Decisions

It is RECOMMENDED that Cabinet:

(a)        Supports the update of the plan to deliver a balanced budget for 2023/24 and the testing of the implementation process;

(b)        Recognises the continued improvement to the in-year position with a surplus of £8.5m now projected; and

(c)        Acknowledges that further proposals have been identified to replace any proposals that cannot now be delivered, or which have been deferred into a future year.

It is RECOMMENDED that Council:

(d)       Approves the disposal of Non-Strategic Asset Sales as set out in confidential appendix A, subject to achieving the estimated sales value for each lot, with the decision delegated to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Council as appropriate; and

(e)       Approves a pooled budget arrangement in relation to section 117 Aftercare as set out in appendix B.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

Further to a recommendation agreed by Cabinet on the 7 September 2022, an update on the Councils financial strategy will be a standing item on the Cabinet agenda until such time as a balanced budget for 2023/24 has been delivered.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the budget of £543k for the new Summers Avenue scheme to the Council Newbuild Housing & Acquisitions Strategy (CHNAS) be approved;

(b)           the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 8 to 11 with specific approval for the use of £400k new prudential borrowing to be repaid over 50 years from the HRA be approved;

(c)           the procurement of build works to the inhouse Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and budget compliance) be approved;

(d)          the delegation to SRO (in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer) authority to enter into a contract for build works providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met; and

(e)          the appropriation of land for housing purposes if required be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

To enable the proposed affordable housing scheme to progress with the agreed funding arrangements through to construction and subsequent completion to deliver the wide range of benefits to the Council and local communities.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)        Considered the Mid-Year Performance reports;

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

(c)        Supported the change to the performance indicator set and advise of any further amendments to the performance indicator set that informs corporate performance

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

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

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           approved the end of the existing pilot in March 2023;

(b)           approved Option 2, the extension of the scope of the service, to include investigation and issuing of fines for littering, fly-tipping and fly-posting offences to be provided by a contractor, subject to Tender process; and

(c)           approved the level of fines for littering at £150 with an early repayment level within 14 days of issue at £75.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Community Safety and Regulatory Services

Reason

The Fly Tipping and Fly Posting Enforcement pilot over the last 14 months has delivered a robust response. It is therefore recommended that this continues.

In addition, a similar extended model to include littering enforcement is now recommended to tackle the environmental damage of this behaviour and to improve the quality of the environment across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The costs of this service will be covered by the revenue collected from

payments of fines, of which 17.5% will be paid to the Council by the contractor, to be reinvested by the service.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)          Cabinet notes the compliance information provided which details how the council is performing against statutory building compliance relating to its council housing; and

(b)          A performance report will be made annually to Cabinet in future years.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: People and Homes

Reason

The council, as a landlord, has many legal obligations it must satisfy to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its tenants and leaseholders. It must also adhere to the regulatory standards as set out by the Regulator of Social Housing, particularly the Home Standard.

Councillors should also have oversight and assurance of compliance against the legal and regulatory requirements that are placed upon it through this annual report to Cabinet.

This ODR is to confirm the appointment of Pat Hayes as Non-Executive Director (NED) to the Board of BCP FuturePlaces Ltd as an urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive of BCP Council under Part 3 (Responsibility for Functions), Delegations to Chief Officers, line 68, in the revised Constitution and as delegated by Cabinet on 7 September 2022.