Havant Borough Council
Councillors:
36
Wards:
17
Committees:
35
Meetings (2025):
87
Meetings (2024):
96
Meeting
Council - Havant
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 15th January 2025
5:30 PM
Wednesday, 15th January 2025
5:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 15th January 2025
9:30 PM
Wednesday, 15th January 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
15 Jan 2025
15 Jan 2025
Location:
Hurstwood Room, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX
Hurstwood Room, Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Mayor of Havant
Committee Member
Chairman of Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Cabinet Lead for Climate Emergency, Environment & Water Quality (Climate Change Champion)
Committee Member
Chairman of Governance Committee
Committee Member
Cabinet Lead for Regeneration & Communities
Committee Member
Armed Forces Champion
Committee Member
Vice Chairman of Planning Committee
Committee Member
Committee Member
Cabinet Lead for Housing
Committee Member
Leader of the Conservative Party
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Emma Carlyle
Expected
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Mark Gregory
Expected
Secretary
Democratic & Electoral Services Manager
Jenni Harding
Expected
Secretary
Democratic Services Officer
Lauren Maidens
Expected
Officer
Executive Head of Regeneration, Economic Development and Preventative Services
Wayne Layton
Not required
Council Staff
Head of Coastal Partnership
Lyall Cairns
Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership
Not required
Officer
Executive Head of Internal Services
Matt Goodwin
Not required
Council Staff
Personal Assistant
Jane McEvoy
Not required
Public
Honoraray Alderman
Honorary Alderman Ralph Cousins
Expected
Public
Honorary Alderman
Honorary Alderman Ken Smith
Expected
Officer
Communications, Engagement and Insight Manager
Caroline Harvey
Not required
Public
Public Copies (Council and Cabinet)
Expected
Committee Member
Leader of the Reform UK Party
Committee Member
Cabinet Lead for Community Assets
Committee Member
Leader of the Green Party & Cabinet Lead Commercial
Committee Member
Deputy Mayor of the Council and Vice Chairman of Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Cabinet Lead for Planning and Environment and Chairman of Planning Committee
Committee Member
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Finance, Leader of Liberal Democratic Party
Committee Member
Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Committee Member
Leader of the Council - Cabinet Lead for Corporate Strategy. Performance, and External Relations, Chairman of Human Resources Committee
Agenda
0
PART 1 (Items open for public attendance)
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lloyd, Rhodes, Shepherd and Shimbart.
2
Declarations of Interests
To receive and note any disclosable pecuniary interests from councillors. In accordance with the Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda. Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must also withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.
Councillors are further invited to disclose any personal or prejudicial interests which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda. Participation in the meeting and vote shall depend upon the nature of the interest.
Councillors should refer to the declaration of interest flowchart and raise any queries with the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.
Members are reminded that they should re-declare their interest before consideration of the item or as soon as the interest becomes apparent and if appropriate, withdraw from the room immediately thereafter.
Councillors are further invited to disclose any personal or prejudicial interests which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda. Participation in the meeting and vote shall depend upon the nature of the interest.
Councillors should refer to the declaration of interest flowchart and raise any queries with the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.
Members are reminded that they should re-declare their interest before consideration of the item or as soon as the interest becomes apparent and if appropriate, withdraw from the room immediately thereafter.
Minutes
There were no declarations of interests from the members present relating to matters on the agenda.
3
Confirmation of Previous Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 20 November 2024 as a true record.
Attachments:
- Document Council Minutes 20 Nov 2024.pdf 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 November 2024 were approved as a correct record.
4
Public Participation Under Part B of Council Standing Orders
To deal with any public questions or requests to address (including summary texts) received by the Democratic Services Manager no later than12 noon, 4 clear working days before the meeting. For a Wednesday meeting, this would mean that questions and requests to speak must be received by no later than 12 noon on the Wednesday in the week before the meeting (subject to there being no intervening bank holidays etc).
For further details see the below public participation section of this summons/agenda.
For further details see the below public participation section of this summons/agenda.
Minutes
There were no public questions or requests to address Council received in accordance with the requirements of these Standing Orders.
5
Cabinet/Board/Committee Recommendations
To consider any recommended minutes from the Cabinet and any of the Boards or Committees.
