Meeting

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 31 July 2025.

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.

At the request of the Chairman a presentation from Mustard Seed Autism.

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 [email protected]) no later than Noon on Friday, 19 September 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 [email protected]) not later than 5.00pm on Monday 22 September 2025.

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Thursday 25 September 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

Audit

22 July 2025

11-15

Cabinet

7 August 2025

16-18

Overview and Scrutiny

12 August 2025

19-23

Development Management

20 August 2025

24-26

Overview and Scrutiny

4 September 2025

27-33

Overview and Scrutiny (Extraordinary)

9 September 2025

34-35

To receive the findings of the recently completed Community Governance Review and the recommended changes.

Recommendation

The Council resolves to:

i) Agree the increase of councillors in Elvetham Heath Parish from 7 to 9.

ii) Agree the change in name of Long Sutton Parish to Long Sutton & Well.

iii) Agree the increase of councillors in Odiham Parish from 10 to 11.

iv) Agree the increase of councillors in Winchfield Parish from 5 to 7.

v) Agree to creating two wards within the Parish of Hook using the existing polling district boundaries. (Names to be agreed by Returning Officer in consultation with the Parish Council. Number of councillors to be divided equally between the parish wards.)

Council is asked to endorse the following recommendation from Cabinet:

Subject to the ‘Close Enough to be Local, Big Enough to Stay Strong document attached as Appendix 2, being modified or that a covering letter be submitted to the Secretary of State to include the following points:

1. Hart and Rushmoor have both received the 'Silver' Award in recognition of their efforts regarding the Military Covenant; and

2. Natural England has acknowledged the exemplary work of Hart and Rushmoor in collaborating across county boundaries to protect the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (TBHSPA). Together, we have achieved Green Flag status for County Parks and developed Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS), supporting future growth and housing delivery while fostering SPA mitigation, ecological enhancement, and biodiversity net gain opportunities.

The Council approves the proposed ‘Close Enough to be Local, Big Enough to Stay Strong’ submission to the government by the 26 September 2025 deadline and by doing so confirms that:

(1) A five-unitary Council structure, with four new mainland unitary councils plus the Isle of Wight, would best meet the Government’s criteria and provide the most effective solution for local government reorganisation in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

(2) A unitary council based on the areas comprising Basingstoke & Deane, Hart, and Rushmoor is the best option for Hart as, in line with the assessment criteria, it represents the most effective and optimum balance of a council large enough to deliver high-quality services and value for money but small enough to be connected to the place and the needs of the people the council serves.

(3) The Council fully endorses Option 1A, an adaptation of the core proposal, Option 1, within the "Close Enough to be Local, Big Enough to Stay Strong" framework. The Council urges the Secretary of State to modify the original Option 1 proposal to incorporate Option 1A because the proposed boundary changes better meet government criteria, drive economic growth, create unitary authorities that reflect and serve cohesive communities, and realise the full potential of local government reorganisation.

(4) In the event of minor editorial changes being necessary to the ‘Close Enough to be Local, Big Enough to Stay Strong’proposal, if all the other 11 councils agree to them, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, is authorised to approve such amendments on behalf of Hart District Council.

The Council is asked to approve Councillor Gerry Crisp's continued absence from meetings due to ill-health, beyond the six-month limit set by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, extending the exemption until 31 January 2026.

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