Eastleigh Borough Council Council Meeting

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave an overview of recent Council highlights:

·  In December, the Mayor presented a Citizen of Honour award to Stan Newell, Melanie Phillips, and Pat Statham at an informal ceremony at The Point. They were worthy recipients of the award, and the Mayor was pleased to meet them and recognise the excellent work they had done in their communities. The next awards would be in 2023 and the Council would seeking nominations at the end of this year.

·  December also saw the return of Christmas in Eastleigh town centre, which was a great family event. The Mayor had attended as Deputy Mayor in 2019 and was very happy to attend this time as Mayor to switch on the festive lights with Santa.

·  More recently, the Mayor visited the Silverlake Stadium and was presented with a cheque for £250 towards the Mayor’s charity appeal by Eastleigh FC’s Walking Football Club. This was an exciting time for the club as the sport’s governing body, the Walking Football Association, had chosen Eastleigh as its team of the year, in recognition of them winning the national cup - and one of their female members, Sarah Harper, being selected to represent England Walking Football.

·  Eastleigh-born Kai Widdrington got to the Strictly Final but disappointed that he was unable to compete as his dance partner AJ suffered an injury. The Mayor stated this was such a shame for them, but they should be proud of the outstanding performances they gave on the show.

·  The Mayor was proud to hear that Eastleigh-born Paralympian, David Smith, received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for services to boccia. The Mayor stated it was a pleasure to meet David and his family last year when he returned from the Tokyo Paralympics.

·  A letter of congratulations was sent to Amanda Parry from Eastleigh, who also received an OBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours. Amanda was the Deputy Chief Executive of HISP Multi Academy Trust and Executive Director of LEARN Teaching School Alliance, Hampshire and she received her honour for services to education.

·  One of the Mayor’s chosen charities, Mountbatten Hampshire, would be holding a sponsored dog walking event at Itchen Valley Country Park on Saturday 2 April. Wellies and Walkies promised to be a fantastic day out for dogs and their owners and a great opportunity to raise money for this worthwhile local charity.

·  Eastleigh was enriched with a very diverse community, with many Ukrainian families living in the Borough. The Mayor sent them thoughts and prayers at this very scary time.

·  The Mayor sent condolences on behalf of the Council to Councillor Adam Manning and his family on the very sad loss of their son.

·  The Council was very sad to learn of the recent death of Lord Chidgey. Previously an eminent engineer, David Chidgey became Eastleigh’s MP in 1994 and was re-elected in the 1997 and 2001 general elections. He became a peer in the dissolution honours in 2005 with the title of The Lord Chidgey, of Hamble-le-Rice in the County of Hampshire.

As an MP Lord Chidgey served on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in Parliament and as a member of the Liberal Democrat front bench team. He held a series of shadow ministerial posts, notably for trade and industry. Lord Chidgey was made a freeman of the Borough of Eastleigh in 2005 and was seen at and supported many civic events.

He was a popular and excellent MP for Eastleigh. He was respected across the political divide and was very well liked by those who met him. His passing is a huge loss for the Borough and for politics more widely. Our thoughts are with his wife April, Lady Chidgey, his children and all his friends and family.

·  The Mayor held a minute silence to remember, Lord Chidgey Councillor Manning and families.

Councillor House also paid tribute to Lord Chidgey.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Parker Jones declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 7 of the agenda as she was a member of Bishopstoke Parish Council.

Councillor Parker-Jones declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 12 of the agenda as she is a member of the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee for Hampshire County Council.

Councillor House declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 6 of the agenda as he is a Board Member of the Public Sector Audit Appointments.

Councillor Groves declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 12 of the agenda as he is a member of the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee for Hampshire County Council.

Consideration was given to the recommendations contained in the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 17 February 2022, taking into account the Minutes of the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Panel held on 10 February 2022, concerning the 2021/22 – 2026/27 Budget.

The Leader introduced the budget (copy appended to signed minutes).

The Independent Group submitted amendments to the 2022/23 General Fund Revenue Budget.

The Independent Group withdrew Amendment 1 because Local Area Committees have delegated powers to allocate developer contributions.

Councillor Clarke had left the room during the General Fund Revenue Budget 2022/23 – he did not take park in any debate or recorded votes.

A recorded vote occurred for Amendment 2.

FOR: Councillors – Broomfield; Campbell; Dean; Parker-Jones and Tidridge.

AGAINST: Councillors - Airey; Asman; Bearder; Bourne; Broadhurst; Buckley; Corben; Craig; Cross; Dedhia; Garton; Gomer; Grajewski; Groves; Holes; House; Irish; Mann; Park; Pretty and Tennent.

