Eastleigh Borough Council Council Meeting

There was no public participation on this occasion.

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

The Mayor was sad to learn of the passing of Angela Roling and Dennis Tranah. Angela was a councillor for Bishopstoke from 2002-2018 and for Eastleigh West before that from 1998. She became an Honorary Alderman in 2018.  Dennis was Town Clerk for Eastleigh Urban District Council and the first Chief Executive of Eastleigh Borough Council. He became a Freeman of the Borough in 1986. The Mayor sent the Council’s condolences to their families and friends.

Since the last Council meeting, the Mayor had attended many community events. Some of the highlights were the launch of a defibrillator at the Cranbury Centre in Eastleigh, a Christmas event at the Eastleigh Community Garden and a Charity Football match in aid of The Firefighters Charity and CALM.

The Mayor also attended events to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Basque Refugees and an exhibition at Chandler’s Ford Library. On the subject of people fleeing war, last Friday the Council marked the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and underlined its commitment to supporting the Ukrainian and other refugees in the community.

The Mayor enjoyed attending celebrations for the Pongal Festival, events for the Chinese New Year and Indo Pak Food Festival at Pavilion on the Park which raised money for Southampton Children’s Hospital and for people affected by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The Mayor was looking forward to attending events to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles the Third. Details for applying for street parties could be found on the Eastleigh Borough Council website, and the Council are organising a community lunch with the Asian Welfare and Cultural Association in Leigh Road Precinct on Sunday 7 May.

One of the themes of the Coronation weekend is volunteering and The Mayor was delighted to see that the exceptional work of two of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Organisers in the Borough had been recognised recently. Rose Timms from the Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and District Branch won the Hampshire County Poppy Appeal Organiser Cup and Councillor Jane Welsh took part in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for her 50 years as a Poppy Appeal Organiser.

The Mayor and the Council was very proud of them and the work they do every year for the Poppy Appeal.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

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

Consideration was given to the recommendations contained in the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 23 February 2023 concerning the 2022/23 – 2023/24 Budget.

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

The Leader of the Independent Group expressed their disappointment in the budget but did not propose any amendments to the budget.

Councillor Broomfield stated he did not support this budget.

A recorded vote occurred:

FOR: Councillors - Asman; Attrill; Bearder; Beer; Broadhurst; Buckley; Corben; Couldrey; Craig; Dedhia; Duguid; Garton; Groves; Hadaway; Holes; House; Irish; Jarvis; Kinloch; Kyrle; Manning; Marsh; Park; Pretty; Spencer; Tennent; and Welsh.

AGAINST: Councillors – Broomfield; Parker-Jones; Tidridge; and Tyson-Payne.

(FOR: 27; AGAINST: 4;)

RESOLVED –

That Council:

(1)  Set the revised net Revenue Budget requirement for 2022/23 at £11,100,000 and note the impact on the Council’s General Fund balance (para 12);

(2)  Set the net Revenue Budget requirement for 2023/24 at £12,156,000 and note the impact on the Council’s General Fund balance (para 12);

(3)  Noted the provisional Local Government Finance settlement for 2023/24 (para 45);

(4)  Approved budget adjustments for 2022/23 and 2023/24 in line with the Medium Term Financial Plan (Appendix A & para 15-33);

(5)  Approved the increase of £5 for 2023/24 for the average Council Tax for Eastleigh Borough Council (para 46-49);

(6)  Approved the Special Expenses for Parished areas (para 50- 52);

(7)  Approved the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2022/23 – 2027/28 (Appendix A);

(8)  Noted the successful achievement of Corporate Continuous Improvement requirement in 2022/23 and 2023/24 (para 40-44); and

(9)  Approved an additional Fee and Charge for S106 upfront contribution monitoring (para 73).

(NOTE: It was noted that there was a typo in para 59 of the Budget report - the table should reflect the figures in £000s. Councillor Tyson-Payne arrived at 7:26pm.)

Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Financial Officer detailing the Council Tax Resolutions for 2023/24.

A recorded vote occurred:

FOR: Councillors - Asman; Attrill; Bearder; Beer; Broadhurst; Buckley; Corben; Couldrey; Craig; Dedhia; Duguid; Garton; Groves; Hadaway; Holes; House; Irish; Jarvis; Kinloch; Kyrle; Manning; Marsh; Park; Pretty; Spencer; Tennent; and Welsh.

AGAINST: Councillors – Broomfield; Parker-Jones; Tidridge; and Tyson-Payne.

(FOR: 27; AGAINST: 4;)

RESOLVED –

That Council:

1. Approved the Council Tax Resolutions as set out within 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 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner) and set the Council Tax charges for 2023/24.
2. Gave delegated authority to the 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, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police & Crime Commissioner and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority precepts received after the publication date of this report.

RESOLVED –

That Council:

(1)  Approved the Capital Strategy at Appendix 1;

(2)  Approved the Treasury Management Strategy at Appendix 2;

(3)  Approved the Investment Strategy at Appendix 3;

(4)  Approved the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy at Appendix 1C;

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

(6)  Approved the Prudential Indicators at appendix 2B;

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

(8)  Approved the Treasury Management Practices (TMP’s) and Investment Management Practices (IMP’s) at Appendix 2D.

RESOLVED -

That Council approved and adopted the new Corporate Action Plan for 2023 - 2026.

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive detailing the Citizen of Honour Nominations.

RESOLVED:

That Council confirms the nominations of the following Citizens of Honour agreed by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Liberal Democrat Group, and Independent Group Leaders:

  i.  Val Down;

  ii.  Mohammed Mossadaq; and

  iii.  Steve Smith.

RESOLVED -

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

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the following meetings be received: 

CABINET

8 December 2022

23 January 2023

23 February 2023

AUDIT AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

17 January 2023

21 February 2023

POLICY AND PERFORMANCE SCRUTINY PANEL

12 January 2023

9 February 2023

BISHOPSTOKE, FAIR OAK AND HORTON HEATH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

1 February 2023

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

1 December 2022

26 January 2023

EASTLEIGH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

24 January 2023

HEDGE END, WEST END AND BOTLEY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE

30 January 2023