Agenda and minutes

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bowerman, Branson, Fairhurst, Hart, Keast and Kerrin.

To receive any declarations of interests from Members present.

There were no declarations of interest from any of the members present.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting and the extraordinary meeting  of the Council held on 11 May 2016.

The minutes of the meeting, and the extraordinary meeting, of the Council held on 11 May 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the last meetigs.

To receive questions from, and provide answers to, the public, provided they have been submitted in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 13.4(f).

There were no public questions.

To be circulated separately.

There were no questions in connection with the Mayor’s published report.

At the invitation of the Mayor, the newly elected Councillors Davis, Carpenter, Lloyd and Thomas were each given an opportunity to address the Council to briefly introduce themselves to the Council and set out their aspirations for the future.

RECOMMENDED that the Council:

(a)          Reviews the representation of the different political groups on the Council and the allocation of seats to each of those political groups into which the Council is divided as set out in Appendix A; and

(b)               Approves the appointments of Councillors to Committees other sundry appointments in accordance with the wishes of the political Groups and as set out in Appendix B.

The Leader presented a schedule of revised Committee and other appointments arising from changes to the political constitution of the Council since the last meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Cheshire and seconded by Councillor Wilson, it was:

RESOLVED that

(1)          the representation of the different political groups on the Council and the allocations of seats to each of those political groups into which the Council is divided as set out in Appendix A be approved; and

(2)          the appointment of Councillors to Committees and other sundry appointments, in accordance with the wishes of the political groups, as set out in Appendix B be approved.

Councillor Cheshire presented a report to Council seeking appointments supporting the governance arrangements within the 5 Councils Contract.

Proposed by Councillor Cheshire and seconded by Councillor Sceal, it was:

RESOLVED that

(1)          Councillor Bains be appointed to the Five Councils Joint Committee; and

(2)          Councillor Buckley and Councillor Pike be appointed to the Five Councils Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(A)         To consider the following recommendation arising from the Cabinet  meeting held on 8 June 2016, the agenda and reports for the Cabinet meeting can be viewed through the following link:

https://havantintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=128&MId=10044&Ver=4

Review of the Closed Circuit Television System

RECOMMENDED to Council that it:

(i)         agrees to actively consider providing a financial contribution commensurate with other authorities, if in the future a requirement for a modern, digital, fully integrated, centrally monitored CCTV system be generated by a Office of Police and Crime Commissioner/Hampshire Constabulary together with a request for financial support; and

(ii)        agrees that developers and their architects be encouraged to provide for the security needs of future occupiers when designing a new building or altering a current building in Town Centres.

(B)         To consider the following recommendation arising from the Licensing Committee meeting held on 15 June 2016, the agenda and reports for the Cabinet meeting can be viewed through the following link:

https://havantintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=125&MId=10079&Ver=4

Proposed Changes to the current Licensing Act 2003 Policy

RECOMMENDED that the Council approves the Statement of Licensing Policy (as amended) as Council policy subject to the heading of Appendix 2 to the report to the Licensing Committee being amended to read “Responsible Authorities And Licensing Contacts”.

(C)         To consider any additional recommendations arising from the Cabinet  meeting held on 20 July 2016, the agenda and reports for the Cabinet meeting can be viewed through the following link:

https://havantintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=128&MId=10045&Ver=4

(A)         Review of the Closed Circuit Television System

Councillor Cheshire presented a recommendation to Council arising from the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June, when Cabinet had considered a report and recommendations from the Scrutiny Board following its review of Closed Circuit Television.

Proposed by Councillor Cheshire and seconded by Councillor K Smith, it was:

RESOLVED that the Council

(1)          agrees to actively consider providing a financial contribution commensurate with other authorities if, in the future, a requirement for a modern, digital, fully integrated, centrally monitored CCTV system be generated  by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner/Hampshire Constabulary, together with a  request for financial support; and

(2)          agrees that developers and their architects be encouraged to provide for the security needs of future occupiers when designing a new building or altering a current building in Town Centres.

(B)         Proposed Changes to the current Licensing Act 2003 Policy

Councillor D Smith presented a recommendation from the Licensing Committee held on 15 June 2016 on changes to the Council’s current Licensing Act 2003 Policy.

Proposed by Councillor D Smith and seconded by Councillor Hughes, it was:

RESOLVED that the Statement of Licensing Policy (as amended) be approved as Council policy, subject to the heading of Appendix 2 to the report to the Licensing Committee being amended to read “Responsible Authorities And Licensing Contacts”.

(C)         Parking Supplementary Planning Document

Councillor Cheshire presented a report and recommendation arising from the Cabinet meeting held on 20 July 2016.  Proposed by Councillor Cheshire and seconded by Councillor Buckley, it was:

RESOLVED that the Parking Supplementary Planning Document  be approved and adopted.

To consider the following recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 26 April 2016 the agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed through the following link:

https://havantintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=123&MId=10146&Ver=4

Annual Report Scrutiny Report 2015/16

RECOMMENDED to Council that the Annual Scrutiny Report 2015/16 be approved.

As Chairman of the Scrutiny Board for 2015/16, Councillor Branson presented the Board’s Annual Report to Council, highlighting the key pieces of work undertaken, and the outcomes delivered, by the Board and its Panels during the course of the year.

Proposed by Councillor Branson and seconded by Councillor Mackey, it was:

RESOLVED that the Annual Scrutiny Board Report for 2015/16 be approved.

To be circulated separately.

