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.

a)    The Carroll Centre Board of Trustees

Consideration of nomination(s) to replace former councillor Eleanor Bell (until May 2022)

b)   Hampshire Cultural Trust

Consideration of nomination(s) to replace Councillor Evans as the observer (until May 2022)

c)    WinACC

Consideration of the appointment of a Cabinet Member as company director and charity trustee (until May 2022)

d)   Project Integra Management Board

Consideration of the appointment of a Cabinet Member as deputy on the Board (until May 2022)

Cabinet noted that nominations had been received for the four vacancies set out on the agenda as follows:

a)    The Carroll Centre Board of Trustees

Consideration of nomination(s) to replace former councillor Eleanor Bell (until May 2022) – Councillors Becker and Cook

b)    Hampshire Cultural Trust

Consideration of nomination(s) to replace Councillor Evans as the observer (until May 2022) – Councillors Cunningham and Laming

c)    WinACC

Consideration of the appointment of a Cabinet Member as company director and charity trustee (until May 2022) – Councillor Williams

d)    Project Integra Management Board

Consideration of the appointment of a Cabinet Member as deputy on the Board (until May 2022) – Councillor Cutler

Cabinet agreed the following.

RESOLVED:

That the following appointments to external organisations be made:

a)    The Carroll Centre Board of Trustees – Councillor Becker

(until May 2022)

b)    Hampshire Cultural Trust – Councillor Laming (observer)

(until May 2022)

c)    WinACC – Councillor Williams

Company director and charity trustee (until May 2022)

d)    Project Integra Management Board – Councillor Cutler

deputy on the Board (until May 2022)

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 Tod declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of report CAB3328 due to his role as a County Councillor.  He also declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in report CAB3331 due to his role as director of a charity which was involved in the area of work.

– 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). 

Ian Tait spoke during general public participation as summarised briefly below.

Highlighted the requirement for an additional footbridge next to the existing city bridge over the River Itchen (located adjacent to the City Mill) because of the current difficulties faced by pedestrians using the existing narrow footway.  He believed that a footbridge option had previously been designed and should be re-examined.  It was an important, well-used route, including to and from both the new leisure centre and the Chesil Street extra care scheme.

Councillor Tod responded to the comments made emphasising that the various options for the bridge and this route were currently being considered jointly by the city and county councils as part of the Winchester Movement Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 23 November 2021, 8 December 2021 and 22 December be agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Clear

Announced the successful fly-tipping prosecution in the Durley area and the overall reduction in the number of fly-tipping incidents since September 2021.

Provided a brief update on a number of forthcoming activities being organised across the district by the Health and Sports team.

Councillor Cutler

Announced the successful prosecution of the owner of the Denmead mobile home park following reports of harassment and failure to maintain the site in a suitable condition for residents.

Councillor Learney

Announced that the new housing scheme at The Valley, Stanmore had received a successful compliance audit from Homes England and congratulated the New Homes Team.

1.    That the draft Project Integra Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Programme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery to make minor amendments to the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy prior to final publication by the Project Integra Partnership.

Councillor Tod introduced the report which sought approval of the Project Integra Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy which had been developed in response to the Environment Act 2021.  The issue was considered at the Health and Environment Policy Committee on 19 January 2022 where members were broadly in support of the proposals. 

Councillor Tod summarised the points raised for consideration by Cabinet as follows:

·         suggestion that future reports be more explicit about the carbon impact of proposal;

·         the council should work with its partners to develop actions in response to the 2021 Act as soon as possible;

·         the council should work with relevant voluntary organisations across the district to help educate people to recycle more effectively.

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

Agreed that there had been general support for the proposals from the Health and Environment Policy Committee but queried why the Project Integra Strategy had not been submitted for consideration?  Emphasised that the Environment Act 2021 part 3 contained mandatory requirements for local authorities and it would be of vital importance to educate householders as they would be responsible for the primary sorting of recyclable materials. Highlighted the current shortage of facilities for collecting food waste and the need to ensure the next environmental services contract was able to respond to the new Act’s requirements.

