Decisions

To consider the proposed Restart Grant Scheme (RGS) ‘Closed’ for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses which may open later under plans set out in the Government’s roadmap.

The Leader of the Council has approved the Restart Grants scheme April 2021 and granted the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority, to implement, and if necessary, amend each Policy (in consultation with the Leader). Such delegated authority will include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration

In accordance with section 17 of the Council’s Policy and Performance Advisory Committee Procedure Rules, the call-in procedure shall not apply to this decision given its urgency. A decision is urgent if, in the view of the decision maker, any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would, for example, seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests.

In accordance with this section, it is the opinion of the decision maker that this decision is an urgent one and therefore exempt from call-in.

To consider the proposed Restart Grant Scheme (RGS) ‘Closed’ for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses which may open later under plans set out in the Government’s roadmap.

The Leader of the Council has approved the Restarts Grant Scheme and granted the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority, to implement, and if necessary, amend each Policy (in consultation with the Leader). Such delegated authority will include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration.

In accordance with section 20 of the Council’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the call-in procedure shall not apply to this decision given its urgency. A decision is urgent if, in the view of the decision maker, any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would, for example, seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests.

In accordance with this section, it is the opinion of the decision maker that this decision is an urgent one and therefore exempt from call-in.

Decision required to provide initial development funding for a solar farm development and next steps.

(Key decision):

(1) To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to initiate feasibility and due-diligence work as required for the project outlined in section 2 and exempt appendix 1 of this report, and for other potential green energy initiatives up to a value of £50,000 from revenue funds.

(2) Subject to (1) above, to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Chief Finance Officer and Cabinet member for finance and assets, to provide up to £100,000 for development funding to take the solar farm proposal set out in section 2 and exempt appendix 1 of this report, to planning submission, subject to further due diligence being carried out.

(3) Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to procure Local Partnerships to carry out due diligence work as required, including that of the development proposal referred to in recommendation (2) above.

A planning enforcement document has been prepared that outlines the types of complaint that are received and how they we be processed.

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the publication and use of the Planning Enforcement Policy contained at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To provide delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure, to make minor or technical amendments to the Planning Enforcement Policy prior to their publication or as otherwise required following publication.

The Interim Policy Statement sets out the criteria that will be used to determine planning applications for housing development outside of the adopted settlement planning boundaries if the Council is unable to demonstrate a 5 year supply of deliverable housing sites after May 2021. The purpose of this report is to seek Cabinet approval to adopt this document as a material consideration in decision-making prior to the adoption of a new local plan for that part of the district outside of the South Downs National Park.

To approve the Draft Interim Policy Statement for Housing Delivery, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

The report will provide introductions or updates on a number of housing development projects across Eastbourne that the Borough Council is proposing to develop.

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme for housing delivery.

(2) To authorise the development of the garage sites at Brede Close and Timberley Road, as well as the site at Fort Lane, for new homes and to allocate a budget within the capacity of the approved HRA Capital Programme, with reference to the delegations in recommendation 6.

(3) To approve a waiver under paragraph 2.4.1(a) of the Contract Procedural Rules (CPR) to allow the direct negotiation with, and appointment of, a main contractor for the development at Brede Close, which has an estimated contract value below £4,733,252.

(4) To authorise (a) the transfer for a nominal consideration of the garage site at Biddenden Close to the Eastbourne Community Land Trust (ECLT), and (b) where for any reason the transfer referred to in recommendation 4(a) above does not proceed, the development by Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) of such property for new homes and to allocate a budget within the approved HRA Capital Programme.

(5) To authorise commencement of the project to develop the site known as Cavalry Crescent up to the planning stage, subject to further Cabinet approval on the appointment of a contractor and the commencement of any works.

(6) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Chief Finance Officer, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the proposals outlined at Recommendations 2), 3), 4) and 5) including feasibility, development and determining the terms of, and authorising the signature of, all necessary documentation and to sub-delegate those actions as required. Also to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning to take all necessary actions including determining the terms of, and authorising the signature of, all necessary documentation to let the homes to new tenants and dispose on shared ownership terms as required

(7) To approve an increase to the feasibility revenue budget of £250,000, approved in July 2018, up to a total amount of £350,000 to enable the development of a new housing delivery project pipeline as part of the HRA Capital Programme and to delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning to approve all expenditure, to be sub-delegated as required.

(8) To note that EBC proposes to procure a single provider framework for a contractor offering an off-site manufactured house building solution, through an advertised open competition. Further details to follow.