Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The Oculus, Buckinghamshire Council, Gatehouse Road, HP19 8FF

Contact: Craig Saunders - Email: democracy@buckinghamshire.gov.uk 

Media

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Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr Ralph Bagge regarding the budget scrutiny item as Chairman of Finance and Resources Select Committee.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 498 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 January, 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 January, 2022, be approved as a correct record.

3.

Declarations of interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

John Chilver and Nick Naylor declared a personal interest as Members of the London Housing Consortium (item 12).

4.

Hot Topics

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following hot topics were discussed:

 

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

The Cabinet Member thanked officers and partners, particularly the NHS for the reopening of Olympic Lodge, Stoke Mandeville which was a step down facility to relieve the pressure on hospitals; this was a 22 bed facility and currently 16 people were using the facility. The facility was up and running within 19 days which was a tremendous effort.

 

Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Property and Assets

The Cabinet Member reported that there had been a delay in rolling out the County wide IT network due to the worldwide shortage of microchips but having worked closely with BT and Open Reach the necessary microchips had been secured so this programme could be rolled in July which would also include the NHS.

 

Cabinet Member for Communities

The Cabinet Member reported that funds from the Household Support Grant had been allocated to help provide support for families who were eligible for free school meals during half term. Parents and carers would receive a £30 digital food voucher through their school which they could use at any leading supermarkets.

 

In reference to the Proud of Bucks awards they had received nearly 500 nominations with 43 winners and 48 highly commended and all but one Community Board would announce their winners next month. Amersham Community Board had already done theirs with a celebration event on 12 February which had been well attended.  Residents had been very complimentary about the role Community Boards were playing as a key part of the localism agenda.

 

Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services

The Cabinet Member reported on the Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services which was held in December 2021 and the judgement made rating the service as ‘Requires improvement to be good’. This was good news as the last two Ofsted inspections had judged the Council as inadequate. The Cabinet Member reported that the service was constantly improving and a report would be submitted to the 1 March Cabinet meeting providing more detail. The Leader congratulated all staff, the Cabinet Member and recent and previous Corporate Directors for the improvements in the service.

5.

Question Time

 

Question from Councillor Stuart Wilson to Councillor Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport 

 

“Excessive Traffic Congestion, Delays and Carbon Emissions for Residents and Businesses: An Overhaul Required for the Buckinghamshire Permit Scheme 

In line with the Buckinghamshire Permit Scheme (BuPS) Objective to manage and maintain the local highway network “to maximise the safe and efficient use of road space and provide reliable journey times” and with Paragraph 1.8.2 Improving Performance, what efforts are being made on non-emergency works to put residents and local businesses first by: 

  • Enhancing coordination and cooperation. 
  • Encourage partnership and collaborative working between all stakeholder groups. 
  • Provide more timely information including members of the public. 
  • Improve timing and duration of activities, particularly the busiest streets. 
  • Promote dialogue on how activities will be carried out. 
  • Enhance programming of activities and better forward planning by all promoters 

and, in line with Paragraph 18.4, which provides for an evaluation of the Permit Scheme following the first, second, and third anniversaries of its inception and every third year thereafter, will the Cabinet Member for Transport commit to a thorough overhaul of the BuPS to put the interests of residents, local business and the environment firstrather than the current sole focus of Key Performance Indicators on parity for the activity promoters?” 

 

Question from Councillor Robin Stuchbury to Councillor Nick Naylor, (Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services)

 

“At the Council meeting on 9 December 2020, a Notice of Motion was considered on ‘Buckinghamshire Council becoming a Social Housing Provider’.  It was resolved to call on Cabinet to instruct Officers to commission a report detailing both current and future possible affordable housing delivery models, including local authority owned social housing, which would maximise the provision of the best range of good quality affordable housing appropriate to the needs of residents.

 

In light of the fact that the Council will be setting a budget next weekend and that it should reflect previous commitments and agreements, could the Cabinet Member please update me on the progress that has been made with this important issue?”

