Agenda and decisions

A copies of the records of the previous decisions taken at Cabinet meetings on 29 October and 5 November 2019 are attached.

RECOMMENDED that the records of decisions taken at the previous Cabinet meetings on 29 October and 5 November 2019 are approved as correct and signed by the Leader accordingly.

The report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is to update the Cabinet on the outcomes of the food waste trials and present options for consideration to reduce waste and improve the recycling offer in Portsmouth.

Options:

1)      Continue to provide separate weekly food waste collections to those households in the trial.

2)      Expand the trial to provide an additional set of trials of separate weekly food waste (1 round over 5 days)

3)      Rollout the weekly food waste collection service to all houses and flats in the City where it is practicable to do so.

The financial implications of each of these options is detailed in section 4 of the report.

The RECOMMENATION is to implement option 2.  The council will also work towards a city wide rollout that links in with the end of the current collection contract in September 2021 - subject to funding being identified.

(1)  That Option 2 be implemented; the council will also work towards a city wide rollout that links in with the end of the current collection contract in September 2021 - subject to funding being identified.

(2)  The aim is to roll out the food waste recycling to all homes in the city as part of the new waste collection contract that commences in September 2021.

The report by the Director of Regeneration is to highlight the Play Out Pompey pilot play street scheme and to seek approval to make the scheme available citywide.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet approves the creation of the community led, Portsmouth City Council initiated Play Streets Scheme that includes:

(1)  The creation of supporting documents and an application forms, which will be available to all Portsmouth residents on the Portsmouth City Council website;

(2)  The creation and support of a resident-led Play Out Pompey Community Group to support the set-up of new play streets;

(3)  The purchase and storage of appropriate road closure and diversion signage

The Cabinet approved the creation of the community led, Portsmouth City Council initiated Play Streets Scheme that includes:

(1)       The creation of supporting documents and an application forms, which will be available to all Portsmouth residents on the Portsmouth City Council website;

(2)       The creation and support of a resident-led Play Out Pompey Community Group to support the set-up of new play streets;

(3)       The purchase and storage of appropriate road closure and diversion signage

The report by the Director of Culture, Leisure & Regulatory Services is to consider requests to establish formal Sister City links between Portsmouth and Halifax in Canada and the Falkland Islands.  Also to request that the Leader of the Council be formally asked to write to the Mayor of Halifax, Canada and the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands with a request to establish Sister City relationships.

RECOMMENDED that the Leader of the Council write to the Mayor of Halifax, Canada and the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Island with a request that Portsmouth be able to enter into Sister City relationships with both Halifax and the Falkland Islands to mark the long relationship between the City of Portsmouth and Halifax, Canada and the Falkland Islands.

That the Leader of the Council write to the Mayor of Halifax, Canada and the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Island with a request that Portsmouth be able to enter into Sister City relationships with both Halifax and the Falkland Islands to mark the long relationship between the City of Portsmouth and Halifax, Canada and the Falkland Islands.

The purpose of the report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods and Building Services is to present the pilot of in-house care service at Ian Gibson Court in Somerstown, to seek agreement for a permanently funded service and to seek agreement to explore the potential to expand the provision to other schemes/areas if appropriate.

The report arises from joint working across the Adult Social Care and Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services Directorates. The report comes to Cabinet because it requires a cross portfolio decision.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet:

(1)       recognises the improved care provided for residents at Ian Gibson Court and approves that the pilot scheme is made permanent.

(2)       approves the ongoing funding model as documented within this report.

(3)       approves that a new phase of the pilot scheme begins to be planned with immediate effect.

(4)       agrees the principle of expanding this method of care provision to other city council local authority housing schemes or areas of operation if appropriate and delegates' authority to the Directors for Housing, Neighbourhood & Building Services and Adult Social Care to progress, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders.

The Cabinet:

(1)       recognised the improved care provided for residents at Ian Gibson Court and approves that the pilot scheme is made permanent.

(2)       approved the ongoing funding model as documented within this report.

(3)       approved that a new phase of the pilot scheme begins to be planned with immediate effect.

(4)       agreed the principle of expanding this method of care provision to other city council local authority housing schemes or areas of operation if appropriate and delegates' authority to the Directors for Housing, Neighbourhood & Building Services and Adult Social Care to progress, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders.

The report by the Chief Health & Care Portsmouth and the Assistant Director Adult Social Care seeks to update the Cabinet as to the availability of care home provision for older people across the city.  The report is also to consider:

·         the likely demand for care home places within the next 3-5 years by considering the trend from 2011 onward.

