Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June

(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 8 June 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

There were no announcements.

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.

Item withdrawn to enable further consideration of consultation responses

Item was withdrawn to enable further consideration of consultation responses.

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure, advised that this item had been withdrawn to enable further consideration of consultation responses.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure

RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 

To approve the increase in the Land Charge fee for the additional optional questions from £21 (+ VAT) to £26 (+ VAT)

REASON

To ensure that the Land Charge search fee charged by Horsham District Council fully covers the costs of undertaking the searches.

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure, advised that Horsham District Council had a statutory duty to maintain a Local Land Charges register. Conducting a full search requires information from West Sussex County Council, who had increased their fees since the Council set their budget in February. As such, it was recommended that the fee charged be increased by £5 plus VAT, per request, to cover the full cost of the search.

            RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

To approve the increase in the Land Charge fee for the additional optional questions from £21 (+ VAT) to £26 (+ VAT)

REASON

To ensure that the Land Charge search fee charged by Horsham District Council fully covers the costs of undertaking the searches.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure

RESOLVED

(i)    To delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Planning and Infrastructure and Local Economy and Place and Local Members in Wards affected by the onshore cable route and substation to respond to procedural consultations and engagement as part of the Development Consent Order application process in respect of the Rampion 2 DCO.

(ii)   To delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Planning and Infrastructure and Local Economy and Place and Local Members, to respond to procedural consultations and engagement as part of the Development Consent Order application process in respect of all future DCO’s that impact on Horsham district.

REASON

(i)    Rampion 2 DCO delegation:

       Without delegated authority it is unlikely that the Council will be able to effectively engage with the Rampion 2 DCO process. If responses are not submitted in accordance with the statutory timescales they cannot be taken into account.  Without the requested Rampion 2 DCO delegation in place, this could result in a recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to the Secretary of State, to permit or refuse a development consent which does not fully take account of impacts upon Horsham District.

(ii)   General DCO delegation:

       To negate the requirement to seek Cabinet’s approval to participate in any DCO processes each time the occasion arises.

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure, advised that Horsham District Council were due to be consulted on 2 nationally significant projects, including the Development Consent Order for Rampion 2. The Council was a statutory consultee and the timescale to respond to a consultation can be as short as 14 days. As a result, it would not be possible to formulate a response within the cycle of Cabinet and Council meetings. The need to provide a consultation response was highlighted, due to the impact of the decisions being made.

It was noted that the local community would have the opportunity to submit their views at the appropriate stage in the process.

RESOLVED

(i)    That authority be delegated to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Planning and Infrastructure and Local Economy and Place and Local Members in Wards affected by the onshore cable route and substation to respond to procedural consultations and engagement as part of the Development Consent Order application process in respect of the Rampion 2 DCO.

(ii)   That authority be delegated to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Planning and Infrastructure and Local Economy and Place and Local Members, to respond to procedural consultations and engagement as part of the Development Consent Order application process in respect of all future DCO’s that impact on Horsham district.

       REASON

(i)    Rampion 2 DCO delegation:

       Without delegated authority it is unlikely that the Council will be able to effectively engage with the Rampion 2 DCO process. If responses are not submitted in accordance with the statutory timescales they cannot be taken into account.  Without the requested Rampion 2 DCO delegation in place, this could result in a recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to the Secretary of State, to permit or refuse a development consent which does not fully take account of impacts upon Horsham District.

(ii)   General DCO delegation:

       To negate the requirement to seek Cabinet’s approval to participate in any DCO processes each time the occasion arises.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces

RESOLVED

To approve the Concessions Policy as set out in the appendix to the report.

REASON

Horsham District Council does not currently have a policy that ensures a fair and consistent approach to applications to operate concessions from its sites. The recommendation will provide this, and ensure that any approved applications are properly considered with involvement from the relevant Cabinet Member and Ward Members.

Councillor Jon Olson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Green Spaces, advised Members that an application had been received which had highlighted the need for the Council to have a concessions policy. The policy would ensure a fair process, whereby businesses can apply to operate concessions from sites across the District. The determination of applications would involve consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and Ward Members.

RESOLVED

That the Concessions Policy, as set out in the appendix to the report, be approved.

REASON

Horsham District Council does not currently have a policy that ensures a fair and consistent approach to applications to operate concessions from its sites. The recommendation will provide this, and ensure that any approved applications are properly considered with involvement from the relevant Cabinet Member and Ward Members.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing

RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 

(i)    To approve the receipt and expenditure of two grants in the sum of (i) £271,911 for Homeless Prevention Grant top up, and (ii) £72,000 for Home Office Asylum Dispersal Grant.

(ii)   To approve an increase in the housing team’s 2023/24 revenue income and expenditure budgets of £343,911 to cater for the receipt of the two subject grants.

REASON

(i)    Increasing the revenue income and expenditure budgets in the Housing Service will allow the Council to receive and spend the grants offered by DLUHC.

(ii)   Full Council must approve an increase to the housing team’s budget.

(iii)  To provide appropriate housing options for the cohorts specified in the grant conditions.

Councillor Sam Raby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing, informed the Cabinet that the Government had allocated two grants to the Council. These grants were not known to the Council when the annual budget for the current year was set. The grants were in relation to homelessness prevention and interventions for asylum dispersal. The Housing Team were investigating options for the use of the grants, independently and in partnership with other Local Authorities.

The grants would enable the Council to further support refugees, which was a priority.  

