Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th March 2020 are attached for confirmation and signature as a current record.

The minutes of the meeting of 5 March 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

No apologies received.

To declare disposable pecuniary, and any other interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

No declarations made.

There will be a change in the order of Agenda and Item 10 will now be Item 7.

The Chairman invited Julia Ambler representing Crookham Village Parish Council to speak on Item 6.

To seek agreement for the Crookham Village Parish Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum at the next available opportunity. This would mean the Plan attracts ‘significant weight’ for decision-making purposes, despite Neighbourhood Plan referenda being postponed until May 2021.

Appendix 1 – Crookham Village Neighbourhood Plan – Examiners Report 

Appendix 2 – Crookham Village Neighbourhood Plan – Decision Statement 

RECOMMENDATION

1That the Crookham Village Parish Neighbourhood Plan proceeds to a local referendum at the next available opportunity.  

2The Decision Statement at Appendix 2 is agreed and published.  

Members supported the recommendation to proceed action to a referendum on 6 May 2021.  This was approved.

To seek agreement for the Crookham Village Parish Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum at the next available opportunity. This would mean the Plan attracts ‘significant weight’ for decision-making purposes, despite Neighbourhood Plan referenda being postponed until May 2021.

Appendix 1 – Examiners Report

Appendix 2 – Decision Statement

Julia Ambler the Vice-Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group for Crookham Village Parish Council, spoke briefly in support of the Crookham Village Neighbourhood Plan.  She commended the plan to Cabinet for approval and confirms that all queries raised by both the Inspector and Hart District Council had been dealt with in an equitable manner.  She also thanked all the members of the Steering Group for their invaluable help in preparing the plan on behalf of Crookham Village Parish Council, in particular Peter Kenaghan, Kerry ten Kate and David Jackson.

DECISION

Members supported the recommendation to proceed action to a referendum on 6 May 2021.  This was approved.

To seek nominations to Hart’s approved list of Outside Bodies.

RECOMMENDATION?

That the list of nominations to Hart’s approved list of Outside Bodies, as set out in Appendix 2, be approved. 

That the list of nominations to Hart’s approved list of Outside Bodies, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved.

Members discussed:

•           HARAH (Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing) is no longer in existence.

•           Military Community Covenant to be represented by Councillor Dorn and Councillor Clarke in reserve.

DECISION

Committee approved the Outside Bodies noting that a full report of responses will be brought forward to the next Council Meeting.

To receive a report from the Joint Chief Executive which provides an overview of the Council’s work to support the district during the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and also provides the council’s emerging recovery plan to support the district in the coming months as peak infection passes.  The report includes a list of Executive decision and includes a high-level assessment of the emerging financial impacts on the council budget.

RECOMMENDATIONS

                                           I.That Cabinet notes and endorses the council’s response to the outbreak of coronavirus including executive decisions taken. 

                                         II.That the outline Hart Covid 19 Recovery Plan is agreed but recognising that this is a document that will evolve and be updated as required in the light of emerging information and local circumstances. 

To receive a report from the Joint Chief Executive which provides an overview of the Council’s work to support the district during the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and also provides the council’s emerging recovery plan to support the district in the coming months as peak infection passes.  The report includes a list of Executive decision and includes a high-level assessment of the emerging financial impacts on the council budget.

Members discussed ensuring we capture the lessons learnt from the current COVID-19 pandemic, to help inform future decision making should there be a second peak 

Members were advised a mid-term review was underway, whilst recognising that we are still in  response phase, with  recovery running in parallel.  Local Outbreak Control is a statutory requirement of Hampshire County Council with whom we are working closely as we (and in particular our Environmental Health staff) have a key role to play. The Hampshire Local Outbreak Plan is published on the HCC website .

Members asked whether data down to postcode level would be available for members of the public. It was confirmed that information would not be made available at this detail and that Hampshire County Council would control this data.

Members were keen to exploit opportunities within  Hart’s workstream for Community Recovery and were advised that the Covid-19 survey provided the Council the ability to collate these and formulate a plan to help embed them.

It was discussed that the Covid-19 Survey feedback didn’t give enough opportunities for residents to give feedback on what they would have liked to see.  It was assured that there are a range of free text boxes available for comments.

