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 22 June 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to Councillor Judes Butt being included within the attendance as also in attendance virtually.

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.

Statement from Adrian Chapmanlaw on Agenda Item 11 – BCP Local Plan update and way forward

We learn, from Item 11 on today's agenda, that 78% of Local Plan respondents support a "step change in active travel", while residents feel that cycle lanes should be "top priority ... on main roads" and "better thought out". Can I therefore urge the Portfolio-Holder for Sustainability and Transport to reply to my email of 20 July, which raises numerous concerns surrounding the Bear Cross to Northbourne Roundabout cycle lane proposals. That e-mail also seeks a timescale for the works, and I'd also like to know if the scheme can still be refined or adapted in any way.

Statement from Sarah Boyce on Agenda Item 11 – BCP Local Plan update and way forward

Part 3.5 of the Local Plan report describes "a safe, connected, accessible ... transport network" as a BCP priority, and this is supported by 77% of survey respondents. I hope that, in the months ahead, your Local Plan Working Group considers the woeful bus service from Christchurch to Winkton: twice-daily on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, with no service on public holidays. Please be mindful too that BCP gave one operator a grant to enhance its service in this area, but that rendered another operator's daily service uneconomic, and the latter ceased. So careful, joined-up thinking is required on this issue.

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 Committee on items not otherwise indicated on the Cabinet Agenda on this occasion.

BCP Council’s priorities and values, underpinning how we will work to develop and deliver services are set out in the Corporate Strategy, adopted by Full Council in November 2019.

Refreshed vision and ambition statements are set out in the Big Plan, providing a wider context and further drive to deliver the Corporate Strategy.

Delivery plan actions are refreshed annually in line, affording the opportunity to celebrate the progress already made and ensure future planned actions remain relevant and are in line with the council’s wider vision and ambitions.

The appended reports show a positive performance story against the actions and the key peformance indicators that Cabinet agreed in February 21. Individual exception reports provide explanations and planned actions to address areas in need of improvement.

The performance updates have been cross referenced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Levelling up Goals andshow a really encouraging position.

A separate paper on Equality and Diversity progress captures our equality journey so far and some of the positive steps taken and being taken to continue to embed equalities and diversity into the culture and activities of the council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)       Considered the Corporate End of Year Performance reports;

(b)       Considered the performance exception reports relating to areas of underperformance; and

(c)       Were advised of any amendments, deletions or additions to the performance indicator set that informs corporate performance

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

The corporate strategy represents the objectives and outcomes that the Council’s performance will be judged against and as such is a vital component of the Council’s performance management framework.

An understanding of performance against targets, goals and objectives helps us understand and manage service delivery and identify emerging business risks.

The Leader of the Council 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.

Cabinet was advised that BCP Council’s priorities and values, underpinning how we will work to develop and deliver services are set out in the Corporate Strategy, adopted by Full Council in November 2019, and that a refreshed vision and ambition statements are set out in the Big Plan, providing a wider context and further drive to deliver the Corporate Strategy.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that delivery plan actions are refreshed annually in line, affording the opportunity to celebrate the progress already made and ensure future planned actions remain relevant and are in line with the council’s wider vision and ambitions, and that the appended reports show a positive performance story against the actions and the key peformance indicators that Cabinet agreed in February 21. Individual exception reports provide explanations and planned actions to address areas in need of improvement.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that the performance updates have been cross referenced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Levelling up Goals and show a really encouraging position.

Cabinet was also informed that a separate paper on Equality and Diversity progress captures our equality journey so far and some of the positive steps taken and being taken to continue to embed equalities and diversity into the culture and activities of the council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           Considered the Corporate End of Year Performance reports;

(b)           Considered the performance exception reports relating to areas of underperformance; and

(c)           Were advised of any amendments, deletions or additions to the performance indicator set that informs corporate performance

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

The Smart Place Strategy aims to generate significant local value by helping to address some of the key challenges across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Whether making it easier for people to go about their daily lives, improving the prospects of our local businesses or enabling communities to function more effectively Smart Place interventions are set to deliver major social and economic benefits to our area.

The strategy is a key foundation of the Council’s Big Plan ambitions and supports government’s recently published UK Digital Strategy. In addition, the strategy also helps to deliver a number of priorities within the Council’s Corporate Strategy and is strongly aligned to government’s Levelling Up agenda.

Whilst Smart Place applications and services are set to transform how areas operate, a major challenge is that at present there is no statutory responsibility nor associated regular funding to support the full development of Smart Places within the UK. The strategy therefore sets out a unique, financially self-sustaining business model which seeks to secure major private investment to deliver the Smart Place Programme across the whole of the BCP area.

