Agenda and minutes

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Blackett, Heard, Hunt, Johnson and Mrs Tarrant.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 April 2013 and the Annual Meeting held on 8 May 2013.

The minutes of the last ordinary meeting held on 17 April 2013 and the Annual Meeting held on 8 May 2013 were confirmed as correct records subject to the inclusion of Councillor Hart to those present at the Annual Meeting.

There were no declarations.

There were no declarations.

The Mayor gave details of past civic events and engagements.

The Council received a petition in the names of Mr Woolacott and Mr Perry which had been supported by over 4,000 signatures on the following matter:

“The new proposal to charge Hayling Health Centre Patients for car parking is a ‘tax on the sick’ and the recently increased car parking charges in Mengham is damaging local businesses and our community.

We, the undersigned, call upon Havant Borough Council to:

1.           Scrap proposals to introduce car parking charges for visitors to Hayling Health Centre;

2.           Reverse the recently increased car parking charges in Mengham; and

3.           Give serious consideration to a new 30 minute free of charge parking period in car parks in Mengham.”

Mr Woolacott then introduced the petition to the Council highlighting that the increase in car parking charges had been a rise of approximately 42% and was not acceptable at a time when traders and shoppers were hit by the recession. Surveys carried out locally had shown a footfall decrease at local shops of between 16 and 24%. He added that charging in the car park adjacent to the Health Centre was a ‘tax on the sick’ and would hit elderly people as they visited the Health Centre more frequently.

Councillor Collins as the relevant Portfolio Holder welcomed the petition and also referenced an additional petition recently received by the Council from Traders in Emsworth highlighting a similar plight. The following was then stated and later proposed by Councillor Collins and seconded by Councillor Cheshire:

“That officers carry out a review which will look at charges in our pay and display car parks as well as look at our on street parking arrangements across the Borough. The aim of this will be to address the issues raised by both petitions.

With respect to the free section of the car park at the Health Centre on Hayling Island, officers to change the Parking Order in the fenced off section of the car park so it is for the use of Health Centre patients only. We will then be able to enforce this change without the need to introduce charges at this stage.”

The Mayor outlined that the debate had a 15 minute time limit. Cllr Wilson proposed that the time be increased by a further 15 minutes, this was seconded by Councillor Lenaghan, put to the Council and carried.

Councillor Brown put forward the following proposal, seconded by Councillor Hart:

            That the Council:

(i)           scrap proposals to introduce car parking charges for visitors to Hayling Health Centre and all Borough Health Centres; and

(ii)          gives serious consideration to a new 30 minute free of charge parking period in all Borough car parks.

Councillor Wilson then put forward the following proposal, seconded by Councillor Lenaghan:

That the Council:

(i)           reverse the car parking charge increase in Mengham car parks;

(ii)          gives serious consideration to increasing the “20 minute free” pilot to 30 minutes; and

(iii)         Scrap charges in the car park adjacent to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The Council considered a motion proposed by Councillor Gibb-Gray and seconded by Councillor Galloway.

Following debate it was resolved that the motion be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED That this Council resolves to support Walkers are Welcome scheme in Emsworth, which towns and villages are encouraged to support. This is a bottom up initiative that starts from within the local community essentially to encourage walking in a local area and to promote this through websites, maps and notices. If approval is given, a small steering group will be formed which will have representatives from the community and business groups and a local Councillor. The footpath network in the Borough is well maintained but the Steering Group will commit to ensuring that we support the County and Borough in this endeavour. Emsworth is fortunate to have good public transport links via the rail and strategic bus network and this again is vital in encouraging the use of sustainable transport.

More information can be found at:

www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk

Cabinet members submitted written and verbal reports on the work within their portfolios.

A            The Council considered Cabinet minute 12/06/2013 which recommended the Council approve and adopt Community Infrastructure Levy Regulation 123.

RESOLVED that Cabinet Minute 12/06/2013 be approved and adopted.

B            The Council considered Cabinet minute 13/06/2013 which recommended the Council waive legal and monitoring fees associated with the development of Dunsbury Hill Farm during the early stages of the development and seek to reclaim the fees when the scheme returned profit.

Following questions for clarification and debate, it was

RESOLVED that Cabinet Minute 13/06/2013 be approved and adopted.

Councillors Briggs, Weeks, Fairhurst, Cheshire and Branson all answered questions relating to work within their portfolios.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes contained within the Minute Volume dated 18 April – 24 July 2013 be accepted.

RESOLVED  That the following casual committee changes be noted:

Joint Human Resources Committee: J Hunt off / G Shimbart and M Johnson on

Scrutiny Board: D Smith and M Wilson on

There were no questions.

The Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Lee Abraham, Democratic Services Team Leader who was leaving the Council after 6 years to take up an appointment at the University of Southampton.