Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 17 January 2024 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 Porter, Tod and Warwick declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in respect of the agenda items due to their role as County Councillors.

Councillor Scott declared an interest in respect of item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25 (and other agenda items, where reference was made to the HRA budget), as was a tenant of the council.

Councillor Becker declared a pecuniary interest in respect item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25 as a property owner with a connection to a council sewage treatment works.  Councillor Becker left the room during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

Councillor Horrill declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25, as her husband was a member of the Trinity board.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25, as her husband was a member of the Trinity board.

Councillor Westwood declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of the agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024/25, as was a member of the Winchester Housing Trust board.

The Mayor referred to several events that she was to attend, including her hosting in Abbey House the annual Pie and Mash luncheon that was in aid of her charities.  The Mayor then reminded Council of the annual Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards ceremony in the Guildhall on Thursday 7 March.

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 10am on Thursday 15 February 2024).

Two written questions had been received from members of the public who attended the meeting to present their questions. Supplementary questions were also asked. The questions received and their response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.   That the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of report CAB3445.

2.    That the 2024-25 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report. 

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

4.    That capital expenditure in 2024-25 of £18.649m for the Maintenance, Improvement and Renewal programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

5.    That the proposed budget in 2024-25 for new homes of £15.524m be approved as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report subject to individual scheme approvals.

6.    That the proposed indicative funding for the HRA Capital Programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report.

7.    That the proposed additional investment in the council housing stock of £30m over the next eight years to 2030-31 to retrofit properties on a fabric first basis to help improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for tenants be noted. This additional annual investment brings the total annual investment here to £5.6m a year and £45m in total (see paragraph 12.5 of the report).

8.    That the proposed strategic change in direction moving from a plan based upon direct delivery of new homes to one based upon a mixture of actively acquiring s106 affordable housing directly from developers alongside future development with grant funding and using Right to Buy resources be approved (see paragraph 13.7 of the report), including the continuing commitment to rural housing, including through rural exception sites.

9.    That the current financial viability assessment for new build be noted and that at present all potential development sites based on current assumptions evaluated this year have not been assessed as being financially viable within the existing viability model (see paragraphs 13.1-13.10 of the report).

10.That the proposed move to 80% market rent to help improve the viability of new homes development and to mitigate the increasing cost of delivery be approved (see paragraph 13.5 of the report).

11.That a revenue savings target of £400k over two years to assist with bridging the forecast gap in financing future capital expenditure be approved (see paragraph 14.2 of the report).

12.That the disposal in principle of Barnes house in 2024-25 be approved, and in addition the disposal of £0.500m of surplus HRA property per year over the next eight years to generate additional capital receipts to help fund the increased investment requirement over these years be approved (see paragraph 14.3 of the report).

13.That the average formula rent increase for 2024-25 for all affordable and social housing of 7.7% based on the September 2023 CPI figure of 6.7% +1% be approved (see paragraphs 15.1-15.4 of the report).

14.That the proposed move from RPI+0.5% to CPI+1% for existing council shared owners in the HRA from 2024-25 onwards, as well as  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Councillor Becker left the meeting before consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

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

Council noted that due to an administrative error, an incorrect version of the minute extract of Cabinet had been included in the agenda pack for the meeting.  The Recommendations for Council on the agenda front sheet were correct.  The correct version of the minute extract of Cabinet had been distributed in a supplementary agenda to Council in advance of the meeting.

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.That the HRA Financial Plan operating account extract, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of report CAB3445.

2. That the 2024-25 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

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

4. That capital expenditure in 2024-25 of £18.649m for the Maintenance, Improvement and Renewal programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

5. That the proposed budget in 2024-25 for new homes of £15.524m be approved as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report subject to individual scheme approvals.

6. That the proposed indicative funding for the HRA Capital Programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report.

7. That the proposed additional investment in the council housing stock of £30m over the next eight years to 2030-31 to retrofit properties on a fabric first basis to help improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for tenants be noted. This additional annual investment brings the total annual investment here to £5.6m a year and £45m in total (see paragraph 12.5 of the report).

8. That the proposed strategic change in direction moving from a plan based upon direct delivery of new homes to one based upon a mixture of actively acquiring s106 affordable housing directly from developers alongside future development with grant funding and using Right to Buy resources be approved (see paragraph 13.7 of the report), including the continuing commitment to rural housing, including through rural exception sites.

9. That the current financial viability assessment for new build be noted and that at present all potential development sites based on current assumptions evaluated this year have not been assessed as being financially viable within the existing viability model (see paragraphs 13.1-13.10 of the report).

10.That the proposed move to 80% market rent to help improve the viability of new homes development and to mitigate the increasing cost of delivery be approved (see paragraph 13.5 of the report).

11. That a revenue savings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.         That the level of General Fund Budget for 2024/25 be agreed, and recommend the summary as shown in Appendix A of report CAB3444.

2.         That the Greener Faster and carbon reduction investment proposals set out in section 14 of the report be approved, including:

a.       £200,000 per annum for the carbon reduction measures on waste and recycling vehicles to enable the change to HVO fuel.

b.      £1,400,000 per annum (less assumed 80% government funding) to expand recycling services to include food waste collections.

c.       £400,000 per annum to implement other changes to the collection of recyclables.

d.      £250,000 reduction in the annual waste income budget to reflect proposed changes to the Hampshire Inter Authority Agreement on waste.