1 Cabinet - Wednesday, 18th December, 2024
Council Tax Base for 2025/26
Council be RECOMMENDED to:
a) approve the Council Tax base of 43,147.4 for 2025/26.
b) delegate authority to the Section.151 Officer following consultation with Cabinet Lead for Finance, to calculate and approve the Council Tax base in future years.
2 Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 4th December, 2024
Overview and Scrutiny Handbook
Council be RECOMMENDED to:
a) adopt the revised Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as attached in Appendix B of the submitted report; and
b) agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules in its final form.
1 Cabinet - Wednesday, 18th December, 2024
Council Tax Base for 2025/26
Council be RECOMMENDED to:
a) approve the Council Tax base of 43,147.4 for 2025/26.
b) delegate authority to the Section.151 Officer following consultation with Cabinet Lead for Finance, to calculate and approve the Council Tax base in future years.
2 Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 4th December, 2024
Overview and Scrutiny Handbook
Council be RECOMMENDED to:
a) adopt the revised Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as attached in Appendix B of the submitted report; and
b) agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules in its final form.
Minutes
There were 2 Cabinet / Board / Committee recommendations for Council to consider at this meeting.
(1) Council Tax Base for 2025/26
Councillor Philippa Gray introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 December 2024, seeking the agreement of Full Council to approve the Council Tax base 2025/26 and to provide delegated authority for future approval of the Council Tax base to be made by the Section 151 Officer.
The members considered the options set out in the Cabinet report and following debate and a vote in which there were 10 votes against, Council
RESOLVED to
a) approve the Council Tax base of £43,147.40 for 2025/26.
b) delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, following consultation with Cabinet Lead for Finance, to calculate and approve the Council Tax base in future years.
(2) Overview & Scrutiny Procedural Rules
Councillor Diamond introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 04 December 2024, seeking the adoption of the Overview & Scrutiny Procedural Rules and to provide delegated authority for minor corrections to the Monitoring Officer.
The members considered the options set out in the report and following debate and a vote, in which there was 1 abstention, Council
RESOLVED to
a) adopt the revised Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as attached in Appendix B of the submitted report; and
b) agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules in its final form.
(1) Council Tax Base for 2025/26
Councillor Philippa Gray introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 December 2024, seeking the agreement of Full Council to approve the Council Tax base 2025/26 and to provide delegated authority for future approval of the Council Tax base to be made by the Section 151 Officer.
The members considered the options set out in the Cabinet report and following debate and a vote in which there were 10 votes against, Council
RESOLVED to
a) approve the Council Tax base of £43,147.40 for 2025/26.
b) delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, following consultation with Cabinet Lead for Finance, to calculate and approve the Council Tax base in future years.
(2) Overview & Scrutiny Procedural Rules
Councillor Diamond introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 04 December 2024, seeking the adoption of the Overview & Scrutiny Procedural Rules and to provide delegated authority for minor corrections to the Monitoring Officer.
The members considered the options set out in the report and following debate and a vote, in which there was 1 abstention, Council
RESOLVED to
a) adopt the revised Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as attached in Appendix B of the submitted report; and
b) agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules in its final form.
6
Annual Committee Calendar 2025-26
Attachments:
- Document Annual Committee Calendar 2025-26 Report 07 Jan 2025
- Document Appendix A - Annual Committee Calendar 2025-26 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
Councillor Philippa Gray, as relevant Cabinet Lead, introduced a report setting out a schedule of committee dates for the municipal year 2025/26.
Council discussed the motion, options available to Council and voted to agree the motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that the Annual Committee Calendar 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.
Council discussed the motion, options available to Council and voted to agree the motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that the Annual Committee Calendar 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.
7
Political Balance of the Council
Attachments:
- Document Political Balance of the Council Report 20 Jan 2025 07 Jan 2025
- Document Political Balance Calculations - Appendix A - 15 Jan 25 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
Councillor Munday as Leader of the Council introduced this item and following debate and a vote, it was:
RESOLVED that the number of seats to be allocated to each group and members as set in Appendix A be approved.
RESOLVED that the number of seats to be allocated to each group and members as set in Appendix A be approved.
