Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 14 January 2026 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, Wallace, Warwick and Williams each declared disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of agenda items due to their role as Hampshire County Councillors.  Councillor Pett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda items due to his role as the Council’s representative on the South Downs National Park Authority.

However, as there was no material conflict of interest, they each 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 or a South Downs National Park Authority involvement.

Councillor Scott declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 5, Housing Revenue Account Budget (HRA) 2026/27 (CAB3540) as a Winchester City Council housing tenant.  Councillor Becker also declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of the same item as a property owner with a connection to a council sewage treatment works for which she paid an annual fee.

However, as there is no material conflict of interest in this item, they both remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee that enabled them to both participate and vote on the matters in the report.

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

The Leader provided an update on several matters relating to local government reorganisation, elections, and devolution.

The Leader reminded Members that, following the previous Full Council meeting, he had written to the Government supporting the continuation of local elections, reflecting the Council’s cross?party position.  The Leader suggested that the debate, despite changes to the Government’s position regarding local elections, had nevertheless been a useful opportunity to set out the Council’s views.

The Leader then advised that the Government had sought views on the design of the Structural Change Order, which included matters such as the governance of the joint committee that was to oversee reorganisation following the proposed announcement in March of this year regarding boundaries and the establishment of shadow authorities in April 2027. The name “Mid Hampshire” had been proposed for the new authority, but it was emphasised that new councils should retain the ability to choose a name once boundaries had been finalised. The Leader also reported that parish councils had been consulted on the potential synchronisation of parish elections with future unitary or mayoral elections; parishes expressed support, given the cost of running standalone elections. The Council’s full response was submitted to MHCLG on 17 February.

The Leader then advised that a cross?party committee of the Council, comprising group leaders and Cabinet members, had been established to guide the Council’s work on reorganisation. The Leader stressed that although the Council was preparing on the basis that reorganisation would proceed, recent uncertainties such as changes to national policy and the evolving position on devolution meant that this could not be taken for granted.  Therefore, this should be borne in mind when considering the council’s budget.

Regarding Devolution, it was reported that all upper?tier authorities had now taken decisions via their full councils enabling the structural change order for devolution to progress, with respective cabinet meetings due to take place over the next few weeks.  The Leader acknowledged that the upper?tier authorities had secured an improved financial settlement, increasing the combined authority’s interim funding from one?third to 40% before a mayor was appointed. Of particular relevance to districts was the newly secured Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England, which would be important for housing delivery, regeneration, and planning matters. The Leader emphasised the need for strong district involvement in this work.

Finally, the Leader reported that scaffolding would be erected around the Buttercross in Winchester shortly to enable refurbishment works to begin.

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 on Thursday 19 February)

One written question had been received from a member of the public, who attended the meeting to present it. A supplementary question was also asked. The question and response are set out on the council’s website.

Please note revised versions of Report CAB3540 and Appendices 1, 3 and 7 from those considered at Cabinet on 12 February 2026.

That Cabinet recommend to Council:

1.              That the HRA Financial Plan operating account, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report.

2.              That the 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report. 

3.              That the proposed capital programme for maintenance, improvements and renewals totalling £162.7m be approved.

4.              That capital expenditure be approved and authority be delegated to the Strategic Director with responsibility for housing to enter into necessary contracts for the 2026/27 capital programme of £22.8m, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

5.              That a change in approach to delivery of retrofit installation of solar panels and batteries to achieve best value for money following the decision by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to withhold Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund grant on battery installations be approved, as outlined at paragraphs 11.56 to 11.63 of the report.

6.              That the proposed 10 year capital programme for new homes totalling £202.8m, and expenditure of £21.8m in 2026/27 be approved, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

7.              That the financing of the HRA Capital Programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report, (noting the planned repayment of borrowing following the 1000 homes programme).

8.              That the revenue savings target of £1.13m at Appendix 7 of the report as amended be approved, which was outlined to Cabinet in November 2025 (CAB3523) and includes additional savings as outlined at paragraphs 11.32-11.38 of the report.

9.              That the Section 151 Officer be authorised, in consultation with the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing to approve buybacks of individual former HRA properties sold under the Right to Buy during 2026/27, following positive financial appraisal, utilising the unallocated New Homes budget (see paragraph 11.26 of the report).

10.          That subject to the acceptance of the expression of interest to the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) round 4:

a.   the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing be authorised to enter into a revised Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to secure additional LAHF funding.

b.   Authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to approve capital expenditure (subject to financial appraisal, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4) of up to £12m to purchase up to 30 properties between 2026/27 and 2029/30 using the approved HRA unallocated new build budget, to be part-financed by LAHF grant with any balance via prudential borrowing.

c.   The Corporate Head – Asset Management and the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing be authorised to purchase up to 30 properties. (Paragraphs 11.74-11.78 of the report).