 

Question from Councillor Karen Bates to Councillor Martin Tett, Leader of the Council and Councillor Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change 

 

Greatmoor Energy from Waste Facility 

Buckinghamshire Council has a 30 year contract with FCC for the management of residual waste at the Greatmoor Waste Incinerator near Buckingham. This contract was drawn up between BCC and FCC in 2013. 

 ? 

Yet in 2021 there was a dispute resulting in a High Court case.  Buckinghamshire Council won on all counts except one.  However, this one dispute resulted in Buckinghamshire Council being ordered to pay FCC £504 000 which including interest came to £812 000.? 

 

It is good that there is now legal clarification on all aspects of the income share element but please could Members be informed of? 

  • the full cost including legal fees to BC and residents? 
  • how this will be accounted for in the current financial year, the Budget and the MTFP  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Question from Councillor Stuart Wilson to Councillor Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport 

 

“Excessive Traffic Congestion, Delays and Carbon Emissions for Residents and Businesses: An Overhaul Required for the Buckinghamshire Permit Scheme 

In line with the Buckinghamshire Permit Scheme (BuPS) Objective to manage and maintain the local highway network “to maximise the safe and efficient use of road space and provide reliable journey times” and with Paragraph 1.8.2 Improving Performance, what efforts are being made on non-emergency works to put residents and local businesses first by: 

·                Enhancing coordination and cooperation. 

·                Encourage partnership and collaborative working between all stakeholder groups. 

·                Provide more timely information including members of the public. 

·                Improve timing and duration of activities, particularly the busiest streets. 

·                Promote dialogue on how activities will be carried out. 

·                Enhance programming of activities and better forward planning by all promoters 

and, in line with Paragraph 18.4, which provides for an evaluation of the Permit Scheme following the first, second, and third anniversaries of its inception and every third year thereafter, will the Cabinet Member for Transport commit to a thorough overhaul of the BuPS to put the interests of residents, local business and the environment first rather than the current sole focus of Key Performance Indicators on parity for the activity promoters?” 

 

RESPONSE from Councillor Broadbent 

 

“In response to the various elements of the question, please see the following: 

Background 

Buckinghamshire County Council went live with a Permit scheme on its strategic roads in November 2013. This proved effective in improving the management and coordination of streetworks on those roads. Subsequently, in April 2020, to widen its ability to manage such works, a new, extended scheme, covering all roads was introduced.

 

Enhancing coordination and cooperation. 

Utility companies and others working on the highway have statutory rights and obligations to do so.  

  

National and local targets for housing and development mean there is a much greater need for further infrastructure to provide more housing, schools and commercial areas. Alongside this, there has been a huge increase in telecommunication works to install the superfast broadband network. All of this, together with utility replacement programmes for ageing infrastructure, such as gas and water mains, has led to a massive increase in the number of permits to work that we issue. This was 20000 permits in 2018/19and is now already over 63000 in the current financial year. Superimposed on this work, are emergency works which we have no control over, and this can sometimes occur close to other works taking place, leading to disruption and congestion that is difficult to manage. In such case, we will always try to ask works promoters to pause and remove traffic management, but this is not always practical depending on the progress of their work. So far this financial year (2021/22) we have issued 1756 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’S) to Utilities for their breaches of legislation along with 124 occasions of overruns. Furthermore, we have issued a total of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Forward Plan (28 Day Notice) pdf icon PDF 644 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader introduced the Forward Plan and commended it to all Members of the Council and the public, as a document that gave forewarning of what Cabinet would be discussing at forthcoming meetings.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the Cabinet Forward Plan be noted.

7.

Select Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 478 KB

For Cabinet to note the Select Committee Work Programme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

8.

Budget Scrutiny 2022 report pdf icon PDF 611 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet were asked to consider the recommendations of the Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group which was formed to scrutinise the Draft Revenue Budget 2022/23 and Capital Programme 2022-2026 that Cabinet approved on 6 January 2022.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)          That the Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group, as well as the supporting Officers, be thanked for their work and subsequent recommendations.

