Cabinet - Tuesday, 30th May, 2017 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd May, 2017 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2nd May, 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN1721 (copy attached), which sets out the provisional outturn position on the General Fund (revenue and capital) for 2016/17, subject to audit.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1721, which set out the provisional outturn position on the General Fund (revenue and capital) for 2016/17, 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 2016/17, the Council had set a savings figure of £860,000 to be achieved through reductions in service costs and additional income generation, in addition to £315,000 of expected staff turnover savings. It was reported that these savings had been achieved during the first half of 2016/17 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 £1.88 million.

The provisional outturn showed an improvement in the Council’s financial position, with a favourable variance of approximately £1,371,000 against the current approved budget and £568,000 compared with the last budget monitoring position, before accounting for any transfers between the General Fund, the Service Improvement Fund and the Stability and Resilience Reserve.  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 net effect of the variances was to increase the General Fund revenue balance to approximately £3.25 million, which exceeded the top of the range of balances set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (£1 million - £2 million). 

Appendix C of the Report set out the Capital Outturn Summary and showed a total net underspend of £6,188,000 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 £6,432,000 into 2017/18. The most significant variations in expenditure were listed in Appendix D to the Report.

The Cabinet discussed many aspects of the Report, including the Council’s approach to borrowing. Members expressed appreciation for the work carried out by the Financial Services Team.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the latest revenue and capital budget monitoring position be noted; and

(ii)          subject to the final outturn position, the transfers between the General Fund, the Stability and Resilience Reserve and the Service Improvement Fund, as set out in Report No. FIN1721, be approved.

To receive Report No. DMB1702 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s performance monitoring information for the second half of the 2016/17 municipal year.

The Cabinet received Report No. DMB1702, which set out the Council’s performance management monitoring information for the second half of the 2016/17 municipal year.

The Cabinet NOTED the performance achieved in delivering against the Council’s priorities for the 2016/17 municipal year, as set out in Report No. DMB1702.

To consider Report No. FIN1722 (copy attached), which sets out a proposed approach to the exercising of investigative and enforcement powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1722, which set out a proposed procedure to allow the Council to exercise investigatory and enforcement powers on behalf of registered providers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013.

Members heard that the Council already worked in close partnership with local housing associations to reduce fraud. It was confirmed that local authorities had a discretionary power to prosecute offenders under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013. Registered providers did not have the power to prosecute. The Solicitor to the Council would seek an agreement with the registered provider to recover the Council’s reasonable legal and investigation costs. The Council would also seek to have nomination rights to any returned properties.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to

(i)           agree the terms for undertaking investigative and enforcement work with registered providers, to enable the powers to be used under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013; and

(ii)          prosecute offenders under the Act and, where appropriate, apply for Unlawful Profit Orders on behalf of registered providers.

To consider Report No. EHH1720 (copy attached), which sets out  proposals to vary the current scheme of hackney carriage fares.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EHH1720, which outlined proposals to vary the current scheme of hackney carriage fares, which had been last amended on 29th November, 2013. Members were asked to consider whether to approve the uplift for public consultation.

Members were reminded that the Cabinet had set up the Hackney Carriage Fares Review Task and Finish Group to work collaboratively with the taxi trade to produce a simplified fare structure. To date, the Group had not been able to reach agreement with the taxi trade. As it was now over three years since the fare scheme was last uplifted, it was felt to be unfair to delay this any further. It was, therefore, proposed that an interim increase of 4% should be applied at this time. This would allow time for further negotiation with the taxi trade over a reworking of the scheme in due course.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the proposed scheme of fares reflecting a 4% uplift, as set out in Report No. EHH1720, be approved for public consultation as may be appropriate.

To consider Report No. PLN1713 (copy attached), which provides a summary of the content of and comments to be submitted on Hart District Council’s Draft Local Plan Strategy and Sites  Document 2011 – 2032, with regard to its potential interaction with emerging policies in Rushmoor.

The Cabinet considered the Head of Planning's Report No. PLN1713, which sought agreement to submit comments in response to the Draft Hart Local Plan: Strategy and Sites document 2011 - 2032.

The Report set out the context of this consultation in terms of National Planning Policy and explained how Hart, Rushmoor and Surrey Heath  Councils together formed a Housing Market Area. It was predicted in the document that Hart District Council would exceed its objectively assessed housing need within its administrative area. The document also expressed a commitment to ensuring appropriate provision of infrastructure in areas of new housing development.

The Cabinet discussed several elements of the consultation, including the need for improved infrastructure, the maintenance of the strategic gap between the Hart area and Farnborough, SANG provision and the protection of employment land.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the Council makes representations on the Draft Hart Local Plan: Strategy and Sites document 2011 - 2032, based on the comments set out in Report No. PLN1713.

To consider Report No. COMM1708 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for a new sports pavilion at Ivy Road Playing Fields, North Town, Aldershot.

The Cabinet considered Report No. COMM1708, which set out a proposal to provide a new sports pavilion on the Ivy Road Playing Fields, North Town, Aldershot.

Members heard that the proposed new pavilion would be leased to the Aldershot Boys and Girls Football Club and that this lease would include a requirement to provide for a minimum of 20 hours of community use each week. It was reported that, given the lack of demand for a large community facility on the North Town redevelopment, Vivid Housing Association (formerly First Wessex) would seek, through the Development Management Committee, to vary their Section 106 agreement to provide an additional community space, which was both secure and well-lit, within the new sports pavilion, for which additional funds would be made available and to provide a meeting room in part of Alma House on the redevelopment.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the Head of Community and Environmental Services be authorised to apply for planning permission to build a new sports pavilion with a community room on the Ivy Road Playing Fields, North Town, Aldershot;

(ii)          the Solicitor to the Council:

-               be authorised to agree a six year lease, contracted out under the Landlord and Tenant Act, on a full repairing and insuring basis, subject to a Deed of Variation having been completed releasing Vivid Housing Association from its obligations under the Stage 1 Section 106 agreement;

-               be required to ensure that the lease includes a requirement for 20 hours of community use per week, to be secured by a user agreement between the Council and the Aldershot Town Boys and Girls Football Club and a break clause, exercisable by the Council on twelve months’ notice, with the Club for the new facility;

-               be required to recover from Vivid the Council’s reasonable legal and estates costs in connection with the lease, the user agreement and the deed of variation; and

(iii)         the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to extend the length of the term of the lease in the event that the securing of any grant funding required a lease of more than six years, to include advertising the disposal of the public open space under Section 123 of the Local Government Act and to consider any objections to the disposal, in consultation with the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder.

To consider Report No. COMM1710 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to replace a section of fencing at Manor Park, Aldershot.

The Cabinet considered Report No. COMM1710, which sought approval to vary the 2017/18 Capital Programme to replace an old chain link fence with metal railings, on the Church Hill side of Manor Park, Aldershot.

The Cabinet was informed that the estimated cost of the scheme was £23,000, which would be funded from accrued developers’ contributions.

The Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that approval be given to a variation to the 2017/18 Capital Programme of £23,000 to enable the replacement of the old chain link fencing with metal railings at Manor Park, Aldershot to be completed, as set out in Report No. COMM1710.

To consider Report No. COMM1713 (copy attached), which sets out details of applications for grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund.

The Cabinet considered Report No. COMM1713, which sought approval to award grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund to assist local projects. 

The Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder had considered four applications and had recommended that three awards should be made. It was noted that a further award to Limbcare had not been recommended as the environmental impact of the project had not been demonstrated.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that grants be awarded from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund to the following organisations:

NOTE:  Crs. D.E. Clifford and M.J. Tennant declared prejudicial interests in this item, Cr. Clifford in respect of his membership of the Fleet and District Beekeeping Association and Cr. Tennant in respect of his child attending the South Farnborough Infant School and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, both left the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon for those specific items.

To confirm the appointments to the following groups for the 2017/18 Municipal Year:

The Cabinet RESOLVED that appointments be made to Cabinet working groups for the 2017/18 Municipal Year as follows:-

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.

12                    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.

12                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. LEG1708 (copy attached), which sets out details of an offer made, using urgency procedures, to acquire No. 252 Ash Road, Aldershot.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. LEG1708, which advised Members of an offer made, using urgency procedures, to acquire No. 252 Ash Road, Aldershot, subject to a survey and the resolution of title issues. The Report also sought authority to purchase this property and for the Cabinet to recommend to the Council to approve a variation in the Capital Programme to fund the acquisition.

Members were informed that the property was currently in use as a car dealership. Whilst the primary reason for acquisition was the generation of revenue, the site was in a strategic position should an alternative use be required in the future.

The Cabinet

(i)           RESOLVED that

                (a)                      the urgency decision made in 12th April, 2017 to make an offer for the property, as set out in Exempt Report No. LEG1708, be noted;

                (b)                      the acquisition of No. 252 Ash Road, on the terms set out in the Report, be approved; and

(ii)          RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that approval be given to a variation of the Capital Programme, as set out in the Report, to fund the acquisition.