Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Helen Vincent 

Items
No. Item

13.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

The Chairman to seek Council agreement to suspend Standing Order, 9.3 (Show of Hands for Voting), 22.1 (Standing to Speak) and 22.2 (Chairman Standing).

Minutes:

It was unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Orders 9.3 (Show of Hands for voting), 22.1 (Standing to Speak) and 22.2 (Chairman Standing).

14.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 405 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 21 May 2020.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of 21 May 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

15.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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.

Minutes:

Apologies had been received from Councillors Harward and Crisp.

16.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

Minutes:

No declarations made.

17.

COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 12 - QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC pdf icon PDF 100 KB

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 June 2020.

Minutes:

Questions had been received from Mr John Crossley, detailed in Appendix A.

18.

COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 14 - QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS pdf icon PDF 123 KB

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 22 June 2020.

 

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on 25 June 2020.

Minutes:

Questions had been received from Councillors Crampton and Crookes detailed in Appendix B.

19.

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed nominations for local charities from Fleet East, Fleet West and Fleet Central Wards. A decision as to which charities the Chairman will adopt this year will be announced at the next meeting of Council in July.

20.

CABINET MEMBERS' ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minutes:

Councillor Neighbour announced how proud he is to be a member of Hart District Council and praised the efforts of Officers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been so impressed with staff commitment and empathy during these trying times and thanked everyone for their hard work.

 

Councillor Radley reiterated Councillor Neighbours remarks and wanted to

recognise the efforts made by Officers during this crisis and the efforts made by all Members across the board. He hoped Hart’s resilience would continue as long as is needed.

 

Councillor Ambler stated that the COVID-19 situation has the effect of forcing

progress on the digital strategy in respect of mobile working. He highlighted the efforts of officers, almost overnight, getting everyone set up for home working with all staff quickly adapting to this new way of working whilst many were at the same time having to cope with different work outside of their regular role. Throughout the lockdown period there has been constant and careful monitoring of the effectiveness of Hart District Council’s systems and working practices which will lead to recommendations in the future helping to shape the ongoing strategy.

 

Councillor Bailey thanked Officers at Hart for the hard work in helping the homeless and rough sleepers in the community and praised the efforts to find permanent housing solutions. He praised the Council’s work in supporting Hart’s most at risk residents. The number of referrals through The Hub has reduced significantly but a plan is already in place to remobilise the service if there is a second wave.

 

Councillor Crookes commented on Councillor Bailey’s announcement by praising the efforts of the Housing Team with their great response for a homeless case in Odiham.

 

Councillor Cockarill had no specific announcement but wanted to thank Officers for all their hard work.

 

Councillor Kinnell had no announcement but wanted to praise the work of the

Council.

 

Councillor Oliver advised Councillors that all waste services are up and running and wanted to thank residents for being patient and showing their gratitude. He wanted to thank all Waste Operatives and Serco for their continued efforts.

 

Councillor Forster asked for clarification on Councillor Oliver’s announcement. He asked if bulk deliveries, delivery of new bins, glass crates and new submissions for garden waste collections were also up and running? Councillor Oliver responded that the services were up and running but with respect to Green waste collections there was no capacity to take on new subscribers at this time.

 

Councillor Smith expressed concerns over reduced capacity of booking slots at HWRC. Councillor Oliver stated that a complaint has been logged with HCC with regard to the booking system and not releasing available slots.

Councillor Quarterman had no specific announcement but praised the efforts of all the Officers at Hart and was in the process of agreeing a postponed update for the Commercialisation Strategy at the next Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on 14 July 2020. 

21.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORTS

Minutes:

The Joint Chief Executives had nothing substantive to report.

22.

MINUTES OF COMMITTEES

No Council meetings were held due to the Covid19 measures in place.

Minutes:

No Council meetings had been held due to the Covid19 measures in place.

23.

APPOINTMENT OF SECTION 151 OFFICER

Under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, every local authority shall make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs and shall secure that one of their officers has responsibility for the administration of those affairs (Section 151 Officer).

 

Following Mr Andrew Vallance’s departure, Ms Emma Foy has been acting as interim, Section 151 Officer pending a permanent appointment to the role Head of Corporate Services.

 

Following a recent open recruitment process, it is proposed to appoint Ms Emma Foy as Head of Corporate Services which includes the statutory role as Section 151 Officer.

 

Recommendation

 

That Ms Emma Foy be appointed as the Officer responsible for the administration of the Council’s finances under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

It was agreed to that Ms Emma Foy be appointed as the Officer responsible for the administration of the Council’s finances under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 

24.

OUTSIDE BODIES - FEEDBACK FROM MEMBERS

To receive any updates from Members who are representatives of the Council on an outside body.

Minutes:

Councillor Dorn updated Members on the Armed Forces Covenant. 

 

Councillor Radley asked if there will be an opportunity for discussions to be had about potential closure of access for the public to army training land.  Councillor Dorn responded that there hasn’t been the opportunity to discuss this at present. 

 

Councillor Makepeace-Browne announced that the Basingstoke Canal Committee have not met yet and the July meeting will now be in November therefore she had nothing to report.