Agenda, decisions and draft 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 11 January 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2023 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 questions of petitions received on this occasion but that four statements had been received from members of the public, two in relation to Agenda Item 8 (Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2023/24) and two in relation to Agenda Item 11 (Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Reforms to National Planning Policy and Implications for the emerging Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Plan.

Statement from Brett Spiller / Giles Moir of Chapman Lily Planning Ltd on Agenda Item 11

Extremely concerned that:

·        para13 of the report pre-judges the outcome of a live Government consultation

·        decision to pursue option 1:

o     seemingly pre-empts consideration of feedback from the Issues and Options consultation.

o     is predicated on false assumptions in the Iceni housing needs assessment – something pointed out in a report by Turleys

o     is falsely presented as this option wasn’t premised on ‘gentle densification’.

·          combined with no Greenbelt release, Option-1 places over reliance on Council led regeneration sites, some of which have failed to deliver over the last 20-years and won’t deliver family homes or significant number of affordable homes.

Statement from Karen Loftus, Chief Executive on behalf of Community Action Network on Agenda Item 8

Please don’t agree to cut our core operating grant in half. Your grant enables us to deliver key services for and with you plus attract considerable inward investment to BCP and Dorset Council areas – last year over £5,000,000. Please consider extending as is for one year only, giving us all time to have wider discussions within the Integrated Care System on funding this essential work. Community Action Network inspire community action by empowering the voluntary sector to survive and thrive, enabling volunteering and connecting communities by championing and representing local charities and community groups. Creating environments for community led empowerment.

Statement from Jeremy Gardiner on behalf of Bellway Homes (Wessex) Ltd and Miller Homes on Agenda Item 11 [Read out by the Clerk]

Firstly, the proposed pre-emptive changes to the emerging BCP Local Plan are premature pending the Government’s responses to the NPPF consultation. Fareham BC prepared a draft Local Plan based on consultation revisions to the Standard Method in August 2020. The Government did not implement the proposed revisions, so Fareham had to prepare another Local Plan, causing delay, wasting public money and creating confusion.

Secondly, the consultation is clear that not following Standard Method housing requirements will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. It is far from clear that BCP’s circumstances are exceptional – indeed, the Council’s consultation response acknowledges this.

Statement from Zoe Bradley, Chief Executive of the Citizens Advice on Agenda Item 8

Largest cost-of-living crisis in decades needing crisis support.

Over 15,000 people came for advice2021/2022, over 30,000 issues money, debt, immigration issues, benefits, housing, consumer.

2022/2023  figures are expected to reach 20,000 people. Crisis support in 2022 increased by almost 200% compared to 2021.

·        More than 3 times as many people struggling to pay their energy bills than in 2021.

·       Homelessness -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

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

Cabinet was advised that there were no additional recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees on items not otherwise indicated on the Cabinet agenda on this occasion.

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is a separate account within the council’s budgets that ring-fences the income and expenditure associated with the council’s homes. 

It sets out the proposals regarding the rents, service charges and other charges to tenants and leaseholders. Arrangements for increasing rents and service charges are separate to arrangements for increasing fees elsewhere in the council and are set out in law and regulation. The report also sets out plans for expenditure on services to residents, repairs and improvements to homes and provision of new homes.

There are significant challenges facing the HRA including the cost-of-living crisis, higher inflation impacting on costs, building safety commitments, increased regulation and the need to ensure that homes are energy efficient.

In July 2022 the management of the council’s homes in Poole was brought in-house. A new housing management service, BCP Homes, has been created to oversee the management of the council’s HRA stock.

The proposals for the delivery of services are set out in the HRA Delivery Plan which supports the council’s corporate strategy.  

With inflation high, the government has set a cap of 7 per cent on rent increases that prevents rents rising in line with inflation as would normally be expected from April 2023/24. There are exceptions for sheltered housing or on re-lets where the normal inflationary increase is allowed. However, a 7 per cent increase will also be applied to sheltered housing.

Although significant increases for some service charges such as heating and electric charges are unavoidable, measures have been put in place to limit the increase in these charges.

The Portfolio Holder for People and Homes 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 the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is a separate account within the council’s budgets that ring-fences the income and expenditure associated with the council’s homes, and that it sets out the proposals regarding the rents, service charges and other charges to tenants and leaseholders.

Cabinet was informed that arrangements for increasing rents and service charges are separate to arrangements for increasing fees elsewhere in the council and are set out in law and regulation, and that the report also sets out plans for expenditure on services to residents, repairs and improvements to homes and provision of new homes.

Cabinet was advised that there are significant challenges facing the HRA including the cost-of-living crisis, higher inflation impacting on costs, building safety commitments, increased regulation and the need to ensure that homes are energy efficient.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that in July 2022 the management of the council’s homes in Poole was brought in-house, and that a new housing management service, BCP Homes, has been created to oversee the management of the council’s HRA stock.

Cabinet was advised that the proposals for the delivery of services are set out in the HRA Delivery Plan which supports the council’s corporate strategy, and that with inflation high, the government has set a cap of 7 per cent on rent increases that prevents rents rising in line with inflation as would normally be expected from April 2023/24. Cabinet was informed that there are exceptions for sheltered housing or on re-lets where the normal inflationary increase is allowed however, a 7 per cent increase will also be applied to sheltered housing.

Cabinet was informed that although significant increases for some service charges such as heating and electric charges are unavoidable, measures have been put in place to limit the increase in these charges.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)     Revenue budgets for 2023/24 and provisionally for 2024/25 to 2027/28 are set using the following principles:

(i)                That rents for general needs, sheltered and shared ownership accommodation are increased by 7 per cent from 3 April 2023, in line with the national rent cap announced by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.  

(ii)              That rents for all accommodation on re-let’s continue to be set at the formula rent, increased by 11.1 per cent, from 3 April 2023, in line with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Policy statement on rents for social housing.

(iii)             That rents for garages, garage bases and parking plots are increased by 10 per cent from the 3 April 2023.

(iv)            That leasehold services are charged to leaseholders in line with estimated costs from 3 April 2023.

(v)              That the changes to service charges are agreed as set out in appendix 2 from 3 April 2023, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

The council receives the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae. The contents of each formula are highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE). Consultations have been undertaken with each sector, with the School’s Forum considering the outcomes on 16 January 2022 and making recommendations to the council.

The early years formula (for ages 2, 3 and 4) funds private, voluntary, and independent settings with a small number of nursery classes in mainstream schools and academies. The DSG funding rates have increased by 5.2% overall for 2023/24.

The mainstream schools formula (for reception to year 11) is applicable equally for maintained schools and academies. Funding for the for 2023/24 formula has increased by 2.4% from a combination of higher funding values, data changes and rising pupil numbers. There is an additional grant for mainstream schools with national allocation criteria worth a further 3.5%. There is surplus funding, estimated at only £0.185m, in the DSG schools block available to transfer to high needs. A higher level of transfer was proposed to the Schools Forum to be funded by capping the per pupil increases in school allocations, but this was not supported.   

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 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the council receives the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to fund the separate early years and mainstream schools funding formulae, and that the contents of each formula are highly regulated by the Department for Education (DfE).

Further to this Cabinet was informed that consultations have been undertaken with each sector, with the School’s Forum considering the outcomes on 16 January 2022 and making recommendations to the council.

Cabinet was informed that the early years formula (for ages 2, 3 and 4) funds private, voluntary, and independent settings with a small number of nursery classes in mainstream schools and academies., and that the DSG funding rates have increased by 5.2% overall for 2023/24.

Cabinet was advised that the mainstream schools formula (for reception to year 11) is applicable equally for maintained schools and academies. Funding for the for 2023/24 formula has increased by 2.4% from a combination of higher funding values, data changes and rising pupil numbers, and that there is an additional grant for mainstream schools with national allocation criteria worth a further 3.5% and that there is surplus funding, estimated at only £0.185m, in the DSG schools block available to transfer to high needs. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that a higher level of transfer was proposed to the Schools Forum to be funded by capping the per pupil increases in school allocations, but this was not supported. 

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)              The early years funding formula as set out in table 2 in paragraph 44 of this report

(b)             The local mainstream formula is to adopt the national funding formula (NFF) unit values as set out in the appendix to this report.   

(c)             Surplus school block funding estimated at £0.185m is transferred to support the early years high needs budget in addition to the formula set out in this report.   

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

To set out for Cabinet consideration and recommendation to Council the proposed 2023/24 budget and council tax based on.

·      Increasing Council Tax by 2.99% in 2023/24 in line with the government’s annual basic threshold.

·      Collecting the full additional 2% Adult Social Care (ASC) precept in 2023/24.

·      The implementation of £32.9m of savings and efficiencies from 1 April 2023 onwards (List 1).

The implementation of £2.2m of additional savings and efficiencies from 1 July 2023 onwards (List 2).

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Transformation 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.

The Leader advised that the report requested that Cabinet consider and recommend to Council the proposed 2023/24 budget and council tax based on.

·     Increasing Council Tax by 2.99% in 2023/24 in line with the government’s annual basic threshold.

·     Collecting the full additional 2% Adult Social Care (ASC) precept in 2023/24.

·     The implementation of £32.9m of savings and efficiencies from 1 April 2023 onwards (List 1).

·     The implementation of £2.2m of additional savings and efficiencies from 1 July 2023 onwards (List 2).

The Chairman of the Corporate and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting their had been a lengthy debate on the report but that no formal recommendations had been made.

RECOMMENDED that:-

1) undertakes a recorded vote in relation to the following items as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendments) Regulations 2014.

a)      agrees that a net budget of £308.831m, resulting in a total council tax requirement of £243.797m, is set for 2023/24 based on the draft local government settlement figures published by government in December 2022.

b)      agrees an increase in council tax of 2.99% for 2023/24 in respect of the basic annual threshold and the collection of the additional social care precept of 2%.

c)      confirms the key assumptions and provisions made in the budget as proposed and set out in paragraph 48 to 65.

d)      approves the 2022/23 capital budget virement to accept the £18.2m Levelling Up Fund (Round 2) capital grant as set out in Appendix 5

e)      agrees the allocations to service areas in the budget as set out in Appendix 6.

f)       agrees the implementation of £32.9m of List 1 savings as set out at Appendix 6a from 1 April 2023.

g)      agrees the implementation of £2.2m in annualised List 2 savings as set out at Appendix 6a from 1 July 2023.

h)      approves the continuation of the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTSS) into 2023/24 as set out in sections 64.

i)        continues the discretionary local scheme for war pensioners in which the Council disregards all prescribed War Disablement Pension or prescribed War Widow’s/War Widower’s Pensions income over and above the statutory limits for both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

j)        recognises that via the governments Council Tax Support Fund, and for 2023/24 only, LCTSS claimants’ bills will be reduced by up to £25.

k)      implements a control to strengthen commissioning, procurement, and contract management arrangements in support of the delivery third party spend transformation savings.

l)        approves the flexible use of capital receipts efficiency strategy as set out in paragraphs 75 to 83.

m)  approves the capital investment programme (CIP) as set out in paragraphs 116 to 142 and Appendix 7.

n)    approves the capitalisation of £0.9m of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

To inform Cabinet of progress to date regarding the Department for Transport (DfT) based Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) award

To inform Cabinet of the DfT Year End Report for 2021/22 submitted in April 2022.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the progress to date regarding the TCF programme delivery and the DfT End of Year Report (April 2022).

