Decisions

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the draft budget proposals for consultation.

(2) To agree the approach to dealing with changes in the expected resources available for the 2019/20 budget as detailed in 3.3 of the report.

(3) To agree that subject to there being no material change in the government settlement that Cabinet is minded to propose a council tax rise of 1.99% for 2019/20 to make a Band D charge £187.08 for General Expenses, in line with the current cap.

(4) To agree the strategy to close the gap as shown in 3.2 of the report.

(5)  To note the updated medium term financial strategy.

(1) Chinese lanterns and balloons

(Non-key decision):

That the Council look urgently, with input from officers on options for enforcing a ban on the release of Chinese lanterns and balloons on Council owned land and further.

(2) Gatwick Airport proposed expansion and its potential effect on the District Council area

(Non-key decision):

That the responses received from members be submitted as part of the consultation process.

(3) Recommendations from Audit and Standards Committee – 19 November 2018

(Non-key decision):

The Cabinet noted the recommendation from Audit and Standards Committee at its meeting on the 19 November 2018 that the Council’s Treasury Management activity between 1 September and 31 October 2018 had been in accordance with the approved Treasury Strategy for the period.

The report sets out proposals for the Council’s established asset holding companies (Lewes Housing Investment Co Ltd and Aspiration Homes LLP) to purchase residential properties to:

(i)            provide accommodation to assist the Council meet its strategic housing agenda

(ii)          improve access into the private rented sector,

(iii)         increase the variety, availability and accessibility of affordable housing and low cost home ownership,

(iv)         generate additional income revenue streams through strategic property investment.

(Key decision):

(1) To agree that the Council makes a loan facility available of up to £10m on market terms to Lewes Housing Investment Company Ltd (LHICL) for the purpose of enabling the company to purchase residential accommodation for commercial purposes under a dedicated programme.

(2) To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Lead Cabinet members for Housing and Finance to agree the whole scheme lending parameters (including overall programme(s), levels of development and individual loan tranches) for purchases by LHICL for the programme outlined at recommendation 1 of the report.

(3) To agree that the Council makes a loan facility available of up to £2.5m on market terms to Aspiration Homes LLP (AHLLP) for the purpose of enabling the company to purchase residential accommodation for affordable purposes under a dedicated programme.

(4) To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet members for Housing and Finance to agree the whole scheme lending parameters (including overall programme(s), levels of development and individual loan tranches) for purchases by AHLLP for the programme outlined at recommendation 3 of the report.

(5) To authorise the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services to ensure that a “Funding Agreement” pursuant to a “Deed of Entrustment” is entered into by AHLLP with the Council so that Right to Buy receipts are appropriated in accordance with legislative requirements and the retention agreement with Government in relation to “social housing”. To give delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning to determine the terms of such agreement(s).

(6) To note an increase in the planned pipeline of new build affordable housing acquisitions from private developers, as outlined in the April 2018 Cabinet Report entitled “Housing development update”.

(7) To approve as a Restricted Matter under the LLP Agreement, the making of a loan facility by Lewes District Council of up to £2.5m on market terms to Aspiration Homes LLP (AHLLP) for the purpose of enabling the company to purchase residential accommodation for affordable purposes under a dedicated programme.

To update Members on the Council’s performance against corporate plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets over the quarter 1 2018/19 period.

(Non-key decision):

(1) That the council’s progress and performance for quarter 2 be received and noted.

(2) That the target for ‘The number of days taken to process new housing/council tax benefit claims’ be changed from 20 days to 23 days, in line with the national average.

To agree to fund the commissioning of Clear Sustainable Futures to investigate if there is an investable business case for sustainable, low carbon energy generation on 3 projects currently in the pipeline– Avis Way Depot, Seaford Health Hub and Sovereign Leisure Centre.

(Key decision):

(1) To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Director of Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Impact, to fund up to £25,000 for the commissioning of Clear Sustainable Futures to undertake the feasibility study of deploying sustainable energy generation at the Avis Way and Sutton Road development sites

(2) To note that a similar request is being made to Eastbourne Borough Council to progress viability analysis on their project at the Sovereign Leisure Centre and that the work is being conducted concurrently with knowledge being shared.

To provide an update to Cabinet on regeneration and economic development activity across the Lewes District.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the progress made in the provision of economic development across Lewes District, including the expanding range of business support offered by the Council, the success of existing initiatives and the range of funding submissions submitted on behalf of the Council.

(2) To note the response of Coast to Capital LEP and South East LEP to the Government’s LEP review, and to delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration & Planning, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council to agree future LEP membership for the Council.

A report to provide a framework for the council’s approach to sustainability issues.

(Key decision):

To approve the Sustainability Policy for adoption

To propose a revised schedule of fees and charges to apply from 1 April 2019.

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the scale of Fees and Charges proposed at appendix 2 of the report, to apply from 1 April 2019.

