Havant Borough Council Council Meeting

The Council observed a minutes silence in remembrance of the victims of the earthquakes that have claimed so many lives in Turkey and Syria recently, and in acknowledgement of the first-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine this week and in remembrance of all those who have lost their lives in the war.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors Diamond, Payter and Rennie.

There were no declarations of interest from the members present.

Proposed by Councillor Kennett and seconded by Councillor Stone, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 January 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

Proposed by Councillor Crellin seconded by Councillor Bowdell, it was

Resolved that Councillor Rosy Raines be provisionally appointed as Mayor for 2023/2024.

Proposed by Councillor Raines and seconded by Councillor Weeks, it was

RESOLVED that Councillor Peter Wade be provisionally appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.

There were no questions for the Mayor on her published report.

No public questions or requests to speak had been received under Standing Orders 27.5 or 28.

Councillor Denton presented his budget speech to Council and outlined the progress made since his budget speech in February 2022 and stressed the importance of continued close monitoring of the Council’s finances to ensure long-term financial stability in light of changing economic conditions and government funding cuts.

Councillor Denton thanked members of the Budget Working Group, Officers, and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for their work in enabling a balanced budget to be brought forward.

Councillor Munday spoke on behalf of the Labour Group, outlining his concerns in relation to the current government funding cuts and outlined his support for the proposed budget. Councillor Munday further thanked the Audit & Finance Committee and Officers for their excellent work in creating a more stable financial base, following the separation from East Hampshire District Council.

Questions and points of clarification were responded to by the Cabinet Lead.

Members spoke in support of the proposed budget.

A motion proposed by Councillor Denton and seconded by Councillor Linger to agree the recommendations set out in the submitted report was approved.  Therefore, it was

RESOLVED that Council

a.       Agrees the proposed Revenue and Capital budgets for 2023-24 including a Council Tax rate of £226.06 at Band D, representing a £6.58 increase on the current charge;

b.       Agrees the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators.

c.       Agrees the Fees & Charges schedule for 2023-24.

d.       Agrees the Council Tax Resolution

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and the requirements of Standing Order 26.8, the vote on this item was recorded as follows:

For the Motion:

Councillor Neil Bowdell

Councillor Lulu Bowerman

Councillor Pam Crellin

Councillor Tony Denton

Councillor Liz Fairhurst

Councillor Gary Hughes

Councillor Mark Inkster

Councillor David Keast

Councillor Richard Kennett

Councillor Brenda Linger

Councillor Elizabeth Lloyd

Councillor Sarah Milne

Councillor Phillip Munday

Councillor Husky Patel

Councillor Diana Patrick

Councillor Tim Pike

Councillor Rosy Raines

Councillor Amy Redsull

Councillor Julie Richardson

Councillor Gwen Robinson

Councillor Clare Satchwell

Councillor Carly Scannell

Councillor Mike Sceal

Councillor Elaine Shimbart

Councillor Richard Stone

Councillor Kris Tindall

Councillor Leah Turner

Councillor Peter Wade

Councillor Yvonne Weeks

Councillor Michael Wilson

Against the Motion:

None

Abstentions:

None

Absent:

Councillor Caren Diamond

Councillor David Guest

Councillor David Jenner

Councillor Tom Moutray

Councillor Imogen Payter

Councillor Alex Rennie

1     Updated Corporate Strategy

Cllr Robinson introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 08 February 2023, seeking adoption of the updated Corporate Strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Wade, it was

RESOLVED that Council adopt the updated Corporate Strategy.

In Councillor Rennie’s absence, members were asked to contact Democratic Services with any questions they may have on his published report.

Councillor Bowerman led members who wished to speak in remembrance of former councillor Ray Bolton who passed away recently.

Councillor Denton thanked residents, schools, visiting Mayors and members who attended the Holocaust Memorial event on 27 January 2023.

Councillor Satchwell thanked officers that work in her portfolio areas for their support during her time as Cabinet Lead.

Councillor Denton confirmed for Councillor Hughes, that a working group is looking at the ability for residents to pay for their garden waste collection service by either Direct Debit or to pay on-line.

In response to queries raised by members in relation to the recycled water consultations, Councillor Lloyd offered to discuss the issues with Cllr Munday outside of the meeting and to chair a briefing that all members could be invited to participate.

Councillor Redsull raised queries in relation to temporary accommodation, which were responded to by Councillor Robinson within the meeting, confirming that residents are prioritised according to their level of need.  Councillor Robinson further confirmed there are 2 residents who are currently sleeping rough in the Borough, both of which do not wish to engage with services, however, daily welfare checks are undertaken, with food and blankets being provided to try and ensure they are safeguarded as much as possible.

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

There were no urgent questions from Members under the provision of this standing order.

The Council considered the following Motion, proposed by Councillor Munday and seconded by Councillor Redsull.  Following debate and a vote, it was

RESOLVED that Council

A)   negotiate with Portsmouth City Council to develop regular water quality sampling of Langstone Harbour in order to understand the environmental, health and safety impact within the harbour in a data driven way; and

B)   verifies with Southern Water their claims about Budds Farm £20M investment on water quality; and

C)   to better protect our residents who use the harbour from the effects of harmful pathogens like e-coli that cause sickness and infection

Proposed by Councillor Milne and seconded by Councillor Patel, it was RESOLVED that the Calendar of meetings for 2023/24 be approved.

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

RESOLVED that the schedule of Cabinet and Committee Appointments be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Keast and seconded by Councillor Satchwell it was RESOLVED that the minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of Council be received.