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)    Winchester Charity School Educational Foundation –

Vacancy for up to two trustees (until May 2025, confirmed May 2022).

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

a)    Winchester Charity School Educational Foundation (vacancy for two trustees) – Councillors Achwal, Ferguson and Read

In addition, the Conservative group had requested changes to the membership of two Open Fora which were agreed as set out in the resolution below.

Cabinet agreed the following.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the following appointments to external organisations be made:

a)    Winchester Charity School Educational Foundation (until May 2025, to be confirmed May 2022) – Councillors Achwal (from May 2022) and Ferguson

2.            That the following changes to Cabinet bodies be made (for the remainder of 2021/22):

a)    Central Winchester Regeneration Open Forum – Councillor Godfrey to replace Councillor Lumby

b)    Sports and Leisure Park Open Forum – Councillor Kurn to replace Councillor Lumby

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.

There were no disclosures of interest made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 January 2022 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). 

There were no questions asked or statements made.

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

Councillor Thompson

Reported on the recent unveiling of the statue of Licoricia of Winchester outside The Arc (formerly the Winchester Discovery Centre).  Unfortunately, HRH The Prince of Wales was unable to attend as had been originally planned but an alternative date for him to visit was hopefully being arranged.

Councillor Learney

Announced the public launch of the opportunity to secure a development partner to help deliver its vision for the Central Winchester Regeneration (CWR) area.

Announced that Studio Multi architects had been appointed to undertake work on the proposed Kings Walk improvements.

That it be recommended to Council* :-

1.     That the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to report CAB3334.

2.     That the 10 Year indicative HRA capital programme be approved as set out in appendices 3 and 4 of the report.

3.     That capital expenditure in 2022/23 of £9.289m be approved for the Maintenance, Improvement and Renewal programme as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4

4.     That the proposed indicative funding for the HRA Capital Programme be approved, as detailed in Appendix 5.

5.     That the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report. 

6.     That the proposal to fund £0.300m new initiatives around the Housing White Paper – “The charter for social housing residents” be supported and additional resources be invested in the capacity of the new homes delivery team, the decent homes team and Neighbourhood/Estate Management.

7.     That the proposal to increase the revenue funding for planned and reactive repairs by £0.500m to reflect both increased budget pressures and the cost of delivering an improved void standard to properties prior to letting be supported.

8.     That a rent increase of 3.1% from April 4th 2022 for Social and Affordable housing within the HRA be approved.

9.     That a cap on service charges for 2022/23 for all tenants at £5.00 per week be approved.

*NB recommendations to Council are not subject to call-in.

Councillor Learney introduced the report and stated that it was considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on the 15 February 2022 where a number of questions were responded to.  Members raised concerns regarding the importance of homelessness prevention and queried why this item did not specifically feature in this or the General Fund report (CAB3335).  It was confirmed that the detailed spending proposals to support homelessness prevention, which did not form part of the HRA, would be considered by the Business and Housing Policy Committee on 1 March 2022.

Cabinet noted that representatives from TACT had sent their apologies for Cabinet as they had no further queries in relation to this item following their opportunity to ask questions at the Scrutiny Committee meeting.

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

Welcomed the opportunity for a full discussion of the report at Scrutiny Committee and the assurances provided in relation to homelessness prevention.  Welcomed the recommendation to limit the rent increase to 3.1% and in general supported the contents of the report, including the continued commitment to the new homes programme.  Highlighted that the approach to void turnaround should be discussed further to minimise the period properties remained unoccupied.

The Leader and Councillor Learney thanked Councillor Horrill for her support and responded to the point relating to void property turnaround.

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

RECOMMENDED (TO COUNCIL):

1.            That the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to report CAB3334.

2.            That the 10 Year indicative HRA capital programme be approved as set out in appendices 3 and 4 of the report.

3.            That capital expenditure in 2022/23 of £9.289m be approved for the Maintenance, Improvement and Renewal programme as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4

4.            That the proposed indicative funding for the HRA Capital Programme be approved, as detailed in Appendix 5.

5.            That the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report. 

6.            That the proposal to fund £0.300m new initiatives around the Housing White Paper – “The charter for social housing residents” be supported and additional resources be invested in the capacity of the new homes delivery team, the decent homes team and Neighbourhood/Estate Management.

7.            That the proposal to increase the revenue funding for planned and reactive repairs by £0.500m to reflect both increased budget pressures and the cost of delivering an improved void standard to properties prior to letting be supported.

8.            That a rent increase of 3.1% from April 4th 2022 for Social and Affordable housing within the HRA be approved.

9.            That a cap on service charges for 2022/23 for all tenants at £5.00 per week be approved.

1      That a contribution of £200k to the Community Grants Reserve be approved, funded from the forecast surplus in 2021/22, to reduce the immediate impact of planned grant reductions over the next three year period of the programme 2022/23 to 2024/25.

2      That the 2021/22 contributions of £250k to the Asset and Property reserve and £200k to the Parking and Access reserve be reinstated to support future investment and maintenance programmes, funded from the forecast surplus in 2021/22.

