Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Via MS Teams Video Conference, available to the public at https://buckinghamshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

Contact: Catherine Mackenzie 

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Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

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Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Patrick Hogan, Cabinet Member for Culture.

14.

Leader's Statement

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Minutes:

Covid-19 Update

Martin Tett, Leader of the Council, provided a verbal update on the prevalence of Covid-19 within Buckinghamshire. He commented on the recent developments that London, Hertfordshire and Essex had been moved into Tier 3 restrictions due to a surge in infections.

He explained that Buckinghamshire was currently in Tier 2 restrictions which was the median but high alert category, with a review of these tiers due later in the week. He informed the meeting that, as set out in his weekly newsletter, Buckinghamshire had continued to see a concerning rise in cases following the lockdown.

Cllr M Tett then provided figures to illustrate the rise in cases over the last two weeks. Across Buckinghamshire the rate had increased from 118 cases per 100,000 residents to 142 cases per 100,000 residents. The most recent figures were indicating that cases had continued to rise sharply with the rate per 100,000 residents now being 200.6 cases. He acknowledged that this could indicate a necessity for Buckinghamshire to move into a higher tier.

Cllr M Tett emphasised that the solution lies within our own hands with regards to the restrictions being lifted and that we all had a collective responsibility to adhere to the guidance. He advised that the Council was urging everybody to fundamentally renew their commitment to following the rules, clearly and accurately, to protect others. He urged everyone to think carefully about the risks especially in relation to older relatives and to make their own choices carefully over the festive period.

He then urged everyone to voluntarily go further to maintain personal freedoms, maintain the local economy, protect local business, protect local jobs and to protect the health of those most vulnerable. He also highlighted the importance of following the rules to minimise the pressure on the local health service, particularly after the festive period.

He concluded by highlighting the importance of the collective responsibility that all residents have in minimising contacts to prevent the potential spread of this dreadful virus,and that just because we are allowed to do something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we should.

 

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 460 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2020.

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Minutes:

RESOLVED: The minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2020 be AGREED as an accurate record.

 

3.

Declarations of interest

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Minutes:

Nick Naylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, and Katrina Wood, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, declared interests in minute numbers 10 and 12 with regard to their Outside Organisation appointments as Board Members of Aylesbury Vale Estates.

 

4.

Hot Topics

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Minutes:

Angela Macpherson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, informed the meeting that she had attended the Pride of Bucks Award, the initiative celebrated all those who had gone above and beyond during the coronavirus outbreak.She congratulated Buckinghamshire Council staff who had been commended for maintaining business as usual and responding to the pandemic.

 

The Leader echoed these comments and congratulated individuals, groups and organisations that had been recognised for such a fantastic achievement during difficult circumstances.

 

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, highlighted the Helping Hands Scheme that had been launched. The Scheme provided our most vulnerable families support to buy food over the Christmas holiday. The scheme was being run through schools and would provide £30 food vouchers targeted at families with children and young people eligible for free school meals. He confirmed that further information was available on Buckinghamshire Council’s website and encouraged those who were eligible to review the support available.

 

The Leader endorsed the scheme and thanked the government for providing the funding to provide this initiative. He also highlighted that anyone worried about food or warmth over the Christmas holidays, and not sure what help was available, to contact the council’s Helping Hand support line.

 

Mark Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, informed the meeting that he had been delighted by the response to the Christmas Present Appeal for vulnerable children, he commented that £30,000 had been donated and 10,000 presents received. He thanked all those who had donated to this cause. These donations would ensure that children and young people receive presents who otherwise might not receive that much at Christmas.

 

Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, updated the meeting on the temporary accommodation scheme in Desborough Road that she and John Chilver, Cabinet Member for Property and Assets, had recently visited. The scheme will provide 58 temporary accommodation units for those in housing need. The impressive modular design of this accommodation was commended. The Cabinet Member concluded by expressing her thanks to all those involved in bringing the scheme to fruition, including the predecessor Council, Wycombe District Council.

