Hart Borough Council
Councillors:
32
Wards:
11
Committees:
14
Meetings (2025):
65
Meetings (2024):
60
Meeting
Cabinet - Hart
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 7th August 2025
7:00 PM
Thursday, 7th August 2025
7:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 7th August 2025
11:00 PM
Thursday, 7th August 2025
11:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
07 Aug 2025
07 Aug 2025
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Deputy Leader
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder - Finance
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Digital and Communications
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Community Safety and Regulatory Services
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
Officer
Committee and Member Services Manager
Sharon Black
Democratic Services
In attendance
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Development Management
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder - Planning Policy
Officer
Finance Manager
Joanne Rayne
In attendance
Agenda
1
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 10 July 2025 are attached for confirmation and signature as a correct record.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 30 Jul 2025
Minutes
The minutes of 10 July 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.
Proposed by: Cllr Neighbour; Seconded by: Cllr Quarterman. Unanimous
Proposed by: Cllr Neighbour; Seconded by: Cllr Quarterman. Unanimous
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 had been 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 were made.
4
Chair's Announcements
Minutes
The Chair had no announcements.
5
Public Participation (Items on 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
There was none.
6
2025/26 Q1 Budget Monitoring Report and Forecast
Cabinet is requested to note the 2025/26 Q1 budget monitoring report and forecast, including Treasury activity, and agree the recommendations contained within the report.
Recommendations
Cabinet is recommended to agree:
i. £20k be moved from the Bramshot Farm SANG Earmarked Reserve for urgent tree risk work, and £20k to be moved from Odiham Common Reserve for improvement works at Odiham Common
Additional £25k to fund Frogmore outdoor pitch floodlight electrical works be funded from the Landlord Property Costs reserve. £150k to be transferred to a new Elections Earmarked Reserve to fund future election expenses. Senior Leadership one-off re-structure costs to be funded from current year staffing budget forecast underspend.
Recommendations
Cabinet is recommended to agree:
i. £20k be moved from the Bramshot Farm SANG Earmarked Reserve for urgent tree risk work, and £20k to be moved from Odiham Common Reserve for improvement works at Odiham Common
Additional £25k to fund Frogmore outdoor pitch floodlight electrical works be funded from the Landlord Property Costs reserve. £150k to be transferred to a new Elections Earmarked Reserve to fund future election expenses. Senior Leadership one-off re-structure costs to be funded from current year staffing budget forecast underspend.
Attachments:
- Document 25_26 Q1 Outturn Report Cabinet 30 Jul 2025
- Document Outturn Q1 Revenue Tables - Appendix 1 (2) 30 Jul 2025
- Document Outturn Q1 - Capital Tables- Appendix 2 (2) 30 Jul 2025
Minutes
Cabinet was requested to note the 2025/26 Q1 budget monitoring report and forecast, including Treasury activity, and agree the recommendations contained within the report.
Members heard:
· There was already a forecast £1.2m surplus against a £13.7m budget
· Capital expenditure was forecast to be on target
· There were a new set of pressures and savings as this was Q1 for the new financial year 2025/26
· An explanation as to why there was a surplus in the Retained Business Rates line, and that this was a one-off surplus
· An explanation of the requests for the funding transfers for the work at Frogmore Leisure Centre and Odiham Common
Members questioned:
· Why the cost of the work at Frogmore had increased so significantly
· How many years the surplus for the Retained Business Rates had accumulated over
· Whether it was likely that we would receive more than the bottom line accounted for from the Government for Retained Business Rates this year
· Whether the Finance team were confident that the figure in the MTFS for the Retained Business Rates was as accurate as possible
· Whether the interest amounts shown in the presentation were annual or the cumulative between the investment and maturity dates
(Cllr Radley left the meeting at 7:09 and returned at 7:13 during this discussion)
Members also noted that the capital expenditure figures were now shown over three years, so that it was easier to track progression.
Proposed by: Cllr Radley; Seconded by: Cllr Neighbour. Unanimous
Decision
Cabinet agreed:
i. £20k be moved from the Bramshot Farm SANG Earmarked Reserve for urgent tree risk work, and £20k to be moved from Odiham Common Reserve for improvement works at Odiham Common
ii. An additional £25k be released to fund Frogmore outdoor pitch floodlight electrical works be funded from the Landlord Property Costs reserve.
iii. £150k be transferred to a new Elections Earmarked Reserve to fund future election expenses.
iv. Senior Leadership one-off re-structure costs would be funded from the current year staffing budget forecast underspend.
