Meeting

The Chair will move that the minutes of the meetings be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

To receive and answer any questions from the public.

(Questions must be received in writing by Democratic Services no later than noon on Tuesday 15 July 2025)

To receive petitions.

(Notice of petitions must be received in writing by Democratic Services, no later than noon on Tuesday 15 July 2025)

a) to receive resignations from Committees and to make any necessary re-appointments

PATROL Adjudication Joint Committee – Statutory requirement that 1 Member be appointed to this body.

b) to receive resignations from Outside Bodies and to make any re-appointments and (ii) fill any existing vacancies.

Recommendation from the Cabinet meeting held on 8 July 2025

That Council approve the proposed transfer of the outturn surplus of £1.09M to earmarked revenue reserves as detailed in section 3 of the report:

• To the Budget Carry Forward Reserve £0.80M; and

• To the MTFS Risk Reserve £0.29M

Recommendation from the Cabinet meeting held on 8 July 2025

That Council note bullet points 1-6 and approve bullet points 7-10 as set out in the report.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer)

Report of the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) and Head of Law and Governance

Report of the Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee

Report of the Head of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

Report of the Head of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

Proposer: Councillor Minas-Bound

Seconder: Councillor Ganesh

This Council recognises the growing pressures on social housing and the private rental sector in Basingstoke and Deane. Demand is being driven by a combination of factors, including regional population growth, economic development in the borough and surrounding areas, and participation in national resettlement and asylum support programmes.

We acknowledge that Basingstoke and Deane, like other parts of Hampshire, is contributing to national efforts to house displaced individuals under schemes such as the Afghan Resettlement Programme and the asylum dispersal programme. This support is placing additional strain on local housing stock and public services that are already under pressure.

We further recognise the growing concerns nationally and locally around the scale of illegal economic migration, and the pressure this places on housing, health, education, and other public services.

This Council also notes the new Labour Government’s pledge to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029. While this aim is understandable in principle, there is growing concern about the lack of clarity on where displaced individuals will be accommodated instead. Without a credible and fully funded alternative plan, this policy risks intensifying pressure on local housing, potentially diverting supply from residents and destabilising already stretched services.

This Council believes that without a clear, managed, and fair approach to all forms of migration, the capacity of local areas to support both local needs and true humanitarian commitments will be compromised.

This Council therefore resolves to request Cabinet to:

1. Write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to outline the specific housing pressures in Basingstoke and Deane and seek urgent assurances that government-funded migration accommodation schemes will not reduce the availability of housing for local residents.

2. Affirm its commitment to prioritising Basingstoke and Deane residents for access to social and affordable housing wherever legally and practically possible.

3. Request that any future government-funded schemes affecting housing supply in the borough are accompanied by sufficient, targeted housing investment to ensure that the needs of local residents are not displaced.

4. Call on central government to fully fund all local support services associated with national resettlement and asylum schemes, to ensure the cost is not passed on to local council tax payers and that local authority budgets are not unfairly burdened.

5. Urge the Home Office and relevant departments to provide clearer data and planning coordination around all forms of migration—particularly irregular and unplanned arrivals—to ensure that national policy does not compromise the capacity of local councils to support those most in need.

6. Request urgent clarity from central government on the practical implications of ending the use of asylum hotels by 2029, including details of alternative accommodation plans and how these will be funded and delivered without further pressure on local housing allocations.

Proposer: Councillor Minas-Bound

Seconder: Councillor Izett

Council notes:

That Neighbourhood Plans are a vital tool for empowering local communities to shape the future of their areas, allowing them to influence where development of homes, employment spaces and community facilities should or should not take place, and to set out local priorities.

That the recent Spending Review by central government has resulted in the withdrawal of funding to support parish and town councils in preparing Neighbourhood Plans.

That this decision will significantly undermine the ability of local councils and communities to engage in plan-making, and risks silencing the voice of residents in shaping development.

That the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has strongly opposed this withdrawal of funding, highlighting the importance of continued support for neighbourhood planning as a key component of local democracy.

Council believes:

That neighbourhood planning must continue to be supported as an essential part of the local planning system.

That withdrawing support at this stage not only disempowers communities but risks poor planning outcomes that do not reflect local needs or aspirations.

Council resolves to:

Express its strong support for Neighbourhood Planning and affirm the importance of continued investment in the process.

Support the position of NALC in calling for central government to reinstate funding for neighbourhood planning.

Request that the Cabinet urgently explores alternative sources of funding or support mechanisms to enable parish and town councils within our area to continue with neighbourhood planning work despite the withdrawal of central government support.

Request the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities expressing this council’s concern about the impact of the funding cut and urging the government to reconsider its position.

Proposer: Councillor Lee

Seconder: Councillor Miller

Council notes:

Global instability, including armed conflicts, energy insecurity, and cyber threats, continues to pose potential risks to national and local infrastructure.

Local authorities are designated as Category 1 responders under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, responsible for preparing for and responding to major incidents affecting their communities.

