Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 24 November 2022

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

Proposed by: Cllr Crampton; Seconded by: Cllr Delaney

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 Cllrs Collins; Hale; Makepeace-Browne and Radley

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 midday on Friday 20^th January 2023.

No questions from members of the public had been received.

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 23^rd January 2023.

The text of any question under Council Procedure Rule 14.4 must be submitted to the Chief Executive before 10.00am on Thursday 26^th January 2023.

Questions had been received from Cllrs Southern and Dorn, as detailed in Appendix A.

In noting that the list of engagements had been lighter than usual during December and January, the Chairman highlighted that she had given a short presentation to the Hart Voluntary Action AGM on the forthcoming Volunteer Awards Ceremony.  This would be held on 20 April 2023 at The Elvetham Hotel.  Further details would be sent out shortly.

·       The Leader of the Council, and Member for Strategic Direction, Partnership and Countryside, Councillor Neighbour: 

The installation of solar panels on the Civic Offices was underway and was a good example of partnership working with another authority.

·       The Cabinet Member for Digital and Communications, Councillor Clarke:

The Council’s new website was still on track for the beta version to be on a limited release in mid-February and Members would be invited to look at and comment on it. The full live release would then take place at the end of March 2023 

·       The Cabinet Member for Community, Councillor Bailey:

Nothing to report.

·       The Cabinet Member for Place, Councillor Cockarill:

Nothing to report.

·       The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Oliver:

Nothing further to report.

·       The Cabinet Member for Commercialisation and Corporate Services, Councillor Quarterman:

The consultation on the latest Corporate Plan (2023-2027) has now closed and those involved/had taken part were thanked. There were 90 responses, with a ratio of 3:1 supportive/critical.  All comments had been taken on board and a revised pack would be taken to Cabinet next week for consideration, before being brought to Council in February. 

It was questioned whether, as Hart had a population of significantly more than 90, the number of responses was felt to be good enough.  Cllr Quarterman felt that this was a realistic level of engagement and that it had been a useful exercise.

The Chief Executive updated Members on requirements for voter ID.  The LGA would be providing a webinar for Councillors on this subject and the link for this would be forwarded in due course.  The Council was looking at a number of ways to publicise the need for voter ID to members of the public, but it was recognised that staffing levels at polling stations was likely to have to increase to help deal with those who arrived without suitable ID. 

The Chief Executive confirmed that only those voting in polling stations were required to provide ID, postal votes were not affected.

It was questioned whether the communications plan which would be rolled out, would focus on those who did not use social media or the website.  The Chief Executive confirmed that alternative means to social media were also being looked at, including the possibility of providing information with polling cards, voting records etc when they were sent to voters.  It was suggested that any information was sent in a format that was eye-catching to ensure that voters understood the need for appropriate ID.

The types of ID that would be valid was queried, and the Chief Executive undertook to forward on a link to the Government website which explained what was, and was not, acceptable.

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.

• The application represents a DEPARTURE to the Local Plan (Policy RU2) because the site is located in the open countryside outside of any defined settlement boundary
  
  
• The Planning Committee considered that although a DEPARTURE to the Local Plan and approved policy, there was no overall harm to the open countryside and that this proposal complies with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Statement
  
  
• Recommendations will be deemed to be accepted by Council and no debate allowed thereon at Council unless five Members give the Chief Executive two clear days’ notice in witing before the meeting of Council (where Council is on a Thursday this means notice must be given by 5.00pm on the preceding Monday) that they wish the recommendation to be debated
  
  
• Council may only consider the policy issues that gave rise to the planning referral to Council. Council may not seek to review or change other aspects of the Planning Committee’s decision where in themselves they have not specifically given rise to the referral to Council

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

As no call in had been received on the item on Penn Croft Farm, minute 54 from the Planning minutes of 14 December 2022, this was deemed to be granted.

Cabinet has recommended to Council 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 2023/24 year shall be set at 42,313.27 (2022/23 - 41,815.86.)

RECOMMENDATION

To agree that the council tax base for Hart District Council for 2023/24 shall be set at 42,313.27

Cabinet had recommended to Council 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 2023/24 year should be set at 42,313.27 (2022/23 - 41,815.86.)

Proposed by: Cllr Neighbour; Seconded by: Cllr Farmer

It was questioned whether there was confidence in the figures, as in the original paperwork that was sent to Parishes, at least one allocation had been incorrect.  It was confirmed that the figures put before Council had changed from those initial figures, but that was only to be expected.

DECISION

It was agreed that the council tax base for Hart District Council for 2023/24 would be set at 42,313.27

To note the proposed timetable of meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.  Members to note that the training dates listed are reserve dates for possible training which will be confirmed nearer the time.

The proposed calendar of meeting dates for 2023/24 was noted. 

It was confirmed that the date for the November 2023 Full Council meeting should read 30 November. 

It was requested that dates for Licensing and Planning training be confirmed and added to the calendar before it was reissued, in time for election candidates to be able to access the dates to ensure their availability should they be elected.

It was noted that the proposed session on Cyber Security had still to be arranged and this would be scheduled as soon as practicable.

All Members were encouraged to attend training sessions for their continuing development, and it was requested that dates for ad-hoc sessions be provided as far in advance as possible. Hybrid sessions were being encouraged and would be recorded wherever possible.

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

There was none.