Agenda, decisions and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 12 January 2022 be approved and adopted.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members or 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 the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillors Lumby, Tod and Warwick declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in relation to agenda items which may relate to Hampshire County Council matters due to their role as County Councillors.

Councillor Tod also declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest regarding his response to a question from a member of the public (agenda item 4), as he was a member of the County Council’s 20mph Review Working Group and had been previously involved in 2013/14 with the implementation of 20mph zones in Winchester. 

Councillors Green and Scott declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in respect of agenda item 6 (Report CAB3334 – Housing Revenue Account Budget 2022/23), as were both tenants of the Council.

The Deputy Mayor firstly reported on Madam Mayor’s apologies for not being able to chair this particular meeting of the Council.

The Deputy Mayor then confirmed arrangements for a service of thanksgiving for former Mayor of Winchester, Major Dougie Covill MBE DCM.  Mr Covill was Mayor of Winchester 1987- 88 and was elected to the council 1984 - 1996 to represent the New Alresford ward. 

The Deputy Mayor then advised that former member of the council, Lord David Chidgey passed away earlier in the week.  Lord Chidgey was elected to the council 1987 – 1991 to represent the New Alresford ward and was former Member of Parliament for Eastleigh.

Council stood in silent tribute to their memory.

The Deputy Mayor announced forthcoming Mayor’s charity events and also the arrangements for the Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards ceremony which was to take place later in the month. 

Finally, the Deputy Mayor thanked Members for supporting the forthcoming event at Worthy Down regarding the signing of the council’s refreshed Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The Leader announced that she was very pleased to report on the successes of the council’s Strategic Planning team at the recent Royal Town Planning Institute for the South East’s award ceremony. The team won two awards for their work on the Local Plan, which were for ‘Excellence in Plan Making’ and also an overall award for ‘Planning Excellence’.  The team would be automatically entered in to the national awards for 2022.  On behalf of the council the Leader congratulated the Strategic Planning team for their achievements and success. 

The Chief Executive announced apologies for the meeting.

To receive and answer and questions from the public.

(Questions must be received in writing by Democratic Services – democracy@winchester.gov.uk – no later than noon on Wednesday 16 February 2022)

Three written questions had been received from members of the public, who were in attendance at the meeting to present their questions, along with associated supplementary questions. The questions and response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted by ‘Save Our Skatepark in Winchester River Park’ with 2, 265 signatures.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted by ’Save Our Skate Park in Winchester River Park’.  The details of the petition are set out on the agenda.

The organiser of the petition was unable to attend the meeting and Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management) responded to the matters in the petition and in summary, raised the following points:

·         The skate park was used by a community of young people from across the district and beyond.

·         A recent meeting with skate park users had discussed proposals to integrate the skate park with the School of Art’s new facilities, which were seen as complementary.

·         Having taken account of public feedback, the proposed arrangements with Southampton University now included provision for the council to take a leaseback of the skate park.  This would secure the continuation of the skate park under the council’s management  

Council then proceeded to debate the petition and matters therein and in summary, the following matters were raised:

·         The skate park first opened in 2014 and the council had worked closely with relevant groups regarding its design and for the upgrade of some other facilities.  The announcement by the cabinet member provided reassurance that the council remained committed to the skate park.

·         The petitioners had highlighted one of Winchester’s best community facilities and it served users across a wide range of ages and was a free and accessible space and provided much social value. Existing language in the heads of terms for the lease of the site could subjectively have indicated some potential risk to the skate park and the proposals announced by the cabinet member and the Leader therefore provided guarantees for its future.

·         The debate regarding the skate park had been ‘mixed up’ due to a lack of openness by the university regarding its intention for the site, and a lack of urgency by the council for public consultation regarding the proposals.

·         Skate boarding was a valuable part of our culture and young people need more outdoor recreational facilities.  A new skate park at King George V recreation ground was being designed in conjunction with users and would not lessen the need for the facility at River Park.