·         the impact of an extra care development for people with a dementia on the numbers of people with dementia requiring residential care.

·         the costs of residential care and nursing home care that is owned and managed by the city council and options to ensure the maximum value for money from PCC provided care.

·         how these issues relate to the Adult Social Care, (ASC) Strategy and the ASC Medium Term Financial Strategy, (MTFS).

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet:

(1)          Note the current and modelled demand for residential and nursing home care in Portsmouth for older people.

(2)          Note the costs of the City Council providing residential and nursing care.

(3)          Agree further work to be undertaken as to cost and feasibility of the options for maximising value of the Council's assets.   

The Cabinet:

(1)       Noted the current and modelled demand for residential and nursing home care in Portsmouth for older people.

(2)       Noted the costs of the City Council providing residential and nursing care.

(3)       Agreed further work to be undertaken as to cost and feasibility of the options for maximising value of the Council's assets.   

The report on behalf of the Director of Regeneration provides an update on work to trial an adaptive street lighting strategy and seeks approval to commence citywide implementation.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet approve citywide implementation of adaptive street lighting.

The Cabinet approved the citywide implementation of adaptive street lighting.

The report by the Strategy Adviser for Climate Change sets out how Portsmouth City Council will work towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, in response to the declaration of a climate emergency.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet approve the draft Portsmouth City Council Climate Change Strategy for consultation, as appendix A of this report.

The Cabinet approved the draft Portsmouth City Council Climate Change Strategy for consultation (appendix A of the report).

The purpose of the report by the Director of Culture, Leisure and Regulatory Services is to inform the Cabinet of:

• the statutory responsibilities placed upon Regulatory Services at the Portsmouth International Port, and

• post the General Election, provide a summary of how the activities of Regulatory Services is likely to be impacted by a free trade deal with restrictions as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, and

• to manage the expectations of all interested parties in respect to the operational readiness of Regulatory Services in respect to a free trade deal with restrictions which results in an increased Regulatory Services presence or increased Regulatory Services responsibilities at the Portsmouth International Port border entry point.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet:

(1)  Acknowledges the continuing risk that Regulatory Services will be significantly impacted by increasing demands in border control regulations at the Portsmouth International Port following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.

(2)  Accepts that any intensification of border control demands at the Portsmouth International Port will place substantial unpredictable and currently unavailable financial burdens upon Portsmouth City Council statutory regulatory functions.

(3)  Approves further engagement with governmental departments and Ministers in respect to the need for revenue funding equivalent to any additional need to deliver essential border control functions at the Portsmouth International Port.  

The Cabinet:

(1)          Acknowledges the continuing risk that Regulatory Services will be significantly impacted by increasing demands in border control regulations at the Portsmouth International Port following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.

(2)          Accepts that any intensification of border control demands at the Portsmouth International Port will place substantial unpredictable and currently unavailable financial burdens upon Portsmouth City Council statutory regulatory functions.

(3)          Approved further engagement with governmental departments and Ministers in respect to the need for revenue funding equivalent to any additional need to deliver essential border control functions at the Portsmouth International Port.  

(4)          Asked that the Regulatory Services Manager make contact with the Secretary of State for Transport to ask for a response to the previous representation made to him in November 2019 as well as briefing the local Members of Parliament, Local Government Association (LGA) and the British Ports Association to request they help to lobby to get a solution for Portsmouth.

The report by the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) outlines the Council's performance against the treasury management indicators approved by the Council on 19 March 2019.  The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position at 30 September 2019.   In March 2009 the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Treasury Management Panel issued a bulletin relating to Treasury Management in Local Authorities. The bulletin states that “in order to enshrine best practice it is suggested that authorities report formally on Treasury Management activities at least twice yearly and preferably quarterly”. The report in Appendix A covers the first six months of 2019/20.

(This report also goes to the City Council 11 February 2020.)

RECOMMENDED that:

(1)  It be noted that there have been no breaches of the Treasury Management Policy 2019/20 in the period up to 30 September 2019.

(2)  The actual Treasury Management indicators for September 2019 in Appendix A be noted.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

(1)       It be noted that there have been no breaches of the Treasury Management Policy 2019/20 in the period up to 30 September 2019.

(2)       The actual Treasury Management indicators for September 2019 in Appendix A be noted.

