Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brian Castle, Mike Cox, Jackie Edwards, Andy Hadley and Chris Matthews.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

The Chief Executive advised that no individual declarations of interest had been received.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed a dispensation had been granted to all Councillors in respect of agenda item 11: the motion submitted by Councillor P Cooper and seconded by Councillor P Canavan. The reason for the dispensation was to ensure all Councillors were freely able to fully participate in the debate and vote. It was confirmed that the granting of this dispensation would be reported to the next meeting of the Standards Committee.

Councillor Marion Le Poidevin declared an interest in respect of agenda item 10: Member’s Allowances Scheme 2024-2025, as she was the recipient of the Special Responsibility Allowance that was proposed for alteration and reduction.

Councillor J Bagwell left the meeting at 7.43pm.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meetings held on 23 April and 7 May 2024.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings held on 23 April and 7 May 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes the meetings held on 23 April and 7 May 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman updated Council on her activity since the previous meetings. Highlights included:

• Stephen Ford Memorial;
• Women’s Day;
• Poole D-Day commemoration;
• New Forest Airfield D-Day commemoration;
• Armed Forces Day;
• Dorset Armed Forces Community Business Support Network;
• Winton Library Garden;
• Graduations from Kinson Academy;
• Cllr Hilliard’s appointment as Mayor of Christchurch.

The Deputy Chairman updated Council on his activity since the previous meetings. Highlights included:

• Garden Party at Buckingham Palace;
• National Coast Watch Institution 30^th anniversary event.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link: -

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of public questions is mid-day Wednesday 17 July 2024 (3 clear working days before the meeting.)

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 22 July 2024 (the working day before the meeting.)

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 9 July 2024 (10 working days before the meeting.)

The public questions and statements set out in the minutes below are printed as per the wording used within the submissions made in accordance with the constitution.

As a number of public questions were on a similar topic, a single response was given to those questions as set out below.

Public Question from Daniel Glennon

In his response to a question from a resident at the April full council meeting, Councillor Hadley acknowledged that we “need to act with urgency across a wide range of measures" to tackle the climate crisis and this should include individuals "considering a low meat diet".

With this in mind, will the council consider banning all advertising for meat and dairy products on assets they have control over, for example lamppost banners and roundabouts? There is already a similar ban on alcohol, tobacco and gambling.

Further, will the council commit to using its own communications channels to promote the benefits of a plant-based diet to BCP residents?

These would be two easy to achieve and low cost wins in the fight against climate breakdown.

Public Question from Nicola Harris

30 councils have endorsed the Plant Based Treaty to address ? of greenhouse gas emissions which come from the food sector. What we eat matters more than how far it’s travelled because food miles account for just a tiny proportion of emissions. For example, UK meat and dairy production account for around 50% of our methane emissions. Scientists agree we must cut methane by 45% this decade to avoid a 1.5C temperature rise.

During an Instagram Q&A last September, councillor Hadley agreed schools could be encouraged to introduce carbon labelling on menus. When Edinburgh agreed their Plant Based Treaty action plan, they committed to a carbon labelling trial with Klimato in schools and also signed up Edinburgh University. Can the council outreach to schools and invite them to consider carbon labelling, and can the council explore this in areas where they have influence over catering and food menus.

Public Question from Helen Winter

In light of the climate crisis and BCP Council’s declaration of the climate emergency, would the Council consider passing a motion to supply and serve 100% plant-based food at all internal meetings and events?

BCP could join other councils - such as Oxfordshire, Cambridge, Exeter and Norwich - who have led the way on this initiative and signal their commitment to taking action on the climate crisis.

In addition to the environmental benefits, plant-based food is the most inclusive option. It’s not about taking away personal choice – plant-based food is delicious, healthy and for everyone!

Public Question from Chris Jolliffe

An analysis by the Office of Health Economics shows that plant-based diets would save the NHS £6.7bn yearly, with 2.1?million fewer cases of disease. Research consistently shows that local governments are trusted more than national politicians making the council well-positioned to introduce plant-based initiatives and deliver public education. Councils such as Edinburgh and Amsterdam have endorsed the Plant Based Treaty  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)        grant approval for the surrender of the existing head lease and regrant of a long new lease to facilitate the head lessee’s proposed development in accordance with the Heads of Terms set out in the exempt report attached at appendix 1; and

(b)        delegate authority to the Director of Finance in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, the Director of Law and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Finance to finalise the detailed terms of the Agreement for surrender and new lease.

Councillor David Brown, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing presented the report on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Andy Martin seconded the motion.

RESOLVED: that Council:-

a)    grant approval for the surrender of the existing head lease and regrant of a long new lease to facilitate the head lessee’s proposed development in accordance with the Heads of Terms set out in the exempt report attached at appendix 1; and

b)    delegate authority to the Director of Finance in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, the Director of Law and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Finance to finalise the detailed terms of the Agreement for surrender and new lease.

