Agenda item

Please refer to the recommendations detailed below.

6a - Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 2 March 2020 - Minute No 59 - The Big Plan 2018-21 Commissioning Strategy for Adults with Learning Disabilities Progress Report – Bill of Rights

The Portfolio Holder for Adults presented the report on the Bill of Rights from the People First Forum as set out on the agenda.  The Portfolio Holder reported that the Bill of Rights had been adopted by the preceding Councils and that a briefing session had been held in October for all Councillors which gave representatives from the Forum the opportunity to present the Bill of Rights and to highlight the work that the Forum do prior to consideration of the document requesting that the Bill of Rights be adopted by the Council. Councillor Butler in seconding the recommendation welcomed the document and felt that it was a fantastic piece of work which should be supported by the Council.

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 2 March 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Unanimous

6b – Licensing Committee – 17 September 2020 – Minute No 8 – Licensing 2003 – Review of Statement of Licensing Policy (SOLP)

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee presented the report on the review of the Statement of Licensing Policy as set out on the agenda.  In presenting the recommendations Councillors were advised of the obligations of the BCP Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 which were responsible for the following:

• The sale of alcohol by retail
• Supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club, or to the order of a member of the club
• The provision of regulated entertainment
• The provision of late-night refreshment

The BCP Licensing Authority was required to carry out its functions under the Licensing Act 2003 with the view to promoting the four stated licensing objectives being the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm. The Licensing Authority of BCP Council was required by section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 at five-year intervals to determine and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy. The devolved Boroughs of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole had all previously published individual policies.  The Chairman explained that the Local Government Structural Changes General Amendment Regulations 2018 provided that the Licensing Authority had 24 months from the date of reorganisation being 1 April 2019 to prepare and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy for the new local government area.  Councillors were advised of the requirements within the Licensing Act 2003 under section 5 sub section 3 to undertake the relevant consultation and the review arrangements detailed in section182 of the 2003 Act.  The Chairman of the Committee explained the process undertaken in developing the Statement of Licensing Policy, the consultation and the associated timelines.  In conclusion she presented the Statement of Licensing Policy for adoption.

In seconding the motion Councillor Julie Bagwell thanked all members of the Licensing Committee for the work undertaken to collate and contribute to the three preceding Council’s policies and the dedication of the Licensing Officer team. Councillor Bagwell paid special thanks to Frank Wenzel, past BCP Licensing Manager, after a long successful career with the Borough of Poole, whose last task was to rewrite and collate the three preceding authorities policies in to the document that you have before you today.

Councillors made comments on the detail of the statement including the following:

• Section 8.16 – refers to Morris Dancing confirmation was requested on whether this would also include traditional dances from other cultures. The Chairman of the Licensing Committee indicated the need to be diverse in the application of the exemption.
• Section 9.1 – queuing for outlets within cumulative impact area – where should complaints be referred to. The Chairman of the Licensing Committee indicated that it would not be appropriate to use licensing powers to respond to the above issue.
• Section 10.7 – asking for an explanation of a vertical drinking establishments. Councillors were advised that these were premises where drink was served.
• with little to no seating.
• Section 7.5 – is the wording appropriate.
• Section 8.17 – suggestion that the wording relating to travelling circuses and exemptions was ambiguous and confusing. The Chairman reported that she would ask officers to clarify the position in respect of this section.
• Section 10.10 - some text had been left in red

A Councillor reported that he had been pleased to work on the policy and also suggested that Nananka Randle, Licensing Manager be thanked for the work that she had undertaken on the Policy.

The Chairman reported that she would ensure that any typographical errors would be addressed. 

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Licensing Committee on 17 September 2020 relating to the above were approved subject to the above comments.

Voting: Unanimous

6c Cabinet – 30 September 2020 – Minute No 239 – Highway Maintenance Funding 2020/21 Report

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability presented the report on the Highways Maintenance Funding 2020/21 as set out on the agenda.  He explained that the Council was requested to confirm the planned programme of maintenance for highways and structures, the spend comprised of capital funding of £7m which was part of the Government’s pothole and challenge fund issued earlier in the summer together with a further £700k of previously awarded capital.  The Portfolio Holder reported that the issue had been examined by the Overview and Scrutiny Board in September and recommended by the Cabinet on 30 September 2020. 