RESOLVED that the Smart Place Strategy be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reasons

    (i)         Delivers significant economic and social benefit for residents, businesses and communities.

   (ii)         (ii) Supports the Council’s Big Plan and regeneration ambitions, and Corporate Strategy priorities.

 (iii)         Endorses the raising of private investment of £90m to fund the delivery and roll out of the Smart Place programme across the whole of the BCP area.

 (iv)         Delivers cost savings and potential future income generation for the Council.

  (v)         Supports government’s Levelling Up agenda and UK Digital Strategy.

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 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Smart Place Strategy aims to generate significant local value by helping to address some of the key challenges across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and that whether making it easier for people to go about their daily lives, improving the prospects of our local businesses or enabling communities to function more effectively Smart Place interventions are set to deliver major social and economic benefits to our area.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the strategy is a key foundation of the Council’s Big Plan ambitions and supports government’s recently published UK Digital Strategy, and that in addition, the strategy also helps to deliver a number of priorities within the Council’s Corporate Strategy and is strongly aligned to government’s Levelling Up agenda.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that whilst Smart Place applications and services are set to transform how areas operate, a major challenge is that at present there is no statutory responsibility nor associated regular funding to support the full development of Smart Places within the UK and that the strategy therefore sets out a unique, financially self-sustaining business model which seeks to secure major private investment to deliver the Smart Place Programme across the whole of the BCP area.

Councillor Hadley addressed the Cabinet expressed concern with regards to the gigabit fibre network and the wifi, questioning what the council could add which the market is not doing, and that choice is already available.

Councillor Butler addressed the Cabinet expressed concerns with regards to health risks.

The Portfolio Holder advised that doing this would mean that we had control over the network, tremendous amount of work has gone into this and there is a lot of interest. In addition, the Portfolio Holder stressed that it was not true that there was no data around the pilot that we did in Lansdowne, and that there had been a website up since its inception that gives real time monitoring to the levels of background that 5G throws out, and that despite a lot of concerns by people that that had shown that there is very minimal impact. Further to this the Portfolio Holder advised that all the information in relation to this is publicly viewable.

RESOLVED that the Smart Place Strategy be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Gigabit fibre is critical digital infrastructure, providing the connectivity backbone for many vital public, private and voluntary services and helping to power our businesses and local economy as well as supporting our Smart Place Programme. The provision of ubiquitous, high speed, affordable Gigabit connectivity is therefore now a priority for the Council. The Council’s Big Plan states:

‘We will invest in the physical and digital infrastructure of our coastal city region, to ensure that BCP has the best connectivity in the country’.

As well as many residents not having access to affordable broadband, leading to a ‘digital divide’, poor connectivity also has a significant impact upon local economic productivity, costing an estimated £150m per annum. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the Council to accelerate the deployment of affordable Gigabit fibre to almost every home and business across the whole BCP area.

Following a recent open ‘Request for Information’ (RFI) exercise and the responses received from the telecommunications industry, it has been concluded that procuring a ‘Neutral Host Operator’ (NHO), to work together with the Council, represents the best prospect of delivering the digital connectivity that the area needs.

In view of the above the following recommendation is made:

RESOLVED that approval is given for the Smart Place Team, supported by Law and Governance and Strategic Procurement, to procure a Gigabit Fibre Neutral Host Operator.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reasons

1.    Helps to deliver significant economic and social benefits to the area.

2.    Helps to meet the Big Plan objective of BCP having the best connectivity in the country.

3.    Supports the Council’s regeneration and place-shaping ambitions.

4.    Supports the Council’s Smart Place programme.

5.    Supports the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ missions particularly by helping to address the local ‘digital divide’ through more widely available and affordable broadband services.

6.    Encourages wider private sector investment into Gigabit fibre infrastructure and creates more competition in the Internet Server Provider (ISP) market.

7.    Is the most cost-effective solution for delivering the Council’s Gigabit connectivity objectives whist minimising the Council’s financial commitment and commercial risks.

8.    Opens up the opportunity for income generation for existing ducting and fibre asset owners including the Council.

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 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that Gigabit fibre is critical digital infrastructure, providing the connectivity backbone for many vital public, private and voluntary services and helping to power our businesses and local economy as well as supporting our Smart Place Programme, and that the provision of ubiquitous, high speed, affordable Gigabit connectivity is therefore now a priority for the Council.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the Council’s Big Plan states:

‘We will invest in the physical and digital infrastructure of our coastal city region, to ensure that BCP has the best connectivity in the country’

Cabinet was advised that as well as many residents not having access to affordable broadband, leading to a ‘digital divide’, poor connectivity also has a significant impact upon local economic productivity, costing an estimated £150m per annum, and that there is an urgent need therefore for the Council to accelerate the deployment of affordable Gigabit fibre to almost every home and business across the whole BCP area.

