Decisions

*RESOLVED –

1.    That the strategic direction and indicative funding proposals, as set out in the draft Chesterfield UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan, be approved.

2.    That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be granted delegated authority to make changes to the draft document to enable completion of the Chesterfield UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan for submission to Government.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

Work on the Investment Plan is ongoing and this will enable the submission of the Chesterfield UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan to Government by the 1 August, 2022 deadline.

*RESOLVED –

1.    That the new statutory powers granted to local authorities under the Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020, be noted.

2.    That the revised Private Sector Housing Park Licensing and Fit and Proper Person policy, be approved.

3.    That the Service Director – Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, be granted delegated authority to agree minor policy adjustments in between review periods.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To ensure compliance with the Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020.

*RESOLVED –

1.    That the update on the activities of the private sector housing team during 2021/22, be noted.

2.    That the Private Sector Housing Energy Performance Certificate Policy, be approved.

3.    That the Private Sector Housing Amenities and Space Standards Policy, be approved.

4.    That the Service Director – Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, be granted delegated authority to agree minor policy adjustments in between review periods.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

In April 2021 Cabinet approved the Private Sector Housing Action Plan. This report provides an update on the activities of the team during 2021/22 and gives further details on additional and revised policies which will enable the Private Sector Housing Team to continue to work proactively with those landlords willing to comply with housing legislation and actively regulate noncompliant landlords.

*RESOLVED –

1.    That the position of the General Fund Revenue Account at the close of month two of the financial year 2022/23, be noted.

2.    That the the proposal to ringfence £200k from the Budget Risk Reserve to support any interim or recruitment agency costs which may be required to mitigate recruitment pressures, as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the officer’s report, be approved.

3.    That the use of new burdens funding of £140k to strengthen council tax and rent recovery and provide increased levels of customer support, as set out in paragraph 4.10 of the officer’s report, be approved.

4.    That the updated General Fund Capital Programme and financing, as set out in paragraphs 4.15 to 4.17 of the officer’s report, be approved.

5.    That the position of the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital budgets at the close of month two of the financial year 2022/23, as set out in paragraphs 4.18 to 4.24 of the officer’s report, be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.    This periodic report summarises the current assessment of the Council’s forecast outturn and enables formal monitoring and active management against the 2022/23 budget.

2.    This is the first monitoring report for the 2022/23 financial year and comes at a time when the Council is experiencing financial pressures due to the current economic situation, the high levels of cost inflation and the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

*RESOLVED –

1.    That the implementation of a pilot scheme to create units for biodiversity enhancement to be used to support off-site provision of habitat as part of applications for planning permission, where applicants have been unable to provide a measurable net gain in biodiversity on-site, be authorised.

2.    That an assessment of the council’s full land portfolio to identify potential medium and long term Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) opportunity sites which would form a ‘habitat bank’ to support nature recovery across the borough, dependent on subsequent Cabinet approval following an evaluation of the pilot schemes, be authorised.

3.    That officers be authorised to work with partners to determine sites of strategic significance for biodiversity within the borough, with the aim to bring a strategy document for BNG informed by the results of the pilot, to a future Cabinet meeting.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.    To enable the council to become a provider of off-site BNG to:

                        i.         Support the delivery of Local Plan policy CLP16.

                      ii.         Support housing delivery and economic growth through the provision of a clear and accessible solution to achieving planning compliance where applicants have demonstrated that they are unable to provide BNG on-site.

                     iii.         Support the creation and retention of appropriate habitat types within the borough, enhancing local communities and reducing the risk of developers seeking solutions outside of the borough.

                    iv.         Support implementation of the Climate Change Action Plan.

2.    A number of planning applications currently under consideration have demonstrated that they are unable to meet the entirety of their BNG requirement on-site. Timely assessment of sites shortlisted as suitable for rewilding through scoping work initially undertaken by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust will maximise opportunity to deliver BNG and maintain housing growth across the borough, however further investigation is recommended around the number of BNG units these sites can accommodate. The procurement of further assessment would ensure that the council is able to sustain an offer of biodiversity units throughout the pilot period.

3.    When the Environment Act makes BNG mandatory (expected to be Winter 2023) the demand for off-site biodiversity opportunities is likely to increase. Establishing a habitat bank within the council’s landholdings provides an opportunity to gain best value by identifying suitable land capable of accommodating a range of habitat types, in locations which are strategically important for nature.

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that:

1.    The Equality and Diversity Annual Report be approved.

2.    The Equality and Diversity Annual Report be published on the Council’s website and circulated to partners.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

Equalities legislation and good practice require public bodies to publish annual equalities reports.