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.

Councillor Mark Anderson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Minute No. 315 (Sale of Christchurch By-Pass Car Park) and refrained from participating in the discussion and voting thereon.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 10 February 2021.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 February 2021 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, statements or petitions received from members of the public on this occasion.

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

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet with regards to the Sale of Christchurch By-Pass Car Park item at Minute No. 315. The Chairman of the Board requested that Cabinet consider deferring the item until Scrutiny had had the opportunity to consider the report following a number of requests from Members.

In relation to this the Leader advised that he would work with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board outside of the meeting to look at a way forward without the need for deferring the item from the Cabinet agenda.

To seek approval for the governance of BCP Council CIL receipts. The report covers proposed governance for both strategic and neighbourhood portion CIL monies.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)        Cabinet agree that CIL Neighbourhood Portion will be operated as follows:

i.           Scheme 1 – Ward-based bidding process in Bournemouth and Poole; and

ii.          Scheme 2 – Allow bids from communities across BCP into the Strategic CIL pot where there are insufficient funds in the relevant area pots;

iii.        The first bidding round for the new schemes will start from May 2021 and then held thereafter as frequently as required to ensure communities are able to access CIL money for their projects in a timely fashion. The set up arrangements to be delegated under (c) will also include provision for smaller scale bids of up to £2,500 to be processed through fast track decision arrangements within the provisions of the Council’s financial regulations;

(b)        Cabinet establish a member CIL Allocations Panel to make decisions on CIL Neighbourhood Portion bids. The CIL Allocations Panel will comprise three Councillors including the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and Lead Member for Engagement and one other, and the Directors for Growth and Infrastructure and Communities;

(c)        Delegate the final set-up arrangements for the bidding process to the Director for Growth & Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and Lead Member for Engagement.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

To provide a unified approach to the allocation of BCP CIL 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 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the report covered proposed governance for both strategic and neighbourhood portions CIL monies. In relation to this Cabinet approval was sought for the governance of BCP Council CIL receipts.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder advised that he was proposing some amended recommendations to take into account the debate and discussion at the recent Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet, advising that at their recent meeting the Board resolved to make the following recommendation to Cabinet in respect of this item.

RESOLVED that the report be referred back for further clarification on the governance for Scheme Two, including the total amount of funding available and the panel to establish the schemes it will cover.

In addition the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised that the Board had also recommended that monies be allocated on a quarterly basis (not twice yearly) and that any balances move forward into the next quarter if not spent, and that in relation to this the Portfolio Holder had accepted these recommendations at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting and had also given a commitment to include ward councillors at all stages of the process, in particular with respect to Neighbourhood Forums as outlined in paragraph 11 of the report.

In relation to this the Portfolio Holder confirmed the intention in having a non-Conservative Member on the panel.

Councillor Hadley addressed Cabinet stressing the importance of cross-party membership of the established panel.

A number of Members spoke in support of the paper welcoming the approach for the allocation of BCP CIL receipts.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)        Cabinet agree that CIL Neighbourhood Portion will be operated as follows:

i.           Scheme 1 – Ward-based bidding process in Bournemouth and Poole; and

ii.          Scheme 2 – Allow bids from communities across BCP into the Strategic CIL pot where there are insufficient funds in the relevant area pots;

iii.        The first bidding round for the new schemes will start from May 2021 and then held thereafter as frequently as required to ensure communities are able to access CIL money for their projects in a timely fashion. The set up arrangements to be delegated under (c) will also include provision for smaller scale bids of up to £2,500 to be processed through fast track decision arrangements within the provisions of the Council’s financial regulations;

(b)        Cabinet establish a member CIL Allocations Panel to make decisions on CIL Neighbourhood Portion bids. The CIL Allocations Panel will comprise three Councillors including the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and Lead Member for Engagement and one other, and the Directors for Growth and Infrastructure and Communities;

(c)        Delegate the final set-up arrangements for the bidding process to the Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 310.

