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Eastleigh Borough Council
Councillors: 38
Wards: 14
Committees: 17
Meetings (2025): 77
Meetings (2024): 87
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Meeting

Council - Eastleigh

Agenda
Published
Minutes
Published
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 26th February 2024
7:00 PM
End:
Monday, 26th February 2024
11:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Monday, 26th February 2024
12:00 AM
Finished:
Monday, 26th February 2024
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed; Budget
Date:
26 Feb 2024
Location:
The Point, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Janice Asman photo
Member
Mayor of Eastleigh
Councillor Janice Asman

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Wayne Irish photo
Member
Councillor Wayne Irish

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Rupert Kyrle photo
Member
Cabinet Member for the Environment
Councillor Rupert Kyrle

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Darshan Mann photo
Member
Councillor Darshan Mann

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Louise Parker-Jones photo
Member
Leader of the Independent Group
Councillor Louise Parker-Jones

Independent

Apologies

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Councillor David Pragnell photo
Member
Councillor David Pragnell

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Rosemary Reynolds photo
Member
Councillor Rosemary Reynolds

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Councillor Bruce Tennent photo
Member
Councillor Bruce Tennent

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Gin Tidridge photo
Member
Councillor Gin Tidridge

Independent

Present, as expected

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Councillor Derek Pretty photo
Member
Councillor Derek Pretty

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor James Duguid photo
Member
Cabinet Member for Transport and Economy
Councillor James Duguid

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Richard Gomer photo
Member
Deputy Mayor of Eastleigh
Councillor Richard Gomer

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Steven Broomfield photo
Member
Councillor Steven Broomfield

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Karen Caws photo
Member
Councillor Karen Caws

Independent

Apologies

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Councillor Tonia Craig photo
Member
Cabinet Member for Health and Social Policy
Councillor Tonia Craig

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Malcolm Cross photo
Member
Councillor Malcolm Cross

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Leigh Hadaway photo
Member
Councillor Leigh Hadaway

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Alison Holland photo
Member
Councillor Alison Holland

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Maud Attrill photo
Member
Councillor Maud Attrill

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Paul Bicknell photo
Member
Cabinet Member for Regeneration (north) and Social Policy
Councillor Paul Bicknell

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Councillor Jane O'Sullivan photo
Member
Councillor Jane O'Sullivan

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Secretary
Laura Johnston

Senior Specialist (Democratic Services)

Expected

Councillor Barry Du-Crow photo
Member
Councillor Barry Du-Crow

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Cynthia Garton photo
Member
Councillor Cynthia Garton

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Alan Broadhurst photo
Member
Councillor Alan Broadhurst

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Ian Corben photo
Member
Deputy Leader; Cabinet Member for Regeneration (south)
Councillor Ian Corben

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Michelle Marsh photo
Member
Councillor Michelle Marsh

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Tanya Park photo
Member
Councillor Tanya Park

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Cameron Spencer photo
Member
Councillor Cameron Spencer

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Officer
Chief Executive
James Strachan

Expected

Officer
Health and Communities Partnership Manager
Andrew Saunders

Eastleigh Borogh Council

Expected

Officer
Anna Jaggers

Expected

Officer
Dee O'Rourke

Expected

Councillor Steve Holes photo
Member
Councillor Steve Holes

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Dave Kinloch photo
Member
Councillor Dave Kinloch

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Steve Beer photo
Member
Councillor Steve Beer

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Alex Bourne photo
Member
Councillor Alex Bourne

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor George Baker photo
Member
Councillor George Baker

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Councillor Keith House photo
Member
Leader of the Council; Cabinet Member for Planning and Property
Councillor Keith House

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Nicholas Couldrey photo
Vice-Chair
Councillor Nicholas Couldrey

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Agenda
0 CHANDLER'S FORD AND HILTINGBURY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE
17 January 2024
0 EASTLEIGH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE
23 January 2024
0 BISHOPSTOKE, FAIR OAK AND HORTON HEATH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE
29 November 2023

31 January 2024
0 CABINET
7 December 2023

21 December 2023

22 January 2024

22 February 2024
0 AUDIT AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
5 December 2023

21 December 2023

16 January 2024

20 February 2024
0 HEDGE END, WEST END AND BOTLEY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE
20 November 2023

29 January 2024

5 February 2024
0 ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
21 November 2023
0 BURSLEDON, HAMBLE-LE-RICE AND HOUND LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE
30 November 2023

25 January 2024
0 PART 1 - DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN
0 EXEMPT ITEM
0 PART 2 - STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS
0 PART 3 - RESOLVED ITEMS
0 POLICY AND PERFORMANCE SCRUTINY PANEL
11 January 2024

15 February 2024
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
You can submit questions in advance of the meeting to the following email address: democratic.services@eastleigh.gov.uk. The deadline for submissions is 12pm on Friday 23 February 2024.

