Meeting

The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting 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 19 March 2024)

To receive petitions.

(Notice of petitions must be received in writing by Democratic Services, no later than noon on Tuesday 19 March 2024)

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

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

1)         From:    Cllr Vaux

To:        Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing

Safety Concerns at Unity Place, Chineham

Concerns have been raised after a fire inspection of the Unity Place residential building, which was previously the Shire offices in Chineham Business Park. The offices were converted into 270 dwellings in 2022 under Permitted Development Rights.  Not long after residents started moving in, there was an evacuation due to a gas leak, so this fire safety concern is very worrying for everyone living there.

I have been informed that the council is supporting the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s work to ensure the responsible person does whatever is needed to keep people living there safe, and that the owner of Unity Place has put in place a waking watch whilst they address these concerns. While this is helpful to know, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered for our residents. Please would the cabinet member provide the following information, so we, and the 270 households living at Unity Place, are assured that they are indeed safe and all necessary action is being taken in a timely way:

·        what is the safety risk identified, and when was the previous fire safety inspection carried out?

·        what action is required to address the fire safety concerns, and when will this be carried out?

·        how is this information, vital for the safety and wellbeing of everyone living at Unity Place, being communicated to residents, many of whom do not have English as their primary language?

2)      From:     Cllr Jones

To:         Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing

What has been the total financial impact the Council in terms of cleanup, enforcement, and preventative measures against fly-tipping over the last fiscal year?

3)      From:     Cllr Vaux

To:         Co-Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Property

Please would the portfolio holder provide council members an update on the redevelopment plans for the Camrose football ground, considering that no community groups have come forward with proposals for the stadium, despite its designation as an asset of community value and the previous permission granted for residential development on the site?

4)      From:     Cllr Carr on behalf of Cllr McIntyre

To:         Leader of the Council

As the council leader, do you still support the vision for the land north of the M3 at junction 7 as a preferred site for the new hospital, aligning with the previous administration's endorsement and the broader community's expectations for enhanced healthcare facilities in Basingstoke?

5)      From:     Cllr Dillow

To:         Leader of the Council

Could the council leader provide an update on the negotiations between Planet Ice and Standard Securities regarding the Basingstoke ice rink's repairs? With the discussions reportedly at a standstill, yet rumours of the ice rink being imminently closed for maintenance, the community is eager to understand the current status and any progress made to resolve the impasse.

6)      From:     Cllr Mummalaneni

To:         Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture

Given the increasing concerns raised by residents regarding dog fouling in our ward, alongside the broader issue of anti-social behaviour impacting small businesses in the town, and recognizing the robust Public Space Protection Orders enforced by the Basingstoke borough, could the portfolio holder furnish details regarding the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued in the current municipal year across the following categories:

1. Littering

2. Dog fouling

3. Fly-tipping

4. Breach of Public Spaces Protection Order

5. Engine idling?

7)      From:     Cllr Compton-Burnett

To:         Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture

In the UK, on average only 70% of children can swim competently when they leave primary school.  In Basingstoke, that figure is less than 50% and, in some Basingstoke schools, fewer than 30% of children can swim when they leave primary school.

It is mandatory for all schools to offer free swimming lessons, but currently the schools in Basingstoke are faced with limited availability of swimming lesson slots, no flexibility in session timings and pools that charge significantly different prices – some almost twice that of other pools. This year, one operator imposed steep price increases and changed the length of its sessions without any consultation with the schools that use the pool.

We urgently need to do everything we can to help our schools to improve the swimming teaching they provide.

I have two questions for the Portfolio Holder for sport, leisure and culture:

•         Please would the council bring together representatives from the primary schools in Basingstoke to determine how best to improve swimming teaching? The answer is not simply to work on prices, but to consider initiatives in other parts of the UK, so please include ideas from the Speedo Swim United initiative in these discussions.

•         Please would the council work with the swimming pool operators in Basingstoke to address the needs of the schools?

8)         From:     Cllr Rhatigan

To:         Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure

In December having Trumpeted that your Administration have delivered the agreement to deliver Manydown, can you now inform BDBC residents where you intend to locate the Promised Gypsy and Traveller pitches as the settled residents in Winklebury and beyond fear that in common with other Local Plan allocations of G and T provision will be left until last and just dumped at the end of the Development Process.

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

Committee

Meeting Date

Scrutiny

21 November 2023

Development Control

22 November 2023

Manydown

23 November 2023

Audit and Accounts

27 November 2023

Standards

4 December 2023

Cabinet

5 December 2023

Development Control

6 December 2023

Council

14 December 2023

Economic, Housing and Planning

4 January 2024

Cabinet

9 January 2024

Development Control

10 January 2024

Community, Environment and Partnerships

17 January 2024

Scrutiny

23 January 2024

Audit and Accounts

29 January 2024

Recommendation from the Human Resources Committee held on 26 February 2024

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 Harvey

There exists within our community a closed children's cemetery currently under the ownership and maintenance responsibility of the NHS and North Hampshire and Basingstoke Hospital; and

Whereas, concerns have been raised regarding the ability of the current owners to adequately maintain and preserve the integrity of this sacred site in the long term; and

Whereas, it is essential to ensure the perpetual care and dignity of those laid to rest in the children's cemetery, as well as to honor their memory and preserve our community's history and heritage; and

Whereas, the local council, as an organisation with broader resources and experience, may be better equipped to assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the cemetery:

Council resolves to request that Cabinet:

start the process of accepting the transfer of ownership and maintenance of the closed children's cemetery from the NHS and North Hampshire and Basingstoke Hospital; and

undertake all necessary steps to facilitate a smooth and efficient transfer process, including but not limited to coordinating with relevant stakeholders, assessing logistical and administrative requirements, and ensuring the proper allocation of resources for the ongoing care and preservation of the cemetery; and

asks representatives of the council to engage in open dialogue with community stakeholders, including residents, local organisations, and advocacy groups, to gather input and feedback regarding the transfer of ownership and maintenance of the cemetery; and

upon acceptance of the transfer, commits the council to upholding the highest standards of care and respect for the children's cemetery, honouring the memory of those interred therein, and preserving its significance as a place of remembrance and reflection for generations to come.

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

Committee

Meeting Date

Licensing

5 February 2024

Cabinet

6 February 2024

Development Control

7 February 2024

Manydown

21 February 2024

Council

22 February 2024

Human Resources

26 February 2024

Economic, Planning and Housing

29 February 2024

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