Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th April 2017

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27^th April 2017 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

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection reported that he had received a letter of support regarding his letter to the Secretary of State asking whether it could be made mandatory for establishments to display food hygiene ratings. The Food Standards Agency appreciated the Council’s support and would continue to press the Government on this matter.

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 the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets

RESOLVED

(i)         That the provision of the revenues and benefits service be secured through a local authority partnership with LGSS.

(ii)        That the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to undertake the negotiations to secure the agreement with LGSS in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets reported that following the Council’s decision to withdraw the CenSus Revenues and Benefits Partnership by September 2018, three options had been explored for the future provision of the service and the Cabinet Member was recommending agreement to secure the provision of the revenues and benefits service through a local authority partnership with the LGSS.

The Finance and Assets Policy Development Advisory Group had considered the proposals and raised no objections.

RESOLVED

(i)         That the provision of the revenues and benefits service be secured through a local authority partnership with LGSS.

(ii)        That the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to undertake the negotiations to secure the agreement with LGSS in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets.

REASON

The use of an established public-public partnership was recommended because of the speed and cost with which such a service can be supplied, the potential for improving the Council’s housing benefits subsidy and business rates position and the track record of the partnership proposed.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection

RESOLVED

That the contents of the Housing Strategy Position Statement Annual Report

2016/17 (Appendix 1) and options to be considered in the future to meet local

housing need, be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection presented the position statement on the Council’s Housing Strategy. The statement provided an update on progress over the past year and also highlighted the continued need for affordable housing.

The Cabinet Member had recently attended a “think tank” session and explained how the future of housing market remained uncertain and there were a number of different routes available which would be explored further within his advisory group.

The Housing and Public Protection Policy Development Advisory Group had considered and supported the position statement.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the Housing Strategy Position Statement Annual Report 2016/17 and options to be considered in the future to meet local housing need be noted.

REASON

The options detailed within the “looking ahead” section advise Cabinet of the options currently being explored to deliver more housing to meet local need in the future.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the expenditure of £404,000 which is funded from Section 106 receipts secured for new affordable housing, to enable the development of seven new affordable rented homes on land at The Old Goods Yard, King Edward

Close/Station Road, Christs Hospital.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection reported that Hyde Housing had applied to the Council for financial support from commuted sums held for the provision of affordable housing.

Cabinet Members expressed their support for the provision of the affordable homes in this area.

The Housing and Public Protection Policy Development Advisory Group had considered and supported the proposal.

RESOLVED

That the expenditure of £404,000, funded from Section 106 receipts secured for new affordable housing, to enable the development of seven new affordable rented homes on land at The Old Goods Yard, King Edward Close/Station Road, Christs Hospital be approved.

REASONS

(i)         To assist the Council in achieving its target of delivering 240 affordable homes a year.

(ii)        To assist Hyde Housing to deliver much needed affordable accommodation for persons in housing need.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development

RESOLVED

(i)            That Cabinet note the content of the Consultation responses submitted to the Council.

(ii)           That the Nuthurst Village Design Statement as a Supplementary Planning

Document for adoption to guide the Development Plan, be approved.

(iii)          That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development delegates authority to agree minor editorial changes to the Nuthurst Village Design Statement.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Development sought approval from Cabinet for the Nuthurst Village Design Statement as a Supplementary Planning Document for adoption to guide the Development Plan. This document was designed to reinforce the Neighbourhood Plan and would be used as part of the consideration process at the planning committees.

The Cabinet acknowledged the work of the Parish Council and the Cabinet Member would write to them to congratulate them on the Design Statement, they had been heavily involved in the process along with consultation with the local community.      

RESOLVED

(i)         That the content of the Consultation responses submitted to the Council be noted.

(ii)        That the Nuthurst Village Design Statement be approved for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document to guide the Development Plan.

(iii)       That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development be authorised to agree minor editorial changes to the Nuthurst Village Design Statement.

                        REASONS

(i)         To take account of all consultation responses made in relation to the draft SPD.

(ii)        To enable the revised SPD to be adopted as Council Policy.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Cleansing

RESOLVED

(i)            That Cabinet agree Phase 2 of the revised collection points for properties serviced by small capacity vehicles as set out in appendix 1.

(ii)          That the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, be authorised to agree and implement further phases of isolated property collections.

The Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Cleansing presented the report to adopt Phase 2 of the programme for waste and recycling collections from isolated access properties, in order to reduce expenditure and enable further efficiencies.

It was noted that there would be a 28 day consultation period to give the 200 affected property owners an opportunity to respond to the proposals. The Council would write to the residents with details of the proposals and the new designated place for collection of their refuse. Support and assistance would be provided to those who met the criteria.

Phase 1 of the programme had been successful.

The Waste, Recycling and Cleansing Policy Development Advisory Group had considered the proposal.

RESOLVED

(i)         That Phase 2 of the revised collection points for properties serviced by small capacity vehicles be approved as reported.

(ii)        That the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, be authorised to agree and implement further phases of isolated property collections.

REASON

The service provided by small 12 tonne collection vehicles costs the Council over three times more than a service provided by a 26 tonne collection vehicle. Collections from remote properties increase the exposure of our refuse crews to challenging vehicle manoeuvres onto the highway. In addition, third party claims are made against the Council for damage to property (grassed lawns, paving damage, trees etc) due to restricted access and manoeuvring arrangements.

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

There were no matters referred by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To note the Forward Plan

The Forward Plan was noted.

There were no matters of special urgency to be considered.