Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 16 December 2020.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 December 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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 4 clear working days before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.

The Leader advised that there had been no public questions, statements or petitions submitted on this occasion.

To consider recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board on items not otherwise included on the Cabinet Agenda.

Cabinet was advised that there were no additional recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Board on items not otherwise included on the Cabinet Agenda on this occasion.

This report provides an overview of performance against the priorities set out in the Corporate Strategy delivery plans for the first six months of 2020/21.

The report introduces interactive performance dashboards which are informed by a range of performance measures being collected and reported across the council.

Year one of BCP council was used to collect baseline performance data which has been used to set performance targets and intervention levels.

Current performance, where it is available, is reported against these and informs the RAG ratings for each of the measures.

The report identifies some key improvements and some performance issues.

These are addressed in more detail in exception reports, attached as Appendix B to the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          Noted mid year performance;

(b)          Considered exception reports relating to areas of current adverse performance; and

(c)          Advised of any amendments, deletions or additions to the performance indicators set that informs corporate performance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

An understanding of performance against target, goals and objectives will help the Council understand and manage service delivery and identify emerging business risks.

The Leader presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided and overview of performance against the priorities set out in the Corporate Strategy delivery plans for the first six months of 2020/21, and introduced interactive performance dashboards which are informed by a range of performance measures being collected and reported across the Council.

Cabinet was informed that year one of BCP council had been used to collect baseline performance data which had been used to set performance targets and intervention levels.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that current performance where it was available was reported against these and informed the RAG ratings for each of the measures.

The report identified some key improvements and some performance issues, these were addressed in more detail in the exception reports attached at Appendix B to the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          Noted mid year performance;

(b)          Considered exception reports relating to areas of current adverse performance; and

(c)          Advised of any amendments, deletions or additions to the performance indicators set that informs corporate performance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

This report calculates and presents the proposed council tax

base for council tax setting purposes in line with current

legislation and guidance.

Three separate council tax bases have been maintained for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas during the period of council tax harmonisation.

The Leader presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report calculated and presented the proposed council tax base for council tax setting purposes in line with current legislation and guidance.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that three separate council tax bases had been maintained for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas during the period of council tax harmonisation.

RECOMMENDED that:-

(a)          The report for the calculation of the council’s tax base for the year 2021/22 be approved and the tax base be approved by Full Council; and

(b)          Pursuant to the report, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as amended, the amount calculated as the council tax base for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for 2021/22 is 139,170.5, comprising of the following area tax bases: Bournemouth 62,176.7, Christchurch 20,021.9 and Poole 56,971.9.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Developing a strong cultural agenda that offers inclusive opportunities lies at the heart of our aspirations for fulfilled lives, brighter futures, connected communities and a better place to live, work and visit.

The recommendations of the 2019 BCP Cultural Enquiry were widely accepted and Arts Council England encouraged and supported the setting up of a multi-sector BCP Cultural Compact to deliver on the recommendations and support the development and delivery of a city-region wide Cultural Strategy.

In response to the COVID emergency the Cultural Future conference, which would have been a stepping-stone to the Cultural Compact, was postponed and £150k funding previously made available to support this work was withdrawn.

To take forward the Enquiry recommendations a task and finish Cultural Action Group worked from May to September 2020, producing a report and recommendations (Appendix 1) including the proposed outline format of the Cultural Compact.

To deliver on these recommendations the agreement of Cabinet is requested to re-provision a three-year budget package to support cultural development and the establishment and delivery of the Compact and a Cultural Strategy and delivery plan.

The three-year budget package will be the start up investment required to enable this work to be undertaken. It is anticipated Arts Council England will support this with an additional £20k grant. Over time the funding of the Cultural Compact from external sources will reduce its reliance on Council funding for day-to-day running costs.

The budget allows for further consultation with communities and groups with protected characteristics which have been identified in the Cultural Enquiry as under-represented in cultural activity, such as young and older people, disabled and Black and Minority Ethnic communities. This work will also be a platform for diverse recruitment to the Cultural Compact and new officer roles. 

