Agenda and minutes

MINUTES

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 15 January 2020 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.

With regard to agenda item 5 (d) (Report CAB3214 – Housing Revenue Account Budget 2020/21 & Business Plan), Councillors Green and Scott declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests as were both tenants of the Council.

Councillors Hiscock, Humby, Porter and Tod 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.

The Mayor reported that Sue Nelmes, former member of the council from 1998 until 2015 and the 807^th Mayor of Winchester from 2006-07, had recently passed away and details of her funeral were given.  The Mayor also referred to the tragic death during Storm Ciara of Kenneth Macartney.  Mr Macartney was the owner of Pavilion clothes shop in Winchester and was a prominent member of the Winchester BID. Members stood in silent tribute to their memory.   

The Mayor then announced her forthcoming charities events.  These included a Pie and Mash Lunch at Abbey House on Sunday 1 March 2020, courtesy of ‘Pie Karumba’ and a coffee morning at Rick Steins in Winchester on Thursday 26 March.

The Mayor reported that following close of nominations, invitations were soon to be issued for the Mayor’s Awards event in the Guildhall on Thursday 19 March. 

The Mayor then thanked both the teams of Councillors and former Mayors for their support of the annual Rotary Club Pancake Race which had taken place on Tuesday 25 February.

Finally, the Mayor reminded Members of the Army Training Regiment Freedom Parade in Winchester on Saturday 21 March.

The Leader made two announcements. 

Following continued above average rainfall, a number of flood alerts were in place in Winchester and across the district. The council was liaising with the lead flood agencies, the county council and the Environment Agency to monitor the ongoing situation. River flows through the city were being actively managed and plans had been put in place to respond to problems. The council was working with those communities that have been most affected to date.  Flood barriers at North Walls Recreation Ground and Water Lane had been installed and sandbags deployed to areas in Littleton, Headbourne Worthy and Kings Worthy.  Further supplies were to be delivered to known problem areas in liaison with Flood Action Groups.  The Leader reported that together with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing, they had viewed these plans in action and thanked officers, especially the Special Maintenance team, who had been implementing flood protection measures in the face of this extended period of wet weather.

The Leader then advised that the latest edition of ‘About Winchester’ was soon to be delivered to residents and copies were to be placed in the Group Rooms. 

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, 19 February 2020)

There were no questions to be asked.

RECOMMENDED:

1.            THAT THE TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE ANNUAL TREASURY INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR 2020/21 (AND THE REMAINDER OF 2019/20) BE APPROVED.

2.            THAT AUTHORITY BE 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.

3.            THAT AUTHORITY BE DELEGATED TO THE SECTION 151 OFFICER, WHO IN TURN DELEGATES TO HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RESOURCES, 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.

(CAB3218)

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

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet  held 12 February 2020 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.            That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2020/21 (and the remainder of 2019/20) be approved.

2.            That authority be 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.

3.            That authority be delegated to the Section 151 officer, who in turn delegates to Hampshire County Council’s Director of Corporate Resources, 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.

RECOMMENDED:

1.            THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME AND CAPITAL PROGRAMME FINANCING (APPENDICES A AND B TO THE REPORT) BE APPROVED.

2.            THE MINIMUM REVENUE PROVISION (MRP) POLICY STATEMENT (APPENDIX E) BE APPROVED.

3.            THE PRUDENTIAL INDICATORS DETAILED IN THE REPORT AND ITS APPENDICES BE APPROVED.

4.            THAT THE COUNCIL MAY NEED TO INCREASE ITS EXTERNAL BORROWING IN 2020/21 SUBJECT TO DELIVERY OF THE PROPOSED CAPITAL PROGRAMME.

(CAB3209)

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

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet  held 12 February 2020 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.            The Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to the Report) be approved.

2.            The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E) be approved.

3.            The Prudential Indicators Detailed in the Report and its Appendices be approved.

4.            That the Council may need to increase its external borrowing in 2020/21 subject to delivery of the proposed Capital Programme.

RECOMMENDED:

1.            THAT THE MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY BE APPROVED AS SET OUT IN THE REPORT.

2.            THAT THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2020/21, UPDATED FORECAST FOR 2019/20, AND THE SUMMARY BE AGREED AS SHOWN IN APPENDIX A TO THE REPORT.

3.            THAT THE INVESTMENT PROPOSALS SET OUT IN SECTION 17 OF THIS REPORT BE SUPPORTED, INCLUDING:

a.    £50,000 PER ANNUM TO FUND ADDITIONAL PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS;

b.    AN ANNUAL PROVISION OF £350,000 TO THE PARKING RESERVE TO FUND ADDITIONAL PARK AND RIDE INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT INVESTMENT IN OTHER TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT RELATED SERVICES;

c.    £247,000 TO IMPLEMENT A FULL SURVEY OF ALL COUNCIL TREES AND FUND ASSOCIATED REMEDIAL WORKS (NET IMPACT OF £84,000 ON THE GENERAL FUND, WITH THE REMAINING COSTS MET FROM WINCHESTER TOWN ACCOUNT AND THE HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR TREES WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THOSE BUDGETS);

d.    ONE OFF PROVISION OF £105,000 TO SUPPORT FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND BUILDING SURVEY WORK FOR THE CENTRAL WINCHESTER REGENERATION PROJECT;

e.    THAT £750,000, FUNDED FROM THE TRANSITIONAL RESERVE, BE APPROVED TO FUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CARBON NEUTRALITY ACTION PLAN WITH FURTHER DETAILS OF SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO BE REPORTED TO CABINET IN JUNE 2020;

f.     THAT ONE-OFF PROVISION OF £500,000, FUNDED FROM THE TRANSITIONAL RESERVE BE MADE TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATION PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY, WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO BE REPORTED TO CABINET LATER IN 2020.