11.          That the average rent increase for 2026/27 for all affordable, Shared Ownership and social housing of 4.8% be approved, based on the September  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Councillor Cutler (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration).

Council noted a correction of a typographical error at Recommendation 11 of Report CAB3540 and the recommended minute.  Reference to the CPI figure should read September 2025, not 2024.

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 12 February 2026 (as follows) be approved and adopted (with the correction referred to above):

1.          That the HRA Financial Plan operating account, including annual working balances be noted, as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report.

2.          That the 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account budget be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report. 

3.          That the proposed capital programme for maintenance, improvements and renewals totalling £162.7m be approved.

4.          That capital expenditure be approved and authority be delegated to the Strategic Director with responsibility for housing to enter into necessary contracts for the 2026/27 capital programme of £22.8m, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

5.          That a change in approach to delivery of retrofit installation of solar panels and batteries to achieve best value for money following the decision by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to withhold Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund grant on battery installations be approved, as outlined at paragraphs 11.56 to 11.63 of the report.

6.          That the proposed 10 year capital programme for new homes totalling £202.8m, and expenditure of £21.8m in 2026/27 be approved, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4.

7.          That the financing of the HRA Capital Programme be approved as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report, (noting the planned repayment of borrowing following the 1000 homes programme).

8.          That the revenue savings target of £1.13m at Appendix 7 of the report as amended be approved, which was outlined to Cabinet in November 2025 (CAB3523) and includes additional savings as outlined at paragraphs 11.32-11.38 of the report.

9.          That the Section 151 Officer be authorised, in consultation with the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing to approve buybacks of individual former HRA properties sold under the Right to Buy during 2026/27, following positive financial appraisal, utilising the unallocated New Homes budget (see paragraph 11.26 of the report).

10.       That subject to the acceptance of the expression of interest to the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) round 4:

a.          the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing be authorised to enter into a revised Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to secure additional LAHF funding.

b.          Authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to approve capital expenditure (subject to financial appraisal, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 7.4) of up to £12m to purchase up to 30 properties between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Please note revised versions of Report CAB3541 and Appendices A and C from those considered at Cabinet on 12 February 2026.

a)           That Cabinet recommend to Council:

1.    That the level of General Fund Budget for 2026/27 be agreed and the summary be recommended as shown in Appendix A of CAB3541, as amended, due to the late change in the Government's local government financial settlement announced by MHCLG on 10 February 2026.

2. That in relation to the Greener Faster Council Plan priority:

a.    a growth of £30,000 be approved to increase the annual Town Account tree maintenance budget as a result of risks associated with the effects of climate change and associated tree disease.

3. That in relation to the Healthy Communities priority of the new Council Plan:

a. the revised income bands for the Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age applicants (set out in Appendix E of report CAB3541) be approved, that ensure claimants continue to receive the appropriate level of support after the DWPs increase in Universal Credit rates with effect from 1 April 2026.

4. That in relation to the Efficient and Effective priority:

a. a growth to the annual expenditure budget of £89,000 be approved for improvements to make the way our residents’ contact us is easier and faster.

5. That other service expenditure annual budgets be amended as follows, in response to revised estimates:

a. Utility budget increased by £150,000 in order to cover the additional forecast utility costs from 2026/27.

b. An additional budget of £115,000 per annum from 2026/27 for the Corporate Head of Resources.

c. A growth of £130,000 to reflect the net budget pressure of the migration of the Land Charges service to HM Land Registry.

d. A net budget saving of £215,000 per annum to reflect changes to forecast employers’ pension contributions and rates.

6. That one-off service expenditure budgets be approved as follows:

a. A £470,000 digital transformation budget, relating to the implementation of improvements to make our residents’ digital contact with us easier and faster, with £400,000 funded from the digital transformation reserve and £70,000 funded from the transitional reserve.

b. A Town Account budget of £15,000 for feasibility work related to speed indicators within the town area, funded by the town reserve.

c. £1.7m for essential structural and repair works to the Guildhall to maintain this listed civic building (and required prior to further decision making on the future operating model of the Guildhall and Abbey House) funded from Property - Asset Management Reserve, and delegates authority to:

i.  the Strategic Director to appoint, in accordance with the council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs), all necessary consultants to prepare design work for the works required to the Guildhall through a competitive bid process or framework;

ii.  the Strategic Director to undertake a procurement exercise to obtain bids or use of a framework to appoint a contractor(s) for the works required to the Guildhall, in accordance with the council’s CPRs;

iii. the Strategic Director to appoint  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Councillor Cutler (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration).

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

AMENDMENT – Moved by Councillor Lee and seconded by Councillor Bailey-Morgan:

Add new Recommendation 6 (d). 

