Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence given for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 07 February 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 07 February 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader announced that the Council has set up a collection point at the Civic Offices for items to be sent to the Ukraine via Jacob’s Well which has had a great response with many donations being received.  The Executive Leader advised that the Polish Embassy has stated, on behalf of the Polish Government, that whilst the donations and kindness of everyone is very much appreciated, due to the logistics of lorries getting through and the resources in sorting the items and getting them to those in need, it would be preferable if individuals made financial donations instead via recognised organisations such as the Red Cross.  This way the donations can be used to buy what is required locally and distributed directly.

The Executive Leader stated therefore that from 07 March the collection point at the Civic Offices will no longer be used and remaining items will be sent to Jacob’s Well who will arrange for the items to be sent to Romania by road.

The Executive Leader announced the Council has received a high number of enquiries from people who wish to offer rooms for refugees but at this time, the Council is waiting for Government advice from the Home Office, and he urged individuals to await that advice until the Council is in a position to understand what is required and how this will be managed.

The Executive Leader reiterated his thanks on behalf of the Council for all of the donations made to date.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

There were no petitions submitted at this meeting.

To receive any deputations, of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive any references from the committees or panels held.

Housing Scrutiny Panel – 03 February 2022

Minute 8 – Draft Housing & Rough Sleeping Strategy Adoption

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs T L Ellis addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel received a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer which presented the Draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and accompanying Delivery Plan for members consideration following completion of a period of public consultation.  The report set out the key findings of the consultation and asked that the Panel consider the Strategy prior to referral to the Executive at its forthcoming meeting on 07 March 2022.

Members raised concern that there may be an increase in homelessness and rough sleeping as a result of people losing their homes through fuel poverty and the rising cost of living.  The Head of Housing and Benefits advised that the Delivery Plan aims to assess data to provide an understanding of future needs so that a more strategic approach can be taken to ensure people in need ask for assistance at an early stage so that they can be signposted to organisations who can help.  The Panel discussed the need to ensure that services and assistance are well publicised and suggested that in addition to information being provided on the website, Council noticeboards and local community hubs could be used to raise awareness of help that is available.

RESOLVED that the Housing Scrutiny Panel:

(a)  considered the Draft Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy attached at Appendix B to the report;

(b)  considered the Draft Delivery Plan attached at Appendix C to the report; and

(c)  recommends to the Executive that they adopt the Draft Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy and Draft Delivery Plan at their forthcoming meeting on 07 March 2022.

This item was considered at item 8(1) on the agenda

Daedalus Scrutiny Panel – 01 March 2022

Minute 7 – Daedalus Financial Strategy

The Panel considered a report and received a presentation by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Daedalus Financial Strategy.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor S D T Woodward, Executive Member for Policy and Resources addressed the Panel on this item.

RESOLVED that the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel: -

(i)            notes the content of the report; and

(ii)          endorses the recommendations in the report, to the Executive when they consider this item at their meeting on 7 March 2022.

This item was considered at item 9(1) of the agenda.

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel – 03 March 2022

Minute 6 – Daedalus Financial Strategy

The Panel considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer on the Daedalus Financial Strategy.

Members confirmed that they agreed with the strategy and thought it was well balanced.

RESOLVED that the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel: -

(i)            notes the content of the report; and

(ii)          recommends that the Executive endorses the strategy, when it is considered at its meeting on 7 March 2022.

This item was considered at item 9(1) on the agenda

Daedalus Scrutiny Panel – 01 March 2022

Minute 9 – Investment Programme for Solent Airport – Daedalus

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regeneration on the Investment Programme for Solent Airport, Daedalus.

The Panel initially asked questions of RCA regarding the main report, before moving into private session where RCA were asked to leave the meeting so that the Panel could discuss the confidential appendices.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor S D T Woodward, Executive Member for Policy and Resources addressed the Panel on this item.

RESOLVED that the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel: -

(i)            notes the content of the report; and

(ii)          endorses the recommendations in the report that will be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 7 March 2022.

This item was considered at item 9(2) on the agenda.

A report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

The comments of the Housing Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  notes the feedback received from the public consultation exercise, as detailed in Appendix A to the report; and

(b)  agrees to adopt the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Delivery Plan, as included in Appendix B to the report, to formally replace the current Homelessness and Housing Options Strategy.

A report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

At the invitation of the Executive Leader, Councillor R H Price, JP addressed the Executive on this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  the funding mechanisms, as outlined in the confidential Appendix A attached to the report, for the delivery of up to 60 new sheltered housing apartments; and

(b)  that the award of contract and the appointment of building contractor(s) for the Assheton Court redevelopment be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing.

A report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

The comments of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel and the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the draft Daedalus Financial Strategy, as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

(b)  agrees that the Strategy be incorporated into the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy at its next review.

A report by the Director of Planning and Regeneration.

The comments of the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel were taken into account in considering this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  the interim Managed Hangarage Scheme, as outlined in the Confidential Appendix A attached to the report, be added to the Capital Programme in 2022/23 to provide a short-term solution to the provision of managed hangarage at Solent Airport;

(b)  the Economic Hangars Scheme previously approved by the Executive be removed from the Capital Programme and a plan for replacement new managed hangarage be developed by 2025;

(c)  the Taxiway Improvement Scheme, as outlined in the Confidential Appendix A attached to the report, be added to the Capital Programme in 2023/24 to ensure the continued safe operation of the airport;

(d)  the Aircraft Parking Scheme, as outlined in the Confidential Appendix A attached to the report, be added to the Capital Programme to provide hard-standing aircraft parking on the grass area north of the Control Tower;

(e)  the Aeronautical Ground Lighting and a Performance-based Navigation System Scheme, as outlined in the Confidential Appendix A attached to the report, be added to the Capital Programme in 2023/24 to extend the airport’s use during periods of poor visibility and darkness;

(f)   the provision of self-fuelling facilities, as outlined in the Confidential Appendix A attached to the report, be added to the Capital Programme in 2022/23 to provide a more convenient service for fuelling aircraft;

(g)  the provision of a Grounds Maintenance facility, as outlined in the Confidential Appendix A attached to the report, be added to the Capital Programme in 2022/23; and

(h)  the Director of Planning and Regeneration, following consultation with the Executive Member for Policy and Resources, be delegated authority to award contracts for each of the above Schemes.

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that:

(a)  no more than one candidate is selected from the attached nominations to be formally recognised as Citizen of Honour 2022;

(b)  no more than one candidate is selected from the attached nominations to be formally recognised as Young Citizen of Honour 2022 (under 18);

(c)  candidate 4 is selected from the attached nominations at confidential Appendix A to the report;

(d)  candidate 8 is selected from the attached nominations at confidential B to the report; and

(e)  the persons listed at 4 and 8 in the confidential Appendices A & B to the report be selected for the annual Citizen of Honour & Young Citizen of Honour Awards 2022.

A report by the Director of Leisure and Community.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the proposed transfer of cash payment facilities to the ground floor reception desk.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public and representatives of the Press from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the matters to be dealt with involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 the Public and Press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting, as the Executive considers that it is not in the public interest to consider the matters in public on the grounds that they will involve the disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

A report by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees that the debts listed in the confidential Appendix A to the report be written off as irrecoverable.