Agenda and minutes

resolved:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2024 and the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 15 May 2024 be approved and adopted.

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

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillors Porter, Tod, Wallace and Warwick each declared personal (but non prejudicial) interests in respect of the agenda items due to their role as County Councillors.

Councillors Eve and Murphy both declared non-pecuniary interests in respect of agenda item 9, Questions from Members of the Council, regarding Question 5 which referred to the University of Southampton, which was both their employer. However, both councillors confirmed that neither held a role that was strategic or managerial.   

The Mayor advised that he was to attend the unveiling of a war memorial dedicated to local parishioners of St Maurices’ Church, Winchester and also the opening of the new King George V playing fields pavilion facility at Bar End. He also announced forthcoming charities events and then reported that he was to congratulate the following recipients of the recent King’s Birthday Honours:

Janet Lewis of Winchester - Deputy Director, Cabinet Office Legal Advisers.  An OBE for Public Service.

David Andre Happy of Alresford - Managing Director, Telint. An MBE for services to Telecommunications and to Technology.

Nicola Jane Iles of Winchester - Head, Special Projects and Deputy Clerk, Privy Council. An MBE for services to the Accession Council.

Valarie Mary Etteridge of Winchester.  A BEM for services to the community in Otterbourne.

The Leader firstly welcomed councillors recently elected and then advised that he had written to the three new MPs whose constituencies were part of the Winchester district.  He had advised them that the council was open to working together on issues of common interest to our residents, highlighting the important role of local councils in delivering services to residents and inviting them each to provide views on the forthcoming refreshed Council Plan.

He was also to meet with new Leaders of neighbouring authorities and Hampshire County Council and referred to the Hampshire Prosperity Board, areas of common interest and the government’s approach to devolution.  The Leader then reported that the new deputy prime minister had thanked councils for their work to deliver the services that residents rely on, also highlighting the importance of economic growth to assist with their continued improvement.   The way forward for devolution deals had also been set out. 

Finally, the Winchester City Council had recently been subject to a Corporate Peer Challenge Review, and the Leader then thanked everyone for the work in achieving the positive feedback that had been received.

The Chief Executive announced apologies for the meeting.

To receive and answer and questions from the public.

(Questions must be received in writing by Democratic Services – democracy@winchester.gov.uk – no later than 10am, Tuesday 9 July 2024.

Two written questions had been received from members of the public of whom one attended the meeting to present their question. Supplementary questions were also asked from those present. The questions received and their response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That Council note the annual scrutiny report for 2023/24.

Councillor Brook (Chairperson of the Scrutiny Committee) moved that the recommended minute of the Scrutiny Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Horrill).

There were no questions or debate of the matters in the recommended minute and report.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of the Scrutiny Committee held 6 June 2024 be approved and adopted:

That the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2023/24 be noted.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

That Full Council is recommended:

1.    To appoint the following three individuals as Independent Persons:

a.    Alan Harrison

b.    Linda Phillips

c.     Peter Baulf

2.    To extend its sincere gratitude to the Council’s current Independent Person, Mr Michael Cronin for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions over the past seven years.

Councillor Power moved that the recommendations in Report CL171 be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Chamberlain).

There were no questions or debate of the matters in the report and the recommendations for Council.

RESOLVED:

1.    To the following three individuals be appointed as Independent Persons:

a.    Alan Harrison

b.    Linda Phillips

c.     Peter Baulf

2.    That Council extend its sincere gratitude to the Council’s outgoing Independent Person, Mr Michael Cronin for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions over the past seven years.

To consider the following Motion to be proposed by Councillor Danny Lee (seconded by Councillor Malcom Wallace):

Title: Accelerating Climate and Nature Emergency Actions

Preamble:

Winchester City Council's Carbon Neutrality Action Plan aims to meet our net zero targets by 2024 for the Council and 2030 for the District.

Achieving net zero locally is projected to cost half as much as a national approach while tripling financial returns(i) and delivering three times faster(ii).

Despite this, national preparation for climate change impacts remain inadequate.

Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has raised significant concerns about failures to properly implement regulations which means key Environmental Plan and local targets for improvement are likely to be missed(iii).

Central government must enhance collaboration with local governments to deliver faster for the Climate and Nature crises(iv).

The most significant climate impacts affect our most vulnerable populations, who are least able to adapt(v).

Degradation of natural habitats affects community well-being, contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon. Restoration and protection of these habitats are crucial for mitigating climate change and maintaining biodiversity(vi)?.

It is crucial for the new UK government to prioritise climate change with additional resources to expand local actions and meet UK's net zero targets and Nature targets.

This Council Notes:

·       Our State of Nature is struggling to recover, and global warming temperatures have exceeded 1.5^oC across an entire year and are now breaching 2.0^oC(vii).

• The importance of local initiatives to contribute to the UK's commitment to net zero by 2050 and a 78% reduction in emissions by 2030 from 1990 levels(viii).

·       The Government Net Zero Strategy estimates c82% of the UK’s emissions are “within the scope of influence of local authorities”

• Studies indicate that local authorities could save the UK approximately £140 billion and deliver substantial energy and social benefits through localised climate and nature initiatives- an additional £400 billion in wider co-benefits(ix).
• Local authorities need additional funding to enhance their contributions to the UK’s net zero and nature protection goals(x).
• A local climate 'test' applied to all government policy/funding decisions would support rather than conflict with local action.  Ensures national policies align with and reinforce local climate initiatives. Thus, creating a cohesive approach to enable local authorities’ climate goals for faster more efficient and effective delivery? (as proposed by the LGA) (xi). 
• Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) can play a pivotal role in safeguarding our natural environment, ensuring sustainable development, and enhancing habitat value for carbon sequestration/associated ecosystem services and the well-being of our communities with long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits(xii).
• An enhanced local focus on climate and nature through a government policy reset with new support could:
  • Address climate change and nature crises more equitably and promptly, with improved consideration of impacts on different community segments.
  • Improve adaptation plans for a 'Just Transition' in housing and business sectors, increasing resilience against extreme climate events  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15, one motion had been submitted for Council.

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

• Much of the detail of the motion had already been pledged or was already being delivered by the Council.  The third resolution of the motion had already investigated by the Liberal Democrats at Hampshire County Council.

• Winchester City Council had been commended for its work in delivering a climate action plan.

• The new MP for Winchester had undertaken to take proposals for meaningful action regarding climate change to parliament.

• Hampshire County Council had already considered a proposal to accelerate its decarbonisation plans, however this had been defeated at a previous meeting of the county council.

• The council worked in partnership with the South Downs National Park, which had reported considerable progress in achieving its various targets regarding re-naturing etc. 

Having reserved his right to speak, the seconder of the motion (Councillor Wallace) then addressed Council, followed by the proposer of the motion (Councillor Lee) who exercised his 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 Wallace) be not supported.

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.

12 written questions had been received, 11 of which were heard at the meeting along with associated supplementary questions, with the responses to all the questions received and their response subsequently set out on the council’s website.