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 announced.

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

Councillor Tod declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of report CAB3348 as he was the council nominated director on Winchester BID until May 2022. Councillor Thompson declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the report as she was the current council nominated director on Winchester BID.  Councillor Porter also noted that Winchester Liberal Democrat group paid the BID levy.

– 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). 

There were no questions asked or statements made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 May 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Learney

Announced that the council had recently hosted an Association for Public Service Excellent (APSE) seminar on adapting services to climate change, which had included the opportunity to view a hydrogen bus.  In addition, the University of Winchester, supported by the council, had hosted a sustainable business network event on zero carbon transport.

Councillor Thompson

Reminded members of the deadline to submit ideas for the UK shared prosperity fund and confirmed that parish and town council had also been informed.

Councillor Ferguson

Reported on the success of the Ukrainian support hub which had been held on three occasions so far and had been well attended and received by Ukrainian host families and their guests.  It was intended that the hub be open for one day per week during the summer and similar hubs also be held in appropriate towns around the district.

Councillor Porter

Noted that the AA company was offering free refresher driving lessons to Ukrainian refugees.

1.    That homelessness prevention grants 2022-23 onwards are funded from the annual homelessness prevention grant award the Council receives from central government.

2.    That the award of homelessness prevention grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2022-23 be approved as set out in report CAB3340.

3.    That the spending plan for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme be approved.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Service lead for Strategic Housing and the Service lead of Communities and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community and Housing, to be able to amend and extend the spending plan as the council respond to the needs and requirements in respect of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Read (on behalf of Councillor Horrill) addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Noted that the report had two distinct elements and supported the proposals regarding the homes for Ukraine programme.  However, she did not support the allocation of monies within the Homelessness Prevention grant, specifically with the proposal to allocate only £10,000 to the Beacon.  The vital service provided by the Beacon and the pressures facing it due to reduced funding from the county council were highlighted.

Councillor Ferguson introduced the report and emphasised that the Homes for Ukraine programme had been included due to the urgent requirement to address the needs and offer support to Ukrainian arrivals to the district. 

The Service Lead – Strategic Housing responded to the comments raised on behalf of Councillor Horrill explaining that the Beacon would receive total funding from the council of approximately £50,000 during 2022/23 and emphasising the importance of ensuring the homelessness prevention grant was distributed across the various different types of homelessness experienced.

The Service Lead responded to Cabinet Members’ questions regarding the different types of grants available and members welcomed the flexible approach recommended in respect to the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

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

RESOLVED:

1.             That homelessness prevention grants 2022-23 onwards are funded from the annual homelessness prevention grant award the Council receives from central government.

2.             That the award of homelessness prevention grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2022-23 be approved as set out in the report.

3.            That the spending plan for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme be approved.

4.            That authority be delegated to the Service lead for Strategic Housing and the Service lead of Communities and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community and Housing, to be able to amend and extend the spending plan as the council respond to the needs and requirements in respect of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

1.    That the principle of a Winchester BID Ballot on 3 November 2022 to determine whether there will be a fourth Winchester BID for the area covered in the BID Area Map (Appendix 1 of CAB3348) be supported.

2.    That authority be delegated to a Strategic Director to exercise the ballot votes in support of the BID in respect of city council properties in the BID area;

3.    That the financial implication associated with the Winchester BID in respect of running the ballot; ongoing levy collection and paying the BID levy be noted as set out in section 2 of report CAB3348.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Economy & Community, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Business and Culture, to provide comment on the Winchester BID Draft Business Plan (Appendix 2 of CAB3348), noting that it had been positively received by members of the Winchester Town Forum at its meeting on 16June 2022.

5.    That Winchester BID be informed that the services set out in the Winchester BID Baseline Statements 2023-2028 (Appendix 3 of CAB3348) may be subject to review through the annual council budget setting process and the BID will be consulted on any change arising throughout the life of the BID term 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028.

Councillor Thompson introduced the report and welcomed to the meeting, Paul Spencer (Executive Director of Winchester BID).  At its meeting on 12 June 2022, Winchester Town Forum had received a presentation from Mr Spencer which set out the achievements of the BID over the previous four years.  The proposed draft Winchester BID business plan had been positively received by the Forum members.