4.            THAT THE SAVINGS PROPOSALS SET OUT IN SECTION 18 OF THE REPORT BE APPROVED, INCLUDING:

a.    THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENHANCED GARDEN WASTE SERVICE FROM FEBRUARY 2021, WITH FURTHER DETAILS ON THE PROPOSAL INCLUDING THE CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS BEING REPORTED TO CABINET IN JUNE 2020;

b.    THE CLOSURE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES AT MIDDLEBROOK ST AND WORTHY LANE, WINCHESTER.

5.            THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES TO PARKING CHARGES BE APPROVED, AS SET OUT IN SECTION 19 OF THE REPORT:

a.    PARKING CHARGES (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF (PARK AND RIDE CHARGES) BE INCREASED BY 3% (ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 10P);

b.    THAT A “FLAT RATE” CHARGE OF £2 BE INTRODUCED ON SUNDAYS IN ALL “CENTRAL” CAR PARKS, THE ACCESS TO WHICH ALL FALL WITHIN THE CITY’S AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA. THESE INCLUDE:

·         THE BROOKS

·         MIDDLEBROOK ST

·         COLEBROOK ST

·         FRIARSGATE

·         GUILDHALL YARD

·         JEWRY ST

·         COSSACK LANE

·         UPPER BROOK ST

·         ST PETERS ST

·         TOWER ST

·         GLADSTONE ST

c.    THAT WEEKDAY CHARGING PERIOD FOR THE “CENTRAL” AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA CAR PARKS BE EXTENDED TO 7PM FOR A PILOT 6 MONTH PERIOD;

d.    THAT DAILY PARK AND RIDE CHARGES BE INCREASED BY 50P;

e.    THAT DISCOUNTED PARKING CHARGES FOR WEEKLY AND MONTHLY SEASON TICKETS AT CATTLE MARKET AND WORTHY LANE CAR PARKS BE REMOVED;

f.     THAT A REVISED PARKING INVESTMENT PROGRAMME BE BROUGHT BACK TO CABINET BY SEPTEMBER 2020 WITH DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORT RELATED SERVICES;

g.    THAT ALL PARKING RELATED CHANGES SET OUT ABOVE, BE IMPLEMENTED WITH EFFECT FROM JULY OR AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE THEREAFTER;

h.    THAT, SUBJECT TO CONTRACT, PARK AND RIDE BUS SERVICES BE EXTENDED IN  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

(CAB3211)

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

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

AMENDMENT -Moved by Councillor Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Horrill, as follows:

 “THAT RECOMMENDATIONS 2, 3, 4, 5 AND 9 OF AGENDA ITEM 5 (b) (RECOMMENDED MINUTE OF CABINET OF HELD 12 FEBRUARY 2020 - MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY, BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2020/21 (CAB3211) BE AMENDED AS INDICATED BELOW (CHANGES IN BOLD, DELETIONS HAVE BEEN STRUCK THROUGH):

 2.        THAT THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR 2020/21, UPDATED FORECAST FOR 2019/20, AND THE SUMMARY AS SHOWN IN APPENDIX A TO THE REPORT BE AMENDED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGES SET OUT IN THE TABLE INCLUDED WITHIN THIS AMENDMENT.

 3.        THAT THE INVESTMENT PROPOSALS SET OUT IN SECTION 17 OF THIS REPORT BE SUPPORTED, INCLUDING:

a.   £50,000 PER ANNUM TO FUND ADDITIONAL PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS;

b.   AN ANNUAL PROVISION OF £350,000 £200,000 TO THE PARKING RESERVE TO FUND ADDITIONAL PARK AND RIDE INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT INVESTMENT IN OTHER TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT RELATED SERVICES;

c.   £247,000 TO IMPLEMENT A FULL SURVEY OF ALL COUNCIL TREES AND FUND ASSOCIATED REMEDIAL WORKS (NET IMPACT OF £84,000 ON THE GENERAL FUND, WITH THE REMAINING COSTS MET FROM WINCHESTER TOWN ACCOUNT AND THE HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR TREES WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THOSE BUDGETS);

d.  ONE OFF PROVISION OF £105,000 TO SUPPORT FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND BUILDING SURVEY WORK FOR THE CENTRAL WINCHESTER REGENERATION PROJECT;

e.  THAT £750,000, FUNDED FROM THE TRANSITIONAL RESERVE, BE APPROVED TO FUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CARBON NEUTRALITY ACTION PLAN WITH FURTHER DETAILS OF SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO BE REPORTED TO CABINET IN JUNE 2020;

f.   THAT ONE-OFF PROVISION OF £500,000, FUNDED FROM THE TRANSITIONAL RESERVE BE MADE TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATION PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY, WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO BE REPORTED TO CABINET LATER IN 2020. 

