This report advises on the implications for Council decision making in light of the Court of Appeal’s decision of 11 May 2016 regarding the Ministerial Statement of November 2014.  It recommends reintroduction of the Council’s policy to implement a lower threshold triggering the requirement for affordable housing and tariff style contributions on sites of six or more units in ‘designated rural areas’.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will recommend that Council adopts the lower threshold triggering the requirement to make cash payments towards the provision of affordable housing schemes of between 6 and 10 units for those parts of the District that are Designated Rural Areas and that the change is then publicised.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided information on the Court of Appeal’s decision of 11 May 2016 regarding the Ministerial Statement of November 2014, the related changes to national policy and the implications for Council decision making.

The report recommended the introduction of the Council’s policy to implement a lower threshold triggering the requirement for affordable housing and tariff style contributions on sites of six or more units in ‘designated rural areas’.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council should ensure that it gives the appropriate weight to the Ministerial Statement in light of the Court of Appeal decision.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that the lower threshold triggering the requirement to make cash payments towards the provision of affordable housing schemes of between 6 and 10 units for those parts of the District that are Designated Rural Areas be adopted and that the change is then publicised.

This report seeks approval for charging for green waste collections on an opt-in subscription basis from April 2017.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that charging for green waste collections on an opt-in voluntary subscription basis be introduced from April 2017 and that a further report be submitted on the sum to be charged and the associated collection policies.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for charging for green waste collections on an opt-in subscription basis from April 2017.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Green waste collection was a non-statutory service and making a reasonable charge was permissible under Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1996.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     charging for green waste collections on an opt-in voluntary subscription basis be introduced from April 2017; and

(2)     a further report be submitted on the sum to be charged and the associated collection policies.

THE DECISION:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business at minute nos CA.4 and CA.5 on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Cabinet was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report seeks consideration of a proposed option of improvements for the Hambleton Leisure Centre and seeks approval for delivery of the proposed option; the appointment of a development partner to assist the process and the submission of a planning application at the relevant time.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of a proposed option of improvements for the Hambleton Leisure Centre and sought approval for delivery of the proposed option; the appointment of a development partner to assist the process and the submission of a planning application at the relevant time.

Alternative options considered:

Alternative options considered were set out in the report.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the proposed option would improve and extend the health and fitness facilities at the Hambleton Leisure Centre.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the option to extend the centre and develop internal areas be approved and funded as described in paragraph 2 of the report;

(2)     a development partner to deliver this project be procured;

(3)     monitoring and review of project delivery be undertaken by Management Team, with regular update reports provided to Council Members; and

(4)     a planning application be submitted at the relevant time.

This report seeks consideration of various issues regarding the Dalton Bridge and Highway Scheme.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of various issues regarding the Dalton Bridge and Highway Scheme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of Part 4, Section 43 of The Local Government Act 2003 which covers the additional contributions and actions a local authority can undertake in connection with Business Improvement Districts.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the loan to the Dalton Businesses be a ‘soft loan’ as opposed to a commercial loan as previously recommended by Cabinet on 7 July 2015;

(2)     the decision as to how to finance the loan and the amount of the loan to be provided (as long as it is £1,2000,000 or lower) as described in the Financial Implications Section of the report, be delegated to the Council’s Head of Finance - s151 Officer;

(3)     the actions identified in Section 1.7 of the report be progressed; and

(4)     a budget of £25,000 be allocated to cover the preparation of legal agreements as identified in Section 4.5 of the report and for this to be funded from the Economic Development Fund.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 15 March 2016 (CA.63 - CA.66), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 15 March 2016 (CA.63 – CA.66), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

One of the key themes in the Council’s Economic Development Strategy is “Vibrant Market Towns”.  This report considers how to take forward this theme.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve the draft action plans at Annex A of the report as a starting point for local consultation and then development and will appoint a Market Town Support Officer on a three year fixed term and a graduate intern to support market town work.

The subject of the decision:

One of the key themes in the Council’s Economic Development Strategy is “Vibrant Market Towns”.  This report considered how to take forward this theme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the proposals would support the economy and help sustain vibrancy and prosperity into the future.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves:-

(a)     the draft action plans set out at Annex A of the report as a starting point for local consultation and then development; and

(b)     the appointment of:-

          (i)      a single FTE Market Town Support Officer on a three year fixed term; and

          (ii)      a graduate intern to support market town work.

This report seeks approval for a one-off community grants scheme.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve the 16-17 grants scheme and will apply the criteria and timetable set out in Annex A of the report and the scheme will be funded by an allocation of £125,000 from the One-Off Fund.

The subject of the decision:

Following the success of the “Make a Difference Grants Fund” in 2015-16, another opportunity had arisen to re-invest windfall savings back into the community for 2016-17.  This report sought approval for a one-off Community Grants Scheme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that this fund would invest in worthy local community projects which would help improve life in neighbourhoods and which would support the work of the voluntary sector.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves:-

(1)     the 2016-17 Grants Scheme and applies the criteria and timetable set out in Annex A of the report; and

(2)     that the scheme be funded by an allocation of £125,000 from the One-Off Fund.

This report seeks approval of a strategy to encourage more local businesses to bid for Council contracts.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve the Procurement Strategy attached as Annex A to the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of a strategy to encourage more local businesses to bid for Council contracts.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council is required to ensure that every procurement it undertakes complies with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, European Union Law and its Procurement Procedure Rules and Policies.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves the revised Buy Hambleton Procurement Strategy attached as Annex A to the report.

This report seeks endorsement of the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Plan for Linton on Ouse and the revised Action Plans for Bedale and Alne.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will endorse the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Plans attached at Annex B of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought endorsement of the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plan for Linton on Ouse and revised Action Plans for Bedale and Alne.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Council’s legal responsibility to ensure funding is used in a way consistent with the individual S106 Agreements.

THE DECISION:

That the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plan in Annex B of the report be endorsed.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of items 10 to 13 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

THE DECISION:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business at minute nos CA.12 and CA.13 on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Cabinet was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report seeks consideration of a request for assistance from Bedale Station House and Wensleydale Railway PLC.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of a request for assistance from Bedale Station House and Wensleydale Railway PLC.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the request would support a community inclusive facility which had economic links and which also supported the Vibrant Market Towns theem.

THE DECISION:

That a further rent-free period of five years for Wensleydale Railway Association in respect of Station House, Bedale be approved.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of an application for hardship relief.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of Section 49 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     no hardship relief from business rates be granted; and

(2)     future requests for hardship relief be delegated to the Head of Service – Finance (s151 Officer).