Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

With regard to item 8 – Birmingham Airport Masterplan Consultation, Cllr Richards reminded Members he was a Non Executive Director on the Airport Board.

To answer any questions, if any asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

None were received.

To receive for information only the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 November 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2018 were submitted for information only.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2018 be received for information only.

The purpose of the report is to:

Ø  outline the current financial position for the 2018/19 corporate capital programme.
1.2 To seek approval to rephase capital budgets into 2019/20 and future years as detailed in Appendix A;

Ø  seek approval for the revised capital programme for 2018/19 after the rephasing as detailed in Appendix B;

Ø  seek approval for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme after revisions and virements for 2018/19 detailed in paragraphs 3.6 - 3.8 and Appendix C;

Ø  seek approval for corporate capital programme proposals and the allocation of additional resources funded from available capital receipts per the capital strategy to support Older People’s Day Services, investment in Oracle E-Business Suite, investment in Strategic Investment Properties and to maintain Mell Square Car Park as detailed in paragraphs 3.9 to 3.20 and to use £455,000 of Prudential Borrowing to replace reserve funding as detailed in 3.21; and

Ø  approve the passporting of Government capital allocations for 2019/20 to individual cabinet portfolios for project allocation.

The Cabinet was:

Ø  Provided with an outline of the current financial position for the 2018/19 corporate capital programme;

Ø  Invited to approve the  rephasing of capital budgets into 2019/20 and future years as detailed in Appendix A to the report;

Ø  Invited to approve the revised capital programme for 2018/19 after the rephasing as detailed in Appendix B to the report;

Ø  Invited to approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme after revisions and virements for 2018/19 detailed in paragraphs 3.6 - 3.8 and Appendix C to the report;

Ø  Invited to approve the corporate capital programme proposals and the allocation of additional resources funded from available capital receipts per the capital strategy to support Older People’s Day Services, investment in Oracle E-Business Suite, investment in Strategic Investment Properties and to maintain Mell Square Car Park as detailed in paragraphs 3.9 to 3.20 of the report  and to use £455,000 of Prudential Borrowing to replace reserve funding as detailed in 3.21 of the report; and 

Ø  Invited to approve the passporting of Government capital allocations for 2019/20 to individual Cabinet Portfolios for project allocation.

In presenting the report the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive advised Members that in relation to the rephasing of the 2018/19 programme over the last three months officers had been working with project managers to identify projects which could be rephased into future years. These totalled £12.378m and were analysed by Cabinet Portfolio in paragraph 3.22, Table 1 in the report and individual projects were detailed at Appendix A.

If Cabinet approved the proposals detailed in the report the Council’s revised corporate capital programme for 2018/19 would be £37.142m General Fund and £17.556m for the HRA, with a revised capital programme of £54.698m for 2018/19.

With regard to the programme approvals in 2018/19 for the HRA capital programme Appendix C detailed HRA scheme adjustments to maximise the deliverables within the overall HRA capital programme. Specific approval was sought for an increase of £50,000 in the 2018/19 HRA capital programme for the conversion of office space to residential use at Linacre House, current budget £100,000. With regard to Stock Growth Development the approved budget for 2018/19 was £8.637m. There were no approved schemes for £2.310m and approval was sought to remove this budget from the programme in 2018/19. Future schemes would seek separate approval to be added to the HRA programme in future years. If both proposals were approved the HRA Stock Growth Development budget for 2018/19 would decrease by £2.260m.

In regard to programme approvals in the 2018/19 corporate capital programme the Director advised Members of the schemes being taken forward and the costs which in summary included the use of capital receipts to support Older People’s Day Services, investment in Oracle E-Business Suite, to maintain Mell Square Car Park in 2019/20 and replenish Strategic Land Fees in 2019/20.

The Director advised that in relation to the building of a new school at Yorkswood (£5.692 million) this project was contained within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Cabinet approval was sought to undertake a supplementary consultation on the Draft Local Plan.

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Managed Growth and Deputy Leader who made a statement which can be viewed via the webcast. The report before Members detailed the:

Ø  Timetable for the remaining stages of the Local Plan Review;

Ø  Progress to Date

Ø  National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (July 2018)

Ø  Duty to Corporate

Ø  Draft Local Plan – supplementary consultation- key contents as set out in paragraph 7.1 (a) to (f) of the report.

The report also detailed the fact that using the consultation on the revised standard methodology; the Borough’s own housing needs amounted to 767 new dwellings every year. When the Borough’s contribution to the HMA shortfall was added this became 885 dwellings per annum. To view this in context the average annual completions in the Borough over the last 4 years had been 657 dwellings, and this would be 420 dwellings per annum if taking the average over the last 10 years. The 885 dpa figure would also exceed the highest number of net completions achieved in a single year in the Borough since 2001.

On receiving the report all Members acknowledged the work of officers in producing a thorough piece of work. Members felt it was important to hear the views of the public on the proposals, and noted that further discussions around the duty to cooperate would be had with other local authorities.

Members acknowledged the impact HS2 had had on the Green Belt in Solihull and the economic benefit which would result, and be felt by the rest of West Midlands, with the HS2 development. Members were of the view that this should not be underestimated, in the context of this report.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the “Draft Local Plan (Supplementary) Consultation” be approved as the basis for the additional consultation;

(ii)  That it be agreed that the consultation run for a six week period; and

(iii)  That delegated authority be granted to the Director for Managed Growth and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Managed Growth to make minor changes to the document.