When the Cultural Compact is fully established it will become the focal point for cultural development and participation in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, upholding the values and aspirations of the Council, our communities and multi-sector stakeholders.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet agrees the proposal for funding to deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry, to establish and develop the Cultural Compact and to improve and diversify BCP Council’s cultural development activity for a three-year period should be considered as part of the budget setting process for 2021/22;

(b)          Cabinet agrees the report and recommendations of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cultural Action Group, including the proposed format of the Cultural Compact; and

(c)          Cabinet agrees that the Cultural Compact should embody the BCP Council’s equality, diversity and inclusion principles and practices in its work and in the Cultural Strategy so that they fully reflect the Council’s values.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Culture

Reason

To facilitate the establishment of the Cultural Compact, so that BCP Council and the Cultural Compact can deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry and the priorities of the Council. In doing so we will support and enable inclusive and diverse creative engagement and participation by the community and visitors.

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Culture presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Cultural Compact sought to develop a strong cultural agenda that offered inclusive opportunities to enable fulfilled lives, brighter futures, connected communities and a better place to live, work and visit.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that when the Cultural Compact was fully established it would become the focal point for cultural development and participation in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, upholding the values and aspirations of the Council, our communities and multi-sector stakeholders.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet advising of the enthusiasm and support expressed at the recent meeting of the Board.

In addition Councillor Lawrence Williams addressed the Cabinet also expressing the importance of the Cultural Compact.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the paper expressing their thanks also to the Portfolio Holder, Members and Officers who had been involved in the work.

RESOLVED that:-

a)            Cabinet agrees the proposal for funding to deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry, to establish and develop the Cultural Compact and to improve and diversify BCP Council’s cultural development activity for a three-year period should be considered as part of the budget setting process for 2021/22;

b)           Cabinet agrees the report and recommendations of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cultural Action Group, including the proposed format of the Cultural Compact; and

c)            Cabinet agrees that the Cultural Compact should embody the BCP Council’s equality, diversity and inclusion principles and practices in its work and in the Cultural Strategy so that they fully reflect the Council’s values.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Culture

To seek approval to make changes to the method of calculating bus operator reimbursement for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in 2021/22 as part of a proposed Recovery Partnership government initiative and to support the CIMT recommendation regarding reimbursement for 2020/21.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Approval was sought to make changes to the method of calculating bus operator reimbursement for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in 2021/22 as part of a proposed Recovery Partnership government initiative. Further to this Cabinet support was requested for the CIMT recommendation regarding reimbursement for 2020/21.

RECOMMENDED that:-

(a)          For the current 2020/21 scheme year Council supports the CIMT recommendation to approve the 2020/21 reimbursement of bus based on adjusted pre-Covid levels as urged by Central Government; and

(b)          For 2021/22 the formation of a Recovery Partnership with the bus operators to seek a local solution to bus service provision and funding arrangements to include concessionary fares reimbursement be endorsed.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Transport and Sustainability

Natural England has objected to several major planning applications concerning the in-combination effect of additional development upon the Dorset Heathlands designated sites (SPA, SAC and Ramsar).

Airborne nitrogen and ammonia gases from multiple sources, including agriculture and vehicle emissions settle on heathlands, enriching the soil. This favours faster growing plants and the spread of species not normally found on heathlands which outcompete and inhibit the recovery of the heathland habitats.

A strategy is needed to help address emissions caused by the additional car trips from new development. The proposed joint strategy with Dorset Council set out in this report provides interim mitigation measures in advance of a formal policy position in the emerging BCP Council and Dorset Council local plans.

The strategy is required until at least 2030 when the take up of electric powered vehicles should negate the need for mitigation and improve air quality. Current Council strategies such as modal shift will help, but targeted projects around heathland sites are also needed.