(2)          That Cabinet’s responses to the Budget Scrutiny report 2022 and recommendations, as detailed at the meeting, be noted.

 

Note: a complete breakdown of the scrutiny recommendations and Cabinet’s responses can be found here.

Minutes:

Councillor R Bagge, Chairman of the Finance and Resources Select Committee (Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group) was unable to attend the meeting. The Leader referred to the recommendations following the intensive budget scrutiny process that had taken place over 3 days in January 2022.  The Inquiry had scrutinised the Draft Revenue Budget 2022/23 to 2025/26 and Capital Programme 2022-2026 which had been approved by Cabinet on 6 January 2022.

 

The Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group had met in public and questioned each Portfolio Holder on their revenue budget and capital programme proposals with a view to making recommendations to Cabinet for consideration prior to submitting the final budget to Full Council for approval on 23 February 2022.  The public had been able to submit questions via email or social media channels. 

 

The Inquiry Group had recognised the hard work of members and officers in preparing a balanced budget in light of a number of ongoing uncertainties. Members were aware that issues outside of the Council’s control could change key assumptions significantly, particularly if inflation was higher than 5%, Government funding changes, White Papers came forward significantly changing policy, Covid restrictions were re-introduced at any point, or further lockdowns were enforced. However, having recognised this, the Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group acknowledged that the Council must move forward with the ‘new normal as business as usual’.

 

The Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group recommendations had been developed from studying the proposed budget and capital programme, and through questioning of each Portfolio Holder.  The report also made a number of observations.  The Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group’s key findings and recommendations were set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report.

 

The Leader and relevant Cabinet Members summarised their responses to the recommendations. The full detailed responses are available to view on the Council website.

https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=337&MId=16785&Ver=4

 

1.      The Corporate Plan was currently under review, and the intention was to take a refresh of the Plan to Council later this Spring.

2.      A list of strategies were in development and would be shared with Members on a regular basis. This would include key milestones, although recognising these were subject to change. All strategies would also be included on the Forward Plan which set out the anticipated timing for decision making.

3.      Beyond the Better Buckinghamshire Programme all services should be reviewed and challenged - Cabinet Members would consider the potential of outsourcing on a case by case basis where this could deliver better value and improved customer service, but this was not necessarily always the most appropriate means to secure best value for the Council. The Leader referred to the Council’s waste collection in the North of the County and reported that this was in-house and a very successful service.

4.      Greater visibility to Corporate Contingencies - these would be presented to Cabinet in February to ensure visibility. Furthermore, in 2022/23 quarterly budget monitoring reports to Cabinet would include the status of the contingencies, including details of any that have been released to Portfolio areas.

5.      Running  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Medium Term Financial Plan 2022/23 to 2024/25 and Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 796 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet received a report on the 3-year revenue budget for 2022/23 to 2024/25 and 4-year capital programme for Buckinghamshire Council covering the period to 2025/26.  These proposals were based on the latest known funding position, service budget pressures and the key financial risks facing the Council both now and in the future. They also took account of the findings from the recent budget scrutiny inquiry.

 

The Council Tax Resolution report would be presented as a separate report as part of the budget to Council in February and would contain the final information from the other precepting authorities leading to the total Council Tax for the area, which Full Council would be required to approve.

 

The report included Special Expenses that were particular costs specific to an area not covered by a local town or parish council (e.g. recreational grounds, allotments, community centres markets etc.) There were three special expense areas within the overall Council area; High Wycombe Town Committee, West Wycombe Church Yard and Aylesbury Town. The proposed budgets and precepts were presented in Appendix 5.

 

Although the current Government’s 3-year Spending Review covered a 3-year period, the Local Government Settlement announcements were only for 2022/23.  This reflected the significant changes that were planned to Local Government funding for 2023/24.  These changes would not impact the quantum of funding available to Local Government, but rather the mechanism (the Fair Funding Review) and policy objectives (Levelling Up) to be funded through the previously announced funding envelope.

