Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18th November 2021.

Subject to an amendment to the eight line of the third paragraph of Minute No. 21/36 to read “supported by the Town Council” the Minutes of the meeting held on 18th November 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

To receive a report from the Housing Strategy and Delivery Manager providing an update on the work that has been undertaken over the last twelve months to achieve the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan.

Executive Councillor: R Fuller.

The Cabinet has acknowledged the work completed against the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan and approved the use of the Action Plan for the remaining years of the Housing Strategy 2021-25.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Housing Strategy and Delivery Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were updated on the work that has been undertaken over the last twelve months to achieve the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan.

In introducing the report, the Chairman, as Executive Councillor for Housing and Economic Development, drew Executive Members attention to notable achievements within the plan, namely the annual achievement of housing delivery targets and work with developers and registered providers to prioritise the achievement of 40% affordable housing. In noting the timeframe column within the action plan, a suggestion was made by the Executive Councillor for Recovery to categorise the actions into priority groupings, for example first priority actions, second priority actions, etc.

In welcoming the report and in noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to acknowledge the work completed against the objectives in the Housing Strategy Action Plan; and

(b)  to approve the use of the Action Plan for the remaining years of the Housing Strategy 2021-25.

To receive a report from the Strategic Growth Manager seeking agreement on the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/21 and providing an update on infrastructure delivery during this time.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has:

(a)  approved the statement on the infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure which the Council intends will be, or may be, wholly or partly funded by CIL as stated in para 2.5 in the Infrastructure Funding Report;

(b)  delegated authority to the Strategic Growth Manager in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning, to make any final amendments to the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), if necessary, prior to publication; and

(c)  noted the infrastructure delivery and made comment on the report as necessary.

Consideration was given to a report prepared by the Strategic Growth Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking agreement on the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/2021, an update on infrastructure delivery during this time and agreement to the statement required in relation to projects that will or may be, wholly or partly, funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

By way of background, the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning reported that there was a requirement to publish an annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) which would include an Infrastructure List, a CIL report and a S106 report in relation to planning obligations. Having acknowledged the positive work arising from CIL funding over the year, it was confirmed that efforts would be made by the Council’s Communications Team to more effectively publicise this work, in particular, individual projects.

In response to questions from the Executive Councillor for Strategic Finance, it was confirmed that the funding available was that as reflected within the Council’s accounts and that all contributors had paid to date. In response to a further question relating to the ongoing maintenance costs of schemes relating to green and open spaces and otter holts, the Managing Director confirmed that they were pre-negotiated as part of the scheme and that the District Council would not be picking up any extra costs.

Having been acquainted with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to approve the statement on the infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure which the Council intends will be, or may be, wholly or partly funded by Community Infrastructure Levy as stated in para 2.5 in the Infrastructure Funding Report now submitted;

(b)  to delegate authority to the Strategic Growth Manager in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning, to make any final amendments to the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), if necessary, prior to publication; and

(c)  to note the infrastructure delivery and made comment on the report as necessary.

To receive a report from the Operations Manager seeking endorsement of the Council’s new Litter Strategy and Litter Minimisation Action Plan.

Executive Councillor: Mrs M L Beuttell.

The Cabinet has endorsed the Litter Strategy and Litter Minimisation Action Plan 2021-2025.

A report by the Operations Manager for Environmental Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking endorsement of the Council’s new Litter Strategy and Litter Minimisation Action Plan.

The Executive Councillor for Operations and Environment reported upon the key themes within the Strategy which included the following:

§  Reduce litter

§  Being innovative

§  Reduce our environmental impact

§  Leading by example

§  Engagement; and

§  Enforcement

Following a brief discussion on enforcement, the Corporate Director (People) report that proposals would be presented at Informal Cabinet in Spring/Summer 2022 but in the meantime, the Council could make use of external resources available.

Having been apprised with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships), it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet endorse the Litter Strategy and Litter Minimisation Action Plan 2021-2025.