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 memberships 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 Tod and Porter declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in respect of various agenda items due to their roles as County Councillors.

– 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). 

Patrick Davies spoke during public participation and his comments are summarised briefly below.

Queried how the public would be involved in council decision-making and consultations whilst the current restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic were ongoing.  He did not consider the current arrangements, whereby members of the public could hear the live broadcast of council meetings, but could not see proceedings, was adequate.  He also queried the large number of private briefing sessions for councillors.

In response, Councillors Thompson and Tod highlighted that the technology enabling virtual meetings was developing all the time and further investigations into the feasibility of making the video of council meetings available (in addition to audio) would be undertaken.  Other cabinet members also highlighted various public consultations and engagements that were proposed for the near future.

Councillor Tod made an announcement as summarised briefly below.

Following the recent government announcement about the withdrawal of free parking for NHS workers, the council intended to continue to offer free parking for NHS workers as long as it was possible to do so.

1.      That the introduction of a new garden waste collection service from households which pay an annual charge to replace the existing free service to all households be approved, as described in the report CAB3234.

2.      That the annual charge in the first year of the service is set at £39 for those choosing a 140 litre wheeled bin and £59 for those choosing a 240 litre wheeled bin.

3.      That for those households (and only those households) which are currently permitted to use an alternative method of presenting their household waste - or where required for operational reasons - a charge of £39 for two 90litre sacks or £59 for three 90litre sacks is made for the collection of garden waste.

4.      That the Strategic Director (Services) be authorised to take all steps necessary to procure, award, negotiate heads of terms and enter into contract and / or contract variations, notifications and other steps necessary to implement the new service and remove the existing service.

5.      That capital expenditure of up to £400k be authorised for the purchase of the new garden waste bins.

6.      That the new service commence on or around 1^st February 2021.

Councillor Tod introduced the report which had also been discussed at the Health and Environment Policy Committee on 7 July 2020.  He highlighted that the decision to introduce a charge for garden waste collection had been approved by the full Council on 26 February 2020 as part of the budget process, with the details to be agreed at Cabinet.  He proposed an amendment to the report’s third recommendation to enable the use of garden waste sacks by households where required for operational reasons.  This amendment was agreed as set out below.

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

Queried the impact of charging for garden waste collection on the council’s overall recycling targets.  Whether the various risks involved had been fully assessed, including if the levels of take up were below the breakeven point.  With regard to paragraph 11.6 of the report, requested further information regarding the Biffa offer to introduce a tiered charging scheme

Councillor Tod responded to the comments made, including highlighting the amount of benchmarking and liaison with neighbouring authorities that had been undertaken, and overall considered the risks had been carefully assessed.  The level of take up would be carefully monitored during the launch period and any necessary adjustments made.  With regard to the impact on recycling levels overall, the Strategic Director explained that this would be minimal.

Cabinet considered the report noting the risk section and considered any potential  impact on protected groups from offering a bin based collection and noted that a backdoor collection would be available for those who could not pull the bin. Councillor Tod confirmed that the marketing and communications on the new charging regime would emphasise that take up was optional and explain the alternatives that were available, such as composting or taking garden waste to household waste recycling centres.

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

RESOLVED:

1.          That the introduction of a new garden waste collection service from households which pay an annual charge to replace the existing free service to all households be approved, as described in the report.

2.          That the annual charge in the first year of the service is set at £39 for those choosing a 140 litre wheeled bin and £59 for those choosing a 240 litre wheeled bin.

3.          That for those households (and only those households) which are currently permitted to use an alternative method of presenting their household waste - or where required for operational reasons - a charge of £39 for two 90litre sacks or £59 for three 90litre sacks is made for the collection of garden waste.

4.          That the Strategic Director (Services) be authorised to take all steps necessary to procure, award, negotiate heads of terms and enter into contract and / or contract variations, notifications and other steps necessary to implement the new service and remove the existing service.