(FOR: 5; AGAINST: 21)

A Recorded Vote took place for the substantive motion, and was as follows:

FOR: Councillors - Airey; Asman; Bearder; Bourne; Broadhurst; Buckley; Corben; Craig; Cross; Dedhia; Garton; Gomer; Groves; Holes; House; Irish; Mann; Park; Pretty and Tennent

AGAINST: Councillors – Broomfield; Campbell; Dean; Grajewski; Parker-Jones and Tidridge.

(FOR: 20; AGAINST: 6)

RESOLVED –

That Council:

(1) Set the revised net Revenue Budget requirement for 2021/22 at £9,914,000 and note the impact on the Council’s General Fund balance (para 9);

(2) Set the net Revenue Budget requirement for 2022/23 at £10,166,000 and note the impact on the Council’s General Fund balance (para 9);

(3) Noted the provisional Local Government Finance settlement for 2022/23 (para 14-17);

(4) Approved budget adjustments for 2021/22 and 2022/23 in line with the Medium Term Financial Plan (Appendices A & B);

(5) Increased the average Council Tax for Eastleigh Borough Council by 1.99% (2.81%below CPI) (para 18-22);

(6) Approved the Special Expenses for Parished and Non-Parished areas (para 23-25);

(7) Approved expenditure of £1,400,000 in 2022/23 for the Disabled Facilities Grant Programme to be funded from Government grant and housing capital receipts;

(8) Accepted the invitation from the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) Ltd to join the national scheme for the procurement of external audit services with effect from 2023/24.

(NOTE: Councillor House declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 6 of the agenda as he is a Board Member of the Public Sector Audit Appointments.)

Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Financial Officer detailing the Council Tax Resolutions for 2022/23.

Councillor Clarke had left the room during the General Fund Revenue Budget 2022/23 – he did not take part in the debate or recorded vote.

A recorded vote occurred:

FOR: Councillors - Airey; Asman; Bearder; Bourne; Broadhurst; Buckley; Corben; Craig; Cross; Dedhia; Garton; Gomer; Groves; Holes; House; Irish; Mann; Park; Pretty and Tennent.

AGAINST: Councillor Campbell

ABSTAIN: Councillors– Broomfield; Dean; Grajewski; Parker-Jones and Tidridge.

(FOR: 20; AGAINST: 1; ABSTAIN 5)

RESOLVED –

That Council approved the Council Tax Resolutions as set out in the report which brings together the Borough’s Council Tax Requirement, including special expenses and that of the other major preceptors (Hampshire County Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue and The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire) and sets the Council Tax charges for 2022/23.

(NOTE: Councillor Parker Jones declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 7 as she was a member of Bishopstoke Parish Council.)

Consideration was given to the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategy recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 17 February 2022.

RESOLVED –

That the following be approved:

(1) the Capital Strategy at Appendix 1;

(2) the Treasury Management Strategy at Appendix 2;

(3) the Investment Strategy at Appendix 3;

(4) the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement at Appendix 2A;

(5) the Prudential Indicators at appendix 2B.

RESOLVED -

That Council approved the revised Corporate Action Plan for 2022/23.

RESOLVED -

That Council approved the appointment of Chief Executive, James Strachan, as recommended from the Appointments Panel.

RESOLVED -

That Council approved the appointment of Councillor Bhavin Dedhia, Eastleigh Central, to the Eastleigh Local Area Committee following the by-election on 10 February 2022.

Councillor Alan Broadhurst moved the following Motion, which was seconded by Councillor Alex Bourne:

(1)  That Council expressed its support forthe '20's Plenty for Hampshire' campaign;

(2)  Called on Hampshire County Council to implement the 20mph limit throughout the Borough of Eastleigh; and

(3)  Requested Hampshire County Council make the 20mph Speed limit the default in the County in streets where people live, work, shop, play or learn; leaving a 30mph limit as an exception on roads where consideration of the needs of vulnerable road users demands a higher limit.

Councillor Airey proposed an amendment to the Motion, as follows:

(1) Expresses its support for the 20s Plenty for Hampshire campaign.

(2) Calls on Hampshire County Council to implement the 20mph limit throughout the Borough of Eastleigh.

(3) Requests Hampshire County Council to make 20mph speed limit the default in the County where people live, work, shop or learn, however leaving a 30mph limit on roads where the local road geography and use requires a higher limit to aid road safety and support environmental considerations.

RESOLVED –

That the motion, as amended by Councillor Airey, be approved.

(NOTE:Councillor Parker-Jones declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 12 of the agenda as she is a member of the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee for Hampshire County Council.

Councillor Groves declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 12 of the agenda as he is a member of the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee for Hampshire County Council.)

RESOLVED -

That the Cabinet Statements, as set out in the agenda pack, be noted.

There were Members’ questions as set out in the Agenda, and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader and Cabinet Members.

The meetings of Chandler’s Ford Local Area Committee on 10 November 2021 and 12 January 2022 were omitted from the list in error.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the following meetings, including the meetings of Chandler’s Ford Local Area Committee on 10 November 2021 and 12 January 2022,  be received: