Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 30 September 2021.

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 30 September 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

Apologies were received from Councillor Kennett, Councillor Wheale, Councillor Clarke and Councillor Crisp.

To declare disposable pecuniary, and any other interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

No declarations were made.

Chief Inspector Troman gave a presentation to Council outlining local policing priorities and provided supporting data.

Councillors asked questions around the following areas:? 

·       Sexual Offences 

·       The national detective shortage 

·       Increases in burglary 

·       The ‘Street Safe’ scheme 

·       ASB linked to the night-time economy in Fleet, and the workings of the police in tandem with Hart’s Community Safety Team 

·       Domestic crime and ‘volume’ crime 

·       Rural crime 

Particular praise was offered for the PCSO who foot patrols Elevetham Heath and Fleet Town centre, as their visible presence was felt to have had a positive impact on ASB in these areas.

The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Troman for attending Council. 

To receive any questions from members of the public submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.

Note:  The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 12 must be given to the Chief Executive (email committeeservices@hart.gov.uk) no later than Noon on Friday, 19^th November 2021.

Questions had been received from David Turver, details of which are set out in Appendix A attached to these minutes.

To receive any questions from Members submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 14.

Note: The text of any question under the Council Procedure Rule 14.3 must be given to the Chief Executive (email committeeservices@hart.gov.uk) not later than 5.00pm on Monday, 22^nd November 2021.

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Thursday 25^th November 2021.

Questions had been received from Councillor Butcher, the details of which are set out in Appendix B attached to these minutes. 

Councillor Kinnell left the meeting during this item at 7.46pm, after question 1 (see Appendix B). 

Councillor Delaney left meeting at 7.49pm, during question 2 (see Appendix B). 

The Chairman announced that he conducted the following visits:

10 Oct: High Sheriff of Hampshire - Law Sunday Matins at Winchester Cathedral 

24 Oct: Mayor of Bracknell Forest - Civic Service  

27 Oct: Cross Barn, Odiham - AGM & opening of new cinema/AV system 

11 Nov: Remembrance Day – 2-minute silence at Gurkha Square 

14 Nov: Remembrance Sunday Parade - Church Crookham 

14 Nov: Remembrance Sunday Parade – Fleet 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Neighbour announced that: 

·       Fleet Pond had been awarded the Green Flag and he thanked all parties involved 

·       Funding of £10k per year had been awarded for the stewardship scheme at Odiham Common which will help to fund the management plan coming to Cabinet in the spring. 

·       Whitewater Meadow at Hook has now been adopted and play equipment will be installed over the next year. 

·       Council Leaders met in Hampshire to discuss the potential for a County Deal. Another meeting will be held in January after the Government White Paper is released. Potential options are being worked out in anticipation of this. More will be reported back after this. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Councillor Radley reminded Council that there will be a meeting for all Councillors on 16^th December to discuss Tier 3 savings, and about the importance of these discussions in respect to Budget setting going forward. A briefing paper will be provided for Councillors as a starting point.

The Cabinet Member for Community, Councillor Bailey made the following announcements: 

·       Household Support Grant – a new grant fund launched in November (funded by government but distributed by HCC) – to help offer financial support to residents impacted by covid, with essentials over the winter. The aim is to give small grants for food, clothing, utilities. This is being administered by the Community Team - details on our website. Please refer in any residents that you know are struggling. 

·       Community Safety have been focusing on community engagement and attended the World Sight Day event on 06/11/2021 in Fleet with the Hart Lions, allowing members of the public to challenge their sight by using our beer goggles and then thinking about the impact of alcohol on capabilities. 

Councillor Delaney returned to the meeting at this point, 8.03pm 

Councillor Bailey continued: 

·       Every November we report the rough sleeping estimate for Hart based on our knowledge of who was sleeping rough on a date in November. I can confirm we are reporting 1 rough sleeper out on the night of the 10th of November going into the morning of the 11th. This is half the number last year. He is known to us, and we have been working with him for a fair while, but engagement has been sporadic, and he has been alternating between a tent and friends sofas however I'm pleased to say he has now moved into settled accommodation. They have left behind a fair bit of mess so have contacted the street cleaning team to get this

The Cabinet Member for Place, Councillor Cockarill made the following announcements: 

·       I am pleased to announce that this Administration is delivering what we promised: A strong and robust Local Plan to ensure that we provide both the new homes that the district needs, but which also enables us to resist development in areas where we don’t want it to happen. Key to this was putting in place a robust  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

The Joint Chief Executive had nothing to report.

