Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Rosemary Cole Sheena Jones
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apologies for absence Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor K. J. May. |
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Declarations of Interest To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7th December 2016 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7th December 2016 be approved as a correct record. |
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Overview and Scrutiny Board (a) To receive and note the minutes (b) To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 19th December 2016 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 19th December 2016 be noted. |
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Bromsgrove District Plan 2011 - 2030 Adoption Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report on the adoption of the Bromsgrove District Plan 2011 – 2030.
Members were reminded of the lengthy Local Plan process which had taken place over a number of years. This had included an Examination in Public which had closed with the issue of the Inspector’s report on 16th December 2016. The Inspector’s report recommended that subject to the making of a series of modifications the Bromsgrove District Plan satisfied the requirements of Section 20(5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the criteria for soundness in the National Planning Policy Framework and was therefore sound.
Members referred to the importance of having a clear planning framework in place to deliver the vision and development for the future of the area encompassing housing (including affordable housing) and employment sites. It was recognised that without an adopted plan the District would be vulnerable to ad hoc planning applications and “planning by appeal”.
In addition it was acknowledged that the clarity of the planning framework set out in an adopted Plan would assist the Authority in working with government and other funding agencies to access infrastructure funding for example in respect of new transport infrastructure. An adopted Plan would also enable work to progress on the preparation of a Community Infrastructure Levy which would also enable required infrastructure to be provided.
It was recognised that any planning applications in respect of particular sites were a matter for the Planning Committee.
It was noted that any Cabinet recommendations would be considered by the Council at its meeting on 25th January 2017.
Members expressed thanks to Strategic Planning officers for their hard work on the Plan to date.
(Councillor P. J. Whittaker requested that it be recorded that he had abstained from voting on the matter as whilst he was broadly in agreement with the Plan he did not agree with the location of the proposed cross border housing growth.)
RECOMMENDED: (a) that the content of the Bromsgrove District Plan Planning Inspectorate’s Report (Appendix 1) and the associated Schedule of Main Modifications (Appendix 2) be noted; (b) that the Bromsgrove District Plan 2011-2030 as submitted and subsequently amended by the modifications set out in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 to the report be approved; (c) that the Policies Map which accompanied the submission version of the Bromsgrove District Plan and remains unchanged as a result of the examination process be approved; (d) that the Bromsgrove District Plan Adoption Statement and Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement which form Appendix 4 and 5 of the report be noted; and (e) that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to undertake further minor editorial changes deemed necessary in preparing the adopted District Plan for publication, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.
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Staff Survey Report and Actions Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report on the Staff Survey which had recently been undertaken.
It was noted that the survey had highlighted areas for further work and also areas of good practice for the Authority to build on.
It was reported that in order to take forward the results of the survey a Programme Board had been established chaired by the Chief Executive and supported by the Head of Business Transformation and representatives from Human Resources, Organisational Development and Trade Unions.
Three corporate work streams had been had been established and these were being led by key officers
· People Management; · Meeting our Customers’ Needs; · Organisational Culture
In addition all Heads of Service had analysed data from their own area and had developed Action Plans to specifically address the three areas of greatest improvement and decline compared to the previous survey, whilst also focusing on other areas which they felt needed addressing within their services. The Action Plans would be reviewed by Corporate Management Team on a regular basis.
Members queried the level of response to the survey which was 25% compared to the response to the previous survey undertaken in 2013 of 33%. It was recognised that whilst officers were satisfied that the response level was statistically valid, it was important to try to increase the response rate in future. In this regard the length of the survey and structure of the questions would be revised for future surveys.
Members recognised the importance of ensuring staff had the opportunity to undertake appropriate training to develop their skills and that any issues in relation to bullying and harassment were addressed effectively.
RESOLVED that the report on the Staff Survey results and the subsequent actions be noted.
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Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme 2017/18 - 2020/21 Updates Minutes: The Executive Director Finance and Resources reminded Members that a full report on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21 would be submitted to the Cabinet at its meeting on 1st February 2017. The Cabinet would then make recommendations to the Council meeting on 28th February 2017. Work was also being undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Finance and Budget Working Group.
The Executive Director Finance and Resources gave a brief presentation on the potential impact of government proposals on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21.
The following points were highlighted:
There was no further information as yet on the Localisation of Business Rates – it was hoped this would be clearer by June/July 2017;
· New Homes Bonus - there had been a number of changes to the legislation which overall would decrease the funding available to the Council significantly (potentially by around £2.8m over four years);
· Efficiency Plan – officers had been working to identify additional income/savings/growth and to map these to the Efficiency Plan; in addition aspirational income and savings continued to be developed through alternative models of service delivery;
· Commercialisation Forum – had taken place with all Heads of Service and Managers to consider ways of generating additional income and growth through services the Council could offer;
· Officers were working to ensure that any use of balances and reserves was minimised.
RESOLVED that the latest position in respect of the Medium Term Financial Plan be noted.
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Council Tax Base 2017/18 Minutes: Members considered a report which contained details of the calculation of the District’s Tax Base for Council Tax setting purposes for 2017/18.
RESOLVED that the amount calculated by Bromsgrove District Council as the Council Tax Base for the whole area for 2017/18 be approved at 36,056.65as detailed at Appendix 1 to include the individual Parish elements.
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Nomination of Asset of Community Value - The New Inn, Bourneath Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report on an application to list The New Inn, Bournheath as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). A location plan for the premises was circulated.
Officers outlined the application received from CAMRA in respect of The New Inn, Bournheath. Attention was drawn to the application form and supporting information.
Comments had been received from the owners of the premises and these were set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.
Members considered the application on its merits and in the light of the test contained within Section 88(1) of the Localism Act 2011, which was set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report.
Taking into account the information supplied by CAMRA within the application form, Members considered whether there was sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the premises should be nominated as an ACV. Members particularly noted the limited amount of community use over and above what would normally be expected at a public house.
Following consideration it was
RESOLVED that the application for listing of the New Inn, Bournheath as an Asset of Community Value be not supported.
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Nomination of Asset of Community Value - Hanbury Turn, Stoke Heath Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report on an Application to list The Hanbury Turn, Stoke Heath as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
Officers outlined details of the application received from CAMRA in respect of the Hanbury Turn public house, Stoke Heath. Reference was also made to the representations received from received from Solicitors acting for the owners of the premises objecting to the application.
Members considered the application on its merits and in the light of the test contained within Section 88(1) of the Localism Act 2011 which was set out in paragraph 3.9 of the report.
Taking into account the information supplied by CAMRA within the application form, Members considered whether there was sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the premises should be nominated as an ACV. The limited amount of community use over and above what would normally be expected at a public house was taken into account.
Following consideration it was
RESOLVED that the application for listing of the Hanbury Turn, Stoke Heath as an Asset of Community Value be not supported.
(Councillor C. B. Taylor asked that it be noted that his home address was in the vicinity of the premises)
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