Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received from Members.

The Chairman made a statement, a copy of which is outlined below:-

“We learned with great sorrow and profound grief on Friday, of the sad news of the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, which will be felt keenly across the nation and beyond.

On behalf of our residents, members and employees, I offer our deepest sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family.  This comes at a time when the nation continues to come to terms with the ongoing grief from the loss of loved ones to the pandemic, and our thoughts and prayers now go out to Her Majesty, The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family in sincere condolence.

Our District has great pride in its royal associations, with a strong history of connections to the monarchy.  The District has had the privilege of welcoming His Royal Highness on many visits over the years, which we now remember with warmth and fondness.

In a private ceremony this afternoon within the grounds of Appletree Court, I laid flowers alongside the Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire, Hallam Mills.  These have now been placed in the Council Chamber.

I will be writing to Her Majesty The Queen, to express our deepest sympathies, and our humble and heartfelt condolence for the loss that Her Majesty and the Royal Family are experiencing at this time.”

The Council observed a two minutes silence in memory of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2021 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2021, be confirmed.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests by Members.

There were none.

The Acting Leader of the Council joined with the Chairman in expressing condolences to Her Majesty, The Queen and the Royal Family.

To consider the report of the Cabinet dated 7 April 2021.

The Acting Leader of the Council presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 April 2021 and moved that it be received.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

Paragraph 3 – Strategic Risk Register

One Member raised concerns on the potential risks in the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio with regard to the financial stability of the Council’s preferred partner for the future running of the Council’s health and leisure centres, including any mitigation measures should the Council be required to take control of the running of the centres in an insolvency situation. The Acting Leader of the Council confirmed that the financial wellbeing of all bidders during the procurement process had been assessed, including the successful bidder in Freedom Leisure.  At this stage, there had not been any advice received to identify this as a necessary risk for inclusion in the register.  However, all risks within the register would continue to be reviewed regularly by Portfolio Holders and updated where necessary.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

To consider the report of the HR Committee dated 18 March 2021.

Cllr Steele presented the report of the HR Committee meeting held on 18 March 2021, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Harris seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

Under Standing Order 22.

There were none.

To ask questions of Portfolio Holders. Questions received will be tabled at the meeting. (Members are reminded that questions must be submitted to the Chief Executive or to the Executive Head of Governance and Housing by not later than 12.00 noon, Friday 9 April 2021.

There were none.

The Chairman confirmed that the questions received had been withdrawn as a mark of respect to His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

To consider a request from the Executive Head of Operations (Deputy Chief Executive) for early retirement of the grounds of efficiency.

The Chairman moved the recommendations as set out in the report.  The Vice-Chairman seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That the request from the Executive Head of Operations (Deputy Chief Executive) for early retirement on the grounds of efficiency, be agreed.

To consider and make recommendations to the Council on 17 May 2021 for election/appointment to the offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council for the following municipal year.

The Conservative Group has nominated Cllr Tipp for election to the office of Chairman and Cllr O’Sullivan to the office of Vice-Chairman.

The Liberal Democrat Group has nominated Cllr Rackham for election to the office of Chairman and the office of Vice-Chairman.

The Chairman invited Members to propose and second the nominations for the offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council received in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Cllr Glass moved that Cllr Tipp be the Council’s nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council for 2021/22.  Cllr Russell seconded the motion.

Cllr Harrison moved that Cllr Rackham be the Council’s nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council for 2021/22.  Cllr M Wade seconded the motion.

Put to a secret ballot, Cllr Tipp received a majority of votes.

Cllr Tipp moved that Cllr O’Sullivan be the Council’s nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2021/22.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr Harrison moved that Cllr Rackham be the Council’s nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2021/22.  Cllr M Wade seconded the motion.

Put to a secret ballot, Cllr O’Sullivan received a majority of votes.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Tipp be nominated as Chairman and Cllr O’Sullivan as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2021/22.

To elect a Leader of the Council for the remainder of the four year period ending May 2023.

Cllr Cleary moved that Cllr E Heron be appointed Leader of the Council for the remainder of the four year period ending May 2023.  Cllr Steele seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr E Heron be appointed Leader of the Council for the remainder of the four year period ending May 2023.

The Leader of the Council informed the Council that:-

(a)  He had appointed Cllr Cleary as Deputy Leader of the Council and Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet.

(b)  The Cabinet Portfolio Holders and their respective Portfolios would be as follows:-

1.    Leader – Cllr E Heron

2.    Housing and Homelessness Services – Cllr Cleary

3.    Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure – Cllr Andrews

4.    Environment and Coastal Services – Cllr S Davies

5.    People and Places – Cllr Russell

6.    Partnering and Wellbeing – Cllr Steele

7.    Business, Tourism and High Streets – Cllr Harris

8.    Finance, Investment and Corporate Services – Cllr J Heron

(c)   The full content of each Portfolio would be circulated to all Members in due course.

The Leader of the Council placed on record his thanks to Cllr Rickman for his leadership of the Council over the last twelve years.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Council agrees a provisional date of 6.30 pm, Monday, 21 June 2021 (formerly published as 14 June 2021) as an Extraordinary Council meeting, subject to the outcome of the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan referendum, scheduled to take place in May 2021.

The Chairman moved the recommendation as revised by the supplementary agenda, that an Extraordinary Council meeting be held at 6.30 pm on Monday 21 June 2021, subject to the outcome of the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan referendum.  The Vice-Chairman seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

That a provisional date of 6.30 pm, Monday 21 June 2021 for an Extraordinary Council meeting, be agreed.

To consider any changes to the membership of Committees or Panels that might be proposed by the political groups.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Tungate be appointed to serve on the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Panel in place of Cllr S Davies and that Cllr Cerasoli be appointed to serve on the Community and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel in place of Cllr Russell.

The Chairman moved that the Council’s Annual meeting be rescheduled from 6.30 pm on Monday 17 May 2021, to 6.30 pm on Wednesday 5 May 2021.  Virtual Meetings would not be permitted from 7 May onwards and local authorities without elections had been encouraged to consider bringing forward their Annual Meeting, to give more time to plan for the safe return of face to face meetings.  The Vice-Chairman seconded the motion.

Members debated the principles of bringing forward the Council’s Annual Meeting and the timing being the night before local authority elections in Hampshire.  Options for holding face-to-face meetings across the District at other venues was suggested by those not in favour of the change.

The Leader of the Council responded to concerns and recognised the challenges of bringing forward the date to a week when many local authorities were doing the same.  He encouraged Members in the circumstances to agree the change to give the Council more time to plan for the safe return of face-to-face meetings.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual General Meeting of Council be rescheduled from 6.30 pm, Monday 17 May 2021 to the new date of 6.30 pm, Wednesday 5 May 2021, to take place on Microsoft Teams – Online.