4.        THAT THE SAVINGS PROPOSALS SET OUT IN SECTION 18 OF THE REPORT BE AMENDED TO ONLY INCLUDE:

a.  THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENHANCED GARDEN WASTE SERVICE FROM FEBRUARY 2021, WITH FURTHER DETAILS ON THE PROPOSAL INCLUDING THE CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS BEING REPORTED TO CABINET IN JUNE 2020;

a.   THE CLOSURE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES AT MIDDLEBROOK ST AND WORTHY LANE, WINCHESTER. 

5.        THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES TO PARKING CHARGES AS SET OUT IN SECTION 19 OF THE REPORT BE AMENDED TO ONLY INCLUDE:

a.  PARKING CHARGES (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF (PARK AND RIDE CHARGES) BE INCREASED BY 3% (ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 10P);

b.   THAT A “FLAT RATE” CHARGE OF £2 BE INTRODUCED ON SUNDAYS IN ALL “CENTRAL” CAR PARKS, THE ACCESS TO WHICH ALL FALL WITHIN THE CITY’S AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA. THESE INCLUDE:

·         THE BROOKS

·         MIDDLEBROOK ST

·         COLEBROOK ST

·         FRIARSGATE

·         GUILDHALL YARD

·         JEWRY ST

·         COSSACK LANE

·         UPPER BROOK ST

·         ST PETERS ST

·         TOWER ST

·         GLADSTONE ST

c.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

RECOMMENDED:

1.            THAT THE 2020/21 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGET AND FINAL FORECAST FOR 2019/20 BE APPROVED, AS DETAILED IN APPENDICES 1 AND 2 TO THE REPORT.

2.            THAT A RENT INCREASE IN 2020/21 BE APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S NATIONAL RENT STANDARD (SEPTEMBER CPI + 1%) RESULTING IN AN AVERAGE RENT INCREASE OF 2.7%.

3.            THAT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN 2020/21 OF £9.1M BE APPROVED FOR THE MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT AND RENEWAL PROGRAMME AS DETAILED IN APPENDIX 3 OF THE REPORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FINANCIAL PROCEDURE RULE 6.4.

4.            THAT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN 2020/21 OF £26.91M BE APPROVED FOR THE NEW BUILD PROGRAMME AS DETAILED IN APPENDIX 4 OF THE REPORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FINANCIAL PROCEDURE RULE 6.4.

5.            THAT FUNDING FOR THE HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME BE APPROVED, AS DETAILED IN APPENDIX 5 OF THE REPORT, INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL BORROWING REQUIREMENT.

6.            THAT THE HRA FINANCIAL PLAN OPERATING ACCOUNT EXTRACT BE APPROVED, INCLUDING ANNUAL WORKING BALANCES, AS DETAILED IN APPENDIX 6.   

(CAB3214)

Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management), moved that the recommended minute be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Weir, Cabinet Member for Local Economy).

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet  held 12 February 2020 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.            That the 2020/21 Housing Revenue Account budget and final forecast for 2019/20 be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

2.            That a rent increase in 2020/21 be approved in accordance with the government’s national rent standard (September CPI + 1%) resulting in an average rent increase of 2.7%.

3.            That capital expenditure in 2020/21 of £9.1m be approved for the maintenance, improvement and renewal programme as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report, in accordance with financial procedure rule 6.4.

4.            That capital expenditure in 2020/21 of £26.91m be approved for the New Build Programme as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 6.4.

5.            That funding for the HRA capital programme be approved, as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report, including the additional borrowing requirement.

6.            That the HRA financial plan operating account extract be approved, including annual working balances, as detailed in Appendix 6

Report of the Monitoring Officer

(CL152)

Councillor Thompson (Leader and Cabinet Member for Communication) moved that Recommendations in CL152 be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Learney, Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management).   

Council sent its best wishes to Councillor Murphy and to her family.

RESOLVED:

1.            That a dispensation for Councillor Murphy from attending meetings of the Council on the grounds of ill health, for a period of six months commencing on 6 May 2020 thus nullifying the disqualification to hold office for a six month period.

2.            That it be noted that any extension to the dispensation for Councillor Murphy after the six month period ends on 6 November 2020, will require further approval in accordance with recommendation 1 above.

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

resolved:

That the following changes to committees be noted:

                      i.        For the Business and Housing Policy Committee, Councillor Horrill is to replace Councillor Humby.

                    ii.        For the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Gemmell is to replace Councillor Griffiths

                   iii.        For the Health and Environment Policy Committee, Councillor Read is to replace Councillor Griffiths, and Councillor Scott will replace Councillor Read who was a deputy member of the Committee.  

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

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

(i) To pass a resolution that the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of 'exempt information' as defined by Section 100 (I) and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

1.          That in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

2.          That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Chief Executive.

(CL151)

Council considered the above report which dealt with proposed organisational changes (detail in exempt minute).