Minutes:
The Mayor firstly announced the recent passing of Winchester City Councillor, Mayor of Winchester and Hampshire County Councillor, Susan Glasspool.
MrsGlasspool was elected to Winchester City Council and represented the Itchen Valley Ward from 1983 until 1999 and was Mayor of Winchester 1993-94. She was also a Hampshire County Councillor and was made an Honorary Alderman by the county council in 2010.
Council stood in silent tribute to her memory.
The Mayor then reminded council of the forthcoming annual Law Sunday and Remembrance Sunday Cathedral Services.
The Mayor announced his forthcoming charity events and then also referred to the Adjutant General’s Corp 30th Anniversary Freedom Parade which was to be attended by the corps’ deputy Colonel in Chief, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester.
Finally, the Mayor welcomed Mr Neil McArthur who had recently joined the council as Interim Head of Legal Services.
The Leader announced that in response to the debate at the previous full council about protecting our rivers from pollution, he had written to the Minister of State for Planning, Mr Lee Rowley.
The Leader then advised that at the recent meeting of the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) he had raised matters related to nutrient neutrality (both nitrates and phosphates) and had also spoken with representatives of Southern Water, the Environment Agency and Natural England. New ways of collaborating on the ongoing nutrient issues had been identified and he would be pleased to debrief any councillor regarding this matter.
The Leader then advised that further to his undertaking to meet with Leaders of neighbouring authorities and with other local stakeholders regarding areas of common interest, he had recently met with the Leader of Havant Borough Council, Councillor Alex Rennie. They had discussed consultation and engagement regarding the regeneration of Waterlooville and that this should include residents of the West of Waterlooville MDA and also the nearby communities of Denmead and Southwick. Investment in the Horizon Waterlooville Leisure Centre was also referred to, as was the issue of whether the council’s West of Waterlooville Forum was appropriate as a body where future cross border issues could be raised.
The Leader then advised that Hampshire County Council had recently re opened discussion of the ‘Hampshire Deal’ and Investment Zones. Winchester did not currently have an Investment Zone in the district, but submissions were still able to be made to the County Council for their potential inclusion.
The Leader then announced the recent appointment to the cabinet of Councillor Kathleen Becker, who would lead on the important council priorities of inclusion and engagement.
Finally, the Leader referred to cabinet’s recent announcement of a £200,000 Cost of Living Intervention fund, focused on supporting households in the Winchester district who are struggling with the rising cost of living.
He reported that these measures included:
·
A Cost of Living Emergency Grant Fund that would be
used to provide additional support to partner organisations that
provide advice and practical support to residents. This includes
help to reduce and manage energy bills, help to access benefits and
grants, help to access food and other types of emergency
support.
·
Calling a local Cost of Living Summit, to bring
together partner organisations from across the Winchester district
to discuss how the council was able to best work together to
coordinate and maximise its efforts and its impact.
· Setting up a dedicated webpage to help people find the information they need quickly and easily, with direct links to available support.
This was also consistent with the council’s climate objectives, by cutting energy and cutting carbon emissions, which would also cut bills.
The Chief Executive announced apologies for the meeting.