Members heard:
· There was already a forecast £1.2m surplus against a £13.7m budget
· Capital expenditure was forecast to be on target
· There were a new set of pressures and savings as this was Q1 for the new financial year 2025/26
· An explanation as to why there was a surplus in the Retained Business Rates line, and that this was a one-off surplus
· An explanation of the requests for the funding transfers for the work at Frogmore Leisure Centre and Odiham Common
Members questioned:
· Why the cost of the work at Frogmore had increased so significantly
· How many years the surplus for the Retained Business Rates had accumulated over
· Whether it was likely that we would receive more than the bottom line accounted for from the Government for Retained Business Rates this year
· Whether the Finance team were confident that the figure in the MTFS for the Retained Business Rates was as accurate as possible
· Whether the interest amounts shown in the presentation were annual or the cumulative between the investment and maturity dates
(Cllr Radley left the meeting at 7:09 and returned at 7:13 during this discussion)
Members also noted that the capital expenditure figures were now shown over three years, so that it was easier to track progression.
Proposed by: Cllr Radley; Seconded by: Cllr Neighbour. Unanimous
Decision
Cabinet agreed:
i. £20k be moved from the Bramshot Farm SANG Earmarked Reserve for urgent tree risk work, and £20k to be moved from Odiham Common Reserve for improvement works at Odiham Common
ii. An additional £25k be released to fund Frogmore outdoor pitch floodlight electrical works be funded from the Landlord Property Costs reserve.
iii. £150k be transferred to a new Elections Earmarked Reserve to fund future election expenses.
iv. Senior Leadership one-off re-structure costs would be funded from the current year staffing budget forecast underspend.
7
2024/25 End of Year Outturn and Carry Forward Requests
Cabinet is requested to note the end of 2024/25 year outturn and approve the carry forward requests.
Recommendation
Cabinet is requested to agree the following recommendations:
i. to note the budget and treasury outturn position for 2024/25
ii. to approve the budget carry forwards set out in the report
iii. to approve the transfer of the net underspend to the general fund working balance
Recommendation
Cabinet is requested to agree the following recommendations:
i. to note the budget and treasury outturn position for 2024/25
ii. to approve the budget carry forwards set out in the report
iii. to approve the transfer of the net underspend to the general fund working balance
Attachments:
- Document Cabinet Aug 25 Outturn covering report 30 Jul 2025
- Document 24_25 Outturn Report Cabinet 30 Jul 2025
- Document Capital Outturn 24-25 Mar25 30 Jul 2025
- Document Revenue Outturn 24-25 Mar25 30 Jul 2025
Minutes
Cabinet was requested to note the end of 2024/25 year outturn and approve the carry forward requests.
Members heard:
· The end of year outturn for 2024/25 showed a £2.1m surplus against a £13m budget
· An explanation as to why the surplus was higher than expected from the Q3 forecast of £1.3m
· That the streets and grounds contract was run as a deed and as such any underspend would be returned to the Council
· That the temporary accommodation payments budget had been overspent by £78k, but other savings had offset this amount
Members questioned:
· Whether the Consultancy budget covered contractors to cover vacancies
· That the streets and grounds contract needed to be kept under closer review by the Communities Service Panel so that any potential underspends could be identified earlier in the year
· Whether the budget for 2025/26 reflected the increased cost for the temporary accommodation costs faced last year
· Why there was an underspend on staff training
· Whether there was the possibility of the fixed term Environmental Enforcement Officer being made permanent
Proposed by: Cllr Radley; Seconded by: Cllr Neighbour. Unanimous
Decision
Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:
i. noted the budget and treasury outturn position for 2024/25
ii. Approved the budget carry forwards set out in the report
iii. Approved the transfer of the net underspend to the general fund working balance
Members heard:
· The end of year outturn for 2024/25 showed a £2.1m surplus against a £13m budget
· An explanation as to why the surplus was higher than expected from the Q3 forecast of £1.3m
· That the streets and grounds contract was run as a deed and as such any underspend would be returned to the Council
· That the temporary accommodation payments budget had been overspent by £78k, but other savings had offset this amount
Members questioned:
· Whether the Consultancy budget covered contractors to cover vacancies
· That the streets and grounds contract needed to be kept under closer review by the Communities Service Panel so that any potential underspends could be identified earlier in the year
· Whether the budget for 2025/26 reflected the increased cost for the temporary accommodation costs faced last year
· Why there was an underspend on staff training
· Whether there was the possibility of the fixed term Environmental Enforcement Officer being made permanent
Proposed by: Cllr Radley; Seconded by: Cllr Neighbour. Unanimous
Decision
Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:
i. noted the budget and treasury outturn position for 2024/25
ii. Approved the budget carry forwards set out in the report
iii. Approved the transfer of the net underspend to the general fund working balance
8
Cabinet Work Programme
To consider and amend the Cabinet Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document 25 08 Cabinet Work Programme August 2025 v2 30 Jul 2025
Minutes
Cabinet considered and noted the Work Programme.
Cabinet Members were reminded that the next meeting would be held on 16 September.
Cabinet Members were reminded that the next meeting would be held on 16 September.
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