Decisions

The Examination Inspector’s Final Report on the Lewes District Local Plan Part 2 has now been received. Council approval is sought to adopt the Local Plan Part 2, incorporating the modifications set out in the Examination Inspector’s report, as part of the statutory development plan for the district.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To recommend that the Lewes District Local Plan Part 2, amended to incorporate the main modifications set out in the Examination Inspector’s report, is adopted as part of the statutory development plan for the district in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Regulation 26 of the Town & Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;

(2) To recommend that the Lewes District Local Plan Part 2 is published, together with the relevant adoption statements, Policies Map, and Sustainability Appraisal in accordance with Regulations 26 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)(England) Regulations 2012;

(3) To recommend that the Director of Regeneration & Planning be authorised to agree any minor editorial corrections identified prior to publication of the adopted Lewes District Local Plan Part 2.

The ‘making’ (adoption) of the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan to continue to use it as part of the statutory development plan for Lewes District, should a successful referendum take place. ‘Making’ the Neighbourhood Plan will bring the document fully into legal force and the Town Council can benefit from 25% (Neighbourhood Portion) of the Community Infrastructure Levy collected within the Neighbourhood Area.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

To recommend that the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan is formally adopted/‘made’ as part of the statutory development plan for the district.

Request for additional funding to develop previously approved Avis Way Waste Vehicle Depot

(Key decision):

(1) To allocate an additional £800k funding to the £4.1m already approved to deliver the new waste vehicle depot facility.

(2) To allocate up to £200k from the £4.1m already approved to enable early demolition of the derelict, unsafe and unlettable buildings at 9/10 Avis Way.

Progress report on the delivery of the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy to date with short-term work plan

(Key decision):

(1) To note the report and approve the ‘Next Steps’ actions outlined in section 5 of the report.

(2) To approve the ‘Consultation and Engagement Proposals’ set out in section 4 of the report.

(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Sustainability, to;

(i)            investigate the viability of moving the Council on to a green electricity tariff; and

(ii)          if appropriate, to sign the Council up to this tariff.

Report on the performance of those voluntary organisations funded by the Council and for Cabinet to agree the Council’s policy on grants to voluntary organisations and the levels of grant funding for the coming year

(Key decision):

(1) To confirm the planned allocation of funding to voluntary organisations for 2020/21, as set out at paragraph 3.19 in the report.

(2) To undertake a fundamental review of the Council’s grant policy in line with the new corporate plan, with recommendations for potential options being reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

(3) To agree that any alteration to the grants policy will not impact on the current 3 year funding plan, so as to minimise impacts on planned activities by Council’s funded partners.

Recommendations to full Council in February 2019 in respect of the housing revenue account for 2020/21.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To agree the HRA budget for 2020/21 and revised 2019/20 budget as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To agree that social and affordable rents (including Shared Ownership) are increased by 2.7% in line with government policy.

(3) To agree that private sector leased property rents are increased by 3.4% (RPI+1%).

(4) To agree that the revised service charges are implemented.

(5) To agree that garage rents are increased by 3.4% (RPI+1%).

(6) To agree that the HRA Capital Programme as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

To recommend full Council to agree treasury management policies and prudential indicators for 2020/21.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To approve the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2020/21 as set out at Appendix A to the report;

(2) To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2020/21 as set out at paragraph 8 of the report;

(3) To approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators 2020/21 to 2022/23, as set out at paragraph 6 of the report;

(4) To approve the Capital Strategy set out at Appendix E to the report.

To recommend full Council to set the 2020/21 budget and council tax at their meeting in February 2020.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To note the late issue of the Local Government Financial settlement on 6 February 2020 and to authorise the Chief Finance Officer to make the appropriate financial adjustments to inform the budget.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(2) To approve the General Fund budget for 2019/20 (Revised) and 2020/21 (original) set out at Appendix 1 to the report including growth and savings proposals for 2020/21 as set out at Appendix 3 to the report.

(3) To approve an increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of £5 resulting in a Band D charge for general expenses of £192.08 for 2020/21

(4) To approve the revised General Fund capital programme 2020/21 revised as set out at Appendix 5 to the report.

(5) To note the section 151 Officer’s sign off as outlined in the report.

The report will present a new HRA 30-Year Business Plan covering the years from 2019-20 to 2048-49, describe the assumptions that underpin it and highlight the changes in approach, policy and aspirations when compared to previous plans.  Cabinet will be requested to:

a)    adopt the plan as a basis for operating the future HRA business

b)    agree the assumptions underpinning it

c)    note that it will be used as the starting point for setting the 2020-21 HRA Revenue Budget and Rents and the HRA Capital Programme 2019/23, to be presented to Cabinet in February 2020

(Key decision):

(1) To adopt Lewes’ HRA 30-Year Business Plan as a basis for operating the future HRA business.

(2) To agree the assumptions underpinning it.

(3) To notes that the plan has been used as the starting point for setting the 2020/21 HRA Revenue Budget and Rents and the HRA Capital Programme 2019-23, which is the next report on the listed agenda.

For Cabinet to note proposals for 4 Fisher Street, Lewes to be leased to The Werks Group and draft lease arrangements, and agree a capital sum to be earmarked for capital works on the building.

(Key decision):

(1) To note proposals for the establishment of a creative hub at 4 Fisher Street;

(2) To agree that the Council enter into lease agreement in line with the terms outlined within section 2 of the report;

(3) To agree that up to £250,000 be earmarked from the Council’s capital programme to support the creative hub project;

(4) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Prosperity to conclude lease arrangements with The Werks Group and to sign or execute the agreement for lease, the lease and any related documentation.

The report recommendation that the Council acquire the sites of the former Police Station and Fire Station Sites in Newhaven and develop for affordable housing.

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the purchase of two sites in Newhaven known as the Former Police Station, and the former fire station detailed at Appendix A to the report, either separately or together.

(2) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to finalise the terms of the purchase of both sites and to sign or execute as appropriate the purchase agreements, transfers and all related documentation including the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return.

(3) To approve in principle the development of the two sites (or either one of them if the other cannot be acquired) for Council housing within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), funded through the annual Council budget.

(4) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to finalise the terms of the building contract and any related appointments and contracts. The approval to sign or execute as appropriate the building contract, the appointments and all related documentation and to start works on site will be subject to a subsequent Cabinet report

(5) To approve the acceptance of a grant from Homes England to part finance the development. To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to finalise the terms of and sign the Grant Agreement.

To propose a revised schedule of fees and charges to apply from 1 April 2020.

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the scale of Fees and Charges at Appendix 1 to the report, to apply from 1 April 2020.

(2) To implement changes to statutory fees and charges for services shown at Appendix 1 to the report as and when notified by Government.

The Council is required to set its council tax base and the expected business rate income for the forthcoming year. These calculations are used as the basis for the amount of income the Council will precept from the collection fund.

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the provisional Council Tax Base of 36,811.2 for 2020/21.

(2) To agree that the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, determine the final amounts for the Council Tax Base for 2020/21.

(3) To agree that the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, determine net yield from Business Rate income for 2020/21.

To update Members on the Council’s performance against corporate plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets over the quarter 2 and 3 2019/20 period

(Non-key decision)

To note progress and performance for Quarter 3 and Quarter 2.

Corporate Plan for 2020-24 which sets out the vision and key projects for the Council.

Resolved (Non-key decision)

That the draft Corporate Plan for 2020-2024 be considered.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

That the new Corporate Plan for 2020-2024 be adopted.