E.36/18
a)
Overview and Scrutiny Panel – 6
September 2018
i)
O&S.33/18: Medium Term Financial
Strategy – Presentation
It was
noted that the Panel recommendations on the Strategy had already
been taken into account during consideration of agenda item (Minute
E.30/18 above refers).
ii)
O&S.34/18: Activities to Support
Economic Growth
Whilst
there was not a specific recommendation to Executive under this
item, the Executive noted the views of the Panel that were
contained within the published minutes and the Leader made the
following statement:
‘In
light of the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and
Audit Committee on the draft Strategy last Thursday, I have
consulted with my fellow Executive Members and we have concluded
that an amended Strategy should be presented to the Council on 27
September 2018 that proposes the following revisions:-
1. That the
Strategy contain two separate strands to the governance
arrangements: one part for ‘Development on Council Owned
Land’ and one part for ‘Commercial Property
Acquisitions in the South Hams’;
2. That, for
decisions relating to the ‘Development on Council Owned
Land’, these become a delegated function of the Executive
(assuming that the proposed expenditure complies with the Council
approved total borrowing limits);
3. That, for
decisions relating to the ‘Commercial Property Acquisitions
in the South Hams’, delegated authority be given to the Head
of Paid Service and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the
Members of the Executive. Executive
Members will be given two clear working days to respond to a
request and, in the event of three or more Executive Members
expressing their opposition to the proposal, then the matter will
proceed no further;
4. That, for
decisions made to proceed on ‘Commercial Property
Acquisitions in the South Hams’, a report will be presented
(for noting purposes) to the next meeting of the
Executive;
5. That,
whilst a minimum net yield return of 2% is targeted, in some
circumstances, e.g. where community benefits are likely to be
achieved, a lower return may be acceptable;
6. That,
based upon the specific governance concerns raised at the Overview
and Scrutiny Panel meeting, the Investments Member Working Group be
disbanded with immediate effect.
In line
with the views of the Audit Committee and, with these governance
arrangements being put in place, I will also be proposing that the
Council report includes a recommendation for the total borrowing
limit for the Strategy to be set at £60 million (to be capped
at £30 million before 30 April 2019).’
It was
then:
RESOLVED
That a report be presented to the meeting of Council
on 27 September 2018 setting out a revised Commercial Property
Acquisitions and Development Strategy.
iii)
O&S.35/18: Next Steps –
Enabling Homes to meet the needs for all
It was then:
RESOLVED
That
the Executive agree the following principles:
1.
That there is no requirement to form a South Hams
District Council Housing Wholly Owned Company at this
time;
2.
That Council borrowing in order to acquire or
develop affordable homes is acceptable in principle;
3.
That affordable homes may be acquired or developed
via the Community Housing Strategy OR through existing work with
Registered Providers or Developers.
(NB. these properties will be allocated in accordance with Local
Lettings Plans and may be managed via the Council’s Direct
Lets Service; and
4.
That the Council’s affordable housing
development / acquisition plans be guided as outlined in Section 5
of the presented agenda report.
iv)
O&S.38/18: TASK AND FINISH GROUP
UPDATES
(a)
Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Interim
Report
It was then:
RESOLVED
That the Executive spend
£2,500 from the Repairs and Maintenance Earmarked Reserve to
pay for the works necessary to design out the use of intravenous
drugs in the male toilets at Coronation Road, Totnes.
(b)
Community Funding
During
debate on this item, some Members expressed concern over the
reduction in funding to the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty (AONB). It was PROPOSED, SECONDED and on being put to the vote declared
LOST, that recommendation 2 be deferred to enable
further discussions to take place with the AONB team.
It was
then:
RESOLVED
That the Executive RECOMMEND to
Council that:
1.
the proposed funding reduction to the South Hams
Community and Voluntary Service be endorsed in accordance with
paragraph 5 of the presented agenda report; and
2.
the proposed funding reduction to the South Devon
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty be endorsed in accordance with
paragraph 5 of the presented agenda report.
v) O&S.42/18:
IT PROCUREMENT
The
Chairman confirmed that the Panel recommendation would be
consideration during agenda item 14 (Minute E.38/18 below
refers).
b)
Audit Committee – 6 September
2018
A.17/18: ACTIVITIES
TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH
Whilst there were no specific recommendations from
the Audit Committee to the Executive, the comments of the Audit
Committee on the Commercial Property Strategy as set out in the
agenda item ‘Activities to Support Economic Growth’,
were noted by the Executive, and taken into account in the way
forward proposed above and set out in the response to Minute
O&S.34/18.