3      That an increase to fees and charges of 3% for sessions at the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park and Meadowside Centre be approved, as set out in Appendix F of CAB3335.

That it be recommended to Council*:

4      That the level of General Fund Budget for 2022/23 be agreed and the summary as shown in Appendix A be approved.

5      That the additional year of New Homes Bonus Allocation be used to fund the following proposals:

a)    Increased provision for Local Council Tax Support, with £100,000 additional one off provision to the Council’s Hardship Fund

b)    £450k to fund essential maintenance work to Monuments and Historic Assets

c)    Low Carbon Transport - £250k to fund trials of low carbon bin lorries and/or buses operating existing Council services

d)    £40k to fund the installation of bike storage and other measures to support the promotion of cycling and walking

e)    £150k to fund feasibility work to prepare for the implementation of a food waste trial collection system in 2023.

f)     £185k to fund the cost of additional city and market town centre cleansing, the maintenance and replacement of street furniture (litter bins, seats, bollards bin stores etc) and also to fund an increased emphasis on fly tipping (additional clearance, surveillance and promotion)

g)    £25k to support work to embed the principles of the Council’s “City of Sanctuary” commitments and to review the diverse needs of communities across the district.

h)    £100k to fund fixed term IT staff to develop council systems to meet the requirements of flexible/agile working 

6      That the investment proposals set out in section 13.4 of report CAB3335 be supported, including:

a)    To reinstate the annual contribution of £250k to the Asset and Property reserve to support future investment and maintenance of council assets

b)    To increase the annual revenue contribution to the Parking and Access reserve by £200k per annum to support the implementation works set out in the annual Parking investment programme

c)    Increasing the annual staffing budget by £175k per annum from 2022/23 to create additional capacity in the Legal Services, Communications and Economic Development teams

d)    Increasing the annual staffing budget by £60k per annum from 2023/24 to create additional capacity in the Strategic Planning team

e)    An increase in the budget for annual audit fees of £30,000

7      That the 2022 Council Tax Hardship Scheme allocation of £100,000 and the distribution of this funding as set out in Appendix F be approved; to be administered by the Revenues & Benefits teams under the  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

1           That a contribution of £200k to the Community Grants Reserve be approved, funded from the forecast surplus in 2021/22, to reduce the immediate impact of planned grant reductions over the next three year period of the programme 2022/23 to 2024/25.

2           That the 2021/22 contributions of £250k to the Asset and Property reserve and £200k to the Parking and Access reserve be reinstated to support future investment and maintenance programmes, funded from the forecast surplus in 2021/22.

3           That an increase to fees and charges of 3% for sessions at the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park and Meadowside Centre be approved, as set out in Appendix F of CAB3335.

RECOMMENDED (TO COUNCIL):

4           That the level of General Fund Budget for 2022/23 be agreed, and the summary as shown in Appendix A be approved.

5           That the additional year of New Homes Bonus Allocation be used to fund the following proposals:

a)            Increased provision for Local Council Tax Support, with £100,000 additional one off provision to the Council’s Hardship Fund  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

1.     That, subject to Council approval of the capital programme, IMT equipment and software expenditure (£343,000 in 2022/23) be approved as detailed in paragraph 11.8.7 of report CAB3332.

2.     That the requirement to ensure Members have the right knowledge and skills to undertake their governance role be noted.

That it be recommended to Council*:

3.     The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

·         the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3332);

·         the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E);

·         the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix G); and

·         the prudential indicators detailed in the report and its appendices.

*NB recommendations to Council are not subject to call-in

1.         That, subject to Council approval of the capital programme, IMT equipment and software expenditure (£343,000 in 2022/23) be approved as detailed in paragraph 11.8.7 of report CAB3332.

2.         That the requirement to ensure Members have the right knowledge and skills to undertake their governance role be noted.

RECOMMENDED (TO COUNCIL):

3.         The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

a)    the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3332);

b)    the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E);

c)    the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix G); and

d)    the prudential indicators detailed in the report and its appendices.

That it be recommended to Council*:

1.     That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2022/23 (and the remainder of 2021/22) is approved;

2.     That authority is delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the council’s high yielding investments portfolio and long term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.     That authority is delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Director of Corporate Operations, as agreed in the Service Level Agreement, to manage all council investments (other than the high yield portfolio) and short term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

*NB recommendations to Council are not subject to call-in

Councillor Cutler introduced the report and stated that this report had been considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on the 15 February 2022 where a number of questions were responded to but the committee did not ask for any specific issues to be considered by Cabinet. 

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

RECOMMENDED (TO COUNCIL):

1.            That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2022/23 (and the remainder of 2021/22) is approved;

2.            That authority is delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the council’s high yielding investments portfolio and long term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.            That authority is delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Director of Corporate Operations, as agreed in the Service Level Agreement, to manage all council investments (other than the high yield portfolio) and short term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

resolved:

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