Hart Borough Council Council Meeting

Matters Arising from Minutes of 29^th September 2022.

Councillor Forster was given the opportunity to ask supplementary questions to the original questions that were answered in writing from the previous meeting of Council in September.

Councillor Forster accepted this opportunity and raised a question about CCTV availability.

The supplementary  question was answered by Councillor Bailey, who confirmed that he did not recognise the point made by Councillor Forster and went on to assured the meeting that Hart District Council took matters of community safety very seriously.

Councillor Forster also accepted the opportunity to ask a supplementary question on the issue of utilisation of the car parks. He asked, given the utilisation of the Fleet car parks whether the Portfolio holder would once again consider the matter of a period of free parking. He also asked whether the Portfolio holder would acknowledge the poor choice in the current parking machines was also a factor in their underutilisation.

The question was answered by Councillor Oliver who stated that he was not going to revisit the question of free parking and that the choice of the machines had not been his; but according to the date of the  purchase order they had been procured at the time when former Councillor Morris and Councillor Forster himself were the relevant Portfolio Holders.

The Minutes of the meeting of 29^th September 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from

Councillor T Collins

Councillor S Kinnell

Councillor R Lamb

Councillor T Southern

No declarations made.

Councillors were asked to note recent appointments to the positions of Head of Paid Services and Monitoring Officer within Hart District Council.

·         Head of Paid Services – Mr Daryl Philips (with no change to Mr Philips’ current duties as Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer).

·         Monitoring Officer – Ms Stephanie Baker (in addition to her current duties as Development Management and Building Control Manager) which took effect from Monday 24^th October 2022.

Questions had been received from Mr T Smart and Mr D Turver, detailed in Appendix A.

A questions had been received from Councillor Dr A Crampton detailed in Appendix B.

The Minutes of the following Committees, which met on the dates shown, were received by Council.

There were no questions on the minutes.

The Chairman commented on some of the events she had attended during the last 2 months which included;

6 Oct:? Lord Mayor of Portsmouth - Civic Heads Dinner 

9 Oct:? Mayor of Winchester - Law Sunday 

12 Oct: Lord Mayor of Southampton - Civic Day 

14 Oct: Opening of Yateley United FC Community Centre 

18 Oct: The Lord-Lieutenant and SE Reserves Forces Cadets Association Awards Ceremony 

23 Oct: Lord Mayor of Southampton Civic Service 

25 Oct: University Centre, Farnborough - Graduation Ceremony 

29 Oct: Official opening of Cake Box in Blackwater 

29 Oct: Pelly Concert Orchestra 

30 Oct: Eastleigh Borough Council Festival of Remembrance 

4 Nov:? Re-opening of Frogmore Daycare and Wellbeing Centre 

6 Nov:? Chairman of Hart Council's Civic Service 

9 Nov:? Chairman of New Forest Civic Day 

10 Nov: Farnborough College of Technology - Councillors meal 

11 Nov: Act of Remembrance - 2-minute silence 

12 Nov: Opening of new George Wing at The Old Raven House in Hook 

13 Nov: Remembrance Sunday Service at Gally Hill Road War Memorial -?Vice Chairman, Cllr Wildsmith, attended on behalf of the Chairman 

13 Nov: Fleet Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade? 

The Chairman updated the meeting on her charitable work. She informed the meeting she had raised £200 at the Civic Service and she hoped to be organising more events in the Spring.

She told the meeting that a venue had been found for the Duke of Edinburgh meetings.

The meeting was asked to save dates in their diaries for Hart Civic day, 21^st March 2023 and for 20^th April 2023 which would be a celebration dinner for Councillors.

The Leader of the Council

Informed the meeting that

The site inspection has taken place and the Solar panels should be in place on the Council Offices by Christmas.

The Leaders from both Hart and Rushmoor had attended a meeting to discuss progress the opportunity to enter into joint service provision. The meeting was informed that unfortunately the plans are progressing more slowly than was hoped for.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance

Confirmed to the meeting that the new S151 officer Mr Graeme Clark, was now in role and was working with the finance team to produce the 2023/24 budget.

The Portfolio Holder for Digital and Communications

Updated the meeting on the redevelopment of the website. In preparation for the beta launch in February. The content of the website and the forms within it have been updated to meet plain English and Accessibility standards. Following the Beta launch members will have the opportunity to comment on the website before it goes live in March 2023.

The meeting was informed that the website project was currently on schedule and on budget.

Cabinet Member for Community Services

Made the following statement:-

Last week we had our annual Rough Sleepers Count – this is an estimate based on reports across the district from a network of agencies, coordinated through our Housing Team. The results have to be verified officially at national level, but we anticipate reporting a zero this year (last year it was 1)

This month we have launched more features to our Housing Register portal, giving improved accessibility to residents who are looking to access local homes. The team have launched a property availability alert – letting applicants know when they have a likely match for the time of home they are seeking.  The team are now testing “Alexa” , and plan to launch this in the next month – giving even simpler access to viewing homes and placing bids.

The Community service team have been collecting for Hart Foodbank and the food will be dropped off at the Foodbank on Monday, ready to be prepared into Christmas Hampers.