The report by the Director of Finance and Section 151 is also forwarded to Council for approval.  The report sets the Council's overall Budget for the forthcoming year 2020/21 and the associated level of Council Tax necessary to fund that Budget.

The report makes recommendations on the level of Council spending for 2020/21 and the level of Council Tax in the context of the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy with its stated aim as follows:

In year" expenditure matches "in year" income over the medium term whilst continuing the drive towards regeneration of the City, being innovative, creative and protecting the most important and valued services

The recommended Budget for 2020/21 has been prepared on the basis of the following:

•The Council resolution of 12 February 2019 that set an overall savings requirement of £2.5m

•An increase in the level of Council Tax for 2020/21 for general purposes of 1.99%

•The flexibility to increase the level of Council Tax for an "Adult Social Care Precept", within the limits set by Central Government at 2.0%, and the direct passporting of that additional funding to Adult Social Care to provide for otherwise unfunded cost pressures

This report also provides a comprehensive revision of the Council's rolling 3 year future financial forecast for the new period 2021/22 to 2023/24 (i.e. compared to the previous forecast covering 2020/21 to 2022/23, this forecast now replaces the forecast for the previous 3 year period). 

The new forecast considers the future outlook for both spending and funding, and in that context, wider recommendations are made regarding the levels of reserves to be maintained and additional contributions to the Capital Programme in order to meet the Council's aspirations for the City as well as maintaining the Council's overall financial resilience.

In particular, this report sets out the following:

(a)   The challenging and uncertain financial climate facing the City Council in 2020/21 and beyond, and the consequential budget deficits that result

(b)   A brief summary of the Medium Term Financial Strategy for achieving the necessary savings

(c)   The Revised Revenue Budget and Cash Limits for the current year

(d)   The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2020/21

(e)   The Business Rate income for 2020/21 and future years and the ceasing of the Solent 75% Business Rate Retention Pilot (in a pooled arrangement with the Isle of Wight Council and Southampton City Council)

(f)    The Council Tax base and recommended Council Tax for 2020/21

(g)   The forecast Collection Fund balance as at 31 March 2020 for both Council Tax and Business Rates

(h)   The detailed indicative savings (Appendix C) that could be made by each Portfolio / Committee in meeting its overall savings amount in order to provide the Council with the assurance necessary to approve the recommended savings amount for each Portfolio / Committee

(i)    The proposed Revenue Budget and Cash Limits for 2020/21

(j)    The forecast Revenue Budgets and revised Savings Requirements for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24

(k)   Estimated General Reserves over the period 2019/20 to 2023/24

(l)    The Medium Term Resource Strategy (MTRS) Reserve, its financial position and proposed use to achieve cashable efficiencies

(m)  The statement of the S. 151 Officer on the robustness of the budget in compliance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2003.

The detailed recommendations are set out at Section 3 of the report.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the detailed recommendations as set out 3.1 (1)-(16) and 3.2 (1)-(15), and 3.3 to 3.9 be approved. 

(these were unamended from the Council papers)

The report by the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer is forwarded to Council in 11 February for approval. The report is to:

·         Summarise the key features of the Capital Strategy approved by the City Council on 19th March 2019 "for investment in assets and for obtaining the resources required for that investment"

·         Highlight the inter-relationship between the Capital Programme, the Revenue Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Treasury Management

·         Determine the corporate capital resources available including:

-        Adjustments for under and overspendings to the existing approved Capital Programme

-       Update the capital resources available for all new and changed grants, capital receipts, revenue contributions and other contributions

-       the identification of any additional assets which the Administration wishes to declare surplus to requirements

·         Seek approval of the overall Capital Programme and "new starts" (including the Housing Investment Capital Programme) for 2020/21 and future years in accordance with the Capital Strategy

·         Describe and approve the Prudential Indicators arising from the revised Capital Programme 2019/20 to 2024/25

·         Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer to alter the mix of capital funding to make best use of City Council resources

The 7 detailed recommendations are set out at Section 3 of the report.

RECOMMENDED to Council - the detailed recommendations (as set out 3.1 1-8 and 3.2 1-5) be approved with the amended 3.1 (5) to include an additional £4.7m of Capital Investment for the "Development of Cruise and Ferry Port" to be replaced with the following wording:

5) Subject to a satisfactory financial appraisal approved by the Director of Finance and Resources & Section 151 Officer the following schemes as described in Section 10 be funded from Prudential Borrowing up to the amounts shown

Recommendation 8 in relation to the proposed Prudential Indicators was also revised and a revised Appendix 3 will be submitted to Council