Agenda and minutes

Venue: Being held virtually by Microsoft Teams . The Public can listen to the live stream here: http://www.audiominutes.com/p/player/player.html?userid=tvbc

Contact: Caroline Lovelock- 01264 368014  Email: clovelock@testvalley.gov.uk

Note: The meeting will start streaming below at 5:30pm. 

Items
No. Item

349.

Prayers

Minutes:

The Mayor opened the meeting by reflecting on the number of deaths in the UK which had passed the 100,000 mark.  Thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost someone to the pandemic. 

 

The Mayor also marked today as Holocaust memorial day however due to the current restrictions the day could not be marked as it normally would. 

 

Prayers were led by Reverend John Wharton followed by a short period of silence to remember all those that had lost their lives to the pandemic and those who suffered as a result of the holocaust

350.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Cross.

351.

Public Participation

Minutes:

There was no public participation.

352.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

The Mayor reminded Members that a dispensation had been granted in respect of item 11 on the agenda, the Members Allowances Scheme, so Members were able to take part in that item.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

353.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 November 2020

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

354.

Mayor's Announcements

Minutes:

Following a request from Councillors Andersen and P Lashbrook the Mayor confirmed that the Chief Executive had agreed that officers would be instructed to lower flags flying on Council buildings to half-mast on the day of the announcement of the death of a sitting or former Test Valley Borough Council Councillor.

 

 

 

355.

To receive and adopt Committee reports pdf icon PDF 232 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Minutes of Meetings:

 

Resolved:

 

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

 

Northern Area Planning Committee – 22 October 2020

 

Southern Area Planning Committee – 27 October 2020

 

General Purposes Committee – 4 November 2020

 

Cabinet – 4 November 2020

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 10 November 2020

 

Southern Area Planning Committee – 17 November 2020

 

Licensing Committee – 19 November 2020

 

Cabinet – 2 December 2020

 

Southern Area Planning Committee – 8 December 2020

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 9 December 2020

 

Northern Area Planning Committee – 7 January 2021

 

Southern Area Planning Committee – 12 January 2021

 

Cabinet – 13 January 2021

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 20 January 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To adopt recommendations from the following:

 

Cabinet – 2 December 2020

 

Asset Management Plan Update

 

Resolved:

 

1.  That the revised 2020/21 and original 2021/22 Asset Management Plan be approved and funded as set out in paragraph 9.5 and Annex 1 and 2 to the report.

 

2.  That the Head of Finance and Revenues, after consultation with the Finance Portfolio holder and Head of Service responsible for any project, be authorised to amend the Asset Management Plan during the year, as discussed in paragraph 7.3.

 

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021/22 – 2023/24

 

Resolved:

 

1.  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2021/22 to 2023/24 be approved.

 

2.  That the Medium Term Financial Forecast outlined in Annex 3 to the report be noted.

 

Capital Programme Update 2020/21 to 2022/23

 

Resolved:

 

1.  That the new capital schemes with a total cost of £1,150,000 as shown in Annex 1 to the report, be added to the 2020/21 to 2022/23 Capital Programme.

 

2.  That the revised estimates and financing for the 2020/21 to 2022/23 Capital Programme as shown in Annex 2 to the report, be approved.

 

Funding enhancements to the sports and recreational facilities under construction at Ganger Farm, Romsey

 

Resolved:

 

That in order to secure enhancements to sports and recreational facilities at Ganger Farm:

 

1.  £207,705 of capital spend be included in the Council’s Capital Programme for 2020/21.

 

2.  That recommendation 1 be funded as follows:

a.  £82,426 from unallocated section 106 Developer contributions

b.  £125,279 from the Capital Receipts Reserve pending receipt of and recoupment from further Section 106 Developer contributions and external funding.

 

Abbotswood on site public art commission

 

Resolved:

 

1.  That £56,000 be allocated from Section 106 contributions for on-site public art in respect of the public art commission for Abbotswood in Romsey.

 

2.  That £5,869 be allocated from Section 106 contributions for on-site public art in respect of the future maintenance.

3.  To award the contract to Thrussells (Thomas and Gary Thrussell).

 

Cabinet – 13 January 2021

 

Council Tax Support Scheme 2021/22

 

Resolved:

 

1.  That the Council Tax Support scheme for 2021/22, as shown in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.

 

2.  That the Head of Finance and Revenues, in consultation with the Finance Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Scheme that are required by the Council Tax  ...  view the full minutes text for item 355.

356.