Voting: Nem.con

RECOMMENDED that having considered the responses received from the public notices Council: -

(a)        approve a resolution to appropriate for planning purposes, the south part of Beach Road Car Park (the site) shown outlined red in appendix 1, once it is formally closed and reaffirm the approval (given, in principle, on 27 February 2024) to proceed with disposal of the site pursuant to section 233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

(b)        delegate authority to the Corporate Property Officer, to record by way of memorandum the appropriation at the required time, which can be placed with the deeds for future reference;

(c)        reaffirm approval to delegate authority to the Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Director of Finance, the Director of Law and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places, to select the preferred offer and finalise the detailed terms of the disposal; and

(d)        note that, subject to Cabinet approval of its forthcoming business case, it is the council’s intention to make improvements to the retained rear public car parking area, including consideration of the scope to increase current capacity, provide more compliant spaces and improve accessibility and wayfinding, as well as consideration of a local traffic management scheme. The council and its consultant are now engaged in this process.

Councillor David Brown, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing presented the report on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Milie Earl seconded the motion.

RESOLVED: that having considered the responses received from the public notices, Council: -

a)    approve a resolution to appropriate for planning purposes, the south part of Beach Road Car Park (the site) shown outlined red in appendix 1, once it is formally closed and reaffirm the approval (given, in principle, on 27 February 2024) to proceed with disposal of the site pursuant to section 233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

b)    delegate authority to the Corporate Property Officer, to record by way of memorandum the appropriation at the required time, which can be placed within the deeds for future reference;

c)    reaffirm approval to delegate authority to the Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Director of Finance, the Director of Law and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places, to select the preferred offer and finalise the detailed terms of the disposal; and

d)    note that, subject to Cabinet approval of its forthcoming business case, it is the council’s intention to make improvements to the retained rear public car parking area, including consideration of the scope to increase current capacity, provide more compliant spaces and improve accessibility and wayfinding, as well as consideration of a local traffic management scheme. The council and its consultant are now engaged in this process.

Voting: F:56, A:13, (Abstentions: 0)

Councillor F Rice left the meeting at 8.32pm.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           Approves in principle the business case for a new adult social care transformation delivery model to improve outcomes for residents and to achieve financial efficiencies and savings enabled by investment of up to 2.9M;

(b)           Agrees to the establishment of a formal transformation programme; ‘Fulfilled Lives’;

(c)           Agrees to an initial 12-month investment of 1.79M, with an interim report to Cabinet on progress of the design phase in January 2025 and a full report by July 2025, with recommendations for further investment; and

(d)           Invites the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide regular scrutiny of progress towards benefits and sustainable change. In particular the Committee be invited to review the progress against the four priority areas of the Fulfilled Lives programme and the risks and opportunities of data with ASC transformation.

Councillor David Brown, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing presented the report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Jeff Hanna seconded the motion.

RESOLVED: That Council:-

(a)  Approves in principle the business case for a new adult social care transformation delivery model to improve outcomes for residents and to achieve financial efficiencies and savings enabled by investment of up to 2.9M;

(b)  Agrees to the establishment of a formal transformation programme; ‘Fulfilled Lives’;

(c)  Agrees to an initial 12-month investment of 1.79M, with an interim report to Cabinet on progress of the design phase in January 2025 and a full report by July 2025,with recommendations for further investment; and

(d)  Invites the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide regular scrutiny of progress towards benefits and sustainable change. In particular the Committee be invited to review the progress against the four priority areas of the Fulfilled Lives programme and the risks and opportunities of data with ASC transformation.

Voting: Nem.con

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet recommend approval of the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 to the Full Council.

Councillor Richard Burton, the Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills presented the report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Kieron Wilson seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:- that Council approve the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25.

Voting: Nem.con

Councillor J Hanna left the meeting at 8.44pm.

This report seeks Council’s approval of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year and incorporates the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) on their interim review of the Member’s Scheme of Allowances for 2024/25.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl, presented the report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Richard Burton.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)  Council considers the attached report at Appendix 1 and its recommendations and adopts the proposed Scheme of Members Allowances for BCP Council as set out in Appendix 2, subject to any amendments Council may wish to agree; and

(b)  A full review of the Members Allowances Scheme be completed during the 2024/5 municipal year commencing in Autumn 2024.

Voting: F:50, A:11 (5 abstentions)

Councillors J Butt, A Filer, D Flagg, B Hitchcock, R Maidment, P Miles, B Nanovo, K Rampton, J Richardson, V Ricketts and L Williams left the meeting at 9.14pm

The meeting was adjourned at 9.16pm and resumed at 9.33pm

The Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan was subject to independent examination in the Autumn of 2023. The examiner’s report received on 15 December 2023 concluded that subject to modifications, the neighbourhood plan meets basic and legal conditions. Cabinet on 22 May 2024 agreed the examiner’s modifications, together with the council’s decision statement and approved the modified plan for referendum.