3.         That in relation to the Cost of Living focus of the Council Plan, the following be approved:

a.       In the absence of any government funded scheme, the allocation of up to £100,000 from the Cost of Living / Living Well reserve to wholly or partially fund a local Council Tax Support Fund for 2024/25 in accordance with section 19 of the report.

b.      Extending the council tax Exceptional Financial Hardship Fund, with the remaining balance of 2023/24 funding (£38,000 as at Jan 2024), to 2024/25 to support any council tax payers experiencing exceptional hardship, regardless of whether they are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.

c.       A discretionary 7.7% cap for 2024/25 on the annual increase in rent for Partnered Home Purchase scheme property owners, in line with the increase in social and affordable rents to existing tenants and for shared owners in the HRA.

4.         That in relation to the council’s Homes for All priority the following be approved:

a.       an additional £20,000 per annum contribution to the New Burdens Reserve to support the Preventing Homelessness Strategy, including funding the increased costs of providing temporary accommodation for homeless households where required.

b.      to reduce the long term empty property period from 2 years to 1 year, of the 100% council tax premium which applies to all unoccupied and unfurnished property.

5.         That in relation to the council’s TC25 transformation programme the following be approved:

a.       The £607,000 of immediately recognised TC25 savings set out in section 13 of the report be reassigned to contributions to the Transitional Reserve for 2024/25 and 2025/26 to support the delivery of the wider transformation programme.

b.      A new budget of £100,000 per annum for the support and coordination of digital channel shift work across the council’s services.

c.       The transfer of the £130,000 of additional 4% Funding Guarantee income to the transitional reserve to invest in the TC25 transformation programme.

6.         That the unavoidable budget growth of £100,000 per annum to fund increased external audit fees be approved.

7.         That savings in corporate property budgets for Non Domestic Rates (NNDR) of £177,000 to reflect reduced liabilities be approved.

8.         That service income annual budgets be amended as follows, in response to revised estimates:

a.       Building control fees  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

By way of an update, the meeting had been provided with revised Council Tax Resolution information following review of the decisions made at the Hampshire County Council budget meeting of the same day – Thursday 22 February 2024.  At Resolution 2 (a), the Council Tax Base was updated to £53,691.65 (was £53,691.67).  This change had a consequential impact and reduction on each of the precepts for Hampshire County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as set out at Resolution 5.  These had been updated respectively to £82,322,185 (was £82,322.216), £14,038,219 (was £18,486,042) and £4,447,816 (was £4,447,818).

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

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

Amend the recommended minutes by addition of a new recommendation 2e: The removal of overnight parking charges in city centre car parks, funded by the deletion of long-term vacant posts.

As the Mayor was satisfied that there had been adequate debate of the original motion, the Mayor called for a short adjournment to the meeting whilst the amendment was circulated in writing.

Upon its reconvening, Council proceeded to debate the matters in the Amendment.  At conclusion of debate, Councillor Cutler was invited to exercise his right of reply before Council voted on the Amendment.

In accordance with legislative requirements on recorded votes at Budget meetings, a recorded vote was taken on the Amendment before Council.

The following Members voted in favour of the Amendment before Council:

1. Councillor Neil Bolton
2. Councillor Caroline Brook
3. Councillor Susan Cook
4. Councillor Patrick Cunningham
5. Councillor Stephen Godfrey
6. Councillor Caroline Horrill
7. Councillor Fiona Isaacs
8. Councillor Paula Langford-Smith
9. Councillor Steve Miller
10. Councillor Frank Pearson
11. Councillor Michael Read
12. Councillor Jan Warwick

The following Members voted against the Amendment before Council:

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal
2. Councillor Vivian Achwal
3. Councillor James Batho
4. Councillor Kathleen Becker
5. Councillor Adrian Brophy
6. Councillor Chris Chamberlain
7. Councillor Angela Clear
8. Councillor Steve Cramoysan
9. Councillor Neil Cutler
10. Councillor Chris Edwards
11. Councillor Nathan Eve
12. Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith
13. Councillor Brian Laming
14. Councillor Kelsie Learney
15. Councillor Danny Lee
16. Councillor Jonny Morris
17. Councillor Jerry Pett
18. Councillor Jackie Porter
19. Councillor Margot Power
20. Councillor George Prest
21. Councillor Mark Reach
22. Councillor Jane Rutter
23. Councillor Jamie Scott
24. Councillor Lucille Thompson
25. Councillor John Tippet-Cooper
26. Councillor Martin Tod
27. Councillor Malcolm Wallace
28. Councillor Chris Westwood
29. Councillor Jonathan William

AMENDMENT LOST.

Following summing up by the proposer of the substantive motion (which was the Recommended Minute of Cabinet) and the seconder exercising his right to speak, in accordance with legislative requirements on recorded votes at Budget meetings, a recorded vote was first taken regarding Recommendations 1 – 9 of the Recommended Minute of Cabinet.

The following Members voted in favour of Recommendations 1 – 9:

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal
2. Councillor Vivian Achwal
3. Councillor James Batho
4. Councillor Kathleen Becker
5. Councillor Adrian Brophy
6. Councillor Chris  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.           The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

(i)      the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3443);

(ii)    the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

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

(iv)   the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F of the report.

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.      The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

(i)      the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3443);

(ii)     the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

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

(iv)   the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F of the report.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.           That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2024/25 (and the remainder of 2023/24) be approved;

2.           That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the Council’s pooled property investment and long-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.           That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Chief Executive and 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 (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 8 February 2024 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.              That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2024/25 (and the remainder of 2023/24) be approved;

2.              That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the Council’s pooled property investment and long-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.              That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Chief Executive and 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:

For the Planning Committee, Councillor Williams to be a full member of the committee, replacing Councillor Vivian Achwal who will now become a deputy, replacing Councillor Williams.

The total time for questions and the answer and supplementaries thereto shall not exceed 40 minutes.

13 written questions had been received, seven of which were heard at the meeting along with associated supplementary questions, with the responses to all the questions received and their response subsequently set out on the council’s website.