Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all presented and advised that virtual meetings were continuing. Where a decision was required, the appropriate Portfolio Holder would make that decision after taking into account the views expressed by the wider Cabinet membership.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest to report.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to either 2 questions, or 2 statements or 1 question and 1 statement at each meeting. Sub divided questions count towards this total.  All submissions must be sent electronically to kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on 30 September 2021

There were nine questions/statements from the public.  These questions were read out by Matt Prosser, Chief Executive and Jonathan Mair (Corporate Director, Legal and Democratic Services) and responded to by the appropriate Portfolio Holder. A copy of the full questions and answers were set out in the detailed responses at Appendix 1 these minutes.

To receive questions submitted by councillors. The deadline for receipt of questions is 8.30am on 30 September 2021.

There were four questions from Councillors P Kimber and B Heatley; these along with the responses are set out in Appendix 2 to these minutes.

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for November 2021 was received and noted.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy.

Cabinet members:

(a)           Noted the updated cost pressures set out in the paper and the validation work that had been carried out on them

(b)           Agreed the assumptions being used in the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP);

(c)           Noted the financial gap arising from (i) and (ii) above;

(d)           Agreed the 2022/23 draft principles for budget setting;

(e)           Noted the approach to closing the budget gap that was set out in the paper, recognising that this was work in progress;

(f)             Agreed that Portfolio Holders work with officers to continue to identify and develop savings opportunities;

(g)           Noted the emerging national context set out in this paper;

(h)           Endorsed the next steps and timetable leading up to the 2022/23 budget being presented to full Council on 15 February 2022.

Reason to note and receive the report

This paper was presented to Cabinet to provide an update on the budget gap for 2022/23 and the subsequent years of the MTFP and to update on progress on action/savings to date.

Cabinet considered a report which showed the work that was being carried out to prepare for setting a budget for 2022/23 and looked forward to the Medium Financial Plan for 2023/27. The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy highlighted: -

·      That there was a predicted deficit of more than 8million pounds. A detailed update would be provided to members in the quarter 2 report to the November Cabinet meeting.

·      He highlighted the significant challenges around increase in costs and demand, and the significant impact on the council tax and business rates collections fund.

·      The directorate planning assumptions (which cabinet was requested to consider) were set out in 13.1 of the report.

·      That the transformation “spend to save” programme must continue, plus considerations on how the council could raise income in the future.

·      He stressed that the council was underfunded compared to other councils of a similar size.

The Leader of the Council advised and set out the long lead-in process of the budget setting programme (including the “all member” budget café) to develop a balanced budget for 2023-24. Details would be shared with members shortly. In response to question the Chief Executive assured members that scrutiny committees would be part of that process.

The Portfolio Holder referred the Cabinet members to the recommendations set out in the report, which, at this stage, primarily asked the committee to note the situation and budget setting timetable.

 Cabinet members:

(a)           Noted the updated cost pressures set out in the paper and the validation work that had been carried out on them

(b)           Agreed the assumptions being used in the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP);

(c)           Noted the financial gap arising from (i) and (ii) above.

(d)           Agreed the 2022/23 draft principles for budget setting.

(e)           Noted the approach to closing the budget gap that was set out in the paper, recognising that this was work in progress.

(f)             Agreed that Portfolio Holders work with officers to continue to identify and develop savings opportunities.

(g)           Noted the emerging national context set out in this paper.

(h)           Endorsed the next steps and timetable leading up to the 2022/23 budget being presented to full Council on 15 February 2022.

Reason to note and receive the report

This paper was presented to Cabinet to provide an update on the budget gap for 2022/23 and the subsequent years of the MTFP and to update on progress on action/savings to date.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy

That the action plan, in response to the recommendations set out in the corporate peer challenge report, be approved.

Executive Decision - LGA Finance Peer Review - Report and Action Plan - Dorset Council

Reason for the Decision

To ensure that the council acts on the corporate peer team’s recommendations.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy advised that the council had invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to undertake a peer review of the council’s financial arrangements. He thanked all those in involved in this excellent engagement and advised members of the fair and accurate recommendations set out in the action plan and report.

