Havant Borough Council Council Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Denton, Moutray, Rason, Turner and Wade.

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

Proposed by Councillor Kennett and seconded by Councillor Sceal, the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 17 May 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Newly elected members, Councillors James Blades, Ryan Brent, Andy Briggs, Mark Coates, Paul Gray, Philippa Gray and Gillian Harris introduced themselves to Members.

The Mayor did not wish to add to her published report and there were no questions from members present.

There were no public questions or requests to address Council received in accordance with the requirements of these Standing Orders.

There were no Cabinet / Board / Committee recommendations for Council to consider at this meeting.

There was nothing the Leader wished to add to his published report.

Councillors asked the Leader questions on his report, which were duly responded to within the meeting.

The Cabinet Leads took questions from Councillors on their published reports, which were duly responded to within the meeting.

Councillor Bowdell updated his report highlighting the importance for members to ensure they read the code of conduct.

Following a question from Councillor Philippa Gray to Councillor Robinson, in relation to the Bidbury Mead Play Area design plans.  Councillor Robinson confirmed a written response will be provided outside of the meeting, following a review of any legal restrictions by the Monitoring Officer.

There were no questions received under the provision of this standing order.

There was one urgent question received from Councillor Brent in accordance with this standing order, which was responded to within the meeting by Councillor Fairhurst as relevant Cabinet Lead.

A summary of the question and response is attached with the minutes of this meeting.

A motion in relation to the Langstone Mill Pond was proposed by Councillor Fairhurst and seconded by Councillor Payter, following debate and a vote, Council:

RESOLVED

1. To seek support and funding from the Environment Agency and other key stakeholders for a long-term solution by undertaking a Chichester Harbour Environment and Investment Adaptation Strategy. This should include the holistic assessment of the long-term management and enhancement of the wildlife within the Langstone Mill Pond that supports the network of habitats and species within the Harbour.

2. To write to the Environment Agency, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and Natural England to express the strong democratic support for the protection of the Langstone Mill Pond through sea defences.

A second motion in relation to signage at Hayling Island beach was proposed by Councillor Munday and seconded by Councillor Paul Gray. Following debate and a vote, Council:

RESOLVED

To investigate the installation of electronic signage on Beachlands, Hayling Island, in order to give beachgoers timely and accurate sewage pollution warnings.  This can be achieved by connecting to Southern Water’s Beachbouy software via the internet in order to access the most current data.

Before implementing this proposal, funding would need to be agreed and secured for this initiative through either

·       Agreement of the Cabinet to invest in the initiative with the expectation that income from advertising revenue would cover costs

·       Contribution to costs from Southern Water

·       Or alternative funding could be secured through crowdfunding.

Proposed by Councillor Stone, seconded by Councillor Sceal, it was:

RESOLVED that

a)    the appointment of Councillors to those Committees and Boards as set out in the Committee Appointments for 2023/2024

b)    that all appointments, shall remain in place until the next Annual meeting of the Council

Proposed by Councillor Kennett and seconded by Councillor Keast, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of Council be received.