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet on 30 September 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Unanimous

6d Cabinet – 30 September 2020 – Minute No 241 – Flood Defences – Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste presented the report on the flood defences for Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill as set out on the agenda.  He reported that the Overview and Scrutiny Board had considered the report in September 2020 and was recommended by Cabinet on 30 September 2020.  The Portfolio Holder reported that the proposal would improve flood defences from Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill and fit with the work undertaken by the Environment Agency and Poole Harbour Commissioners on the flood alleviation work they had undertaken.  Councillors were informed that scheme had been sent to the Environment Agency and considered by the large project group on 12 November.  The Portfolio reported that he hoped that the scheme would be agreed in the near future. 

A Ward Councillor for Poole Town welcomed the project.  He explained that the project had previously been rated as zero CIL and he asked for assurance that the Council would be looking to reintroduce CIL so there was community benefit for any development taking place. Another Ward Councillor and previous Portfolio Holder echoed the views of his ward colleague and highlighted that the project would aid regeneration in the area.

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet on 30 September 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Unanimous

6e Cabinet - 11 November 2020 - Minute No 249 - Western Gateway Rail Strategy

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability presented the report on the Western Gateway Rail Strategy as set out on the agenda. He explained that the Strategy has been developed by the Western Gateway Sub National Transport Body which was a group of a dozen or so Local Authorities stretching from Christchurch to Bristol set up in 2018 in response to the Government’s indications that they would expect future funding of major transport infrastructure to follow a regional approach.  He explained that it was a major piece of work whilst not a detailed wish list it provided the collective hopes and aspirations for the next 20-25 years of the representatives on the above body.  Councillors were reminded of the themes of the strategy namely decarbonisation, social mobility, productivity, connectivity and growth.  The Portfolio Holder thanked officers and the previous portfolio holder for their work on the strategy which had been approved by the Western Gateway Sub National Transport Body which was with the constituent authorities for approval.

The Portfolio Holder in response to a question provided further detail on the “route maps” referred to in the Strategy.

The previous Portfolio Holder reported that the plans were welcomed he referred to the proposal to achieve 4-6 trains per hour, but one of the challenges was the limitations of the Poole level crossing. He explained that Bournemouth and Poole had been highlighted as two of the worst connected stations in Western Gateway area. He highlighted that BCP Councillor Officers were taking a leading role in the development of the strategy.

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet on 11 November 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Unanimous

6f Cabinet – 11 November 2020 - Minute No 250 - Recladding of Sterte Court blocks - HRA

The Portfolio Holder for Housing presented the report on the recladding of Sterte Court blocks as set out on the agenda.  In presenting the recommendations the Portfolio Holder reported on the guidelines that had been issued by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government regarding cladding on buildings over 18 metres earlier in 2020.  As a result of the guidelines it was recommended to award a contract for the removal of the cladding and installation of new cladding.  The Portfolio Holder acknowledged the large investment in this project but highlighted that you cannot put a price on residents’ safety. He thanked the Officers and the previous Portfolio Holder for the work undertaken in bringing this report forward.

The Chairman referred to the exempt appendix and reminded Councillors that if they wished to discuss the detail of this document then the press and public would be excluded. 

Councillors commented on the recommendations to maintain the safety of residents, the proposal to waive the rights to charge leaseholders, the use of the HRA which was funds paid in by tenants and the role of tenants in PHP.

The Portfolio Holder thanked the previous speakers for their comments and highlighted that tenant involvement was at the heart of his portfolio and he would take on Board the comments that had been made by Councillor Trent.

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet on 11 November 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Unanimous

6g Cabinet - 11 November 2020 - Minute No 254 - 2020/21 Budget Monitoring & Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update

The Leader of the Council presented the report on the 2020/21 Budget Monitoring & Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update as set out on the report.  He explained that the report had been through the Overview and Scrutiny Board process, provided an update on the refresh of the MTFP period, highlighted that he was proud of the work undertaken by Officers, referred to the £49.1m deficit which had been reduced to £13.4m acknowledged that there was more work to do and reported that the Council was awaiting the Government’s funding settlement.

