Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 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.

In respect of min 31 “Housing Strategy”, the Monitoring Officer advised that a number of councillors across the Council had disclosed through the register of interests, that they owned second properties in Dorset.  The recommendation Cabinet was being asked to make and any decision of Council on 14 December 2023, related to a strategy decision. Therefore, it was the Monitoring Officer’s advice, that this was sufficiently removed from individual councillors’ interests and that these members could participate and decide on the item.

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 30 November 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 30 November 2023. 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were no questions from Councillors to report.

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for January was received and noted. The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Transformation advised that a report on “Digital Innovation” would be added to the plan for March 2024.

To consider the report of the Portfolio Holder for People – Adult Social Care, Health and Housing and any recommendation(s) of the People and Health Overview Committee of 30 November 2023.

Please note: the report to the People and Health Overview Committee of 30 November 2023 is attached.  Their recommendation(s) and any extract minute will be circulated prior to the Cabinet meeting as a supplement to the agenda.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Housing presented the report regarding the Housing Strategy. This was a high-level document setting out the vision, aims and objectives for housing in Dorset. The council had a statutory duty relating to housing, and key roles included encouraging, supporting, and enabling partners and other organisations to deliver good and effective housing solutions. The Strategy was broad and recognised the fact that good housing was essential for a good life, and enabled people, families, and communities to thrive. 

In presenting the Housing Strategy for recommendation to Full Council for approval, the Portfolio Holder addressed the comments made by the People and Health Overview Committee of 30 November 2023 and their proposed amendments to the cover report. 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that she was content to support these amendments, with the addition of the following sentence after 2.3. “This is to maximise the delivery of new affordable housing and to make the best use of the development capacity, expertise and funding capacity within Registered Providers”.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the People and Health Overview Committee supported the approval of the Housing Strategy and its objectives.

She therefore proposed that the Housing Strategy and its objectives be recommended to Full Council.

The proposed amendments to the cover report and the recommendation to Full Council was seconded by Cllr D Walsh.

Prior to seeking questions from non-executive members, the Corporate Director for Housing set out a short PowerPoint on the current position with the development of the Housing Strategy.

In response to a question about housing supply and who determines that its being provided in the right type, the right tenure and right place, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that needs were identified around the data provided, linked to the local plan and the council’s planning policies.  The Corporate Director for Housing also advised that the council worked closely with registered providers.

Responding to further comments about being an enabler and/or provider, the Portfolio Holder agreed that there were gaps that were filled by the council in terms of provision. For example, temporary accommodation as an intervention, as this was not something that registered providers would do.  The council also needed to stay alert to ensure that there was enough provision across the county. 

Cabinet supported the recommendation and welcomed the strategy acknowledging that it was a living document.

Decision

(a)           That the following be added to the end of paragraph 2.3 of the cover report: “As a Registered Provider we will seek to provide housing that is not currently provided by registered providers. We will also be open to consider s106 housing where no registered provider is identified. This is to maximise the delivery of new affordable housing and to make the best use of the development capacity, expertise and

funding capacity within Registered Provider.

(b)           That the following be added to the end of paragraph 2.5 of the cover report: “which is in accordance with Dorset Council’s Climate and Ecological Strategy.”  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up.

(a)           That the Dorset Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and its accompanying Rural England Prosperity Fund addendum (attached in the appendix to the report of 5 December 2023), be endorsed.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Place to implement the Investment Plan and addendum.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up advised that the Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and Rural England Prosperity Fund addendum permitted Dorset Council access to the £6.4 million allocated to Dorset by government to improve local productivity and pride in place. He also presented that the report set out in detail the criteria for the distribution of the fund.

Much of the fund would be allocated directly to Dorset businesses and communities through a grant scheme, some interventions would be delivered in-house and help to deliver actions in the Dorset Council Plan and Delivery Plan. Applications would be open before Christmas. He also confirmed that Scrutiny would be asked to review progress in the Spring to ensure that there was member oversight of the project.