Cabinet was informed that following a recent open ‘Request for Information’ (RFI) exercise and the responses received from the telecommunications industry, it has been concluded that procuring a ‘Neutral Host Operator’ (NHO), to work together with the Council, represents the best prospect of delivering the digital connectivity that the area needs.

In addition, Cabinet was advised that prior to the award of the NHO contract a further report will be brought back to Cabinet requesting authorisation to proceed to contract.

Councillor Hadley addressed Cabinet questioning the raw benefit of the Council getting involved in this.

The Lead Member for Levelling Up and Skills advised that there are real levelling up implications, and that this would help tackle digital inequality.

RESOLVED that approval is given for the Smart Place Team, supported by Law and Governance and Strategic Procurement, to procure a Gigabit Fibre Neutral Host Operator.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

This report provides a review of the following four companies - Seascape Group Limited, Seascape South Limited (SSL), Seascape Homes and Property Limited (SHP) and Bournemouth Building Maintenance Limited (BBML).

The report sets out the growth plans and ambition for each company, an operational update from the last year and the 2022/23 annual plan for each.

The Seascape Group, including its two subsidiaries SSL and SHP, has scope for further growth in activity and sizeable income generation opportunities.  This income can be returned to the Council as the sole shareholder to support the funding for services to vulnerable people.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           Supports the plans for the two Seascape Group subsidiaries and BBML; and

(b)           Approves the Terms of Reference for BBML and SGL and notes the TORs for the two subsidiaries.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

The Seascape Group subsidiaries – SSL and SHP and BBML - provide valuable services and will collectively generate additional financial benefits for BCP Council as the sole shareholder to help continue delivering Council services to vulnerable people.

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 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report provided a review of the following four companies - Seascape Group Limited, Seascape South Limited (SSL), Seascape Homes and Property Limited (SHP) and Bournemouth Building Maintenance Limited (BBML).

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the report sets out the growth plans and ambition for each company, an operational update from the last year and the 2022/23 annual plan for each.

Cabinet was further advised that the Seascape Group, including its two subsidiaries SSL and SHP, has scope for further growth in activity and sizeable income generation opportunities, and that this income can be returned to the Council as the sole shareholder to support the funding for services to vulnerable people.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           Supports the plans for the two Seascape Group subsidiaries and BBML; and

(b)           Approves the Terms of Reference for BBML and SGL and notes the TORs for the two subsidiaries.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a levy that local authorities can charge on development in their area. CIL income can be used to contribute towards the funding of infrastructure needed to support new development.  

BCP Council currently operates three legacy approaches in the implementation of the levy. This report and accompanying appendices are looking to harmonise these legacy approaches to deliver a single policy approach to be implemented across the charging authority area. These policy changes will be implemented as part of the Planning Harmonisation and Improvement Project. 

Internal auditors have reviewed the current CIL processes and identified a series of actions. The response to these actions is set out in the report, with many actions already implemented or in the process of being implemented through the Planning Harmonisation and Improvement Project. Cabinet is asked to note the progress against these actions. 

Officers will prepare a CIL guidance note for applicants, to reflect the recommendations below. This will ensure that the current three ways of working are harmonised into a single BCP Council approach. 

Cabinet is also asked to note that requests from the NHS to fund infrastructure projects will be kept under review, given the current demand on CIL funding.

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 the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a levy that local authorities can charge on development in their area, and that CIL income can be used to contribute towards the funding of infrastructure needed to support new development.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that BCP Council currently operates three legacy approaches in the implementation of the levy. And that this report and accompanying appendices are looking to harmonise these legacy approaches to deliver a single policy approach to be implemented across the charging authority area.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that these policy changes will be implemented as part of the Planning Harmonisation and Improvement Project.

Cabinet was informed that internal auditors have reviewed the current CIL processes and identified a series of actions, and that the response to these actions is set out in the report, with many actions already implemented or in the process of being implemented through the Planning Harmonisation and Improvement Project. Cabinet was asked to note the progress against these actions.

Cabinet was further informed that officers will prepare a CIL guidance note for applicants, to reflect the recommendations below, and that this will ensure that the current three ways of working are harmonised into a single BCP Council approach.