This report has been prepared in anticipation of a positive referendum result. The referendum is scheduled for 18 July within the Sandbanks Peninsula area and the votes are due to be counted on 19 July. The results of the referendum will be reported to Council.

The referendum question asked:

‘Do you want BCP Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Sandbanks Peninsula to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’ 

If the result of the referendum is positive, the council must now bring the plan into force so that it forms part of the statutory development plan. It will be used alongside the Local Plan to determine planning applications in the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood area.

(The Chairman agreed that this item be added to the agenda as an urgent item in view of the need to avoid delaying implementation of the plan.)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl, presented the report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Andy Martin.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council:-

a)    Note the results of the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan referendum held on 18 July 2024 (Declaration of Result of Poll - Appendix 1 and Ballot Box Verification Record – Appendix 2);

b)    Subject to a positive referendum result, agree to make the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan (Appendix 3) and Appendices (Appendix 4), that was subject to referendum on 18 July 2024, part of BCP Council’s statutory development plan so that it can be used alongside the Local Plan to determine planning applications in the Sandbanks Peninsula neighbourhood area; and

c)    Approve the Local Planning Authority’s Decision Statement (Appendix 5) and delegate publication and circulation of the Decision Statement and Neighbourhood Plan to the Director of Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places.

Voting: Nem.con.

Councillor J Clements declared an interest, recused herself and left the room for the duration of the item, returning at 9.47pm.

Housing

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Cooper and seconded by Councillor P Canavan: -

This Council acknowledges that there is a housing crisis across the country, including within BCP. There are a variety of factors that have led to this, however, as a Local Authority, we could begin to tackle this by agreeing to use the forthcoming review of the Housing Strategy to explore:

a)    Enhancing the ‘Housing First’ approach to tackling homelessness at BCP Council so that no-one has to sleep rough and that the standard of available accommodation is assessed and maintained.

b)    The existing arrangements in order to make empty properties become available more quickly.

c)    Lobby central government for a new definition of affordable housing that accurately reflects people’s ability to pay, with some discretion to allow for local pay and housing costs.

d)    Reviewing, in consultation other appropriate bodies, the viability assessment methodology used for housing developers and ways in which existing rules can be applied or amended to increase the number of affordable homes.

e)    The possibility of using Dorset Pension Fund and investors in developing an inward investment strategy to support Local Authority-built homes in the BCP area.

f)     Co-produce a Tenants’ Charter with local residents to influence housing and tenancy standards across BCP.

g)    The licensing of all private sector rented housing and adding its voice to local and national calls for a ban on ‘no fault’ (Section 21) evictions.

h)    The existing mandatory licensing of HMOs and if additional measures are required to ensure consistent standards are applied and whether existing enforcement measures are adequate.

i)      What measures are required to regulate Airbnbs and holiday lets in BCP.

j)      Whether, given the announcements by the new Government, the house building targets in the Local Plan need reviewing.

Children’s Hospices

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor O Walters and seconded by Councillor V Slade: -

BCP council notes that:

1.    While adult hospices receive on average one-third of their income from Government, for children’s hospices it is on average one-fifth (source: Hospice UK), and for Julia’s House it is just 8%.

2.    The national body for children’s palliative care, Together for Short Lives, submitted Freedom of Information requests to all local Health & Social Care boards to ask how much they spent on hospice services per child case in the 2022/23 year. The answers varied UK-wide from £511 per child to £28. In Dorset ICB area it was £99.96.

3.    Julia’s House only has a small commissioning contract with Dorset ICB and has no contract with BaNES Swindon & Wiltshire (BSW) ICB.

4.    There is also huge regional variation in the services available through the NHS: 24/7 end of life care at home is not available through the NHS in Wiltshire and only available in parts of Dorset, despite being required by the NICE  ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor P Cooper and seconded by Councillor P Canavan:

This Council acknowledges that there is a housing crisis across the country, including within BCP. There are a variety of factors that have led to this, however, as a Local Authority, we could begin to tackle this by agreeing to use the forthcoming review of the Housing Strategy to explore:

a)   Enhancing the ‘Housing First’ approach to tackling homelessness at BCP Council so that no-one has to sleep rough and that the standard of available accommodation is assessed and maintained.

b)    The existing arrangements in order to make empty properties become available more quickly.

c)   Lobby central government for a new definition of affordable housing that accurately reflects people’s ability to pay, with some discretion to allow for local pay and housing costs.