 

The Leader echoed these comments and congratulated the Cabinet Member and all those involved on the work that had been undertaken in assisting rough sleepers during the pandemic, which he highlighted had been possible through Governments funding.

 

Nick Naylor, Cabinet Member for transport, informed the meeting that two Member briefing sessions had been held on the direction and objectives for our Highways and Technical Services Department over the next few years. He commented that any Member that was unable to attend these sessions would still be able to view the session as these had been recorded.

 

Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, made mention of the Aylesbury Vale Local Plan, in particular mentioning that the Planning Inspector had requested various modifications to the Plan. He encouraged everyone to actively participate in the public consultation that would be undertaken from the 15 December until 9  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Question Time

The following questions have been received and will either be responded to during the meeting or a written response will be included in the minutes:

 

1.      Question from Councillor Robin Stuchbury to Councillor Warren Whyte

 

Following the decision taken at the Full Council meeting on the 21st October on the Planning and Parish Councils Motion, what timeframe will the Council be working towards when consulting with the various town and parishes that represent Buckinghamshire? Also, will drafting neighbourhood plans, amending local plans, and determining applications be included within the consultations?

 

2.       Question from Councillor Robin Stuchbury to Councillor Warren Whyte

 

Milton Keynes Council has published the process by which they will be seeking to engage fully with Parish and Town Councillors to gain their insights, local knowledge and wisdom when forming and establishing S106 Agreements with developers. The information is included within the Milton Keynes Council draft Supplementary Planning Document August 2020.

 

Therefore, I would like to ask if Buckinghamshire Council that was forged with local councils throughout the county and with a significant importance on future partnership with the Parish and Town Councils within Buckinghamshire will be adopting something similar in the future as a consequence? Which could aid better partnership working with good working practices and the ability to deliver developments in close proximity to the responsibilities within the areas of Town and Parish Councils, especially those which have forged and adopted local neighbourhood plans.

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Minutes:

Question from Councillor Robin Stuchbury to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement.

 

Milton Keynes Council has published the process by which they will be seeking to engage fully with Parish and Town Councillors to gain their insights, local knowledge and wisdom when forming and establishing S106 Agreements with developers. The information is included within the Milton Keynes Council draft Supplementary Planning Document August 2020.

 

Therefore, I would like to ask if Buckinghamshire Council that was forged with local councils throughout the county and with a significant importance on future partnership with the Parish and Town Councils within Buckinghamshire will be adopting something similar in the future as a consequence? Which could aid better partnership working with good working practices and the ability to deliver developments in close proximity to the responsibilities within the areas of Town and Parish Councils, especially those which have forged and adopted local neighbourhood plans.

 

Verbal reply given by Councillor Warren Whyte, Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement.

 

Buckinghamshire Council has a Town and Parish Council Charter, which is in the process of being updated. The Charter sets out how Planning services will engage with Town and Parish Council’s, including neighbourhood planning, enforcement and development management.

 

“Without prejudice” Negotiations for S106 requirements take place during the consideration of a planning application and Town and Parish Councils are consultees in this process. Buckinghamshire Council recognises the importance of Town and Parish Council’s involvement in this process and in highlighting material planning considerations, particularly local issues, which need to be taken into account when applications are decided. When commenting on planning applications, Town and Parish Councils are encouraged to highlight any potential infrastructure issues in their local area that may be addressed by S106 obligations through Section 106 negotiations with applicants. It should, however, be noted that all S106 obligations have to meet strict tests as set out in national planning policy and legislation. Whilst there is no legal requirement to consult Town and Parish Council’s on draft S106 agreements, we do publish drafts on public access, as required by the Development Management Procedure Order, to be open and transparent and to allow for comments ahead of finalising the legal agreement and issuing the planning consent if the planning application is approved.   

