response to the application.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Built Environment after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing, to make representations, submissions and decisions and respond to questions and issues raised by the Examining Authority to the Planning Inspectorate and Aquind during the Pre-Examination and Examination Stage. 

3.    That the contact group established with Denmead Parish Council, Hambledon Parish Council, Newlands Parish Council and Ward Councillors in respect of the Aquind application for a Development Consent Order be maintained until the end of the Examination process.

In the absence of Councillor Porter, the Leader introduced the report.  In addition, Councillor Cutler noted that the Public Inquiry would commence on 20 April 2020.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Lumby addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Endorsed the approach to maintain the local contact group.  Queried the impact of the recent challenge to the Government on the Heathrow airport expansion proposals.

The Service Lead: Legal responded to comments made.

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

RESOLVED:

1.          That the contents of this report be noted and it be agreed that the points set out in the report will form the basis of the Councils response to the application.

2.          That authority be delegated to the Service Lead Built Environment after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing, to make representations, submissions and decisions and respond to questions and issues raised by the Examining Authority to the Planning Inspectorate and Aquind during the Pre-Examination and Examination Stage. 

3.          That the contact group established with Denmead Parish Council, Hambledon Parish Council, Newlands Parish Council and Ward Councillors in respect of the Aquind application for a Development Consent Order be maintained until the end of the Examination process.

RESOLVED

That the list of future items, as set out in the Forward Plan for April 2020, be noted.