Issue

To consider the performance of the Treasury Management function for 2011/12 (Paper 9).

Considerations

The Council’s Treasury Management policy is in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice and related Treasury Management Practice Statements. An annual report for the previous year is required to be submitted to Cabinet.

The report summarises the performance of the Treasury Management function, effects of decisions taken and the transactions executed in the year 2011/12 and any circumstances of non-compliance with the Council’s Treasury Management Policy Statement. 

There have been no circumstances during the year 2011/2012 where any of the measures relating to security, liquidity, minimum credit ratings, observance of maximum amounts for investment and limitation of investment duration have been exceeded for the Treasury Management function.  The performance of the Treasury Management operation and function for the year 2011/2012 has therefore been satisfactory both in terms of strategic and financial matters.

RECOMMENDED -

That the annual report on Treasury Management for the year 2011/2012 be approved.

Issue

To consider the Council’s budget projections for the period 2012/13 to 2016/17 (Paper 10).

Considerations

The Medium Term Budget Strategy is produced annually, taking account of known issues and applying a number of assumptions to the Council’s finances.  It provides, on a rolling basis, a projection of the Council’s revenue finances over a four year period and in doing so establishes the broad financial principles around which Members can develop their service plans and also consider, at a high level, the Council’s 4-Year Budget Strategy.

The Council’s strategic priority has been to commit to an increase in Council Tax of 1% below RPIX, however as a result of a Government initiative to reduce the financial burden on Council Tax payers it was recommended that all councils should set a 0% increase in Council Tax. As a result the Council Tax increase for 2011/12 and 2012/13 was set at zero.

The basis of the Strategy is to preserve the minimum level of General Fund Reserve of 10% of net revenue expenditure which is £1.1M for 2012/13.

The strategy is based on prudent assessment of both income and expenditure, although as highlighted in the report, there are a number of uncertainties regarding some of the items which could have a significant impact on the final budget position.

This report was considered by Audit and Resources Committee on 10 July 2012 where it was agreed that the report be noted.

The meeting congratulated the Chief Executive, the Head of Finance and his team and all staff for the hard work that had resulted in a balanced budget.  

RECOMMENDED -

(1)             That the Medium Term Budget Strategy for 2012/13 to 2016/17 be approved; and

(2)             That the parameters for the formulation of the 2012/13 revised and 2016/17 budgets be approved. 

Issue

To approve the Community Investment Programme Strategy 2012/13 to 2016/17 (Paper 11).

Considerations

The Council’s 4 Year Community Investment Programme (CIP) Strategy was first approved in April 2002.  Since then reports have been submitted to Cabinet on a regular basis seeking approval for schemes to progress.  Each year the Programme has been updated and in doing so has established a 4 year rolling programme of schemes for the CIP.

The Programme set out in the report is based on the best information available regarding costs and phasing of individual schemes but it should be recognised that, particularly for the later years, the estimates are only indicative.

The Strategy covers the period 2012/13 and the next 4 year programme 2013/14 to 2016/17 and amounts to over £81M.

RECOMMENDED -

(1)             That the Community Investment Programme Strategy 2012/13 to 2016/17 as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved; and

(2)             That the changes to the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix B to the report be approved.

RESOLVED -

(1)             That expenditure of £5,000 in 2012/13 to provide grants for essential works to Houses in Multiple Occupation, to be funded from the amount set aside to fund the Housing Capital Programme, be approved;

(2)             That expenditure of £1,100,000 in 2012/13 to allow for the continuation and growth of the Disabled Facilities Grant Programme, to be funded from Government Grant and the amount set aside to fund the Housing Capital Programme, be approved;

(3)             That expenditure of £90,000 in 2012/13 for the provision of low cost loans to home owners to access commercial loans to fund repairs, to be funded from the amount set aside to fund the Housing Capital Programme, be approved;

(4)             That expenditure of £100,000 in 2012/13 for an Empty Home Loans Scheme to help repair and renovate empty homes so that they can be brought back into use, to be funded from the amount set aside to fund the Housing Capital Programme, be approved;

(5)             That expenditure of £30,000 in 2012/13 to pay the initial costs of joining Hampshire Homechoice should it be agreed by Cabinet at a later meeting to join this lettings scheme, to be funded from reserves, be approved;

(6)             That expenditure of £50,000 in 2012/13 for the Netley Cliff Coastal Protection Scheme to be funded from reserves be approved and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Head of Transportation and Engineering Services be authorised to arrange legal agreements for contributions from the Residents/Organisations; and

(7)                    That the delegated decision to approve expenditure of £12,500 as the Eastleigh Borough Council contribution towards a feasibility study for an Eastleigh Town Centre District Energy Scheme (total study cost £36,500), to be funded from the Green Energy Reserve, be noted and the scheme be added to the CIP project list.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2012.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

Issue

To consider a recommendation from Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel (Paper 4).

Considerations

At the meeting on 24 May 2012 Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel considered a report concerning the Tree Risk Management Plan. This Plan and an associated policy had been approved by Cabinet on 9 February 2012. At this meeting the Panel agreed that Cabinet be requested to ask that tree inspections be sample audited, for Health and Safety reasons, in case of future accidents and claims.

