Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by Reverend Chris Bradish.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Baverstock, S Cross, N Gwynne, A Johnston and J Neal.

No members of the public registered to speak.

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 7 April 2021 and 19 May 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Test Valley announced that Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremonies would be held on Monday 21 June outside the Guildhall in Andover and the FMC inn Romsey from 10.45am

The Mayor was pleased to let Councillors know that the Test Valley Borough Council Civic Service would take place on Sunday 4 July in Romsey Abbey at 3pm.

To receive and, where necessary, adopt reports of Committees.

Minutes of Meetings

Resolved:

That the minutes of the following Committees and Cabinet meetings be received.

Southern Area Planning Committee – 6 April 2021

Cabinet – 14 April 2021

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 21 April 2021

Northern Area Planning Committee – 22 April 2021

Southern Area Planning Committee – 27 April 2021

Southern Area Planning Committee – 18 May 2021

Cabinet – 26 May 2021

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 2 June 2021

Northern Area Planning Committee – 3 June 2021

Southern Area Planning Committee – 8 June 2021

To adopt Recommendations from the following:

Cabinet – 26 May 2021

Annual Governance Statement 2020/21

Resolved:

That the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 be approved and that the Leader and Chief Executive be authorised to sign it on behalf of the Council.

There were no questions under Rule 11.1.

Question 1

Councillor Ecclestone asked the Leisure and Community Portfolio Holder the following question:

“In light of the climate emergency declared by TVBC can the portfolio holder advise the number of street trees (definition being within 3 metres of a roadway) that TVBC has planted in the last 12 months in Millway Ward and in the Andover Wards in general? 

If any, can the portfolio holder advise where the street trees were planted in Millway ward?”

Councillor Jeffrey replied that Test Valley Borough Council had not planted any street trees that fall under the definition Councillor Ecclestone provided.Information relating to planting of trees as per the definition provided would need to be requested from Hampshire Highways as the relevant land owner.

Councillor Jeffrey confirmed that the Council had supported the planting of over 600 whips and trees across numerous sites within Andover and Charlton Wards in the last 12 months.

Councillor Ecclestone asked a supplementary question “referring to an article in which it was stated that Glasgow City Council intended to plant 18 million trees how did the ratio of 600 trees planted in Andover and Charlton compare to Glasgow?”

Councillor Jeffrey replied that in Andover over the last 12 months although trees had been removed as part of ash dieback management, 600 had been planted resulting in a net green gain of 325 trees.

Question 2

Councillor Parker asked the Corporate Portfolio Holder the following question:

“How many cases of voter identity fraud have been detected in Test Valley over the last 10 years:

a)  At polling stations and

b)  In postal votes.”

Councillor Tasker replied thatthe issue of electoral offences including identity fraud were a matter for the police, however could confirm that the Council was unaware of any cases of identity fraud in the last ten years either at polling stations or in relation to postal votes.

Councillor Parker asked a supplementary question “whether the executive was planning to write to the Government to object to proposals in relation to the introduction of voter ID on the grounds that there was no problem to solve, that it would disfranchise or discourage a proportion of the electorate from voting and that it would impose an unnecessary bureaucracy when the government should be focussing on encouraging voters?”

Councillor Tasker replied that the best way to raise the issue would be for Councillor to contact their local MP about the matter.

There were no motions.

The Overview and Scrutiny Chairman will present the Committee’s Annual report.

Councillor Brooks, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the year 2021/21 presented an overview of the work undertaken by the Committee during the year which highlighted progress made by the Committee and key achievements.

During the 2020/21 the Committee had undertaken a range of activities including continuing to meet virtually, holding a number of away days to identify areas of focus and build knowledge, participating in roundtables and continuing to undertake panel reviews.

The Committee continued to play a key role in the Councils response to climate change and the Councils response to, and recovery from the pandemic.

Resolved:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairman’s Annual Report 2019/20 be noted

The following items are confidential.

Resolved:

That, pursuant Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following reports on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended, indicated below and public interest in maintaining those exemptions outweighs the Public interest in disclosing the information:

Item 13 - Proposed Property Purchase  Paragraphs 2 & 3

It is considered that this report contains exempt information within the meaning of paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.  It is further considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the report contains financially sensitive information and may impede the Council’s ability to achieve best value.

Item 14 - Contractual Matters  Paragraph 3

It is considered that this report contains exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, being that the information relates to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the authority holding that information).  It is further considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider a proposed property purchase.

Consideration was given to a report of the Housing and Environmental Health Portfolio Holder which dealt with a proposed Property Purchase.

Resolved:

1.  That, in the event that the property owner has failed to enter into an unconditional contract for the disposal of 91 Charlton Road in favour of the Council, as set out above, or in favour of a third party, by 2nd July 2021 or such later date as may be agreed by the Head of Housing and Environmental Health then:-

2.  i) the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make a compulsory purchase order entitled “The Borough of Test Valley (91 Charlton Road, Andover) Compulsory Purchase Order 2021” in respect of the land shown coloured pink on the plan annexed hereto and marked “The Borough of Test Valley (91 Charlton Road, Andover) Compulsory Purchase Order 2021”;

ii) That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to give notice of the making of the Order, as appropriate;

iii) That following service of notice under ii) above, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to submit the Order for confirmation by the Secretary of State;

iv) That, in the event that the Order is confirmed, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to give notice of confirmation, as appropriate:

v) That, following confirmation of the Order, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to take all such steps as may be necessary to secure possession of, and title to 91 Charlton Road, Andover, including (but not limited to) service of notice to treat and notice of entry;  and

vi) That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in conjunction with the Head of Property and Asset Management, be authorised to settle any matter of compensation arising out of the compulsory acquisition.

3.  That the additional funding requirement, as set out in paragraph 8.2, be added to the Capital Programme, to be funded from the New Homes Bonus Reserve.

To consider contractual matters.

Consideration was given to a report of the Community and Leisure Portfolio Holder which dealt with a contractual matter.

Resolved:

That Officers be authorised to take the actions detailed within Option 2 at paragraph 5.2 of this report.