Meeting

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 29 May 2025.

At the request of the Chairman a presentation from Service Dogs UK.

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.

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.

To receive any questions from members of the public submitted in line with 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, 25 July 2025.

To receive any questions from Members submitted in line with 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 28 July 2025.

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Thursday 31 July 2025.

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

16 April 2025

10-12

Overview and Scrutiny

13 May 2025

13-16

Development Management

21 May 2025

17-21

Cabinet

5 June 2025

22-25

Overview and Scrutiny

10 June 2025

26-36

Development Management

18 June 2025

31-35

Standards Committee

24 June 2025

36-38

See Minute 6. Code of Practice on Good Governance for Local Authority Statutory Officers

Recommendation:

Standards Committee recommends to Council the Code of Practice on Good Governance for Local Authority Statutory Officers (Code of Practice on Good Governance for Local Authority Statutory Officers be adopted and that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Constitution to incorporate the Code into the Council’s Constitution and the respective Officers job descriptions.

Item 6 Code of Good Practice on Good Governance for Local Authority Statutory Officers

Overview and Scrutiny

8 July 2025

39-42

Cabinet

10 July 2025

43- 50

Development Management Committee

16 July 2025

51-54

To receive any feedback from Members who are representatives of the Council on an Outside Body.

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Smith and seconded by Councillor Butler.

“This Council wishes to alleviate the cost and administrative burdens placed on volunteer drivers and organisations in Hart involved in the transportation of passengers for health-related appointments who would otherwise be unable to attend those appointments by providing free parking in Hart-owned car parks for those appointments using the existing Hampshire Hospital Parking Permit scheme (yellow parking permit scheme) administered under the auspices of Hampshire County Council.”

Purpose:

In accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy and the Council’s best value obligations, to report the outcome of the senior management restructure and to confirm that a mutually beneficial Special Severance Payment (SSP) agreement has been reached with a former Executive Director who voluntarily left the organisation as part of the Council’s strategic measures to address the 2026/27 budget gap.

Background:

As part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to achieve financial sustainability and to help close the projected budget gap for the 2026/27 financial year, a number of structural and staffing changes have been implemented. These changes include a voluntary departure by an Executive Director, which has been formalised through a mutually beneficial SSP.

Key Points:

• The Council, while preparing the 2025/26 budget, acknowledged that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) anticipated a £1.4 million budget gap for 2026/27. To address this projected gap, the Council planned to implement efficiency savings through a restructuring of the Senior Leadership Team and a realignment of service delivery. These measures were expected to play a key role in bridging the budget gap.

• The Executive Director’s departure was voluntary and is being reported to Council in accordance with the Council's Pay Policy and best value obligations.

• The SSP was reached to ensure a smooth transition

• The terms of the SSP are consistent with the Council’s policies and legal obligations, and was drafted and managed by external solicitors on behalf of the Council to ensure legal compliance. The employee also had the SSP scrutinised by their own solicitor.

• The financial implications of the SSP are positive and will be accounted for within the current year’s budget as reflected in an adjusted Medium Terms Financial Strategy (MTFS). It will make a significant contribution towards the overall savings target for 2026/27 and for the revenue budget going forward thereafter.

Recommendation:

That the Council endorses the actions taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of Staffing Committee and the Group Leaders to

· secure Medium Term Financial Strategy identified efficiency savings through the restructure of the Senior Leadership Team;

· the use of a mutually agreed voluntary Special Severance Payment; and

· to note the positive contribution this action brings to support the Council’s broader financial strategy in accordance with agreed Medium Term Financial Strategy objectives.