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

Cabinet has delegated authority to the Council Governance Board (CGB) under the Assurance Framework for Transforming Cities Fund, to allow maximum flexibility in meeting the strict DfT timeline for delivery and ensure that the authority is best placed to progress scheme delivery at pace. Cabinet previously agreed that a regular update should be provided and this report along with the associated DfT End of Year report and Stakeholders Newsletter is designed to

inform Cabinet of progress to date.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and 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 informed of the progress to date regarding the Department for Transport (DfT) based Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) award, the associated DfT Year End Report for 2021/22 and Stakeholders Newsletter with details of work to date and progress into the next year.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the progress to date regarding the TCF programme delivery, the DfT End of Year Report (April 2022) and Stakeholders Newsletter.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Transport and Sustainability

BCP FuturePlaces Ltd, (“FuturePlaces”) a wholly owned Urban Regeneration Company (URC) was set up with the fundamental purpose to drive “Place Making”, regeneration, and property market transformation both across key sites owned by the Council and the wider area to support the aspirations set out in the Council’s Big Plan.

The FuturePlaces business plan approved by Cabinet in June 2022 lists the key sites the company has been tasked with progressing the regeneration of including part of the Chapel Lane Car Park.

This report sets out the outline business case (OBC) and highlights that FuturePlaces’ recommended use for this site is that it is retained and developed out by the Council as a build to rent mixed-use residential scheme comprising ground floor commercial space and up to 27 new homes.

This option meets the Council’s strategic objectives and delivers against the Big Plan: Rejuvenate Poole and Act at Scale by delivering new homes for local people and providing new ground floor commercial space to support the regeneration and revival of Poole Town Centre and High Street by securing additional flexible contemporary space to support employment. 

Whilst the OBC considers the overall viability of the recommended option based on high level assumptions, the FBC will confirm the exact design, time, cost, and quality expectations as well as the proposed delivery pathway and overall affordability. It is only at FBC stage that firm consideration can be given as to whether it is still best to progress with the redevelopment proposal and the necessary commitment and funding approvals sought from the Council.

It is anticipated that upon completion of the scheme the new homes will be let by the Council’s wholly owned company Seascape Homes and Property Ltd.

Cabinet is required to review the options outlined in the OBC and consider if the recommended option is the most appropriate and affordable in order to approve the progression of the regeneration of this site in accordance with the recommended use identified and progress with the preparation of an FBC.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)             Approves the Outline Business Case for Chapel Lane Car Park North as set out in the confidential appendix A to this report endorsing the recommended option contained therein;

(b)            Agrees to pay FuturePlaces for its development advice services and costs associated with the preparation of the outline business case totalling £31k, and to include the scheme in the Council’s Capital Investment Programme;

(c)             Agrees to move the project to Full Business Case stage and commit costs estimated at £753k;

(d)            Agrees to declare the asset surplus to requirements and appropriate the land for planning purposes to enable development.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

To contribute to the Council’s Corporate vision, specifically helping to create dynamic places, investing in the homes our communities need, revitalising and re-inventing our high streets and local centres in line with the vision set out in the Big Plan.

FuturePlaces was formed to ensure BCP Council has the capacity, expertise, and resources to drive investment in regeneration and unlock value from major Council owned sites; it will also enable BCP Council to ensure that we deliver new homes and create well designed, local neighbourhoods.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and 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 BCP FuturePlaces Ltd, (“FuturePlaces”) a wholly owned Urban Regeneration Company (URC) was set up with the fundamental purpose to drive “Place Making”, regeneration, and property market transformation both across key sites owned by the Council and the wider area to support the aspirations set out in the Council’s Big Plan, and that the FuturePlaces business plan approved by Cabinet in June 2022 lists the key sites the company has been tasked with progressing the regeneration of including part of the Chapel Lane Car Park.

Cabinet was informed that this report sets out the outline business case (OBC) and highlights that FuturePlaces’ recommended use for this site is that it is retained and developed out by the Council as a build to rent mixed-use residential scheme comprising ground floor commercial space and up to 27 new homes.

Cabinet was advised that this option meets the Council’s strategic objectives and delivers against the Big Plan: Rejuvenate Poole and Act at Scale by delivering new homes for local people and providing new ground floor commercial space to support the regeneration and revival of Poole Town Centre and High Street by securing additional flexible contemporary space to support employment. 

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that whilst the OBC considers the overall viability of the recommended option based on high level assumptions, the FBC will confirm the exact design, time, cost, and quality expectations as well as the proposed delivery pathway and overall affordability. It is only at FBC stage that firm consideration can be given as to whether it is still best to progress with the redevelopment proposal and the necessary commitment and funding approvals sought from the Council.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that it is anticipated that upon completion of the scheme the new homes will be let by the Council’s wholly owned company Seascape Homes and Property Ltd.

Cabinet was advised that they are required to review the options outlined in the OBC and consider if the recommended option is the most appropriate and affordable in order to approve the progression of the regeneration of this site in accordance with the recommended use identified and progress with the preparation of an FBC.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)             Approves the Outline Business Case for Chapel Lane Car Park North as set out in the confidential appendix A to this report endorsing the recommended option contained therein;

(b)            Agrees to pay FuturePlaces for its development advice services and costs associated with the preparation of the outline business case totalling £31k, and to include the scheme in the Council’s Capital Investment Programme;

(c)             Agrees to move the project to Full Business Case stage and commit costs estimated at £753k;

(d)            Agrees to declare  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

Government is currently consulting on changes to national planning policy to incentivise the preparation of local plans as the means to deliver more homes to meet its national targets. Government is aware that local plans delayed by contentious issues such as housing targets and allocations within the Green Belt are delaying plan making and resulting in less homes being built.

The implications for the emerging Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Plan are significant. The proposals strengthen the Council’s position in demonstrating that the government’s standard methodology figure of 2,800 homes per year is not achievable. The proposed changes to national policy suggest that a lower housing target can be found sound at examination, where local constraints and circumstances are considered. This allows the Council to prepare a draft plan without having to release Green Belt for housing development or plan for densities out of character with the current built environment.

In accordance with the Local Development Scheme the intention remains to publish a draft local plan in Autumn 2023, test it through examination and adopt it in late 2024.

There is new emphasis too on place making and protecting the character of places. An up-to-date local plan will provide greater protections to residential areas at risk from speculative high density flatted development as the Council will not be required to demonstrate a five-year land supply.

RESOLVED that Cabinet supports the consultation response set out in Appendix 1 to this report and delegates authority to the Director of Planning to submit it to government subject to minor changes.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

It is important the Council responds to the consultation. The constitution through the Scheme of Delegation to Officers delegates to each Chief Officer authority "To determine whether and how to respond on behalf of the Council to any local, county, sub-regional, regional or national consultation on matters affecting the Council subject to prior consultation with an Executive Member where it relates to an Executive function”.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration requested this consultation response be a matter for Cabinet approval.

The Portfolio Holder for Deputy Leader of the Council and 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 Government is currently consulting on changes to national planning policy to incentivise the preparation of local plans as the means to deliver more homes to meet its national targets. Government is aware that local plans delayed by contentious issues such as housing targets and allocations within the Green Belt are delaying plan making and resulting in less homes being built.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the implications for the emerging Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Plan are significant, and that the proposals strengthen the Council’s position in demonstrating that the government’s standard methodology figure of 2,800 homes per year is not achievable, and that the proposed changes to national policy suggest that a lower housing target can be found sound at examination, where local constraints and circumstances are considered which would allow the Council to prepare a draft plan without having to release Green Belt for housing development or plan for densities out of character with the current built environment.

Cabinet was informed that in accordance with the Local Development Scheme the intention remains to publish a draft local plan in Autumn 2023, test it through examination and adopt it in late 2024.

In addition Cabinet was advised that there is new emphasis too on place making and protecting the character of places, and that an up-to-date local plan will provide greater protections to residential areas at risk from speculative high density flatted development as the Council will not be required to demonstrate a five-year land supply.

RESOLVED that Cabinet supports the consultation response set out in Appendix 1 to this report and delegates authority to the Director of Planning to submit it to government subject to minor changes.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration

The Cost-of-Living Crisis means that for many the risk of homelessness is increasing, the most vulnerable in our society are balancing heating vs food vs rental payments.   The most devastating outcome is for those that lose their homes to end up sleeping rough.  These individuals often have complex needs sometimes leading to entrenched negative behaviours and health issues.

At this time of crisis BCP Council wants to ensure we are supporting the most in need in our communities.   We know that homeless individuals find it easier to work with and trust voluntary sector organisations.  As a Council we want to enable our communities to do more to support those that are homeless.

This report sets out options for Cabinet to consider in order to increase the level of funding available to support homelessness charities in the BCP area.   The aim of this funding is to increase the support those facing homelessness receive with a particular focus on health.

These options require a £50,000 annual revenue grant for 5 years and a one-off Capital grant of £250,000. The grants will be outcome based and the recipients would need to demonstrate each year that their work directly reduces the number of people rough sleeping in the BCP area and the health issues they experience.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)             Allocate £50,000 revenue funding and a one off £250,000 capital funding to support the voluntary sector to provide health support to homeless individuals; and

(b)            Having considered the options set out in the report Cabinet agree to implement to allocate these funds to provide Hope Place CIC with a £50,000 annual revenue grant for 5 years and a one-off Capital grant of £250,000

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: People and Homes

Reason

To support the Council’s Homelessness Strategy and work to reduce homelessness across the authority area.

The Portfolio Holder for People and Homes 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.

In introducing the report the Portfolio Holder advised that the published papers cited as appendices should be referenced as background papers and not appendices as these are already publicly available.

Cabinet was advised that the Cost-of-Living Crisis means that for many the risk of homelessness is increasing, the most vulnerable in our society are balancing heating vs food vs rental payments, and that the most devastating outcome is for those that lose their homes to end up sleeping rough, and that these individuals often have complex needs sometimes leading to entrenched negative behaviours and health issues.

Cabinet was informed that at this time of crisis BCP Council wants to ensure we are supporting the most in need in our communities, and that we know that homeless individuals find it easier to work with and trust voluntary sector organisations, and that as a Council we want to enable our communities to do more to support those that are homeless.

Cabinet was advised that the report sets out options for Cabinet to consider in order to increase the level of funding available to support homelessness charities in the BCP area, with the aim of this funding being to increase the support those facing homelessness receive with a particular focus on health.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that these options require a £50,000 annual revenue grant for 5 years and a one-off Capital grant of £250,000.

Cabinet was further advised that the grants will be outcome based and the recipients would need to demonstrate each year that their work directly reduces the number of people rough sleeping in the BCP area and the health issues they experience.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)             Allocate £50,000 revenue funding and a one off £250,000 capital funding to support the voluntary sector to provide health support to homeless individuals; and

(b)            Having considered the options set out in the report Cabinet agree to implement to allocate these funds to provide Hope Place CIC with a £50,000 annual revenue grant for 5 years and a one-off Capital grant of £250,000

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: People and Homes

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda. BCP Council has been allocated nearly £4.2m for the ‘main’ UKSPF, and a further £1.7m for the Multiply programme.

On 5 December 2022 the Government approved the BCP Council Investment Plan (IP). Now that the IP has been approved, this report seeks Cabinet approval to formally accept the funding and deliver the 17 proposed interventions of the UKSPF.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration 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 the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, and that BCP Council has been allocated nearly £4.2m for the ‘main’ UKSPF, and a further £1.7m for the Multiply programme.

Cabinet was informed that on 5 December 2022 the Government approved the BCP Council Investment Plan (IP), and that now that the IP has been approved, this report seeks Cabinet approval to formally accept the funding and deliver the 17 proposed interventions of the UKSPF.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)             Accepts the £4.2m UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant allocation from Government; and

(b)            Delegates authority to the Director of Economic Development in consultation with the Director of Finance and Portfolio Holder for regeneration to utilise the grant in line with the Council’s UKSPF Investment Plan and the associated Government guidance, ensuring oversight, governance and monitoring of the programme by March 31 2025.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration

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

The Chief Executive advised that an urgent decision had been taken regarding the appointment of Karima Fahmy and Ian Marcus as Non-Executive Directors to the board of BCP FuturePlaces

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.

A request was made to bring a report to the next Cabinet meeting on fly tipping following on from the report previously submitted to Cabinet.