Decisions

RESOLVED:

In accordance with Section 16 (1) Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the duty therein to give effect to the wishes of the political group to which seats on any committee are allocated, the Council confirm that:-

a.

Councillor Lucy Trimnell be appointed to the Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Mike Lewis.

Reason:

To confirm a change to the Scrutiny Committee membership as requested by the Conservative group

RESOLVED:

That Full Council agreed to:-

a.

note the contents of the report.

b.

approve the proposal to sell the Councils share in the Joint Venture in the asset named Lufton 2000 on the terms outlined in the confidential appendix to the report.

c.

authorise the Chief Financial Officer to seek the approval of the Somerset County Council to the sale under the Section 24 direction.

d.

delegate the power to the Council’s Solicitor and Monitoring Officer to approve the detail of the sale.

Reason:

To agree the sale of the Council’s 50% share in the Lufton 2000 Joint Venture to its joint venture partner Abbey Manor Developments Limited.

RESOLVED:

That Council approved a significant change in project scope, for the Wincanton Regeneration Scheme within the existing agreed project budget of £2.392m, to accommodate the revised over-riding priority of bringing key vacant premises back into use (detail provided in Confidential Appendix).

Whilst noting that:

·         The events and activities, plus building repair grants work will also continue but applications closed for both at the end of August to enable completion in March 2023. 

·         Whilst public realm construction will not commence, the Highways Safety Audit 2 works will be completed to allow Somerset Council the option to progress public realm works in future.

·         Agreement will be sought from Somerset County Council for any land acquisition or Compulsory Purchase Order under the s24 Direction that is over the value of £100k.

Reason:

To agree to significantly alter the scope within the approved budget of the Wincanton Regeneration Project from that agreed by District Executive in February 2022.  To provide a focused workstream on the re-use of key vacant properties until the end of March 2023 and provide better regeneration outcomes for Wincanton.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council agreed to:-

a.

accept the statutory recommendation set out in the Auditor’s Annual Report on South Somerset District Council for 2020-21;

b.

adopt the Procedure Note for Officers set out in the Appendix to the report with immediate effect;

c.

delegate authority to the Chief Executive to notify the auditor of these decisions and publish a notice approved by the auditor that summarises them on its website;

d.

delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make any necessary amendments to the Council’s Constitution to ensure the following specific provisions contained in the Statutory Guidance on Special Severance Payments are clearly stated:

·         payments below £20,000 will be approved in accordance with the Council’s scheme of delegation

·         payments of £20,000 and above, but below £100,000 must be signed off by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive), with a clear record of the Leader’s approval endorsed on the report

·         payments of £100,000 and above must be approved by a vote of full council.

Reason:

To inform Council of a statutory recommendation made by the auditor and to agree what action to take.    

RESOLVED:

That Council:

(a)        Noted the Auditor’s Annual Report and recommendations and endorsed management’s proposed response and action to the various recommendations set out in the Auditor’s Annual Report.

(b)        Agreed that an item be added to the Forward Plan for a presentation on Opium Power (similar to the presentation to Audit Committee on 22/09/2022).

Reason:

To note the Auditor’s Annual Report on whether all aspects of the Council’s arrangements for securing economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources are operating effectively, and, to note the summary of findings and recommendations to the Council which were accompanied by the Council’s management response.

RESOLVED:

That Council agreed to adopt theMembers Code of Conduct set out at Appendix 2 of the report with immediate effect.

Reason:

To adopt the new Members Code of Conduct, as adopted by Somerset County Council in May 2022. 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council agreed to:-

a.

note the contents of the Buildings at Risk report.

b.

endorse the importance of continuing this work and request the new council is encouraged to afford appropriate priority to protect and enhance the heritage of Somersets historic buildings, and conservation areas.

Reason:

To agree the Councils approach to dealing with Buildings at Riskand encourage the new Somerset Council to afford appropriate priority to enhance the heritage of Somersets historic buildings, and conservation areas.

RESOLVED:

That Council agree to adopt the Gambling Act 2005, Statement of Principles for approval and implementation.

Reason:

To formally adopt the unamended Gambling Act 2005, Statement of Principles (Gambling Policy) 2022- 2025.