Agenda, decisions and minutes

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet - Wednesday, 15th September, 2021 6.00 pm

Venue: Court Room at Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, BN21 4UG

Contact: Committee Services on 01323 415021 

Items
No. Item

20.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2021 pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2021 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

21.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

None were reported.

22.

Declaration of members' interests

Minutes:

None were declared.

23.

Corporate performance - quarter 1 - 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Part A - Portfolio Progress and Performance

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

 

Part B - Financial Performance

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Non-key decision):

 

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for 2021-22, as set out in Part A of this report.

 

(2) To note the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter, as set out in Part B of the report.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Regeneration of Planning, updating members on the Council’s performance against Corporate Plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets for the first quarter of the year 2021-22.

 

Performance highlights for the quarter included benefits processing, planning applications processing and social media engagement. Thanks were conveyed to officers for these highlights. Commentary on those performance indicators that were currently below target was detailed in the report.

 

Part B of the report detailed the Council’s financial performance for the same quarter. Based on the information to date, the report detailed that the expected use of the capitalisation direction was likely to be reduced by £3.5m to £2.5m, mainly because of the additional Recovery & Reset (R&R) savings and Cultural Recovery Fund grant. Thanks were conveyed to officers on their continued work on the R&R programme.

 

Visiting members, Councillors di Cara, Shore and Smart addressed the Cabinet on this item. A breakdown of the figures related to household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting would be circulated following the meeting. The Cabinet also advised that the Council was waiting for a Central Government announcement on possible funding to assist those authorities that don’t currently collect food waste.

 

Resolved (Non-key decision):

 

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for 2021-22, as set out in Part A of this report.

 

(2) To note the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter, as set out in Part B of the report.

 

Reason for decisions:

 

To enable Cabinet members to consider specific aspects of the Council’s progress and performance.

24.

Medium Term Financial Strategy pdf icon PDF 332 KB

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

To note the background to the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 and approve the approach outlined in this report.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, providing them an update on the process and approach to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2021/22 to 2024/25.

 

The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) sets the strategic financial direction for the Council and is regularly updated as it evolves and develops throughout the year to form the framework for the Council’s financial planning. The report outlined the proposed process for the MTFS for the period 2021/22 to 2024/25, which ultimately leads to the setting of the Council’s budget in February 2022.

 

The MTFS is shaped by the national economic background and external factors such as the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, inflation, interest rates, Public Sector Pay and Factors affecting demand-led services would be analysed in undertaking a mid-year review of the Strategy.

 

Visiting member, Councillor Smart addressed the Cabinet on this item.

 

Resolved (Key decision):

 

To note the background to the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 and approve the approach outlined in this report.

 

Reason for decision:

 

To progress the Medium Term Financial Strategy process and update Cabinet on the background to this.

25.

Planning Technical Advice Notes for Sustainability pdf icon PDF 327 KB

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To agree the publication and use of the Sustainability in Development Technical Advice Note contained at Appendix 2 to the report.

 

(2) To agree the publication and use of the Biodiversity Net Gain Technical Advice Note contained at Appendix 3 to the report.

 

(3) To agree the publication and use of the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Technical Advice Note contained at Appendix 4 to the report.

 

(4) To provide delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Place Services and Special Projects, to make minor or technical amendments to the Technical Advice Notes prior to their publication or as otherwise required following publication.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, seeking their approval for the publication and use of three Planning Technical Advice Notes. The Notes would advise developers and planning applicants on how they can contribute towards achieving sustainability in new developments.

 

Visiting member, Councillors di Cara addressed the Cabinet on this item.

 

Resolved (Key decision):

 

(1) To agree the publication and use of the Sustainability in Development Technical Advice Note contained at Appendix 2 to the report.

 

(2) To agree the publication and use of the Biodiversity Net Gain Technical Advice Note contained at Appendix 3 to the report.

 

(3) To agree the publication and use of the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Technical Advice Note contained at Appendix 4 to the report.

 

(4) To provide delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Place Services and Special Projects, to make minor or technical amendments to the Technical Advice Notes prior to their publication or as otherwise required following publication.

 

Reasons for decisions:

(1) To publicise the Council’s expectations for the incorporation of sustainability issues, biodiversity net gain and electric vehicle charging points in planning applications

 

(2) To make minor amendments to address technical or drafting issues.