A budget of £750,000 is needed for 5 years mitigation projects, £562,500 from BCP Council and £187,500 from Dorset Council based on the proportions of planned development at £50 per dwelling. The strategy will be paid for by developers from the overall Community Infrastructure Levy receipts.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that a strategy was needed to help address emissions caused by the additional car trips from new development. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that this proposed joint strategy with Dorset Council set out interim mitigation measures in advance of a formal policy position in the emerging BCP Council and Dorset Council local plans.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the strategy was required until at least 2030 when the take up of electric powered vehicles should negate the need for mitigation and improve air quality. In addition Cabinet was informed that a budget of £750,000 was needed for 5 years mitigation projects, £562,500 from BCP Council and £187,500 from Dorset Council based on the proportions of planned development at £50 per dwelling. In relation to this it was advised that the strategy would be paid for by developers from the overall Community Infrastructure Levy receipts.

RECOMMENDED that:-

(a)          The interim Dorset Heathlands Interim Air Quality strategy covering the period 2020-2025 is adopted;

(b)          A £562,500 project budget is set aside from Community Infrastructure Levy to implement the strategy over the period 2020-2025;

(c)          An Air Quality Project Co-ordinator is appointed from the project budget to bring forward projects; and

(d)          Any changes resulting from Dorset Council adopting this document are delegated to the Director of Growth and Infrastructure in liaison with the relevant Portfolio Holders.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holders: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

                            Transport and Sustainability

In November Government released the ‘Freeports Bidding Prospectus’ and formally opened the Freeports bidding process.  CMB met on 1st December and agreed that BCP Council will co-ordinate, with Rigby Group and Poole Harbour Commissioners, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP) and others, a bid to Government for Freeport status.

This report provides a background to Freeports; a summary of the Bidding Prospectus and the potential requirements of the Council if successful; and some themes that could be included in the bid.

This report also requests approval of £50K investment by the Council, as identified in the December Cabinet Quarter 2 Budget Monitoring 2020-21 and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update Report. This funding will be used to commission specialist resources through the DLEP to develop the bid.

Given the timescales involved, it isn’t possible to fully detail the contents of the bid at the time of writing this report. However, this report aims to provide sufficient content for Cabinet to approve the recommendations outlined below.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          approves the Council’s inclusion in the submission of a bid to Government for part of the BCP area to be given Freeport status;

(b)          approves the allocation of £50K to support the development of a bid for Freeport status; 

(c)          delegates authority to the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and the Director of Development, in partnership with other relevant organisations, to complete and submit a bid by or on the due date of 5th February 2021; and

(d)          authorises officers to further develop the full business case for Freeport status, subject to receiving notification of a successful application.

Voting: Unanimous

Reason

Freeports boost the local economy and create new jobs. By approving the Council’s inclusion in a bid to Government for Freeport status, it creates an opportunity to bring investment and jobs to the area. This will help to deliver the Council’s vision, specifically in relation to its objectives around creating Dynamic Places. If successful it will also help to boost the private sector after BREXIT and as the economy rebounds after COVID 19.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that in November Government had released the ‘Freeports Bidding Prospectus’ and formally opened the Freeports bidding process, and that in relation to this CMB had met on 1 December and agreed that BCP Council would cooperate with Rigby Group and Poole Harbour Commissioners, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP) and others, a bid to Government for Freeport status.

Cabinet was informed that this report provided a background to Freeports; a summary of the Bidding Prospectus and the potential requirements of the Council if successful; and some themes that could be included in the bid. In addition Cabinet was informed that this report sought approval of £50K investment by the Council which would be used to commission specialist resources through the DLEP to develop the bid.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          approves the Council’s inclusion in the submission of a bid to Government for part of the BCP area to be given Freeport status;

(b)          approves the allocation of £50K to support the development of a bid for Freeport status; 

(c)          delegates authority to the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and the Director of Development, in partnership with other relevant organisations, to complete and submit a bid by or on the due date of 5th February 2021; and

(d)          authorises officers to further develop the full business case for Freeport status, subject to receiving notification of a successful application.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

St Aldhelm’s Secondary Academy in Poole has a Published Admissions Number (PAN) of 180 pupils, this being the number of pupils that can be admitted into each year group.  Until recent years this number was not fully utilised, and the school had unfilled places. However, the school is now filling to capacity. In addition, forecasts show pressure on Secondary School places in BCP over the short to medium term.