·         The detail within the leaseback arrangements needed to be carefully checked.

At conclusion of debate, Councillor Learney once again thanked the petitioners for bringing the matter forward and reiterated that the council would continue to retain full control of the skate park at the River Park site as a result of changes to the heads of terms, as well as supporting the expansion of skate parks elsewhere in the district.

RESOLVED:

That the petitioner be thanked for bringing the matter forward and that the petition be further considered at Cabinet on 9 March 2022 alongside the land transaction report for the River Park Leisure Centre site.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2022/23

(Report CAB3334 refers)

Extract of draft minute of Cabinet to follow

RECOMMENDED:

That Cabinet recommend that Council :-

1.            Approve the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account budget as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to this report.

2.            Approve the 10 Year indicative HRA capital programme as set out in appendices 3 and 4.

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

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

5.            Note the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances, as detailed in Appendix 6. 

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

7.            Agree to support 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

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

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

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.

Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by the Leader, Councillor Thompson).

Council noted that that the corresponding recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 was included with the supplementary agenda after the statutory deadline. The Deputy Mayor agreed to accept the recommended minute onto the agenda, because of the urgent need for Council to consider this alongside Report CAB3334.

Council proceeded to ask questions on the matters in the recommended minute and the report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

That Council:

1.            Approves the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account budget as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to Report CAB3334.

2.            Approves the 10 Year indicative HRA capital programme as set out in appendices 3 and 4 to Report CAB3334.

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

4.            Approves the proposed indicative funding for the HRA Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendix 5 to Report CAB3334.

5.            Notes the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances, as detailed in Appendix 6 to Report CAB3334.

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

7.            Agrees to support 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.

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

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

General Fund Budget 2022/23

(Report CAB3335 refers)

Extract of draft minute of Cabinet to follow

RECOMMENDED:

That Cabinet recommend that Council :-

4      Agree the level of General Fund Budget for 2022/23, and recommend the summary as shown in Appendix A.

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      Support the investment proposals set out in section 13.4 of this report, 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      Approve the 2022 Council Tax Hardship Scheme allocation of £100,000 and the distribution of this funding as set out in Appendix F; to be administered by the Revenues & Benefits teams under the Service Lead for Revenues & Benefits.

8      That the sum of £1,061,591 be treated as Special Expenses under Section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in respect of the Winchester Town area as set out in section 16 and Appendix D.

9      That the Council Tax for the Special Expenses in the Winchester Town area at Band D for 2022/23 be increased by 4.5% to £76.71, an increase of £3.30.

10   That the surplus balance on the Council Tax Collection Fund for distribution to this Council, calculated in January 2022 of £24,315, be approved.

11   Recommend the level of Council Tax at  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

1             That the level of General Fund Budget for 2022/23 be agreed, and the summary as shown in Appendix A of CAB3335 be approved.

2             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 

3             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

4             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 Service Lead for Revenues & Benefits.

5             That the sum of £1,061,591 be treated as Special Expenses under Section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in respect of the Winchester Town area as set out in section 16 and Appendix D.

6             That the Council Tax for the Special Expenses in the Winchester Town area at Band D for 2022/23 be increased by 4.5% to £76.71, an increase of £3.30.

7             That the surplus balance on the Council Tax Collection Fund for distribution to this Council, calculated in January 2022 of £24,315, be approved.

8                That the level of Council Tax at Band D for City Council services for 2022/23 be increased to £151.29, an  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Councillor Cutler (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Service Quality) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management).

Council noted that that the corresponding recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 was included with the supplementary agenda after the statutory deadline. The Deputy Mayor agreed to accept the recommended minute onto the agenda, because of the urgent need for Council to consider this alongside Report CAB3335.

Council proceeded to ask questions on the matters in the recommended minute and the report.

AMENDMENT – Moved by Councillor Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Horrill: 

A. Delete Recommended Minute 5a-h and replace with:

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

a)            £250k to fund planting of trees in accordance with the Council’s Carbon Neutrality plans and as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

b)           £1,050k to the Major Investment Reserve.

B. Delete Recommended Minute 6a-e and replace with:

6      Support the following investment proposals:

a)    To remove charges for car parks after 6pm and on Sundays

 b)    Increasing the annual staffing budget by £250k per annum from 2022/23 to create additional capacity for planning and environmental enforcement

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 as  set out in section 13.4 of this report

d)    Increasing the annual staffing budget by £60k per annum from 2023/24 to create additional capacity in the Strategic Planning team as set out in section 13.4 of this report.

e)   An increase in the budget for annual audit fees of £30,000 as set out in section 13.4 of this report.

C.  Delete Appendices A, B and C to Report CAB3335 and insert new Appendices A, B and C.

Subject to the approval of the amendment, an alternative Council Tax Resolution that takes account of these changes is also proposed.

The Deputy Mayor called for an adjournment to the meeting to allow for informal discussion of the Amendment to take place within the groups.

Upon its reconvening, Council proceeded to ask questions on the matters in the Amendment.

MOTION – Moved by Councillor Lumby and seconded by Councillor Tod

Council Procedure Rule 11 (15) – That the question now be put.

MOTION CARRIED

Councillor Cutler firstly exercised his right of reply and a recorded vote was then taken on the Amendment.

Division Lists

The following Members voted in favour of the amendment to the recommended minute of Cabinet:

Councillors: Brook, Clementson, Cook, Cunningham, Gemmell, Godfrey, Horrill, Isaacs, Kurn, Lumby, Miller, Pearson, Read, Ruffell, Warwick.

The following Members voted against the amendment to the recommended minute of Cabinet:

Councillors: Bentote, Bronk, Clear, Cramoysan, Craske, Cutler, Edwards, Evans, Fern, Gordon-Smith, Green, Laming, Learney, Power, Prince, Rutter, Thompson, Tippett-Cooper, Tod, Weir, Westwood, Williams.

The following Members abstained from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Capital Investment Strategy 2022-2032

(Report CAB3332 refers)

Extract of draft minute of Cabinet to follow

RECOMMENDED:

That Cabinet recommends to Council :-

1.            The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

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

·         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.

1.            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.

Councillors Fern and Isaacs left the meeting before consideration of the item.

Councillor Cutler (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Service Quality) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Learney, Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management).

Council noted that that the corresponding recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 was included with the supplementary agenda after the statutory deadline. The Deputy Mayor agreed to accept the recommended minute onto the agenda, because of the urgent need for Council to consider this alongside Report CAB3332.

Council proceeded to ask questions on the matters in the recommended minute and the report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

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

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

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

·         the prudential indicators detailed in the report and its appendices

Treasury Management Strategy 2022/23

(Report CAB3333 refers)

Extract of draft minute of Cabinet to follow

RECOMMENDED:

That Cabinet recommends 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.

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.

Councillor Cutler (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Service Quality) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Weir).

Council noted that that the corresponding recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 was included with the supplementary agenda after the statutory deadline. The Deputy Mayor agreed to accept the recommended minute onto the agenda, because of the urgent need for Council to consider this alongside Report CAB3333.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 17 February 2022 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

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

To receive any resignations from committees and to make any necessary re-appointments.

RESOLVED:

1. For theScrutiny Committee, Councillor Godfrey replace Councillor Lumby as a full member of the committee and Councillor Kurn replace Councillor Godfrey as a deputy.

2. For the Business and Housing Policy Committee, Councillor Horrill replace Councillor Lumby as a full member of the committee and Councillor Kurn replace Councillor Horrill as a deputy.

The total time for questions and the answer and supplementaries thereto shall not exceed 30 minutes.

19 written questions had been received which were all heard at the meeting along with any supplementary questions. All questions are set out in full on the council’s website, together with responses from the relevant Cabinet Member.