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

Supported the proposals as contained in the report. Highlighted the sentiments of some residents regarding the lack of bunting in the city centre for the recent Queen’s jubilee celebrations.  She suggested that consideration be given to the future support of such extraordinary events.

Councillor Thompson responded to the comments made and confirmed that further consideration was being undertaken into supporting future extraordinary events in discussion with the BID.

Mr Spencer responded to Cabinet members’ questions on the report proposals and the work of the BID.

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

RESOLVED:

1.         That the principle of a Winchester BID Ballot on 3 November 2022 to determine whether there will be a fourth Winchester BID for the area covered in the BID Area Map (Appendix 1 of the report) be supported.

2.         That authority be delegated to a Strategic Director to exercise the ballot votes in support of the BID in respect of city council properties in the BID area;

3.         That the financial implication associated with the Winchester BID in respect of running the ballot; ongoing levy collection and paying the BID levy be noted as set out in section 2 of the report.

4.         That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Economy & Community, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Business and Culture, to provide comment on the Winchester BID Draft Business Plan (Appendix 2 of the report) noting that it had been positively received by members of the Winchester Town Forum at its meeting on 16June 2022.

5.         That Winchester BID be informed that the services set out in the Winchester BID Baseline Statements 2023-2028 (Appendix 3 of the report) may be subject to review through the annual council budget setting process and the BID will be consulted on any change arising throughout the life of the BID term 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028.

1.  That it be noted that no objections were received as a result of the notice publicising the intention to dispose of the public open space as required by s123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972.

2.  That the disposal of open space at Wellington Park, Newlands be agreed to Newlands Parish Council, identified edged red on the Plan [‘Winchester Transfer Areas’ 1S1194/WTA1, 09/03/17] at Appendix (i) of CAB3346.

3.  That the transfer of the open space maintenance sum (currently £1,457,764.96) to Newlands Parish Council be agreed, and authority be delegated to the S151 officer to confirm the final sum at the point of transfer.

4.  That the Service Lead Legal be authorised to prepare all transfers/agreements necessary to implement the recommendations above.

Councillor Tod introduced the report which sought approval for the transfer of public open space at Wellington Park, Newlands from Winchester City Council to Newlands Parish Council.  He emphasised that the land would remain designated open space land.

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

Welcomed the proposals and thanked the officers for facilitating, noting the lengthy process that had been involved.  Also thanked the cabinet member for rapid action taken to replace equipment damaged by vandalism at Wellington park play area.

The Service Lead – Community responded to Cabinet members’ questions and confirmed that officers would continue to work with the parish council regarding the future of the open space land.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That it be noted that no objections were received as a result of the notice publicising the intention to dispose of the public open space as required by s123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972.

2.            That the disposal of open space at Wellington Park, Newlands be agreed to Newlands Parish Council, identified edged red on the Plan [‘Winchester Transfer Areas’ 1S1194/WTA1, 09/03/17] at Appendix (i) of CAB3346.

3.            That the transfer of the open space maintenance sum (currently £1,457,764.96) to Newlands Parish Council be agreed, and authority be delegated to the S151 officer to confirm the final sum at the point of transfer.

4.            That the Service Lead Legal be authorised to prepare all transfers/agreements necessary to implement the recommendations above.

Councillor Tod (on behalf of Councillor Gordon-Smith) introduced the report. 

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

Supported the proposal to establish the forum.  Asked a number of questions regarding the proposed work of the new forum and how the progress of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Action Plan would be monitored in practice.  Also considered that all members should champion quality, diversity and inclusion.

Councillor Tod and the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer responded to the comments made, noting some questions would be for the forum to consider further in its work.

Councillor Tod reported that nominations had been received for the two conservative group members of the Forum as follows: Councillors Cook and Isaacs.

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

RESOLVED:

That a Members’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum be established with membership as follows:

Councillors Gordon-Smith (Chairperson), Becker, Cook and Isaacs.

RESOLVED:

  That the list of future items, as set out in the Forward Plan for July 2022, be noted.

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