Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work, or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read Public Participation - Dorset Council

All submissions must be emailed in full to Kate.Critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  by 8.30am on Thursday 28 September 2023.

When submitting your question or statement please note that:

•         You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.

•         a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.

•         It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.

•         Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.

•         when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g., the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder)

•         Include your name, address, and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting.

•         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.  

There were no public questions or statements to report.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total.   Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The submissions must be emailed in full to kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  8.30am on Thursday 28 September 2023. 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were no councillor questions to report.

To consider the draft Cabinet Forward Plan.

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for October 2023 was received and noted.

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

That the current policy be reapproved, and the next review be set for September 2026.

Reason for the decision

The Policy was last considered by Cabinet in June 2019 and although no changes have been made or new duties placed upon the scheme with the policy remaining correct. The Policy has been brought back to cabinet to provide an update and ensure that the policy remains reviewed on a regular basis in order to deliver this important financial support.

The Leader of the Council presented a report setting out the Discretionary Housing Payments Policy for approval.

It was proposed by Cllr L Beddow seconded by Cllr R Bryan

Decision

That the current policy be reapproved, and the next review be set for September 2026.

Reason for the decision

The Policy was last considered by Cabinet in June 2019 and although no changes have been made or new duties placed upon the scheme with the policy remaining correct. The Policy has been brought back to cabinet to provide an update and ensure that the policy remains reviewed on a regular basis in order to deliver this important financial support.

To consider a report from the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Transformation.

(a)           That the final version of the Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Strategy and delivery plan appended to the report of Cabinet 3 October 2023, be adopted.

(b)           That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Corporate Development and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Corporate Development to identify an appropriate source of funding up to £374,000 per annum from the options identified on paragraph 3.11 (Cabinet 3 October 2023) for the implementation of the Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Strategy.

Reason for the decision

To support delivery of the Council Plan priority of driving economic prosperity and the cabinet commitment of digital innovation.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Transformation presented a report setting out the Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Strategy.  The Strategy outlined how the council would continue to reduce digital exclusion and inspire tech enterprise, providing better outcomes for individuals, the economy and society.  The Portfolio Holder referred to the work carried out by the Place and Resources Overview Committee in developing the strategy and the workshops held with stakeholders. The strategy also underpinned delivery of each of the Dorset Council’s five key priorities. 

In presenting the recommendation the Portfolio Holder proposed the following amendment.

That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Corporate Development and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Corporate Development to identify an appropriate source of funding up to £374,000 per annum from the options identified on paragraph 3.11 (Cabinet 3 October 2023) for the implementation of the Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Strategy.

The amended recommendation was seconded by Cllr Parry.

Decision

(a)           That the final version of the Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Strategy and delivery plan appended to the report of Cabinet 3 October 2023, be adopted.

(b)           That, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Corporate Development and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Corporate Development to identify an appropriate source of funding up to £374,000 per annum from the options identified on paragraph 3.11 (Cabinet 3 October 2023) for the implementation of the Digital Infrastructure and Inclusion Strategy.

Reason for the decision

To support delivery of the Council Plan priority of driving economic prosperity and the cabinet commitment of digital innovation.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

That the full response to the consultation questions, as set out in the Appendix to the Cabinet report of 3 October 2023, be sent to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). 

The response welcomes the proposed amendments that simplify the plan making process but expresses concern over the tight timetable for the preparation of a new style local plan.

Reason for the decision

To enable the Council to influence the changes to the local plan making process being proposed by Government.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented a report setting out the council’s proposed response to the government’s consultation on changes to how local plans were prepared.  The draft response was set out at Appendix 1 to the report of 3 October 2023. 

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill proposed a number of changes to the planning system and was currently passing through parliament.  There was some uncertainty over when the Bill would receive Royal Assent, but the expectation was the changes to the planning system would be put into place by late 2024. The current consultation focused on changes to the approach for preparing local plans with the aim of implementing a more streamlined and focused approach.

In response to questions, the Portfolio Holder advised that the local plan review was not delayed but had taken a different approach for its review and was on track for it to be adopted by Spring 2026.

In response to further questions members were advised that the Housing Strategy and its consultation would be considered by Cabinet at its meeting in December.

It was proposed by Cllr D Walsh and seconded by Cllr B Quayle

Decision

That the full response to the consultation questions, as set out in the Appendix to the Cabinet report of 3 October 2023, be sent to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). 

The response welcomes the proposed amendments that simplify the plan making process but expresses concern over the tight timetable for the preparation of a new style local plan.

Reason for the decision

To enable the Council to influence the changes to the local plan making process being proposed by Government.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(a)           That the Council makes the modified Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan 2011 – 2023 (as set out in Appendix A of the Cabinet report to 3 October 2023) part of the statutory development plan for the Blandford + Neighbourhood Area.

(b)           That the Council offers its congratulations to Blandford Forum Town Council. Blandford St Mary Parish Council, Bryanston Parish Council, and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in producing a successful neighbourhood plan review.

Reason for the decision

To formally make the modified neighbourhood plan part of the statutory development plan for the Blandford + Neighbourhood Area.  In addition, to recognise the significant amount of work undertaken by the Town and Parish Councils and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in preparing the plan review and to congratulate the Councils and the Group on their success.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented a report on the neighbourhood plan review of the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan. The plan had been subject to independent examination and the examiner had recommended that the Council should make the plan with the modifications set out in his report.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder took the opportunity to congratulate all those involved in producing a successful neighbourhood plan review.

It was proposed by Cllr D Walsh seconded by Cllr L Beddow

Decision

(a)           That the Council makes the modified Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan 2011 – 2023 (as set out in Appendix A of the Cabinet report to 3 October 2023) part of the statutory development plan for the Blandford + Neighbourhood Area.

(b)           That the Council offers its congratulations to Blandford Forum Town Council. Blandford St Mary Parish Council, Bryanston Parish Council, and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in producing a successful neighbourhood plan review.

Reason for the decision

To formally make the modified neighbourhood plan part of the statutory development plan for the Blandford + Neighbourhood Area.  In addition, to recognise the significant amount of work undertaken by the Town and Parish Councils and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in preparing the plan review and to congratulate the Councils and the Group on their success.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help to present the report and the recommendation from People & Health Overview Committee.  

That the approach to Ofsted regulation of supported accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds be adopted.

Reason for the decision

To ensure compliance with the latest legislation and any subsequent regulation/statutory guidance.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help presented the report and the People and Health Overview Committee’s recommendation regarding Ofsted Regulation of Supported Accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds. 

It was proposed by Cllr B Quayle seconded by Cllr J Somper

Decision

That the approach to Ofsted regulation of supported accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds be adopted.

Reason for the decision

To ensure compliance with the latest legislation and any subsequent regulation/statutory guidance.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder(s) and Leader Members to report.

There were no referrals to report other than those already on the Forward Plan.

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 in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x 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 of business is considered.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business scheduled for this meeting.