Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

The Executive is asked to approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 27 May 2021.

The Committee considered the minutes from the meeting on Thursday 27 May 2021.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 27 May 2021.  

A copy of the Register of Interest for each Selby District Councillor is

available for inspection at www.selby.gov.uk.

Councillors should declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary

interest in any item of business on this agenda which is not already

entered in their Register of Interests.

Councillors should leave the meeting and take no part in the

consideration, discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a

disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillors should also declare any other interests. Having made the

declaration, provided the other interest is not a disclosable pecuniary

interest, the Councillor may stay in the meeting, speak and vote on that

item of business.

If in doubt, Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Monitoring

Officer.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Report E/21/6 asks the Executive to approve the Local Plan Additional Sites Document which will be undertaken under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping presented the report which sought approval for consultation to take place on the Local Plan Additional Sites Document which will be undertaken under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that over 1,200 responses had been received to the Preferred Options consultation along with a further 44 sites submitted.

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping encouraged anyone who had views regarding the sites to respond formally to the consultation when it was open so that their views could be considered.

RESOLVED:

                                    i)          To approve the Local Plan Additional Sites consultation document at Appendix 1 of this report for consultation in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) regulations 2012 (as amended).

                                  ii)          To delegate to officers the arrangements for the consultation to take place for six weeks between 2^nd August and 13^th September 2021.

                                 iii)          To delegate to the Director of Economic Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping, any minor amendments required to the documentation for typographical, grammatical and factual or Plain English purposes to the documents prior to publishing for consultation.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To approve the Local Plan Additional Sites document for public consultation in order to further progress the adoption of the Selby Local Plan.

Report E/21/7 asks the Executive to approve the proposed consultation document on Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture presented the report which asked the Executive to approve the proposed consultation document on Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that these were statutory standards which had been issued by the Secretary of State for Transport to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

The Executive raised concern that certain offences were not listed as having to be reported within the 48 hour timeframe.

RESOLVED:

To approve the proposed consultation document, at Appendix A to the report for public consultation for a period of 8 weeks. Consultation to take place between the 12^th July to the 6^th September 2021.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The view of the Department for Transport (DfT) is that all licensing authorities should have reviewed their Taxi Licensing Policies against the new standards by the end of 2021, so that any changes to policies can be in place as soon as possible in 2022. The purpose of the new standards is to increase safeguarding of the public and the Council promotes this.

E/21/9 provides a progress update on delivery of the Council Plan 2020-23 as measured by a combination of: progress against priority projects/high level actions; and performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 

The Leader of the Council presented the quarterly performance report which provided a progress update on delivery of the Council Plan 2020-23 as measured by a combination of: progress against priority projects/high level actions; and performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 

It was noted that 69% of KPIs were on target with 56% of KPIs showing an improvement over the longer term or having maintained 100% performance.

A query was raised regarding the indicator for renting properties. The Head of Business Development and Improvement explained that the indicator was not on target for a number of reasons including the Covid pandemic, and the increase in the number of void properties. The Leader of the Council added that some properties which came back into Council use were in a poor state of repair therefore it took longer and more resources to bring them back into a habitable state.

Concern was raised at the lack of progress concerning the work around Low Carbon in particular the Low Carbon Action Plan created by the Low Carbon Working Group. The Head of Place Shaping as the Lead Executive Member for Low Carbon explained that whilst he agreed with the work done by the Low Carbon Working Group, he had asked for some elements in the Action Plan to be looked at again along with the resources required for the work as it was important to have an achievable plan.

It was suggested the Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping meet for a discussion with the Low Carbon Action Group over the matter.

RESOLVED:

To note and approve the report.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The reporting of performance data enables the Council to demonstrate progress on delivering the Council Plan Priorities to make Selby District a great place.

E/21/9 asks the Executive to agree the Cultural Development Framework and the outline costed spend profile.

The Lead Executive Member for Health and Culture presented the report which asked the Executive to agree the Cultural Development Framework and the outline costed spend profile.

The Lead Executive Member for Health and Culture praised the work of officers on the Framework and explained that the spend profile outlined how the remaining £600k of the agreed budget would be spent.

Members praised the work by officers on the Selby 950 project and stated that it was important to include all of the highlights in the Selby District in the forthcoming work. 

RESOLVED:

To agree the Cultural Development Framework and outline costed spend profile.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The Framework delivers the Council Plan Delivery priority: Enable a thriving visitor economy underpinned by a sustained focus on enhancing the district’s cultural, retail and leisure offer.

Report E/21/10 outlines options for establishing a Community Legacy Fund, using budget underspend from the Community Engagement Forum (CEF) 2021-21 funding.

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development presented the report which outlined options for establishing a Community Legacy Fund, using budget underspend from the Community Engagement Forum (CEF) 2021-21 funding.

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that the report recommended an approach to use the £100k of the budget for Community Engagement Forums to secure a legacy fund for the district by working with the Two Ridings Community Foundation.

The Executive discussed the proposals and were supportive of agreeing the underspend of £100k going to the Two Ridings Community Foundation. The Executive also discussed the opportunity to consider establishing an Endowment Fund which would require larger investment. This would need to be a discussion at full Council with regard to whether Members wanted to invest £1m in the Community Endowment Fund or more.

RESOLVED:

i)             To approve the donation, subject to appropriate conditions, of the CEF 2020/21 underspend of £100,000 to Two Ridings Community Foundation to establish a Selby District Community Fund.

ii)            To recommend to Council the establishment of a Community Endowment Fund to be invested and managed by Two Ridings Community Foundation, subject to final due diligence, in line with Option 3 at Section 4.4 of the report.

iii)          To recommend to Council that a minimum £1m be considered as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy review and invested into the Community Endowment Fund subject to available unallocated funds committed to the Programme for Growth.

iv)          To recommend to Council that authority be then delegated to the Director of Economic Regeneration and Place in consultation with the Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development, the S151 Officer and Solicitor to the Council to enter into an agreement between Selby District Council and Two Ridings Community Foundation to secure achievement of agreed parameters to the investment and subsequent grant making process.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To provide a grant funding solution which offers greater investment into the Selby District community and secures a sustainable, place-based funding option for the future.  

To do so in line with the Council Plan 2020-2030, ‘to make Selby District a Great Place to Enjoy’ with a key objective to ‘Develop a Resilient Community’. A milestone achievement for this is to ‘Collaborate with community representatives and funders to establish the community engagement and funding process post covid-19’.

Application of Programme For Growth funding is subject to Full Council resolution as per the Full Council recommendations in section 71 (v, vi) of 20^th February 2020 to enable all councillors to have a considered input to review existing and newly considered projects under P4G.

Report E/21/11 presents an update to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) covering both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) prior to consideration by Council later this month.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented an update to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) covering both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) prior to consideration by Council later this month.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that based on the assumptions within the mid case MTFS, the savings requirement was estimated to rise to £2.8m - £4m p.a. within the next 3 years; however, this was dependent upon future local government finance settlements and emerging risks whilst the majority of savings were deferred.

The Executive discussed the proposed projects outlined in the Programme for Growth due to there being insufficient funding available to deliver all of the projects outlined. It was suggested that the current outlined funding for Sherburn and Tadcaster be increased from £500k to £1m each with the additional funding coming from capital receipts. It was noted that despite the increase in funding for the areas, any proposals would be subject to business cases. Allowing for the recommendation to allocate £1m to the Community Endowment Fund project, proposals remained in excess of available funding. The Executive noted the option to review other projects and reallocate funds if necessary.

Discussion took place on resources and capacity for project delivery with resources possibly being required for Local Government Reorganisation. The Leader of the Council stated that the list of projects which could be delivered needed to be looked at to discuss capacity.

Concern was raised at the reduction of funding for low carbon. It was noted that this was a long term project and that the Executive could reallocate resources in the MTFS at a later date.

RESOLVED:

That subject to consultation with Policy Review Committee it be recommended that Council:

(a)  Receives this Executive recommendation as notice signed by five Councillors pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 18 to enable consideration of the matters at (b) notwithstanding that it would rescind a decision made by Council within the past six months; and

(b)  that Council:

i)             Approves the Medium-Term Financial Strategy;

ii)            Approves the revisions to the General Fund and HRA capital programmes;

iii)          Approves the release of £8m from the Business Rates Equalisation Reserve for the Programme for Growth;

iv)          Approves the supported capital and Programme for Growth bids within the funds available;

v)            Approve the increase in funding for projects in Sherburn and Tadcaster from £500k to £1m each with an additional £1m funding toward capital expenditure within Programme for Growth coming from capital receipts;

vi)          Delegates approval of Business Cases to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Lead Executive Member for Housing to expedite delivery of the housing delivery programme.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To reflect the latest financial issues and to set the framework for the 2022/23 budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan to 2024/25.

That, in accordance with Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, the meeting be not open to the Press and public during discussion of the following items as there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act

It was proposed, and seconded, that the Executive sit in private session for the following business due to the nature of the business to be transacted.

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the nature of business to be transacted the meeting be not open to the press and public during discussion of the following items as there will be disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 3 and 6 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act.

Report E/21/12 updates Executive and seeks authorisations for actions relating to the delivery of the Selby Station Gateway project and the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) business case, including land assembly, budget contingency and proposed match-funding alteration.

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development presented the report which updated the Executive and sought authorisations for actions relating to the delivery of the Selby Station Gateway project and the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) business case, including land assembly, budget contingency and proposed match-funding alteration.

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development outlined the update and explained the recommendations outlined to the Executive.

The Executive discussed the report and asked questions on a range of matters of the officers present.

RESOLVED:

i)             To endorse the revisions to the TCF business case to incorporate the potential scenarios for implementing the Selby Station Gateway project (as set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report).

ii)            To amend the terms of the Council’s match-funding for the TCF (as set out in paragraphs 2.9-2.11 of the report).

iii)          To agree to allocate the previously identified contingency from the Commercial Acquisitions Fund to and subject to availability of funds seek an allocation of Programme for Growth funding through the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to cover increased TCF project land assembly costs and Compulsory Purchase Order costs (as set out in paragraph 2.9 of the report).

iv)          To note the current land assembly status and agree the approach detailed in this report (as set out in Appendix 1 to the report).

v)            To approve the submission of a bid to allocate funding through the Medium-Term Financial Strategy/extended Programme for Growth to deliver the construction of the plaza, should it not be able to be progressed through the TCF project.

vi)          To note the appointment of external advisors and exercise the Council’s powers to investigate, determine a programme and begin the preparation of a Compulsory Purchase Order for land and rights to support the delivery of the Selby Station Gateway project. A final decision to make a CPO will be subject to Executive approval following this investigation and preparation (as set out in paragraphs 2.12-2.13).

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure the delivery of the Selby Station Gateway project and compliance with WYCA’s TCF funding requirements.