Venue: Concorde Room, Council Offices, Farnborough
Contact: Chris Todd, Democratic Services on 01252 398825 or e-mail: chris.todd@rushmoor.gov.uk
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To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26th April, 2016 (copy attached). Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting
of the Cabinet held on 26th April, 2016 were confirmed
and signed by the Chairman. |
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GENERAL FUND PROVISIONAL OUTTURN REPORT 2015/16 PDF 290 KB To consider the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1610 (copy attached), which sets out the provisional outturn position on the General Fund (revenue and capital) for 2015/16, subject to audit. Presented By: Leader of the Council / Corporate Services Minutes: The Cabinet considered the
Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1610, which set out the provisional
outturn position on the General Fund (revenue and capital) for 2015/16, subject
to audit. The Report set out the General Fund Revenue Summary and Revenue
Balances, with the principal individual variations between the current approved
estimates and actual expenditure. The Cabinet was advised
that, in its original budget for 2015/16, the Council had set a savings figure
of £500,000 to be achieved through reductions in service costs and additional
income generation, in addition to £315,000 of expected staff turnover savings.
A significant proportion of these savings had been achieved during the first
half of 2015/16 and the efficiencies identified had been built into the
Council’s revised budget, as set out in Appendix A to the Report. The revised
budget figure had been further adjusted to reflect any subsequent virements, supplementary estimates and use of the service
improvement fund, to form the current approved budget, with estimated year-end
balances of £1.47 million. The provisional outturn
showed an improvement in the Council’s financial position, with a net
underspend of approximately £473,000 against the current approved budget and a
net underspend of £337,000 compared with the last budget monitoring position,
before accounting for any change due to
the operation of the business rates retention scheme. A list of the principal variations between
the provisional outturn position and the current approved budget was set out in
Appendix B to the Report. The effect of the net underspend was to increase the
General Fund revenue balance to approximately £1.94 million, which was close to
the top of the range of balances set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy
(£1 million - £2 million). The Report set out how the
operation of the Business Rates Retention Scheme could cause large swings in
the General Fund balance at the end of the financial year. Financial
transactions in this respect would increase the General Fund balance from £1.94
million to £2.47 million, which would be above the approved range of balances.
It was, therefore, proposed that a transfer of £473,000 should be made to the
Stability and Resilience Reserve. The Report also gave details of financial
risks to the Council which had been identified to date. These included the outcomes of the review of
the Business Rates Retention Scheme, the uncertain future of the New Homes
Bonus and the implications of legislation around welfare reform. As part of the
outturn process, and, in line with proper accounting practices, all outstanding
potential liabilities would be reviewed to ensure that the appropriate level of
reserves was being held against the risks that the Council faced. Appendix C of the Report set out the Capital Outturn Summary and showed a total net underspend of £5,919,000 against the current approved budget. This underspend was due mainly to the re-scheduling of work on a number of projects with a consequent slippage of expenditure of £5,893,000 into 2016/17. After accounting for this slippage, the Capital Programme ... view the full minutes text for item 2. |
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CORPORATE STRATEGY AND CORPORATE PLAN 2015/16 - QUARTER 4 AND END OF YEAR MONITORING REPORT PDF 1 MB To receive the Directors’ Management Board’s Report No. DMB1603 (copy attached), which sets out details of performance against the Corporate Plan in the fourth quarter of 2015/16. Presented By: Leader of the Council Minutes: The Cabinet received the Directors’ Management Board’s Report No. DMB1603, which
gave an update on performance management monitoring information against the
Corporate Plan for the fourth quarter and end of the 2015/16 financial
year. The Chief Executive
highlighted strategic and performance management data in a few key areas,
including education and skills, economic data and house prices. Members were
informed that key initiatives and service measures were detailed in Section Three of the Corporate Plan, under the themes of people and
communities, prosperity, place, leadership and good value services. In respect
of key initiatives and service measures, it was noted
that 82.8% were on target, 14.0% were unlikely to achieve the action or
indicator and 3.2% had been unable to achieve elements of the target. The Chief Executive
explained that the Housing Team had been under particular pressure due to the
significant increase in homeless people presenting. The Cabinet NOTED the Directors’ Management Board Report No.
DMB1603 and the performance made against the Corporate Plan in the fourth and
final quarter of the 2015/16 financial year. |
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ALDERSHOT RAILWAY STATION AND SURROUNDS - VARIATION TO CAPITAL PROGRAMME PDF 155 KB To consider the Directors’ Management Board’s Report No. DMB1602 (copy attached), which seeks approval to vary the 2016/17 Capital Programme to allow works to at Aldershot Railway Station. Presented By: Leader of the Council Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Directors’ Management Board’s Report No. DMB1602, which sought approval to vary the
2016/17 Capital Programme in relation to Phase 6 (improvement works to the
Aldershot Station area) of the Activation Aldershot project (No. 5404). The Cabinet was informed that
the station area had been identified in the emerging Local Plan and the
Aldershot Town Centre Prospectus as a key regeneration site for the town.
Funding had been obtained under the Activation
Aldershot initiative and further financial commitments had been obtained from
Hampshire County Council and South West Trains. A further application had been
made to the Local Growth Fund and this was currently being
considered by the Enterprise M3 LEP’s Local Transport Board. The project
would deliver a number of changes, including to the existing forecourt, bus
station and car park areas. A comprehensive consultation exercise would be carried out before commencement of any works. The Cabinet RESOLVED that approval be given to a net reduction of £540,000 to the 2016/17
Capital Programme in respect of the
Aldershot Railway Station and surrounds project (No. 5404), as set out in the Directors’ Management
Board’s Report No. DMB1602. |
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BUILDING CONTROL FEES AND CHARGES 2016 PDF 332 KB To consider the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1606 (copy attached), which proposes the harmonisation of fees in the new service shared with Hart District Council. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1606, which proposed a single scheme of fees and charges for
building control services across the whole area covered by the recently formed
Hart and Rushmoor Building Control Partnership. The Cabinet was informed that, in view of
competition for work from independent Approved Inspectors, the Council had not
increased its fees for the previous six years. Hart had similarly not increased
its fees for many years. Whilst the new shared service
had been operating well, it was now proposed to eliminate discrepancies and
confusion by introducing a harmonised schedule of fees and charges. The
proposed scheme was set out in Appendix A to the Report and represented an
average 7.5% increase in fees and charges. It was explained, however, that this
put the level of the fees in line with neighbouring local authorities and these
were still less than the charges made by Approved Inspectors. The scheme had
also been simplified and made clearer for customers. This was part of a wide
ranging review of the services offered and was aimed at delivering ongoing
improvements. The Cabinet was supportive of the proposals and was keen to ensure that
all opportunities were explored to maximise the
promotion of the Council’s building control services. The Cabinet RESOLVED that
the new schedule of building control fees and charges, as set out in Appendix A
to the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1606, be approved to come into force
from 1st June, 2016. |
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RUSHMOOR LOCAL ENFORCEMENT PLAN PDF 384 KB To consider the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1617 (copy attached), which proposals the adoption of a Local Enforcement Plan in relation to the Council’s enforcement of planning control. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Planning’s Report
No. PLN1617, which set out the draft Rushmoor Local Enforcement Plan for
approval. Members were informed that
Government advice was that local authorities should make a clear statement of
their approach and commitment to the enforcement of planning control in a Local
Enforcement Plan. It was explained that the Council did have an adopted
Planning Enforcement Charter but that this was now out of date, as it made reference to national and local policies that were no
longer in force. The Council’s Development Management Committee had considered
the new policy at its meeting on 25th May and had expressed support for the
document. The Cabinet RESOLVED that the Rushmoor Local Enforcement Plan, as set out in the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1617, be adopted and published. |
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DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY - PRIMARY AUTHORITY PDF 133 KB To consider the Head of Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1611 (copy attached), which seeks delegated authority to enter into Primary Authority arrangements. Presented By: Business, Safety and Regulation Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Environmental
Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1611, which sought
approval for the Council to authorise Primary Authority arrangements up to a
value of £20,000. Members were informed that
Primary Authority arrangements offered the Council, as regulator, the
opportunity to work with businesses to offer advice and support, with full cost
recovery. The Council had a longstanding Primary Authority relationship with
the Army, which had since developed into supporting all three Military
Services. It was explained that the work supported the
Council’s 8- Point Plan Income Generation strand. Members were supportive of
this work and discussed various matters, including the risks associated with
ensuring that advice given was accurate and appropriate. Assurance was given
that all advice and guidance given was thoroughly researched
and checked, in order to minimise this risk. The
Cabinet RESOLVED that, in order to support the Council’s development of
Primary Authority relationships, the Head of Environmental Health and Housing
be authorised to enter into Primary Authority arrangements, up to the value of
£20,000. |
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GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE - CONTAINER CHOICE PDF 261 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1611 (copy attached), which sets out options to change the containers used for the garden waste service and seeks to agree the level of fees and charges for this service for 2016/17. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet
considered the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No.
COMM1611, which sought approval to replace reusable bags with wheeled bins and
to replace the plastic single-use bags with compostable paper sacks. The Cabinet was reminded that the garden waste collection service had
been launched in 2005, when all customers were offered either reusable bags or
plastic single-use bags. In 2010, a brown wheeled bin
had been introduced and this had proved popular with customers. At present,
only around 1,000 of the total of 7,300 customers
still used the reusable bags, with around 300 using the plastic single-use
bags. The range of containers currently offered presented logistical issues to
the contractor collecting the garden waste, mainly due to the inability, on
health and safety grounds, for one type of vehicle to collect the content of
both reusable bags and wheeled bins. Similarly, the disposal of the content of
the current plastic single-use bags presented a similar problem, in that it was
not possible to collect them using the same vehicle as that emptying the
wheeled bins. For this reason and with the re-procurement of the contract for
waste collection ongoing, it was now proposed to withdraw the use of reusable
bags and also to replace the plastic single-use sacks
with biodegradable paper single-use sacks. This would mean that, in future, all
garden waste could be picked up at the same time using
a single vehicle. It was proposed that existing
reusable bag users would be given notice of the removal of the service at the
end of the customer’s current subscription period. At the same time, these
customers would be offered a wheeled bin at a reduced
rate for the first year, in order not to face a financial disadvantage. The Cabinet discussed
the proposal and clarified issues around the quality of the biodegradable bags
to be used and whether these changes would have an
effect on the contract re-procurement process. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
for
the reasons of health and safety and service efficiencies, the removal of the option
of reusable bags and the replacement of the current plastic single-use sacks
with biodegradable paper sacks be approved; (ii)
the fees and charges for the scheme, as set out
in the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1611, be approved; (iii)
a
variation of £17,000 to the 2016/17 Capital Programme, in respect of the
purchase of additional wheeled bins for the Garden Waste Service, be approved;
and (iv)
a supplementary estimate of £5,000, in respect
of the purchase of paper single-use sacks, noting that the increased purchase
costs would be covered by the proposed new charges, be approved. |
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QUEENS GATE ROUNDABOUT, FARNBOROUGH - SPONSORSHIP SIGNS PDF 481 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1611 (copy attached), which seeks authority to apply for consent to display sponsorship signs on the Queens Gate Roundabout, Farnborough. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the
Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1611, which sought
approval to submit an application for consent to display sponsorship
signs on the Queens Gate Roundabout, Farnborough. The Cabinet was informed that the Council used the roundabout
sponsorship scheme to support the Rushmoor in Bloom competition and its entry
into the annual South and South East in Bloom competition. It was reported that there were, currently, sponsorship signs
displayed at eighteen roundabouts around Aldershot and Farnborough. This
generated an income of around £17,000 per annum. The proposed advertisements
would be located on the four entry points to the roundabout. The Cabinet was supportive
of the principle of raising revenue by increasing sponsorship and advertising
in general and requested that other possibilities for this should
be explored, with a view to increasing income to the Council. The Cabinet RESOLVED that approval be given to the
Head of Community and Environmental Services to seek advertisement consent for
the display of four Rushmoor in Bloom sponsorship signs at Queens Gates
Roundabout, Farnborough. |
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ALPINE SNOWSPORTS - CONTRACT EXTENSION PDF 72 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1613 (copy attached), which seeks to extend the current contract with Active Nation UK Limited for the management of Alpine Snowsports in Aldershot. Presented By: Leisure and Youth Minutes: The Cabinet considered the
Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1613, which set
out a proposal to extend the contract with Active Nation UK Limited for the
management of the Alpine Snowsports by 22 months, to
expire on 31st January, 2019, to bring it in line with
the Council’s other leisure contracts. The Cabinet was reminded that the contracts for the management of the
Aldershot Indoor Pools, Lido and the Farnborough Leisure Centre would expire on
31st January 2019, with the Southwood Golf Course expiring on 31st March 2019.