In addition to his published report, the Leader announced that a pilot Councillor Community Grant scheme would be trialled during the Autumn, allowing Ward Councillors to award grant funding to support local community groups and projects.  The scheme would be funded within the current year’s budget through the significant efficiency savings achieved in-year and delivered across all services.  Guidelines for Councillors would be circulated shortly and a review would be undertaken at the end of the pilot to inform any decision on formally embedding the scheme as part of next year’s budget setting process.

To be circulated separately.

The Mayor gave the Cabinet Leads an opportunity to provide updates on their published reports.

Councillor Briggs provided a verbal update to Council on key current issues within his portfolio as Cabinet Lead for Operations and Environmental Services on the delivery of operational services and projects being taken forward under the new joint venture company with NORSE.

Councillor Guest was pleased to report the opening of new Marks and Spencer, Mothercare and Next retail outlets in the Borough.

(i)                the Leader and Cabinet Leads to answer questions on matters within their respective reports.

(ii)           Chairmen to answer questions on minutes since the last Council meeting

The Mayor gave all members of the Council and opportunity to ask questions of the Leader and Cabinet Lead members in connection with their published reports.  There were no questions for the Committee Chairmen.

To receive questions from Councillors in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 23.4(a).

The Council received the following questions to Councillor Guest, submitted by Councillor Perry in accordance with Standing Order 23:

(A)       “What actions will the cabinet lead take to ensure the safety of residents in HBC owned buildings and specifically for, but not restricted to the Hayling Island Community Centre (HICC) and the Emsworth Cricket Pavilion bearing in mind fire safety regulation compliance requirements.”

            In response, Councillor Guest gave an assurance that the Council fulfilled its legal obligations in relation to fire regulations on Council-owned buildings and that arrangements for managing buildings varied according to the agreed lease between the Council and its lessees.

(B)      “Could the cabinet lead please identify how the necessary infrastructure improvements will be implemented to support the extra 11,000 homes that his party have identified and will plan to have built. Specifically: (a) how will traffic congestion be addressed on Hayling Island; the Belmont roundabout in Bedhampton and Havant Town Centre”. (b) how will the cabinet lead ensure that necessary improvements to both health centres and schools will be implemented.

            In response, Councillor Guest reported that public consultation was now underway in relation to the Local Plan Housing Statement as the first step in positively planning for housing that had been identified as needed within the Borough and that all representations received would be given full consideration.

To receive urgent questions from Councillors submitted in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 23.4(b).

There were no urgent questions.

(A)         The Council to consider the following Motion, proposed by Councillor G Hughes and seconded by Councillor M Cheshire, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 14:

“This council notes:

1. The obligations its owes to the Armed Forces community within Havant borough as enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant; that the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage in the provision of services and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most.

2. The absence of definitive and comprehensive statistics on the size or demographics of the Armed Forces community within Havant borough. This includes serving regular and reserve personnel, veterans, and their families.

3. That the availability of such data would greatly assist the council, local partner agencies, the voluntary sector, and national Government in the planning and provision of services to address the unique needs of the Armed Forces community within Havant borough.

In light of the above, this council moves to support and promote the Royal British Legion’s call to include a new topic in the 2021 census that concerns military service and membership of the Armed Forces community. We further call upon the UK Parliament, which will approve the final census questionnaire through legislation in 2019, to ensure that the 2021 census includes questions concerning our Armed Forces community.”

(B)         The Council to consider the following Motion, proposed by Councillor C Satchwell and seconded by Councillor D Patrick, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 14:

“That the Council places on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the officers and temporary employees supporting election processes, who ensure that democracy is upheld in the Borough of Havant.  Their diligent work, commitment in often difficult situations and the very long hours worked, should be appreciated and recognised.  I would therefore like to propose a formal vote of thanks on behalf of the Borough of Havant.”

The Mayor reported that two Motions had been received on notice in accordance with Standing Order 14.

(A)         Proposed by Councillor Hughes and seconded by Councillor Cheshire, it was:

RESOLVED that

(1) this Council notes:

(a)       the obligations its owes to the Armed Forces community within Havant borough as enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant; that the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage in the provision of services and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most;

(b)       the absence of definitive and comprehensive statistics on the size or demographics of the Armed Forces community within Havant borough. This includes serving regular and reserve personnel, veterans, and their families;

(c)        that the availability of such data would greatly assist the council, local partner agencies, the voluntary sector, and national Government in the planning and provision of services to address the unique needs of the Armed Forces community within Havant borough; and that

(2)       in light of the above, this council moves to support and promote the Royal British Legion’s call to include a new topic in the 2021 census that concerns military service and membership of the Armed Forces community. We further call upon the UK Parliament, which will approve the final census questionnaire through legislation in 2019, to ensure that the 2021 census includes questions concerning our Armed Forces community.

(B)      Proposed by Councillor Satchwell and seconded by Councillor Patrick, it was

RESOLVED that

(1)       the Council places on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the officers and temporary employees supporting election processes, who ensure that democracy is upheld in the Borough of Havant. Their diligent work, commitment in often difficult situations and the very long hours worked, should be appreciated and recognised; and

(2)       a formal vote of thanks on behalf of the Borough of Havant be recorded.

To receive the following minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of the Council:

Development Management Committee – 26 May 2016

Scrutiny Board – 7 June 2016

Licensing Committee – 15 June 2016

Development Management Committee – 16 June 2016

Governance and Audit Committee – 29 June 2016

The minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of the Council were received.