Council - Thursday, 29th July, 2021 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 24th June, 2021 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr M.J. Tennant and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 24th June 2021 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)         The Mayor advised that he had attended the following events since the previous meeting:

·             The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award Holders’ Reception at the Great Hall in Winchester on 2^nd July 2021

·             Test Valley Civic Service at Romsey Abbey on 4^th July 2021

·             Alderwood School Art and Photography Show on 19^th July 2021

·             The Gurkha Cup on 24^th July 2021

(2)      The Mayor reported that his Charity Fundraising Committee was putting together a programme of events, which included:

·                Mayoress’ Afternoon Tea on 10^th December 2021 and 6^th April 2022

·                Quiz Night on 19^th November 2021

·                Race Night on 19^th February 2022

·                Mayor’s Charity Ball on 11^th March 2022

·                Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament on 21^st April 2022

Members were asked to put the dates in their diaries and further details would be sent out in the near future.

To receive any questions by Members submitted in pursuance of Standing Order 8 (3).

The Mayor reported that no questions had been submitted under Standing Order 8.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the following items:

(1)      Southwood SANG Visitor Centre and Café Design Development

The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Property (Cllr. M.J. Tennant) introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 28th July 2021, which recommended the approval of £126,000 being allocated from the Stability and Resilience Reserve to facilitate the design development and planning application stages for a Southwood SANG Visitor Centre and Café . 

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant; SECONDED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan – That approval be given to an allocation of £126,000 from the Stability and Resilience Reserve to facilitate the design development and planning application stages for a Southwood SANG visitor centre and café.

There voted FOR: 32; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)      Regenerating Rushmoor Programme – Union Yard Regeneration Scheme

The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Property (Cllr. M.J. Tennant) introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 28th July 2021, which recommended the approval of the amendment of the Council’s Capital Programme by £41,672,000 to put in place a project budget, as set out in the revised Exempt Appendix E, to enable the Council to proceed with the Union Yard Scheme.   The Report also sought approval to delegate authority to the Executive Head of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Strategy and associated prudential indicators in accordance with the Council’s decision regarding the scheme.

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant; SECONDED by Cllr D.E. Clifford – That approval be given to

(i)            The amendment of the Council’s Capital Programme by £41,672,000 to put in place a project budget, as set out in the revised Exempt Appendix E (circulated to Members at the meeting), to enable the Council to proceed with the Union Yard Scheme; and

(ii)          Authority being delegated to the Executive Head of Finance to amend the Treasury Management Strategy and associated prudential indicators in accordance with the Council’s decision regarding the scheme.

There voted FOR: 34; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 1 and the RecommendationS were DECLARED CARRIED.

To confirm the appointment of Cllr K. Dibble as a Standing Deputy for the Labour Group on the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in place of Cllr T.D. Bridgeman for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:  That Cllr K. Dibble be appointed as a Standing Deputy for the Labour Group on the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in place of Cllr T.D. Bridgeman for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

To receive any questions by Members to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with the Procedure Note.

The Mayor reported that three questions had been submitted for response by Cabinet Members. 

The first question had been submitted by Cllr Sophie Porter for response by the Operational Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.L. Sheehan) regarding communications and education relating to the introduction of food waste collection in the Borough.

In response, Cllr Sheehan stated that the following had happened, or were about to take place in the near future:

·           two page spread in the Arena magazine

·           further article to appear in the September edition of Arena magazine

·           press releases

·           information on social media

·           the Portfolio Holder for Operational Services had been interviewed by a local TV channel on the subject of food waste collection

·           information on the Council’s website

·           a “teaser” leaflet to be sent to all households

·           the Communications Team to provide a series of photos and news items for social media

·           the Communications Team to produce a “how to ….” Videos for the website and social media

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be reviewing the effectiveness of communications on the introduction of food waste collection at its next meeting.

The second question had been submitted by Cllr M.J. Roberts for response by the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr P.G. Taylor) and concerned representations to the Government on benefits received by residents.

In response, Cllr Taylor reassured Members that the Council took every opportunity to press for extra funding whenever it could.

The third question had been submitted by Cllr M.J. Roberts for response by the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr P.G. Taylor) and concerned representations to the Government on local government funding.

In response, Cllr Taylor stated that the Council had made and would continue to make representations to the Government on local government funding whenever it could.  Copies of recent representations would be sent to Cllr. Roberts.

To receive and ask questions on the Reports of the following Meetings (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the following meeting be received:

To note the Reports of the following meetings (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 17th June 2021 and Policy and Project Advisory Board held on 14th July 2021 be received.