Notice of Motion – Rule 12

Councillor Adams-King will move: That the Council supports the principle of a South Hampshire Green Belt designation for the countryside surrounding the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, and continues to support the Partnership for South Hampshire in its work on investigating the rationale and justification for an appropriate Green Belt designation or other forms of protection for the countryside to prevent coalescence of our towns and villages. Councillor Bundy will second the motion. Councillor Coole will move: That for the 2021/22 budget, Precept and Levy and in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Council Resolves to: Remove Grounds Maintenance as a Special Item and that only grounds maintenance incomes and expenses arising from the maintenance of the Special Items, are charged to the appropriate Special Items. Councillor Ecclestone will second the motion. Councillor Coole will move: That for the 2021/22 budget, Precept and Levy and in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Council Resolves to: Confirm the following are Special Items and that their incomes and expenses are duly charged to the Andover Special Expenses Levy: Cemeteries Andover Cemetery Charlton Cemetery Outdoor Sports Facilities East Anton Sports Centre London Road Sports Centre Saxon Fields Sports Centre Picket Twenty Sports Pavilion Picket Piece Sports Centre Urban Parks and Open Spaces Admirals Way Augusta Park - Central Augusta Park - South Central Augusta Park - Community Centre POS Augusta Park - Pavilion Site Beech Hurst Park Blueberry Gardens Burghclere Down Colenzo Drive Denning's Mead East Anton Sports Fields Folly Pocket Park Gallaghers Mead Hedge End Road Juniper Close King George Road Mead Hedges Picket Twenty Area 1b Picket Twenty Urban Park Picket Piece POS (Ox Drove Park) Picket Piece Dormouse mitigation Picket Piece - Chaplin Way Picket Piece - Picket Road Phoenix Park Open Space Quicksilver Way Saxon Fields Smannell Road Scythe Close (Augusta Park) Texel Green (Augusta Park) Town Mills Pocket Park Topaz Drive Vigo Recreation Ground Viking Way Watermills Park Playgrounds Admirals Way Admirals Way Teen Play Area Anton Lakes Augusta Park Central Augusta Park Community Centre Augusta Park South of Smannell Road Augusta Park Pavilion Augusta Park Pavilion - Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) Area J Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) Area K South of Smannell Road Barnfield Rise Beckett Road Blueberry Gardens Breman Gardens Celtic Drive Cole Close Colenzo Drive Floral Way Gallaghers Mead Hanson Fields Hedge End Road Highlands Road Hogarth King Arthur’s Way (KAW) Junior Play Area KAW Teen Play Area KAW MUGA King George Road Play Area King George Road MUGA Kings Chase Kingston Close Leyton Way Little Copse Lowry Court Mead Hedges Phoenix Park Play Area Phoenix Park MUGA Picket Twenty Picket Twenty Way 1b Picket Twenty MUGA Picket Twenty Urban Park Picket Piece Ox Drove Play Area Picket Piece Playing Field Picket Piece Local Centre Quicksilver Way Roman Way Junior Play Area Roman Way Teen Play Area Roman Way MUGA Roman Way Skate Park Saxon Fields MUGA Saxon Fields Play Area Stone Close Stubbs Court St Birstan The Burghclere The Junipers Topaz Drive Verden Way Vigo Recreation Ground Watermills Park play area Watermills Park MUGA Winton Chase Councillor Ecclestone will second the motion. Councillor Coole will move: That in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Council Resolves to: Apologise to both past and current residents of the Parish of Andover for subjecting them to double taxation since the formation of Andover Town Council in 2010. Ensure that from 2022/23, both the current and future residents of the Parish of Andover are no longer subjected to double taxation by terminating the Andover Special Expenses Levy, by means of either transferring the Special Items to the Borough Budget or transferring them to Andover Town Council. Councillor Ecclestone will second the motion. Councillor Coole will move: That in accordance with the amended Constitution adopted in April 2019, the Council: Instructs the Section 151 Officer to effect the retrospective payment of the SRA allowance due to the Minority Opposition Group Leader since May 2019 and in accordance with Council Resolutions passed since January 2019 and the amended Constitution adopted in April 2019. Councillor Meyer will second the motion. Councillor Coole will move that the Council: Approves that Part Six Section Two of the Constitution be amended from Minority Opposition Group Leader to "Opposition Group Leaders". Adopts the following Role Description for Opposition Group Leaders: Role Profile of a Leader of an Opposition Group Main Purpose and Activity of the Leader of an Opposition Group The Leader of the Opposition Group is accountable to the