5.          That capital expenditure of up to £400k be authorised for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

1.    That the HRA Outturn figures for 2019/20 be noted, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of report CAB3241.

2.    That the carry forward of £0.050m from 2019/20 be approved, as detailed in Paragraph 11.4 of report CAB3241.

3.    That the Housing capital programme outturn for Major Works and New Build developments be noted, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.5 to 11.8 and Appendices 3 & 4 of report CAB3241.

4.    That the funding of the 2020/21 HRA capital programme be approved, as detailed in Paragraph 11.9 & 11.10 and Appendix 5 of report CAB3241.

5.    That the re-forecast capital programme budget of £36.051m for 2020/21 be approved, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.12 & 11.13 and Appendix 6 & 7 of report CAB3241.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which had also been considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 2 July 2020 where no significant issues had been raised.  Overall spending was broadly on track and the new homes programme and fire safety policy continued to be developed.

At the invitation of the Leader, Monica Gill (TACT) and Councillor Horrill addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Monica Gill

Stated that the report had been considered by the TACT support group who were all in favour of its recommendations.  TACT had one query about why the sheltered housing budget had overspent compared with other housing teams budgets.

Councillor Horrill

Supported broad principles of the report. Requested that spending on the fire safety programme continue as soon as possible.  As shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, asked that she receive a full update on the new homes programme.  Suggested that the council offer further funding to the Trinity Centre if required to support its work.  Requested further information regarding the sheltered housing budget and also reassurance regarding timely expenditure of right to buy receipts.

Councillor Learney responded to the comments made above, including confirming that she would be pleased to share further information regarding the new homes build programme with Councillor Horrill.  The Strategic Director (Services) and the Housing Finance and Resources Manager also provided further detail regarding the sheltered housing budget.  Cabinet noted that provision of housing for older people would be the subject of a member briefing and a further report to Cabinet later in the year.

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

RESOLVED:

1.          That the HRA Outturn figures for 2019/20 be noted, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

2.          That the carry forward of £0.050m from 2019/20 be approved, as detailed in Paragraph 11.4 of the report.

3.          That the Housing capital programme outturn for Major Works and New Build developments be noted, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.5 to 11.8 and Appendices 3 & 4 of the report.

4.          That the funding of the 2020/21 HRA capital programme be approved, as detailed in Paragraph 11.9 & 11.10 and Appendix 5 of the report.

5.          That the re-forecast capital programme budget of £36.051m for 2020/21 be approved, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.12 & 11.13 and Appendix 6 & 7 of the report.

That the progress achieved during Q4 of 2019/20 be noted and the contents of the report CAB3246 be endorsed.

Councillor Tod introduced the report which was in a new format for performance reporting and had previously been considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 2 July 2020.  He welcomed the Scrutiny Committee’s proposal to set up a separate panel to scrutinise the monitoring information in greater detail.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Horrill and Brook addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Horrill

Believed there was an ongoing issue regarding the requirement for adequate time to examine the extensive data provided.  Requested that more relevant and beneficial housing indicators be introduced.  Queried the progress on the Guildhall and transfer of ownership of the former 1871 café.  Highlighted the significant investment to date in the Station Approach site and suggested that planning permission should be realised to add value.  In general, requested that progress on various other development sites not be unduly delayed.

Councillor Brook

Made a number of general comments regarding the presentation of the performance figures and in particular, the lack of targets and meaningful comparisons, for example with other local authorities.

Cabinet Members responded to the comments and queries outlined above, including welcoming the opportunity for Scrutiny Members to undertake more detailed monitoring of the figures.  An update on the Guildhall was provided and whilst the significant investment in Station Approach was acknowledged, it was believed to be prudent to pause the project given the current economic uncertainty due to the Covid-19.

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

RESOLVED:

That the progress achieved during Q4 of 2019/20 be noted and the contents of the report be endorsed.

RESOLVED:

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