Agenda and minutes

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Bains and Bowerman.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

RECOMMENDED that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item headed and numbered as below because:

(a)        it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information of the descriptions specified in paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 shown against the heading in question; and

(b)        in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Item 4 – Property Regeneration

(Paragraph 3)

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item as:

(i)            It was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as specified in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Local Government Act 1972; and

(ii)          In all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

The report to be considered was exempt under Paragraph 3 – information relation to the financial affairs or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

Report to follow.

(This item was taken in camera)

Councillor Pike presented an exempt report to Cabinet seeking authority to proceed with a property acquisition as a first step towards the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans for the Borough.   Montagu Evans property investment consultants had been commissioned to advise on the potential risks and benefits of the prospective acquisition and were in attendance with the officers to answer Cabinet members’ questions.

Councillor Pike gave an assurance that, in taking forward the emerging Regeneration Strategy for Havant Borough, all members of the Council would be given an opportunity to contribute and welcomed questions from non-Cabinet members at an informal session to be held directly after this meeting.

RESOLVED as set out in the Restricted Minute.