Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Denton, Diamond and Patrick.

To receive any declarations of interests from Members.

To were no declarations of interests from the members present relating to matters on the agenda.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 21 June 2023 as a true record.

The minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 21 June 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The Mayor to give recently elected Councillor Rason an opportunity to introduce herself.

The Mayor invited recently elected Councillor Rason introduced herself to members.

For Council to receive and have opportunity to ask questions on the Mayor’s report.

The Mayor had nothing further to add to her published report and there were no questions from members present.

To deal with any public questions or address submitted in accordance with the requirements of Standing Orders 27.5 or 28, which is to deal with public questions or address notified no later than 12 noon three working days before the meeting.

There were 3 questions received from members of the public in accordance with these Standing Orders.

Mrs Buckley attended Council and asked her questions which were duly responded to by Councillor Lloyd within the meeting.

A full list of questions and a summary of the responses are attached as an appendix to the minutes.

To consider any recommended minutes from the Cabinet and any of the Boards or Committees.

1            Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 5th July, 2023

Annual Report

Council is recommended to note the Overview & Scrutiny’s Annual Report.

Cabinet on Wednesday, 26th July, 2023,

Membership of the Solent Cluster 

Recommendation to follow.

There were 2 Cabinet / Board / Committee recommendations for Council to consider at this meeting.

1        Overview & Scrutiny’s Annual Report

Councillor Kennett introduced this item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 05 July 2023, seeking Council to note the report.

Proposed by Councillor Kennett, seconded by Councillor Crellin, Council:

RESOLVED that the submitted 2022/23 Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report be noted.

2        Membership of the Solent Cluster

Councillor Lloyd introduced this item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 26 July 2023, seeking agreement for Havant Borough Council to become a member of the Solent Cluster.

Proposed by Councillor Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Linger, following debate and a vote in which there was one abstention, Council:

RESOLVED that Havant Borough Council become a member of the Solent Cluster.

A motion to Council to approve the Health & Safety Policy Statement for 2023/2024 was proposed by Councillor Bowdell and seconded by Councillor Wade.  Council considered the published report and following a vote, Council:

RESOLVED that the Health and Safety Policy Statement for 2023/24 be approved.

For Council to receive and have opportunity to ask questions on the Leader’s report.

In presenting his published report, the Leader wished to highlight the Council’s successful in achieving Gold award status for the Armed Forces Scheme. Cabinet thanked officers, in particular to Laura Bevis and former Councillor Thain-Smith, for their work behind the scenes in achieving this success and looked forward to the award ceremony later in the year on HMS Warrior on 05 October 2023.

The Leader responded to questions from Councillors on his published report within the meeting.

For Council to receive and have opportunity to ask questions on the Cabinet Lead’s reports.

The Cabinet Leads took questions from Councillors on their published reports, which were duly responded to within the meeting.

To receive questions from Councillors in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 27.4.1.

There were 6 questions received from Councillors under the provision of this standing order, which were duly responded to within the meeting by the relevant Cabinet Leads.

A summary of the questions and responses is attached as an appendix to the minutes of this meeting.

To receive urgent questions from Councillors submitted in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 27.4.2.

There were no urgent questions received from Councillors under the provision of this standing order.

To deal with any motions from Councillors received by 12 noon, at least six clear working days before the meeting in accordance with standing order 14.1.

1            Establishment of an Honourable Havant Citizen Award and Civic Board

Proposed by Councillor Turner, Seconded by Councillor Coates

The Council considered the published motion proposed by Councillor Turner and seconded by Councillor Coates.  Following debate and a vote, Council:

RESOLVED

To support the establishment of an annual Honourable Havant Citizen Award.  Establish a Civic Board to support the annual Honourable Havant Citizen Award and any future Freedom/Freeman of the Borough nominations.

The Council to receive the minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of Council:

1                 Audit and Finance Committee on Thursday, 23rd March, 2023

2                 Licensing Sub Committee on Monday, 5th June, 2023

3                 Cabinet on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023

4                 Licensing Committee on Monday, 12th June, 2023

5                 Planning Committee on Thursday, 15th June, 2023

6                 Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday, 19th June, 2023

7                 Licensing Committee on Monday, 26th June, 2023

8                 Planning Policy Committee on Tuesday, 4th July, 2023

9                 Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 5th July, 2023

10             Audit and Finance Committee on Monday, 10th July, 2023

11             Human Resources Committee on Wednesday, 12th July, 2023

Proposed by Councillor Keast and seconded by Councillor Sceal, Council:

RESOLVED that the minutes of Committees held since the last meeting of Council be received.