Agenda and minutes

Councillor Ashton - other interest - Item 9 - Working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector (Trustee of New Mills Volunteer Centre).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 25 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

The purpose of the report was to provide members with an opportunity to scrutinise the draft Performance Framework and associated targets for 2021/24  The framework was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 29 March 2021.  It was reported that a meeting would take place between councillors and officers with view to making future reports to committees more succinct.

Options considered:

Members were asked to consider the proposed targets and to suggest amendments if they considered that they were necessary. A Performance Framework Sub Committee took place on 15 March where it was resolved that the Committee supported the broader Framework whilst also recommending a review of the content and focus of the quarterly performance reports, based on a smaller set of core measures as determined by the Committee.   

RESOLVED:

That the Performance Framework 2021/24 be approved.      

The report notified members of the importance of  keeping the Local Plan up to date and  reviewed within 5 years of adoption  to ensure development plan policies were relevant and to reflect emerging government planning policy guidance and regulations.   The report was considered by the Economy and Growth Select Committee on 25 March 2021 which suggested that the Working Group consider its terms of reference further.

Options considered:

If the  Council were not to undertake  a review of the Local Plan within 5 years of its adoption, it would not be complying with its statutory duty and overtime the Local Plan would increasingly have less weight in the planning process. It also had the potential to lead to the Council being highlighted by Government as failing to have an up to date Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the requirement for the Council to review the Local Plan at least every five years be noted.

2.     That the proposed Terms of Reference for a Local Plan Steering Group to consider development plan policy evidence and analysis be approved, subject to further consideration by the Working Group.

3.     That following the Local Plan Steering Group’s consideration of development plan policy evidence base and analysis, a further Executive Report be prepared setting out conclusions and recommendations for updating the Local Plan and the timetable for statutory preparation processes.

The report notified Councillors of the current consultation on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and the new National Model Design Code. A draft response to the consultation was also provided for consideration.  The report was considered by the Economy and Growth Select Committee on 25 March 2021 following which the Council’s response to the consultation had been submitted by the deadline of 27 March 2021, taking into account the feedback from councillors.

Options considered:

Option 1 (recommended) – that the Council submits a response to the consultation which reflected the draft response outlined in the Appendix to the report and others comments deemed appropriate by Councillors. The option will enable the Council’s voice to influence national policy.

Option 2 – that the Council decides not to submit a response. The option would not provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the views of the Council before finalising the proposals.

RESOLVED:

That the consultation proposals and their possible implications be noted.

The report sought to help to prevent unlawful depositing of waste within the Borough by agreeing the level of fixed penalty notices that could be issued to those individuals that do not take reasonable measures to ensure proper disposal of their household waste. The report was considered by the Community Select Committee on 30 March 2021.

Options considered:

The Council could keep the fixed penalty amount at the statutory level (£200) with no reduction for prompt payment.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the fixed penalty amount for failure to comply with the household duty of care be set at £400.

2.     That the fixed penalty notice be reduced to £300 if paid in full within 10 days be agreed.

The Parks Strategy was deferred to a later meeting of the Executive.

The report provided an update on High Peak’s VCSE Sector and use of the Council’s Community Support Grant funding, and set out the Council’s future approach to collaborative working with the Sector. The report was considered by the Community Select Committee on 30 March 2021.

Options considered:

None identified. The Council needed to work with its partners and the community to address issues such as health inequality, food and fuel poverty, mental health and loneliness.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Council should formalise its working arrangements with the VCSE sector through a compact agreement or a collaborative working protocol.

2.     That the Council should work with High Peak CVS to jointly deliver an annual awards event for the community and voluntary sector.

3.     That the Council should produce a plan setting out how it intends to collaborate with and support the VCSE sector as a means of delivering the Corporate Plan and achieving further efficiencies.

4.     That the Council should adopt the principles set out in the report as a means of achieving a more strategic approach to funding the VCSE Sector.

5.    That the funding contribution to New Mills Volunteer Centre should be increased in 2021/22 to the same level as Connex and The Bureau (from £2,500 to £5,000) to support the organisation to improve their levels of support in areas such as Chapel-en-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge.

6.     That levels of core Community Support Grant Funding for other organisations should remain the same for 2021/22.

7.     That the Council should provide additional funding where necessary for those VCSE Sector organisations (The Bureau and Glossopdale Furniture Project) that were experiencing short-term financial difficulties.

8.     That councillors should be provided with regular updates on work with the VCSE Sector and key partnerships with an emphasis on how this has helped to achieve the Council’s corporate objective.

The report sought approval to allocate capital funding towards the development of a new football and community hub facility at Cemetery Road in Glossop. The report was considered by the Community Select Committee on 30 March 2021.

Options considered:

There were in reality three options available to the council:

1.     To provide £200,000 capital funding along with a £50,000 contribution from the Outdoor Sports and Recreation Capital Fund in support of this key project.  (Recommended)

2.     To provide a £50,000 capital contribution towards the project from the £100,000 budget assigned for outdoor sports facilities and choose not to allocate the further amount of £200,000. This decision would jeopardise the future of this project and create an unexpected funding shortfall. (Not Recommended)

3.     To do nothing – This would place the project in jeopardy of not progressing and would leave a large and possibly unachievable funding shortfall for the Club to secure from other sources. (Not Recommended)

RESOLVED:

1.     That the allocation of £200,000 capital funding towards the development of a new football and community hub facility at Cemetery Road in Glossop be approved.

2.     That the allocation of £50,000 from the Outdoor Sports and Recreation Capital Fund towards development of the same project be approved, on the basis that the remaining project costs are secured by the Club.

RESOLVED:

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items because there may be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 25 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

The Executive approved a report that:

·          Proposed a new management structure across the strategic alliance

·          Outlined the process for establishing the new structure of Executive Directors and Heads of Service

·          Confirmed the recruitment / appointment process

·          made proposals for a new grading structure

The Executive approved a report that informed and advised members of the proposal for the Council’s Building Control service to be transferred to the Derbyshire Building Control Partnership.

The Executive approved a report that Members of the intention to dispose of the freehold title to the Council owned depot and car park at Market Street in Buxton.

The Executive approved a report that sought authority to award a fixed term contract for the HRA Capital Programme of external rendering and associated works across the High Peak Borough Council housing stock.

The Executive approved a report that requested an increase in budget allowance as set out in the current capital programme within the Medium Term Financial Plan for additional capital works required for Phase 2 of the Pavilion Gardens Project.