Agenda, decisions and minutes

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

12.  Allonby to Silloth multi-user coastal path.

  Councillor John Cook; Disclosable Pecuniary Interest; Due to previous ad hoc company business with a tenderer.

12.  Allonby to Silloth multi-user coastal path.

  Councillor Mike Johnson; Disclosable Pecuniary Interest; Due to previous ad hoc company business with a tenderer.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

None received.

The subject of the decision

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report which sought to provide members with information on the 2019/20 capital programme and sought their approval on the carry-forward budgeted amounts to 2020/21.

Members noted the summary capital outturn position for 2019/20 as set out in the report.

Councillor J Lister moved the recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor T Markley. The motion was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not to approve the carry-forward of resources.

The reason for the decision

To provide members with information regarding the 2019/20 capital programme and to approve the carry-forward of resources to 2020/21.

The decision

Resolved

That -

1.  The draft capital outturn position be noted

2.  The carry forward of £1,395,727 to 2020/21 be approved, to enable previously approved capital schemes to be completed.

The subject of the decision

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report which sought to inform members of the revenue outturn for 2019/20 and made recommendations on budget carry forwards and transfers to and from reserves.

Members noted the summary revenue outturn for 2019/20 as set out in the report.

Councillor J Lister moved the recommendations as set out in the report. This was seconded by Councillor A Pitcher. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not to approve the contributions to earmarked reserves.

The reason for the decision

To note the revenue outturn for 2019/20 and to approve budget carry forwards and transfers to and from reserves.

The decision

Resolved

That -

1.  The draft revenue outturn position detailed in the report be noted

2.  The impact of the draft revenue outturn position on the Council’s general fund and earmarked (general fund) balances be noted

3.  The contribution to earmarked reserves of £1,556,066: comprising planned contributions of £750,000, additional contributions £806,066 and additional income from taxation and government grants £76,645 (provisional figure based on NNDR budgeted position) be approved.

The subject of the decision

The Solway Coast AONB Manager submitted a report which sought member’s approval of the 5 year Management Plan for the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 2020-2025.  

Allerdale Borough Council was responsible, along with Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council, for the production and review of the AONB Management Plan. All three councils were represented by nominated members on the Solway Coast AONB Joint Advisory Committee.

Councillor J Cook thanked everyone who had been involved in the development of the Plan and moved the recommendation; this was seconded by Councillor T Markley. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

To agree and adopt the Solway Coast AONB Management Plan, or

Not to adopt the Management Plan, or

To request changes to be made to the Management Plan this would be taken back to the AONB Partnership for consideration.

The reason for the decision

To approve the 5 year Management Plan for the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 2020-2025.

The decision

Resolved

That the Solway Coast AONB Management Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be adopted.

The subject of the decision

The Policy Manager (Housing) submitted a report which sought member’s approval of the revised Cumbria Choice Partnering Agreement and the Cumbria Choice Based Lettings Allocations Policy.

The Partnering Agreement was to provide clarity regarding commitment and roles and responsibilities within the Partnership. The Allocations Policy would help to ensure that there was a consistent and fair approach amongst registered housing providers with regard to letting homes in Allerdale.

Councillor M Fitzgerald moved the recommendations; this was seconded by Councillor J Cook. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Continue to use current policy which did not meet statutory requirements, or

Introduce a stand-alone allocations Policy, or

Support the revised allocations Policy and continue to work with the Cumbria Choice Partnership.

The reason for the decision

To approve the revised Cumbria Choice Partnering Agreement and the Cumbria Choice Based Lettings Allocations Policy.

The decision

Resolved

That –

1.  The final draft Cumbria Choice Allocations Policy be approved for publication in July 2020

2.  Authority be delegated to the Head of Strategy Policy and Performance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Governance and People Resources, to approve any minor amendments during the approval process of Partnering Organisation 

3.  Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, or subsequent Senior Officer Roles, for the signing of the Partnering Agreement and IT contracts, relating to the Cumbria Choice Based Lettings Partnership.

The subject of the decision

The Policy Manager (Housing) submitted a report which sought members approval of the Local Occupancy Restrictions Policy.

The Policy sought to support local people to access housing which remained affordable and served local needs.

Councillor M Fitzgerald moved the recommendations; this was seconded by Councillor A Pitcher. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Adopt a formal policy to ensure that section 157 and section 37 of the Housing Act 1985 were complied with and to ensure housing remained available to local households, or

Continue to have an informal arrangement in place and be open to challenge, or

Do nothing.

The reason for the decision

To ensure the Council had a formally adopted Policy detailing how restrictions imposed by section 157 and section 37 of the Housing Act 1985 would be enforced.

The decision

Resolved

That –

1.  The Local Occupancy Restrictions Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved

2.  Any future minor amendments be delegated to the Head of Strategy, Policy and Performance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Governance and People Resources.

The subject of the decision

The Head of Governance and Regulatory Services submitted a report which sought members to appoint representatives to serve on Outside Bodies which were a function of the Executive.

Members were asked to agree the nominations to the Outside Bodies as outlined in Appendix A of the report.

Councillor M Fitzgerald moved the recommendation; this was seconded by Councillor T Markley. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not to appoint representatives on to the Outside Bodies.

The reason for the decision

To nominate and appoint representatives to serve on Outside Bodies which were a function of the Executive.

The decision

Resolved

That the appointment of representatives on Outside Bodies be as follows:

Councillor M Fitzgerald was voted Chair for the following item.

The subject of the decision

The Programme Director (Workington) submitted a report which sought members to appoint a main contractor to deliver the Solway Coaster project following a competitive tender exercise.

The Solway Coaster project was to create a 14.10km cycleway between the Cumbrian coastal towns of Allonby and Silloth, which would form part of the National Cycle Network Route 72 (Hadrian’s Cycleway).

Councillor A Pitcher moved the recommendation; this was seconded by Councillor T Markley. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

To appoint a main contractor in line with Officer recommendation based on the results of the procurement exercise, or

Not to appoint a main contractor.

The reason for the decision

In accordance with the Council’s procurement regulations a decision was required to appoint a main contractor to deliver the Solway Coaster project following a competitive tender exercise.

The decision

Resolved

That the appointment of Tenderer G, in line with the results of the procurement exercise be approved.

The subject of the decision

The Programme Manager submitted a report which sought members to approve the proposals set out in the Business Case relating to the regeneration of Maryport town centre. The Business Case was to be submitted to MHCLG Future High Street Team no later than 31 July with the aim to apply for funding to support the Programme.

Councillor M Johnson moved the motion as set out in the report with an additional recommendation to approve delegated authority to the Maryport Programme Director to cover any last minute additions to the business case before it being submitted; this was seconded by Councillor M Fitzgerald.

The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Approval of the proposals being submitted, or

Make amendments to proposals, or

Not to approve the proposals.

The reason for the decision

For members approval of the Business Case proposals to be submitted to MHCLG Future High Street Fund team before the deadline date of 31 July.

The decision

Resolved

That –

1.  The progress made on the development of the Business Case be noted

2.  Authority be approved to submit the proposed Business Case

3.  Progression towards acquisition of the three key buildings/sites identified in the report be approved

4.  The overall Allerdale contribution of £749,000 for the programme be approved

5.  Authority be delegated to the Maryport Programme Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Community Development and Placemaking, to approve amendments to the Business Plan, which were identified prior to its final submission.