 

Whilst recognising the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on Local Authorities the provisional settlement did not include any specific funding for the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.  Given the current Government approach of one-off interventions when circumstances required national policy intervention it was likely that if impacts increased in future years then specific one-off funding would be announced alongside any response measures.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That Council be recommended to:

 

(1)          Approve the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme (Appendices 1-3).

(2)          Approve the ‘Special Expenses’ budgets, precepts and associated services for Aylesbury Town, High Wycombe Town and West Wycombe Church Yard (Appendices 5 & 6).

(3)          Support the proposal to delegate to Cabinet decisions to add up to £100m to the Capital Programme, to be funded by Prudential Borrowing, subject to a robust business case being approved.

(4)          Approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Policy (Appendix 7).

(5)          Delegate authority to the Leader, in consultation with the s.151 Officer, to make any technical changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme as required from legislation concerning the £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme, together with any changes required to implement any new discretionary schemes linked to the discretionary funding allocated. 

(6)          Approve the Schedule of Fees & Charges as set out in Appendix 8.

(7)          Note that a supplementary report, the formal Council Tax Resolution, will accompany the final budget to full Council.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report on the 3-year revenue budget for 2022/23 to 2024/25 and 4-year capital programme for Buckinghamshire Council covering the period to 2025/26.  These proposals were based on the latest known funding position, service budget pressures and the key financial risks facing the Council both now and in the future. They also took account of the findings from the recent budget scrutiny inquiry.

 

The Council Tax Resolution report would be presented as a separate report as part of the budget to Council in February and would contain the final information from the other precepting authorities leading to the total Council Tax for the area, which Full Council would be required to approve.

 

The report included Special Expenses that were particular costs specific to an area not covered by a local town or parish council (e.g. recreational grounds, allotments, community centres markets etc.) There were three special expense areas within the overall Council area; High Wycombe Town Committee, West Wycombe Church Yard and Aylesbury Town. The proposed budgets and precepts were presented in Appendix 5.

 

Although the current Government’s Spending Review covered a 3-year period, the Local Government Settlement announcements were only from 2022/23.  This reflected the significant changes that were planned to Local Government funding from 2023/24.  These changes would not impact the quantum of funding available to Local Government, but rather the mechanism (the Fair Funding Review) and policy objectives (Levelling Up) to be funded through the previously announced funding envelope.

 

Whilst recognising the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on Local Authorities the provisional settlement did not include any specific funding for the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.  Given the current Government approach of one-off interventions when circumstances required national policy intervention it was likely that if impacts increased in future years then specific one-off funding would be announced alongside any response measures.

 

The Leader made the following points in presenting the budget:-

 

·         The Council had been working to provide services whilst dealing with the pandemic for the past two years and this had produced a significant impact on the Council’s income e.g. car parking (£1.2 million a month pre-pandemic), leisure centres, commercial and rental investments. It was uncertain whether these levels of income which helped support frontline services, would ever return to historical levels.

·         Uncertainty around Government funding which was only for one year although the Council had undertaken a three-year budgeting process for the revenue budget in line with the timeframes of the government’s Spending Review announced in October 2021. Reference was made to the Levelling up agenda where priority had been given to the Midlands and the North of England and the Fair Funding Review currently being undertaken.

·         Significant upturn in demand for Council Services, particularly increases in social care costs following Covid, significant additional referrals for children and also adults, with increasingly complex cases. Protecting the vulnerable remained a key priority for the Council.

·         There was a weakened provider market for those who provided domiciliary services or care homes for short or long  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Capital and Investment Strategy pdf icon PDF 594 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet considered a report on the Capital and Investment Strategy that full Council was required to a approve on an annual basis.  The draft Capital and Investment Strategy (Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) provided the framework within which the Council would deliver its Corporate Plan objectives through the effective investment of its limited capital resources.  As well as the Council’s immediate statutory responsibilities, the strategy also played an important role in regeneration and growth, affordable housing and climate change agendas, especially in the context of a post-Covid recovery and the significant housing growth in the area.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)   That the Capital and Investment Strategy (Appendix 1) be agreed.