Cabinet was also asked to note that requests from the NHS to fund infrastructure projects will be kept under review, given the current demand on CIL funding.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           Approve the proposed BCP CIL Instalment Policy;

(b)           Approve the proposed BCP CIL Payment in Kind Policy; and

(c)           Approve the BCP CIL Discretionary Relief Statement.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

This report provides an update on the progress of preparing the local plan for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, and sets out the next steps in the local plan process.  

The report seeks approval of a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) which is the formal mechanism for setting out the timetable to produce the BCP Local Plan and other development plan documents. The LDS provides clarity on when the statutory stages in plan making will be undertaken. 

The Council completed an initial Local Plan Issues and Options consultation between January and March 2022. The consultation sought to provide an early steer on some of the issues and options for the BCP Local Plan to address. The consultation was one of the biggest consultations undertaken by BCP Council and response rates exceeded any previous local plan consultation undertaken in the BCP area. The findings from the consultation are summarised in this report.  

We are planning further engagement with all our communities and stakeholders to form a ‘preferred option’ for the next Local Plan, which will set out how we believe we can best accommodate the sustainable growth needs of the conurbation up to 2038. This will be developed over the next six months and is set out in the revised LDS.  

Moving forward we have also taken advice on the governance arrangements to support the next phase of the local plan process. As such, this report seeks approval for updated governance arrangements including the provision of a cross party Local Plan Advisory Group and Local Plan Delivery Board.  

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)       Approve the revised Local Development Scheme which includes the timetable to produce the BCP Local Plan;

(b)       Delegate to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to make minor text changes to the LDS prior to publication;

(c)       Agree the proposed approach to Local Plan engagement and governance, and delegate to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to agree the final details; and

(d)       Agrees that the Local Plan Working Group is renamed as the Local Plan Advisory Group and delegate to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to agree the Terms of Reference for the Advisory Group.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

The preparation and maintenance of an up-to-date LDS is a statutory requirement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (and subsequent amendments). Preparation of the BCP Local Plan as set out in the LDS will help deliver the Council’s strategic priorities as expressed in the Corporate Strategy and Big Plan. It will also provide up-to-date policies to set out our strategy for growth and to enable the effective management of development.

We are keen to continue to engage our communities and stakeholders in the BCP Local Plan in order that they can influence the plan. Appropriate time is therefore set out within the LDS to continue to actively engage our communities before the draft of the Local Plan is published.

To ensure the timetable set out in the LDS is achieved approval is sought regarding the ongoing governance arrangements.

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 the report provided an update on the progress of preparing the local plan for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, and sets out the next steps in the local plan process, and that the report sought approval of a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) which is the formal mechanism for setting out the timetable to produce the BCP Local Plan and other development plan documents, and that the LDS provided clarity on when the statutory stages in plan making will be undertaken. 

Cabinet was informed that the Council completed an initial Local Plan Issues and Options consultation between January and March 2022, and that the consultation sought to provide an early steer on some of the issues and options for the BCP Local Plan to address. In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the consultation was one of the biggest consultations undertaken by BCP Council and response rates exceeded any previous local plan consultation undertaken in the BCP area, and that the findings from the consultation are summarised in this report.  

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the council was planning further engagement with all our communities and stakeholders to form a ‘preferred option’ for the next Local Plan, which will set out how we believe we can best accommodate the sustainable growth needs of the conurbation up to 2038, and that this will be developed over the next six months and is set out in the revised LDS.  

Cabinet was advised that moving forward advice has also been taken on the governance arrangements to support the next phase of the local plan process, and that as such, this report seeks approval for updated governance arrangements including the provision of a cross party Local Plan Advisory Group and Local Plan Delivery Board. 

Councillor Butler addressed the Cabinet advising that better engagement was needed with young people.

Councillor Burton addressed the Cabinet questioning the use of the term ‘overrepresented’ which was used a number of times within the report.

In relation to this the Portfolio Holder advised that the term over and underrepresented is not meant in a negative or positive way but is used to make officers and councillors aware of how representative the consultation sample is of the wider population.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)          Approve the revised Local Development Scheme which includes the timetable to produce the BCP Local Plan;

(b)          Delegate to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to make minor text changes to the LDS prior to publication;

(c)          Agree the proposed approach to Local Plan engagement and governance, and delegate to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to agree  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development and / or land management that aims to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before. BNG in the development process is now a statutory requirement following Environment Act coming into force in November 2021. The Act proposes to require all development to deliver a mandatory 10% BNG to be maintained for at least 30 years. However, the Government are continuing to consult on the practical and legal details of the BNG requirements as part of secondary legislation. 

Cabinet considered a report in December 2021 outlining initial actions to implement BNG on a wider scale in the BCP Council area. This report updates the previous report and makes further recommendations.

