Agenda and decisions

A copy of the record of the previous decisions taken at Cabinet on 26 October 2021 is attached.

Purpose

To provide a 2-year update on progress of the Economic Development and Regeneration Strategy 2019 - 2036. This also accounts for all the work undertaken during the pandemic as part of our response and recovery to the economic impacts of the Covid pandemic.

The Cabinet noted the report which is for information only and is not subject to call-in.

Purpose

1.    To outline support provided to people in financial hardship in Portsmouth following the provision of funds from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Covid Winter Grant and Local Support Grant schemes.

2.    To outline the initial plans to utilise the new Household Support Fund from DWP.

3.    To note the contribution of teams across the council, and the collaboration with voluntary sector partners to tackle poverty in the city.

The Cabinet noted the report which is for information only and is not subject to call-in.

Purpose

To outline the process for creating a new single Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for the city.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet

1.    Approve the plan for the creation of the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028, as outlined in section 5.2 of this report.

2.    Approve the option to update the operational elements of The Street Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Partnership Strategy by the end of the 2021/22 financial year, as outlined in section 6 of this report.

1.    Approved the plan for the creation of the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028, as outlined in section 5.2 of this report.

2.    Approved the option to update the operational elements of The Street Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Partnership Strategy by the end of the 2021/22 financial year, as outlined in section 6 of this report.

Purpose

To provide an update of the consultation results and next steps moving forward for Rudmore, Portsbridge and Spur Road Roundabout projects (SEHRT).

The Cabinet noted the report which is for information only and is not subject to call-in.

Purpose

To consider the locations suggested for safer routes to school measures as part of the Safer Improvements LTP 2021/22 programme.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet approves the spend from the Local Transport Plan 3 - Safer Routes to School budget to be spent at the following locations:

·         Burrfields Road (£30,000)

·         New Road (£60,000)

·         Multiple locations - visibility and awareness treatments (£60,000)

Approved the spend from the Local Transport Plan 3 - Safer Routes to School budget to be spent at the following locations:

·              Burrfields Road (£30,000)

·              New Road (£60,000)

·              Multiple locations - visibility and awareness treatments (£60,000)

Purpose

This report sets out proposals for appointing the external auditor to the Council/Authority for the accounts for the five-year period from 2023/24.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet agrees that the Council accepts Public Sector Audit Appointments’ (PSAA) invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for five financial years from 01 April 2023.

That the Council accepts Public Sector Audit Appointments’ (PSAA) invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for five financial years from 01 April 2023.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e. its borrowing and cash investments at 30 September 2021 and of the risks attached to that position.

Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet

Notes the following:

1.    That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2021/22 in the period up to 30 September 2021.

2.    That the actual Treasury Management indicators as at 30 September 2021 set out in Appendix A be noted.     

3.    That the report goes to Full Council on 7 December 2021.

1.    That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2021/22 in the period up to 30 September 2021.

2.    That the actual Treasury Management indicators as at 30 September 2021 set out in Appendix A be noted.

3.    That the report goes to Full Council on 7 December 2021.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to update members on the current Revenue Budget position of the Council as at the end of the second quarter for 2021/22 in accordance with the proposals set out in the “Portsmouth City Council - Budget & Council Tax 2021/22 & Medium Term Budget Forecast 2022/23 to 2024/25” report approved by the City Council on 9^th February 2021.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet

1.    The General Fund Forecast Outturn for 2021/22 (as at 30^th September 2021) of an overall net overspend of £1,029,500 be noted; this is analysed as follows:

2.    The forecast additional spending and forgone income as consequence of the Covid-19 Pandemic totalling £10.64m be noted

3.    Members note that the financial consequences arising during 2021/22 from the Covid-19 pandemic will be met from the provision held within the Council's Corporate Contingency which was set aside specifically for this purpose as approved by City Council on 9^th February 2021. 

4.    Members note that in accordance with approved policy as described in Section 8, any actual non Covid-19 overspend at year end will in the first instance be deducted from any Portfolio Reserve balance and once depleted then be deducted from the 2022/23 Cash Limit.

5.    In accordance with (iv) above and the requirement that in the first instance any Portfolio overspending must be met from the Portfolio Reserve, that £1,354,400 has been withdrawn from the Cabinet Portfolio Reserve to fund current forecast overspendings, leaving a nil balance.

6.    Directors, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, consider options that seek to minimise any forecast non Covid-19 overspending presently being reported and prepare strategies outlining how any consequent reduction to the 2022/23 Portfolio cash limit will be managed to avoid further overspending during 2022/23.

1.    The General Fund Forecast Outturn for 2021/22 (as at 30^th September 2021) of an overall net overspend of £1,029,500 be noted; this is analysed as follows

2.    The forecast additional spending and forgone income as consequence of the Covid-19 Pandemic totalling £10.64m be noted

3.    Members note that the financial consequences arising during 2021/22 from the Covid-19 pandemic will be met from the provision held within the Council's Corporate Contingency which was set aside specifically for this purpose as approved by City Council on 9^th February 2021. 

4.    Members note that in accordance with approved policy as described in Section 8, any actual non Covid-19 overspend at year end will in the first instance be deducted from any Portfolio Reserve balance and once depleted then be deducted from the 2022/23 Cash Limit.

5.    In accordance with (iv) above and the requirement that in the first instance any Portfolio overspending must be met from the Portfolio Reserve, that £1,354,400 has been withdrawn from the Cabinet Portfolio Reserve to fund current forecast overspendings, leaving a nil balance.

6.    Directors, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, consider options that seek to minimise any forecast non Covid-19 overspending presently being reported and prepare strategies outlining how any consequent reduction to the 2022/23 Portfolio cash limit will be managed to avoid further overspending during 2022/23.