Please let us know if you wish to attend the meeting. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.
Minutes There was no public participation on this occasion.
3 MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Minutes The Mayor advised the Council of the sad passing of Zoe Walne, Senior Communications Officer for the One Horton Heath Team.  The Mayor paid tribute to Zoe and a moment’s reflection was observed.

The Mayor then gave an overview of recent Council highlights:

He was delighted to hear that two Borough residents had been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honour’s list. Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire Medal for services to consumer protection, and Jean Roberts-Jones was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community during the pandemic. We are very proud of them and their achievements.

The Mayor recently sent the Borough’s best wishes for a speedy recovery to His Majesty the King, following his cancer diagnosis.

Since the last Council meeting in November the Mayor and Mayoress had enjoyed attending engagements around the Borough. There were lots of Christmas events which included a celebration at the Eastleigh Community Garden and Christmas Eve Carols at Eastleigh Baptist Church. Recent events had included Chinese New Year celebrations and the Indo Pak Food Festival.

There was lots to look forward to in the last few months of their Mayoral year including the Asian Welfare and Cultural Association (AWCA) Community Lunch on 4 April, Hiltingbury Dog Show on 7 April, Fryern Funtasia and May Day Fayre at Itchen Valley Country Park on 6 May; and a Quiz and Curry Night at The Concorde Club on 7 May in aid of the Mayor’s charity appeal which will raise money for Eastleigh Citizens Advice. The Mayor hoped that Councillors would be able to join him to support this local charity who were doing excellent work to help the Borough’s residents.
4 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors are invited to declare interests in relation to items of business on the agenda.  Any interests declared will be recorded in the Minutes.
Minutes Councillor Tidridge declared a personal interest in agenda item 11, Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategy, by nature of her employment.
5 MINUTES
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 November 2023.
Attachments:
Minutes RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2023 be agreed as a correct record.
6 LEADER'S REPORT
Minutes There was no Leader’s report on this occasion.
7 GENERAL FUND REVENUE BUDGET 2023/24 - 2024/25 AND MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2023/24 - 2028/29
(A)A Procedure Note is attached and was emailed to Councillors in advance of the meeting

(B) Recommendations from Committees (to follow)
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to the recommendations contained in the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 22 February 2024 concerning the 2023/24 – 2024/25 General Fund Revenue Budget and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2023/24 to 2028/29.

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

Councillor Tidridge, speaking on behalf of the Independent Group, did not put forward any enhancements or amendments and was pleased to see that the budget was consistent with the Best Value Notice. She hoped that the need to make savings did not have negative impact on residents.

A recorded vote occurred:

FOR: Councillors Asman, Attrill, Beer, Bourne, Broadhurst, Corben, Couldrey, Craig, Cross, Dedhia, Du-Crow, Duguid, Garton, Gomer, Hadaway, Holes, Holland, House, Irish, Jarvis, Kinloch, Kyrle, Marsh,

O’Sullivan, Park, Pragnell, Pretty, Spencer, Tennent, Tidridge and Welsh

ABSTAIN: Councillor Broomfield

(FOR: 31; ABSTAIN: 1)

RESOLVED –

That Council:

(1)  set the revised Net Revenue Budget Requirement for 2023/24 at £12,157,000 and notes the impact on the Council’s General Fund balance (para 16);

(2)  set the Net Revenue Budget Requirement for 2024/25 at £13,235,000 and notes the impact on the Council’s General Fund balance (para 16);

(3)  noted the Local Government Finance settlement for 2024/25 (para 56);

(4)  approved budget adjustments for 2023/24 and 2024/25 incorporated within the appended Medium-Term Financial Plan (Appendix A & para 19-42);

(5)  approved the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2023/24 – 2028/29 (Appendix A)

