Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2019.

(Note: If any Member wishes to propose an amendment to the minutes they should submit this in writing to committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting.  Where applicable, the audio recording of the meeting will be checked to ensure the accuracy of the proposed amendment.)

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25^th July 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Cabinet

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or the Chief Executive

None.

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which in the opinion of the person presiding at the meeting are relevant to the business of the meeting

No questions had been received.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommend to Council that the cafe and bar at The Capitol be managed directly in-house.

Reasons for Recommendations

To enable the development of the café and bar offer in order to further improve customer service and increase net return thus reducing the overall cost of running The Capitol.

A report on operation of the café and bar at the Capitol was noted.  The Cabinet Member reported that on 31 March, 2019 the contract for the operation of the cafe and bar at The Capitol had ended.  As previous tender exercises had resulted in few applications, it was proposed to trial managing the service in-house. The trial began on 1 April, 2019.

Over the eight years of the most recent external contract, the average net income per annum had been £24,000. The expected net income from the direct management was £72,000. An increase of almost £50,000. So far, the new direct management had delivered £16,100 net income which was in line with projections. The bar and café level of business fluctuates in-line with the programme of shows and films at The Capitol and a significant percentage of income comes in through the Christmas period.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommend to Council that the café and bar at The Capitol be managed directly in-house.

Reasons for Recommendations

To enable the development of the café and bar offer in order to further improve customer service and increase net return thus reducing the overall cost of running The Capitol.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approved the draft Corporate Plan and referred it to Council for adoption.

Reasons for Recommendations

To ensure that Corporate Priorities for Council period are clear and form the basis of service plans, budget and activity across the Council.

Horsham District is consistently

The Leader reported That Horsham District had been recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK and that the Council intended to enhance that reputation.

The Corporate Plan provided a focus for the Council’s activities, and explained how it would prioritise resources and continue to deliver high quality, easily accessible and value for money services to the people living and working in the District over the next five years.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approved the draft Corporate Plan and referred it to Council for adoption.

Reasons for Recommendations

To ensure that Corporate Priorities for Council period are clear and form the basis of service plans, budget and activity across the Council.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member.

Resolved

That the Horsham District Playing Pitch Facility Strategy and Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

Reasons for Recommendations

The report presents Cabinet with the Horsham District Council Playing Pitch Strategy for the period up to 2031. The Strategy:

1)        provides guidance to assist with determining what provision of outdoor sport pitches was required to respond to large scale infrastructure requirements for new community housing developments;

2)        provides an evidence based strategy for the maintenance and improvement of existing outdoor sports pitches and ancillary facilities; and;

3)        helps guide investment, funding bids, planning applications and decision making.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture stated that the report requested the adoption of a Horsham District Council Playing Pitch Strategy for the period up to 2031which focussed on the supply and demand for playing pitches within the District and was complemented by a separate Built Sports Facility Strategy.

The Strategy provided an assessment of the current supply and demand of outdoor sports pitches (both grass and artificial) within the District in terms of quality, quantity, accessibility, location and management. The Strategy was undertaken by independent consultants and uses the methodology prescribed by Sport England.

The overall findings were that the District’s playing pitches were in-line with standard quality and quantity and rates of participation in sport were higher in the District compared with the national rates.  The Strategy would allow the District to plan, prioritise and schedule future playing pitch improvement projects.  The primary financial obligation would be to the long-term improvement of the Council’s leisure assets and to support community organisations in accessing external or developer funding opportunities.

Resolved

That the Horsham District Playing Pitch Facility Strategy and Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

Reasons for Recommendations

The report presents Cabinet with the Horsham District Council Playing Pitch Strategy for the period up to 2031. The Strategy:

1)        provides guidance to assist with determining what provision of outdoor sport pitches was required to respond to large scale infrastructure requirements for new community housing developments;

2)        provides an evidence based strategy for the maintenance and improvement of existing outdoor sports pitches and ancillary facilities; and;

3)        helps guide investment, funding bids, planning applications and decision making.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That the Horsham District Council Built Sports Facility Strategy be approved as set out in Appendix 1 of this report. 

Reasons for Recommendations

The report presented Cabinet with the Horsham District Council Built Sports Facility Strategy for the period up to 2031. The Strategy provides guidance to assist with determining what provision of built facilities is required to respond to large scale infrastructure requirements for new community housing developments and also provides an evidence based strategy that maximises the opportunity to take advantage of external funding opportunities.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture stated that the report sought Cabinet approval for the adoption of a Horsham District Council Built Sports Facility Strategy for the period up to 2031. This Strategy focused on the built sports infrastructure and was complemented by a separate Playing Pitch Strategy that had previously been discussed.

RESOLVED

That the Horsham District Council Built Sports Facility Strategy be approved as set out in Appendix 1 of this report. 

Reasons for Recommendations

The report presented Cabinet with the Horsham District Council Built Sports Facility Strategy for the period up to 2031. The Strategy provides guidance to assist with determining what provision of built facilities is required to respond to large scale infrastructure requirements for new community housing developments and also provides an evidence based strategy that maximises the opportunity to take advantage of external funding opportunities.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That

i)       the Statement of Community Involvement, attached at Appendix 1, be           adopted.

ii)      The Cabinet Member for Planning and Development be delegated     authority to agree minor editorial changes prior to publication.

The Cabinet Member Planning and Development reported that the Statement of Community Involvement was a statutory document which set out the ways in which the council engaged with residents, communities, businesses, local organisations and other groups in order to ensure that they were able to have a say in planning decisions that could affect them.

The document would provide guidance on how the planning system worked and how the council will inform, consult and involve people in planning decisions within Horsham District, excluding the area within the South Downs National Park.

RESOLVED

That:

i)         the Statement of Community Involvement, attached at Appendix 1, be adopted; and:

ii)      The Cabinet Member for Planning and Development be delegated authority to agree minor editorial changes prior to publication.

To consider any matters referred to Cabinet by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee

There were no matters currently outstanding for consideration.

There were no matters of special urgency to be considered.