(2)   That Council be recommended to APPROVE the Capital and Investment Strategy.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report on the Capital and Investment Strategy that full Council was required to approve on an annual basis.  The draft Capital and Investment Strategy (Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) provided the framework within which the Council would deliver its Corporate Plan objectives through the effective investment of its limited capital resources.  As well as the Council’s immediate statutory responsibilities, the strategy also played an important in regeneration and growth, affordable housing and climate change agendas, especially in the context of a post-Covid recovery and the significant housing growth in the area.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets highlighted the main changes from last year’s Strategy:-

 

·         Section 2.4 provided an update on the impact of Covid and the post Covid landscape.

·         Section 1.7 referenced the new CIPFA Code for capital finance including the tightening of criteria for Public Works Loans in that they could no longer be used for property investments solely for income yield.

·         Section 2.2 referred to the Housing Infrastructure Fund income for the Aylesbury Garden Town/ Princes Risborough expansion and Abbey Barn Lane Projects which were now reflected in the Capital Programme.

·         Section 2.3 showed the creation of an earmarked reserve for a new ERP system which was the Council’s main Finance and HR system with the flexibility for it to be used for capital or revenue.

·         There was an update on governance arrangements for capital spend and the Appendix set out the various Boards responsible for capital decisions which fed into the overarching corporate Capital Investment Board who recommended capital allocations and monitored progress in capital project delivery.

·         The updated Strategy reflected the Council’s priorities and processes.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)   That the Capital and Investment Strategy (Appendix 1) be agreed.

(2)   That Council be recommended to APPROVE the Capital and Investment Strategy.

11.

Buckinghamshire Council Homelessness Strategy pdf icon PDF 713 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Transitional Arrangements No.2 Regulations 2008 required a new Buckinghamshire Council Homelessness Strategy to be in place by 1 April 2022. Following delays arising from the pandemic and service restructure, work had now been undertaken to develop a new draft strategy for consideration and adoption.  To ensure that the Council could adopt its new Homelessness Strategy within a reasonable timeframe, Cabinet was asked to consider and comment on the draft strategy ahead of a public consultation process, with a view to the final version of the Strategy being submitted to full Council for consideration and adoption on 27 April 2022.  The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities had been updated and notified of the timetable for adopting the Strategy by the end of April 2022.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)          That the draft Buckinghamshire Council Homelessness Strategy be noted.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council to make any final amendments to the draft Strategy (following feedback from Members and the completion of the public consultation exercise), and to agree the final version of the Strategy in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services.

(3)          That the final version of the Homelessness Strategy, as agreed by the Leader of the Council, be submitted to full Council for consideration and adoption.

Minutes:

The Transitional Arrangements No.2 Regulations 2008 required a new Buckinghamshire Council Homelessness Strategy in place by 1 April 2022. Following delays arising from the pandemic and service restructure, work had now been undertaken to develop a new draft strategy for consideration and adoption.  To ensure that the Council could adopt its new Homelessness Strategy within a reasonable timeframe, Cabinet was asked to consider and comment on the draft strategy ahead of a public consultation process, with a view to the final version of the Strategy being submitted to full Council for consideration and adoption on 27 April 2022.  The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities had been updated and notified of the timetable for adopting the Strategy by the end of April 2022.

