Hart Borough Council Council Meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 24 November 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Proposed by: Cllr Crampton; Seconded by: Cllr Delaney

Apologies were received from Cllrs Collins; Hale; Makepeace-Browne and Radley

No declarations were made.

No questions from members of the public had been received.

Questions had been received from Cllrs Southern and Dorn, as detailed in Appendix A.

In noting that the list of engagements had been lighter than usual during December and January, the Chairman highlighted that she had given a short presentation to the Hart Voluntary Action AGM on the forthcoming Volunteer Awards Ceremony.  This would be held on 20 April 2023 at The Elvetham Hotel.  Further details would be sent out shortly.

·       The Leader of the Council, and Member for Strategic Direction, Partnership and Countryside, Councillor Neighbour: 

The installation of solar panels on the Civic Offices was underway and was a good example of partnership working with another authority.

·       The Cabinet Member for Digital and Communications, Councillor Clarke:

The Council’s new website was still on track for the beta version to be on a limited release in mid-February and Members would be invited to look at and comment on it. The full live release would then take place at the end of March 2023 

·       The Cabinet Member for Community, Councillor Bailey:

Nothing to report.

·       The Cabinet Member for Place, Councillor Cockarill:

Nothing to report.

·       The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Oliver:

Nothing further to report.

·       The Cabinet Member for Commercialisation and Corporate Services, Councillor Quarterman:

The consultation on the latest Corporate Plan (2023-2027) has now closed and those involved/had taken part were thanked. There were 90 responses, with a ratio of 3:1 supportive/critical.  All comments had been taken on board and a revised pack would be taken to Cabinet next week for consideration, before being brought to Council in February. 

It was questioned whether, as Hart had a population of significantly more than 90, the number of responses was felt to be good enough.  Cllr Quarterman felt that this was a realistic level of engagement and that it had been a useful exercise.

The Chief Executive updated Members on requirements for voter ID.  The LGA would be providing a webinar for Councillors on this subject and the link for this would be forwarded in due course.  The Council was looking at a number of ways to publicise the need for voter ID to members of the public, but it was recognised that staffing levels at polling stations was likely to have to increase to help deal with those who arrived without suitable ID. 

The Chief Executive confirmed that only those voting in polling stations were required to provide ID, postal votes were not affected.

It was questioned whether the communications plan which would be rolled out, would focus on those who did not use social media or the website.  The Chief Executive confirmed that alternative means to social media were also being looked at, including the possibility of providing information with polling cards, voting records etc when they were sent to voters.  It was suggested that any information was sent in a format that was eye-catching to ensure that voters understood the need for appropriate ID.

The types of ID that would be valid was queried, and the Chief Executive undertook to forward on a link to the Government website which explained what was, and was not, acceptable.

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

As no call in had been received on the item on Penn Croft Farm, minute 54 from the Planning minutes of 14 December 2022, this was deemed to be granted.

Cabinet had recommended to Council that in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hart District Council as its council tax base for the 2023/24 year should be set at 42,313.27 (2022/23 - 41,815.86.)

Proposed by: Cllr Neighbour; Seconded by: Cllr Farmer

It was questioned whether there was confidence in the figures, as in the original paperwork that was sent to Parishes, at least one allocation had been incorrect.  It was confirmed that the figures put before Council had changed from those initial figures, but that was only to be expected.

DECISION

It was agreed that the council tax base for Hart District Council for 2023/24 would be set at 42,313.27

The proposed calendar of meeting dates for 2023/24 was noted. 

It was confirmed that the date for the November 2023 Full Council meeting should read 30 November. 

It was requested that dates for Licensing and Planning training be confirmed and added to the calendar before it was reissued, in time for election candidates to be able to access the dates to ensure their availability should they be elected.

It was noted that the proposed session on Cyber Security had still to be arranged and this would be scheduled as soon as practicable.

All Members were encouraged to attend training sessions for their continuing development, and it was requested that dates for ad-hoc sessions be provided as far in advance as possible. Hybrid sessions were being encouraged and would be recorded wherever possible.

There was none.