Hart Borough Council Council Meeting

Cllr Worlock began the meeting by holding a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor, Myra Billings.

Cllr Worlock gave a summary of her year as Chairman.  She thanked Members, officers and staff for their support during her tenure.

Cllr’s Farmer, Neighbour and Radley congratulated Cllr Worlock on her successful year.

Councillor Wildsmith was proposed as Chairman for 2023/24 by Councillor Neighbour and seconded by Councillor Butler.

Voting by a show of hands was not unanimous.  A recorded vote was undertaken.

For:  Axam; Bailey; Blewett; Butler; Clarke; Cockarill; Collins; Davies; Delaney; Engstrom; Harward; Makepeace-Browne; Neighbour; Oliver; Quarterman; Radley; Smith, Thomas, Vernon (19)

Against: Butcher, Coburn, Dorn, Farmer, Forster, Kennett, Southern (7)

Abstain: Hale, Worlock (2)

DECISION

That Councillor Wildsmith be elected Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2023/24.

Cllr Wildsmith proposed a vote of thanks for Cllr Worlock, congratulating her on her work as Chairman during 2022/23 and presenting her with her past Chairman’s badge.

Councillor Smith was proposed by Councillor Radley and seconded by

Councillor Neighbour.

.

Voting by a show of hands was not unanimous. A recorded vote was

undertaken.

For:  Axam; Bailey; Blewett; Butler; Clarke; Cockarill; Collins; Davies; Delaney; Engstrom; Hale, Harward; Kennett, Makepeace-Browne; Neighbour; Oliver; Quarterman; Radley; Smith, Thomas, Vernon, Wildsmith, Worlock (23)

Against: Dorn, Southern (2)

Abstain: Butcher, Coburn, Farmer, Forster (4)

DECISION

That Councillor Smith be elected Vice Chairman of the Council for the

municipal year 2023/24.

Cllr Radley proposed an amendment to the minutes to reflect the content of the meeting that was missing from the live feed of 27 April 2023.  Seconded by Councillor Makepeace-Browne.

The Chairman advised that the Constitution does not allow this action, but members could decide to.

.

Voting by a show of hands was not unanimous. A recorded vote was

undertaken.

For:  Axam; Blewett; Butler; Clarke; Cockarill; Collins; Davies; Delaney; Dorn, Engstrom; Kennett, Makepeace-Browne; Oliver; Quarterman; Radley (15)

Against: Butcher, Coburn, Farmer, Forster, Hale (5)

Abstain: Bailey, Harward, Neighbour, Smith, Southern, Thomas, Vernon, Wildsmith, Worlock (9)

DECISION

The proposal to amend the minutes to reflect the content of the meeting of 27 April 2023 that was missing from the live feed was agreed.

The Minutes of the meeting of 27 April 2023 were then confirmed and signed as a

correct record.

Apologies were received from Councillors Crampton, Crisp, Woods and Wright.

No declarations made.

The Chairman welcomed all members to the municipal year.  He confirmed that he would provide further information on his plans for his year as Chairman at the next Council meeting. 

A question has been received regarding the use of barbed wire at Fleet Pond.  The Chairman asked the Leader of the Council to provide a written response to all members within 7 days.

CHIEF EXECUTIVES’ ANNOUNCEMENTS

None.

CONSENT FOR CONTINUATION OF TERM FOR THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

Consent was sought for the continuation of Councillor David Neighbour as Leader of the Council for a further three-year term (see article 2, Paragraph 2.6 of the Constitution).

Cllr Radley proposed. Cllr Quarterman seconded.

 Voting by a show of hands was not unanimous.  A recorded vote was undertaken.

For:  Axam; Bailey; Blewett; Butler; Clarke; Cockarill; Collins; Davies; Delaney; Engstrom; Hale, Harward; Kennett, Makepeace-Browne; Neighbour; Oliver; Quarterman; Radley; Smith, Thomas, Vernon, Wildsmith (22)

Against: Dorn, Farmer, Forster, Southern (4)

Abstain: Butcher, Coburn, Worlock (3)

DECISION

That Councillor neighbour will continue as Leader of the Council for a further tree-year term in accordance with article 2, Paragraph 2.6 of the Constitution 

MEMBERSHIP OF CABINET

The Leader confirmed membership of Cabinet and their Portfolios:

Councillor Neighbour          Leader - Strategic Direction and Partnerships

Councillor Radley                Deputy Leader - Finance

Councillor Oliver                   Community Safety and Development Management

Councillor Cockarill             Planning Policy and Place

Councillor Collins                 Regulatory

Councillor Clarke                 Digital and Communications

Councillor Bailey                  Community

Councillor Quarterman        Climate Change and Corporate Services

The Chairman asked for nominations for the unallocated place on the Audit Committee.

Councillor Radley proposed Councillor Thomas. Cllr Collins seconded.

Voting by a show of hands was unanimous. Councillor Thomas was confirmed as a member of the Audit Committee.

The nominations for Membership for each Committee, with regards to the rules of political proportionality, were confirmed:

DECISION:

That the membership of the Committees be agreed as above.

Members of the Committees established under Minute No 8 above elected their Chairmen for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

DECISION

That the Committee Chairmen be agreed:

Committee                           Chairman

Audit                                       Axam

Licensing                               Smith*

Planning                                Quarterman

Overview & Scrutiny            Dorn

Staffing                                  Makepeace-Browne

*Council consented to waive Standing Order 28.8 to agree the election of

Councillor Smith as Chairman of Licensing Committee.

The Chairman of the 2022/23 Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor

Dorn, presented the Committee’s Annual Report and thanked Committee members for their work.

Members noted the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee over the last year.