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Winchester City Borough Council
Councillors: 45
Wards: 16
Committees: 67
Meetings (2025): 83
Meetings (2024): 100

Meeting

Council - Winchester City

Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 15th January 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 15th January 2025
10:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
15 Jan 2025
Location:
Council Chamber, Castle Hill, Winchester SO23 8UL
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Mark Reach photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Good Homes
Councillor Mark Reach

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith photo
Chairperson
Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jane Rutter photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jane Rutter

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Sudhakar Achwal photo
Committee Member
Mayor
Councillor Sudhakar Achwal

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Vivian Achwal photo
Committee Member
Councillor Vivian Achwal

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor James Batho photo
Committee Member
Councillor James Batho

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Kathleen Becker photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities
Councillor Kathleen Becker

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Neil Bolton photo
Committee Member
Councillor Neil Bolton

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Caroline Brook photo
Committee Member
Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group
Councillor Caroline Brook

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Adrian Brophy photo
Committee Member
Councillor Adrian Brophy

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Chris Chamberlain photo
Committee Member
Councillor Chris Chamberlain

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Angela Clear photo
Committee Member
Councillor Angela Clear

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Susan Cook photo
Committee Member
Councillor Susan Cook

Independent Cllr (2023)

Present, as expected

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Councillor Steve Cramoysan photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Recycling and Public Protection
Councillor Steve Cramoysan

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Patrick Cunningham photo
Committee Member
Councillor Patrick Cunningham

Conservative

Apologies

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Councillor Neil Cutler OBE photo
Committee Member
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation
Councillor Neil Cutler OBE

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Nathan Eve photo
Committee Member
Councillor Nathan Eve

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Stephen Godfrey photo
Committee Member
Councillor Stephen Godfrey

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Caroline Horrill photo
Committee Member
Leader of the Conservative Group
Councillor Caroline Horrill

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Brian Laming photo
Committee Member
Councillor Brian Laming

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Paula Langford-Smith photo
Committee Member
Councillor Paula Langford-Smith

Conservative

Apologies

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Councillor Kelsie Learney photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for the Climate and Nature Emergency
Councillor Kelsie Learney

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Danny Lee photo
Committee Member
Councillor Danny Lee

Green

Present, as expected

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Councillor Steve Miller photo
Committee Member
Councillor Steve Miller

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jonny Morris photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jonny Morris

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jerry Pett photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jerry Pett

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jackie Porter photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Place and Local Plan
Councillor Jackie Porter

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Margot Power photo
Committee Member
Councillor Margot Power

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Malcolm Wallace photo
Committee Member
Councillor Malcolm Wallace

Green

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jan Warwick photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jan Warwick

Conservative

Apologies

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Councillor Chris Westwood photo
Committee Member
Councillor Chris Westwood

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Councillor Jonathan Williams photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jonathan Williams

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Anne Small photo
Committee Member
Councillor Anne Small

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Lucille Thompson photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Business and Culture
Councillor Lucille Thompson

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor John Tippett-Cooper photo
Committee Member
Councillor John Tippett-Cooper

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Martin Tod photo
Committee Member
Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration
Councillor Martin Tod

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Charlie Wise photo
Committee Member
Councillor Charlie Wise

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jamie Scott photo
Committee Member
Deputy Mayor
Councillor Jamie Scott

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Councillor Rachel Aron

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Michael Bennett

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Ritchie Latham

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Richard Murphy

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Clare Pinniger

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Suzanne White

Present, as expected

Agenda
1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 6 November 2024
Attachments:
Minutes RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 6 November 2024 be approved and adopted.
2 Disclosure of Interests
To receive any disclosure of interests from Councillors or Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs), other registerable interests (ORIs) and non-registerable interests (NRIs) in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.
Minutes Councillors Porter, Tod, Wallace and Williams each declared disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of agenda items due to their role as Hampshire County Councillors.  However, as there was no material conflict of interest, they remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee to participate and vote in all matters which might have a County Council involvement.
3 Announcements from the Mayor, Leader and Chief Executive
Minutes The Mayor firstly paid tribute to former councillor and the 791st Mayor of Winchester, Pamela Peskett who had recently passed away. Council stood in silent tribute to her memory.

The Mayor then referred to recent events he had attended and also those arranged in aid of his charities.  He then advised that the annual Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards had been launched and that presentations would take place on 13 March 2025.

The Mayor then advised that he had written to the following recipients in the King’s New Year Honours:

·       James Murray and Sarah Parish of Alresford – both an MBE for services to children with illnesses and their families.

·       David Bond of Winchester – a CBE for services to the defence supply chain.

·       Gillian Reid of Southampton – a CBE for services to the chemical sciences, and to inclusion and diversity.

·       Roderick Bransgrove of Winchester – an MBE for services to sport.

·       Kenneth Weatherley of Shawford – an MBE for services to young people.

·       Alexander James Morrice of Meonstoke – a BEM for services to the community in Meonstoke and Corhampton.

·       Kenneth Galton of Southwick – a BEM for services to Hazel Coppicing and to Heritage Crafts.

The Leader made no announcements but referred to agenda item 8 on which he would update the Council on the English Devolution White Paper.

The Chief Executive announced apologies for the meeting.
4 Questions from Members of the Public
To receive and answer and questions from the public.

(Questions must be received in writing by Democratic Services – democracy@winchester.gov.uk – no later than 10am on Wednesday 8 January 2025)
Minutes There were no written questions received for response at the meeting.
5 To consider and determine the following Recommended Minutes: Cabinet held 11 December 2024 - Council Plan 2025-30 (CAB3480)
RECOMMENDED:

That the adoption of the Council Plan 2025 -2030 be recommended to Full Council with effect from 1 April 2025.