(6)  approved an increase of £5 for 2024/25 for the average Council Tax for Eastleigh Borough Council (para 58);

(7)  approved the Special Expenses for Parished areas (para 62-63);

(8)  noted the revised Service Improvement and Efficiencies requirement in 2023/24 and 2024/25 (para 52-55);

(9)  approved the amendment to Fees and Charges for Section 52/106 compliance checks and agreements (para 78);

(10)  approved the transfer to/from Earmarked Reserves and the temporary freeze of any further discretionary transfers to service reserves (para 50);

(11)  approved that where an underspend arises at 31 March and the Chief Financial Officer deems that the funding will not be required for future years, the relevant budget is removed from the following year as a saving. (para 23); and

(12)  approved the continuation of the policy to not purchase any further Investment Properties (as defined by the CIPFA Code and PWLB Guidance). (para 12)
8 COUNCIL TAX RESOLUTIONS 2024/25
To consider the report of the Chief Financial Officer regarding the Council Tax Resolutions 2024/25.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Financial Officer detailing the Council Tax Resolutions for 2024/25.

A recorded vote occurred:

FOR: Councillors Asman, Attrill, Beer, Bourne, Broadhurst, Corben, Couldrey, Craig, Cross, Dedhia, Du-Crow, Duguid, Garton, Gomer, Hadaway, Holes, Holland, House, Irish, Jarvis, Kinloch, Kyrle, Marsh,

O’Sullivan, Park, Pragnell, Pretty, Spencer, Tennent, Tidridge and Welsh

ABSTAIN: Councillor Broomfield

(FOR: 31; ABSTAIN: 1)

RESOLVED –

That Council:

(1)  approved the Council Tax Resolutions as set out within the report. This 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 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner) and sets the Council Tax charges for 2024/25; and

(2)  gave delegated authority to the Chief Financial Officer (Section 151 Officer) to implement any variation to the overall level of Council Tax arising from the final notification of any Parish, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority precepts received after the publication date of this report.
9 CAPITAL, TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
To consider the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategy report.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Financial Officer detailing the Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategies.

RESOLVED –

That Council 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 Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy at Appendix 1D;

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

(6)  the Prudential Indicators at appendix 2B;

(7)  the Treasury Management Policy Statement at Appendix 2C; and

(8)  the Treasury Management Practices (TMP’s) and Investment Management Practices (IMP’s) at Appendix 2D.
10 EXEMPT BUSINESS
To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 in respect of the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it is/they are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Schedule 12A categories have been amended and are now subject to the public interest test, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  This came into effect on 1 March 2006.

It is considered that the following items are exempt from disclosure and that the public interest in not disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Minutes Councillors indicated that they did not wish to discuss the confidential appendices so it was not necessary to move into exempt session.
11 CAPITAL, TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY EXEMPT APPENDICES (1C and 3A)
To consider the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategy exempt appendices if required.
Attachments:
12 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE AUDIT AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to the report of the Democratic Services Manager regarding the appointment of Independent Co-Opted members to the Audit and Resources Committee.

The Leader proposed that to allow for continuity that the terms for the Independent Members were amended to be four years and two years.

RESOLVED –

That Council approved :

(1)  the appointment of Mark Pellegrini as an Independent Co-Opted Member to the Audit and Resources Committee for a two-year term; and

(2)  the appointment of Martyn Royle as an Independent Co-Opted Member to the Audit and Resources Committee for a four-year term.

[NOTE: The Chair of the Audit and Resources placed on record his thanks to the Chief Financial Officer, the Democratic Services Manager and Councillor Tidridge, who had formed the interview panel with him.]
13 APPROVAL OF SUSPENSION OF COUNCILLOR ATTENDANCE RULES
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report by the Monitoring Officer detailing a request for a suspension of Councillor attendance rules.

RESOLVED -

That Council approved a suspension pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, of the six-month Councillor attendance rule for Councillor Mann.

[NOTE: Councillors placed on record their best wishes to Councillor Mann.]
14 HONORARY ALDERMAN - MR WOOD
Council is asked to approve the appointment of Mr Wood as an Honorary Alderman.  Mr Wood served as a Councillor from 1964 to 1982 and previously missed out because part of his term of office was before the council re-organisation.  The appointment is supported by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Leader and Leader of the Opposition.
Minutes In 2014 it was agreed to recognise the public service of former members of the Council who have retired from office by introducing the title of Honorary Alderman.?The title is awarded to former members who served for twelve years or more since 1974/1975 and who are not actively seeking re-election. Past Mayor, Roger Wood served as a Councillor from 1964 to 1982. As his years of service started before the local government re-organisation in 1974 he has not received an Alderman award.

