Agenda and minutes

The Mayor asked all those present to stand for a minute’s silence in memory of the late Councillor Frida Edwards.

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs E Shimbart, E Rees and V Pierce Jones.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

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

The Mayor reported good progress in taking forward the Motion agreed at the last Council meeting in respect of the addition of names to the Council’s War Memorial.

The Mayor also reported that the Mayoral Chain of Office had been sent for engraving and would be returned shortly once revalued.

The Council is asked to consider whether to pass a resolution excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the agenda.  If members wish to do so then this could be achieved by passing the following resolution.  Members are not required to pass the resolution but the Monitoring Officer recommends this as to the item set out below.

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 5a – Cabinet Recommendations – Delivering Differently – Future Service Delivery of Operational Services – Business Case for JVC

(Paragraph 3)

RESOLVED that

(1)           the press and the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items 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 I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Local Government Act 1972; and

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

(2)          An exception be made to allow officers directly affected by the proposals to remain in the meeting for consideration of this item.

The report to be considered was exempt under Paragraph 3 – Information

relating to the financial affairs or business affairs of any particular person

(including the Authority holding that information).

To consider any recommendations arising from the extraordinary Cabinet meeting to be held on 20 January 2016 (to be tabled at the meeting).  Exempt report circulated with the Cabinet agenda.

(This item was taken in camera).

Councillor Cheshire presented a recommendation from the extraordinary Cabinet meeting held on 20 January 2016 relating to the business case for the proposed Joint Venture Company for the future delivery of Operational Services.

Proposed by Councillor Cheshire and seconded by Councillor Briggs, it was

RESOLVED that the following be approved:

(1)          the Business Case for the JVC, and authority for the Officer Negotiation Team to hold strategic discussions with representatives of Norse Commercial Services to ensure the integrity and best interests of Havant Borough Council are protected, and gets the best value from a Joint Venture Partnership with Norse Commercial Services with a start up date of 1^st April 2016;

(2)          the development of an Overheads Savings Plan, to identify where further HBC staff savings could be made following mobilisation to ensure opportunities for savings are maximised;

(3)          the development of an accommodation strategy for Southmoor Offices and implementation of initial phase;

(4)          the mobilisation of the JVC; and

(5)          development of links to other strategic objectives and opportunities.

At the conclusion of the meeting Councillor Briggs, as Cabinet Lead for Environment and Neighbourhood Quality, took the opportunity to express his gratitude to all operational services managers and staff for their hard work and support in taking the project forward.   Full consultations with staff and members had been crucial throughout the process in seeking a successful outcome.