Questions under Rule 11.1

Minutes:

There were no questions under rule 11.1.

357.

Questions under Rule 11.2

Minutes:

1.  Councillor Meyer submitted a question asking ‘Should they choose to exercise their Powers and Duties, will the Council Leader support Andover Town Council’s building and operation of new Andover Public Toilets on land currently owned by this Council, subject to the necessary planning permissions?

 

The Leader responded in that the Borough Council already facilitated a number of

toilets in various locations in Andover Town Centre which were open to the public including the relatively new fully accessible Changing Places toilet which would help people with complex disabilities.  The Leader reminded Members that the Council had recently adopted a brand new Master Plan for the town which involved much of the Council’s current land holdings however, if the Andover Town Council had a detailed proposal they would like to discuss with the Council then the Leader would be happy to hear it.

 

2.  Councillor Meyer submitted a question asking ‘Does the Cabinet have any plans to introduce this financial year or next, a Test Valley Business Investment Fund, to help the creation of and to support the sustainable growth of local independent businesses within Test Valley? If not, can the Council Leader advise as to whether the Cabinet has a considered position on the introduction of such an Investment Fund?

 

The Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Holder reminded Members  that the Council had both the Business Investment Grant and the Independent Retail Grant with a total over the last three years of £103,500.  That wasn’t  a Business Investment Fund as such but the Council was investing in businesses which was hopefully sustainable for the future.  In addition the Council had a skills fund from the Andover Airfield application in 2011 that was close to £0.5m. On page 214 in the minutes book there was a reference to the Overview and Scrutiny on 9 December when there was an Economic Portfolio review.  The presentation dealt with how the Council would back sustainable business across Test Valley.  More recently on 13 January 2021 The Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Holder took the Interim Economic Development Strategy plan to Cabinet which looked at how the Council would continue to encourage investment in businesses across Test Valley for a sustainable future.

 

Lastly it was important to be aware that the Council had put £375,000 into the Hampshire Community Bank which would be directly invested in businesses along the lines of Councillor Meyer’s question.  The Council were due to add a further £150,000 to that cause which was in the capital programme. Investors in that Bank included other Hampshire authorities, Solent University and Portsmouth University.  More information was available on the Council’s website.  The Council do not have a Business Investment Fund plan at the moment and it would not be recommended as its not the Council’s place to pick winners however the Council very comprehensively support the local business economy.

 

3.  Councillor Coole submitted a question asking ‘The Test Valley Borough Council/Andover Town Council negotiations on the transfer of Andover Special Expenses Levy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 357.

358.

Notice of Motion - Rule 12 pdf icon PDF 166 KB

To consider motions proposed by Councillors Coole, Ecclestone and Adams-King.

Minutes:

1.  Council considered the following motion moved by Councillor Coole and seconded by Councillor Harber.

 

That this Council resolves to:

 

Write to our Members of Parliament and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging them to introduce legislation to substantially reduce the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the public for private displays.

 

Continue to actively encourage the advanced publication of all public firework displays within the Borough’s boundary, to allow residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people, and to promote an advanced public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks – including precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.’

 

Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.

 

2.  Council considered the following motion moved by Councillor Coole and seconded by Councillor Ecclestone.

 

‘That in the interests of transparency, the way that individual Members vote on Resolutions and Motions be recorded for all Council and Committee Meetings and be made publicly available on the Council’s Website. And that the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly.’

 

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

 

3.  Council considered the following motion moved by Councillor Coole and seconded by Councillor Harber.

 

That to combat period poverty, this Council will:

 

Provide free period products in Council owned/managed female and gender-neutral toilet rooms or cubicles.

 

Top up the Government’s Period Product Scheme for Schools and Colleges in England provision from 35% to 100% by making available on application, a Period Poverty Payment of £17.30 per eligible student to Schools and Colleges in Test Valley, to help them provide free period products in their female and gender-neutral owned/managed toilet rooms or cubicles.

 

Invite and encourage all Test Valley Parish/Town Councils, businesses, charities, community and other organisations, to introduce free period products in their female and gender-neutral owned/managed toilet rooms or cubicles.’

 

 

 

 

The Mayor stated that under Council Procedure Rule 12.4, a motion whose subject matter comes within the province of  the Cabinet or any Committee, shall, upon being moved and seconded stand referred to the Cabinet or Committee for consideration and report without discussion, save for the mover of the motion reading it out should they wish to do so.

