Eastleigh Borough Council Council Meeting

There was no public participation on this occasion.

The Mayor gave an overview of highlights in the civic calendar and reflected on his year as Mayor:

·  The Mayor was delighted that Ahmad Tea based in Chandler’s Ford had been given the King’s Award for Enterprise for their sustainable development programmes.  This prestigious award recognises the outstanding impact that they have delivered to improve the lives of communities in the UK and around the world.

·  The Mayor and Mayoress had very much enjoyed attending engagements in the borough which included an Iftar event at Pavilion on the Park, Hamble Players Ghost Story Drama, Asian Welfare and Community Association  (AWCA) Community Lunch, Hiltingbury Dog Show, Itchen Valley Country Park May Day Fayre, Fryern Funtasia and the Eastleigh Gurkha and Nepalese Association Day Out.

·  The Mayor reflected that it had been a pleasure and a privilege to be the Mayor in the 50^th year of Eastleigh Borough Council and to see the wonderful things that happened in the community.

·  The Mayor wished the incoming Mayor every success in his Mayoral year.

The Mayor conducted a minute’s silence in memory of those friends and colleagues that were sadly lost during the Mayoral year:

·  Mohammed Mossadaq – Citizen of Honour

·  Andrew Wray – Alderman

·  Zoe Walne – Eastleigh Borough Council Officer

The Mayor then noted the retiring Councillor and thanked them for their service to Eastleigh Borough Council.  He also welcomed the new Borough Councillor, Karl Attrill.

RESOLVED –

That Councillor David Pragnell be elected Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing municipal year and until acceptance of office by his successor.

Councillor Pragnell then subscribed his declaration of acceptance of office.  The new Mayoress, Mrs Jean Pragnell, was invested with her badge of office and the Mayor then addressed the Council.

RESOLVED –

That the best thanks of this Council be extended to Nick and Ann Couldrey for the admirable way in which they have carried out their duties of Mayor and Mayoress during the past year.

Nick Couldrey suitably replied to the vote of thanks.  The Mayor and the Mayoress then presented badges to Ann and Nick Couldrey to mark their year of service to the Borough as Mayor and Mayoress.

RESOLVED –

That Councillor Janice Asman be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing municipal year and until acceptance of office by her successor.

Councillor Asman then subscribed her declaration of acceptance of office.

The Mayor signified in writing the appointment of Reverend Hayley Richens as his Chaplain.

The Chief Executive read the resolution of the Council that all former Councillors that had served as a Councillor for 12 years or longer and were not actively seeking re-election be formally invited to accept the award of Honorary Alderman.

The Mayor then conferred the title of Honorary Alderman on Roger Wood.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest in relation to items of business on the agenda.

The Mayor reported the election results as stated in item 10 of the agenda.

RESOLVED -

That Council approve the appointment of Councillor Keith House as Leader of the Council.

Consideration was given to the number of places available on Committees, the scrutiny panel and other bodies (item 13).

RESOLVED -

That the number of places on Committees, the Scrutiny Panel and Other Bodies, be approved as set out in item 13 of the agenda:

RESOLVED –

That Councillors be appointed to Committees, Scrutiny Panel and other bodies for the year 2024/25 as set out in item 14 on the agenda, namely:

AREA COMMITTEES

OTHER MAIN BODIES

PANELS

OTHER BODIES

AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (3)

To be confirmed at Cabinet

LICENSED TRANSPORT FORUM (3)

J Duguid (Ch)

W Irish

D Pretty

CABINET

Councillor Keith House – Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning

Councillor Ian Corben – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration (South)
Councillor Paul Bicknell – Cabinet Member for Regeneration (North) and Social Policy
Councillor Tonia Craig – Cabinet Member for Health and Social Policy

Councillor Rupert Kyrle – Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor James Duguid – Cabinet Member for Transport and Economy

RESOLVED –

That Chairs and Vice Chairs be appointed as set out in item 15 of the agenda, namely: