Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of last meeting. (previously circulated)

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  

Members are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and the Council’s Code of Conduct regarding disclosable pecuniary and other interests.

Check if there is an item of business on this agenda in which the member or other relevant person has a disclosable pecuniary or other disclosable interest

Check that the interest has been notified to the Monitoring Officer (in writing) and entered in the Register (if not this must be done within 28 days)

Disclose the interest at the meeting (in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct) and in the absence of dispensation to speak and/or vote, withdraw from any consideration of the item where appropriate.  If the interest is non-pecuniary you may be able to stay in the room, take part and vote.

For further advice please contact Stuart Caundle, Monitoring Officer, in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the Forward Plan.

Members received and noted the committee’s Forward Plan. There were no reported updates.  

To consider a report by the Leisure Commissioning Manager.

(a)       That the committee agrees to award to the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society the following funding as a contribution to the Society’s ‘Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset’ project:

a)    a grant of £150,000 from the council’s Corporate Projects Reserve;

b)    a loan of £475,000 from the Corporate Projects Reserve to be repaid with interest over a 7 year period and by March 2027 at the latest in accordance with the council’s Community Lending Policy.

(b)       That the future developer contributions for museums from the Section 106 agreement for phases 3 and 4 of the Poundbury development, which are estimated to total £141,000, are to be forward funded by the District Council by way of the use of the Corporate Projects Reserve and paid as a grant to the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society as a contribution to the Society’s ‘Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset’ project

(c)       That the Strategic Director and Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to agree the terms of both the grant and loan agreements with the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society in accordance with the recommendations (2) and (3) above.

Councillor Penfold introduced a report on the request received from the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for grant and a loan to support their major development project. The matter had been deferred from the previous committee for further financial information. The Society was also hoping to benefit from future developer contributions.  Members discussed this significant future project for Dorchester and sought reassurance that there were contingencies in place within the repayment schedule should there be any slippage in the project.  Council officers would continue to be in close contact with the Trust.

Decision

(a)       That the committee agrees to award to the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society the following funding as a contribution to the Society’s ‘Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset’ project:

a)    a grant of £150,000 from the council’s Corporate Projects Reserve;

b)    a loan of £475,000 from the Corporate Projects Reserve to be repaid with interest over a 7 year period and by March 2027 at the latest in accordance with the council’s Community Lending Policy.

(b)       That the future developer contributions for museums from the Section 106 agreement for phases 3 and 4 of the Poundbury development, which are estimated to total £141,000, are to be forward funded by the District Council by way of the use of the Corporate Projects Reserve and paid as a grant to the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society as a contribution to the Society’s ‘Tomorrow’s Museum for Dorset’ project

(c)       That the Strategic Director and Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to agree the terms of both the grant and loan agreements with the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society in accordance with the recommendations (2) and (3) above.

To consider a report by the Leisure Commissioning Manager.

(a)       That the committee agrees to award a grant of £200,000 from the council’s capital programme, allocated for improvements to community arts facilities in Sherborne, to the Sherborne West End Community Association (charity no. 301175) for the project to extend the West End Community Hall (planning application WD/D/17/000772).   

(b)       That the Strategic Director and Corporate Manager Legal Services are given delegated authority to agree the terms of the grant agreements with the Sherborne West End Community Association in accordance with the recommendation (2) above.

(c)       That the council no longer seeks to accumulate up to £100,000 of developer contributions  for recreation and community facilities in Sherborne for the purpose of contributing to the Sherborne Community Arts Centre project but instead liaises with local members and Sherborne Town Council to allocate any developer contributions to appropriate local projects.

            Councillor Penfold introduced a report on a request for funding for improvements to the West End Community Centre and to also seek agreement to the allocation of reserves and developer contributions earmarked for the improvement of arts facilities in Sherborne.

            Following discussion, Members concurred that recommendation 5 be deleted from the report should recommendation 2 be approved.

Decision

(a)       That the committee agrees to award a grant of £200,000 from the council’s capital programme, allocated for improvements to community arts facilities in Sherborne, to the Sherborne West End Community Association (charity no. 301175) for the project to extend the West End Community Hall (planning application WD/D/17/000772).   

(b)       That the Strategic Director and Corporate Manager Legal Services are given delegated authority to agree the terms of the grant agreements with the Sherborne West End Community Association in accordance with the recommendation (2) above.

(c)       That the council no longer seeks to accumulate up to £100,000 of developer contributions  for recreation and community facilities in Sherborne for the purpose of contributing to the Sherborne Community Arts Centre project but instead liaises with local members and Sherborne Town Council to allocate any developer contributions to appropriate local projects.

To consider a report by the Corporate Manager Planning (Community and Policy Development). 

That members note the views expressed in the petition prior to their

deliberations on a future separate report considering once-off funding to support projects and schemes, including the potential use of reserves to support the provision of additional affordable housing. 

Councillor Yarker introduced a report on the petition received relating to affordable housing and which had been referred to the committee from full council held on 28 February.

Members were requested to note the views expressed in the petition and that   a further, future  report  relating to once-off funding to support projects and schemes would be brought to the committee.  Members and officers were working hard on the accelerated home building programme.