This report summarises the opportunities and the Council’s ambitions for regeneration in the BCP area. It seeks to strengthen the Council’s capacity to deliver, setting out an approach for reviewing and progressing the available options to realise those opportunities and ambitions. The report sets out the options for increasing our regeneration delivery capacity, working with an urban regeneration company and other forms of partnerships as well as sourcing external consultancy input.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)       Authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to procure and review advice from external consultants and to recommend to Cabinet as appropriate the creation of suitable structures to accelerate the delivery of regeneration projects, including the creation of structures or mechanisms to deliver the development of sites; and

(b)      Notes that reports will be brought to future Cabinet and Council meetings as appropriate setting out proposals for the use of the Futures Fund and the process for bringing forward individual sites for development.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

To enable greater focus and corporate grip on realising opportunities for delivering homes and jobs on sites owned or controlled by the council and increasing the scale and pace of delivery.

The internal management of site delivery is too small in scale to deliver the ambitions set out in the Big Plan which was considered by Cabinet and Council in February.

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 informed that the report summarised the opportunities and the Council’s ambitions for regeneration in the BCP are, and that in relation to this that it sought to strengthen the Council’s capacity to deliver, setting out an approach for reviewing and progressing the available options to realise those opportunities and ambitions. In addition, Cabinet was advised that the report sets out the options for increasing our regeneration delivery capacity, working with an urban regeneration company and other forms of partnerships as well as sourcing external consultancy input.

Several Members spoke in support of the report citing the importance of the delivery mechanism and of bringing future reports through the Cabinet and Council process.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)       Authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to procure and review advice from external consultants and to recommend to Cabinet as appropriate the creation of suitable structures to accelerate the delivery of regeneration projects, including the creation of structures or mechanisms to deliver the development of sites; and

(b)      Notes that reports will be brought to future Cabinet and Council meetings as appropriate setting out proposals for the use of the Futures Fund and the process for bringing forward individual sites for development.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

At the time of writing this report the Department for Transport (DfT) have yet to confirm exact funding values for 2021/22 and beyond and therefore an assumption has been made that the value will remain at least at the level received in 2020/21.

This Cabinet Report for the 2021/22 Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Programme has been developed to:

i)             Seek approval for the proposed utilisation of expected LTP 2021/22 Capital grant allocation of £6,803k (£3,078k of Integrated Transport Block (ITB) funding and £3,725k of Highway Maintenance funding), with a recommended split of £3,358k for ITB and £3,445k for Maintenance based on need.

ii)            Seek approval for the indicative 2022/23 and 2023/24 Highways Maintenance Programmes as set out in Appendix B.

iii)           Seek approval upon receipt of the DfT confirmation letter that through delegated authority the Director of Growth & Infrastructure in consultation with Portfolio Holder’s for Transportation and Environment make required LTP Capital Programme amendment to match confirmed DfT levels.

iv)           Note the utilisation of £147k of s106 developer contributions for the final phase of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP): Townside scheme.

v)            Note the allocation of 2021/22 LTP Integrated Transport Block funding (combined total of £530k) as a local contribution towards the SE Dorset City Regions Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme.

vi)           Note the £40.88M of funding in 2021/22 for the delivery of the approved Transforming Cities Fund programme.

vii)          Note the award of £1,062k from the Active Travel Fund, with a local contribution of £200k of LTP funding committed as part of the successful bid.

Note the ongoing delivery of over £3M of highway maintenance schemes (via DfT Challenge Fund award).

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability presented a report and additional addendum, copies of which had been circulated to each Member and copies of which appear as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the 2021/22 Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Programme had been developed to:

i)         Seek approval for the proposed utilisation of expected LTP 2021/22 Capital grant allocation of £6,803k (£3,078k of Integrated Transport Block (ITB) funding and £3,725k of Highway Maintenance funding), with a recommended split of £3,358k for ITB and £3,445k for Maintenance based on need.

ii)       Seek approval for the indicative 2022/23 and 2023/24 Highways Maintenance Programmes as set out in Appendix B.

iii)      Seek approval upon receipt of the DfT confirmation letter that through delegated authority the Director of Growth & Infrastructure in consultation with Portfolio Holder’s for Transportation and Environment make required LTP Capital Programme amendment to match confirmed DfT levels.