 

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services reported that this Strategy would replace the existing legacy Councils Strategies. A series of stakeholder events had been held during November and December. Due to the tight timescales it had not been possible to go through a full public consultation before Cabinet but this was being undertaken alongside Cabinet. The Strategy would be reviewed annually to ensure that it was fit for purpose. It was currently a high level plan which would need to be formulated into a costed action plan. There were some existing capital budgets committed which were earmarked for delivery for the affordable housing and homelessness strategies. There was no growth for additional funding set aside but there was flexibility in the Annual Homelessness Grant of £1.4 million and a further opportunity to bid for the Rough Sleepers Grant. The Service Director for Housing and Regulatory Services reported that the proposed Strategy gave seven key challenges which had led to five priorities for the Council and the Service and under those priorities there were 43 proposed actions which support the service delivery.

 

Cabinet sought additional information on the Strategy and during the discussion the following points were noted:-

 

·         This was an important piece of work and tribute was paid to the work of moving people into alternative accommodation during the pandemic. The Strategy emphasised the need to work across all portfolios e.g. teenagers who were presenting as homeless which had been raised in the recent Ofsted report, the links to Safeguarding Boards and Community Safety Panel and domestic abuse strategy. The Cabinet Member reassured Members that the service area worked very closely with other portfolio areas and becoming a unitary council had meant even closer liaison.

·         Reference was made to the hidden homeless where people were staying temporarily with friends and families or people being evicted by private providers.

·         There were 300 people housed during the covid period which was an immense task. Buckinghamshire had been rough sleeping free.  It was confirmed that the Voluntary and Community Sector, other partners such as Housing Associations and the Covid Recovery Board had been consulted in putting together the Strategy. The Cabinet Member congratulated officers for their work on the Strategy. The Deputy Cabinet Member referred to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Withdrawal from the London Housing Consortium Joint Committee pdf icon PDF 804 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Council had been a Constituent Authority of the London Housing Consortium (LHC) since May 2006 and had nominated Elected Members to serve on the LHC Joint Committee.  The rationale for joining the LHC Joint Committee had been to work collaboratively with other London Councils to improve the procurement of housing and construction products and services.  The London Housing Consortium had been set up for that purpose in 1966.

 

The Council no longer relied on LHC for procurement solutions, preferring instead to use a mixture of its own procurement capability, main contractor services, alternative procurement consortia and sometimes including LHC.  LHC surpluses were now shared widely across the country resulting in a reduced annual return for the Council.  As a Constituent Member of LHC the council received an annual community benefit fund from LHC surpluses (conditional on attendances by Elected Members at LHC meetings) of £10,000.  It was envisaged that in a new LHC corporate entity such funds would continue to be available for former LHC Constituent Authorities.

 

Much had changed in the operations of the LHC in recent years and Members of the LHC Joint Committee recognised that the dynamic nature of LHC as a commercial enterprise was at odds with the democratic and regulatory processes that were required by local authorities.  It was felt that LHC would benefit from having more autonomy around its governance and organisational design, Job design and reward, Future provision of pension and financial modelling and risk management.

 

Consequently, the members of the LHC Joint Committee had asked for a review of LHC governance arrangements which concluded that the LHC Joint Committee be disbanded, and a new corporate entity established by LHC.  If the current lead authority, LB Hillingdon, withdrew from the Joint Committee and two or more Constituent Authorities wished the Joint Committee to continue, then one of them would have to act as lead authority.  The requirements for the lead authority were set out in the LHC Constitution.

 

The governance review leading to the proposal to withdraw from the LHC Joint Committee had identified new governance arrangements that were more appropriate to the current and future operations of LHC.  In establishing a new corporate entity LHC would be seeking participation from client organisations and other interested parties from across Great Britain, from local authorities, housing associations and other relevant sectors.  The design of the new LHC corporate entity would look to continue to offer grant funding to those Authorities continuing to participate in LHC and would encourage current Constituent Authorities to consider participation in the new corporate entity.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)   That Buckinghamshire Council withdraws as one of the ten Constituent Authorities of the LHC Joint Committee, as well as from the LHC Joint Committee, resulting in its potential disbandment in December 2022 at the earliest, thereby foregoing the £10,000 p.a. income from the LHC Joint Committee.