RESOLVED –

That Council approved that Roger Wood be conferred as an Honorary Alderman with the award to be presented at Mayor Making on 20 May.
15 MOTION - FAIR AND FAST COMPENSATION FOR WOMEN AGAINST STATE PENSION INEQUALITY (WASPI)
Attachments:
Minutes Councillor Jarvis, seconded by Councillor Marsh, moved the following motion:

Council noted that:

1.  In the 1995 Pensions Act, the Government increased State Pension age for women from 60 to 65, with a further increase to 66 in the 2011 Pensions Act;

2.  the change was not properly communicated to 3.8m women born in the 1950s until 2012, giving some only one year’s notice of a six year increase in their anticipated retirement age;

3.  there are 6310 1950s-born WASPI women in Eastleigh;

4.  the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found that the Department for Work and Pensions was guilty of maladministration in its handling of the State Pension Age increase for women born in the 1950s;

5.  the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women has concluded that “the impact of DWP maladministration on 1950s-born women has been as devastating as it is widespread.  The APPG believes that the case for category 6 injustice is overwhelming and clear.  Women have had their emotional, physical, and mental circumstances totally obliterated by a lack of reasonable notice”;

6.  research commissioned by campaign group WASPI has found that by the end of 2022, more than 220,000 1950s born women will have died waiting for justice since the WASPI campaign began in 2015;

7.  WASPI’s figures show that over the course of the two year COVID pandemic, 1 in 10 women who died were affected by these uncommunicated changes and lost both their state pension income and the opportunity to make alternative retirement plans; and that

8.  despite the Ombudsman’s findings and the rapid death rate of those affected, the government is choosing to wait for further reports before taking any action.

Council supported:

1.  The conclusion of the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality that women born in the 1950s have suffered a gross injustice, affecting their emotional, physical and mental circumstances in addition to causing financial hardship;

2.  a swift resolution to this ongoing injustice before more and more women die waiting for compensation;

3.  proper compensation in line with the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations.

Council resolved:

1.  To ask the Leader of the Council to write to local Members of Parliament, and to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to outline the effects of the injustice to 1950s women on the community in Eastleigh and to seek their support for fair and fast compensation for WASPI women.

*figures provided by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign

RESOLVED –

That the motion be approved.
16 COUNCILLORS' QUESTIONS
To deal with questions from Councillors to the Leader and Cabinet Councillors on Cabinet decisions, performance and strategy.
Attachments:
Minutes There were Councillors’ questions as set out in the Agenda, and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader.
17 RESOLVED ITEMS - FOR NOTING AND QUESTIONS ONLY
Minutes RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the following meetings be received:

CABINET

7 December 2023

21 December 2023

22 January 2024

22 February 2024

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

21 November 2023

AUDIT AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

5 December 2023

21 December 2023

16 January 2024

20 February 2024

POLICY AND PERFORMANCE SCRUTINY PANEL

11 January 2024

15 February 2024

BISHOPSTOKE, FAIR OAK AND HORTON HEATH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

29 November 2023

31 January 2024

BURSLEDON, HAMBLE-LE-RICE AND HOUND LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

30 November 2023

25 January 2024

CHANDLER’S FORD AND HILTINGBURY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

17 January 2024

EASTLEIGH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

23 January 2024

HEDGE END, WEST END AND BOTLEY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

20 November 2023

29 January 2024

5 February 2024
Previous Meetings
Meeting

19th May 2025

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Meeting

27th Feb 2025

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Meeting

18th Nov 2024

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Meeting

15th Jul 2024

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Meeting

20th May 2024

Council

Meeting

26th Feb 2024

Council

Meeting

27th Nov 2023

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Meeting

20th Jul 2023 Cancelled

Council

Meeting

22nd May 2023

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Meeting

27th Feb 2023

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Future Meetings
Meeting

21st Jul 2025

Council

Meeting

17th Nov 2025

Council

Meeting

23rd Feb 2026

Council

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