Finally,  Louise Lyons our Private Sector Housing Manager is leaving the council after 28 years service. Louise  has led the team who help our most vulnerable and older residents  - getting disabled facilities grants in place, to enable adaptations so people can stay in their homes.  Wish Louise all the best as she takes some time out with her family.

The Portfolio Holder for Place

Made the following statement:-

As Members are aware, we, along with Hampshire County Council, have commissioned Sustrans to produce a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the District.

An LCWIP is a strategic plan which identifies a walking and cycling network with recommendations made for infrastructure improvements and priorities for future investment. To inform the development of Hart’s LCWIP, we will be hosting an online engagement workshop for members and other stakeholders who are directly involved with or have an interest in active travel projects. The purpose of this workshop is to establish the key cycling corridors and walking zones as well as understanding what the barriers are to active travel in the District.

We will hold the on line workshop Tuesday 13^th December 17:00 – 18:45. If you wish to attend, please could you confirm your attendance before Thursday 8^th December by emailing planningpolicy@hart.gov.uk

If Members are unable to attend on this Tuesday, we will be holding a drop-in workshop here Wednesday 14^th December 15:30 – 17:30

The Portfolio Holder for the Environment

Made the following statement:-

Firstly, I am pleased to announce that Hart District Council is once again supporting the national Small Business Saturday campaign. An initiative to encourage people to us local small businesses and retailers and keep our high streets alive. To this end, on Saturday 3^rd December all council car parks across Hart will be free to use between 8am and midnight

Secondly, I am pleased to say that Hart have authorised its Waste contractor Serco to install local fuel stores in its depots to allow for diesel additives to be used on all its waste collection vehicles, a major contributor to HDC carbon emissions. This will allow fuelling that will reduce emissions by 55% from 59 to 27 tonnes of carbon per annum next year. Further reductions from the use of HVO fuel are being considered when a sustainable source can be guaranteed. This shows this administration’s commitment to meeting our climate change targets.

The Portfolio Holder for Commercialisation and Corporate Services

Made the following statement:-

1.   Members will probably be aware that since 4^th November the swimming pools at the Hart Leisure Centre have been closed as the result of boiler failure.  The latest information we have received from Everyone Active is the replacement parts have now been fitted and that the pools are being brought back up to temperature with a planned re-opening on Saturday 26th November.

2.  Hart's cabinet has drafted a revised Corporate Plan for 2023-2027, which sets out our vision and priorities for the District under three key focus areas, Planet, People and Place.  This is currently out for public consultation until Sunday 18^th December, and I would encourage members and residents to have a look at this and respond using the brief questionnaire via Hart District Council's website.  Alternatively, paper copies are available on request via email to communications@hart.gov.uk, by telephone to 07816 109683, or in person at the Hart Civic Offices in Fleet. 

The Chief Executive reported that the new S151 officer, Mr Graeme Clark, had settled into the management team well. He explained to the meeting that the recent major upheavals in management at the Council had meant that the Council was going through a period of adjustment and he asked the Members to make allowances during this period. It was stated that there was a certain amount of team building to do, however, should members have any issues they were welcome to bring them either to the CEO or the S151 officer.

The Council was asked to approve the proposal to create a new polling district in the Hook Ward, with a new polling place being allocated. The report also sets out details of the proposed new polling place for the Yateley West Ward.

A query was raised as to how people would be informed of this change. It was explained that the change would go out in the polling packs, however there would also be a mail shot and posts on Social Media. It was suggested that candidates should also highlight the change when they were canvasing, This was seen as an excellent idea.

Decision

·         That Hook Ward be split into three polling districts: Rotherwick, Hook East and Hook West.  

·         That the 3rd Bramshill Scout Lodge, Monteagle Lane be designated as the polling place for the Tudor and Vigo (YT) polling district 

This Item was Withdrawn  

Councillor Dorn gave an update from the recent Farnborough AIrport Consultative Committee (FACC) meeting. The meeting was updated on items that had been discussed including public safety zones and 3^rd party risk contours, the success of the International Airshow and the Airport’s roadmap to net zero. The meeting’s attention was brought to some online briefing on the Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

Councillor Quarterman gave an update on the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee October meeting. The meeting was informed that the Airport was recovering well post Covid. It was explained that the Airport had purchased some land in Yateley and was hoping to do a land swap, to give the residents a Yateley some more Common Land that was easily accessible and to allow the Airport to develop the land adjacent to it.

Councillor Crampton read a report from Councillor Southern regarding the November meeting of the Basingstoke Canal Authority. The main issue related to the shortage of water currently in the canal. This shortage was affecting not only water-born activities but also funding available to the authority. The meeting was told that it is hoped that the new South East Water pipeline will stop all extractions from the Greywell aquifer and then this water can be diverted in to the canal which will raise its levels.

Councillor Bailey told the meeting that he had attended the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Crime Panel and was happy to tell the meeting of the appointment of Scott Chilton to the position of Chief Constable.

Councillor Makepeace Browne asked for a copy of the table showing who the representatives on the various Outside Bodies to be circulated.

A cheque for £10,464.48 was presented to former Councillor Simon Ambler, representing monies he raised during his 2021/22 tenure as Chairman. The money will be split between Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers Charity and 1^st Crookham Scouts. Representatives of both organisations were also present.