(2)   That Buckinghamshire Council would consider at a future meeting, the options for continued participation in the new LHC corporate entity when it  ...  view the full decision text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Council had been a Constituent Authority of the London Housing Consortium (LHC) since May 2006 and had nominated Elected Members to serve on the LHC Joint Committee.  The rationale for joining the LHC Joint Committee had been to work collaboratively with other London Councils to improve the procurement of housing and construction products and services.  The London Housing Consortium had been set up for that purpose in 1966.

 

The Council no longer relied on LHC for procurement solutions, preferring instead to use a mixture of its own procurement capability, main contractor services, alternative procurement consortia and sometimes including LHC.  LHC surpluses were now shared widely across the country resulting in a reduced annual return for the Council.  As a Constituent Member of LHC the council received an annual community benefit fund from LHC surpluses (conditional on attendances by Elected Members at LHC meetings) of £10,000.  It was envisaged that in a new LHC corporate entity such funds would continue to be available for former LHC Constituent Authorities.

 

Much had changed in the operations of the LHC in recent years and Members of the LHC Joint Committee recognised that the dynamic nature of LHC as a commercial enterprise was at odds with the democratic and regulatory processes that were required by local authorities.  It was felt that LHC would benefit from having more autonomy around its governance and organisational design, Job design and reward, Future provision of pension and financial modelling and risk management.

 

Consequently, the members of the LHC Joint Committee had asked for a review of LHC governance arrangements which concluded that the LHC Joint Committee be disbanded, and a new corporate entity established by LHC.  If the current lead authority, LB Hillingdon, withdrew from the Joint Committee and two or more Constituent Authorities wished the Joint Committee to continue, then one of them would have to act as lead authority.  The requirements for the lead authority were set out in the LHC Constitution.

 

The governance review leading to the proposal to withdraw from the LHC Joint Committee had identified new governance arrangements that were more appropriate to the current and future operations of LHC.  In establishing a new corporate entity LHC would be seeking participation from client organisations and other interested parties from across Great Britain, from local authorities, housing associations and other relevant sectors.  The design of the new LHC corporate entity would look to continue to offer grant funding to those Authorities continuing to participate in LHC and would encourage current Constituent Authorities to consider participation in the new corporate entity.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)   That Buckinghamshire Council withdraws as one of the ten Constituent Authorities of the LHC Joint Committee, as well as from the LHC Joint Committee, resulting in its potential disbandment in December 2022 at the earliest, thereby foregoing the £10,000 p.a. income from the LHC Joint Committee.

(2)   That Buckinghamshire Council would consider at a future meeting, the options for continued participation in the new LHC corporate entity when it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Future High Streets pdf icon PDF 623 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

In June 2021, the Council had received from MHCLG the first tranche of Wycombe’s Future High Streets grant (‘FHS’).  This had been reported to Cabinet in July 2021, and progress had been made on part of the approved 3-year FHS development programme (two vacant shop acquisitions had been acquired and were undergoing re-purposing).  It had not been possible to secure another targeted Year 1 project, although this might emerge again as a project in 2022/23.

 

Meanwhile, it was proposed that an alternative project be substituted (subject to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities approval), to achieve Year 1 spend profile and thereby secure Year 2 grant.  The proposed substitute project comprised the Council co-investing (alongside Eden’s owners the long leasehold owners of the centre, the freeholders being the Council), in the proposed re-purposing of Eden’s 13,000sm (140,000sqft) House of Fraser building to further economic activity and vitality in the town centre, as well as bringing forward much needed housing and associated benefits with re purposing underutilised space in the town centre.

 

House of Fraser occupied the building on a temporary short-term arrangement and there was no certainty that they would remain as tenant. Eden were in on-going discussions with them but regarded it as prudent to look at alternative options.

 

The disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor would facilitate the redevelopment of Chiltern Shopping Centre for predominantly residential development, that would increase economic activity in the town centre and reduce pressures on housing need elsewhere.  Work was ongoing with the other tenants and operators that might be affected by the proposed redevelopment of the Chiltern Centre.  The terms of the proposed Eden co-investment, along with the terms of the proposed disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor to Dandara, which formed part of their redevelopment proposals, were set out in detail in the Confidential Appendix.

