Havant Borough Council Council Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Faiz and Milne.

There were no declarations of interests from the members present relating to matters on the agenda.

The minutes of the meetings of the Extraordinary Council and Ordinary Council held on 15 January 2025 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Proposed by Councillor Munday, and seconded by Councillor Horton, it was

RESOLVED

that Councillor Munazza Faiz be provisionally appointed as Mayor for 2025/2026.

Proposed by Councillor Philippa Gray, and seconded by Councillor Forrow, it was

RESOLVED

that Councillor Paul Tansom be provisionally appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2025/2026.

There were 2 Cabinet / Board / Committee recommendations for Council to consider at this meeting.

(1)          Contract Procedure Rules

Councillor Shepherd introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of the Governance Committee held on 27 January 2025, seeking the agreement of Full Council to adopt the revised Contract Procedure Rules (Part H of the Constitution) and authorise minor amendments, after publication, to be made by the Monitoring Officer.

The members considered the options set out in the report and following a vote, Council

RESOLVED

1        that the revised Contract Procedure Rules as attached in Appendix B be adopted.

2.      that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Contract Procedure Rules in its final form.

(2)          Council Tax Support Scheme

Councillor Philippa Gray introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 February 2025, seeking the agreement of Full Council to approve the 2024-25 Council Tax Support Scheme be adopted, subject to the amendments set out in the agenda and that the amended document be published in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

The members considered the options set out in the report and following a vote, Council

RESOLVED

1        that the 2024-25 Council Tax Support Scheme is retained for 2025/26 but with the following amendments be approved:

(a)       the allowances and premiums used in determining entitlement for working age claims are uplifted in line with the figures applied by the Department for Works and Pensions, (DWP), for the Housing Benefit Scheme in 2025/26;

(b)       the non-dependant deductions used in determining entitlement for working age claims are adapted in line with the rates as set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for non-dependant pension age claims;

(c)       the Council continues to facilitate a Council Tax Support Hardship Fund

2.      that the necessary amendments are made to the Council Tax Support Scheme document and that it is then published in accordance with Local Government Finance Act 1992 Section 13A(2).

Council received budget speeches from:

A. Councillor Munday, as Leader of the Council;

B. Councillor Fairhurst, as Leader of the Conservative Group; and

C. Councillor Collings, as Leader of the Reform UK Group.

There were no amendments to the budget received by the Monitoring Officer in accordance with Council Standing Order 20.3. 

Councillor Blades left the Council Chamber at 18:59.

Council debated the recommended budget.

In his response to issues raised during the debate, Councillor Munday agreed to:

1.     Review current hard plastic recycling opportunities and explore if there are opportunities for residents to increase hard plastic recycling.

2.     Revisit opportunities to build Warblington Footbridge.

3.     Review differentiating charges between private and community events being held on Council owned land and bring clarity for hirers.

4.     Explore ways to increase temporary accommodation and the building of more social rent housing in the Borough.

5.     Review the ‘Reserve’ budget and how this money is spent more sensibly.

RESOLVED that Council

1)    approve the 2025/26 Revenue Budget as set out in Appendix A

2)    approve the 2025/26 – 2029/30 Capital Programme as set out in Appendix D

3)    set the Band D Council Tax rate for Havant Borough Council at £239.76, representing a £6.94 increase on the current charge.

4)    approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30, Capital Strategy, Investment Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Business Rates 2025/26 and Prudential Indicators.

5)    approve the Council Tax Resolution, as set out in Appendix I.

6)    endorse the statement of the Section 151 Officer on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, and the requirements of the Council Standing Order 22.6 the vote on this resolution was recorded as follows: 

‘For’ the motion:

Councillor Berwick

Councillor Brown

Councillor Coates

Councillor Forrow

Councillor Paul Gray

Councillor Philippa Gray

Councillor Hagan

Councillor Harris

Councillor Harrison

Councillor Horton

Councillor Hulls

Councillor Lind

Councillor Munday

Councillor Mychaleckyj

Councillor Oliver

Councillor Rason

Councillor Redsull

Councillor Robert

Councillor Shepherd

Councillor Tansom

‘Against’ the motion:

Councillor Bowdell

Councillor Brent

Councillor Andrew Briggs

Councillor Ann Briggs

Councillor Collings

Councillor Diamond

Councillor Fairhurst

Councillor Keast

Councillor Rhodes

Councillor Robinson

Councillor Shimbart

Councillor Wade

Abstentions:

Councillor Lloyd

Absent:

Councillor Blades

Councillor Faiz

Councillor Milne