Cabinet - Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 5th March, 2019 (copy attached). 

Members were informed that, in relation to Minute No. 85, Article 4 Direction for Church Circle, Farnborough, the reference in Resolution (i) should have read the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and not the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 1995 (as amended), as stated. The amendment was confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5th March, 2019 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN1914 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s anticipated financial position for 2018/19, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during February, 2019.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1914, which set out the anticipated financial position for 2018/19, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during February, 2019. Members were informed that saving requirements for the current year had been exceeded, with significant variances reported in the current quarter. It was reported that the General Fund balance was likely to be around the top of the range set in the Medium Term Financial Strategy at the end of 2018/19 and that this would have a positive effect on the savings target. Members were reminded that the scale of the challenge to achieve financial sustainability over the medium-term remained considerable.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the latest Revenue Budget monitoring position, as set out in Report No. FIN1914, be noted;

(ii)          the latest forecast 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.

To consider Report No. FIN1915 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s position regarding the Capital Programme for 2018/19, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during February, 2019.

The Cabinet received Report No. FIN1915, which provided the latest forecast regarding the Council’s Capital Programme for 2018/19, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during February, 2019. The Report advised that the approved Capital Programme for 2018/19, allowing for slippages and additional approvals, totalled £45,737,000. The Report set out the projects of major financial significance to the Council that had been included in the approved Capital Programme for 2018/19. These included the finalisation of the accounts relating to the construction of the Council’s new depot, Aldershot Town Centre Integration and Union Street, the finalisation of a loan to Farnborough International Limited and the further acquisition of investment properties.

The Cabinet NOTED the latest Capital Programme monitoring position, as set out in Report No. FIN1915.

To consider Report No. FIN1912 (copy attached), which gives details of an application for discretionary rate relief.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1912, which set out details of a proposed extension of the discretionary rate relief awarded to Places Leisure (Farnborough Leisure Centre and Aldershot Pools Complex). Members were informed that the current award had expired in February 2019, when the leisure management contract had been due to end. It was now proposed to extend the rate relief, in line with the extension of the leisure management contract, to 31st March, 2021.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that 100% discretionary relief be awarded to Places Leisure from 1st February, 2019 to 31st March, 2021.

To consider Report No. DSP1903 (copy attached), which sets out details of applications for grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund.

The Cabinet considered Report No. DSP1903, which sought approval to award grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund to assist local projects.

The Operational Services Portfolio Holder had considered three applications and had recommended that all three awards should be made.

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

To consider Report No. EPSH1922 (copy attached), which sets out proposals to undertake surveys and to review the management plans in relation to the Rowhill Nature Reserve and Southwood Woodland.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EPSH1922, which provided updates in relation to Southwood Woodland, Farnborough and the Rowhill Nature Reserve, Aldershot.

Members were reminded that the Council was responsible for both sites, which were areas of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). Members were informed that both sites were subject to management plans, which were now in need of updating. The Report set out proposals to carry out ecological surveys and updates to the management plans. It was also proposed that volunteers at each site should be provided with appropriate training to allow them to undertake work to improve and maintain the SANGs.

The Cabinet expressed support to the proposed approach and, in particular, the provision of training for volunteers at the sites.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the drawdown of £26,150, to undertake surveys and update the management plan in respect of the Southwood Woodlands, Farnborough, as set out in Report No. EPSH1922, be approved;

(ii)          the drawdown of £34,500, to undertake surveys and update the management plan in respect of the Rowhill Nature Reserve, Aldershot, as set out in the Report, be approved; and

(iii)         the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder, be authorised to drawdown additional sums, as necessary, to:

-               complete any additional surveys or work necessary to complete the review and updating of the management plans;

-               provide appropriate training for volunteers to enable them to undertake work to improve and maintain the SANGs; and

-               carry out works arising from the revised management plans.

To consider Report No. EPSH1921 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the deployment of Right to Buy receipts to provide two additional units of accommodation at Place Court, Aldershot.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EPSH1921, which sought approval to utilise Right to Buy receipts to a total of £37,214.99 to provide two additional units of accommodation for residents over the age of 55 at Place Court, Aldershot. Members were informed that, being intended for occupation by older people, the accommodation would meet an identified housing need. It was confirmed that the Council would have 100% nomination rights to the properties.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the deployment of Right to Buy Capital of  £37,214.99 to Vivid for the delivery of affordable homes at Place Court, Aldershot, as set out in Report No. EPSH1921, 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 paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such item:

Item                Schedule      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

9                      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.

111                 3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. RP1908 (copy attached), which sets out details relating to the potential acquisition of a property by the Council.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP1908, which set out a proposal to purchase 50% of a company and to appoint directors to the Board of that company. It was explained that this was in relation to a roadway  into a property that the Cabinet had agreed to purchase at its meeting on 5th February, 2019 (Exempt Report No. RP.1903 refers). Members were informed that, during the due diligence process in connection with the purchase of the property, it had become apparent that the roadway and other parcels of land that were essential for the ongoing efficient management and usage of the site, were owned and managed by a separate company that was owned by the vendor and two other parties. The full details of the proposal were set out in the Exempt Report. Members were informed that, due to timescales requested by the vendor, this was considered to be an urgent decision.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the purchase of 50% of the named company, on the terms set out in Exempt Report No. RP1908, be approved; and

(ii)          the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, be authorised to appoint two directors to the Board of the company.