Members referenced the Secretary of State’s announcement (made earlier in the day) regarding  additional funding for lost income, fees and charges from Car Parking and Leisure Centres that are run by local Councils.

Members asked how Emergency Decisions were recorded, for audit purposes and were advised all such decisions formed part on an on-line Emergency Decision Log.

They also sought reassurance that the weekly meetings with Group Leaders was an effective mechanism for consultation on emergency decisions and the process enabled healthy debate.

DECISION

Members supported and approved the report.

To seek approval to reinstate car park charges in Harts car parks with effect from 1 August 2020 and to agree not to change on-street parking tariffs before January 2021.

RECOMMENDATION

                                           I.That car park charges are reinstated in all Hart off street car parks on 1 August 2020. 

                                         II.That no changes will be made to off street parking tariffs before January 2021. 

It was agreed to reinstate car park charges in all Hart off street car parks from 1 August 2020 and that no changes will be made to off street parking tariffs before January 2021.

To seek approval to reinstate car park charges in Harts car parks with effect from 1 August 2020 and to discuss changes to be made to off street parking tariffs before January 2021.

Members discussed the impact of the £300K income loss to Hart and that by comparison to adjacent local authorities, Hart had taken a very generous approach.

They also discussed how the council would review the impact of the car parking charges on use and how, having established a contactless system to enable payment, residents could be encouraged to return reassured they would not need to touch payment machines –  with no charge to use this service, for car parking charges under £1.60, to the public.

Members discussed the recovery phase and the appetite for local Parishes to be part of discussions regarding changes to car parking tariffs.

It was acknowledged that the Council would want to reduce bureaucracy and costs to the public purse and only serve one parking notice (with the commensurate costs associated with signage and machine re-programming). Parishes would be encouraged to give a final view on whether they wished to seek any changes, to allow those that do want changes, to move forward.

DECISION

It was agreed to reinstate car park charges in all Hart off street car parks from 1 August 2020 and that no changes will be made to off street parking tariffs before January 2021.

To agree the release of capital funding to enhance the current allotment area at Edenbrook to a “Community Gardens” facility and to inform Cabinet of the proposed mechanisms for delivering the Community Gardens.

RECOMMENDATION?

That Cabinet agree, that £120,000 of earmarked (Hartland Park) S106 capital funding and £40,000 of general leisure S106 contributions are released to deliver the proposed Community Garden enhancement and to provide a sinking fund for its long-term maintenance at Edenbrook Country Park. 

Members agreed to release the £120,000 funding.

To seek Cabinet support for the delivery of a Community Garden initiative at Edenbrook Country Park and to release capital funding of £120,000 from the Hartland Park Development.

Members discussed:

•           HVA, Hart District Council, and Hart Allotments Association to work together as one unit and to look after the administration.  Management will be down to volunteers from the joint organisations and various Charitable Groups.

•           Officers explained that the draft scheme and site plans are of a high standard Good quality fencing would be used including a 6ft chain link, reinforced with a substantial hedgerow forming a secure barrier.

•           CCTV to prevent anti-social behaviour was confirmed as  included in the fund breakdown and similarly, it was confirmed the cycle pump tracks and kneel rails along with a skate park had been risk assessed and that footpaths would be wheelchair friendly.

•           HVA confirmed they had  sufficient volunteers who would be happy to start the project and help with this new community garden.

DECISION

Members agreed to release the £120,00 funding.

To agree Interim Service Plans pending finalisation of a revised budget later this summer to take into account COVID-19 implications.

The revised Service Plans were approved and agreed.

The Autumn Service Plans had been reworked for Spring to include the impact of COVID-19.  Members considered the draft Service Plans for 2020/2021.

Members noted that:

•           The review of the Civic Regeneration in Fleet be included.

•           Additional statutory obligations were required due to Covid-19

•           Requirement for safe home visits and provisions in place for contractor’s safety and the safety of our own staff when visiting disabled and vulnerable recipients meant that visits had been paused during lockdown.

•           Delegation of Community Protection Orders to Housing Association was missing and to be added.

DECISION

The revised Service Plans were approved and agreed.

The Cabinet Work Programme is attached for consideration and amendment.

The Cabinet Work Programme was considered and updated.

•           To include negotiations for the Harlington Lease.

•           LGA peer review to be noted as TBA