d)   Reviewing, in consultation other appropriate bodies, the viability assessment methodology used for housing developers and ways in which existing rules can be applied or amended to increase the number of affordable homes.

e)    The possibility of using Dorset Pension Fund and investors in developing an inward investment strategy to support Local Authority-built homes in the BCP area.

f)    Co-produce a Tenants’ Charter with local residents to influence housing and tenancy standards across BCP.

g)    The licensing of all private sector rented housing and adding its voice to local and national calls for a ban on ‘no fault’ (Section 21) evictions.

h)    The existing mandatory licensing of HMOs and if additional measures are required to ensure consistent standards are applied and whether existing enforcement measures are adequate.

i)     What measures are required to regulate Airbnbs and holiday lets in BCP.

j)     Whether, given the announcements by the new Government, the house building targets in the Local Plan need reviewing.

Councillor D Brown moved an amendment. The amendment was seconded by Councillor M Earl and amended point € of the motion to read:

(e) the possibility of supporting Local Authority built homes in the BCP area by developing an inward investment strategy to seek investment from external investors such as Dorset Pension Fund.

Council agreed the amendment.

Voting: Nem.con

Council then debated the substantive motion as amended, and it was:

RESOLVED: That:-

This Council acknowledges that there is a housing crisis across the country, including within BCP. There are a variety of factors that have led to this, however, as a Local Authority, we could begin to tackle this by agreeing to use the forthcoming review of the Housing Strategy to explore:

a)   Enhancing the ‘Housing First’ approach to tackling homelessness at BCP Council so that no-one has to sleep rough and that the standard of available accommodation is assessed and maintained.

b)   The existing arrangements in order to make empty properties become available more quickly.

c)   Lobby central government for a new definition of affordable housing that accurately reflects people’s ability to pay, with some discretion to allow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is 15 July 2024.

Question from Councillor P Canavan:

The BCP Access to Food Partnership is currently funded by the National Lottery Community Fund until April 2025. What steps can be taken to ensure that funding is maintained and, if necessary, is it possible to ensure that there is an allocation in the budget to ensure that this important work can continue?

Reply from the Leader of the Council, Councillor M Earl on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Finance

As a member of the Access to Food Partnership since its inception through my work founding the community fridges in my own community, and through my work on its steering group since becoming a Portfolio Holder, I agree that the work of the partnership is incredibly important and have experienced first-hand how it has taken our community food provision coordination and cooperation to award winning heights.

I’m delighted to report that in recognition of the outstanding work of the Partnership, the National lottery have confirmed that they are extending the funding for a further year until March 2026. To ensure that this kind of valuable preventative work continues sustainably beyond that, Cabinet is holding a workshop around a number of projects that sit under the Empowering Communities strand of work in August.

Question from Councillor E Connolly:

What is the strategy for developing opportunities for external and internal income generation through progressing tender processes for small businesses such as food and drink vendors in popular sites?

Reply from the Leader of the Council, Councillor M Earl on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Finance

Commercial operations reviews, new opportunities to deliver internally and externally across all of our sites. The approach taken in relation to any offer being internally or externally delivered will vary dependent on several factors as would be identified through an analysis of the opportunity. These would include items such as strategic objective that the opportunity is supporting, if it is a temporary or a longer term offer and the location of the opportunity in relation to logistics arrangements.

As opportunities arise, the relevant processes, including procurement and ensuring the relevant planning permissions were in place would be undertaken. An example would be street food corner in Bournemouth Slower Gardens. Pictures are advertised through a mailing list, social media and on nationwide caterers associations websites and assessed on quality.

Bookings for a maximum of a month are taken to ensure a changing offer. For larger town events, these are done through a more detailed procurement process with quality and pricing assessments. Thank you.

Supplementary Question from Councillor E Connolly

So, there are plenty of busy spots across BCP where small pop-ups like coffee vans would be an improvement on existing services, improve the offer for visitors and locals and not be to the detriment of council income. And there are residents in my ward who would be keen to apply for short simple trials of that sort of thing. But from that answer previously, it's not very clear to me what  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider any urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution.

The Chief executive advised Council on the urgent decisions taken since the previous meeting. These included:

• The decision to postpone meetings during the pre-election period, which is why other urgent decisions had to be taken;
• The decision to accept grant funding for the HR Support Pilots project;
• The decision to take forward the recommendations for Council of the Newfield Housing and Acquisition Strategy in order to deliver local homes for local people;
• The decision to agree an overall increase in the capital program for Poole Museum and the grant funding that came behind that;
• The decision under Simpler Waste Recycling Reforms to purchase six food waste collection vehicles and the food waste containers in order to implement that as soon as possible; and
• The decision to enable private funding as part of the Towns Fund Program for the digital connectivity project.

It was confirmed that all decisions had been published to the Council’s website.