8
Committee Appointments
Attachments:
- Document Committee Appointments Report 2025 07 Jan 2025
- Document Committee, Outside Body & Sundry Appointments made by Full Council 15 January 2025 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
Councillor Munday, as Leader of the Council, introduced a supplementary report to the one published with the agenda. The report set out the appointment of Councillors following some minor changes since the report was approved at the start of the municipal year.
Councillor Rason proposed an amendment that Councillor Roberts be replaced on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee by Councillor Hulls.
Seconded by Councillor Harris and following a vote, it was RESOLVED that the amendment be approved.
There being no other amendments, Council discussed the report, options available and voted to agree the substantive motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that the appointment of Councillors, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to those Committees and sundry appointments as set out in Appendix A for this municipal year, as amended, be approved.
Councillor Rason proposed an amendment that Councillor Roberts be replaced on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee by Councillor Hulls.
Seconded by Councillor Harris and following a vote, it was RESOLVED that the amendment be approved.
There being no other amendments, Council discussed the report, options available and voted to agree the substantive motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that the appointment of Councillors, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to those Committees and sundry appointments as set out in Appendix A for this municipal year, as amended, be approved.
9
Mayor's Report
For Council to receive and have opportunity to ask questions on the Mayor’s report.
Attachments:
- Document MAYORS REPORT 15 JANUARY 25 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Mayor had nothing further to add to his published report and there were no questions from members present.
10
Leader and Cabinet Lead Report Questions (CSO 14)
The Leader and Cabinet Leads may introduce their portfolio reports following which 15 minutes of question time may commence.
A Councillor may ask the Leader of the Council or a Cabinet Lead a question in respect of the content of the portfolio reports of the Cabinet submitted to Full Council.
A Councillor may ask the Leader of the Council or a Cabinet Lead a question in respect of the content of the portfolio reports of the Cabinet submitted to Full Council.
Attachments:
- Document Cover Sheet 07 Jan 2025
- Document Leader of the Council - Phil Munday 07 Jan 2025
- Document Councillor Philippa Gray 07 Jan 2025
- Document Councillor Richard Brown 07 Jan 2025
- Document Councillor Paul Gray 07 Jan 2025
- Document Councillor Gillian Harris 07 Jan 2025
- Document Councillor Grainne Rason 07 Jan 2025
- Document Councillor Amy Redsull 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Mayor proposed that standing orders be suspended for 30 minutes to allow for members to discuss Devolution. Seconded by Councillor Redsull, it was
RESOLVED that Council Standing Orders be suspended.
Councillor Munday updated his report in relation to Devolution and the Local Government Review, following which, members were provided an opportunity to ask questions of the Leader and make comment on this topic for up to 30 minutes, during which questions were responded to within the meeting.
(Councillor Redsull left the meeting at 18:00)
In addition to his published report, Councillor Munday further updated that the Corporate Strategy Delivery Plan had been agreed and was available for review.
Council considered the published Cabinet Lead reports.
The Cabinet Leads took questions from Councillors on their published reports, which were duly responded to within the meeting. In the absence of Councillor Redsull, Council was advised that written responses would be issued:
1. giving reasons for the delay in making the 2 newly acquired properties available for temporary accommodation;
2. advising on the feasibility of issuing a communication to all residents clarifying all actions taken by the Council to support the homeless throughout the year, outside of what is detailed in the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol;
3. giving details of the extent of the homelessness problem in the Borough and providing an evaluation on whether the Council’s response to this issue did not exaggerate the current problem; and
4. action taken to ensure that Council did not miss people sleeping rough in severe weather, especially in areas on the fringes of the Borough.
RESOLVED that Council Standing Orders be suspended.
Councillor Munday updated his report in relation to Devolution and the Local Government Review, following which, members were provided an opportunity to ask questions of the Leader and make comment on this topic for up to 30 minutes, during which questions were responded to within the meeting.
(Councillor Redsull left the meeting at 18:00)
In addition to his published report, Councillor Munday further updated that the Corporate Strategy Delivery Plan had been agreed and was available for review.
Council considered the published Cabinet Lead reports.
