Agenda, decisions 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.

There were no changes to the membership of cabinet bodies to be made.

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 Porter and Tod declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in respect of reports due to their role as a County Councillors.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 December 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

– to note the names of members of the public wishing to speak on general matters affecting the District or on agenda items

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (contact: democracy@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848 264). 

Three members of the public/representatives of local groups spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Patrick Davies

Queried why report CAB3278 appeared to make no reference to comments and discussion at the Local Plan Action Group meeting that was held on 11 January 2021.  Reiterated points made at that meeting including regarding the relevance of the background work listed at Appendix 1 of CAB3278 and the necessity to take account of the impact of the Covid pandemic.  Believed that the Council should be cautious about including its carbon neutrality work as it was not directly relevant to the Local Plan and might downgrade its standing.  With regard to report CAB3279, considered that undertaking the consultation on the Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document at the same time as the Local Plan consultation might cause confusion.

John Beveridge (City of Winchester Trust)

Noting the current Ministry of Defence consultation regarding the future of the St John Moore Barracks, requested that no planning application be approved without full consideration of the implications of the Local Plan and what was required for the Winchester district.  Emphasised the importance of agreeing a strategic plan for the whole of Winchester town, particularly in the light of ongoing proposals for major developments.

John Tippett-Cooper

Commended the work of Unit 12, Winnall as a community interest group hosting a number of key charities, community groups and a dance school.  A community food pantry had also recently been established, with the support of the Council.  Hoped that, with the help of the Council, the community cohesion and groups established in response to the Covid pandemic could continue longer term.

In response, the Leader noted that comments regarding CAB3278 would be considered further under the relevant agenda item.  In addition, the Winchester Town Forum was leading on the Vision for Winchester document.  An announcement on the community food pantry would be made under the minute below.

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

Councillor Thompson

Announced the award of two grants of £12,500 to assist with the set up costs of two community food pantries – one at Unit 12 Winnall and another at Wickham Community Centre.  The payments would be made from the local authority emergency assistance grant.

Councillor Porter

Provided an update on the proposals for the Aquind Interconnector and the ongoing public examination. 

The consultation on the M3 Junction 9 proposals would be delayed until Summer 2021 and parish councils would be consulted at this time.

The consultation on the proposals for a new model of healthcare and new hospital would also be delayed until Summer 2021.

Councillor Tod

Provided an update on the new waste contract and garden waste recycling scheme.  Highlighted that the new contract to come into effect from 1 February 2021 would also allow kerbside recycling of batteries and small electrical appliances.  Opportunities to explore more “carton bins” to collect tetra Pac recycling were also being examined.

Councillor Learney

Announced that the Central Winchester Regeneration project consultation had recently ended with higher levels of contributions than for previous events, with a broader range of participants.  A full report on the consultation responses would be given at the Central Winchester Regeneration Open Forum to be held on Tuesday 26 January 2021.  Further details available here.

(1)   That the Strategic Issues & Priorities Document, as attached to report CAB3278 at Appendix 1, and publication and eight week public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 be approved.

(2)   That authority be delegatedto theStrategicPlanning Manager, inconsultation withthe Cabinet Member forBuiltEnvironment & Well Being, to undertake updating, drafting of any amendments and the visualization of the Strategic Issues & Priorities document required priorto publication and consultation on the document.

(3)   That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director - Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Built Environment & Wellbeing, to amend the Local Development Scheme (LDS) to include consultation on the Strategic Issues & Priorities document in February/March 2021.

1.         That the Strategic Issues & Priorities Document, as attached at Appendix 1, and publication and eight week public consultation  under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 be approved.

2.        That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

That an eight week public consultation on the proposed Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document be commenced, as set out within Appendix A of report CAB3279, the findings of which will then be reported back to a future Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Murphy introduced the report highlighting that the production of an AQ SPD was a core action of the Air Quality Action Plan and in addition to improving air quality, it could also attract investment in green technology and sustainable travel.  The Service Lead: Public Protection outlined the background and detail of the proposals.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Pearson addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Queried why the AQ SPD only applied to the Winchester town area and did not cover the wider district?  Believed that the document was a useful starting point to improving air quality but in view of proposals set out in the current Environment Bill, he questioned whether it went far enough to control particulate emissions. 

The Service Lead: Public Protection responded to questions raised, including confirming that the Council did monitor air quality across the district, but it was only in the Winchester town area that Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceeded national standards which is why there is a designated air quality management area. The Head of Regulatory confirmed that preparation for the new local plan could examine whether other policies to address air quality matters were required.

Cabinet agreed that the proposed public consultation period be extended to eight weeks to coincide with the consultation on the Strategic Issues and Priorities document and the report’s recommendation be amended accordingly.

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

RESOLVED:

That an eight week public consultation   on the proposed Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document be commenced, as set out within Appendix A of report CAB3279, the findings of which will then be reported back to a future Cabinet meeting.

That the draft Biodiversity Action Plan be approved, as set out in appendix A-C of report CAB3280 and that the Natural Environment and Recreation Team Manager be authorised to make minor changes to enable updates that may occur from the cabinet meeting and any other minor editing changes, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency.

Councillor Murphy introduced the report which set out the strategic direction for how the Council would deliver actions which protect, enhance and restore key

biodiversity within the district.  The Natural Environment and Recreation Manager outlined the report in more detail and emphasised that the Plan contained realistic targets and would focus on the Council’s own operations.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Pearson addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Welcomed the Plan as a useful document in providing a guide for development and the protection of vital habitats within the district.  Emphasised the crucial importance of protecting biodiversity in the context of tackling climate change. 

During debate, Cabinet Members welcomed the Plan and highlighted that it be a useful resource for young people and schools within the district.  The Natural Environment and Recreation Manager agreed to examine how this idea could be taken forward as an addition to the action plan for 2022.

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

RESOLVED:

That the draft Biodiversity Action Plan be approved, as set out in appendix A-C of report CAB3280 and that the Natural Environment and Recreation Team Manager be authorised to make minor changes to enable updates that may occur from the cabinet meeting and any other minor editing changes, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency.

1.     That, subject to Full Council approval of the Budget and Capital Investment Strategy in February 2021 expenditure of £368,000 for the car park major works programme 2021/22 be approved as outlined in appendix A of report CAB3284.

2.     That the indicative programme for 2022/23 totalling £410,000 be noted as a basis for planning and preparing future works.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Head of Programme in consultation with the Corporate Head of Asset Management and Cabinet Member for the Service Quality and Transformation, to make minor adjustments to the programme in order to meet maintenance and operational needs of the car park service throughout the year, as required.

1.            That, subject to Full Council approval of the Budget and Capital Investment Strategy in February 2021 expenditure of £368,000 for the car park major works programme 2021/22 be approved as outlined in appendix A of report CAB3284.

2.            That the indicative programme for 2022/23 totalling £410,000 be noted as a basis for planning and preparing future works.

3.            That authority be delegated to the Head of Programme in consultation with the Corporate Head of Asset Management and Cabinet Member for the Service Quality and Transformation, to make minor adjustments to the programme in order to meet maintenance and operational needs of the car park service throughout the year, as required.

RESOLVED:

That the list of future items, as set out in the Forward Plan for

February 2021, be noted.