At the meeting of Cabinet held 11 December 2024 it was agreed that authority be delegated to the Leader, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to make any necessary minor amendments and typographical corrections to the Plan prior to consideration at Council.

Accordingly, a revised tracked changed version of the Council Plan 2025 -2030 is now included at Appendix 1 to Report CAB3480 (attached)
Minutes Councillor Tod (Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management) moved that the Recommended Minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Learney, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency).

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute.

At conclusion of debate and following the seconder (Councillor Learney, having reserved her right to speak) addressing the meeting and then summing up by the proposer (Councillor Tod), Council then voted on the Recommended Minute before it.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 11 December 2024 be approved and adopted:

1. That the Council Plan 2025-2030 (Appendix 1 to Report CAB3480, as amended) be adopted with effect 1 April 2025.
6 To consider and determine the following Recommended Minutes: Audit and Governance Committee held 28 November 2024 - Final Report and Pay Policy Statement 2025/26 (AG142)
RECOMMENDED:

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2025/26 be adopted.
Minutes Councillor Morris (Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee) moved that the Recommended Minute of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Chamberlain).

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute.

At conclusion of debate and following the seconder (Councillor Chamberlain, having reserved his right to speak) addressing the meeting and then summing up by the proposer (Councillor Morris), Council then voted on the Recommended Minute before it.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of the Audit and Governance Committee held 28 November 2024 be approved and adopted:

1. That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2025/26 be adopted.
7 To consider and determine the following Recommended Minutes: Audit and Governance Committee held 28 November 2024 - Complaints Guidance and Process (AG146)
RECOMMENDED:

That the arrangements for dealing with code of conduct complaints (Appendix 2 of report AG146) be adopted as a document that is incorporated into the Councils Constitution.
Minutes Councillor Morris (Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee) moved that the Recommended Minute of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Chamberlain).

There were no questions from Council and at conclusion of debate and following the seconder (Councillor Chamberlain, having reserved his right to speak) addressing the meeting and then summing up by the proposer (Councillor Morris), Council then voted on the Recommended Minute before it.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of the Audit and Governance Committee held 28 November 2024 be approved and adopted:

1. That the arrangements for dealing with code of conduct complaints (Appendix 2 to Report AG146) be adopted and is incorporated into the Council’s Constitution.
8 Information for Council - English Devolution White Paper
The Government published its English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024 setting out a programme of devolution and Local Government reorganisation across England.

The vision outlined by Government is that all parts of England are to be part of regional Strategic Authorities that have a regional Mayor. These Strategic Authorities, working in a similar way to existing Mayoral Combined Authorities will have responsibility for driving growth and shaping public services across wider regional geographies covering strategic leadership of key place shaping responsibilities such as economic regeneration and growth, strategic planning, skills and employment and strategic?transport. These Strategic Authorities will consist of Unitary Councils, which the White Paper indicates will ultimately replace the current two tier local government structure.

The Leader of the Council will provide a verbal report on the current position for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and its possible implications for Winchester City Council.
Minutes Councillor Tod (Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management) provided a verbal report to Council regarding the English Devolution White Paper.

In summary, the Leader explained that Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and the Isle of Wight Council had indicated to Government that they wished to join the Devolution Priority Programme in order to bring forward proposals for a County Combined Authority with an elected Mayor. A County Combined Authority had strategic oversight for transport and infrastructure, skills and employment support, housing and strategic planning powers. The combined authority would also incorporate functions from the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Fire Authority. If accepted on the priority programme, it was anticipated that Mayoral elections would take place in May 2026.

The Leader then referred to local government reorganisation. The White Paper sets outs that The Government will facilitate a programme of?local government reorganisation for two tier areas and for small unitary councils, or where there are failures in unitary councils. Although there was not yet a fully defined timetable for any reorganisation, it was anticipated local government reorganisation would take place at pace to support devolution proposals. Although this could take a phased approach, new unitary councils could be established in Hampshire and Isle of Wight in 2028. The Leader indicated that he had invited Parish and Town Councils to a virtual meeting to brief them on the proposals in early February and committed to keeping members of council updated as discussions progressed.

There had been five questions submitted by members of the council related to this matter (that would ordinarily have been dealt with at agenda item 10) and the Mayor proposed that the Leader now respond to these, and the questioners be also allowed to ask one associated supplementary question, as was usual.
9 Changes to Committee Memberships
To receive any resignations from committees and to make any necessary re-appointments.
Minutes There were no changes to committees to announce.
10 Questions from Members of Council
The total time for questions and the answer and supplementaries thereto shall not exceed 40 minutes.
Attachments:
Minutes 12 written questions had been received which were heard at the meeting along with associated supplementary questions. The questions received and their response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.
Previous Meetings
Meeting

14th May 2025

Council

Meeting

19th Mar 2025

Council

Meeting

27th Feb 2025

Council

Meeting

15th Jan 2025

Council

Meeting

6th Nov 2024

Council

Meeting

30th Sep 2024

Council

Meeting

18th Sep 2024

Council

Meeting

28th Aug 2024

Council

Meeting

16th Jul 2024

Council

Meeting

11th Jul 2024

Council

Future Meetings
Meeting

9th Jul 2025

Council

Meeting

17th Sep 2025

Council

Meeting

24th Sep 2025

Council

Meeting

6th Nov 2025

Council

Meeting

14th Jan 2026

Council

Meeting

26th Feb 2026

Council

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