RESOLVED -

That the adopted Tree Risk Management Plan be amended to require staff involved in inspections to carry out joint inspections on two days each year to ensure a consistent approach to the identification and evaluation of hazards.

Issue

To consider a recommendation from Audit and Resources Committee (Paper 5).

Considerations

At the meeting on 31 May 2012 Audit and Resources Committee considered a report from the Chair of the Committee regarding the departmental tour of the Revenue and Benefits unit that he had been on with Councillors Caldwell and Mrs Holden-Brown on 17 January 2012. He informed the Committee that in the coming years with government plans was proposing changes to the benefits systems, and the creation of a central body to deal with fraud in the form of a Single Fraud Investigation Service.  At this meeting the Committee agreed to recommend to Cabinet that:

(1)          Any information relating to job security issues be made readily available to those staff involved; and

(2)          Cabinet considers how the civic offices relocation may impact on staff in general and how the Customer Services Centre staff deal with the public regarding the relocation as well as their own personal issues.

The meeting praised the staff in the Revenue and Benefits unit for providing a brilliant service, which was well run and achieved excellent results year after year. They were also congratulated for the way they were coping with the proposed Government changes and uncertainty related to the future arrangements for the provision of the service.

RESOLVED -

(1)             That any information relating to job security issues be made readily available to those staff involved; and

(2)             That it be noted that part of the plan for the civic offices relocation includes consideration of the impact on staff.

Issue

To consider the future provision of leisure facilities at Fleming Park (Paper 6).

Considerations

The report sets out the role of Fleming Park Leisure Centre in promoting health and active lifestyles and identifies the need for further research to establish whether the current facilities are adequate to address future need and demand.

The report focuses on the task of capturing latent demand through the Leisure Centre and in particular the relationship of Fleming Park open space with both the Leisure Centre and Pavilion on the Park to ensure their respective uses complement one another and derive maximum benefit from their juxtaposition.

It is recognised that the Leisure Centre was constructed in the early 1970’s and has developed in piecemeal fashion over the years. The report asks whether the Leisure Centre is fit for purpose and explores the options for investment that sustain leisure provision at the required level.  

RESOLVED –

(1)             That the role of Fleming Park Leisure Centre in promoting healthy active lifestyles be acknowledged;

(2)             That future improvements at Fleming Park (including the leisure centre and Pavilion on the Park) to provide quality facilities and activities for both local people and visitors be approved in principle;

(3)             That an audit of the current facilities be commissioned with detailed options and business case for moving forward at an estimated cost of £45,000 including internal costs; and

(4)             That a revenue growth item in 2012/13 of £45,000 be approved.

Issue

To approve the Biodiversity Action Plan (Paper 7).

Considerations

The original Eastleigh Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) “Wild about Eastleigh” was published in 2002, and set out action to be taken to conserve biodiversity in the Borough over the period 2002 – 2012. The BAP has been reviewed taking into account new national policies and knowledge about the state of biodiversity in the UK and in Eastleigh, and a new draft BAP for the period 2012 – 2022 has been made available for public consultation. 

The report summarises the content of the new draft BAP; sets out the comments received as a result of public consultation and officers’ responses; and recommends amendments and adoption of the revised Plan.

The date of the meeting meant that the report was circulated shortly before the end of the consultation period, and a schedule of further comments received and amendments proposed as a result was circulated at the meeting.

This report was considered by Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel at the meeting on 12 July 2012 where it was agreed:

(1)          That the suggestion to designate Fleming Park and North End Copse as a separate Priority Biodiversity Area be endorsed;

(2)          That it be noted that the above suggestion has been included in the amended draft Biodiversity Action Plan; and

(3)       That the draft Biodiversity Action Plan, which now includes the designation of Fleming Park and North End Copse as a separate Priority Biodiversity Area, be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

In response to a question regarding the brickworks in Allbrook not being included in the BAP the Head of Countryside and Trees agreed to look into this and either provide Members with the reasons for not including the site or amend the BAP to include the site.

RESOLVED -

(1)             That the comments made on the draft Biodiversity Action Plan during public consultation be noted and the proposed amendments be approved;

(2)             That the amended Biodiversity Action Plan be approved and adopted; and

(3)             That the approval of the final list of priority species be delegated to the Head of Countryside and Trees.

Issue

To approve a response to the consultation by Hampshire County Council on the Draft Transport Statement for Eastleigh Borough (Paper 8).

Considerations

Hampshire County Council is preparing Transport Statements for each district/borough in Hampshire to help meet a number of the policy objectives outlined in its third Local Transport Plan (LTP).  The LTP gives a strategic vision for transport in Hampshire and provides the context for the delivery of more detailed transport policies.

The Transport Statements will look to the future and identify issues concerned with future development and growth. They will be living documents that will require updating and amending as revised policies and strategies emerge, and the details of the Local Plan are finalised and adopted. The appendix to the report contains the final draft statement for Eastleigh Borough.

This report was considered by Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel at the meeting on 12 July 2012 where it was agreed to recommend to Cabinet that the draft Transport Statement for Eastleigh Borough be supported.

RESOLVED -

(1)          That Hampshire County Council be thanked for this consultation on the Draft Transport Statement for Eastleigh Borough; and

(2)          That Hampshire County Council be advised of the Borough’s support in respect of the Draft Transport Statement for Eastleigh Borough.