Agenda and minutes

Councillors paid tribute to Councillor Sharyn Wheale who recently passed away. Councillor Wheale had served for 32 years as a Councillor and been re-elected eight times.

Members of Sharyn’s family were also present in the Council Chamber.

To confirm the Minutes of theCouncil Meeting held on 24February 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of 24 February 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Councillor Crampton requested a post meeting note and the findings of the grievance report (Item 12 at this meeting) to also be added to February’s Minutes. 

The wording suggested was:

“Following a grievance against Councillor Kinnell filed by Councillor Forster and Councillor Butcher in regard to the Portfolio holder announcement made by Councillor Kinnell, a meeting of the Appeals Panel on 5 April 2022 found that Councillor Kinnell treated Councillor Forster and Councillor Butcher unfairly and that Councillor Kinnell should offer both a written apology and make a public apology at the first available meeting of the Full Council following the hearing decision. The Panel’s view was that Councillor Forster and Councillor Butcher were not given a proper and reasonable right of reply or right of correction to defend themselves against what they perceived to be unreasonable public criticism at the Full Council meeting on 24 February 2022.”

This was agreed. Council also agreed to include the resultant grievance appeal decision itself as a post February meeting note to the February minutes.

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 Bailey, Crisp, Cockarill, Kinnell, Lamb, Southern and Worlock.

Members present paused to remember Councillor Worlock’s husband who recently passed away.

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.

Councillor Forster declared an interest in Minute 11 due to his work with Osprey Charging Network and electric vehicle charging.  

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, 22 April 2022.

No questions had been received from the public.

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, 25 April 2022. 

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Thursday, 28 April 2022.

No questions had been received from Members.

No announcements.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Councillor Radley

announced:

The first batch of £150 energy payments has just been sent into the bacs system today and will likely reach residents' bank accounts on Friday this week.

We have paid a total of 15,449 households, (£2,317,350) to residents who are direct debit payers. This equates to a completion rate of all rebates payable of 73%.

For the remaining eligible households (5,579), a letter will be sent inviting them to apply by completing an online form. The online form is currently being finalised and tested. The letter will also contain a 'do nothing option' whereby the resident's council tax account is credited with the £150 instead of a payment being made. These further payments will be processed in June.

An urgent decision is being sought to provide £150 to residents receiving Council Tax support in properties with a higher banding than D. We will write to these households in May with a view to process payments in June and July.

The Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Councillor Quarterman reported:

I am pleased to announce that we are in advanced discussion with a further education provider that is seeking to consolidate its links with Hart by providing a campus facility centred on our vacant third floor here at the Council Offices. 

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver locally further and higher education which can only be of great benefit to Hart residents but also, for the Council, it is a great opportunity to make full and effective use of our resources in line with our adopted commercialisation strategy. 

It is hoped that subject to successful terms being agreed, the facility will be open in September.

The Joint Chief Executive reported that the upcoming Elections preparations are going well and on track. 15,000 postal votes have been issued and around 50% have currently been returned.

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.

*Exempt minutes are available for Members via Modern.Gov

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

A. The Leader of the Council to provide Council with an update on the progress made since April 2021 with delivery of actions the Council is taking to address the climate emergency. Copy of report attached; and

B. To receive a presentation by Eunomia (summary of their findings on the Carbon pathway report).

Alex Massie from Eunomia the Council’s Climate Change consultants delivered a presentation on the summary of their findings on the Carbon Pathway report.

This included how Eunomia is supporting the Council and how Hart compares to neighbouring Hampshire Authorities.

Members questions and discussions included:

·       Green Hydrogen and Biofuels and why they are not included in Hart’s plans at this stage.

·       Timescales of how often data will be updated. It is usually 12 months behind but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 and 2021’s data will show significantly less emissions so will be skewed.

·       The definitions of Scope 1, 2 and 3 data.

·       Wind Farms and solar panels and how they could make a difference to the district. 

·       The feasibility of habitats like Bramshot Wetlands. 

·       The need to update the Local Plan and Planning Policies to reflect Climate Change initiatives.

·       That further work is required with housing associations to decrease emissions further.

Members questioned why Eunomia’s actual report has not been published with the agenda for this meeting, and it was confirmed it will go to the Climate Change Working Group first. 

Councillor Harward on behalf of the Chairman of the Appeals Panel to announce the outcome of an Appeals Panel hearing held on 5 April 2022 concerning a grievance brought by Councillor Butcher and Councillor Forster against Councillor Kinnell. Copy of decision attached.

Councillor Harward on behalf of the Chairman of the Appeals Panel announced the outcome of an Appeals Panel hearing held on 5 April 2022 concerning a grievance brought by Councillor Butcher and Councillor Forster against Councillor Kinnell.

Councillor Kinnell was not present at the meeting. Following consultation with Councillors Butcher and Forster it was agreed that Councillor Kinnell should make a public apology at the next Full Council that she attends.

To agree the appointment of Isobel Brittan as Interim Section 151 Officer from 26 May 2022. Ms Brittan is CIPFA qualified and has performed the role of Deputy S151 Officer and S151 Officer at a number of similar sized district councils including St Albans, East Hertfordshire, Broxbourne, Eastbourne and Lewes Councils. This appointment would provide interim S151 cover during the recruitment period for a new permanent Section 151 Officer later in the summer.

Members were asked to consider Isobel Brittan as Interim Section 151 Officer from 26 May 2022, due to Emma Foy’s resignation. A new permanent Section 151 Officer is to be sought later in the summer.

Councillor Neighbour proposed the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Radley.

RESOLVED: Isobel Brittan’s appointment as Interim Section 151 Officer from 26 May 2022 was agreed unanimously by Council.

NOTE: Members thanked Ms Foy for all her work, and it was confirmed that she, like all departing staff would be offered an exit interview.

The following motion has been moved by Cllr Butcher. 

“To add transparency and understanding, and to provide clarity, this Council resolves to amend its Constitution so that all votes at Full Council, the Council AGM, and Extraordinary Council Meetings shall be a recorded vote, with each member asked to indicate whether their vote is in favour of or against the motion or whether they abstain. The way in which each member present voted is to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.”

Councillor Butcher proposed a reworded Motion to the one published in the agenda, and it was seconded by Councillor Radley.

The new wording for the Motion was suggested to be:

'To promote accountability and transparency of decision making, this Council resolves that voting at all council meetings on a substantive motion or other non-routine business requiring a decision shall be conducted by a recorded vote, or if it appears to the Chairman all councillors are in agreement with the motion or recommendation upon which it has been asked to vote, by affirmation of the meeting’.

RESOLVED: Council unanimously approved the Motion and it was agreed that Joint Chief Executive, working with Councillor Butcher and Group Leaders, should make the necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution.  

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

Councillor Harward gave an update from the Blackbushe Airport Consultancy Committee. The group have welcomed the decision of the supreme court not to grant leave to appeal against a decision that Blackbushe aerodrome should remain registered as common land.

Members acknowledged Councillors Ambler, Crookes and Drage who are not standing in the upcoming elections and thanked them for their service and commitment to Hart and its residents.

The Councillors also thanked officers for their support.