£130,000 to establish a two-year fixed-term River Catchment Officer post and associated project costs, to provide strategic leadership and coordinate delivery of work to strengthen river protection and recovery across the district, funded from the Transitional Reserve.

Councillor Lee introduced the Amendment.  Following continuation of the debate of the original motion (the recommended minute of Cabinet), a second Amendment was then proposed. 

AMENDMENT – Moved by Councillor Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Bolton:

Add new Recommendation 6 (d). 

A £1m business support budget to provide hospitality venues across the Winchester district with a one off 15% Hospitality Relief for 2026/2027 for properties subject to a business rates increase in 2026/2027 and a further  one off 15% Hospitality Relief for hospitality venues not in receipt of Pub Relief for 2026/2027, with the cost, including £15,000 for scheme administration, to be met from the transitional reserve.

The Mayor then called for an adjournment to the meeting whilst the first Amendment above was circulated in writing and for the groups to informally discuss.  The second Amendment above had been circulated in advance of the meeting.

Upon its reconvening, Council proceeded to firstly debate the matters in the first Amendment above (Moved by Councillor Lee and seconded by Councillor Bailey-Morgan).

At conclusion of debate, following the seconder of the Amendment speaking (Councillor Bailey-Morgan - having reserved his right), Councillor Cutler was then invited to exercise his right of reply before Council then voted on the Amendment.

In accordance with legislative requirements on recorded votes at Budget meetings, a recorded vote was taken on the Amendment before Council.

The following Members voted in favour of the Amendment before Council:

1. Councillor Liam Bailey-Morgan
2. Councillor Neil Bolton
3. Councillor Caroline Brook
4. Councillor Susan Cook
5. Councillor Patrick Cunningham
6. Councillor Stephen Godfrey
7. Councillor Caroline Horrill
8. Councillor Paula Langford-Smith
9. Councillor Danny Lee
10. Councillor Malcolm Wallace
11. Councillor Jan Warwick
12. Councillor Suzanne White

The following Members voted against of the Amendment:

1. Councillor James Batho
2. Councillor Kathleen Becker
3. Councillor Michael Bennett
4. Councillor Adrian Brophy
5. Councillor Chris Chamberlain
6. Councillor Angela Clear
7. Councillor Steve Cramoysan
8. Councillor Neil Cutler
9. Councillor Nathan Eve
10. Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith
11. Councillor Brian Laming
12. Councillor Ritchie Latham
13. Councillor Kelsie Learney
14. Councillor Jonny Morris
15. Councillor Richard Murphy
16. Councillor Jerry Pett
17. Councillor Clare Pinniger
18. Councillor Margot Power
19. Councillor Jane Rutter
20. Councillor Jamie Scott
21. Councillor Anne Small
22. Councillor Lucille Thompson
23. Councillor John Tippet-Cooper
24. Councillor Martin Tod
25. Councillor Chris Westwood
26. Councillor Jonathan Williams

The following Members abstained from voting:

1. Councillor Sudhakar Achwal

The following Members were absent during voting:

1. Councillor Jackie Porter

AMENDMENT LOST.

Following its introduction by the proposer (Councillor Godfrey), Council then proceeded to debate the matters in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

That Cabinet recommend to Council:

1.      The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

a)    the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to report CAB3539);

b)    the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

c)     the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix G of the report); and

d)    the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F of the report.

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

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

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 12 February 2026 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.          The Capital Investment Strategy be approved including:

a)          the Capital Programme and Capital Programme Financing (Appendices A and B to the report);

b)          the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (Appendix E of the report);

c)          the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (Appendix G of the report); and

d)     the prudential indicators detailed in the report and Appendix F of the report.

Please note revised version of Report CAB3538 (Appendix D) from that considered at Cabinet on 12 February 2026.

That Cabinet recommend to Council:

1.          That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2026/27 (and the remainder of 2025/26) is approved;

2.          That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the council’s pooled property investment and long-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.          That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Director of Corporate Operations, as agreed in the Service Level Agreement, to manage all council investments (other than the high yield portfolio) and short-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

Councillor Cutler (Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance) moved that the recommended minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management).

Council proceeded to ask questions regarding the matters in the recommended minute and report. There was then no debate before Council then considered the recommendations before it.

RESOLVED:

That the recommended minute of Cabinet held 12 February 2026 (as follows) be approved and adopted:

1.          That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement which includes the Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2026/27 (and the remainder of 2025/26) is approved.

2.          That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage the council’s pooled property investment and long-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate; and

3.          That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, who in turn discharges this function to Hampshire County Council’s Director of Corporate Operations, as agreed in the Service Level Agreement, to manage all council investments (other than the high yield portfolio) and short-term borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

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.

8 written questions had been received which were heard at the meeting along with associated supplementary questions. The questions received and their response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.