Decisions

RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1 – 11 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

That, in accordance with paragraphs 5.2 (c) and (d) of the Procurement Rules that the requirements of 2.7 (a)(i) and Appendix 1 be waived to appoint Ringway Jacobs as consultants to undertake the work on behalf of Essex County Council, to complete the preparation of a Transport Assessment Report to support the Examination of the Council’s Local Plan.

That, in accordance with paragraphs 5.2(c) and 5.5(c), the Procurement Rules be waived to appoint AECOM for the provision of Habitat Regulation Assessment activities required in connection with the submission and examination of the Local Plan.

(1)         That the proposed revisions to Part 3, Appendix 5 (Delegation to Officers from the Executive) of the Constitution, as set out in Appendix 1 to this decision, be agreed; and

(2)         That the Monitoring Officer incorporates the revised schedule of Delegation to Officers from the Executive within the Scheme of Delegation in the Constitution.

The Assistant Director (Housing Property & Development) presented a report to the Cabinet Committee. He advised that one of the Cabinet Committee’s Terms of Reference was to monitor expenditure on the Housing Capital Programme Budget for the Council Housebuilding Programme, ensuring the use (within the required deadlines) of the capital receipts made available through the Council’s Agreement with the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) allowing the use of additional “Replacement Right to Buy (RTB) Receipts” received as a result of the Government’s increase in the maximum RTB Discount to be spent on housebuilding.

The Cabinet Committee regularly received detailed financial reports covering all financial issues relating to the Housebuilding Programme. The Financial Reports attached to agenda item 9 at Appendix 2, 3 and 4 set out the current financial position with the various aspects of the Housebuilding Programme.

The Cabinet Committee noted that due to programme spending, the Council are forecasting that no 1-4-1 receipts need be given back this year. It was also worth noting that if future spend was consistent with the forecast budget the Council should be able to utilise all 1-4-1 receipts over the lifecycle of the project.

Resolved:

(1)             That the current financial position be noted, in respect of:

(a)         The amount of additional “Replacement Right to Buy (RTB) Receipts” for utilisation under the Government’s “one-for-one replacement” scheme that had been received; when it was required to be spent; the actual expenditure to date; and the future planned expenditure profile (Appendix 2 of the agenda);

(b)         The amount and use of financial contributions available to the Council’s Housebuilding Programme from Section 106 Agreements, in lieu of the provision of on-site affordable housing on private development sites, and other sources of funding (e.g. sales of HRA land and non-RTB property, and external funding) (Appendix 3 of the agenda) and;

(c)         The expenditure profile that reflects the house-building programme (Appendix 4 of the agenda).

 Reasons for Decision:

The Council’s Housebuilding Programme was a high profile, high cost activity.  It was therefore essential to ensure that budgets, costs and expenditure were properly monitored, to enable corrective action to be taken at the earliest opportunity when necessary.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

Not to have regular Financial Reports presented to the Cabinet Committee.