Cabinet - Tuesday, 18th April, 2023 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

Under the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, all Members are required to disclose relevant Interests in any matter to be considered at the meeting.  Where the matter directly relates to a Member’s Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Registrable Interest, that Member must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain in the room unless they have been granted a dispensation (see note below). If the matter directly relates to ‘Non-Registrable Interests’, the Member’s participation in the meeting will depend on the nature of the matter and whether it directly relates or affects their financial interest or well-being or that of a relative, friend  or close associate, applying the tests set out in the Code.

NOTE:

On 27th May, 2021, the Council’s Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee granted dispensations to Members appointed by the Council to the Board of the Rushmoor Development Partnership and as Directors of Rushmoor Homes Limited.

Having regard to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, the following declaration of interest was made: 

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March, 2023 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14th March, 2023 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. HR2301 (copy attached), which sets out a refresh of the Council’s Pay and Reward Policy.

The Cabinet considered Report No. HR2301, which set out updates to the Council’s Pay and Reward Policy.

Members were reminded that the Pay and Reward Policy had been published originally in 2009 and had been updated in 2011 and again in 2021. Members were informed that the Chief Executive had asked for the policy to be reviewed with a view to making changes to address the recruitment and retention issues being experienced by the Council at the current time. The Report set out proposed changes, including the introduction of a ‘Golden Hello’ process.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the amendments to the Pay and Reward Policy, as set out in Report No. HR2301, be approved.

To consider Report No. CEX2303 (copy attached), which sets out a five-year business plan for the Council’s local housing company, Rushmoor Homes Limited, for approval.

The Cabinet considered Report No. CEX2303, which set out the business plan for Rushmoor Homes Limited, covering the period 2023–2028 and the associated Shareholder Report. The Report was presented by the Council’s Chief Executive, in his capacity as the Council’s shareholder representative.

Members were reminded that Rushmoor Homes Limited had been incorporated in April, 2020 and was wholly owned, controlled and funded by the Council. It was reported that the company’s governance arrangements required that a rolling five-year business plan should be approved by the Council and that a six-monthly shareholder report should be produced. The Report set out changes to the company’s property portfolio and Members were informed that the company now owned six properties and managed two others that were owned by the Ministry of Defence for refugee households.

The Cabinet expressed support for the business plan and the progress that had been made in establishing the company.

The Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that Rushmoor Homes Limited’s Business Plan 2023-2028, as set out in Report No. CEX2303, be approved.

NOTE:  Cllr P.G Taylor declared a personal and non-pecuniary interest in this item in respect of his involvement as a Council appointed Director of Rushmoor Homes Limited and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, remained in the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

To consider Report No. PG2309 (copy attached), which sets out Hampshire County Council’s Rushmoor Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for adoption by the Council.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PG2309, which set out the Rushmoor Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Members were informed that a consultation exercise had taken place in Summer 2022 and that, following this, the walking and cycle routes had been prioritised. Hampshire County Council had adopted the Rushmoor LCWIP into its transport strategy for Rushmoor and had commended the LCWIP to the Council for adoption into its own strategic policy.

The Cabinet expressed support for the plan, which would improve the safety of cyclists and walkers in the Borough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the adoption of the Rushmoor Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, as set out in Report No. PG2309, be approved.

To consider resolving:

That, subject to the public interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting during the discussion of the undermentioned item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such item:

Item                Schedule      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

7                      3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

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      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

71                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. ACE2303 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s  governance arrangements in relation to the Local Authority Housing Fund and Homes for Ukraine initiatives.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. ACE2303, which set out proposed governance arrangements in relation to the Local Authority Housing Fund.

Members were informed that the Local Authority Housing Fund had been established by the Government to reduce housing pressures on local authorities arising from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Arrangements had already been put in place to meet the match funding requirements of the fund and the report set out the proposed next steps, along with details of governance arrangements. It was explained that the Council might continue to receive delegated funding from Hampshire County Council’s Homes for Ukraine Fund and the report set out proposed governance arrangements in this respect.

The Cabinet

(i)           RESOLVED that:

(a)          the governance arrangements associated with the purchase of individual properties, as set out in paragraph 3.4 of Exempt Report No. ACE2303, be approved;

(b)          the governance arrangements associated with any ongoing Homes for Ukraine funding, as set out in paragraph 3.9 of the Exempt Report, be approved; and

  (ii)        RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that approval be given to the addition of the sum specified in Exempt Report No. ACE2303 to the Capital Programme for the purchase of properties utilising the Local Authority Housing Fund, noting the capital financing implications of the match funding set out in paragraph 4.43 of the Exempt Report.