Cabinet - Tuesday, 20th August, 2019 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd July, 2019 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23rd July, 2019 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN1924 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s anticipated financial position for 2019/20, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during July, 2019.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1924, which set out the anticipated financial position for 2019/20, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during July, 2019. Members were informed that the need for savings or income generation of around £3,931,000 had been identified for the year. During Quarter 1, net cost reductions of £3,198,000 had been built into the approved budget, leaving a budget savings target of £733,000 and an outturn target of £1 million. It was reported that the projected 2019/20 year-end balance of the General Fund stood at £2 million, which was at the top of the range set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. It was noted that the Stability and Resilience Fund could be used to support the General Fund balance, should the predicted reductions in net expenditure not be achieved.

The Cabinet NOTED the latest Revenue Budget monitoring position, as set out in Report No. FIN1924.

To consider Report No. FIN1925 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s position regarding the Capital Programme for 2019/20, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during July, 2019.

The Cabinet received Report No. FIN1925, which provided the latest forecast regarding the Council’s Capital Programme for 2019/20, based on the monitoring exercise carried out during June, 2019. The Report advised that the Capital Programme for 2019/20, allowing for slippages from the previous financial year and additional approvals, totalled £72,381,000. It was noted that projects of major financial significance to the Council in the Capital Programme for 2019/20 included the Aldershot Town Centre Integration and Union Street developments, the Farnborough Civic Quarter development, the finalisation of a loan to Farnborough International and the further acquisition of investment properties. The Report set out a request for additional approvals to facilitate capital projects within 2019/20 in respect of the Games Hub, Aldershot, the implementation of Office 365 for the Council and the Blunden Road Recreation Ground, Farnborough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           The latest Capital Programme monitoring position, as set out in Report No. FIN1925, be noted; and

(ii)              the additional capital requests for 2019/20, as set out in the Report, be approved.

To receive Report No. RP1914 (copy attached), which sets out a progress report for the ‘Regenerating Rushmoor’ programme for the first quarter of 2019/20.

The Cabinet received Report No. RP1914, which set out progress towards the Council’s Regenerating Rushmoor Programme for the first quarter of 2019/20. In particular, the Report highlighted the current position in relation to the Galleries and High Street Multi-storey Car Park, Aldershot, the Farnborough Civic Quarter and the project to provide a new access road at Invincible Road, Farnborough.

The Cabinet NOTED the progress made towards delivering the Regenerating Rushmoor Programme, as set out in Report No. RP1914.

To consider Report No. DSP1908 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the installation of new facilities at Moor Road Recreation Ground, Farnborough.

The Cabinet considered Report No. DSP1908, which set out a proposal to provide new facilities at Moor Road Recreation Ground, Farnborough.

The Operational Services Portfolio Holder introduced the Report and it was noted that the Development Management Committee had given planning permission at its meeting on 14th August, 2019, subject to conditions. Members heard that the proposed new facilities would be likely to encourage more people to enjoy open spaces and become active. The project would be mainly funded from Section 106 developers contributions but successful funding awards had also been received from Sport England and Prospect Estate Big Local (PEBL).  It was also requested that £20,000 should be drawn down from the Car Park Enhancements Earmarked Reserve and the sum of £1,020 should be included in future budgets to allow for the inspection costs of the facilities.

The Cabinet welcomed the proposal and, in response to a question, it was confirmed that the installation of CCTV at the site would be considered as part of a wider review of CCTV provision in the Borough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the provision of new facilities at the Moor Road Recreation Ground be approved, in accordance with the proposals set out in Report No. DSP1908 and the Head of Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships be authorised to proceed with the delivery of the project; and

(ii)          the drawdown of £20,000 from the Car Park Enhancements Earmarked Reserve and the inclusion of annual inspection costs of the facilities of £1,020 per annum from 202/21 onwards, as set out in the Report, 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 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                Schedule      Category

Nos.               12A Para.

                        No.

7, 8 and 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 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.

34, 35 and     3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

36

To consider Exempt Report No. FIN1926 (copy attached), which gives details of an application for the remission of non-domestic rates due to hardship.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. FIN1926, which set out an application for the remission of non-domestic rates on the grounds of hardship.

Members assessed the application from 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 business. The Cabinet took into account the nature and circumstances of the business and the availability of alternative facilities in the area. The Corporate Services Portfolio Holder and the Council’s Principal Revenues and Benefits Officer were due to meet with the proprietor at the premises to discuss the application in detail on 21st August, 2019.

In response to a question, it was agreed that, in future, applicants for hardship relief would be encouraged to seek a rent reduction at the same time, if applicable.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that, subject to the outcome of the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder’s visit to the premises on 21st August, 2019, 50% hardship relief be granted to Wimpey (Aldershot) Limited for the period from 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2020.

To consider Exempt Report No. RP1918 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the acquisition of a property as part of the Aldershot town centre regeneration proposals.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP1918, which set out a proposal for the acquisition of a site that formed part of the Council’s Aldershot town centre regeneration proposals.

The Report set out details of the proposed acquisition. Authority to acquire the site had been granted previously by the Cabinet but this Report set out additional associated holding costs that had been identified as part of the due diligence process. It was felt that this site was integral to the regeneration proposals for Aldershot town centre, which would be taken forward by the Rushmoor Development Partnership.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the acquisition of the freehold associated with the site identified in paragraph 1.1 of Exempt Report No. RP1918, at the value identified in paragraph 3.5, be approved; and

(ii)          the Executive Head of Finance be authorised to enact the financial arrangements outlined in paragraph 4.5 of the Report.

To consider Exempt Report No. RP1915 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the surrender of the lease in respect of a property owned by the Council and forming part of the Aldershot town centre regeneration site.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP1915, which set out a proposal for the surrender of a lease for a premises of which the Council was the freeholder. It was considered that the site was integral to the Council’s regeneration proposals for Aldershot town centre.

The Council had been negotiating with the leaseholder for the previous six months and had now reached a provisional agreement for the surrender on the terms that were set out in the Report. It was also proposed to provide a budget for specific costs that were likely to be incurred once vacant possession had been secured.

In discussing this matter, the Cabinet expressed support for the proposed approach and considered this to be a key step in the overall proposals for the town centre regeneration.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the acceptance of the lease offer from the leaseholder, as set out in paragraph 3.3 of Exempt Report No. RP1915, be approved;

(ii)          the ringfencing of the final quarter rental income apportionment opportunity of £50,000, to cover revenue implications (holding costs) for the period prior to the property being redeveloped by the Rushmoor Development Partnership, as set out in the Report, be approved, with actual expenditure and variances thereof to be reported through budget monitoring;

(iii)         the Executive Head of Regeneration and Property, in consultation with the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, be authorised to agree the final terms of the surrender offer; and

(iv)         the Executive Head of Finance be authorised to utilise the monies to be received in respect of the lease surrender, which might include, but not be limited to, using the monies as a revenue contribution to capital outlay.