Resilience planning is not limited to specific scenarios but covers a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, infrastructure failures, and—in extreme cases—national security events.

Resilient communities are better placed to withstand and recover from emergencies, whether caused by natural disasters, infrastructure failure, or national security events.

Council recognises:

The importance of having up-to-date, tested, and inclusive emergency response plans that reflect current risk profiles and support the wellbeing of all residents.

The value of robust and inclusive emergency planning to safeguard life, maintain key services, and support the most vulnerable residents.

Building community awareness and institutional preparedness can reduce harm, improve response effectiveness, and maintain essential services in a crisis.

Council therefore resolves to:

Request that Cabinet review and update existing emergency preparedness and business continuity plans to ensure they remain fit for purpose in today’s evolving risk landscape, including scenarios involving large-scale infrastructure disruption or national security incidents.

Request Cabinet to work closely with the Local Resilience Forum and other Category 1 and 2 responders, where feasible, to:

Test and strengthen joint response protocols.

Ensure that planning takes into account vulnerable populations, public health, and digital inclusion

Identify and protect critical local infrastructure.

Request a report to the Resources Committee (subject to the agreement of the Chair) and to the Cabinet Member for Communities, Partnerships and Inclusion, outlining:

The council’s current state of readiness for major civil emergencies, including, but not limited to, national security events.

Opportunities to improve staff training, public communications, and coordination with partners;

Any gaps in funding, guidance, or support from central government that may need addressing.

Request Cabinet to consider launching a public awareness initiative to help residents better understand how to prepare their households for a range of emergencies (e.g. prolonged power outages, water supply issues, or communication blackouts), working in partnership with national guidance bodies and local emergency services.

This council reaffirms its commitment to public safety, service continuity, and responsible forward planning, recognising that resilience is a shared responsibility that must be continuously developed and maintained.

Proposer: Councillor G Watts

Seconder: Councillor Dillow

Council notes:

· Similar to the Manydown development, the South Ham and Buckskin regeneration project is one of the most significant local regeneration initiatives in recent years, with the potential to deliver lasting change for residents in terms of housing, infrastructure, green space, and community wellbeing.

· This project will involve complex planning, significant public funding, and sustained engagement with residents, stakeholders, and service providers.

· The existing Environment and Infrastructure Committee, which would ordinarily scrutinise such projects, is likely to be at capacity due to the demands of the Local Plan review and associated infrastructure planning.

Council believes:

· That robust democratic oversight and transparency are essential to the success and public confidence in regeneration projects of this scale.

· A dedicated forum for scrutiny, similar to the Manydown Overview Committee, will help ensure that regeneration in South Ham and Buckskin is delivered in a way that is accountable, community-led, and aligned with the borough’s broader strategic objectives.

Council therefore resolves to:

1. Establish a South Ham and Buckskin Overview Committee, comprising cross-party representation from affected and neighbouring wards, to scrutinise the development and delivery of the regeneration programme in these wards.

2. Task the Overview Committee with:

a. Reviewing progress against regeneration milestones.

b. Holding project leads and partners to account.

c. Ensuring meaningful resident engagement is taking place.

d. Reporting findings and recommendations to full council, cabinet, and relevant committees regularly.

3. Request that Democratic Services and the Monitoring Officer bring forward detailed terms of reference and governance arrangements for the committee at the next council meeting.

Proposer: Councillor Tustain

Seconder: Councillor T Jones

With the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation bringing together several district councils, the unparished areas of Basingstoke will become further removed from local representation, increasing community-focused disadvantage compared to those areas currently parished.

The deputy prime minister recognised that people value the role of governance at the community scale and that can be a concern when local government is reorganised. She also stated that the government want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. The intention of devolution and LGR is to also rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal Local Authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice.[1]

This council notes that

This borough contains many parished areas and two town councils, but a large proportion of Basingstoke town is unparished.

Once the new unitaries are defined there will be a democratic deficiency through lack of local representation for the unparished areas of the town of Basingstoke due to the removal of the district council.

Basingstoke as the largest town in Hampshire has a strong local identity, a lot of heritage and proud history.

This council therefore requests:

A report (setting out timetable, terms of reference, resource and financial implications) be prepared for the next ordinary council meeting seeking approval that a Community Governance Review (CGR) is undertaken across the borough.[2]

[1] English Devolution White Paper - GOV.UK

[2] SLCC | Establishing Strong Local Councils for Your Unparished Communities

To receive questions from members in relation to the minutes of the meetings detailed below:

Committee

Meeting Date

Council

8 May 2025

Development Control

14 May 2025

Council

15 May 2025

Development Control

28 May 2025

Licensing

2 June 2025

Environment and Infrastructure O&S

5 June 2025

Cabinet

10 June 2025

Development Control

11 June 2025

To consider whether, in view of the nature of the remaining items on the agenda, any of them are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt or confidential information within the terms of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972