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 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 additional meeting held on 18 August 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). 

Patrick Davies spoke during public participation regarding report CAB3261 as summarised briefly below.

Further to his question at Council on 23 September 2020, suggested that an additional recommendation be agreed confirming that discussions would take place with local MPs and the local government association in response to the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system. Generally supported the proposed answers to the consultation questions set out in the report and believed it was vitally important for planning for the future of Winchester that the centrally imposed housing numbers be resisted.

The Leader thanked Mr Davies for this comments which would be taken into consideration during discussion of report CAB3261 below.

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

Councillor Thompson

On behalf of Cabinet, thanked Steve Tilbury (Strategic Director) for his work at the Council over the previous years and wished him well for the future.

Councillor Porter

Expressed thanks to the emergency services in their response to a recent house fire in Headbourne Worthy and sympathies to those affected.

The Planning Inspector’s hearing regarding the Aquind Interconnector proposals was underway, due to finish in March 2021.  Open floor hearings would take place from 7 December 2020 and any persons wishing to speak should register by 6 October 2020.

Councillor Ferguson

Following the recent successful trial relocation of the Winchester Sunday market to the Broadway, the trial would be extended for another month with a view to making it more permanent.  Noted also that the Central Winchester Regeneration project included plans to relocate the market in this area.

1.    That the Council’s response to the consultation document ‘Changes to the Planning System’ issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be approved as set out in Appendix A of report CAB3261.

2.    That the Council continue to work with strategic partners and local MPs to influence the outcome of the consultation.

3.    That delegated authority be awarded to the Strategic Planning Manager to make minor and typographical updates to the consultation response.

Councillor Porter introduced the report and highlighted the key changes proposed.  Earlier in September, the proposals had been presented to the Local Plan Advisory Group and the Winchester Town Forum, in addition to an all Member briefing and parish council event.

Councillor Porter proposed two additional recommendations, the first to enable minor editing changes to be made to the response and the second to recognise that the Council would continue to work with local MPs and strategic partners to influence the outcome of the consultation.  These were agreed as set out below.

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

Councillor Read

Welcomed the proposed additional recommendations.  Considered the most significant issue was the impact on the housing numbers required with 40% of the district being situated within the South Downs National Park (SDNP).  Highlighted that the actions of developers rather the council had the most impact on the speed of development.  Criticised the presentation of the response.

Councillor Brook

Generally supported the overall stance of the proposed response whilst acknowledging that in principle, changes to the planning system had the potential to be of wider benefit to the district and the response was somewhat negative.  However, did not consider that the proposed response was sufficiently robust in relation to housing numbers and could potentially include alternative suggestions in terms of the level of housing development that would be acceptable.  Further discussions were required with the SDNP, neighbouring local authorities and the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) to promote a coordinated response to government.  Also expected to see an action plan in place by now for the development of the Local Plan.

Councillor Horrill

It was essential that the Council’s response reflected the strength of concerns expressed at previous fora regarding the proposals.  Urged Councillors to write formally to the local MPs and the government independently of the Council response.  In addition, discussions with partner organisations such as the SDNP and PfSH should be maximised.

The Leader and Cabinet Members responded to comments made, including confirming that meetings with SDNP and PfSH were taking place.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That the Council’s response to the consultation document ‘Changes to the Planning System’ issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be approved as set out in Appendix A of the report.

2.            That the Council continue to work with strategic partners and local MPs to influence the outcome of the consultation.

3.            That delegated authority be awarded to the Strategic Planning Manager to make minor and typographical updates to the consultation response.

That cabinet notes the progress achieved during Q1 of 2020/21 and endorses the contents of the report.

Councillor Tod introduced the report, emphasising that it demonstrated that the Council had continued to deliver against strategic priorities whilst proactively meeting the additional challenges faced during the Covid pandemic.  He drew Members’ attention to Appendix 7 of the report which included a summary of the Performance Panel meeting on 14 September 2020.

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

Thanked the officers and the Cabinet Member for arranging the first Performance Panel meeting at short notice and noted that, in future, the Panel would report back to a Scrutiny Committee prior to Cabinet.  Provided a summary of the key points raised at the Panel, as outlined in Appendix 7 to the report.

Councillor Cutler stated that the Council had received a substantial opinion in a recent internal audit report into the Council’s business continuity and crisis management plan with regard to its Covid response which was the highest possible scoring.  He congratulated officers for all their work in achieving this outcome. 

Cabinet Members responded to comments made, including advising that a report on the Community Infrastructure Levy spending programme update would be submitted to Cabinet on 21 October 2020.

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

RESOLVED:

That the progress achieved during Q1 of 2020/21 be noted and the contents of the report be endorsed.