iv)      Note the utilisation of £147k of s106 developer contributions for the final phase of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP): Townside scheme.

v)       Note the allocation of 2021/22 LTP Integrated Transport Block funding (combined total of £530k) as a local contribution towards the SE Dorset City Regions Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme.

vi)      Note the £40.88M of funding in 2021/22 for the delivery of the approved Transforming Cities Fund programme.

vii)    Note the award of £1,062k from the Active Travel Fund, with a local contribution of £200k of LTP funding committed as part of the successful bid.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that at the time of writing the report the Department for Transport (DfT) had yet to confirm exact funding values for 2021/22 and beyond and therefore an assumption had been made that the value will remain at least at the level received in 2020/21.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the allocation had since been announced and an addendum setting out the changes to the report in light of the allocation and amended appendices had been produced, published and circulated.

Whilst the Overview and Scrutiny Board didn’t consider the item the Chairman of the Board addressed the Cabinet highlighting the massive investment in sustainable travel.

Councillor Hadley addressed the Cabinet praising the report for moving forwards. In addition, Councillor Hadley expressed surprise that there was no reference to pot holes.

The Officer addressed the Cabinet advising that budgets were contained within the highway maintenance fund to deal with potholes.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(a)           approve the proposed 2021/22 Local Transport Plan Capital Programme funding as set out in Appendix A; and

(b)           approve the indicative 2022/23 and 2023/24 Highways Maintenance Programmes as set out in Appendix B;

RESOLVED that:-

(c)           authority be delegated to the Director of G&I in consultation with the Portfolio Holder’s for Transportation and Environment to make LTP Capital Programme amendments once actual DfT grant allocations have been confirmed.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Transport and Sustainability

The draft BCP Children and Young People’s Plan has been developed by the BCP Children and Young People’s Partnership Board, the successor body to the previous Learning Partnership Board. The difference is to focus on all issues for children, not just education and to a lesser extent, children’s social care.

Having a plan in place is a requirement placed on BCP by the Local Government Reorganisation process so in that sense it is a plan required by Government of us.

The draft Plan sets out the proposed strategic priorities for partnership action to improve outcomes for BCP’s children and young people and to help them achieve their potential. It is consistent with existing BCP policy about improving child outcomes

Central to this is that the Council plays its part in the Partnership to help BCP’s children and young people to be “fulfilled, happy, included, and resilient”.

This report provides a copy of the draft plan at Appendix 1 to the report.

The draft Plan has been subject to public consultation during the month of January 2021.

This Plan, when finalised, will be championed by the multi-agency BCP Children and Young People’s Partnership Board. An action plan will be an integral part of the final document. This will be monitored through the Board.

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 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the draft BCP Children and Young People’s Plan had been developed by the BCP Children and Young People’s Partnership Board, the successor body to the previous Learning Partnership Board with the difference being to focus on all issues for children, not just education and to a lesser extent, children’s social care.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that having a plan in place was a requirement placed on BCP by the Local Government Reorganisation process, and that the plan sets out the proposed strategic priorities for partnership action to improve outcomes for BCP’s children and young people and to help them achieve their potential and is consistent with existing BCP policy about improving child outcomes. 

In addition, Cabinet was advised that central to this is that the Council plays its part in the Partnership to help BCP’s children and young people to be “fulfilled, happy, included, and resilient”.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the draft Plan has been subject to public consultation during the month of January 2021, and been supported at the recent Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee where a number of amendments had been suggested, these are set out within the draft minutes of the Committee. The Plan, when finalised, will be championed by the multi-agency BCP Children and Young People’s Partnership Board and an action plan will be an integral part of the final document. This will be monitored through the Board.

Cabinet spoke in support of the paper, praising the clarity and readability of the plan and commending all those involved.

RECOMMENDED that Council fully supports this plan.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (SP) requires Councils to develop local SP plans.

Across the whole of Dorset between 70 and 80 lives are lost perannum because of suicide and each death impacts people in families, workplaces and communities.