Decision

That members note the views expressed in the petition prior to their

deliberations on a future, separate report considering once-off funding to support projects and schemes, including the potential use of reserves to support the provision of additional affordable housing. 

To consider a report by the Corporate Manager Planning (Community and Policy Development).

          That the response set out in Appendix 2 to the report be agreed as this council’s response to the consultation on the Housing White Paper.

            Councillor Gardner introduced the report on a proposed response to the Government’s Housing White Paper, published on 7 February and which set out a range of proposals aimed at addressing current nation-wide problems with the housing market. The three partnership councils would be sending identical responses to the White Paper.  The Corporate Manager, Planning advised that one option that District Councils could adopt would be to set targets for housing allocations in Neighbourhood Plans in their areas. Officers however, might have concerns about that approach and would respond as appropriate when the methodology came out for consultation. 

            Members also noted that if an authority had its 5 year land supply independently verified, it could not be reviewed for 12 months. Where there were planning appeals based on the 5 year land supply, this could a worthwhile and cost-effective option.

            Decision

That the response set out in Appendix 2 be agreed as this council’s response

to the consultation on the Housing White Paper.

To consider a report by O Rendell, Environment Assessment Officer.

That the Executive Committee:

a)     adopts the Nitrogen Reduction in Poole Harbour SPD as set out in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(b)   agrees to delegate further minor changes to the SPD to the

Corporate Manager – Planning (Community and Policy Development) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder

(c)    That the Strategy Committee receives future monitoring and implementation reports on this issue

Councillor Garnder introduced a report  which was seeking the adoption of the Nitrogen Reduction in Poole Harbour Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The SPD had gone through an extensive joint consultation process by the four authorities in the Poole Harbour catchment. The finalised document was aimed at mitigating the impacts of development on the Poole Harbour European wildlife designation.

Members heard that the four authorities would prepare regular monitoring and implementation reports on the progress made in the provision of mitigation. The four councils could look to other organisations to manage the land on their behalf, such as the Dorset Wildlife trust.

Decision

That the Executive Committee:

a)     adopts the Nitrogen Reduction in Poole Harbour SPD as set out in Appendix 2; and

(b)   agrees to delegate further minor changes to the SPD to the

Corporate Manager – Planning (Community and Policy Development) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder

(c)  That the Strategy Committee receive future monitoring and implementation reports on this issue.

To consider a report by G Northcote, Estate Manager.

That the Executive Committee:

a)        approves the workplan to realise the value of assets contained in the 2017and 2018 Disposal Opportunity Lists in the Confidential Appendix in principle.

    b)    authorises the Strategic Director in consultation with the Assets and Finance Portfolio Holder to progress the work program through the use of external consultants and agents as required including use of the West Dorset Public Sector Partnership LLP where appropriate, offsetting all related preparation and disposal costs against future capital receipts.

    c)     agrees that officers report progress periodically to the Committee and through the WDDC Public Sector Partnership LLP Board.

The Committee considered a report by the Estate Manager together with an exempt report (minute 109 refers)  which set out a desktop review of properties in the Asset Register and which identified potential development sites for either residential or employment use together with other assets for disposal. Members received a detailed, exempt presentation on these sites.

Decision

That the Executive Committee:

a)        approves the workplan to realise the value of the assets contained in the 2017and 2018 Disposal Opportunity Lists in the Confidential Appendix in principle.

    b)    authorises the Strategic Director in consultation with the Assets and Finance Portfolio Holder to progress the work program through the use of external consultants and agents as required including use of the West Dorset Public Sector Partnership LLP where appropriate, offsetting all related preparation and disposal costs against future capital receipts.

    c)     agrees that officers report progress periodically to the Committee and through the WDDC Public Sector Partnership LLP Board.

To consider a report by the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Recommendation to Council

That the report and recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of the Council’s Scheme of Members’ Allowances be presented to Full Council for formal consideration.

The Committee considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive which referred to the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) into the Council’s Scheme of Member’s Allowances.  The matter would be referred to full Council for decision, to include any comments of the Committee.

Decision

That the report and recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of the Council’s Scheme of Members’ Allowances be presented to Full Council for formal consideration.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2017.

That the minutes of the Dorset Waste Partnership of 16 January 2017 be received.

Decision

That the minutes of the Dorset Waste Partnership of 16 January 2017 be received.

To consider a report by N Thornley, Head of Economy, Leisure and Tourism.   

(a)       That the Western Dorset Economic Growth Strategy Action Plan is adopted as the first five year whole council dynamic action plan for delivery of the recently agreed strategy.

(b)       That progress on the action plan is reported to Western Dorset Growth

            Strategy Member Board.

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Economy, Leisure and Tourism which was seeking agreement to a high level action plan to deliver the recently adopted Western Dorset Economic Growth Strategy.

Decision

(a)       That the Western Dorset Economic Growth Strategy Action Plan is adopted as the first five year whole council dynamic action plan for delivery of the recently agreed strategy.

(b)       That progress on the action plan is reported to Western Dorset Growth

            Strategy Member Board.

To consider any items of business which the Chair has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) )b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be specified in the minutes.

There were no items of urgent business.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Property Asset Management Plan – Disposal List  - Appendix 1 - Exempt

Decision

That under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12a to the Act.

Members received and noted the exempt appendix in connection with minute 103 above.