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 of Cabinet body membership 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.

Councillor Thompson declared a pecuniary interest in respect of report CAB3318 as she was a trustee of the Hampshire Cultural Trust.  She left the room during consideration of the recommendation relating to the Trust and took no part in the debate or decision thereon.

Councillor Tod declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of reports due to his role as a County Councillor.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 September 2021, less exempt minute, 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 (in the case of the latter, representations will normally be received at the time of the agenda item, after the Cabinet Member’s introduction and any questions from Cabinet Members).

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). 

Mike Robinson spoke during public participation in relation to report CAB3313 and his comments are summarised under the relevant minute below.

Cabinet Members made a number of announcements as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Tod

Following discussions between the City Council, Hampshire County Council, National Express and Stagecoach, National Express would be operating new trials with the aim of restoring the coach service to/from Winchester.

The City Council had negotiated with Stagecoach a free bus service (operating for a one month period and using the park and ride buses) between the Broadway and the new leisure centre.

New permanent bollards had been installed to control traffic access to Great Minster Street and the Square, Winchester.

Councillor Learney

The City Council had rehomed a number of refugee families from Afghanistan.  Many donations had already been received from the public and the charity coordinating donations (Community First) suggested that supermarket and mobile phones vouchers were in particular demand.

Councillor Murphy

The City Council’s Animal Welfare team had received their 10^th gold medal from the RSPCA in recognition of their work.

The new major flood defence at Durngate, Winchester had been completed.

Councillor Clear

Meadowside Leisure Centre, Whiteley re-opened on 2 October 2021 following a refurbishment.

Winchester Sport and Leisure Park would also be opening for special events with a disability sporting event taking place.

Provided an update on various elements of the Council’s grant funding programme.

1.     That the Service Lead: Legal be authorised to make a non-immediate Direction under the provisions of Article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) 2015 to remove permitted development rights under Class L, of Schedule 2, Part 3 (development consisting of a change of use of a building from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of the Schedule to the Use Class Order, to a use falling within Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation).

2.     That the Service Lead: Built Environment and the Service Lead: Legal be authorised to consider any objections received after the Direction is made and publicised and to confirm the Direction.

Councillor Gordon-Smith introduced the report and highlighted that the proposals had been recommended following meetings with local residents earlier in the year.  He explained that before the direction was made, the Council must publicise and take account of any representations and the direction must then be approved by the Secretary of State, because it removed permitted development rights.

Mike Robinson and Alison Broderick spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Mr Robinson

Speaking as a resident of Chalk Ridge and on behalf of other residents of the road in support of the proposed Article 4 direction.  Emphasised the negative impact on existing residents of the significant increase in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) which had been developed for larger number of tenants than originally intended for the houses.  This included additional traffic movements and anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Ms Broderick (Savills associate on behalf of Platinum property partners)

Stated that the percentage of HMOs in Chalk Ridge was below the threshold that necessitated an Article 4 direction.  The landlords did not necessarily agree with the requirement but understood the residents’ concerns.  Therefore, they supported a non-immediate Article 4, as was recommended in the report. 

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Radcliffe and Lumby addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Radcliffe

Spoke as a ward councillor in support of the report’s recommendations and highlighted the impact of the number of HMOs in Chalk Ridge on local residents.  He recognised that HMOs were an important element of an area’s housing stock but believed they should be appropriately regulated and controlled.

Councillor Lumby (speaking on behalf of Councillor Brook)

Emphasised the importance of HMOs within the overall housing stock but recognised the particular impact on Chalk Ridge residents.  Believed that the Article 4 direction could move the development of additional HMOs to surrounding areas and it was therefore more appropriate for the Local Plan to take a holistic approach rather than the piecemeal approach currently being adopted. 

During debate, Cabinet Members recognised the need for HMOs in general, but supported the introduction of an Article 4 direction in Chalk Ridge to help tackle the particular issues in the area.  Members also emphasised the requirement for other smaller affordable housing provision and the Local Plan to forecast and plan for the number of purpose built student halls of accommodation within the city.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That the Service Lead: Legal be authorised to make a non-immediate Direction under the provisions of Article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) 2015 to remove permitted development rights under Class L, of Schedule 2, Part 3 (development consisting of a change of use of a building from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of the Schedule to the Use Class Order, to a use falling within Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation).

2.            That the Service Lead: Built Environment and the Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

1.     That the ten year Winchester District Green Economic Development Strategy framework (GEDS) be adopted.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Economy & Community to prepare a detailed action plan to respond to the scenarios, themes and outcomes outlined in the 10 year Winchester District Green Economic Development Strategy Framework which will be developed in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

RESOLVED:

1.        That the ten year Winchester District Green Economic Development Strategy framework (GEDS) be adopted.

2.        That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Economy & Community to prepare a detailed action plan to respond to the scenarios, themes and outcomes outlined in the 10 year Winchester District Green Economic Development Strategy Framework which will be developed in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

That the revised Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (AQ SPD) be adopted, as set out in Appendix A of CAB3311.

Councillor Murphy introduced the report together with the Service Lead: Public Protection who provided some more detail, including emphasising the proposed retention of the restrictions regarding solid fuel appliances.  He also summarised the consultation responses received and where changes had been recommended.

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

RESOLVED:

That the revised Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (AQ SPD) be adopted, as set out in Appendix A of CAB3311.

1.     That the projections set out in Appendix A to report CAB3318 which delivers a balanced budget for 2022/23 be noted and the proposal that £1.0m of Transitional Reserve be used if required to address the forecast deficit for 2023/24 be supported.

2.     That the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved, as set out in sections 17-22 of report CAB3318.

3.     That one off provision of £200k be included in the 2021/22 budget, funded by the forecast surplus for the year, to provide additional short term capacity and support for teams experiencing additional demands on core services.