residents of Test Valley, Test Valley Borough Council and Members of the Opposition Group. The main purpose is to lead an Opposition Group within the Council and make sure there is effective, positive and constructive scrutiny to the Council’s majority Political Party. The Leader of the Opposition Group is expected to provide for residents, stakeholders and partners, visible political leadership in relation to the Opposition Group’s views on the design, preparation and implementation of the Council’s strategies, policies, plans, budgets and service delivery. The Leader is responsible for: Providing Political Leadership for the Opposition Group: To act as the principal spokesperson for the Opposition Group and as a representative of the authority to external bodies and organisations as appropriate; To establish and represent the views of the Opposition Group on issues of strategy, policy, plans and priority. To provide leadership in the constructive challenge of the Council’s vision, strategies, policies, plans and priorities, where appropriate. To comment on, challenge and review the Council’s administrative performance in the co-ordination and implementation of its vision, strategies, policies, plans and priorities. Representing the Opposition Group: To represent the Opposition Group to a high standard on relevant formal and informal Panels and Working Groups, and when elected to do so on external bodies, key local partnerships and in so doing act as an ambassador for the Council. To participate in the development of corporate strategies, policies and plans. To liaise with the Chief Executive in emerging issues of significance relating to the strategies, policies, plans and priorities of the Council. To advise the Leader of the Council of the Opposition Group’s position on issues relating to external relationships. To shadow and scrutinise the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet in their duties. To maintain effective liaison with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee. Internal Governance, Ethical Standards and Relationships: To promote and support good governance of the Council and its affairs. To promote and support open and transparent local government. To promote, support and adhere to respectful, appropriate and effective relationships with employees of the Council. To determine and allocate a shadow portfolio of responsibilities to Opposition Group Members. To nominate political representation on Committees, Sub Committees, Working Groups and Panels as provided for in the Constitution. To manage the work of Opposition Group Members and the overall co-ordination of opposition spokespersons and the business of the Opposition Group. To champion and participate in Member Development to ensure the smooth running of the Opposition Group and the personal development of its Members. To consider the individual and collective development needs of Members and assist them in developing necessary skills and knowledge as Members generally or in relation to their areas of specific responsibility. To ensure Members of the Opposition Group abide by the Council’s Code of Conduct. To provide regular briefings on Council matters as appropriate to Members of the Opposition Group. To engage in constructive criticism, alternatives or amendments offered by Members of the Opposition Group on proposed decisions of the Cabinet where appropriate. In conjunction with Opposition Group members, to develop and propose alternate strategies, policy, plans and priorities for consideration by the Council. Skills and Knowledge for an Opposition Leader Leadership Skills Ability to provide political leadership of the Opposition Group and manage the tensions between the political demands and expectations of the Opposition Group, and the needs of the Council. Ability to manage conflicting responsibilities whilst dealing with a busy and complex workload often to tight timescales and deadlines. Ability to challenge the status quo and deal with complex strategic issues and problems. Ability to hold Cabinet to account. When required to be able to represent the Council both within and outside the Council including at regional and national level. The ability to convince others to act with integrity. Team Working & Relationship Building Tact and diplomacy to be able to work across the full range of Council services, partners and Political Groups, to the benefit of the Test Valley community. Ability to build effective relationships with other parts of the political management structure e.g. Cabinet, Full Council, Overview and Scrutiny, other Committees and other Political Groups. Political sensitivity to be able to address difficult issues across all Political Groups. Communication Skills Ability to facilitate effective communication within and across the Council, and ensure the community is given the opportunity to