Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 24 September 2025 be approved and adopted.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Councillors or Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs), other registerable interests (ORIs) and non-registerable interests (NRIs) in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillors Porter, Tod, Warwick and Williams each declared disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of agenda items due to their role as Hampshire County Councillors.  However, as there was no material conflict of interest, they remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee to participate and vote in all matters which might have a County Council involvement.

Councillor Tod also declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 7 c – Notice of Motion (Hampshire Mayoral Election) as he was a candidate for the new combined authority and due to the fact that the motion referred to the timing of this election, he left the chamber during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

Councillor Godfrey also declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 7 a – Notice of Motion (Armed Forces – ‘Credit Their Service’) as he was in the process of applying for payment from one of the schemes referred to (the Armed Forces pension and compensation schemes) and he left the chamber during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

Councillor Pett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda items due to his role as Council’s representative on the South Downs National Park Authority. However, as there was no material conflict of interest, he remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee to participate and vote in all matters which might have a South Downs National Park Authority involvement.

The Mayor referred to recent engagements and then announced his forthcoming charities events.

He then advised that the annual Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards had been launched and that presentations would take place on 12 March 2026.

The Mayor then advised that he had written to the following recipients in the King’s New Year Honours:

Kim Wilkie of Bishops Waltham – a CBE for services to Landscape Architecture.

Sara Russell, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at Peter Symonds College – an OBE for services to Further Education.

Anne Fairhurst, Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Hampshire County Council – an MBE for services to Adult Social Care.

Kim Quaintrell, Head of Reducing Reoffending, HM Prison Winchester – an MBE for Public Service.

The Leader then announced that he had recently attended the opening of Winchester hospital’s new orthopaedic out-patients department, which had been officially opened by a former councillor, who had recently retired after 52 years as a hospital plaster technician.

The Leader then advised that, on behalf of the council, he had recently responded to the government’s consultation on Local Government Reorganisation with the council’s agreed proposal.  He again highlighted the strength of the council’s agreed proposal, versus the other submissions including that the scale and nature and proposed configuration of the four mainland geographies were supported by residents.  A response was also made regarding the county council’s submission, with particular focus on the economic geographies within this and particularly highlighting concerns of the Winchester district becoming part of a north Hampshire authority.  The Leader advised that shortly after submission in October, the council was then required to undertake work on a detailed and extensive list of comparative activities ahead of the expected announcement in March by government.  This had required the establishment of joint systems with other councils and additional work for officers, and he was grateful for councillors who had volunteered to be part of a cross-party group to help oversee the Local Government Reorganisation process.       

The Chief Executive first drew attention to an upcoming sponsored charity event in which officers would be participating, and then proceeded to announce apologies for the meeting.

To receive and answer any questions from the public.

(Questions must be received in writing by Democratic Services – democracy@winchester.gov.uk – no later than 10am on Wednesday 7 January 2026)

There were no Questions before Council

RECOMMENDED:

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2026/27 be adopted.

Councillor Morris (Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee) moved that the Recommended Minute of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Chamberlain).

Council proceeded to ask questions and then debate the matters in the recommended minute.

At conclusion of debate and following the seconder (Councillor Chamberlain, having reserved his right to speak) addressing the meeting, and then summing up by the proposer (Councillor Morris), Council then voted on the Recommended Minute before it.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of the Audit and Governance Committee held 27 November 2025 be approved and adopted:

1. That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2026/27 be adopted.

South Downs National Park Authority: Cllr Jerry Pett

Councillor Pett provided a verbal report to the Council regarding the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), for which he was the Council’s representative, and his update included the following matters.

·       Since his last update, SDNPA had appointed a new Hampshire County Council representative and in December 2024, a new Chief Executive.

·       Closer integration between the Park Authority and the South Downs Trust had been established with a new directorate for growth and organisational development.

·       National Parks were seeking power of competence to sell expertise (especially in green finance) and it was hoped that a clause within the Devolution Bill will include such powers.

• Local Government Reorganisation may reduce elected representation on the National Park Authority (NPA) board. The NPAs were working to influence the development of the Hampshire Solent MCCA.

• New statutory Partnership Management Plan had been recently approved after 18 months of engagement.

• Progress was ongoing on the Regulation 19 draft of the South Downs Local Plan.  Strengthened policies within the Local Plan were envisaged regarding farm building conversions for tourist accommodation, and for the addition of self-build units to rural exception sites.

• Differences remained between national housing targets and the constraints of protected landscapes. 

• Progress had been made to increase land managed for nature from 25% to 33% by 2030, which would require 13,000 additional hectares.

• Initiatives and pressures within the SDNPA were reported on, including accessibility via public transport networks to the park interior.

• A new five?year planning application for the Boomtown festival had been recently submitted. 

Councillor Pett then responded to questions.

(a)           Armed Forces – End to the Unjust Benefits System for Veterans – “Credit Their Service”

Proposer:  Cllr Danny Lee
Seconder:   Cllr Brian Laming

Preamble

Winchester is a proud supporter of the Armed Forces community, the Royal British Legion (RBL) and Armed Forces Covenant. Our district has deep historic and present-day ties with the Armed Forces, including service personnel, veterans, and their families who contribute to our community.