The Minutes of the following Committees, which met on the dates shown, are submitted.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.1, Members are allowed to put questions at Council without Notice in respect of any matters in the Minutes to the Leader of the Council or any Chairman of the relevant meeting at the time those Minutes are received by Council.

¹ The recommendation will be deemed to be accepted by Council and no debate allowed thereon at Council unless five Members give notice in writing that they wish the recommendation to be debated to the Joint Chief Executive two clear days before the meeting of Council (where Council is on a Thursday this means notice must be given by 5.00pm on the preceding Monday) and where such notice is given the Council shall receive a presentation on the application before the recommendation is debated. 

The Minutes of the following Committees, which met on the dates shown, were received by Council. 

Cabinet - 7^th October 2021 

No questions were asked. 

Cabinet (draft) - 4^th November 2021 

Councillor Crookes asked that in approving the level 2 business cases in Decision 2 of the minutes, had Cabinet acted within it’s rights? 

Councillor Radley responded that a motion had been submitted to Council later in this meeting seeking approval for that decision as the budget (and amendments to it) is set by Council. 

Overview & Scrutiny - 21^st September 2021 

No questions were asked. 

Overview & Scrutiny (draft) - 19^th October 2021 

No questions were asked. 

Planning – 13^th October 2021 

No questions were asked. Since no request to debate had been received the Departure to the Local Plan was deemed to be ACCEPTED. 

Planning (draft) - 10^th November 2021 

No questions were asked. 

Planning Major Sites Sub-Committee (draft) - 22nd September 2021 

No questions were asked. 

RECOMMENDATION

There was a  recommendation for Council in Cabinet 7 October 2021 – Minute 61 Food Recovery Plan that the Food Recovery Plan 21-22 be approved. 

Councillor Neighbour put the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Radley.  

Councillor Forster asked if the Food Recovery Plan would need to be updated in light of the declared Climate Emergency.

Councillor Neighbour stated that a written response would be provided. 

DECISION 

That the Food Recovery Plan 21-22 be approved. 

A Climate Emergency update was given by The Leader of the Council, Councillor Neighbour as follows:

“Upon declaring a Climate Change Emergency in April, Full Council asked for 6 monthly updates. I've decided to provide a verbal update in November, with a formal annual report in May with officers in attendance to help with Q&A.

We are undergoing a carbon pathway assessment to help inform our evolving climate change action plan over the next decade. We have already put into action a number of initiatives.

Most recently the Planning Committee have given approval for two solar farms in the west if Hart, capable of powering up to 30,000 homes, almost 70% of the District.

The first phase of Hart’s Green Grid moves forward as tenders are being selected for a cycle path between Hartland Park and Fleet railway station. We are also partnering with Hampshire County Council in creating a wider local walking and cycling strategy.

Our recent electric survey highlighted that three quarters of Hart respondents were planning to change to an electric car within five years. We are installing more EV charging points across the district, having already installed them at both Church Road car park and at the new Edenbrook flats.

Our leisure centres use of solar panels continues to save around 16.7 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. 

The Countryside Team are switching to battery powered equipment such as hedge trimmers, mowers and chainsaws. The community garden project at Edenbrook will encourage residents to grow their own vegetables and using sustainable compost generated by our wider activities within the team.

The Climate Change working group has evolved to include Blackwater Valley Friends of the Earth, we now include themed items which have included tree planting schemes and the new Environment Act. We also launched a communication plan that geared up both for Big Green Week in September plus daily posting during the COP26 event in Glasgow.

The next draft service plans already include a survey to help the greening of our car parks and buildings, as well as a formal tree planting scheme.” 

Councillor Forster asked whether it was the Northern or Southern route of the Green Grid that was being progressed. 

Councillor Neighbour confirmed it was the Northern route.

Councillor Forster asked why there had been no Solar PV implementation in phase 3 of Hartland Village. 

Councillor Oliver stated that the developer had gone beyond all planning and other specifications and that Air Source Heat Pumps had been agreed for implementation in all properties in phase 3 as part of the development and the installation of PV Solar panels have been asked for in addition to this. 

Councillor Quarterman asked if there had been any feedback from Friends of the Earth. 

Councillor Neighbour stated that Friends of the Earth had recently issued a press release detailing a ‘manifesto of actions they want Local Government to take’ and that Hart District Council was working toward those and encouraging Hampshire County Council to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To receive any feedback from Members who are representatives of the Council on an Outside Body.