The Cabinet Leads took questions from Councillors on their published reports, which were duly responded to within the meeting. In the absence of Councillor Redsull, Council was advised that written responses would be issued:
1. giving reasons for the delay in making the 2 newly acquired properties available for temporary accommodation;
2. advising on the feasibility of issuing a communication to all residents clarifying all actions taken by the Council to support the homeless throughout the year, outside of what is detailed in the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol;
3. giving details of the extent of the homelessness problem in the Borough and providing an evaluation on whether the Council’s response to this issue did not exaggerate the current problem; and
4. action taken to ensure that Council did not miss people sleeping rough in severe weather, especially in areas on the fringes of the Borough.
11
Questions at Council (CSO 15)
To receive written questions from Councillors submitted to the Monitoring Officer before 12 noon 5 clear working days before the meeting (subject to there being no bank holiday, this day would generally be the Tuesday in the week before the meeting).
The total time for questions under Standing Order 15 shall be 15 minutes.
The total time for questions under Standing Order 15 shall be 15 minutes.
Minutes
There were no questions received from Councillors under the provision of this standing order.
12
Notice of Motions (CSO18)
To deal with motions received from Councillors by 12 noon 7 clear working days before the meeting.
12
Stop the Acquind Project Motion
Attachments:
- Document Stop the Aquind Project Motion 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
Council considered the published motion proposed by Councillor Harrison and seconded by Councillor Brown.
Following a debate, with 2 abstentions, Council voted to agree the motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that Council
1. Support the following statement:
Havant Borough Council opposes the Aquind Interconnector project on the grounds of the environmental damage, the chaos, gridlock and congestion it will cause. The consequences for emergency services, businesses, schools and residents are too big a risk, for minimal net benefit.
Havant Borough Council joins other objectors, including the MoD, three local MPs and the Let’s Stop Aquind Campaign, in publicly rejecting the project. and calls for the Secretary of State to immediately refuse the project, ending the uncertainty for local people.
2. Request that the Leader of the Council write again to the Secretary of State seeking that a decision is made on the project immediately and that it be refused.
Following a debate, with 2 abstentions, Council voted to agree the motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that Council
1. Support the following statement:
Havant Borough Council opposes the Aquind Interconnector project on the grounds of the environmental damage, the chaos, gridlock and congestion it will cause. The consequences for emergency services, businesses, schools and residents are too big a risk, for minimal net benefit.
Havant Borough Council joins other objectors, including the MoD, three local MPs and the Let’s Stop Aquind Campaign, in publicly rejecting the project. and calls for the Secretary of State to immediately refuse the project, ending the uncertainty for local people.
2. Request that the Leader of the Council write again to the Secretary of State seeking that a decision is made on the project immediately and that it be refused.
12
The Council's mission statement around climate change and renewable energy generation motion
Attachments:
- Document Climate Change and Renewable Energy Generation 07 Jan 2025
Minutes
Council considered the published motion proposed by Councillor Hulls and seconded by Councillor Oliver.
Following a debate Council voted to agree the motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that Council agree
a) to investigate opportunities to decarbonise our own estate and fleet
b) that our new Local Plan proposes a framework to enable commercial scale renewable energy including wind and solar, taking advantage of our place as one of the sunniest places in the UK together with enabling technologies such as battery storage which will smooth the supply of energy and ensure sufficient supply to meet demand at all times of the day
c) that we work with the two harbour authorities to explore renewable energy generation which can take place in the harbours, taking advantage of strong tidal movement
d) that the Council continues to engage with our residents on addressing the climate crisis and moving towards and past net zero, particularly young people as this is the Borough and the planet which they will inherit.
Following a debate Council voted to agree the motion.
It was therefore,
RESOLVED that Council agree
a) to investigate opportunities to decarbonise our own estate and fleet
b) that our new Local Plan proposes a framework to enable commercial scale renewable energy including wind and solar, taking advantage of our place as one of the sunniest places in the UK together with enabling technologies such as battery storage which will smooth the supply of energy and ensure sufficient supply to meet demand at all times of the day
c) that we work with the two harbour authorities to explore renewable energy generation which can take place in the harbours, taking advantage of strong tidal movement
d) that the Council continues to engage with our residents on addressing the climate crisis and moving towards and past net zero, particularly young people as this is the Borough and the planet which they will inherit.
13
Special Urgency Decisions
To note any urgent decisions made in accordance with Budget and Policy Framework Standing Order 19.
None to report
None to report
Minutes
There were no special urgency decisions for consideration by Council for this meeting.
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