Meeting documents

To approve the minutes of the Cabinet held on 16 October 2018 and the minutes of the Special Cabinet held on 27 November 2018 (to follow).

The minutes of the Cabinet held on 16 October 2018 and the minutes of the Special Cabinet held on 27 November 2018 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Cabinet received a report attaching the draft 28-Day Notice which provided a forward look at the Agenda for the next meeting of the Cabinet.  The Notice would be published on 7 January 2019 for the meeting of Cabinet 5 February 2019.

The Chiltern Lifestyle Centre items on the 28-Day Notice would be updated to reflect the new Scrutiny Sub-committee arrangements prior to publication.

RESOLVED -

That the Draft 28-Day Notice, to be published on 7 January 2019, be noted.

(i)         Councillor I Darby -

Councillor I Darby reported that discussions continued with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the other Councils in Buckinghamshire in respect of arrangements for the New Unitary District Council. Draft Parliamentary Orders were due to be laid on 14 January 2019. Councillor Darby spoke of the fantastic opportunity this was to shape future services to best meet the needs of residents.

(ii)       Councillor P Martin -

Councillor P Martin thanked Members for their attendance at the Local Plan Policies Workshops which had now concluded and had proven very worthwhile in informing the Local Plan.

(iii)     Councillor M Smith -

Councillor M Smith advised that the Amersham Multi-storey Car Park extension had now opened and was pleased to announce that the levels of occupancy were already higher than initially expected. There remained work to do on encouraging users of the Sycamore Road Car Park to migrate to the multi-storey and ways of doing this were being explored. The car counting mechanism was not yet in operation for the new car park, however this was being addressed.

(iv)     Councillor L Walsh -

Councillor L Walsh reported on community safety issues at this time of year and highlighted the Council’s rough sleeping protocol which could be found on the website (http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/rough-sleeping). Councillor Walsh spoke of the importance of keeping homes lit and utilising neighbourhood watch schemes to deter burglars. Residents should also be alert to potential fraud and internet scams and ensure passwords were secure.

The Cabinet received a report outlining the performance of Council services against pre-agreed performance indicators and service objectives for Quarter 2 of 2018-19.

RESOLVED:

That the performance report be noted.

Members of the Cabinet considered the draft revenue service budget for 2019/20 report which included the context of the overall financial position facing the Council for the coming year, and the implications of the establishment of a unitary authority 2020/21. The report further provided summary information on the budgets and highlighted issues for consideration. Detailed information could be seen in the appendices.

It was explained that regardless of the decision to create a new district unitary authority in Buckinghamshire from 2020/21 this did not affect the requirement the Council had to set a legal and prudent budget for 2019/20 that addressed the Council’s aims and objectives. It would be necessary at a corporate level to make provision for the initial transition costs to the new unitary authority that would be incurred in 2019/20, this would be done when setting the final budget in February 2019 when there was more clarity around the transition process.

The final settlement from Central Government had been delayed due to Brexit negotiations and the final draft budgets would reflect the settlement and would be consolidated for consideration by the Cabinet in February.

Councillor M Stannard thanked officers and Cabinet Members for the work and effort put into the budgeting process. It was recognised that a new unitary authority would benefit from using a similarly excellent process.

RESOLVED:

That the draft revenue service budget for 2019/20 be noted.

The Cabinet received a report on the Treasury Management operation of the Council for July to September 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management Performance for Quarter 2 2018/19 be noted.

Members of the Cabinet considered a report informing Members of the impact on the business case following the options appraisal for the redevelopment of the Chiltern Pools site, to consider the results of the public information events and to consider options relating to restricted covenants and Fields in Trust designations.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the results of the public information events and the comments made on the current design and location of the Chiltern Lifestyle Centre be noted.

2.     That Cabinet agree to insure against any risk relating to the restrictive covenant being enforced.

3.     That Cabinet agree to the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and Children’s Play area on Chiltern District Council land to be protected under a Fields in Trust designation.

4.     That the initial residual land valuations that may arise from any development of the Chiltern Pools site as outlined in the confidential appendix be noted.

Members of the Cabinet considered and discussed a report which provided a progress update regarding the Chiltern Pools redevelopment project. The report informed Members on the potential options for enabling development opportunities afforded by the existing Chiltern Pools site and the impact on the draft Business case. The Cabinet was also asked to consider the results of the public information events on the Chiltern Lifestyle Centre and consider options relating to restrictive covenants.

1,963 comments had been received through the public information events and 86% of these were in support of the project. Full results could be viewed online. Cabinet thanked officers for the commitment and efforts put into the project, particularly for supporting the public information events and achieving such a high rate of response. Cabinet also thanked Councillor Stannard for the extensive work put into the project to date.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the results of the public information events and the comments made on the current design and location of the Chiltern Lifestyle Centre be noted.

2.     That Cabinet agree to insure against any risk relating to the restrictive covenant being enforced.

3.     To agree to the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and Children’s Play area on Chiltern District Council land to be protected under a Fields in Trust designation.

4.     That the initial residual land valuations that may arise from any development of the Chiltern Pools site as outlined in the confidential appendix be noted.

Members are asked to note the Minutes of the following meetings of Joint Executive Committees:

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the following Joint Executive Committees be noted:

1.     Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee 10 October 2018

2.     Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe Joint Waste Collection Committee 3 October 2018

3.     Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee 26 September 2018

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

RESOLVED:

That the confidential notes from the following PAG meetings be noted:

1.     Healthy Communities PAG 8 October 2018

2.     Customer Services PAG 26 September 2018

3.     Environment PAG 24 September 2018

4.     Planning and Economic Development PAG 25 September 2018

The Cabinet received the report which sought endorsement for officers to explore opportunities for making applications for funding on behalf of the Council either individually or in partnership with other qualifying groups or organisations where appropriate.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree to endorse officers in exploring opportunities for making applications for funding on behalf of the Council from the CEF and/or the BLEF and where appropriate, to make applications to the funds individually or in partnership with other qualifying grounds or organisations.

The Cabinet received a report which provided background information relating to the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF). The report sought endorsement for officers to explore opportunities for making applications for funding on behalf of the Council either individually or in partnership with other qualifying groups or organisations where appropriate.

There was no overview of the number of applications for funding and the Council was only notified of awards. There would be the opportunity to work together with other organisations to work together and discuss applications.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the background information relating to the funds be noted.

2.     That Cabinet agree to endorse officers in exploring opportunities for making applications for funding on behalf of the Council from the CEF and/or the BLEF and where appropriate, to make applications to the funds individually or in partnership with other qualifying groups or organisations.