Councillor Bailey had recently attended the Police and Crime Panel meeting where the four-year plan of the new Police Commissioner was discussed. Areas of note were a focus on the victims of crime, a crackdown on unauthorised encampments, and giving a voice to rural communities. 

The following motion has been moved by Councillor Wildsmith. 

“That Hart District Council Resolves to

      i.         Acknowledge the efforts that this Council has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy; 

     ii.         Further recognises 

·       that very large financial setup and running costs involved in selling locally generated renewable electricity to local customers in the Hart District council area as well as other local authority areas result in it being impossible for local renewable electricity generators to do so, 

·       that making these financial costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for local companies, community groups and councils including Hart District Council to be providers of locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people, businesses, and organisations, if they wished, and 

·       that revenues received by such local companies, community groups or councils that chose to become local renewable electricity providers could be used to help improve the local economy, local services and facilities and to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions; 

    iii.         Note that the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee, as a result of its 2021 Technological Innovations and Climate Change inquiry, recommended that a Right to Local Supply for local energy suppliers be established to address this; 
 

   iv.         Accordingly resolve to support the Local Electricity Bill, currently supported by a cross-party group of 278 MPs and 79 other Local Authorities and which, if made law, would establish a Right to Local Supply which would promote local renewable electricity supply by making the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate to the size of the supply company; and 

     v.         Further resolves to  

·       inform the local media of this decision, 

·       write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill, and write to the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, Power for People, (at Camden Collective, 5-7 Buck Street, London NW1 8NJ or info@powerforpeople.org.uk) expressing its support.” 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Wildsmith and seconded by Councillor Neighbour.

“That Hart District Council Resolves to

      i.         Acknowledge the efforts that this Council has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy; 

     ii.         Further recognises 

·       that very large financial setup and running costs involved in selling locally generated renewable electricity to local customers in the Hart District council area as well as other local authority areas result in it being impossible for local renewable electricity generators to do so, 

·       that making these financial costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for local companies, community groups and councils including Hart District Council to be providers of locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people, businesses and organisations, if they wished, and 

·       that revenues received by such local companies, community groups or councils that chose to become local renewable electricity providers could be used to help improve the local economy, local services and facilities and to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions; 

    iii.         Note that the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee, as a result of its 2021 Technological Innovations and Climate Change inquiry, recommended that a Right to Local Supply for local energy suppliers be established to address this;

   iv.         Accordingly resolve to support the Local Electricity Bill, currently supported by a cross-party group of 278 MPs and 79 other Local Authorities and which, if made law, would establish a Right to Local Supply which would promote local renewable electricity supply by making the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate to the size of the supply company; and 

     v.         Further resolves to  

·       inform the local media of this decision, 

·       write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill, and write to the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, Power for People, (at Camden Collective, 5-7 Buck Street, London NW1 8NJ or info@powerforpeople.org.uk) expressing its support.” 

Councillors debated the motion in the following areas: 

·       The nature of Members Bills in Parliament 

·       Cross party support for the Bill at Westminster 

·       Specifics about the Bill with regard to regulation and how companies participate 

·       Local authority involvement in similar schemes 

·       The lack of clarity around schemes needing to be Carbon neutral, and the potential Climate Change impacts 

DECISION

The motion was CARRIED. 

The following motion has been moved by Councillor Radley. 

“That The Council Resolves (with regard to the Cabinet deliberations following scrutiny by Overview and Scrutiny Committee) to endorse the Level 1 and 2 saving proposals as set out in the Cabinet reports of the 2 September and 4 November 2021 and to empower officers to commence work immediately on implementing the proposed savings so that they can take effect at the earliest opportunity.” 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Radley and seconded by Councillor Neighbour. 

“That The Council Resolves (with regard to the Cabinet deliberations following scrutiny by Overview and Scrutiny Committee) to endorse the Level 1 and 2 saving proposals as set out in the Cabinet reports of the 2 September and 4 November 2021 and to empower officers to commence work immediately on implementing the proposed savings so that they can take effect at the earliest opportunity.” 

Councillors debated the motion in the following areas: 

·       Whether Council approval was required for the decisions taken at Cabinet 

·       The consequences of delaying a decision on approval 

·       The relationship between approving the decisions and the next round of Budget approval 

An adjournment was taken during this item between 8.56pm and 9.06pm 

DECISION 

The motion was CARRIED.