Agenda and minutes

Venue: Skype for Business - Skype for Business. View directions

Contact: James Harris  Deputy Democratic Services Team Leader

Link: Watch_the_Meeting

Items
No. Item

3.

Apologies for Absence, Confirmation of Attendance and Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Carpenter, Inkster, Raines, Gary Robinson, Scott, Thain-Smith and Wade.

 

There were no declarations of interest from the members present.

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 286 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Annual meeting of the Council held on 22 July 2020.

Minutes:

Proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Hughes it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council/Mayor Making held on 22 July 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

5.

Mayor's Report pdf icon PDF 319 KB

Minutes:

The Mayor provided an update to his report including a visit to Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary, ‘Think Pink’ Week, his recent interviews on BBC Radio Solent and the reach of the Mayor’s Facebook page.

 

There were no questions in relation to the Mayor’s published report.

6.

Petitions

Council to debate and respond to the below petition, received in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme:

 

‘Immediate Revision of Hayling Island Coastal Defence Policy with Interim Measures’

 

https://www.change.org/p/havant-borough-council-should-ensure-an-immediate-revision-of-hayling-island-coastal-defence-policy

 

Please note that 20 minutes in total will be allocated to this item, in accordance with the Council’s adopted Petitions Scheme.  This time to comprise of up to five minutes for the petition organiser to present the petition and up to 15 minutes for Council to debate the petition.

Minutes:

Mr Parham introduced the petition titled ‘Immediate Revision of Hayling Island Coastal Defence Policy with Interim Measures’ which had been submitted to the Council by Mr Owens.

 

In reply, Cllr Hughes summarised the history of the sea defences on West Beach.  These had been completed in 1975 to counter the effect of a large concrete terrace built behind the Inn on the Beach in the 1960’s.  Cllr Hughes then detailed the Beach Management Plan for the seafront before explaining the council’s natural evolution policy in respect of West Beach.

 

He was conscious of the need for Hayling Island seafront to maintain its appeal and for West Beach to remain available all year round.  In response to concerns about visitor numbers, he informed Council that Summer 2020 had been one of the busiest for over thirty years. 

 

He confirmed that the Coastal Strategy was progressing, although he stressed the importance of it being correct prior to adoption rather than being hurried.

 

He proposed that Council note the petition and believed that concerned residents and visitors should take comfort in knowing that the Council understood their concerns and takes the matter seriously.

 

This motion was duly seconded by Cllr Wilson and following a vote was declared carried.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED that Council NOTED the petition received titled ‘‘Immediate Revision of Hayling Island Coastal Defence Policy with Interim Measures.’

7.

Public Questions under Standing Order 13.4(f)

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).

Minutes:

No questions had been received under Standing Order 13.4(f).

8.

Committee/Board Recommendations

9.

Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Crellin introduced the item in her capacity as the Chairman of the Joint Human Resources Committee and proposed the recommendation to Council.

 

The recommendation was duly seconded by Cllr Wilson.

 

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement for Havant Borough Council be approved.

10.

'Shaping Our Future' Transformation Programme pdf icon PDF 196 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader proposed the Cabinet recommendation, which was duly seconded by Cllr Hughes.

 

The Leader introduced the report, explaining that the recommendations solely sought an outline policy decision to enable work to put the Council in a financially stable position going forwards. The proposal of a shared workforce was envisaged many years ago and represented the natural evolution of a process that had started in 2009 with the appointment of a shared Chief Executive with East Hampshire District Council and a subsequent shared senior management team.  He assured that the process would be evidence based and that members would be involved in developing the details via scrutiny as the project evolved.

 

The Leader answered questions that had been submitted in advance by Cllr Davis.  He confirmed that transformation would play a major role in securing the financial sustainability of the Council, however all areas would continue to be reviewed and opportunities to make savings.  The transformation programme was not solely about finance, it represented a change in the way the Council worked in order to become more efficient.