 

It should also be noted that Buckinghamshire Council has an adopted CIL regime in the East, South and West areas of the Council (the former Wycombe and Chiltern and South Bucks areas), through which Parish and Town Council’s receive 15-25% of receipts when CIL liable developments have taken place depending on whether they have an adopted neighbourhood plan in place. This funding can be spent by the Parish and Town Council’s on infrastructure to support the development and growth of their area. This allows the local community to decide what they need to help mitigate any impacts of the development.

 

6.

Forward Plan (28 Day Notice) pdf icon PDF 597 KB

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Minutes:

RESOLVED: Cabinet NOTED the Forward Plan.

 

7.

Select Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 518 KB

For Cabinet to note the Select Committee Work Programme.

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Minutes:

RESOLVED: Cabinet NOTED the Select Committee Work Programme.

 

8.

Q2 Performance Report 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 588 KB

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Decision:

The report detailed the performance of the key performance measures reported through the corporate performance framework for 2020/21. Latest performance outturns and targets for the quarter 2 period were reported alongside trend and benchmarking information, where available.

 

RESOLVED: That: (i) the report be NOTED; and

                     (ii)action to improve performance where required be taken.

 

Minutes:

Katrina Wood, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report which detailed the performance of the key performance measures reported through the Corporate Performance Framework for 2020/21. Latest performance outturns and targets for the quarter 2 period were reported alongside trend and benchmarking information, where available.

 

Within the performance report, outturns which were performing at or better than target were classified as Green, those which were within 5% of the target were Amber and those which were more than 5% of the target were Red. At the end of Quarter 2, 63 indicators had outturns reported with a Red, Amber or Green (RAG) status. Of these, 37 were Green, 6 were Amber and 20 were Red.

Cllr K Wood reported that the majority of the red performance indicators had been impacted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She highlighted the achievement within adult social care in relation to the percentage of service users due an annual review that had received their review, performance had improved and she congratulated the Cabinet Member and officers on this achievement. She also highlighted a key area for improvement in relation to missed bins collections due to the service having experienced logistical issues, which she anticipated would improve.

Cabinet Members then provided comprehensive explanations for the performance marked as red where performance was more than 5% off the target for each of their portfolio’s, these were as follows:

·       Unemployment Claimant Rate There were 10,260 more claimants in Buckinghamshire in September than at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Improvement actions being undertaken included the Bucks Skills Hub (a LEP, Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), Buckinghamshire Council and Careers and Enterprise Company partnership) having set up a Redundancy Taskforce. Early retraining initiatives being undertaken within Bucks including - retraining hospitality staff to take on care roles and aviation professionals taking on roles in the film industry.

·       Number of younger people (aged 18- 64) admitted to permanent residential or nursing care homes per head of 100,000 population - There had been 24 people admitted this year, which was 3 people above the target. Improvement actions being undertaken included reducing the number of admissions to residential settings, by improving housing options.

·       % of 19-21 year olds who have left care that are in education, employment or training - At the end of Q2 (September 2020), 50% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 were in education, employment and/or training, which was below the 60% target. Improvement action being undertaken included establishing the “Care Attain” project to support 35 care leavers in the next year, by working with partners including Transition UK, the Clare Foundation and the Department for Work and Pensions.

·       % children waiting less than 14 months between entering care and moving In with their adoptive family - Performance was below the 60% target, but had increased from the 50% reported for Q1. Improvement action being undertaken included continuing to explore avenues to recruit adopters for children who were difficult to place or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Buckinghamshire Local Development Scheme pdf icon PDF 642 KB

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Decision:

The Council is required to publish a local development scheme setting out what local plans it intends to prepare, their scope and timetable for preparation. Appendix A of the report set out the Buckinghamshire Local Development Scheme, indicating that the Council would prepare the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan and the Buckinghamshire Local Plan.

 

RECOMMENDED: That the Buckinghamshire Local Development Scheme included at Appendix A of the report be AGREED.