The BNG Guidance Note is an interim position pending the national introduction of BNG. If Cabinet and Council supports its adoption it will be used to ensure that all new relevant development contributes to BNG in advance of the Act taking effect as encouraged by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and current planning policies across the three legacy areas.

A review of the Council’s estate to understand the existing and potential biodiversity will allow the Council to undertake BNG projects that could be part funded by developers.

The preparation of a BNG strategy and implementation plan would enable the Council to plan for BNG across the Council estate and wider area in a joined coherent manner.

These proposals will play an important part in the work in progress of developing an effective BNG strategy in the BCP area. £90,000 has been identified for this project for 2022/23. To implement these proposals will require the appointment of a temporary ecologist for 18 months and so Cabinet is asked to extend the funding into 2023/24.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)      Endorse the Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note to enable the early implementation of BNG on applicable development and delegate its publication to the Director of Planning;

(b)       Request the Planning and Environment Directorates to work jointly to prepare a Biodiversity Net Gain Strategy and an Implementation Plan;

(c)       Support a review of the Council’s estate to understand what biodiversity exists and what opportunities there are to enhance biodiversity; and

(d)       Roll forward to 2023/24 any remaining monies of the £90,000 earmarked for this project unspent in 2022/23.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

To enable the Council to be at the forefront of Biodiversity Net Gain delivery and meet the statutory obligations arising from the Environment Act and to have in place relevant policies and procedures.

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 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development and / or land management that aims to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before, and that BNG in the development process is now a statutory requirement following Environment Act coming into force in November 2021. Cabinet was informed that the Act proposes to require all development to deliver a mandatory 10% BNG to be maintained for at least 30 years. However, the Government are continuing to consult on the practical and legal details of the BNG requirements as part of secondary legislation. 

Cabinet was advised that a report had been considered in December 2021 outlining initial actions to implement BNG on a wider scale in the BCP Council area, and that this report updates the previous report and makes further recommendations.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the BNG Guidance Note is an interim position pending the national introduction of BNG, and that if Cabinet and Council supports its adoption it will be used to ensure that all new relevant development contributes to BNG in advance of the Act taking effect as encouraged by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and current planning policies across the three legacy areas.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that a review of the Council’s estate to understand the existing and potential biodiversity will allow the Council to undertake BNG projects that could be part funded by developers, and that the preparation of a BNG strategy and implementation plan would enable the Council to plan for BNG across the Council estate and wider area in a joined coherent manner.

In addition to this Cabinet was advised that these proposals will play an important part in the work in progress of developing an effective BNG strategy in the BCP area. £90,000 has been identified for this project for 2022/23, and that implementing these proposals will require the appointment of a temporary ecologist for 18 months and so Cabinet is asked to extend the funding into 2023/24.

Councillor Butler addressed the Cabinet questioning the reasoning for not having a full time ecologist.

Councillor Hadley addressed the Cabinet welcoming the report and questioned how nature corridors through peoples gardens could be encouraged.

The Portfolio Holder addressed the questions and whilst acknowledging the importance of the ecologist role advised that whilst it was hoped that this would become a permanent role that it would be dependent on resources and this being included within the next budget.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)          Endorse the Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note to enable the early implementation of BNG on applicable development and delegate its publication to the Director of Planning;

(b)          Request the Planning and Environment Directorates to work jointly to prepare a Biodiversity Net  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To present the Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23. There is a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. This report summarises the Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23, with a copy of the Plan appended. The Youth Justice Plan needs to be approved by the full Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People 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 there is a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the local provision of youth justice services, and that the report summarises the Youth Justice Plan for2022/23, with a copy of the Plan appended.

Councillor Burton, Chairman of the Childrens Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Committee fully endorsed the paper presented.

RECOMMENDED that Full Council approve the Annual Youth Justice Plan.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

The Chief Executive to report on any decisions taken under urgency provisions in accordance with the Constitution.

Cabinet was advised that there were no urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution to report on this occasion.

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.

Portfolio Holders raised the following matters relating to the Forward Plan: -

-       The Leader provided an update in relation to the Commercialisation of Beach Huts item originally scheduled to be discussed at this meeting and advised that following changes in government and to enable discussions to take place with the new secretary of state and other ministers that a report would be brought to the next meeting of the Cabinet in early September.

-       Councillor Anderson advised that the Poole Crematorium report would be coming to Cabinet in September.

-       Councillor Brooks spoke in support of the Highcliffe and Walkford Neighbourhood plan coming to the 28 September Cabinet meeting following four years of work.