Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bowdell, Denton, Milne, Kennett, Rason, Robinson and Shimbart.

To receive any declarations of interests from Members.

There 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 22 November 2023 as a true record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 22 November 2023 were approved as a correct record.

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 no public questions or requests to address Council received in accordance with the requirements of these Standing Orders.

To consider any recommended minutes from the Standards Committee on Tuesday, 12th December, 2023

(i)                  Constitution Review

Council is recommended to RESOLVE that:

a.         the revised Constitution for Havant Borough Council as attached to the report submitted to the Standards Committee on 12 December 2024, be adopted, in accordance with Section 9P of the Local Government Act 2000.

b.         the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Constitution in its final form.

c.         the Constitution be reviewed by the Standards Committee bi-annually with any recommended changes arising from its review to be submitted to Council for determination.

(ii)                 Adoption of the LGA Model Code of Conduct and Arrangements

Council is recommended to RESOLVE that:

a.         the LGA Model Code of Conduct be adopted.

b.         the revised Arrangements for dealing with allegations that a Member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct be adopted; and 

c.         training be arranged for all Members

There were 2 recommendations from the Standards Committee for Council to consider at this meeting.

(1)        Review of the Constitution

Councillor Turner introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of Standards Committee held on 12 December 2024, seeking the agreement of Full Council to revisions to the Council’s Constitution.

It was proposed by Councillor Turner and seconded by Councillor Bowerman that the recommendations made by Standards Committee be approved.

The members considered the options set out in the committee report and following a vote, Council

RESOLVED that:

 a.         the revised Constitution for Havant Borough Council as attached to the report submitted to the Standards Committee on 12 December 2023, be adopted, in accordance with Section 9P of the Local Government Act 2000.

b.          the Monitoring Officer be authorised to correct any minor typographical errors or inconsistent numbering or cross references which become evident in publishing the Constitution in its final form.

c.         the Constitution be reviewed by the Standards Committee bi-annually with any recommended changes arising from its review to be submitted to Council for determination

for the reasons set out in the report submitted to the Standards Committee held on 12 December 2023.

(1)        Members’ Code of Conduct

Councillor Turner introduced the item and recommendations to Council arising from the meeting of Standards Committee held on 12 December 2023, seeking the agreement of Full Council to adopt the Local Government’s Model Code of Conduct.

It was proposed by Councillor Turner and seconded by Councillor Rennie that the recommendations made by Standards Committee be approved.

The members considered the options set out in the committee report and following a vote, Council

RESOLVED that:

a.          the Local Government Association’s Model Code of Conduct be adopted.

b.          the revised arrangements for dealing with allegations that a Member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct be adopted; and

c.         training be arranged for all Members

for the reasons set out in the report submitted to the Standards Committee held on 12 December 2024.

Councillor Rennie, Leader of the Council, introduced a report seeking Council approval for special dispensation for Councillor Guest to be excused from attending meetings of the Council for a period up to and including the end of his current term of office, due to medical grounds.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Councillor Keast to adopt the recommendations set out in the report for the reasons set out in the report.

Council discussed the motion in detail, including the options available to Council.

Council voted to agree the motion.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that:

1.                  the grant of a dispensation for Councillor Guest pursuant to section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for a period up to and including Councillor Guest’s end of his current term of office be approved;

2.                  Councillor Guest be granted a leave of absence for non-attendance at meetings of the Authority in that period on medical grounds; and.

3.                  the best wishes of the Council are conveyed to Councillor Guest at this time.

Councillor Rennie, Leader of the Council, introduced a report setting out how the changes to the new electoral constituency arrangements for Havant Borough Council following the Review of Parliamentary Constituencies by the Boundary Commission for England would affect the Council. The report also outlined the case for appointing a Deputy Monitoring Officer.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Bowerman to adopt the recommendations set out in the report for the reasons set out in the report.

Council discussed the motion in detail, including the options available to Council and voted to agree the motion.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that:

1.                  the changes to the new electoral constituency arrangements for Havant Borough Council following the Review of Parliamentary Constituencies by the Boundary Commission for England be noted;

2.                  the impact of the new ward boundaries and equality of electorate for Havant Borough Council following the Local Government Boundary Review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England be noted; and.

3.                  the Monitoring Officer be appointed as Deputy Electoral Registration Officer, with full powers, for Havant Borough.

Councillor Rennie, Leader of the Council, introduced a report on the 2023 polling district and polling place review.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Munday to adopt the recommendations set out in the report for the reasons set out in the report.

Council discussed the motion in detail, including the options available to Council and voted to agree the motion.

It was therefore,

RESOLVED that:

1.                  the report on the review of polling districts and polling places following the Local Government Boundary Review of all wards in the Borough be noted; and

2.                  the recommended polling places and the Returning Officer’s choice of polling stations for future elections be approved.

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

Councillor Rennie, the Leader of the Council, presented his published report and responded to questions from Councillors within the meeting.

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

Council considered the published Cabinet Lead reports.

In addition to her published report, Councillor Lloyd provided an update on

a.                  the Southleigh Park planning application; and

b.                  the provision of electronic signage about water quality on Hayling Island beaches.

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

Council noted that, in view of Councillor Robinson’s absence, a written answer would be provided to a question relating to the number of youth workers currently deployed in the Borough.

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

There was one question received from Councillor Coates under the provision standing order 27.4.1, which was duly responded to within the meeting by the relevant Cabinet Leads.

A summary of the question and response 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 Standing Order 27.4.2

There were no special urgency decisions made in the last quarter.

There were no special urgency decisions for consideration by Council for this meeting.

To appoint Councillor Harris to the Langstone Harbour Board in place of Councillor Coates, who has recently resigned from the Board.

Under the Pier and Harbour Order (Langstone Harbour) Confirmation Act 1962 the Council is required to appoint 6 Members to the Board. The current members are:

Councillors Linger, Gray, Lloyd, Richardson, Stone, Briggs (Standing Deputy), and Alex Rennie (Standing Deputy)

Appointments to the Board must reflect the Council’s political balance as the Board was appointed under a Local Act and the Council must appoint more than three Councillors to the Board.

The Council’s current political balance requires that the appointment should be filled by a member of the Labour Group, who have nominated Councillor Harris.

RECOMMENDED that Councillor Harris be appointed to the Langstone Harbour Board in place of Councillor Coates.

RESOLVED that Councillor Harris be appointed to the Langstone Harbour Board in place of Councillor Coates.

RESOLVED that the Calendar of meetings for 2024/25 be approved.

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

Planning Committee on 23rd November, 2023

Overview and Scrutiny Committee on  21st November, 2023

Overview and Scrutiny Committee on  6th December, 2023

Standards Committee on 12th December, 2023

Cabinet on  20th December, 2023

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