It was proposed by Cllr S Gibson and seconded by Cllr L Beddow.

Decision

(a)           That the Dorset Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and its accompanying Rural England Prosperity Fund addendum (attached in the appendix to the report of 5 December 2023), be endorsed.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Place to implement the Investment Plan and addendum.

Reason for the decision

To support the delivery of the Council Plan priorities, to allow the delivery of the action in Dorset Council’s Delivery Plan 2022 – 2024, and by 2023 the Dorset Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan would deliver a new approach to investment in local business support, including business mentoring.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up.

Exempt Appendix 2 associated with this report is set out below at item 16 in the agenda.

(a)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of land at Newstead Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report and gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of Land to the west of Westwey Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report, gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds, and simultaneous purchase of the adjoining site.

(c)  That the submission of a formal application to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the movement of Levelling Up funds from the New Bond Street project to fund these acquisitions and site preparation works at Weymouth Bowl, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up set out the report and its recommendations. He sought support to approve the acquisition of two Brownfield sites to the west of Weymouth marina and to seek approval from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for the movement of Levelling Up funds from the new Bond Street project to fund these acquisitions. Plus, further demolition and site preparation works at the Weymouth Bowl site.

As the local ward member, Cllr J Orrell supported the proposal and the development opportunities.  In response to his question, the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up acknowledged that this would be a loss of a wet weather attraction, but this was a long-term project with investment opportunities for business, homes, and tourist attractions. The council needed to respond to opportunities to ensure that the best options and investment were made available to the town.

It was proposed by Cllr S Gibson and seconded by Cllr J Haynes

Decision

(a)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of land at Newstead Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report and gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of Land to the west of Westwey Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report, gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds, and simultaneous purchase of the adjoining site.

(c)           That the submission of a formal application to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the movement of Levelling Up funds from the New Bond Street project to fund these acquisitions and site preparation works at Weymouth Bowl, be approved.

Reason for the decision

Market conditions required a change of approach with regard to one of the three LUF funded projects.  The council was obligated to provide residential unit outputs in relation to this project.  Alternative sites had recently been released onto the market which could deliver the outputs and continue to support the wider LUF objectives of supporting the economic growth of Weymouth through redevelopment.  This solution required the movement of £4m of LUF funding to facilitate acquisitions and works.

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

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Transformation advised that a report on digital innovation would be coming forward to additional meeting of Place and Resources Overview Committee in February 2024.

There were no referrals to report other than those already on the Forward Plan.  Portfolio Holder reports were attached at Appendix 1 to these minutes.

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 consider passing the following recommendation:  

Recommendation  

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in the item(s) below because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.  

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered. (Any live streaming will end at this juncture).  

Reason for taking the item(s) in private

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  

It was proposed by Cllr J Haynes and seconded by Cllr A Parry

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following 3 item(s) 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).

Reason for taking the item in private

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  

The live streaming was concluded at this juncture.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Property.

That the recommendation, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets presented the exempt report and its recommendation.

It was proposed by Cllr A Parry and seconded by Cllr G Suttle

Decision

That the recommendation, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

Reason for the decision

The agree to the details of the proposed sale of the Berkely Hotel, Weymouth.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Property.

That the recommendations, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets presented the exempt report and set out its recommendations.

It was proposed by Cllr A Parry and seconded by Cllr B Quayle

Decision

That the recommendations, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

Reason for the decision

The agree to the details of the proposed sale of 15 and 16 Brunswick Terrace, Weymouth.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Property.

That the recommendations, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets presented the exempt report and its recommendations.

It was proposed by Cllr A parry and seconded by Cllr J Haynes

Decision

That the recommendations, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

Reason for the decision

To agree to the sale of Wilkins Farm, Cann as a surplus asset.

Exempt Appendix 2 associated with item 9 above “Levelling Up Fund land acquisitions”.

The exempt appendices associated with the report ‘Dorchester Office Strategy’ had been made available to Cabinet members. However, Cabinet did not move into exempt business to discuss the confidential information at the meeting.