Items
No. |
Item |
124. |
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To approve as a
correct record the minutes of the District Executive meeting held
on 1st February 2018.
Minutes:
The minutes of the
District Executive meeting held on 1st February 2018,
copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and, having
been approved as a correct record, were signed by the Chairman.
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125. |
Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
Apologies for
absence were received from Councillors Val Keitch, Sylvia Seal,
Angie Singleton and Derek Yeomans.
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126. |
Declarations of Interest
In accordance with the
Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015),
which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary
Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are
asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and
whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in
relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.
Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that
they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a
Personal Interest. Where you are also a member of Somerset County
Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you
must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda
where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset
County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at
the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset
District Council.
Minutes:
There were no
declarations of interest made by Members.
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127. |
Public Question Time
Minutes:
There were no members of the public
present.
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128. |
Chairman's Announcements
Minutes:
There were no
announcements from the Chairman.
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129. |
District-wide Voluntary Sector Grants 2018/2019 PDF 445 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive:-
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a.
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approved the
proposed funding allocation of £26,500 to be funded from the
District Wide Grants budget and Young People & Play budget
proposed for 2018/19 to the following district wide
organisations:-
a)
Somerset Rural Youth Project -
£8,000
b)
Actiontrack
Performance Company - £2,500
c)
Take Art – £10,500
d)
Somerset Arts Week - £3,500
e)
Somerset Film - £2,000
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Reason:
|
To
confirm the levels of funding for several district-wide
organisations seeking financial support from SSDC in
2018/19.
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Minutes:
The Arts
Development Officer introduced the report and advised that the SSDC
core funding to the district-wide organisations enabled them to
draw in other grants to further develop arts in the area.
Councillor Peter
Seib noted that he was pleased to be granting funding Somerset
Film, who, he hoped the Council would work with in the future to
assist with professional communications.
There was no debate
and Members were pleased to confirm the funding allocations as
proposed.
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive:-
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a.
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approved the
proposed funding allocation of £26,500 to be funded from the
District Wide Grants budget and Young People & Play budget
proposed for 2018/19 to the following district wide
organisations:-
a)
Somerset Rural Youth Project -
£8,000
b)
Actiontrack
Performance Company - £2,500
c)
Take Art – £10,500
d)
Somerset Arts Week - £3,500
e)
Somerset Film - £2,000
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Reason:
|
To
confirm the levels of funding for several district-wide
organisations seeking financial support from SSDC in
2018/19.
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130. |
SSDC Review of Operational Office Accommodation - Progress Report on Area Presence PDF 199 KB
Decision:
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive :-
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a.
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endorsed the
principles for Area presence as set out in the report
below. This included disposal of and/or
redevelopment of its current Area Offices over the next 2 years in
accordance with relevant governance and policies;
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b.
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noted that
Officers will keep Members up to date on progress as specific
proposals emerge for each Area.
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Reason:
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To assess
the current needs of the Council’s offices against its future
requirements, post Transformation, across the District.
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Minutes:
The Portfolio
Holder for Property, Climate Change and Income Generation advised
that this was a holding report and as the Transformation programme
progressed the need for office accommodation would be
clearer. Underutilised or poor
performing assets would be assessed and considered for disposal
within the next two years.
The Director for
Commercial Services and Income Generation noted that there was more
space than needed in the area offices and alternative uses, renting
out or selling would all be considered within the next two
years.
There was no debate
and Members were content to confirm the recommendations of the
report.
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive :-
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a.
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endorsed the
principles for Area presence as set out in the report
below. This included disposal of and/or
redevelopment of its current Area Offices over the next 2 years in
accordance with relevant governance and policies;
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b.
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noted that
Officers will keep Members up to date on progress as specific
proposals emerge for each Area.
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Reason:
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To assess
the current needs of the Council’s offices against its future
requirements, post Transformation, across the District.
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131. |
Business Rates Relief - Local Discretionary Relief, Year 2 PDF 231 KB
Decision:
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive agreed to:-
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a.
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approve an increase in the percentage of relief awarded for
2017/18 under the “Non Domestic Rates Revaluation Support
Relief” Scheme from 43% to 55%;
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b.
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approve the continuation of the
“Non Domestic Rates Revaluation Support Relief” Scheme
for 2018/19 (Year 2) with revised award levels shown in para
16;
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c.
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approve the use of the Councils local
discretionary powers to extend the Business Rate Relief Scheme for
Pubs for the 2018/19 financial year;
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d.
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approve the use of the Councils local
discretionary powers to extend the doubling of the Rural Rate
Relief for the 2018/19 financial year;
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e.
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note that where the Council uses its local discount powers to
award the Revaluation Support Scheme, up to the maximum funding
amounts given above, and to extend the Pub Relief for 2018/19 and
the doubling of Rural Rate relief, the cost will be reimbursed in
full by Government.
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Reason:
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To
approve an increase in the level of awards to businesses of
“Revaluation Support Relief” for 2017/18.
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Minutes:
The Portfolio
Holder for Finance and Legal Services advised that SSDC were using
their discretionary powers for a large part of the
relief. He noted that recommendations A
and B updated the business rate relief and recommendations C and D
would extend the relief into the following year. The final recommendation noted that the
discretionary grants awarded would be reimbursed by the
Government.
The Chairman noted
that there were no comments from the Scrutiny Committee on this
item. There was no debate and Members
unanimously confirmed the Business Rates Relief - Local
Discretionary Relief scheme as proposed.
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive agreed to:-
|
|
a.
|
approve an increase in the percentage of relief awarded for
2017/18 under the “Non Domestic Rates Revaluation Support
Relief” Scheme from 43% to 55%;
|
|
b.
|
approve the continuation of the
“Non Domestic Rates Revaluation Support Relief” Scheme
for 2018/19 (Year 2) with revised award levels shown in para
16;
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c.
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approve the use of the Councils local
discretionary powers to extend the Business Rate Relief Scheme for
Pubs for the 2018/19 financial year;
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d.
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approve the use of the Councils local
discretionary powers to extend the doubling of the Rural Rate
Relief for the 2018/19 financial year;
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e.
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note that where the Council uses its local discount powers to
award the Revaluation Support Scheme, up to the maximum funding
amounts given above, and to extend the Pub Relief for 2018/19 and
the doubling of Rural Rate relief, the cost will be reimbursed in
full by Government.
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Reason:
|
To
approve an increase in the level of awards to businesses of
“Revaluation Support Relief” for 2017/18.
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132. |
South Somerset District Council Car Park Charging Policy Paper PDF 344 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED:
|
That District Executive agreed to:-
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a.
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apply an increase in July 2019 based on the CPI inflation rate
for the previous 4 years;
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b.
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thereafter, apply an increase every 4 years based on the CPI
inflation rate for the previous 4 years;
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c.
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recommendation 1 and 2 above shall take effect
where the cost of implementing the increase (for example new
signage, adaptations to the machines etc.) does not outweigh the
expected additional revenue to be generated; and
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d.
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recommend a
full cost review of bench-marked market charges and car park
operations as part of the car park strategy update to ensure
alignment in the wider market area. This is to be carried out by
officers in the financial year 2018/2019 for implementation in July
2019; subject to being approved at District Executive.
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Reason:
|
To
consider various car park user improvements and benchmarking as
part of an updated car park strategy and to present a longer term
charging policy in line with the regulations in force.
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(Voting: 3 in favour, 2
against, 0 abstentions)
Minutes:
The Portfolio
Holder for Property, Climate Change and Income Generation advised
that following discussion of the report at Scrutiny Committee,
amended recommendations were now proposed. He noted that although there was no wish to
increase charges during the current year, a four yearly increase in
July 2019 was proposed.
During a lengthy
discussion, Members debated the wording of the new recommendations
and with advice from the Monitoring Officer and Lead Specialist
(Finance) the recommendations were agreed as below.
At the conclusion
of the debate, the new recommendations were proposed and seconded
and Chairman asked that Members vote on them. A vote was taken as
follows: 3 in favour, 2 against, 0
abstentions.
At the conclusion
of the vote, Councillor Mike Lewis asked that a monthly analysis of
car parking income be kept from now on as a statistical analysis of
the usage of car parks.
The Chief Executive
advised that car parking income was reported in the quarterly
budget reports and car park usage could be determined from
this. It was known that some car parks
were underused.
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive agreed to:-
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|
a.
|
apply an increase in July 2019 based on the CPI inflation rate
for the previous 4 years;
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b.
|
thereafter, apply an increase every 4 years based on the CPI
inflation rate for the previous 4 years;
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c.
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recommendation 1 and 2 above shall take effect
where the cost of implementing the increase (for example new
signage, adaptations to the machines etc.) does not outweigh the
expected additional revenue to be generated; and
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d.
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recommend a
full cost review of bench-marked market charges and car park
operations as part of the car park strategy update to ensure
alignment in the wider market area. This is to be carried out by
officers in the financial year 2018/2019 for implementation in July
2019; subject to being approved at District Executive.
|
Reason:
|
To
consider various car park user improvements and benchmarking as
part of an updated car park strategy and to present a longer term
charging policy in line with the regulations in force.
|
(Voting: 3 in favour, 2
against, 0 abstentions)
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133. |
The 'Making' of the Wincanton Neighbourhood Plan PDF 236 KB
Decision:
RESOLVED:
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That the
District Executive agreed to the making of
the Wincanton Neighbourhood Plan.
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Reason:
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To note
the result of the Referendum in relation to the Wincanton
Neighbourhood Plan and to confirm that the Plan be
‘made’ (or adopted).
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Minutes:
The Chairman asked
Members to confirm the making of the Wincanton Neighbourhood Plan
as proposed.