Cabinet members indicated that they were “minded to view” to support the recommendations.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy

That the action plan, in response to the recommendations set out in the corporate peer challenge report, be approved.

Executive Decision - LGA Finance Peer Review - Report and Action Plan - Dorset Council

Reason for the Decision

To ensure that the council acts on the corporate peer team’s recommendations.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change presented the report on the update of the Dorset Council Plan.

Input in respect of the development of the plan had consisted of a workshop involving both of the council’s overview committees on 26 July 2021 followed by their formal meetings of 2 September and 17 September 2021.  The minutes and comments from those meetings were attached at appendix 3 of the report.

He highlighted that although the primary focus had been the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, members of these committee(s) were keen that “climate and ecology” became a priority within the Plan. This aimed to reflect that the Council had adopted its Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and action plan since the first Dorset Council Plan had been agreed in January 2020.

Responding to previous questions put by non-executive members, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that climate and ecology was now one of the key themes to be considered within the plan.

The overview committee(s) had also suggested that the name of the plan caused some confusion with the (planning) developing Local Plan, however he was of the view that changing the name at this stage, would cause further confusion.  The Portfolio Holder advised that following discussions with the communications team, efforts would be made, the public domain, to clearly distinguish the difference between the two plans.

The Portfolio Holder suggested that the Dorset Plan be recommended to full Council along with a proposal to give delegated powers to the Portfolio Holder, Leader of the Council and Chief Executive for the final design of the plan.

The Leader of the Council thanked the overview committee(s) for their contribution in developing the Dorset Council Plan.

In response to a question regarding strengthening the “housing for young families “priority, the Portfolio Holder for Housing recognised and acknowledged the work required for this priority, but also highlighted that there were other issues that needed to be considered.

Members of Cabinet expressed a “minded to view” to support the recommendations.

Recommendation to Full Council from the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change

(a)           That the updated Dorset Council plan, as set out in appendix I of the report to Cabinet 5 October 2021, be adopted.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for the final design of the plan.

Reason for Recommendation: 

To provide clarity about this council’s priorities following the COVID-19 pandemic.   

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holders for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help and Economic Growth, Assets and Property (joint leads).

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skill and Early Help

(a)  That a Dorset Skills Commission be created between November 2021 and September 2022

(b)  For this Commission to facilitate the skills delivery needed for an effective and at-pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery across Dorset

(c)  That the Commission undertakes a review into the Dorset skills landscape – with a particular consideration of the National Skills White Paper, producing a report that lays out a potential skills journey and opportunities/needs based on 10-, 20- and 30-years trajectories

(d)  That the Commission works closely with the Dorset Skills Board and Panel to support immediate implementation of the wider skills priorities within the agreed Dorset Skills Plan and Dorset Investment Prospectus.

(e)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder(s)for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help and Economic Growth, Assets and Property, to agree with BCP Council and the Dorset LEP the governance structure and membership of the Board for inclusion in the Terms of Reference.

Executive Decision - Dorset Skills Commission - Dorset Council

Reason for Decision

Delivering sustainable economic growth, increasing productivity and the number of high-quality jobs in Dorset, creating great places to live, work and visit” is one of the five Corporate priorities in the Dorset Council Plan. People and Skills is one of the six foundations of the Dorset Council Economic Growth Strategy.

The establishment of a dedicated Commission will oversee an effective and at pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery.  It would also provide an objective and independent review of the future Dorset Skills landscape, helping to shape a world-class skills and learning infrastructure for all communities

The Portfolio Holder to Children, Education, Skills and Early Help set out the report recommending the creation of a time-limited Dorset Skills Commission to oversee an “at pace” response to critical skills issues across Dorset.

He highlighted that this was work that crossed many directorates of the council and was in partnership with BCP Council. The Portfolio Holder presented his recommendations as set out in the report.

In response to comments from non-executive members, the Portfolio Holder and Chief Executive acknowledged and advised that

·      the needs of those who wished to be self-employed needed to be acknowledged and included in the Dorset Commission(s) report.

·      the difficulty of the gateway and the apprenticeship market for businesses including the necessity to encourage central government to enable this to be an easier process.

·      confirmed that currently there were approximately 300 apprenticeships across Dorset Council

Cabinet members welcomed the report and indicated their “minded to view” to support to recommendations.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skill and Early Help

(a)       That a Dorset Skills Commission be created between November 2021 and September 2022

(b)       For this Commission to facilitate the skills delivery needed for an effective and at-pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery across Dorset

(c)        That the Commission undertakes a review into the Dorset skills landscape – with a particular consideration of the National Skills White Paper, producing a report that lays out a potential skills journey and opportunities/needs based on 10-, 20- and 30-years trajectories

(d)       That the Commission works closely with the Dorset Skills Board and Panel to support immediate implementation of the wider skills priorities within the agreed Dorset Skills Plan and Dorset Investment Prospectus.

(e)       That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder(s)for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help and Economic Growth, Assets and Property, to agree with BCP Council and the Dorset LEP the governance structure and membership of the Board for inclusion in the Terms of Reference.

Executive Decision - Dorset Skills Commission - Dorset Council

Reason for Decision

Delivering sustainable economic growth, increasing productivity and the number of high-quality jobs in Dorset, creating great places to live, work and visit” is one of the five Corporate priorities in the Dorset Council Plan. People and Skills is one of the six foundations of the Dorset Council Economic Growth Strategy.

The establishment of a dedicated Commission will oversee an effective and at pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery.  It would also provide an objective and independent review of the future Dorset Skills landscape, helping to shape a world-class skills and learning infrastructure for all communities.

Cabinet Portfolio Holders to report.

There were no referrals to report at this meeting.

The Chairman invited the Portfolio Holder for Planning to update members on issues in this area including:

·       Update on the planning validation backlog, which would be cleared by the end of December 2021. 

·       The recruitment of new planning officers was in progress

·       The Purbeck migration was completed and had meant that more accurate data was coming into the one system.

• Stopped using Terra Quest for validation work, which gave back full control of all applications.
• Transformation continued and measures were in place to help planning officers clear the decision backlog and
• This would be quarterly reviewed by the Scrutiny Committee.

Full details of the update were available within the Portfolio Holder report attached to these minutes.

To receive an update from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment advised that the team was progressing well with the decarbonisation plan for the council owned buildings.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman 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 recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items considered at the meeting.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraphs 3 and 4 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item(s) of business are considered.

It was proposed by Cllr G Carr- Jones and seconded by Cllr P Wharf

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following 2 item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph(s) 3 and 4 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment

(a)  That payments in excess of £500k be paid by Dorset Council in relation to the delivery of the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project.

(b)   

(c)  That the agreement to make such payments be delegated to the Executive Director for Place to approve, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property.

Executive Decision - Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project payments over £500,000 - Dorset Council

Reason for the decision

There is potential for a number of transactions in the coming months to be in excess of the £500k threshold, and by agreeing to the recommendation disbursements of grant funds can be made as required and without delay. In agreeing payments under the delegation, the Executive Director will ensure that the funds are released only in accordance with CCF and MHCLG grant conditions, thereby minimising risk to DC as accountable body.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment presented the report and set out the details of the recommendations.  The Cabinet indicated that their “minded to view” to support the portfolio holders proposal.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment

(a)  That payments in excess of £500k be paid by Dorset Council in relation to       the delivery of the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project.

(b)  That the agreement to make such payments be delegated to the Executive Director for Place to approve, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property.

Executive Decision - Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project payments over £500,000 - Dorset Council

Reason for the decision

There is potential for a number of transactions in the coming months to be in excess of the £500k threshold, and by agreeing to the recommendation disbursements of grant funds can be made as required and without delay. In agreeing payments under the delegation, the Executive Director will ensure that the funds are released only in accordance with CCF and MHCLG grant conditions, thereby minimising risk to DC as accountable body.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health

That the recommendations 1 to 3, set out in the exempt report to Cabinet of 5 October 2021, be approved.

Executive Decision - Tricuro - Dorset Council

The Portfolio Holder for Ault Social Care and Health set out to details of the report and its recommendations.

Cabinet members indication that their “minded to view” was to support the recommendations.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health

That the recommendations 1 to 3, set out in the exempt report to Cabinet of 5 October 2021, be approved.

Executive Decision - Tricuro - Dorset Council