Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25 November 2021.

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25 November 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 Councillors Collins, Forster, Kinnell, Lamb, Wheale and Wright.

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.

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, 21 January 2022.

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, 24 January 2022. 

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Thursday, 27 January 2022. 

No questions were received from Members.

The Chairman announced that he conducted the following visit:

11 December 2021 - Sleeping Beauty Pantomime Gala Night at The Harlington.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Neighbourreminded Members that it was Holocaust Memorial Day, and that this day represented an opportunity reflect and to take stock.

He announced that he had attended a County Deal meeting on 8 January 2022, but that as no White Paper had been published by the Government, no decisions about the way forward could be decided, though there had been positives discussions around potential responses. The current expectation was that the paper may be published on 3 February 2022, and that a County Deal would be beneficial for all Hampshire residents and change the way services are delivered across Hampshire in the future. 

Councillor Radley announced: 

ThatHart had 170 applications on the Omicron Discretionary Grants Scheme and 89 applications on the main scheme. The administration process was proving lengthy andwas taking full five working days for assurance checks to come back from Central Government, and when they came back further checks were required on all applications. Therefore, 33 discretionary grants and 33 mainstream grants had been authorised on payment runs. We encourage businesses and particularly leisure and hospitality businesses to continue to apply. 

Councillor Clarke announced: 

On Monday the Council found out that a bid for cyber improvements from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities was successful with £125k being provided to implement a cyber treatment plan, which would see improvements to cyber security at Hart District Council over the next 12 months. 

Councillor Bailey announced: 

This week had a further Afghan family move into a home in Fleet – one made available by a housing association (Metropolitan Thames Valley). We have also secured a private rented home in North Warnborough, awaiting a family match. To date, we have now made 4 homes available locally. 

The Community Safety team were in court Christmas week, securing the extension to the Antisocial Behaviour Injunction on the owners of the property in Yateley who were causing serious neighbour nuisance. The Court awarded costs and secured an undertaking from the property owner to sell the property. Excellent joint work was completed between the Community Safety Team and the Police, who are also investigating illegal activity at the house. Obviously, we are happy to be able to restore a sense of normal life for the neighbours who have been so badly impacted by the activities at this address. 

Councillor Oliver announced: 

Members should be aware that the Green Waste service had resumed and following a successful start-up in Basingstoke this week, and that there is a positive outlook going forward when collection vehicles come to Hart next week. 

 
Parking concessions for residents coming to Fleet for Covid-19 injections will be suspended from next Monday 31 January 2022. Permits for medical and volunteer staff will continue until Vaccination Centers are no longer required. 

The Joint Chief Executive reported that due to the end of the Government Plan B Covid restrictions, meeting layouts and arrangements had returned to a conventional format. Members were asked to follow office rules in place for Council staff when using the building, observing social distancing and mask wearing requirements, to protect others.

It was confirmed that the Council offices could be used for group meetings again. 

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 with 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.

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

Cabinet 2 Dec 2021 

No questions were asked.

Cabinet (draft) 6 Jan 2021 

No questions were asked.

Planning 8 Dec 2021 

No questions were asked.

Overview & Scrutiny 16 Nov 2021 

No questions were asked.

Overview & Scrutiny (draft) 14 Dec 2021 

No questions were asked.

Audit (draft) 7 Dec 2021 

No questions were asked.

Licensing (draft) 23 Nov 2021 

It was asked if the cancellation of Licensing meetings over the municipal year had delayed the Shared Services Policies due for renewal in 2021, and if these could be expedited.

It was clarified that previous meetings had been cancelled due to there being no business for the Licensing Committee to discuss at the time, and that the meeting due in February had been cancelled due sickness and bereavement within the Licensing Team. Reassurances had been given that work items will not be delayed as a consequence, and that the policies in question were not delayed but were returning after further consultations requested by the Committee.

To review the proposed Council Tax Base for 2022/23.

Councillor Radley introduced the paper and the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION

That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Hart District Council as its council tax base for the 2022/23 year shall be set at 41,815.86 (2021/22 - 41,175.55).

DECISION

That the proposed Council Tax Base 22/23 be approved.

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

Feedback was provided on the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Authority. It was noted that making progress on capital projects and other areas in their budget was difficult due to challenges in recruiting the appropriate specialist staff required.