However, veterans receiving military compensation continue to face unfair treatment in the welfare system. The Royal British Legion’s “Credit Their Service” campaign highlights this serious injustice.

This inequity results in our poorest veterans and their families being denied full financial support that would otherwise be available to civilians receiving equivalent compensation through civil courts. Winchester City Council can lead locally by ensuring military compensation can be treated fairly and advocate for national reform.

Council Notes

·       That military compensation, awarded by the UK Government for injury, illness or loss sustained in service, is still treated as income by c80% of local authorities in the UK and is therefore means-tested benefits, despite civilian personal-injury compensation being fully disregarded.

·       That the Royal British Legion’s ‘Credit Their Service’ campaign has identified more than 150,000 veterans and family members affected nationally each year.

·       That councils have the discretion to disregard Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and War Pension income in local benefits including Council Tax Support (CTS), Housing Benefit (HB), Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), and Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG).

·       That the Royal British Legion lists Eastleigh and other authorities – including Wigan, Durham, Northumberland, and Basingstoke – as councils that have adopted fairer treatment by fully disregarding military compensation in local schemes.

·       That Winchester City Council has a strong commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and can demonstrate national leadership by ensuring local veterans are treated fairly. Winchester City Council signed the Covenant on 2 March 2022[1].

Council Resolves

1. To support the Royal British Legion’s “Credit Their Service” campaign, recognising the injustice caused when military compensation is treated as income in local means-tested benefits.

2. To amend all relevant Winchester City Council policies to ensure that

·       All Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and War Disablement Pensions are fully disregarded when assessing financial liability for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG).

·       All Armed Forces compensation and War Pension income is fully disregarded when assessing eligibility or award levels for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP).

·       The same principle is applied wherever legally permissible in Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit calculations within local discretionary parameters.

3. To embed this position explicitly within the Council’s Private Sector Housing Policy and DFG Policy Statement, citing the Armed Forces Covenant duty to ensure fair treatment.

4. To publicise the policy clearly to veterans, local voluntary groups, and Armed Forces representatives across the district.

5. To write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions urging national reform so that military compensation is fully exempt from all means-tested Department for Work and Pensions benefits.

6. To work with the Royal British Legion,  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15, four motions had been submitted for Council.

a)    Armed Forces – End to the Unjust Benefits System for Veterans – ‘Credit Their Service’

Councillor Godfrey left the chamber during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

The first motion submitted was by Councillor Lee and was as set out on the agenda and was seconded by Councillor Laming. Following its introduction by Councillor Lee, Council then debated the matters in the motion. In summary the following points were raised:

·       The council should understand additional costs of it supporting the motion.

·       The council should ensure that outcomes of the motion should continue as a legacy to the future unitary council responsible for the area.  However, they would need to make their own decisions on processes at the appropriate time.

·       Repeal of the Legacy Act was regarding lawfulness of acts during military service.  The proposals in the motion was compensation (for the individual and their family) for significant personal consequence in military service.

·       The council should use the discretion afforded to it on any elements in favour of veterans.

·       The council will look within the budget regarding topping up the existing discretionary housing payments fund, as this was depleted each year.

·       It was confirmed that support for the motion would be inclusive of disabled facilities grants.

Having reserved their right to speak, the seconder of the motion (Councillor Laming) then addressed Council, followed by the proposer of the motion (Councillor Lee) who exercised their right to respond to debate.

The Council then voted on the motion as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the motion proposed by Councillor Lee (seconded by Councillor Laming) be supported, and that this Council resolves:

1.   To support the Royal British Legion’s “Credit Their Service” campaign, recognising the injustice caused when military compensation is treated as income in local means-tested benefits.

2.   To amend all relevant Winchester City Council policies to ensure that

·       All Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments and War Disablement Pensions are fully disregarded when assessing financial liability for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG).

·       All Armed Forces compensation and War Pension income is fully disregarded when assessing eligibility or award levels for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP).

·       The same principle is applied wherever legally permissible in Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit calculations within local discretionary parameters.

3.   To embed this position explicitly within the Council’s Private Sector Housing Policy and DFG Policy Statement, citing the Armed Forces Covenant duty to ensure fair treatment.

4.   To publicise the policy clearly to veterans, local voluntary groups, and Armed Forces representatives across the district.

5.   To write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions urging national reform so that military compensation is fully exempt from all means-tested Department for Work and Pensions benefits.

6.   To work with the Royal British Legion, the Hampshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, and neighbouring councils to support consistent adoption of “Credit Their Service” principles across Hampshire.

b)    Protecting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive any resignations from committees and to make any necessary re-appointments.

There were no changes to committee memberships for Council to note.

The total time for questions and the answer and supplementaries thereto shall not exceed 40 minutes.

Council referred to the 13 questions which had been received, which were all heard at the meeting along with associated supplementary questions.

The questions received and their response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.