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL 

(i)    That the receipt and expenditure of two grants in the sum of (i) £271,911 for Homeless Prevention Grant top up, and (ii) £72,000 for Home Office Asylum Dispersal Grant, be approved

(ii)   That an increase in the housing team’s 2023/24 revenue income and expenditure budgets of £343,911 to cater for the receipt of the two subject grants be approved.

REASON

(i)    Increasing the revenue income and expenditure budgets in the Housing Service will allow the Council to receive and spend the grants offered by DLUHC.

(ii)   Full Council must approve an increase to the housing team’s budget.

(iii)   To provide appropriate housing options for the cohorts specified in the grant conditions.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 

(i)    To proceed with the application for, and receipt of, the grant allocation for the Council to provide or facilitate the provision of three large resettlement homes and one temporary accommodation home.

(ii)   To approve capital spend of £1.78m in the 2023/24 capital programme.

REASON

(i)    To apply for, receive and use the grant to help purchase / provide more affordable homes for the district.

(ii)   Full Council must approve the capital budget.

(iii)  Subject to Council approval, to avoid the requirement to seek Cabinet’s approval for the purchase by Horsham District Council of each individual property that would otherwise be required to give effect to this initiative.

Councillor Mark Baynham, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, advised that Round 1 of the Local Authority Housing Fund was progressing well, and that a second round of funding had been announced. The funding would allow the Council to purchase 3 large resettlement homes and 1 home for temporary accommodation. The scheme would have social and financial benefits.  

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL 

(i)    That the application for, and receipt of, the grant allocation for the Council be proceeded with, to provide or facilitate the provision of three large resettlement homes and one temporary accommodation home.

(ii)   That capital spend of £1.78m in the 2023/24 capital programme be approved.

REASON

(i)    To apply for, receive and use the grant to help purchase / provide more affordable homes for the district.

(ii)   Full Council must approve the capital budget.

(iii)   Subject to Council approval, to avoid the requirement to seek Cabinet’s approval for the purchase by Horsham District Council of each individual property that would otherwise be required to give effect to this initiative.

Exempt by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces

RESOLVED

(i)    To approve the acquisition of Site A (at a purchase price that does not exceed that which is detailed in the confidential appendix (“the Limit”)), subject to Council approving the allocation of funds for this acquisition; and

(ii)   To delegate authority to the Director of Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources to agree the purchase price (subject to the Limit) and final terms of the acquisition of Site A.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL 

To approve the allocation of funds for the acquisition of Site A subject to the Limit.

REASON

(i)    To ensure the successful acquisition of Site A.

(ii)   There are community and environmental benefits to acquiring Site A, in particular ensuring that a site that has become a well-used public open space, continues to operate as such.

Councillor Jon Olson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Green Spaces, highlighted the importance of Site A and how the acquisition of this land would ensure that the Council could protect open, green space for the community and provide biodiversity improvements. A reasonable price had been negotiated.

In order to consider the confidential information contained within the appendices, it was RESOLVED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Following the consideration of the confidential appendices, the meeting moved back into open session to approve the recommendations.

RESOLVED

(i)    That the acquisition of Site A (at a purchase price that does not exceed that which is detailed in the confidential appendix (“the Limit”)) be approved, subject to Council approving the allocation of funds for this acquisition; and

(ii)   That authority be delegated to the Director of Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources to agree the purchase price (subject to the Limit) and final terms of the acquisition of Site A.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL 

To approve the allocation of funds for the acquisition of Site A subject to the Limit.

REASON

(i)    To ensure the successful acquisition of Site A.

(ii)   There are community and environmental benefits to acquiring Site A, in particular ensuring that a site that has become a well-used public open space, continues to operate as such.

Exempt by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Local Economy and Place

RESOLVED

(i)    To approve the acquisition of the property (at a purchase price that does not exceed Figure 1 plus £10,000), subject to full Council approving the allocation of funds for this acquisition;

(ii)   To delegate authority to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Local Economy and Place, and, Finance and Resources to approve terms negotiated on behalf of the Council provided that the purchase consideration is less than, or equal to, Figure 1 + £10,000 and the total budget envelope is less than or equal to Figure 2, including costs and the value of works.

(iii) To recommend to Council that a capital budget of Figure 2 is allocated to the capital programme in 2023/24 for this purchase.

REASON

(i)    To allow a purchase of the property to proceed.

Councillor Ruth Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Local Economy & Place, advised that the opportunity to purchase a building had arised. There was the potential for a vareity of uses, and that the due diligence would be completed prior to the purchase.

In order to consider the confidential information contained within the appendices, it was RESOLVED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for this item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Following the consideration of the confidential appendices, the meeting moved back into open session to approve the recommendations.

RESOLVED

(i)    That acquisition of the property (at a purchase price that does not exceed Figure 1 plus £10,000) be approved, subject to full Council approving the allocation of funds for this acquisition;

(ii)   That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Local Economy and Place, and, Finance and Resources to approve terms negotiated on behalf of the Council provided that the purchase consideration is less than, or equal to, Figure 1 + £10,000 and the total budget envelope is less than or equal to Figure 2, including costs and the value of works.

(iii) To recommend to Council that a capital budget of Figure 2 is allocated to the capital programme in 2023/24 for this purchase.

REASON

(i)    To allow a purchase of the property to proceed.

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

There were no matters currently outstanding for consideration.

To note the Forward Plan (latest published version available at: Forward Plan )

The Forward Plan was noted.

There were no matters of special urgency to be considered.