 

The proposed investment and disposal would have a twofold regeneration benefit to the Council and the town centre.  The redevelopment would also generate a capital receipt (from the disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor) and CIL/Section 106 monies for the Council.  Cabinet asked the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets to look at the potential for reinvesting some of these monies in the regeneration of Frogmoor.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the Director of Property and Assets, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets, and the Section 151 Officer, be authorised to:

(1)   Agree Heads of Terms, authorise and undertake necessary due diligence, agree contracts and exchange and complete contracts for the investment of Wycombe’s Future High Street monies into the Eden Centre for the reasons set out in the public report and confidential appendix.

(2)   Agree the Heads of Terms, agree contracts, exchange, and complete the disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor, High Wycombe, for the reasons set out in the public report and confidential appendix.

Minutes:

In June 2021, the Council had received from MHCLG the first tranche of Wycombe’s Future High Streets grant (‘FHS’).  This had been reported to Cabinet in July 2021, and progress had been made on part of the approved 3-year FHS development programme (two vacant shop acquisitions had been acquired and were undergoing re-purposing).  It had not been possible to secure another targeted Year 1 project, although this might emerge again as a project in 2022/23.

 

Meanwhile, it was proposed that an alternative project be substituted (subject to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities approval), to achieve Year 1 spend profile and thereby secure Year 2 grant.  The proposed substitute project comprised the Council co-investing (alongside Eden’s owners the long leasehold owners of the centre, the freeholders being the Council), in the proposed re-purposing of Eden’s 13,000sm (140,000sqft) House of Fraser building to further economic activity and vitality in the town centre, as well as bringing forward much needed housing and associated benefits with re purposing underutilised space in the town centre.

 

House of Fraser occupied the building on a temporary short-term arrangement and there was no certainty that they would remain as tenant. Eden were in on-going discussions with them but regarded it as prudent to look at alternative options.

 

The disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor would facilitate the redevelopment of Chiltern Shopping Centre for predominantly residential development, that would increase economic activity in the town centre and reduce pressures on housing need elsewhere.  Work was ongoing with the other tenants and operators that might be affected by the proposed redevelopment of the Chiltern Centre.  The terms of the proposed Eden co-investment, along with the terms of the proposed disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor to Dandara, which formed part of their redevelopment proposals, were set out in detail in the Confidential Appendix.

 

The proposed investment and disposal would have a twofold regeneration benefit to the Council and the town centre.  The redevelopment would also generate a capital receipt (from the disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor) and CIL/Section 106 monies for the Council.  Cabinet asked the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets to look at the potential for reinvesting some of these monies in the regeneration of Frogmoor.

 

The Leader referred to the area of Frogmoor which had some historic buildings and the need to protect and help revitalise the area and to leverage any opportunities as part of this project.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the Director of Property and Assets, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets, and the Section 151 Officer, be authorised to:

(1)   Agree Heads of Terms, authorise and undertake necessary due diligence, agree contracts and exchange and complete contracts for the investment of Wycombe’s Future High Street monies into the Eden Centre for the reasons set out in the public report and confidential appendix.

(2)   Agree the Heads of Terms, agree contracts, exchange, and complete the disposal of 6-8 Frogmoor,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Exclusion of the public (if required)

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)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Item 15 – Future High Streets (Paragraph 3)

 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). The confidential appendices provide financial information about contracts for the provision of services.

15.

Confidential appendices to Future High Streets

Minutes:

The confidential appendix was discussed in exempt session.

16.

Confidential Minutes

Minutes:

RESOLVED –

 

That the confidential Minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2022 be approved as a correct record.

17.

Date of next meeting

1 March 2022 at 10am

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Tuesday 1 March 2022 at 10.00am