Hart Borough Council
Councillors:
33
Wards:
11
Committees:
14
Meetings (2025):
60
Meetings (2024):
60
Meeting
Council - Hart
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 30th January 2025
7:00 PM
Thursday, 30th January 2025
7:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 30th January 2025
11:00 PM
Thursday, 30th January 2025
11:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
30 Jan 2025
30 Jan 2025
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Community Services
Committee Member
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder - Finance
Officer
Chief Executive
Daryl Phillips
In attendance
Officer
Committee and Member Services Manager
Sharon Black
Democratic Services
In attendance
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Parking and Community Safety
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Digital and Communications
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Regulatory
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Planning Policy and Development Management
Officer
Committee and Members Services Officer
Emma Evans1
In attendance
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Climate Change and Corporate Services
Agenda
0
.1
Council Crib
Attachments:
- Document 25 01 30 Council Crib v1 22 Jan 2025
0
Appendix 1
Attachments:
- Document Questions to Council 25 January 2025 05 Feb 2025
Minutes
1
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 28 November 2024.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 22 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of 28 November 2024 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.
2
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Cllrs Collins and Woods.
3
Declarations of Interest
To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other interests*.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.
Minutes
No declarations made.
4
Council Procedure Rule 12 - Questions by the Public
To receive any questions from members of the public submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.
Note: The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 12 must be given to the Chief Executive (email committeeservices@hart.gov.uk) no later than Noon on Friday, 24 January 2025.
Note: The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 12 must be given to the Chief Executive (email committeeservices@hart.gov.uk) no later than Noon on Friday, 24 January 2025.
Minutes
No questions received.
5
Council Procedure Rule 14 - Questions by Members
To receive any questions from Members submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 14.
Note: The text of any question under the Council Procedure Rule 14.3 must be given to the Chief Executive (email committeeservices@hart.gov.uk) not later than 5.00pm on Monday 27 January 2025.
The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Monday 27 January 2025.
Note: The text of any question under the Council Procedure Rule 14.3 must be given to the Chief Executive (email committeeservices@hart.gov.uk) not later than 5.00pm on Monday 27 January 2025.
The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Monday 27 January 2025.
Minutes
A question had been received from Councillor Hale detailed in Appendix A.
6
Chair's Announcements
Minutes
The Chairman announced his engagements and added that a casino fundraising event in aid of the Chairman’s Charity has been organised for 12 March 2025 and encouraging all to attend.
7
Cabinet Members' Announcements
Minutes
The Leader of the Council, and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Direction, and Partnerships, Councillor Neighbour said that crossing works at Cove Road including vegetation cutting and some tree work were scheduled to happen over the February half-term week. The process to change the speed limit on the road, from 50 to 40 mph is underway. The principal contractor for the civil engineering works will be selected via the Hampshire County Council Gen 5 framework with construction works likely to happen over the Easter break, pending road time being available for traffic lights. There will need to be a complete road closure at a point during the works for resurfacing so completion will be dependent on a variety of factors.' This should be ready for promotion and communications sometime in spring.
The Media has been focused on devolution and local government reorganisation recently and the government has said that they would provide information to us. As of today, Hampshire has not received any information or criteria from the government. We understand this may be delayed until next week, so I apologise that there is no more information I can give today. Once more information is available a briefing session for Members will be held along with a question-and-answer session.
The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Radley: had nothing to report.
The Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor Bailey: informed Members that Hart has provided its first 4 bed homes for local people.
Last year Cabinet approved the allocation of some of our housing capital reserves to secure some much needed larger 4 bed homes for local families on the housing register. The first of these was advertised just before Christmas - the property had 62 expressions of interest. The second property purchase is being completed this week. Our thanks go to VIVID Housing Association who have been our partner in this project - with them owning and managing the homes and us at the Council having nomination rights to the homes in perpetuity.
The Portfolio Holder for Digital and Communications, Councillor Clarke explained changes that had been made to Fixmystreet. Hart’s website links to Fixmystreet. This enables residents to report and track issues in their neighbourhood to Hart or the relevant authority. The Communications team have re-organised and improved Fixmystreet categories under Hart’s control, adding sub-categories to make things more logical and improve user experience.
Message templates have been added to ensure that residents get relevant and timely responses. And when an issue isn’t Hart’s responsibility, we provide the link to the correct authority. These changes have been live for a month now.
In the coming weeks, a layer will be added on the Map to improve functionality further. This will show individual elements that are ‘owned’ by this council in detail. For example, residents should be able to identify an individual Hart-owned tree or waste bin, making it quicker and easier to report accurately.
Councillor Forster queried the implication that Fixmystreet should be used for all reporting, including HCC reporting.
Cllr Forster declared a non-prejudicial interest as a Hampshire County councillor at this point.
Cllr Forster stated that the HCC officers have requested that Fixmystreet is not used reporting issues to HCC. Fixmystreet reports are not always received in a usable format and cannot be easily tracked, The best way to report to HCC is to use the OurHants app or to use the Hampshire website or by phone. They are also trackable, with Fixmystreet residents do not necessarily receive an update. It was requested that a note to that effect could be added to the website to clearly state there HCC issues should be reported.
Cllr Clarke agreed to pass the suggestion to officers. He advised that although Hart use Fixmystreet, we only have certain functionality that we can adjust. Discussions have taken place with HCC regarding reorganisation of some of the subcategories.
The Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Development Management, Councillor Oliver informed Members that he would make no specific announcements as although the government had made many announcements regarding planning, no detail had been provided at this stage that indicates how our planning system will need to be adjusted.
The Portfolio Holder for Regulatory, Councillor Wildsmith: had nothing to report.
The Portfolio Holder for Parking and Community Safety, Councillor Collins: No report was made in absence.
The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Corporate Services, Councillor Quarterman: updated Members about two important projects included in the Corporate Service Plan. The new finance system is a council-wide project to replace and modernise our accounting and financial management IT solution. About two thirds of staff are users so this is an important and business critical project. The project team have worked solidly for the last few months, and the project is on rack to hit the 1 April go-live date.
Working in partnership with Havant Borough Council a project to implement a replacement Payroll/HR system is progressing. This project is also on track to go live in March. These projects are the final legacy of the 5-Councils Capita contract systems, so we are continuing our path to bring our core systems back into Hart.
The implementation of weekly food waste collections that will be commencing on 1 October this year is progressing. The new vehicles required to collect the waste were ordered by Hart jointly with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC). Councillor Quarterman advised that he regularly meets BDBC and Serco and have been reassured about the implementation plans including the communications strategy and the recruitment of new operatives.
A member drop-in on waste that will be taking place before the Council meeting on 20 February and there will be a specific food waste briefing in March, date to be confirmed. Members were encouraged to attend these briefings, as they relate to significant changes to waste collection services that will affect all residents in Hart.
A Member queried what the new food waste bins would look like. They were advised that samples would be available for viewing on the 20 February drop-in session.
The Media has been focused on devolution and local government reorganisation recently and the government has said that they would provide information to us. As of today, Hampshire has not received any information or criteria from the government. We understand this may be delayed until next week, so I apologise that there is no more information I can give today. Once more information is available a briefing session for Members will be held along with a question-and-answer session.
The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Radley: had nothing to report.
The Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor Bailey: informed Members that Hart has provided its first 4 bed homes for local people.
Last year Cabinet approved the allocation of some of our housing capital reserves to secure some much needed larger 4 bed homes for local families on the housing register. The first of these was advertised just before Christmas - the property had 62 expressions of interest. The second property purchase is being completed this week. Our thanks go to VIVID Housing Association who have been our partner in this project - with them owning and managing the homes and us at the Council having nomination rights to the homes in perpetuity.
The Portfolio Holder for Digital and Communications, Councillor Clarke explained changes that had been made to Fixmystreet. Hart’s website links to Fixmystreet. This enables residents to report and track issues in their neighbourhood to Hart or the relevant authority. The Communications team have re-organised and improved Fixmystreet categories under Hart’s control, adding sub-categories to make things more logical and improve user experience.
Message templates have been added to ensure that residents get relevant and timely responses. And when an issue isn’t Hart’s responsibility, we provide the link to the correct authority. These changes have been live for a month now.
In the coming weeks, a layer will be added on the Map to improve functionality further. This will show individual elements that are ‘owned’ by this council in detail. For example, residents should be able to identify an individual Hart-owned tree or waste bin, making it quicker and easier to report accurately.
Councillor Forster queried the implication that Fixmystreet should be used for all reporting, including HCC reporting.
Cllr Forster declared a non-prejudicial interest as a Hampshire County councillor at this point.
Cllr Forster stated that the HCC officers have requested that Fixmystreet is not used reporting issues to HCC. Fixmystreet reports are not always received in a usable format and cannot be easily tracked, The best way to report to HCC is to use the OurHants app or to use the Hampshire website or by phone. They are also trackable, with Fixmystreet residents do not necessarily receive an update. It was requested that a note to that effect could be added to the website to clearly state there HCC issues should be reported.
Cllr Clarke agreed to pass the suggestion to officers. He advised that although Hart use Fixmystreet, we only have certain functionality that we can adjust. Discussions have taken place with HCC regarding reorganisation of some of the subcategories.
The Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Development Management, Councillor Oliver informed Members that he would make no specific announcements as although the government had made many announcements regarding planning, no detail had been provided at this stage that indicates how our planning system will need to be adjusted.
The Portfolio Holder for Regulatory, Councillor Wildsmith: had nothing to report.
The Portfolio Holder for Parking and Community Safety, Councillor Collins: No report was made in absence.
The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Corporate Services, Councillor Quarterman: updated Members about two important projects included in the Corporate Service Plan. The new finance system is a council-wide project to replace and modernise our accounting and financial management IT solution. About two thirds of staff are users so this is an important and business critical project. The project team have worked solidly for the last few months, and the project is on rack to hit the 1 April go-live date.
Working in partnership with Havant Borough Council a project to implement a replacement Payroll/HR system is progressing. This project is also on track to go live in March. These projects are the final legacy of the 5-Councils Capita contract systems, so we are continuing our path to bring our core systems back into Hart.
The implementation of weekly food waste collections that will be commencing on 1 October this year is progressing. The new vehicles required to collect the waste were ordered by Hart jointly with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC). Councillor Quarterman advised that he regularly meets BDBC and Serco and have been reassured about the implementation plans including the communications strategy and the recruitment of new operatives.
A member drop-in on waste that will be taking place before the Council meeting on 20 February and there will be a specific food waste briefing in March, date to be confirmed. Members were encouraged to attend these briefings, as they relate to significant changes to waste collection services that will affect all residents in Hart.
A Member queried what the new food waste bins would look like. They were advised that samples would be available for viewing on the 20 February drop-in session.
8
Chief Executive's Announcements
Minutes
The Chief Executive encouraged Members to attend the LGA/Surrey Heath training session on conflict resolution being held on 3 February.
9
Minutes of Committees
The Minutes of the following Committees, which met on the dates shown, are submitted.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.1, Members are allowed to put questions at Council without Notice in respect of any matters in the Minutes to the Leader of the Council or any Chairman of the relevant meeting at the time those Minutes are received by Council.
Meeting
Date
Page Numbers
For Decision
Development Management
20 November 2024
12-20
Cabinet
5 December 2024
21-25
Overview & Scrutiny
10 December 2024
26-30
Development Management (draft)
18 December 2024
31-38
Cabinet (draft)
2 January 2025
39-42
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.1, Members are allowed to put questions at Council without Notice in respect of any matters in the Minutes to the Leader of the Council or any Chairman of the relevant meeting at the time those Minutes are received by Council.
Meeting
Date
Page Numbers
For Decision
Development Management
20 November 2024
12-20
Cabinet
5 December 2024
21-25
Overview & Scrutiny
10 December 2024
26-30
Development Management (draft)
18 December 2024
31-38
Cabinet (draft)
2 January 2025
39-42
Attachments:
- Document Minutes , 20/11/2024 Development Management Committee 22 Jan 2025
- Document Minutes , 05/12/2024 Cabinet 22 Jan 2025
- Document Minutes , 10/12/2024 Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 Jan 2025
- Document Minutes , 18/12/2024 Development Management Committee 22 Jan 2025
- Document Minutes , 02/01/2025 Cabinet 22 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Minutes of the following Committees, which met on the dates shown, were received by Council.
Meeting
Date
Development Management
20 November 2024
Cabinet
5 December 2024
Overview & Scrutiny
10 December 2024
Development Management (draft)
18 December 2024
Cabinet (draft)
2 January 2025
Meeting
Date
Development Management
20 November 2024
Cabinet
5 December 2024
Overview & Scrutiny
10 December 2024
Development Management (draft)
18 December 2024
Cabinet (draft)
2 January 2025
10
Council Tax Base 2025/26
To document and explain the recommendation and rationale for decision.
Cabinet Recommendation to Council
That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hart District Council as its council tax base for the 2025/26 year shall be set at 43,072.16 (2024/25 - 42,690.97)
Cabinet Recommendation to Council
That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hart District Council as its council tax base for the 2025/26 year shall be set at 43,072.16 (2024/25 - 42,690.97)
Attachments:
- Document 25-26 Council Taxbase Council final 22 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Chairman explained that this item was to agree on the setting of the council tax base for 2025/26, advising that no questions had been previously raised requiring a debate.
Cllr Radley introduced the paper, explaining that this was the first stage of setting the budget.
Proposed by Cllr Radley; Seconded by Cllr Farmer.
Decision
It was agreed that in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hart District Council as its council tax base for the 2025/26 year shall be set at 43,072.16 (2024/25 - 42,690.97).
Cllr Radley introduced the paper, explaining that this was the first stage of setting the budget.
Proposed by Cllr Radley; Seconded by Cllr Farmer.
Decision
It was agreed that in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hart District Council as its council tax base for the 2025/26 year shall be set at 43,072.16 (2024/25 - 42,690.97).
11
Appointment of an Independent Person
To approve the appointment of Mr. Matt Smith as the Council's Designated Independent Person for Standards, as outlined in the Localism Act 2011, for a three-year term.
Recommendation
Council confirms the appointment of Mr. Matt Smith as the Council’s Designated Independent Person for Standards under the Localism Act 2011, for a period of three years.
Recommendation
Council confirms the appointment of Mr. Matt Smith as the Council’s Designated Independent Person for Standards under the Localism Act 2011, for a period of three years.
Attachments:
- Document Independent Persons Report Council January 2025 22 Jan 2025
Minutes
Cllr Worlock serving as the Vice Chair of the Standards Committee proposed to the Council that Mr. Matt Smith be appointed as the Council’s Designated Independent Person for Standards as outlined in the Localism Act 2011, for a three-year term.
This was seconded by Cllr Jones.
Decision
It was agreed that Mr. Matt Smith be appointed as the Council’s Designated Independent Person for Standards as outlined in the Localism Act 2011, for a three-year term
This was seconded by Cllr Jones.
Decision
It was agreed that Mr. Matt Smith be appointed as the Council’s Designated Independent Person for Standards as outlined in the Localism Act 2011, for a three-year term
12
Outside Bodies - Feedback from Members
To receive any feedback from Members who are representatives of the Council on an Outside Body.
Minutes
No feedback was given.
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