Cabinet - Tuesday, 17th April, 2018 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

Venue: Concorde Room, Council Offices, Farnborough

Contact: Chris Todd, Democratic Services  on 01252 398825 or e-mail:  chris.todd@rushmoor.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

81.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 81 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 6th March, 2018 (copy attached).

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6th March, 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

82.

REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING AND FORECASTING 2017/18 - POSITION AT MARCH, 2018 pdf icon PDF 588 KB

To consider Report No. FIN1815 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s anticipated financial position for 2017/18, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during March, 2018.

Presented By: Cllr Paul Taylor, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1815, which set out the anticipated financial position for 2017/18, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during March, 2018. The Report set out an updated forecast of the revenue position as the end of 2017/18 and this was set out at Appendix A to the Report. The Report also contained sections on reported variances, the level of reserves and risks.

 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

 

(i)           the latest Revenue Budget monitoring position and associated risks, as set out in Report No. FIN1815,  be noted;

 

(ii)          the latest forecasts for the use of the Service Improvement Fund and the flexible use of capital receipts, as set out in the Report, be noted; and

 

(iii)         the approach to reserves and balances, as set out in the Report, be approved, subject to the final outturn position.

83.

CAPITAL PROGRAMME MONITORING AND FORECASTING 2017/18 - POSITION AT MARCH, 2018 pdf icon PDF 329 KB

To consider Report No. FIN1816 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s position regarding the Capital Programme for 2017/18, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during March, 2018.

Presented By: Cllr Paul Taylor, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet received Report No. FIN1816, which provided the latest forecast regarding the Council’s Capital Programme for 2017/18, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during February, 2018. The Report noted that the revised Capital Programme of £32,398,000 had been approved by the Council on 22nd February, 2018. The Report set out significant over and under spend variations along with the major areas of slippage that had been identified.

 

The Cabinet NOTED the latest Capital Programme monitoring position and the Prudential Indicators for 2017/18, as set out in Report No. FIN1816.

84.

DISCRETIONARY RATE RELIEF pdf icon PDF 880 KB

To consider Report No. FIN1814 (copy attached), which gives details of a new application for discretionary rate relief and sets out proposals to bring forward the date that organisations must reapply for discretionary rate relief.

Presented By: Cllr Gareth Lyon, Concessions and Community Support Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1814, which provided details of an  application for rate relief from Limbcare Limited (Suite No. 3c, Third Floor, Westmead House, Westmead, Farnborough) and set out a proposal to bring forward the date by which charitable and not-for-profit organisations would have to reapply for discretionary rate relief to 31st March, 2021 rather than 2022. This date change was necessary to bring the process into line with the Government’s next proposed national revaluation.

 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

 

(i)           20% top-up discretionary relief be awarded to Limbcare Limited from 17th March, 2017 to the end of the current Business Rates Valuation List, expected to be on 31st March, 2021; and

 

(ii)          the approach of undertaking a review of Discretionary Rate Relief awarded to charitable organisations in line with the date of the Government’s national revaluation, which had been brought forward to 1st April, 2021, be approved.

85.

FARNBOROUGH AIRPORT COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL FUND pdf icon PDF 206 KB

To consider Report No. COMM1804 (copy attached), which sets out details of applications for grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund.

Presented By: Cllr Martin Tennant, Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Report No. COMM1804, 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 all four awards should be made.

 

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

 

The Species Recovery Trust

The Land Restoration Trust

Rushmoor Voluntary Services

The Farnborough Society

£4,000

£4,182

£5,000

£7,500

 

NOTE:  Cr. Barbara Hurst declared a prejudicial interest in this item in respect of her roles as the Council’s representative at Rushmoor Voluntary Services and as a Director with the Farnborough Society and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, left the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

86.

THAMES BASIN HEATHS SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA AVOIDANCE AND MITIGATION STRATEGY UPDATE pdf icon PDF 145 KB

To consider Report No. PLN1808 (copy attached), which sets out proposed amendments to the Rushmoor Thames Basin Heaths Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy.

Presented By: Cllr Martin Tennant, Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Report No. PLN1808, which set out proposed changes to the Rushmoor Thames Basin Heaths Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy, to incorporate arrangements to facilitate town centre regeneration proposals.

 

Members were informed that the changes would allow a longer commencement period for specific developments within the Borough’s designated town centres, where the current commencement period of twelve months had been proving unrealistic.

 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the amendments to Appendices 4 and 5 of the Rushmoor Thames Basin Heaths Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy, based on the draft set out in Appendix 1 to Report No. PLN1808, be approved.

87.

PLANNING FEE INCREASE AND RESOURCING IN PLANNING pdf icon PDF 264 KB

To consider Report No. PLN1809 (copy attached), which sets out a proposed variation to the planning fee income budget and a proposed programme of improvements to the Planning Service.

Presented By: Cllr Martin Tennant, Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder / Cllr Ken Muschamp, Business, Safety and Regulation Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Report No. PLN1809, which set out a proposed variation to the planning fee income budget and a proposed programme of improvements to the Planning Service, in order to comply with Government requirements to facilitate a 20% increase in planning fees.

 

Members were informed that the changes within the Planning Service would be aimed at improving the service given to customers. The Report also acknowledged the successful bid to the Government for £250,000 from the Planning Delivery Fund. This would be used to facilitate joint working between Rushmoor, Hart and Surrey Heath to enable appropriate Special Protection Area mitigation arrangements for new housing in each respective area.

 

 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

 

(i)           a variation to the planning fee income budget, as set out in Report No. PLN1809, be approved;

 

(ii)          the programme of improvements to the Planning Service, as set out in the Report, be approved; and

 

(iii)         the initial spend of Planning Delivery Fund monies, as set out in the Report, be approved.

88.

ENVIRONMENTAL LITTERING - REVISIONS TO PILOT PROJECT pdf icon PDF 150 KB

To consider Report No. COMM1805 (copy attached), which sets out revisions to the one-year agency agreement with East Hampshire District Council to better tackle littering and dog fouling in the Borough.

Presented By: Cllr Martin Tennant, Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Report No. COMM1805, which set out details of two proposed revisions to the one-year agency agreement with East Hampshire District Council to better tackle littering and dog fouling.

 

Members were reminded that the pilot project had been agreed by the Cabinet at its meeting on 6th February, 2018. The two proposed changes were in relation to the adoption of a zero tolerance approach to littering and the level of the fixed penalty fine in respect of dog fouling. These changes were set out in the Report.

 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

 

(i)           a zero tolerance approach to littering and dog fouling, with offenders being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice regardless of whether or not they subsequently remove the waste, as set out in Report No. COMM1805, be approved;

 

(ii)          a £50 penalty for dog fouling, rising to £75 once the Public Space Protection Order agreed at iii) below is in place, be approved; and

 

(iii)             the Solicitor to the Council and the Head of Environmental Health and Housing be authorised to start the process of introducing a Public Space Protection Order for dog fouling and to review whether wider dog controls contained in the Council’s bylaws should be updated at the same time.

89.

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 paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such items:

 

Item                Schedule      Category

Nos.               12A Para.

                        No.

 

10, 11, 12       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 items to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the items:

 

Minute           Schedule      Category

Nos.               12A Para.

                        No.

 

90 and 92      3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE CONSIDERED
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PUBLIC

90.

APPLICATIONS FOR SECTION 49 REMISSION OF NON-DOMESTIC RATES

To consider Exempt Report No. FIN1817 (copy attached), which gives details of three applications for the remission of non-domestic rates due to hardship.

Presented By: Cllr Gareth Lyon, Concessions and Community Support Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. FIN1817, which set out three applications for the remission of non-domestic rates on the grounds of hardship.

 

Members assessed the applications from Tradec Supplies Limited, No. 5 Queens Road, Farnborough; Allrite Limited trading as Wimpey Farnborough at No. 93 Queensmead, Farnborough and Wimpey (Aldershot) Limited, Nos. 29 - 31 Wellington Centre, Aldershot, taking into account the evidence of financial hardship supplied and whether it was in the interests of local taxpayers to subsidise the businesses. The Cabinet took into account the nature and circumstances of the businesses and, where appropriate, the availability of alternative facilities in the area. It was confirmed that the Concessions and Community Support Portfolio Holder had visited each of the premises.

 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

 

(i)           50% hardship relief be granted to Tradec Supplies Limited for twelve months;

 

(ii)          50% hardship relief be granted to Allrite Limited trading as Wimpey Farnborough for twelve months; and

 

(iii)         the Head of Financial Services, in consultation with the Concessions and Community Support Portfolio Holder, be authorised to determine whether hardship relief should be granted in respect of Wimpy (Aldershot) Limited, following further discussions with the applicant.

91.

HOTEL PROVISION IN FARNBOROUGH - ITEM WITHDRAWN

Please note that this item has been WITHDRAWN.

Minutes:

The Cabinet was advised that this item had been withdrawn.

92.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION

To consider Exempt Report No. LEG1804 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to acquire the head leasehold interest of a property of which the Council is already the freehold owner.

Presented By: Cllr Paul Taylor, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. LEG1804, which set out a proposal to purchase the head leasehold investment of a property of which the Council was, currently, the freehold owner. The Exempt Report also requested the Cabinet to recommend to the Council that a variation should be made to the Capital Programme for the acquisition and that a supplementary estimate for associated revenue budgets should be approved.

 

Members were informed that it was anticipated that this investment would produce a good rate of return and its acquisition would assist in the future regeneration of that locality.

 

The Cabinet

 

(i)           RESOLVED that the acquisition of the property, on the terms set out in Exempt Report No. LEG1804, be approved; and

 

(ii)          RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that a variation to the Capital Programme to enable the purchase of the property, on the terms set out in Exempt Report No. LEG1804, be approved.

93.

ADDITIONAL ITEM - 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 item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such item:

 

Item                Schedule      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

 

14                    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      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

 

94                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

94.

ADDITIONAL ITEM - FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

To consider Exempt Report No. FIN1818 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal in respect of an agreement with Farnborough International Limited.

Presented By: Cllr David Clifford, Leader of the Council / Cllr Paul Taylor, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. FIN1818, which sought approval to enter into a loan agreement with Farnborough International Limited and also requested the Cabinet to recommend to the Council that a variation be made to the Capital Programme in respect of the loan.

 

The Report set out the full details of the proposal and the financial implications and associated risks.

 

It was noted that there was a request for a variation to the Capital Programme in 2018/19 and, taking account of the variations requested for the commercial property acquisition recommended earlier in the meeting, a report had been prepared to request a total variation of £10 million. This would enable these and other potential projects during the year to proceed subject to consideration of appropriate business cases.

 

The Cabinet

 

(i)           RESOLVED that

 

                (a)                      the offer of a loan to Farnborough International Limited, on the terms set out in Exempt Report No. FIN1818, be approved;

 

                (b)          the Head of Financial Services, in consultation with the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder and the Solicitor to the Council, be authorised to agree all loan terms and documentation in respect of the loan agreement, within the parameters set out in the Exempt Report; and

 

(ii)          RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that approval be given to a variation of the Capital Programme, as set out in Exempt Report No. FIN1818, for the loan.