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 9 March 2022.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 March 2022 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 two questions and one statement had been received from members of the public who were present to address the meeting:

Question from Phil Hanchet on the Agenda Item 9 - BCP Seafront Strategy

BeachPeople are campaigning to have Whitely Lake (aka Kite Beach), Sandbanks harbour-side, designated by Defra as a Bathing Water.  

This would mean that the Environment Agency will sample the water for E. Coli and Enterococci twenty times per bathing season (from mid-May to September inc.)  

Whitley Lake would then become the only sample point downstream of the large number of CSOs in Holes Bay, source of the vast majority of sewage pollution in the Harbour.  

Do any of the council departments, in particular Destination and Culture, have any objections to BeachPeople’s campaign, and if so, what are those objections?

Response by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

I would like to thank Mr Hanchet and the beachpeople for this question and their determination to get the Whitely Lake/Kite Beach designated as a bathing water site.

I've discussed this issue with seafront staff from Destination and Culture and regulatory officer's and as the portfolio holder covering Seafront Operations, I'm happy to support your request.

However, we are not intending to update or provide additional facilities in this area. As this is not land owned or managed by BCP Council, we are however conscious of its popularity and use and would support improvements. 

As I know Mr Hanchet has concerns about water quality as I do, I thought it useful to let him know that I have written to all the BCP MP’s and recently had a meeting with the local MP’s about the water quality in the area.

The focus of the meeting was on sewage outflows and the work BCP Council has been doing with various agencies to address this. The aim was also to raise awareness with MP’s and to focus on the impact on our Harbour / Shellfish industry. Sewage and the quality of our beaches was also discussed along with issues associated with people seeing foul surface water (mistakenly perceived as sewage) floating across beaches.

Question from John Sprackling on Agenda Item 12 – Cabinet Forward Plan

I note from the latest edition of the BCP News, that under the heading "Delivering Our Big Planned vision for the future" on page 6, that there is a paragraph which reads "Initially, FuturePlaces will concentrate on the following schemes" and this omits the Beach Road car park scheme.

To my surprise, this has been reinstated on the Cabinet Forward Plan (01 April 2022 to 31 July 2022) and listed for Cabinet Agenda on 27 Jul 2022 followed by Council Agenda on 13 Sep 2022.

What is the current status of the Beach Road Car Park scheme?

Reply from Councillor Philip Broadhead

The addition of the stand-alone item on the Beach Road Car Park onto the forward plan was actually an error and had been removed. Its because when we took it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

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

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

This report brings forward the recommendations required to establish the new operating model for council housing services.  It will recommend the cessation of the management agreement for services delivered from Poole Housing Partnership and set out the new operating model and approach to service delivery under BCP Homes.  The recommendations will enable the ending of legacy approaches for housing the creation of new service models embedded within the council and operating under new refreshed service models. 

RECOMMENDED that: -

  (i)           Cabinet recommend that Full Council approves the Termination Agreement to describe and novate all current assets and liabilities from PHP into BCP Council;

  (ii)         Cabinet recommend that Full Council approves the termination of the PHP management agreement and delegates authorisation for the final decisions in relation to the closure of PHP and the establishment of BCP Homes to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for People and Homes;

That subject to the approval by Council of i and ii above

(iii)         Cabinet approves the establishment of a Housing advisory board to advise on delivery of all HRA funded activities and the establishment of, and ongoing development of the resident involvement structures as described in the paper; and

(iv)         Cabinet approves the new Housing Management operating model

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: People and Homes

Reason

These recommendations will enable the required actions which will dissolve the current legacy arrangements and create the new operating model for housing services.

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 report brings forward the recommendations required to establish the new operating model for council housing services.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the report recommends the cessation of the management agreement services delivered from Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) and set out the new operating model and approach to service delivery under BCP Homes.

Cabinet was further advised that the recommendations would enable the ending of legacy approaches for housing, the creation of new service models embedded within the council and operating under new refreshed services models.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised that at their recent meeting the Board had been broadly supportive of the report.

RECOMMENDED that: -

    (i)         Cabinet recommend that Full Council approves the Termination Agreement to describe and novate all current assets and liabilities from PHP into BCP Council;

  (ii)         Cabinet recommend that Full Council approves the termination of the PHP management agreement and delegates authorisation for the final decisions in relation to the closure of PHP and the establishment of BCP Homes to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for People and Homes;

That subject to the approval by Council of i and ii above

(iii)         Cabinet approves the establishment of a Housing advisory board to advise on delivery of all HRA funded activities and the establishment of, and ongoing development of the resident involvement structures as described in the paper; and

(iv)         Cabinet approves the new Housing Management operating model

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: People and Homes

Local authorities in England are required by central government to prepare a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) to set out long term plans for delivering new or improved infrastructure for walking and cycling. 

New national policy and guidance titled ‘Gear Change’ has been published by government, setting higher and more ambitious standards for infrastructure required to achieve the government’s vision of half of all short, urban journeys to be made by cycling or walking by 2030.

Government has confirmed that local authorities that do not have a LCWIP and that do not comply with the updated design standards (e.g. LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design) will not receive funding for active travel. 

The draft LCWIP has undertaken two rounds of public engagement including a full public consultation during November and December 2021. The final draft incorporates comments and suggestions from the public and other key stakeholders. 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport 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 Local authorities in England are required by central government to prepare a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) to set out long term plans for delivering new or improved infrastructure for walking and cycling. 

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that new national policy and guidance titled ‘Gear Change’ has been published by government, setting higher and more ambitious standards for infrastructure required to achieve the government’s vision of half of all short, urban journeys to be made by cycling or walking by 2030.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that Government has confirmed that local authorities that do not have a LCWIP and that do not comply with the updated design standards (e.g. LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design) will not receive funding for active travel. 

Cabinet was informed that the draft LCWIP has undertaken two rounds of public engagement including a full public consultation during November and December 2021, and that the final draft incorporates comments and suggestions from the public and other key stakeholders. 

RECOMMENDED that: -

Cabinet recommends to Council that the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Sustainability and Transport

The Council previously approved the Cabinet recommendation (29 September 2021) concerning the Council Newbuild Housing & Acquisition Strategy (CNHAS) 2021-2026 and its 5 associated programmes, this report reflects the subsequent 6 months: -

1.     4 schemes (programme 1a) currently ‘on site’ but with 359 units/ 8 additional schemes projected as ‘on site’ within next 6 months.

2.     BCP & National initiatives/policies have progressed – The Extra Care Housing Strategy for example- refer paras 1-6.

3.     £175m Capital Budget allocations (HRA & GF) for CNHAS programmes 1-4a approved in February 2022, refer para 14.

4.     Future Places (FP) now leading on sites’ - previously within CHNAS, such as Turlin Moor north’ & Constitution Hill - so not accounted for within current CNHAS programmes totals and budget allocations, but could return after their evaluation by FP.

Seeks specific project approval for 4 of the 33 sites in CNHAS programme- representing an additional 170 homes.

The 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 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Council previously approved the Cabinet recommendations (29 September 2021) concerning the Council Newbuild Housing and Acquisition Strategy (CNHAS) 2021-2026 and its 5 associated programmes.

Cabinet was informed that the report reflects the subsequent 6 months: -

1.            4 schemes (programme 1a) currently ‘on site) but with 359 units/ 8 additional schemes projected as ‘on site’ within the next 6 months.

2.            BCP & National initiatives/ policies have progressed – The Extra Care Housing Strategy for example – refer paras 1-6.

3.            £175m Capital Budget allocations (HRA & GF) for CNHAS programmes 1-4a approved in February 2022 refer para 14.

4.            Future Places (FP) now leading on sites’ – previously within CNHAS, such as Turlin Moor north’ & Constitution Hill – so not accounted for within current CNHAS programmes totals and budget allocations, but could return after their evaluation by FP.

5.            Seeks specific project approval for 4 of the 33 sites in CNHAS programme – representing an additional 170 homes.

RECOMMENDED that: -

Cabinet notes the CNHAS 6-month progress review and recommends that Council approves:

(a)          Annex 1 for Hillbourne project, including an increase in indicative capital budget approved from £24.4 million to £25.1 million;

(b)          Annex 2 for 43 Bingham Road project, including the repurposing of £1.2 million CNHAS capital budget from scheme no longer progressing;

(c)          Annex 3 for Crescent Road project, including the repurposing of £1.7 million CNHAS capital budget from scheme no longer progressing; and

(d)          Annex 4 for A35- Roeshott Hill, a new scheme to be included within CNHAS with capital budget of £10.9 million.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

The new BCP Seafront Strategy sets out a bold and exciting ambition for a world class seafront leisure offer across 15 miles of coast and 26 miles of harbour-side landscape and is aligned to the Council’s Big Plan. 