The purpose of the report is to:-

Ø  provide an update to Cabinet on the proposed action to deliver the Ministerial Direction requiring Solihull Council to implement measures on the two sections of the A45 previously identified by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as potentially exceeding roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration limits as set out in the national air quality objectives;

Ø  provide an update to Cabinet on the request for funding to ‘The Joint Air Quality Unit’ (a joint unit between DEFRA and the Department for Transport), to deliver the Ministerial Direction; and

Ø  seek Cabinet approval to accept the proposed £824,373 funding from DEFRA to deliver the Ministerial Direction over the next 2 years.

The Cabinet was invited to:

Ø  Receive an update on the proposed action to deliver the Ministerial Direction requiring Solihull Council to implement measures on the two sections of the A45 previously identified by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as potentially exceeding roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration limits as set out in the national air quality objectives;

Ø  Receive  an update on the request for funding to ‘The Joint Air Quality Unit’ (a joint unit between DEFRA and the Department for Transport), to deliver the Ministerial Direction; and

Ø  To accept the proposed £824,373 funding from DEFRA to deliver the Ministerial Direction over the next 2 years.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing in presenting the report to Members advised them of what action was being proposed to ensure compliance with the Ministerial Direction in relation to two sections of the A45 potentially exceeding roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration limits as set out in the national air quality objectives.

Solihull’s package of measures, which had been accepted by DEFRA  included workplace travel plans, use of cycling and walking networks, car sharing schemes and changes to signing and fleet. Regular monitoring reports would be presented and two full time staff would deliver the air quality initiatives.

Members were also reminded that this work was separate to the development and delivery of the Solihull Clean Air Strategy 2019-2024, which was currently being developed, but it was recognised that there was some overlap, and Officers would seek to realise mutual benefits wherever possible.

Members welcomed the report sought clarification as to what was meant by travel support grants. Members were advised this referred to types of infrastructure such as electrical charging points.

RESOLVED:
(i) That the measures to deliver the Ministerial Direction requiring Solihull

Council to take steps to implement these measures as soon as possible and at the latest by 2020 be approved;

(ii) That the request to the Joint Air Quality Unit for revenue grant funding of £824,373to enable delivery of the proposed measures within the required timeframe be approved; and

(iii) That delegated authority for ensuring the delivery of the Ministerial Direction within the required timeframe be granted  to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing.

Birmingham Airport is currently consulting on a new Draft Masterplan, which sets out its approach to accommodating growth in air travel up to 2033, and will supersede the current Masterplan adopted in 2007. This report enables Cabinet to consider the Draft Masterplan, and associated Surface Access Strategy, and agree the Council’s formal response to the consultation.

The Cabinet was advised that Birmingham Airport was currently consulting on a new Draft Masterplan, which set out its approach to accommodating growth in air travel up to 2033, and would supersede the current Masterplan adopted in 2007. The Cabinet was invited to consider the Draft Masterplan, and associated Surface Access Strategy, and agree the Council’s formal response to the consultation.

The Director of Managed Growth and Communities in introducing the report advised Members of the issues which they needed to consider as set out in the report. Section five of the report detailed the Council’s suggested response.

The Director advised Members that much had changed since the 2007 Masterplan was adopted. Forecasts of future demand for air travel had altered substantially. At the time of drafting the 2007 Masterplan, Birmingham Airport had forecast that up to 27.2mppa could use the airport by 2030. Through its own analysis, the Airport had now forecast that a total of 18mppa could be using the airport by 2033; a forecast that aligned well with the Government’s forecast of 17.4mppa. As a result the Airport had subsequently published an updated Masterplan for public consultation and, alongside it, an updated Surface Access Strategy that would supersede the current 2015-2020 version.

With regard to the Surface Access Strategy Members were advised that the Strategy concentrated its focus on how to maximise the potential of the schemes already in place such as the M42 J6 improvements and the infrastructure delivered in association with HS2, to provide access for Airport employees and customers.

In welcoming the report Members recognised that the proposed Masterplan presented lesser of an impact than the previous proposal in 2007, which the Council had to robustly challenge. The proposal this time could be broadly supported.

The issue of modal shift was challenged as well as offsetting carbon emissions, and one Member felt the proposed Masterplan was not going further enough on these issues, and the Council’s responses needed to be much firmer.

Members noted these issues needed to be mitigated against and highlighted the positive working relationship the Council had had with the Airport, which would be used to further these points. Members felt that a balanced response had been developed which recognised the work that still needed to be done, but also recognised the impact the Airport had on the economic prosperity of the Borough and wider West Midlands.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the recently published Birmingham Airport Draft Masterplan 2018, and associated Draft Surface Access Strategy 2018 – 2023 be noted; and

(ii)  That the broadly supportive consultation response be agreed that also sought further consideration of the issues set out in Section 5 of the report.

The meeting is likely not to be open to the public during discussion of the following items because the reports contain exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That, pursuant to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information in terms of paragraphs 3 and 4  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the said Act.

To provide the Members of the Cabinet with an update on progress with the Strategic Environment Contract Review.