 

Minutes:

Cllr Whyte introduced the report commenting that the Council was required to prepare a Local Development Scheme (LDS) setting out the local plans it intends to prepare over the next 3 years, their scope and timetable for their preparation. This means setting out plans that were currently being prepared, in particular the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP), and the plans we intend to prepare over the next three years, namely the Buckinghamshire Local Plan. Mention was made of the risks included within the report associated with the Planning White Paper (PWP) as this had far reaching implications for the content of localplans, the way they were prepared and the timing of what may be done and when.  He concluded by informing the meeting that work was being undertaken on the Statement of Community Involvement which would enable stakeholders to engage and be involved in the process.

 

During discussions, Cllr Tett commented that the Local Development Plan was an important document for laying out the pathway that the new Local Plan would take. A question was raised in relation to the benefits of parishes having neighbourhood plans in place, to which Cllr Whyte responded to by urging all parishes to look at the benefits of having these plans in place.

 

The following decision was made to enable the Buckinghamshire Local Plan to be progressed and to meet the statutory requirement to prepare a Local Development Scheme.

 

RESOLVED: That the Buckinghamshire Local Development Scheme included at Appendix A of the report be AGREED.

 

10.

Potential submission of a bid for the acquisition of the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury pdf icon PDF 701 KB

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Minutes:

The report before Cabinet sought approval to potentially acquire the long leasehold interest of Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury, for redevelopment purposes.

 

The following decisions were made to enable the Council to bring forward a significant regeneration scheme to benefit the whole town. The context for the regeneration had been set out in the Aylesbury Garden Town Plan which presented the vision for the town centre, including the area known as Station Corner. It was noted that the next steps would be to develop a masterplan which would be enhanced if the Council acquired the Friars Square Shopping Centre.

 

The meeting then agreed item 11 and went into private session to discuss the confidential report and appendices set out in item 12. Following a comprehensive confidential discussion, the meeting returned to public session and the recommendations were agreed as follows:

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

(i)      AuthoritybeDELEGATEDto theDirectorof PropertyandAssets inconsultationwiththeCabinetMemberforPropertyandAssets andthe ServiceDirectorforCorporateFinance(s151 Officer),to formallysubmita bidfortheacquisitionof FriarsSquarein accordancewiththe draftheadsoftermsset outin theconfidentialannexconsideredatPart2 ofthisagenda;

(ii)    AuthoritybeDELEGATEDto theDirectorof PropertyandAssets inconsultationwiththeCabinetMemberfor Propertyandassets,andthe ServiceDirectorforCorporateFinance(s151 Officer),to enterintoa lockout agreement withthe vendor;and

(iii)   AuthoritybeGIVENto theDirectorofPropertyandAssets inconsultationwiththe CabinetMemberof Propertyandassets,andtheServiceDirectorforCorporateFinance(s151Officer),to commissionthe furtherrequireddue diligenceon the acquisition andto finalisethe  offer  and  the  heads  of  terms,  the  arrangements  for  financing  and  to  exchangecontractsandcompleteon theacquisition forthelong leaseholdinterestin theCentre.

 

 

11.

Exclusion of the public

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, more particularly as follows:-      

 

Item 12 Potential submission of a bid for the acquisition of the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury.

 

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

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Minutes:

RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute No 12, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act as defined as follows:

 

Minute 12 Potential submission of a bid for the Acquisition of the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury.

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

(The need to maintain the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure, because disclosure could prejudice the Council’s position in any future process or negotiations)

 

12.

Potential submission of a bid for the acquisition of the Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury

Minutes:

This item was undertaken in confidential session as part of Minute item 10 and details of the public discussion and the decisions taken are included within Minute number 10.

13.

Date of next meeting

Tuesday 5 January 2021 at 10am.

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Minutes:

Tuesday 5 January 2021 at 10.00am.