Agenda and minutes

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs G Blackett, R Galloway, M Johnson, O Kennedy, V Pierce Jones, Mrs M Smallcorn and K Smith.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 October 2013 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 October 2013 were approved 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 meeting.

To receive any declarations of interests from Members.

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

The Mayor provided an outline of the various charity and other events he had attended since the last meeting of the Council, including: a visit to Waterlooville Police Station; dinner with the Second Sea Lord aboard HMS Victory; signing of the Hampshire Armed Forces Covenant at the Plaza; the Mayor also reminded members that his annual Charity Ball would be held in the Plaza Events Suite on 8 February 2014.

To follow.

The Leader circulated a report setting out details of meetings and other events he had attended since the last meeting of the Council. 

In addition to the information set out in his report, the Leader also outlined changes to Government funding for transportation in South Hampshire, now to be channelled through the Local Enterprise Partnership, and reminded Councillors with regard to the forthcoming Peer Review being facilitated through the LGA.

The Leader referred to a recent successful Developers’ Breakfast conference hosted at the Plaza and innovative plans to develop custom-built properties within the Borough.

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) commissioned through the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) had been the subject of discussion at a recent PUSH workshop.  The revised housing allocation figures for the Borough arising from the SHMA had increased significantly and there was some concern about the integrity of the data upon which the figures had been based and the Leader would be challenging this.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder reports had been circulated and the Mayor asked the Portfolio Holders if they wished to add anything to their written reports.

Councillor Fairhurst reported that the new Waste and Recycling Centre in Havant would shortly be opening.

To consider the following recommendations from the Cabinet and any of the Boards or Committees:

(A)      Licensing Committee 13 November 2013

Gambling Act 2005

RECOMMENDED to the Council that the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles (as amended) be approved.

(B)      Cabinet 27 November 2013

Council Tax Support Scheme

RECOMMENDED to the Council that:

(1)          the 2013/14 Council Tax Support Scheme is retained for 2014/15 but with the following amendments:

(i)        the Allowances and Premiums used in determining entitlement for working age claims are changed as set out in paragraph 6.3 of this report;

(ii)       the Non-Dependant deductions used in determining entitlement for working age claims are changed as set out in paragraph 6.4 of this report.

(2)          the Service Manager (Revenues & Benefits) makes the necessary amendments to the Council Tax Support Scheme document and arranges for its publication

(A)         The Council considered Licensing Committee Minute No. 18/11/2013 from its meeting held on 27 November 2013, recommending approval of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles (as amended).

Proposed by Councillor G Shimbart and seconded by Councillor R Brown, it was RESOLVED that the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles (as amended) be approved.

(B)         The Council considered Cabinet Minute No. 38/11/2013 from its meeting on 27 November 2013 recommending approval the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15.

Proposed by Councillor Bransons and seconded by Councillor J Smith, it was RESOLVED that

(1)       the 2013/14 Council Tax Support Scheme is retained for 2014/15 but with the following amendments:

            (i)        the Allowances and Premiums used in determining entitlement for working age claims are changed as set out in paragraph 6.3 of the report to the Cabinet on 27 November 2013;

            (ii)       the Non-Dependant deductions used in determining entitlement for working age claims are changed as set out in paragraph 6.4 of the report to the Cabinet on 27 November 2013; and

(2)       the Service Manager (Revenues & Benefits) makes the necessary amendments to the Council Tax Support Scheme document and arranges for its publication.

The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) is comprised of 11 local authorities, including Havant Borough Council, and has in recent years been responsible for promoting local economic growth.  Since the establishment of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) however, responsibility for allocating funding for local infrastructure and economic growth projects has largely been transferred to the LEPs and, as such, the role of PUSH has changed with a focus now on strategic planning. The focus of the partnership is to provide support for improved economic performance through the delivery the local authority services and functions.

As a partner of PUSH, and under the terms of the joint agreement, the Council is required to consider for approval the PUSH annual Business Plan which can be viewed via the following link:  http://www.push.gov.uk/push_business_plan_-_final.pdf .  Hard copies of the Business Plan can be made available upon request.  The Leader is the Council’s representative on the PUSH Joint Management Committee.

RECOMMENDED that the PUSH Business Plan for 2013-14 be approved.

As a partner of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire, and under the terms of the PUSH joint agreement, the Council was required to consider for approval the PUSH annual Business Plan which had been previously circulated.

Proposed by Councillor Briggs and seconded by Councillor Branson, it was RESOLVD that the PUSH Business Plan for 2013-14 be approved.

(i)               The Leader and Portfolio Holders to answer questions on matters within their portfolio; and

(ii)             Board and Committee Chairmen to answer questions since the last Council meeting.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Board and Committee Chairmen all answered questions within their remit.

To note the appointment of Councillor Peter Wade to the Scrutiny Board and the Licensing Committee.

RESOLVED that the appointment of Councillor Peter Wade to the Scrutiny Board and the Licensing Committee be noted.

To approve and note the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2014/15.

RESOLVED that the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2014/15 be approved.

To receive any questions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 23.4(a).

There were no questions under Standing Order 23.4(a).

To receive any urgent questions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 23.4(b).

There were no urgent questions under Standing Order 23.4(b).

To receive the minutes of meetings held since publication of the last Council agenda.

Proposed by Councillor G Shimbart and seconded by Councillor J Smith, it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held since publication of the last Council agenda, and set out in the Minute Volume, be accepted.