Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies received.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest, registerable interest or other interest.

There were no interests declared.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2025 were considered.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor T Saffell, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2025 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Infrastructure Portfolio Holder presented the report.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor N Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Procurement Strategy be approved.

Reason for decision: The Council’s Constitution states that Cabinet is responsible for the review or development of Council strategies.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A Member strongly welcomed the new Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy.

The Chair commended the cooperation between the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder and the Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor M Wyatt, and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The following policies be approved:

i.  The Income Management Policy

ii.   The Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy

iii.  The revised Tenancy Policy

iv.  The Domestic Abuse Policy

2. Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make minor amendments to the policies as required to address changes in national policy and local priorities.

Reason for decision: To agree the Council’s policies as set out above in line with Cabinet’s responsibility to determine policies and objectives of Council services.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The Chair commended the policy.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor K Merrie, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The NWLDC Tree, Woodland and Hedgerow Management Strategy be adopted, and the development of an annual action plan to support delivery of the Strategy be approved.

Reason for decision: This is a Key Decision as it affects all wards in the District. Therefore, as per the Council’s Constitution, Cabinet approval is required for its adoption.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Infrastructure Portfolio Holder presented the report. Additionally, he thanked the Section 151 Officer and the Finance Team for supporting him to cover the Corporate Portfolio in recent months.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor N Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The forecasted overspend on the General Fund for 2024/25 of £977k based on Quarter 3 information be noted.
2. The Special Expenses forecast outturn figures for 2024/25 based on Quarter 3 information be noted.
3. The supplementary estimates detailed on appendix 2 which are below £100k and are externally funded be noted.
4. The supplementary estimates detailed on appendix 2 which are above £100k and are externally funded be approved.
5. All supplementary estimates detailed on appendix 2 which require Council funding be approved.
6. The revised General Fund Capital Programme detailed in appendix 5 be noted.
7. The movement from the Development Pool to the Active Programme for the Capital Scheme detailed in table 5 be approved.

Reason for decision: Cabinet is responsible for making all of the necessary arrangements to ensure that the priorities identified by the Council are delivered within the Budget and Policy Framework and therefore financial reporting is brought to Cabinet to ensure that oversight is carried out.

To update Cabinet on Quarter 3 2024/25 and request approval for supplementary estimates as detailed in the recommendations below.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor T Saffell, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Reason for decision: To provide Cabinet with an update on the financial position on the Housing Revenue Account as at Quarter 3 2024/25.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Gillard, and

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Reason for decision: To enable the consideration of exempt information.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor T Gillard, and

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Reason for decision: As the value of the contract exceeds £100,000, the Council’s Constitution states that Cabinet approval is required to allow the procurement of a fencing contractor.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A brief discussion was had.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor R Blunt, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Reason for decision: On this occasion due to the nature of the case, Cabinet is requested to review and confirm that a Compulsory Purchase Order is the correct enforcement approach. The property has been empty for a considerable amount of time, is affecting neighbouring properties, has attracted complaints from the public, ward members and the Parish Council

Officers have delegated powers to carry out enforcement action under the Empty Homes Policy. In the Constitution, Section E sets out that where Executive Functions have been delegated, it does not prevent the Cabinet from reviewing decisions made in the discharge of those functions in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A brief discussion was had.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor M Wyatt, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Reason for decision: To provide high quality housing to the district.

Part 2 Section G2 paragraph 8.3 of the Council’s constitution states: “The power to acquire land or property with a capital value over £100,000 is reserved to Cabinet.”