Havant Borough Council Council Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Diamond, Hughes, Patel, Scannell, and Mrs Shimbart

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

Proposed by Councillor Bowdell and seconded by Councillor Stone, it was

RESOLVED that minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 23 February 2023 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Mayor reported official engagements held since the last meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Leader thanked Kim Sawyer and Mark Watkins for their work and advice during a time of transformation.

Thanked the following Cllrs who had given notice that would retire in May 2023:

Cllr Hughes

Cllr Jenner

Cllr Wilson

Cllr Satchwell

Former Cllr Bains

Former Cllr Thain-Smith

There were 6 questions received from the public under the provision of this

standing order.

Mrs Buckley addressed Council to ask her 3 questions. Mr Owens was not present to ask his two questions.

Councillor Pike responded to the questions as Cabinet Lead for Levelling-Up.

A list of all questions and answers are attached to the minutes for reference.

1          Pay Policy Statement 2023/24

            Cllr Crellin introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Human Resources Committee held on 9 March 2023, seeking adoption of Pay Policy Statement 2023/24.

            Proposed by Councillor Crellin and seconded by Councillor Payter, it was

            RESOLVED that the submitted Proposed 2023/24 Pay Policy Statement and Statement of Policy on Pensions be approved.

2          Property Asset Management System

            Cllr Pike introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 March 2023, seeking approval of a property asset management system.

            Proposed by Councillor Pike and seconded by Councillor Crellin, it was

            RESOLVED

a          the acquisition of a new property asset management system be approved and that authority be given to utilise up to £140,000 of Corporate Reserves to fund the procurement, contracting and deployment of it and that this is added to the Council Capital Programme; and

b          the Executive Head of Commercial in consultation with the Section 151 officer and monitoring officer be given delegated authority to procure and enter negotiations contract terms with a preferred supplier.

3          Council Tax Resolution 2023/24

            Cllr Rennie introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 March 2023, to note the changes made to the Council Tax Resolution 2023/24.

            Proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Councillor Weeks, it was.

RESOLVED that the changes to the Council Tax Resolution 2023/24 be noted.

4          Increase In Capital Expenditure Through In-Year By Use Of Reserves Re. Site At Southmoor Lane, Havant

            Cllr Pike introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 March 2023, to agree to support the aims of the Local Authority Housing Fund note Cabinet’s approval of the use of Corporate Reserves in order to facilitate the surrender of the head leasehold interest in the council owned site at Southmoor Lane, Havant.

            Proposed by Councillor Pike and seconded by Councillor Milne, it was

            RESOLVED that Cabinet’s approval of the use of Corporate Reserves in order to facilitate the surrender of the head leasehold interest in the council owned site at Southmoor Lane, Havant be noted

5          Local Authority Housing Fund

            Cllr Pike introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 March 2023, to agree to support the aims of the Local Authority Housing Fund.

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

            RESOLVED that

            a          the Council’s acceptance of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) grant funding of £705,888, which is already in the Council’s approved capital programme be noted.

            b          That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Section 151 officer and monitoring officer to be delegated authority to:

            1      Negotiate the terms for the acquisition of the real estate assets required following receipt of the LAHF grant;  and

            2      Subject to a financial appraisal being approved by the S151Officer, agree the terms and conditions upon which borrowing maybe secured from PWLB in order to part fund the acquisition of the property concerned

            c          the delegation to the S151 Officer to amend the Council’s Capital programme to reflect this additional borrowing once known be noted.

6          Water Testing

            Cllr Lloyd introduced this item and recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 March 2023, to support a water quality sampling in Langstone Harbour.

            Proposed by Councillor Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Bowdell, it was

RESOLVED that

            1.         The Cabinet Lead for Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality be authorised to work with Langstone Harbour Board to put in place a programme of water quality sampling in Langstone Harbour; and

            2.         Cabinet Lead for Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality be requested to report back to full Council on progress.

Cllr Lloyd introduced this item and recommendation to Council to note and endorse the Council’s response to the draft Water Resource Management Plan.

RESOLVED that:

i.          the public meeting which took place on 15 February 2023 with representatives of Portsmouth Water and Southern Water about how water is provided in the future be noted;

ii.          the consultation responses, which were approved at Cabinet on 8 February 2023, to the Draft Water Resources Management Plans for Portsmouth Water (Appendix A) and Southern Water (Appendix B) and submitted to the two water companies, including the addendum (Appendix C) summarising the issues raised at the public meeting described in I be endorsed;

iii.         Note that Cabinet Delegated authority to the Cabinet Lead for the Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality (in consultation with the Leader) to  submit responses to future formal and informal consultations regarding the Budds Farm Water Recycling Project and that relevant officers would continue to feed in relevant information to the project be noted.

iv.         Endorse the letter from the Leader to the Chief Executive of Portsmouth Water seeking clarification as to whether recycled water would be provided to Portsmouth Water customers (Appendix D); and

v.         Endorse the letter from the Leader to the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing regarding the development of the Hampshire Water Recycling project (Appendix E).

Proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Cllr Crellin, it was

RESOLVED that

1.                  The Head of Corporate Finance be appointed S151 Officer until 3rd April 2023; and

2.         The Executive Head of Internal Services be appointed Deputy Electoral Registration Officer.

Proposed by Councillor Keast and seconded by Councillor Sceal it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of Council be received. The Council to receive the minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of the Council: