Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2022 are attached for confirmation and signature as a current record.

The minutes of the meeting on 1 December 2022, including the Exempt minutes, were confirmed and signed as a correct record. Councillor Neighbour proposed them and was seconded by Councillor Oliver.

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.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Bailey and Collins.

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.

Councillor Oliver declared an interest in Agenda Item 11 due to also being a member of Fleet Town Council.

Councillor Forster declared an interest in Agenda Item 11 as he is the Hampshire County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries. 

Both were considered to be prejudicial but non-pecuniary interests.

No announcements.

Anyone wishing to make a statement to the Committee should contact Committee Services at least two clear working days prior to the meeting. Further information can be found online.

None.

To update Cabinet on the Council’s performance indicator results for Quarter 2 of 2022/2023 (1 July 2022 – 30 September 2022).

RECOMMENDATION

That the performance report for Quarter 2 2022/23 is noted by Cabinet.

Members were updated on the Council’s performance indicator results for Quarter 2 of 2022/2023 (1 July 2022 – 30 September 2022).

DECISION

Cabinet noted the performance report for Quarter 2 2022/23.

Cabinet is being asked to note the financial report.

RECOMMENDATION

Cabinet notes:

·       the projected Outturn at Q2

·       the Capital Overview.

·       the current Pressures/Savings

·       the transfer of £212k of Climate Change spend to the capital programme.

·       the Risks to the current 2022/23 current projected outturn.

·       the rebasing exercise that has led to contingency budgets providing headroom for Medium Term Financial Planning

This report was to update Cabinet on the Council’s performance indicator results for Quarter 2 of 2022/2023 (1 July 2022 – 30 September 2022).

The Executive Director, Corporate Services and S151 Officerclarified that the transfer of £212,000 Climate Change spend, had been agreed by Cabinet on 4 August 2022.

He also highlighted that the Budget report is due to go to January’s Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 17 January and will be published next week.

Members asked for clarification on the figures for current pressures on Energy prices and Energy Bills and were satisfied with the response.

Members queried what specific areas of the report Overview and Scrutiny Committee had discussed. It was confirmed it had focused on questions on the Tier 2 savings and the ongoing actions.

DECISION:

Cabinet noted:

•            the projected Outturn at Q2

•            the Capital Overview.

•            the current Pressures/Savings

•            the transfer of £212k of Climate Change spend to the capital programme.

•            the Risks to the current 2022/23 current projected outturn.

•            the rebasing exercise that has led to contingency budgets providing headroom for Medium Term Financial Planning.

Toreport theCouncil’s TreasuryManagement activitiesand performanceduring the first half of the 2022/23 financial year (April-September 2022). 

RECOMMENDATION

Cabinet is asked tonote theTreasury Managementactivities duringthe first halfof the2022/23. financial year. 

The Executive Director, Corporate Services and S151 Officer updated members on the Council’s Treasury Management activities and performance during the first half of the 2022/23 financial year (April-September 2022).

Members questioned if the Council still had funds with Qatar National Bank and it was confirmed it did not.

Members also raised queries about how ethical other banks and investment groups were, and how these groups are responding to Climate Change. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance highlighted that Overview and Scrutiny Committee is keen to discuss ethical investments at a future meeting. 

DECISION:

Cabinet noted the Treasury Management activities during the first half of the 2022/23 financial year.

To consider and amend the Cabinet Work Programme.

The work programme, as circulated with the agenda was discussed.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that the Climate Change Action Plan will not meet its publishing deadline due to staffing resources.

The three Executive Decisions that had been added to the Work Programme since the last Cabinet meeting were also highlighted.

The following item(s) contain exempt information.

RECOMMENDATION

Members must decide whether the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It is suggested that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Members discussed the reasons why this item should be exempt.

DECISION

Cabinet agreed there was public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information for the following item.

It was therefore agreed that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to for the next item, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The purpose of this report is to agree the principle of a long-term, ‘pepper corn’ rent lease with Fleet Town Council (FTC) at The Harlington.

This item was dealt with as a Part II Exempt item.

Due to their prejudicial interests Councillors Forster and Oliver left the meeting at 7:59pm and did not participate in any debate or vote.

SUMMARY DECISION

Cabinet agreed subject to agreement with Hampshire County Council to satisfy any sub-lease implications over the area covering the Hampshire County Council/Hart District Council and the Library link area, the Portfolio Holder for Finance be authorised to agree to the conclusion of a long term (up to 99 years) lease with Fleet Town Council on the following principal terms:

a)    The lease would be on a ‘peppercorn’ arrangement and would be on a full repair and insurance basis

b)    On the expiry of the lease, The Harlington is returned to Hart District Council (HDC) in no worse condition than when Fleet Town Council (FTC) took occupation in 2010

c)    A land swap to the rear of The Harlington takes place to provide FTC with controlled onsite parking and servicing (formalisation of the existing practice). In return HDC would have returned to its ownership and control of the Harlington Way link access to Victoria Road car park.

d)    Fleet Town Council would retain responsibility for maintaining and delivering heating to the library

e)    On completion of the lease Hart District Council will make a contribution, (subject to appropriate estimates first being received) of approximately £100k towards the cost of any replacement form of heating, should the current boilers need to be replaced, with Hart District Council working collaboratively with Fleet Town Council to support the procurement of the most effective and viable climate friendly form of replacement heating

f)      Fleet Town Council to take responsibility for all existing tenancies at Harlington.