Following a significant investment in the school infrastructure by the Department for Education (DfE) to support a change of Academy sponsor and to drive improvement, the school buildings are fit for purpose but will not support 180 pupils in all year groups.

Delegated Powers were used to agree an investment of £390k in May 2020 that enabled additional capacity to be created to allow 180 pupils to be admitted in September 2020.

A further investment of £610k is now required to allow the PAN of 180 to be maintained permanently. This can be funded from existing DfE Basic Needs capital grant. Cabinet were presented with an initial cost range for this of £460k to £610k at the May 2020 meeting; this report further refines this budget and provides up-to-date evidence supporting the Basic Need requirement for these places.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the allocation of £610k of Basic Need capital grant to support the delivery of five additional classrooms and ancillary spaces at St Aldhelm’s Academy to allow the school to continue to admit 180 pupils per year.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills

Reason

To enable the creation of additional capacity to reflect demand for places at the school and to ensure the council can meets its requirement to provide sufficient mainstream secondary places for BCP children and young people.

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that St Aldhelm’s Secondary Academy in Poole had a Published Admissions Number (PAN) of 180 pupils, this being the number of pupils that can be admitted into each year group, and that until recent years this number year hadn’t been fully utilised, and the school had had unfilled places. Further to this Cabinet was advised that the school was now filling to capacity, and that forecasts showed pressure on Secondary School places in BCP over the short to medium term.

In relation to this Cabinet were informed that there had been significant investment in the school infrastructure by the Department for Education to support a change of Academy sponsor and to drive improvement, and that delegated powers had been used in May 2020 that had enabled additional capacity to be created through the investment of £390k which allowed 180 pupils to be admitted in September 2020.

Cabinet were advised that approval for a further investment of £610k was now required to allow the PAN of 180 to be maintained permanently. It was reported that this could be funded from existing DfE Basic Needs capital grant, and that this report refined the budget and provided up to date evidence supporting the Basic Need requirement for these places.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the allocation of £610k of Basic Need capital grant to support the delivery of five additional classrooms and ancillary spaces at St Aldhelm’s Academy to allow the school to continue to admit 180 pupils per year.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

In line with the requirements of the School Admissions Code 2014 and associated legislation, BCP Council is statutorily required to determine its admission arrangements annually. This report requests Cabinet to determine the 2022/23 admission arrangements for its maintained community and voluntary controlled schools. The arrangements remain unchanged from the previous academic year.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved:-

(a)          the admission arrangements for maintained community and voluntary controlled schools in accordance with Part III, Chapter I, Section 89 of the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act and Section 1 of the School Admissions Code 2014; and

(b)          the Coordinated Admissions Scheme for the administration of the 2021/22 year in accordance with Part III, Chapter I, Section 89 of the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act and paragraphs 2.202.22 of the School Admissions Code 2014.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills

Reason

BCP Council is legally required to determine admission arrangements for the 2022/23 academic year for all maintained schools for which it is an admission authority and to agree co-ordinated admission arrangements for all admission authorities in the area.

Arrangements must be determined by BCP Council by 28 February 2021.

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that in line with the requirements of the School Admissions Code 2014 and associated legislation, BCP Council is statutorily required to determine its admission arrangements annually, and that this report sought Cabinet approval to determine the 2022/23 admission arrangements for its maintained community and voluntary controlled schools. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the arrangements remain unchanged from the previous academic year.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved:-

(a)          the admission arrangements for maintained community and voluntary controlled schools in accordance with Part III, Chapter I, Section 89 of the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act and Section 1 of the School Admissions Code 2014; and

(b)          the Coordinated Admissions Scheme for the administration of the 2021/22 year in accordance with Part III, Chapter I, Section 89 of the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act and paragraphs 2.202.22 of the School Admissions Code 2014.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

To consider the latest version of the Cabinet Forward Plan for approval.

The Leader advised that the latest Cabinet Forward Plan had been published on the Council’s website.