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Service Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Waste and Recycling, to vary commercial trade waste charges upwards or downwards by up to 10% in order to respond to developing market conditions.

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

Receipt of annual report to note.

(Key decision):

(1) To note the achievements and activities of the Lewes Community Safety Partnership during 2017/18 and future risks/opportunities to performance.

(2) That a Road Safety Action Group be formulated, as recommended by Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on the 29 November 2018.

To explain the emerging General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets for 2019/20. The report also recommends the level at which the council tax base for 2019/20 should be set and the approach to be taken to determining the projected amount of non-domestic rating income for that year.

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the provisional council tax base of 36,760.40 for 2019/20 for the whole area and that the council tax base for each of the Town and Parish areas of the District shall be as set out at appendix 2 of the report

(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 2019/20.

(3) To agree that the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, determine net yield from Business Rate income for 2019/20.

To provide an update on the Council’s financial performance, revenue budgets and capital programme to the end of quarter 2 2018/2019 and explain the impact on the current financial position.

(Non-key decision):

(1)  To agree the general fund, HRA and collection fund financial performance for the quarter ended September 2018.

(2) To agree the amended capital programme as set out at appendix 3 to the report.

(3) To agree the treasury management performance.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning seeking approval for the further development and refinement of the Lewes District Council Plan as it moved into its third year.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Smith moved, and Councillor Catlin seconded the motion that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

Councillor Rowell moved, and Councillor Denis seconded, an amendment as follows:

“To approve the officer recommendations, subject to the removal of the final bullet point under the success criteria for Housing and Development (Southern part of Newhaven Port area made accessible to development).

The amended motion was put to the meeting and:

Resolved (Carried):

That the design changes and updates to the Council plan, appended to the report be approved, subject to the removal of the final bullet point under the “Measuring our success” criteria for Housing and Development.

Reasons for decision:

During the period of a four year Council Plan, adjustments and refinements may need to be made to respond to changed circumstances and emerging opportunities. In acknowledgement of this an annual review is a helpful way of ensuring that the Plan remained focused on delivery of the organisations overall strategic objectives.

The Chair of the Council moved, and Councillor Catlin seconded the motion that the draft calendar of meeting for 2019/20 be provisionally approved.

It was requested and agreed that the option of a fifth Council meeting be added to the final proposed calendar that would be considered by Council on 15 May 2019.

The motion was put to the meeting and:

Resolved (Carried):

That the draft calendar of meetings for 2019/20 be approved, subject to final ratification at the Council’s next annual meeting.

Reason for decision:

To facilitate the running of the Council’s business in the municipal year 2019/2020.

To seek Cabinet approval to progress the Lewes District Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development Management Policies through to its formal submission to the Secretary of State and to seek approval for the arrangements for the Local Plan Examination in Public process.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning regarding the representations received to the Pre-Submission Local Plan Part 2. Council approval was sought to formally submit the Local Plan Part 2 to the Secretary of State for examination.

Councillor Jones moved, and Councillor Merry seconded the motion that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Smith and Cabinet member for Planning, Councillor Jones made a personal commitment to extend the consultation, detailed at resolutions two to four below, to all group leaders, on any minor modifications or editorial changes to the Plan that are made by the Director of Regeneration and Planning under delegated authority.

Councillors requested a named vote on the motion, in accordance with the council procedure rules.

For: Barnes, Bikson, Boorman, Catlin, Davy, Franklin, Gardiner, Giles, Harrison-Hicks, Jones, Linington, Maskell, Merry, Nicholson, Peterson, Sheppard, Smith, Turner (18)

Against: Amy, Botting, Carr, Chartier, Denis, Elliott, Gauntlett, Honeyman, Ient, Lambert, Murray, Neave, O’Keeffe, Osborne, Robertson, Rowell, Saunders (17)

Abstentions: Carter (1)

Resolved (By 18 votes to 17, with 1 abstention):

(1) To approve the submission of the Local Plan Part 2 to the Secretary of State under Regulation 22 of the Town & Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations for examination, along with the other submission documents required by the regulations as referred to in Paragraphs 7.2 and 7.3 of the report;

(2) To authorise the Director of Regeneration & Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to make minor editorial changes to the Local Plan Part 2 prior to submission to the Secretary of State;

(3) To authorise the Director of Regeneration & Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to prepare a schedule of minor modifications to the Local Plan Part 2 prior to submission to the Secretary of State;

(4) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to respond to issues arising during the examination and to agree any further or revised minor modifications to the Local Plan Part 2 during the examination process;

(5) To approve and publish a revised Local Development Scheme with effect from 26 November 2018.

Reasons for decisions:

To ensure that the Local Plan Part 2 is progressed towards adoption in a timely manner, thereby supporting the implementation and delivery of the Local Plan Part 1: Joint Core Strategy through the allocation of additional development sites and up-to-date planning policies to assist in the determination of planning applications.

(N.B. Councillor Barnes withdrew for the remainder of the meeting following this item.)