 

The Mayor confirmed that the subject matter of this motion falls within scope of the Cabinet, and therefore stands referred to Cabinet. 

 

4.  Council considered the following motion moved by Councillor Ecclestone and seconded by Councillor Coole.

 

‘In light of the lack of public consultation when the Andover War Memorial was originally moved in 1956 and the on-going groundswell of public opinion for the restoration to its position on the High Street we move:

 

That TVBC joins with Andover Town Council in conducting a public consultation on the resiting of the Memorial on the High Street with the goal of a Referendum in May 2021 on the subject for the residents of Andover.’

 

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

 

5.  Council considered the following motion moved by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 358.

359.

Members' Allowances Scheme - Recommendations of the Independent Review Panel pdf icon PDF 237 KB

To consider the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel on Members’ Allowances and to approve a Members’ Allowances Scheme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by the Corporate Portfolio Holder which set out the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel which recommended a new scheme of allowances.  The Panel met on 26 and 27 October 2020 and comprised Mr Trevor Cox, Mr Michael Cronin and Mr Steve Vale who chaired the Panel.

The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 provides for each Local Authority to decide its own scheme and the amounts to be paid under that scheme.

Councils are required to establish and maintain an Independent Remuneration Panel to provide the Council with advice on its Members’ Allowances Scheme and the amounts to be paid.  The Panel was also asked to examine the current allowances paid to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to cover their expenses and to recommend the future level of these allowances.

 

The Corporate Portfolio Holder stated that in light of the position the Council finds itself in as a result of the pandemic it would be prudent.to delay the increase of allowances until 1 September 2021. 

 

 

Resolved:

1.  That the Independent review panel’s report, attached as Annex 1 to the report, be noted.

2.  That the following recommendations be considered and if accepted that from 7 May 2021 to 31 August 2021 payment shall be made to Members in the amounts as provided for in the scheme of the Members Allowances  adopted by Council on the 23 January 2019 and that from the 1 September 2021 the recommendations in the following paragraphs shall take effect.

3.  That payment of the Basic Allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) be paid as set out at Annex 2.

4.  No member of the Council shall receive more than one SRA.

5.  If a Councillor is unable to undertake all more most of the duties covered by an SRA for a continuous period of one calendar month or more because of illness, the provision in the Members Allowances Regulations to adjust the allowance payable to that Councillor pro rata to the proportion of the year for which the special responsibilities have not been undertaken will be applied.  A Councillor who takes on the duties covered by an SRA for a continuous period of one month or more, when another Councillor is ill, absent or unavailable for other reasons shall be entitled to receive the SRA pro rata for the period in question.

6.  A Child Care and Dependent Carer’s Scheme will be available, which:

a.  Makes payment towards the costs necessarily incurred by a Councillor in engaging a carer to look after children or dependents who live at the same address as the Councillor, when the Councillor is absent from home undertaking any of the duties set out in Regulation 7 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

b.  Provides an hourly payment in line with actual costs incurred by the Councillor in purchasing the care, up to a maximum of £13.26 per hour (subject to any CPI-based adjustment in April 2021).

c.  Precludes any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 359.

360.

Andover Town Centre and South of Romsey Town Centre Project - Amended Delegation pdf icon PDF 228 KB

To consider the amended delegation for the Andover Town Centre and South of Romsey Town Centre project.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by the Leader and Deputy Leader to update and amend the delegated authority for the expenditure of budget related to the regeneration of Andover and Romsey town centres.

 

The report outlined proposed amendments to the delegated authority for approving future expenditure arising from the Andover and Romsey masterplan projects.

 

Resolved:

That delegated authority for the expenditure from the allocated Masterplan budget be amended as follows:

 

a)  For works up to and including the ceiling sum of £5,000 delegated authority be given to the Regeneration Manager or Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development;

b)  For works up to and including the ceiling sum of £25,000 delegated authority be given to the Regeneration Manager or Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development in consultation with Head of Finance & Revenues;

c)  For works above £25,000 up to and including £50,000 delegated authority be given to the Regeneration Manager or Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development in consultation with Head of Finance & Revenues, Finance Portfolio Holder and either the Andover Vision Portfolio Holder, where the expenditure relates to Andover Town Centre, or the Romsey Future Portfolio Holder where the expenditure relates to South of Romsey Town Centre;

d)  For works over £50,000 approval will be required in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations.

 

 

 

361.

Rule 9.2

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That as the business was unlikely to be concluded by 9:30 pm the meeting be

extended by 30 minutes under the provision of Rule 9.2.