Meeting

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2025 as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interests made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interests must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

The Chairman will address the Council, after which he and his consort will be presented with badges of their past offices.

To elect a Chairman of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2026.

Cllr Sleep is the Council’s nomination for the ensuing year.

The newly-elected Chairman will address the Council.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2026.

Cllr Penny is the Council’s nomination for the ensuing year.

To agree the allocation of seats to the political groups on those Committees and Panels to which the political balance rules apply, and to approve the appointment of Members to Committees and Panels.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Parker will move the following motion:-

This Council notes:

1. Democratic Accountability in Hampshire: The current devolution process in Hampshire must prioritise democratic governance and accountability to ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of Hampshire residents.

2. The high cost of standing: The mayoral elections in England require a £5,000 deposit and a £5,000 contribution for inclusion in a candidate booklet, which deters capable individuals from running for office. While it is essential to discourage frivolous candidacies – the cost should be lowered and alternative mechanisms considered, such as requiring candidates to gather a specified number of signatures from electors.

3. Voting System Change: Until 2023, mayoral elections in England were conducted under the Supplementary Vote system, which provided a fairer voting mechanism compared to the First Past the Post system now in use.

This Council believes that:

1. Lowering financial barriers would encourage greater participation and diversity among candidates, enhancing democracy.

2. Reintroducing a fairer voting system, usingSupplementary Vote (or a similarly fairer voting system) would ensure a more representative and democratic outcome.

This Council resolves to:

1. Call for the cost of standing for election to be lowered by reducing deposit requirements and introducing alternative mechanisms, such as requiring a specified number of signatures from electors, to discourage frivolous candidacies.

2. Support the reintroduction of a fairer voting system such as the Supplementary Vote, for mayoral elections in England.

3. Request formal support from:

The Leader of Hampshire County Council

The Minister for Communities, Housing, and Local Government (MCHLG)

The local MPs (“New Forest West” and “New Forest East” constituencies)

Invite the Leader of the Council to write to the above recipients, unless the Leader does not support the motion, then instead invite the Chief Executive Officer. The letter to state the council's position regarding recommendations one and two (above) and seeking their support for these reforms.

4. Promote these reforms during the devolution process in our interactions with Hampshire County Council, the Ministry for Communities, Housing and Local Government and other relevant stakeholders.

Cllr Richards will second the motion.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 42, the above motion, after being proposed and seconded (without speeches), should stand referred to the body within whose terms of reference the subject matter of the motions comes, or the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels that the Council may determine.

The Chairman may allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting if they consider it urgent, convenient or conducive to the despatch of business.

Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 states that “if a Member of a Local Authority fails, throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, to attend any meeting of the Authority they will, unless the failure was due to some good reason approved by the Authority before the expiry of that period, cease to be a member of the Authority.”

The Council is recommended to waive the legal requirement, set out above, in relation to Cllr Thierry, on the good reason of ill health grounds, to prevent him being automatically disqualified as a councillor for not attending council meetings for a period of six consecutive months from the date of his last attendance.

RECOMMENDED:

That, having regard to the current ill health of Cllr Thierry, and in accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the requirement for Cllr Thierry to attend any meeting of the authority, be waived until the Council’s Annual Meeting on 18 May 2026.

For the avoidance of doubt, the next meeting that Cllr Thierry must attend to satisfy the requirements of the legislation, in the event that he is unable to attend a meeting prior, is the Council’s Annual Meeting on 18 May 2026.

To note the following schedule of Council meetings for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year, all commencing at 6.30 pm:

· 14 July 2025

· 15 September 2025

· 13 October 2025

· 15 December 2025

· 23 February 2026

· 13 April 2026

· 18 May 2026 (Annual Meeting)

At the conclusion of the Annual Council Meeting, the Annual Meetings of the Council's Committees and Panels will be held.