It was felt that there would be time and cost savings from retendering all of
these together, where a contractor may wish to bid for more than one of the
facilities. Active Nation UK Limited had continued to provide a good level of
service at Alpine Snowsports and had expressed its
agreement to the proposed extension of the current contract, on the existing
terms and conditions. The Cabinet RESOLVED that, on the same terms and conditions, the extension
of the current contract with Active Nation UK Limited to 31st January, 2019 be approved. |
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IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN RUSHMOOR PDF 91 KB To consider the Head of Strategy, Engagement and Organisational Development’s Report No. SEO1601 (copy attached), which sets out the work carried out by the Council in relation to improving educational attainment in the Borough. Presented By: Leisure and Youth Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Strategy, Engagement and
Organisational Development’s Report No. SEO1601, which
provided an update on the work of the Council in seeking to improve educational
attainment in the Borough. The Cabinet was reminded that, whilst
Rushmoor’s primary schools continued to perform well, the GCSE results of
Rushmoor’s secondary schools were not as high as the Hampshire and England
averages and, in some, were significantly worse. Investigation had shown that
recruitment of teachers, especially English teachers, was a significant problem
for schools in the area. In this respect, Fernhill School had recently
interviewed two outstanding candidates to work as English teachers and
expressed a wish to employ both. However, the school’s challenging financial
position meant that it was only able to fund one full time teacher and one for
two days per week. The Council had been approached to
contribute funding towards the remaining three days per week for the first year
only. It was proposed that the cost of the additional
three days, being around £60,000, should be split equally between the school,
Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council. It was
further proposed that, if agreed, the teacher would teach at Fernhill
for two days per week and would use the remaining three days to support
improved teaching and learning of English in Fernhill and other Rushmoor
Secondary Schools. It was reported that, in view of
the urgency of this matter, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the
previous Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth,
had agreed that a grant of up to £20,000 should be made to Fernhill School from
September 2016. In the meantime, officers would seek contributions from other
organisations to offset the cost to the Council. The Cabinet discussed the Report and the situation around educational
attainment in general. Whilst support was shown for
the Council’s interventions in educational attainment, Crs. Hurst and Lyon did
not support the decision to give financial assistance to Fernhill School, on
the basis that this could be perceived as favouritism. Members did discuss what
else might assist local schools and ideas included considering starting army
cadet groups within schools and researching the Government initiatives called
‘Troops to Teachers’ and ‘Teach Next’. It as also
suggested that retired teachers could have a role to play in assisting local
schools. It was agreed that educational attainment
would be an ongoing issue for the Cabinet to engage with. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
the
action taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the
Council and the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth, to provide up to £20,000
to be paid as a one-off grant to Fernhill School towards the recruiting of the
teacher, as set out in the Head of Strategy, Engagement and Organisational
Development’s Report No. SEO1601, be confirmed and endorsed; and (ii)
the process of seeking of
financial contributions from other organisations towards improving educational
attainment, be approved. NOTE: Crs. D.E. Clifford and K.H. Muschamp declared ... view the full minutes text for item 11. |
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APPOINTMENTS Presented By: All |
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Budget Strategy Member Working Group To confirm the appointments to the Budget Strategy Member Working Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year. Minutes: The Cabinet RESOLVED that the following
appointments be made to the Budget Strategy Member Working Group for the
2016/17 Municipal Year, on the
basis of nine Members including the Leader of the Council, the Chairman of the
Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel and seven Members (4 Conservative: 2
Labour: 1 UKIP):- Cabinet Member for Corporate Services - Cr. P.G. Taylor Chairman of the Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel - To
be appointed Conservative Group - Crs.
Mrs. D.B. Bedford, A. Jackman, S.J.
Masterson
and A.R. Newell Labour Group - Crs.
A.H. Crawford and B. Jones UKIP Group - Cr. D.M.T. Bell |
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Community Cohesion Task and Finish Group To confirm the appointments to the Community Cohesion Task and Finish Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year. Minutes: The Cabinet RESOLVED that the following
appointments be made to the Community Cohesion Task and Finish Group for the
2016/17 Municipal Year, on the
basis of eight Members including the Leader of the Council and seven Members (4
Conservative: 2 Labour: 1 UKIP):- Leader of the Council - Cr. D.E. Clifford Conservative Group - Crs.
M.S. Choudhary, J.H. Marsh, S.J.
Masterson and K.H.
Muschamp Labour Group - Crs.
A.H. Crawford and B. Jones UKIP Group - Cr. D.M.T. Bell |
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Future Contracts Member Working Group To confirm the appointments to the Future Contracts Member Working Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year. Minutes: The Cabinet RESOLVED that the following appointments be made to
the Future Contracts Member Working Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year, on the basis of six Members including the Cabinet Member for Environment
and Service Delivery, the Chairman of the Environment Policy and Review Panel
and four Members (2 Conservative: 1 Labour: 1 UKIP):- Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery
- Cr. M.J. Tennant Chairman of Environment Policy and Review Panel - To be appointed Conservative Group - Crs.
A. Jackman and J.H. Marsh Labour Group - Cr.
C.P. Grattan UKIP Group - Vacancy Standing Deputy: Labour
Group - Cr.
K. Dibble |
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Hackney Carriage Fares Review Task and Finish Group To confirm the appointments to the Hackney Carriage Fares Review Task and Finish Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year. Minutes: The Cabinet RESOLVED that the following appointments be made to
the Hackney Carriage Fares Review Task and Finish Group for the 2016/17
Municipal Year, on the basis of five Members including the
Cabinet Member for Business, Safety and Regulation, the Chairman of the
Licensing and General Purposes Committee and three Members (1 Conservative: 1
Labour: 1 UKIP):- Cabinet Member for Business, Safety and Regulation - Cr.
K.H. Muschamp Chairman of Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Cr. A. Jackman Conservative Group - Cr. M.J. Tennant Labour Group - Cr. L.A. Taylor UKIP Group - Cr. M. Staplehurst |
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Member Development Group To confirm the appointments to the Member Development Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year. Minutes: The Cabinet RESOLVED that the following appointments be made to
the Member Development Working Group for the 2016/17 Municipal Year, on the basis of seven Members including the Cabinet Member for
Corporate Services, one Cabinet Member, the Chairman of the Corporate Services
Policy and Review Panel and four Members (1 Conservative: 2 Labour: 1 UKIP):- Cabinet Member for Corporate Services - Cr.
P.G. Taylor Cabinet Member - Vacancy Chairman of Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel - To
be appointed Conservative Group - Vacancy Labour Group - Crs. B. Jones and L.A. Taylor UKIP Group - Cr. D.M.T. Bell |
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Aldershot Regeneration Group To consider setting up a Cabinet working group to plan and implement the Council’s work to drive forward regeneration in Aldershot. Minutes: The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
the establishment of an Aldershot Regeneration Group be
approved; (ii)
the Group’s meeting arrangements and Terms of Reference
be agreed by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the
Council; and (iii)
the Head of Democratic and Customer Services, in
consultation with the Political Group Leaders, be authorised to make
appointments to the Group. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC To consider resolving: That, subject to the public
interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting
during the discussion of the undermentioned items to avoid the disclosure of
exempt information within the paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local
Government Act, 1972 indicated against such items: Item Nos. Schedule 12A Category Para. No. 14 and 15 3 Information relating to financial or business affairs Minutes: RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be
excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned item to
avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A
to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the item: Minute Schedule 12A Category No. Para. No. 14 3 Information relating to financial or business affairs |
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THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS CONSIDERED |
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ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES To consider the Solicitor to the Council’s Exempt Report No. LEG1606 (copy attached), which considers the procedure for the acquisition of commercial properties. Presented By: Corporate Services Minutes: The Cabinet considered
the Solicitor to the Council’s Exempt Report No. LEG1606, which set out a
proposed procedure for the acquisition of commercial properties. Members heard how making
better use of property and assets was one of the projects forming part of the
8-Point Plan. The Council had been receiving help and advice from Eastleigh
Borough Council for some time to help to develop an approach to property
investment and refresh the Council’s Asset Management Strategy. This work had
enabled officers to identify commercial property opportunities where acquiring
such assets would provide a better return for the Council than having the money
in a bank. It was
reported that, with many property deals, it was necessary to move
swiftly. In those cases, it would be necessary to use the Urgency Procedure
that was already in place. On every occasion, the Directors’ Management Board
would have approved the transaction and any proposed action would
then have been agreed with both the Leader of the Council and the
Cabinet Member for Corporate Services before proceeding. Any such decisions would then be reported to the Cabinet at its following
meeting. Such a report was made to the Cabinet at the meeting, concerning an
offer made by the Council on 28th April 2016 to purchase the freehold of
Nos. 100 – 106 Church Road, Addlestone, which
comprised a pre-let retail unit to Co-operative Southern Limited and five
flats. It was confirmed that, on this occasion, the
offer had been unsuccessful. The Cabinet was advised of the details of two potential commercial
acquisitions where negotiations were currently ongoing and delicately poised.
Progress on these two cases would be brought to
Members in due course. It was reported that both of
the properties were outside of the Borough. The Cabinet discussed
the principle of the Council acquiring commercial properties as investments and
expressed strong support for this approach. When considering the relative
values of commercial properties, especially in a rural location, Members felt
that broadband coverage was an important issue and it was
agreed that this would be taken up with the Enterprise M3 Local
Enterprise Partnership. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i) the use of the Urgency Procedure to
make future offers on commercial properties be approved; (ii) the unsuccessful
offer to acquire the Co-operative premises in Addlestone
be noted; (iii) the
offers made in respect of the two premises, on the terms set out in the
Solicitor to the Council’s Exempt Report No. LEG1606, be approved; and (iv) appropriate
variations be made to the Capital Programme in respect of the acquisition costs
of the two premises. |