The Service Lead – Environmental Services and Councillor Tod responded to comments made including confirming discussions had begun with the Council’s current contractors in preparation.  It was also highlighted that, although the Strategy was not formally submitted to the Health and Environment Committee, the Cabinet report had been published in December and the Strategy was available for all members’ to refer to if they wished.

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

RESOLVED:

1.            That the draft Project Integra Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy be approved.

2.            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Head of Programme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery to make minor amendments to the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy prior to final publication by the Project Integra Partnership.

1.     That the Public Sector Equality Duty Policy, the Equality Impact Assessment template and Equality Duty Action Plan be approved.

2.     That the appointment of a Member Champion and lead Cabinet Member to provide leadership for the city council to meet its Public Sector Equality Duty be agreed.

3.     That a review will occur prior to December 2025 of the Public Sector Equality Duty Policy, the Equality Impact Assessment template and Equality Duty Action Plan which will include any updates that are required to the policy documents and next steps.

Councillor Cutler introduced the report and drew attention to the comments from Audit and Governance Committee as summarised in paragraph 6.2 of the report.  Following the suggestions regarding the importance of allocating designated members and officers to be responsible for meeting the Duty, the following appointments were proposed:

·         Lead Cabinet member – Councillor Clear

·         Member champion – Councillor Becker

·         Project sponsor – Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer

·         Project lead – Corporate Head of Strategic Support

Councillor Cutler explained that following the training being delivered to all members and officers, the establishment of a Members’ Equality and Diversity Inclusion Forum would be examined further with terms of reference brought back to a future Cabinet.

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

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Public Sector Equality Duty Policy, the Equality Impact Assessment template and Equality Duty Action Plan be approved.

2.     That the appointment of a Member Champion and lead Cabinet Member to provide leadership for the city council to meet its Public Sector Equality Duty be agreed as follows:

a)    Member Champion – Councillor Becker

b)    Lead Cabinet Member – Councillor Clear

3.     That a review will occur prior to December 2025 of the Public Sector Equality Duty Policy, the Equality Impact Assessment template and Equality Duty Action Plan which will include any updates that are required to the policy documents and next steps.

1.    That the Decision made on 23 November 2021 pursuant to report CAB3324 be withdrawn.

2.    That the relevant advertisements be approved pursuant to s.123(2A) Local Government Act 1972 placed in the Mid Hampshire Observer from 5 January 2022 for two consecutive weeks and the Hampshire Chronicle from 6 January 2022 for two consecutive weeks.

3.    That it be noted that the deadline for objections to be received by the Council is 4pm on Friday 4 February 2022 and that any objections will be considered by Cabinet alongside the proposed disposal at a future date, to be confirmed.

Councillor Learney introduced the report and emphasised that the deadline for objections to the proposed disposal of the open space land was 4pm on Friday 4 February 2022 and that any objections would be considered by a future Cabinet meeting.

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

Expressed concern that the previous Cabinet decision was incorrect.  Highlighted that there had been an attempted call-in by opposition Members of the previous decision which had been refused by the Monitoring Officer.  Believed that there may have been a deliberate attempt to avoid consultation with local residents on future proposals for the site and it was unclear if there were alternative options available.  Requested that an open and transparent approach be adopted which enabled input from all councillors and residents.

Councillor Learney responded to the comments made, including emphasising the history of the proposal with previous Cabinet report CAB3190 (considered on 23 October 2019) setting out the challenges and limited options available for development of the site.  This followed on from proposals agreed at Cabinet on 31 October 2018 (report CAB3093 referred).

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

RESOLVED:

1.               That the Decision made on 23 November 2021 pursuant to report CAB3324 be withdrawn.

2.               That the relevant advertisements be approved pursuant to s.123(2A) Local Government Act 1972 placed in the Mid Hampshire Observer from 5 January 2022 for two consecutive weeks and the Hampshire Chronicle from 6 January 2022 for two consecutive weeks.

3.               That it be noted that the deadline for objections to be received by the Council is 4pm on Friday 4 February 2022 and that any objections will be considered by Cabinet alongside the proposed disposal at a future date, to be confirmed.

resolved:

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