 

He confirmed that devolution was not a driver behind the programme and options for devolution were not known.  If devolution options presented themselves, a full business case would be presented to Council for consideration. The Council continued to engage with Government through the appropriate channels on a wide range of topics to ensure that it best supported residents and businesses.

 

The majority of councillors supported the recommendations; however a concern was raised about the level of engagement with councillors to date and the lack of a risk assessment.  It was also believed that some residents would not support the programme and greater engagement with scrutiny was encouraged.

 

Cllr Wilson confirmed that he was happy to include a recommendation that scrutiny receive quarterly progress updates from the Chief Executive and proposed an amendment to the recommendation to that effect.

 

The amendment was duly seconded by Cllr Hughes.

 

Following a vote the amendment was declared CARRIED.

 

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED that:

 

(i)            Council agree the approach taken by Cabinet to implement the Corporate Plan to create a sustainable Council; and

(ii)          Invites the Chief Executive to report to scrutiny each quarter outlining progress, expenditure and any delay.

11.

Appointment of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

Cllr Bowerman proposed the recommendation to Council.

 

The recommendation was duly seconded by Cllr Crellin

 

Following the vote, it was RESOLVED that Mr Brian Wood be appointed as the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for Havant Borough Council.

12.

Noting of Delegated Decisions Taken pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Council is asked to note the following decisions taken by the Leader of the Council:

 

·         Approval of Digital Strategy

 

·         Emergency Scheme of Delegations

 

Council is asked to note the following decision taken by the Chief Executive under the Emergency Scheme of Delegations:

 

·         Deferment of Annual Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet RESOLVED that the following Delegated Decisions be NOTED:

(i)            Approval of Digital Strategy

(ii)          Emergency Scheme of Delegation

(iii)         Deferment of Annual Council

13.

Leader's Report pdf icon PDF 373 KB

Minutes:

The Leader had nothing to add to his published report.

14.

Cabinet Lead Reports pdf icon PDF 230 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Bains provided the following updates to her published report:

 

·         The plans for the Warblington Footbridge project had been approved and it had been confirmed that the HCC funding remained in place for the project, along with some funding from Govia Thameslink Railway;

·         The Jubilee Park Bowls Club drainage work would recommence imminently;

·         The Northney drainage works were funded and the tidal outfall repairs were expected to be completed over the next two months; and

·         She would open up discussions with officers in respect of how to progress the Scratchface Lane Recreation Ground works.

15.

Cabinet Leads and Chairmen's Question Time

(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 ordinary Council meeting.

Minutes:

Question from Councillor Pike to Councillor Wilson

 

Cllr Pike requested the removal of the temporary traffic measures in Havant Town Centre that had been put in place to widen the pavements as they made it difficult for deliveries to be made to shops.  

 

Response: Cllr Wilson agreed to review the matter.

16.

Questions Under Standing Order 23

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

Minutes:

No questions had been received under Standing Order 23.

17.

Urgent Questions Under Standing Order 23

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

Minutes:

No urgent questions had been received under Standing Order 23.

18.

Notices of Motion

No Motions have been received.

Minutes:

No motions had been submitted.

19.

Acceptance of Minutes

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

 

Extraordinary Development Management Committee – 27 January 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=127&MId=11055

 

Operations and Place Shaping Board – 28 January 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=476&MId=10958

 

Cabinet – 5 February 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=128&MId=10861

 

Business and Commercial Services Board – 3 March 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=486&MId=10953

 

Extraordinary Development Management Committee – 5 March 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=127&MId=10884

 

Operations and Place Shaping Board – 10 March 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=476&MId=10959

 

Cabinet – 3 June 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=128&MId=11072

 

Joint Scrutiny Board – 22 June 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=515&MId=11129

 

Development Management Committee – 25 June 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=127&MId=11135

 

Cabinet – 1 July 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=128&MId=11073

 

Joint Human Resources Committee – 13 July 2020

 

https://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=11136

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

Proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Hughes it was

 

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