There was no debate
and Members unanimously confirmed the making of the Wincanton
Neighbourhood Plan.
RESOLVED:
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That the
District Executive agreed to the making of
the Wincanton Neighbourhood Plan.
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Reason:
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To note
the result of the Referendum in relation to the Wincanton
Neighbourhood Plan and to confirm that the Plan be
‘made’ (or adopted).
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134. |
Key4Life - At Risk Preventative Programme in Somerset PDF 180 KB
Decision:
RESOLVED:
|
That District Executive agreed to:-
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a.
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note
the work undertaken to date;
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b.
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approve the
proposal to investigate further similar opportunities with
Key4Life, relevant Officers to progress them, implement where
appropriate and report back at the end of this
programme.
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Reason:
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To note
the progress made with “in kind” support for the work
of Key4Life following a presentation to the Leadership Meeting in
September 2017.
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Minutes:
The Chairman noted
that Lufton Depot were already
successfully offering work experience to vulnerable young men and
the proposal was to offer more work-experience places. There would be no cost to SSDC.
The Communities
Lead confirmed that the Council were offering help in kind rather
than finance and the level of support provided to the men on the
scheme by Key4Life staff was unparalleled.
During a brief
discussion, Members were very supportive of the scheme and were
content to approve the proposal to investigate further similar
opportunities with Key4Life.
RESOLVED:
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That District Executive agreed to:-
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a.
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note
the work undertaken to date;
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b.
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approve the
proposal to investigate further similar opportunities with
Key4Life, relevant Officers to progress them, implement where
appropriate and report back at the end of this
programme.
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Reason:
|
To note
the progress made with “in kind” support for the work
of Key4Life following a presentation to the Leadership Meeting in
September 2017.
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135. |
District Executive Forward Plan PDF 78 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED:
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That the District Executive:-
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1.
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approved
the updated Executive Forward Plan for publication as attached at
Appendix A, with the following amendments;
·
The SSDC Disposals Policy (revised) – April
2018
·
Private Sector Enforcement and charging policy
– May 2018
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2.
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noted the
contents of the Consultation Database as shown at Appendix B, with
the following additional consultation:
·
Civil society strategy: have your say
·
Strengthening consumer redress in the housing
market
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Reason:
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The Forward Plan is a statutory document.
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Minutes:
Councillor Nick
Weeks asked if there were any plans to use the funding set aside to
extend Broadband in rural areas?
Councillor Henry
Hobhouse advised that a pilot Broadband hotspot was currently being
trialled at the Area North offices, and, if it proved successful
then further units would be purchased and potentially used in SSDC
locality working vehicles. There was
also the potential to purchase a greater number of units on a
commercial scale and re-sell them as an income generation
exercise.
The Chairman
advised that if the trial was successful then a report on the
proposal would be brought to District Executive in May or June.
RESOLVED:
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That the District Executive:-
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|
1.
|
approved
the updated Executive Forward Plan for publication as attached at
Appendix A, with the following amendments;
·
The SSDC Disposals Policy (revised) – April
2018
·
Private Sector Enforcement and charging policy
– May 2018
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|
2.
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noted the
contents of the Consultation Database as shown at Appendix B, with
the following additional consultation:
·
Civil society strategy: have your say
·
Strengthening consumer redress in the housing
market
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Reason:
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The Forward Plan is a statutory document.
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136. |
Date of Next Meeting PDF 17 KB
Minutes:
Members noted that
the next scheduled meeting of the District Executive would take
place on Thursday 5th April 2018 in the Council Chamber,
Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil
commencing at 9.30 a.m.
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137. |
Exclusion of Press and Public PDF 72 KB
Decision:
RESOLVED:
|
That
the following item be considered in Closed Session by virtue of the
Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A under Paragraph 3:
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any
particular person (including the authority holding that
information).
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Minutes:
RESOLVED:
|
That
the following item be considered in Closed Session by virtue of the
Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A under Paragraph 3:
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any
particular person (including the authority holding that
information).
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138. |
SSDC Review of Operational Office Accommodation - Feasibility Study Comparison of South Somerset District Council's Future Head Office options (Confidential)
Decision:
RESOLVED:
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That the District Executive agreed the
recommendations of the report.
|
Reason:
|
To update
members on the findings and recommendations following the David
Lock Associates report of December 2017 on SSDC Review of
Operational Office Accommodation.
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Minutes:
The Portfolio
Holder for Property, Climate Change and Income Generation
introduced the report and advised that this was a holding
report.
The Director for
Commercial Services and Income Generation updated Members on the
current situation and advised that as the Transformation programme
progressed the need for office accommodation would be clearer and
so a further report would be presented in July 2019.
There was no debate
and Members were content to confirm the recommendations of the
report.
RESOLVED:
|
That the District Executive agreed the
recommendations of the report.
|
Reason:
|
To update
members on the findings and recommendations following the David
Lock Associates report of December 2017 on SSDC Review of
Operational Office Accommodation.
|
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