Councillor Brooke whilst supporting the two recommendations set out on the agenda sought clarification on a couple of issues.  He expressed his concern about the dependency on not filling staff vacancies, the potential impact on service delivery, referred to member priorities to be delayed including the climate ecological emergency and proposed new priorities areas. The Leader of the Council reported on the transformation programme and the aim of achieving £43.9 m in savings a large part of which would be a reduction in head count and the analysis of job families with the overall aim of providing head room to prioritise frontline services.  In response to the second question the Leader explained that the administration had not delayed spending programmes in relation to the climate and ecological emergency and would be bringing forward new priority areas in a Cabinet report to the next meeting of the Cabinet.  He emphasised that priorities were not being cancelled and the budget reset paper had referred to potential for further funding for the climate and ecological emergency through the community municipal bond. 

Councillor Cox indicated that the setting of a robust and lawful budget would be a challenge.  He highlighted that it was pleasing to report the conclusions of the Council’s external auditors in respect of the first year of BCP Council and the UAs approach to financial sustainability and its response to the Pandemic.  

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet on 11 November 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Agreed

Councillor Diana Butler abstained from the above decision.

6h Cabinet - 11 November 2020 - Minute No 256 - Estates and Accommodation Project

The Leader of the Council presented the report on the Estates and Accommodation project as set out on the agenda.  He explained that this was about reducing the exposure to a large and inefficient office accommodation estate and more importantly it was about delivering the single council identity through transformation.  He reported on the significant investment through the three town centre Libraries to deliver customer services and the decoupling of the civic piece from the office accommodation strategy to consider how the Council wanted the civic accommodation to look.  He also commented on the Member Working Group that would look at this issue. In seconding the proposal Councillor Broadhead highlighted the protection of the civic heritage and service provision which would be closer to the public.

Councillor Le Poidevin reported that clearly the report related to the Bournemouth Town Hall, but the decisions required do not make that clear and suggested that reference should be made in recommendation ‘b’ that it related to Bournemouth Town Hall.  She asked why there was no mention of Poole Civic Centre as it was clearly the intention to decouple the front listed section for Civic functions and Community use with the rear section being used for housing.   Councillor Le Poidevin expressed her concern that the document referred to prudential borrowing to complete the work at Bournemouth and suggested that if the Poole section which was proposed for housing was included at this stage that may obviate the need for prudential borrowing.

Councillor Butler referred to the Poole Civic Centre which was not mentioned and the core assumptions which referred to the disposal of estates without identifying specific buildings.  She requested that assurance be provided. 

Councillor Moore acknowledged that the paper was about the future use of Bournemouth Town Hall and that the most important change was that customer services were to transfer to the town centre libraries which would be an improvement for her residents. She referred to the future of Poole Civic Centre, the approach taken previously in utilising the Guildhall at Poole and highlighted that this could be done again for the Civic Centre to preserve and protect this historic building. She welcomed the recommendation to set up a working group and hoped that this would be cross party.

The Leader of the Council in summing up explained that the paper was predominantly about the Bournemouth Town Hall but also about the Council’s entire accommodation stock. He referred to previous discussions where he had confirmed maintaining the Poole Civic Centre.  In respect of prudential borrowing he reported that this mechanism would be used more frequently to spread the cost.  The Leader of the Council referred to the championing of the heritage assets by Councillor Butler and reported that he had confirmed through public forums his aspirations for the Poole Civic Centre. In conclusion he reported that the Member Working Group would be cross party.

Councillor Slade explained that it had always been the intention to maintain parts of the Poole Civic Centre. She referred to the ageing and environmentally inefficiency of legacy buildings of Poole and Christchurch and that there was no commitment to improve the environmental credentials of the Town Hall building.  She requested that future reports should identify how the Council would proactively improve the sustainability of the building together with addressing the commitment to improve the working environment.

The Leader of the Council disagreed with the comments on the Poole Civic Centre made by Councillor Slade and referred to the history of the accommodation project up until June, the proposals to maintain the Poole Civic Centre and the reduction in the carbon footprint of the Town Hall.  

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet on 11 November 2020 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Agreed

Councillors Lewis Allison, George Farquhar and Lisa Lewis voted against the above decision.