4.     That “one off” provision of £1m be approved to provide funding for additional project delivery resources to support regeneration work in the district, with £400k funded from the forecast surplus for 2021/22 and the remaining £600k from the Transitional reserve.

5.     Approve a contribution of £75k, (subject to agreement of grant terms and conditions and funded from the Grants reserve), to the Hampshire Cultural Trust towards the development of an Anglo-Saxon experience attraction in the city in 2022, in recognition of the positive impact this initiative will have in supporting high street recovery and visitor numbers to the city.

6.     That the proposal to spend £300k of the Tranche 5 Covid grant fund to upgrade the Council’s IT desktop infrastructure to support “agile/flexible working” proposals be approved.

7.     That a detailed report be prepared on the basis of an average 3% increase in fees and charges (other than parking and garden waste subscriptions) and brought to the next Cabinet meeting for determination.

8.     That a £10 discount to garden waste subscriptions for residents in receipt of Council tax reduction be approved.

9.     That a detailed budget be prepared for consideration by Council in February 2022 based on the above assumptions, final spending review announcements and including the following options:

a.    That there will be no increases to off-street parking charges Winchester’s central AQMA parking zone.  Detailed proposals for the central Air Quality Management zone will be brought forward at a later date;

b.    That no increase is made to Green Waste collection subscriptions for the 2021/22 financial year;

c.    That other fees and charges be subject to recommendation 7 above;

d.    That, subject to referendum limits, Council tax be subject to an overall combined town and district £5 increase for 2022/23 (approx. 2.97%) and that Cabinet indicate whether consideration should be given to a lower district charge.

Cabinet noted that the Leader had declared a pecuniary interest in respect of this report due to being a trustee on the Hampshire Cultural Trust.  Cabinet therefore did not consider recommendation 5 or any related matters in the report until Councillor Thompson had left the room.

Councillor Cutler introduced the report and highlighted key elements of its contents.   He proposed a number of changes to the recommendations in the report (amended recommendations subsequently agreed as set out in the resolution below).

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

He welcomed some of the proposed amendments but considered that the proposed £10 discount for garden waste subscriptions was insufficient to assist residents on lower incomes and requested a review be undertaken without delay.  He acknowledged there was a great deal of uncertainty facing the council, but considered that the medium term financial strategy was inadequate in terms of forecasting and planning.  He questioned how the council’s predicted financial shortfall could be addressed if no actions were proposed.

Councillor Cutler and other Cabinet Members responded to the comments made including emphasising that the transition reserve had been created to assist with dealing with the difficulties created due to ongoing uncertainties, including regarding the level of government settlement.

Cabinet then considered the recommendations, with the exception of recommendation 5, and agreed as set out below for the reasons contained in the report and outlined above

Councillor Thompson left the room at this point in the meeting.

Councillor Cutler (in the chair) introduced the amended recommendation 5 which proposed a contribution to the Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) towards the development of an Anglo-Saxon experience in the city in 2022.  During debate, Cabinet Members emphasised that it offered an exciting opportunity to attract more visitors to the city and consequently help with footfall and consumer spending.

Cabinet considered recommendation 5 and agreed as set out below for the reasons contained in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.        That the projections set out in Appendix A to the report which delivers a balanced budget for 2022/23 be noted and the proposal that £1.0m of Transitional Reserve be used if required to address the forecast deficit for 2023/24 be supported.

2.        That the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved, as set out in sections 17-22 of the report.

3.        That one off provision of £200k be included in the 2021/22 budget, funded by the forecast surplus for the year, to provide additional short term capacity and support for teams experiencing additional demands on core services.

4.        That “one off” provision of £1m be approved to provide funding for additional project delivery resources to support regeneration work in the district, with £400k funded from the forecast surplus for 2021/22 and the remaining £600k from the Transitional reserve.

5.        Approve a contribution of £75k, (subject to agreement of grant terms and conditions and funded from the Grants reserve), to the Hampshire Cultural Trust towards the development of an Anglo-Saxon experience attraction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

1.     That the proposal to refurbish the Goods Shed, Barfield Close, Winchester to create three self-contained office units and to develop a terrace of adjacent small industrial / workshop units be approved

2.     That the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to prepare and submit a detailed planning application for the proposed scheme.

3.     That the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to incur capital expenditure of pre-construction costs up to £95,000 and that this work proceeds at a financial risk to the Council.

4.     That, subject to securing planning approval, the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to invite tenders to undertake the proposed works.

5.     That a Final Business Case report is brought to Members after tenders are evaluated and the final tender price is known, to agree whether to proceed with the scheme and to award the contract to the preferred bidder.

Councillor Learney introduced the report and welcomed the provision of a mixed office/industrial space within an industrial area and with good transport links.  She confirmed that the existing goods shed building would be refurbished and the opportunity would also be taken to improve the path next to Barfield Close.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That the proposal to refurbish the Goods Shed, Barfield Close, Winchester to create three self-contained office units and to develop a terrace of adjacent small industrial / workshop units be approved

2.            That the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to prepare and submit a detailed planning application for the proposed scheme.

3.            That the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to incur capital expenditure of pre-construction costs up to £95,000 and that this work proceeds at a financial risk to the Council.

4.            That, subject to securing planning approval, the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to invite tenders to undertake the proposed works.

5.            That a Final Business Case report is brought to Members after tenders are evaluated and the final tender price is known, to agree whether to proceed with the scheme and to award the contract to the preferred bidder.

RESOLVED:

            That the list of future items, as set out in the Forward Plan for November 2021, be noted.

To consider whether in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(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 15 September 2021, be agreed as a correct record.