BCP Council has developed a comprehensive and wide-reaching action plan based on the responses to a local consultation. This has been developed with Heads of Service, working together to see how they could contribute to the suicide prevention plan.

The action plan provides information about the national and pan Dorset Strategic direction and then provides local narrative to set the scene for the BCP Council response.

The table in the plan outlines the main objectives and deliverables, set out by each lead area with communication and public health support throughout the plan. Many of the themes cut across Portfolio holder responsibilities, Directorates and teams, so the delivery plan shows contributions to the overall aim of reducing suicides and their impact. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the BCP Council Suicide Prevention Plan 2021-23.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

Reason

To meet the requirements that the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (SP), where Councils are required to develop local SP plans.

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 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (SP) required Councils to develop local Suicide Prevention plans, and that across the whole of Dorset between 70 and 80 lives are lost per annum because of suicide and that each death impacts people in families, workplaces and communities.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that BCP Council has developed a comprehensive and wide-reaching action plan based on the responses to a local consultation. This has been developed with Heads of Service, working together to see how they could contribute to the suicide prevention plan.

The action plan provides information about the national and pan Dorset Strategic direction and then provides local narrative to set the scene for the BCP Council response.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the table in the plan outlines the main objectives and deliverables, set out by each lead area with communication and public health support throughout the plan. Many of the themes cut across Portfolio holder responsibilities, Directorates and teams, so the delivery plan shows contributions to the overall aim of reducing suicides and their impact. 

Members spoke in support of the report stressing the importance of the plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the BCP Council Suicide Prevention Plan 2021-23.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

It is proposed that the Christchurch By-Pass Car Park is sold to the adjoining owner of the retail outlet, in order to secure the continued occupation of this unit by Waitrose.

The purchase price has taken into consideration the existing use value of the site as a car park. The sale will be subject to clauses that allow the Council to buyback the site should it no longer be required as a car park.

The terms of the disposal have been agreed between the parties and are outlined in the confidential appendix to this report.

Progressing with this disposal will provide a capital receipt that will support the Council’s Transformation Programme.

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 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the report set out proposals for the Christchurch By-Pass Car Park to be sold to the adjoining owner of the retail outlet, in order to secure the continued occupation of this unit by Waitrose.

Further to this Cabinet were advised that the purchase price has taken into consideration the existing use value of the site as a car park, and that the sale will be subject to clauses that allow the Council to buyback the site should it no longer be required as a car park. Cabinet was informed that the terms of the disposal have been agreed between the parties and are outlined in the confidential appendix to this report, and that progressing with this disposal will provide a capital receipt that will support the Council’s Transformation Programme.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet stressing concern that the report should have an in-depth analysis of consideration from the Board prior to going to Council and urged consideration be given to deferring the item to a future Council meeting in order to allow consideration of the report by the Board.

Councillors Dedman and Hilliard addressed the Cabinet expressing concern with regards to the future use of the site, the effect it will have on the local residents and the assurance of the guarantee the Council had to buy back the site.

Councillor Hadley addressed the Cabinet expressing concern with regards to the rate at which this is being done and questioning the difference between the Council retaining the Car Park and selling the car park to the retail outlet.

In relation to this Members were informed that the retail unit wanted to remain in control of the car park and wanted the confidence that the car park would remain as a car park. Further to this Cabinet was advised that the expectation was that the car park would remain as a car park, and that providing security to the retail outlet would support the vibrancy of the town centre.

The Lead Member for BCP Retail Strategy and Christchurch Regeneration addressed the Cabinet highlighting that the car parking isn’t going to change, and that the report indicates that there is going to be no loss to car parking. Further to this Cabinet was informed that the access arrangements across the site had been considered and that this was a very good transaction to secure the retention of the current retail unit for the future.

The Leader highlighted that he would work with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board outside of the Cabinet meeting in order to discuss ways in which the Board could be engaged in discussions around this item.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(a)           agree to dispose of the Christchurch By-Pass Car Park, as outlined in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 315.

To consider the latest published version of the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Cabinet noted the latest published version of the Forward Plan 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.