engage in policy development of the Opposition Group. Advanced skills in working with the media and an ability to identify when additional support from public relations specialists is required, to ensure the Council is positively represented. Advanced listening, questioning and negotiation skills. Advanced presentation and public speaking skills. Chairing Skills Ability to chair meetings in the community and facilitate discussions. Organisational Skills and Personal Effectiveness Ability to manage a busy and complex workload, often to tight timescales and deadlines. Other Skills and Abilities Ability to assimilate and analyse complex information. Research skills and policy development. Report writing. Knowledge Understanding of the roles of Leader of the Council, Cabinet members and the Leader of the Opposition Group within the Council. Understanding of the legally defined role of certain senior officers. Knowledge of the work of national, regional and sub-regional bodies and the role of the Council within them. Understanding of the national planning policy framework and its impact on local plan and policy development. Knowledge of the challenges facing local government. A good strategic awareness of issues facing the Council and understanding of Council strategy, policies, plans and priorities. Knowledge of the role of local partners and the services they deliver and their relationship with the Council. Understanding of the Council’s Constitution, Code of Conduct, budget and audit processes and key internal strategies, policies and plans. Knowledge of community strengths, community needs, areas of improvement, key issues and their priorities for action. Councillor Meyer will second the motion. Councillor Coole will move that: In response to the UK Government's commitment to the British National (Overseas) residents of Hong Kong, Council Resolves to: Write to the Secretaries of State for the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, informing them that Test Valley Borough Council both invites and welcomes Hong Kong British National (Overseas) residents who wish to take up residency in Test Valley and contribute towards its multicultural and economic development. Promote and support the multicultural and economic opportunities this immigration will bring to Test Valley. The UK Government has recognised the political and security turmoil in the former British Colony of Hong Kong, following the Chinese imposition of its national security legislation, which constitutes a clear breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, undermining the “one country, two systems” framework. The UK Government has responded with its "path to citizenship" initiative, which is open to more than five million Hong Kong residents. Anyone holding a British National (Overseas) Visa and their dependents, have the right to move to the Britain and eventually apply for permanent residency. Councillor Meyer will second the motion. Councillor Gwynne will move that: This Council notes: The stated intention of the Government to amend Building Regulations such that new builds will lower their carbon footprint by between 21% and 30% (compared to the standards in operation in 2020) and between 75% and 80% in 2025 (compared to the standards in operation in 2020) via the Future Homes Standard. This Council also notes: The Council were planning to move towards a reduced carbon footprint as part of planning policy, as far back as 2015. But were advised by Government not to take this action, in anticipation of Government tightening Building Regulations in 2016. The planned Building Regulations change did not happen in 2016 and they have not been updated, in regard to carbon footprint, since then. Other Councils have, as a result, required more stringent carbon reductions targets on new builds than the national measures, for example a 35% reduction in emissions as well as carbon offsetting in some London boroughs. Since 2015 the size of the task re Climate Change has become even more clearly understood, and the Council has accordingly announced a Climate Emergency and established a Climate Emergency Action Plan. Accordingly this Council commits to write to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning on the following basis: That the targets under consideration for Building Regulations in 2022 and the Future Homes Standard in 2025 are not sufficient. That the targets should be amended as follows: Building Regulations to target a 50% reduction in carbon footprint for new builds (compared to the 2020 standard), by 2022. The Future Homes Standard to target a 100% reduction in carbon footprint for new builds – i.e. a net zero carbon target – by 2025. That both of these targets to be applied on a plot-by-plot basis (not on the basis of date of planning permission, as at present). Councillor Burnage will second the motion.