Hart Borough Council
Councillors:
33
Wards:
11
Committees:
14
Meetings (2025):
61
Meetings (2024):
60
Meeting
Cabinet - Hart
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 5th June 2025
7:00 PM
Thursday, 5th June 2025
7:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 5th June 2025
11:00 PM
Thursday, 5th June 2025
11:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
05 Jun 2025
05 Jun 2025
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Digital and Communications
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Community Safety and Regulatory Services
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Development Management
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Climate Change and Corporate Services
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Housing and Community Services
Officer
Executive Director, Corporate Services & S151 Officer
Graeme Clark
In attendance
Deputy Leader
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder - Finance
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Planning Policy
Officer
Committee and Members Services Officer
Emma Evans1
In attendance
Officer
Strategy & Development Manager
Nicola Harpham
In attendance
Officer
Community Project Officer
Tina Widdison
In attendance
Agenda
0
Outside Representatives Nominations 25-26
Attachments:
- Document Outside Representatives Nominations 25-26 06 Jun 2025
Minutes
1
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 3 April 2025 are attached for confirmation and signature as a correct record.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 28 May 2025
Minutes
The minutes of 3 April 2025 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 before the meeting as soon as they know they will be absent.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee services before the meeting as soon as they know they will be absent.
Minutes
No apologies received.
3
Declarations of Interest
To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other interests*.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services before the meeting as soon as they know they may have an interest to declare.
*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services before the meeting as soon as they know they may have an interest to declare.
Minutes
No declarations made.
4
Chair's Announcements
Minutes
No announcements.
5
Public Participation (Items on to the Agenda)
Anyone wishing to make a statement to the Committee should contact Committee Services at least two clear working days before the meeting. Further information can be found
online.
online.
Minutes
None.
6
Heathlands Court Remodelling
To consider the remodelling costs and options, and decide whether to agree to proceed
Attachments:
- Document Heathlands Court Remodelling Cabinet Paper 28 May 2025
- Document Appendix 1 Heathlands Court Flat Layout Plans 28 May 2025
- Document Appendix 2 Heathlands Court Grounds Plans 28 May 2025
- Document Appendix 3 Heathlands Court Laundry Room Plan 28 May 2025
Minutes
Members evaluated the proposed renovation of Heathlands Court, which serves as the temporary housing option for Hart District Council. The goal was to ensure the facility is well-equipped to meet future demands and address the needs of both residents and the council's temporary accommodation requirements. Members discussed the remodelling costs and various options available.
Members evaluated the proposed renovation of Heathlands Court, which serves as the temporary housing option for Hart District Council. The goal was to ensure the facility is well-equipped to meet future demands and address the needs of both residents and the council's temporary accommodation requirements. Members discussed the remodelling costs and various options available.
Members heard:
· The history of the site and the necessity for improvements to future-proof the facility.
· A summary of the questions raised, and the answers provided at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on May 13, 2025.
· The estimated project cost is £2.5 million, with an additional budget of up to £500,000, which includes project contingency, project management and environmental improvement measures.
· Change control procedures and financial safeguards will be included in the legal agreement with Vivid, and strong governance arrangements will be in place.
Members discussed:
· Whether the Vivid financial contribution was included in the estimated cost and if the Cabinet would be approached for additional funds in the future.
· The importance of having strong on-site oversight to prevent cost escalation due to unauthorised changes.
· The consideration of climate change and the phased approach to the project were welcomed.
· In terms of funding the scheme, the use of s106 funds and capital receipts as set out in the report, was supported by Cabinet.
Proposed by: Cllr Wildsmith; Seconded by: Cllr Neighbour
Unanimously agreed.
Decision
Cabinet:
· Approved the remodelling project to improve Hart District Council’s temporary accommodation provision, working with VIVID Housing at Heathlands Court, Yateley.
· Approved a total capital budget of £3m from housing capital resources.
· Approved a dedicated project liaison officer post (part-time) to provide support for the project.
· Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Services, to take all steps necessary to progress the project, including issuing any consents under the lease and entering into a funding agreement with VIVID Housing.
Members evaluated the proposed renovation of Heathlands Court, which serves as the temporary housing option for Hart District Council. The goal was to ensure the facility is well-equipped to meet future demands and address the needs of both residents and the council's temporary accommodation requirements. Members discussed the remodelling costs and various options available.
Members heard:
· The history of the site and the necessity for improvements to future-proof the facility.
· A summary of the questions raised, and the answers provided at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on May 13, 2025.
· The estimated project cost is £2.5 million, with an additional budget of up to £500,000, which includes project contingency, project management and environmental improvement measures.
· Change control procedures and financial safeguards will be included in the legal agreement with Vivid, and strong governance arrangements will be in place.
Members discussed:
· Whether the Vivid financial contribution was included in the estimated cost and if the Cabinet would be approached for additional funds in the future.
· The importance of having strong on-site oversight to prevent cost escalation due to unauthorised changes.
· The consideration of climate change and the phased approach to the project were welcomed.
· In terms of funding the scheme, the use of s106 funds and capital receipts as set out in the report, was supported by Cabinet.
Proposed by: Cllr Wildsmith; Seconded by: Cllr Neighbour
Unanimously agreed.
Decision
Cabinet:
· Approved the remodelling project to improve Hart District Council’s temporary accommodation provision, working with VIVID Housing at Heathlands Court, Yateley.
· Approved a total capital budget of £3m from housing capital resources.
· Approved a dedicated project liaison officer post (part-time) to provide support for the project.
· Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Services, to take all steps necessary to progress the project, including issuing any consents under the lease and entering into a funding agreement with VIVID Housing.
7
Council Risk Register (Half Year Review)
To ask Cabinet to review and approve the risk register, and note the comments made by Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its April meeting.
Attachments:
Minutes
Cabinet was asked to note the Council’s Risk Register. which is revised by management on a regular basis. It is reported to both the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet every 6 months to provide assurance that appropriate arrangements are in place to mitigate the risks identified.
Members considered the report and focused on the highest rated strategic risks:
Members queried:
· the red risk related to the local plan, questioning its impact on the Council.
· the financial and staffing implications of planning appeals.
· the waste risk due to the uncertainty in government funding and HCC’s future direction
· the risk of cyberattacks on Council systems.
Members were advised:
· robust cybersecurity measures were in place, including cyber insurance. The likelihood of cyberattacks remains high, and there is always the threat of a successful attack, however the Council has robust defences in place in its IT environment.
· the Council is one of the early adopters of the government's Cyber Assurance framework.
· cyber insurance is in place to mitigate the financial impact in the event of a successful cyberattack. This insurance would help cover the costs associated with business impact and data loss.
Cabinet agreed to refine the risk descriptions and improve the structure of the risk register to better reflect the risks and mitigations in place. This includes clearer risk scenarios that better reflect the risk and impact on the council’s ability to achieve its objectives, and more detailed explanations and updates on the mitigations being implemented and new scores post mitigation for clarity.
Decision
Cabinet noted the risk register report and confirmed risks are within tolerance and no remediation plan(s) are required.
Members considered the report and focused on the highest rated strategic risks:
Members queried:
· the red risk related to the local plan, questioning its impact on the Council.
· the financial and staffing implications of planning appeals.
· the waste risk due to the uncertainty in government funding and HCC’s future direction
· the risk of cyberattacks on Council systems.
Members were advised:
· robust cybersecurity measures were in place, including cyber insurance. The likelihood of cyberattacks remains high, and there is always the threat of a successful attack, however the Council has robust defences in place in its IT environment.
· the Council is one of the early adopters of the government's Cyber Assurance framework.
· cyber insurance is in place to mitigate the financial impact in the event of a successful cyberattack. This insurance would help cover the costs associated with business impact and data loss.
Cabinet agreed to refine the risk descriptions and improve the structure of the risk register to better reflect the risks and mitigations in place. This includes clearer risk scenarios that better reflect the risk and impact on the council’s ability to achieve its objectives, and more detailed explanations and updates on the mitigations being implemented and new scores post mitigation for clarity.
Decision
Cabinet noted the risk register report and confirmed risks are within tolerance and no remediation plan(s) are required.
8
Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies
To confirm membership of Representatives of the Council on Outside Bodies for the Municipal Year 2025/26
Attachments:
- Document Outside Bodies June 2025Covering Report Cabinet 28 May 2025
- Document Appendix 1: Outside Bodies Report for Cabinet June 2025 v1 28 May 2025
- Document Appendix 2: Outside Representatives Nominations 25-26 28 May 2025
Minutes
This report was to receive end of year reports from those Members who were representatives of the Council on Outside Bodies for 2024/25 and to confirm Representatives of the Council on Outside Bodies for 2025/26.
Members noted:
· The feedback received from those Councillors who were representatives for 2024/25 and thanked them for their reports
Proposed by: Cllr Neighbour; Seconded by Cllr Radley. Unanimously agreed
Decision
Cabinet confirmed the Council's representatives for external bodies as detailed in Appendix 1
Members noted:
· The feedback received from those Councillors who were representatives for 2024/25 and thanked them for their reports
Proposed by: Cllr Neighbour; Seconded by Cllr Radley. Unanimously agreed
Decision
Cabinet confirmed the Council's representatives for external bodies as detailed in Appendix 1
9
Cabinet Work Programme
To consider and amend the Cabinet Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document 25 06 05 Cabinet Work Programme V4 28 May 2025
Minutes
The Cabinet work programme was considered, and the following was noted:
· The July Cabinet was being held one week later than normal on 10 July 2025 due to the Local Government Association Annual Conference.
· The Cabinet meeting for September 2025 will now take place on 16 September not 4 September 2025 to enable Local Government Reorganisation recommendations to be considered prior to September Council.
· The July Cabinet was being held one week later than normal on 10 July 2025 due to the Local Government Association Annual Conference.
· The Cabinet meeting for September 2025 will now take place on 16 September not 4 September 2025 to enable Local Government Reorganisation recommendations to be considered prior to September Council.
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in