The report also sets out the principles and criteria for prioritising future investments in the near, mid and longer term life of the strategy

RESOLVED that: -

(a)     The BCP Seafront Strategy is approved for adoption by Cabinet;

(b)    The principals and criteria for investment prioritisation within the strategy is supported by Cabinet; and  

(c)     Any Cabinet recommendations and final amendments to this report be delegated to the Service Director to implement in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Tourism & Active Health and Culture and Vibrant Places.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Culture and Vibrant Places

                               Tourism and Active Health

Reason

Provides a bold vision for investment in infrastructure, public spaces, health and well-being, the environment, and places to eat, drink and stay.

Provides a projects prioritisation framework to support investment to grow and diversify the offer and protect and increase revenue streams.

Provides a guide / prospectus to attract commercial leisure investment.

Provides a strategic context for seafront development to support future planning applications.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places / Tourism and Active Health 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 new BCP Seafront Strategy sets out a bold and exciting ambition for a world class seafront leisure offer across 15 miles of coast and 26 miles of harbour-side landscape and is aligned to the Council’s Big Plan. 

In addition, Cabinet was informed that the report also sets out the principles and criteria for prioritising future investments in the near-, mid- and longer-term life of the strategy

RESOLVED that: -

(a)     The BCP Seafront Strategy is approved for adoption by Cabinet;

(b)    The principals and criteria for investment prioritisation within the strategy is supported by Cabinet; and  

(c)     Any Cabinet recommendations and final amendments to this report be delegated to the Service Director to implement in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Tourism & Active Health and Culture and Vibrant Places.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Culture and Vibrant Places

                               Tourism and Active Health

In November 2021 the Local Government Association (LGA) carried out a Corporate Peer Challenge of BCP Council.

The peer team was made up of eight ‘critical friends’ which included two lead members and four senior officers from other Local Authorities and two LGA advisors.

The Peer challenge focused on:

1.     Local priorities and outcomes

2.     Organisational and place leadership

3.     Governance and culture

4.     Financial planning and management 

5.     Capacity for improvement

and at the council’s request:

·       Transformation

·       Partnership working

·       Summer response

Informal feedback was given at the end of the onsite visit which was followed up by a draft feedback report and final feedback report in January 2022.

An action plan has been prepared in response to the feedback report and is presented, along with the final feedback report, for Cabinet approval.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)    Receives the Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report; and

(b)   Approves the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

A peer challenge presents opportunities for councils to receive endorsements from other local authorities about how well services are being delivered but also to learn how things could be done differently to best meet the needs of the council and the wider community.

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 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that in November 2021 the Local Government Association (LGA) carried out a Corporate Peer Challenge of BCP Council.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the peer team was made up of eight ‘critical friends’ which included two lead members and four senior officers from other Local Authorities and two LGA advisors.

Cabinet was further informed that the Peer challenge focused on:

1.     Local priorities and outcomes

2.     Organisational and place leadership

3.     Governance and culture

4.     Financial planning and management 

5.     Capacity for improvement

and at the council’s request:

·      Transformation

·      Partnership working

·       Summer response

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that informal feedback was given at the end of the onsite visit which was followed up by a draft feedback report and final feedback report in January 2022, and an action plan has been prepared in response to the feedback report and is presented, along with the final feedback report, for Cabinet approval.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board had commented on the length of time between the feedback report being received and this report, in the context of the Team’s intention to return and assess progress of the action plan. The Chairman of the Board questioned whether this was going to happen and when?

The Leader advised that the peer team would be welcomed back, and that discussions had taken place but no date fixed, but the aim was for the end of this calendar year. In addition the Leader advised that the action plan was already being implemented.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           Receives the Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report; and

(b)           Approves the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

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

Cabinet was advised that there had been one urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution to report on this occasion, this being:-

-       Dorset CCG Section 256 Agreements Transfer

Cabinet was advised that the decision had been published on the Council’s website.

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.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board sought clarification as to the Beach Road Car Park item, and in relation to this was advised that the item is in the process of being taken off of the Forward Plan.

In addition Cabinet was advised that Future Places have various items which are due to be brought forward and that there would be an item on the forthcoming Cabinet meeting which would be presented to Council in July.