The Council of Gosport Borough Council met on Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 6pm. Two motions were passed: one in support of the principle of reducing carbon emissions by exploring the installation of solar panels on council-owned buildings, and one to show support for the LGBTQ+ community by flying the Pride flag during Pride month. The council also approved a review of polling districts and polling places, a new Gambling Act Statement of Principles for the period 2025-2028, and a schedule of fees and charges for council services from 1 January 2025.

Motion on Solar PV

Councillor Maynard proposed, and Councillor Earle seconded a motion to support the principle of CO2 reduction by exploring the feasibility and possibilities for installing solar panels to support community energy schemes, and offset electricity costs at council facilities including splash parks, car parks, and roof top installations.

Motion on Support for LGBTQ+ Community

A motion proposed by Councillor June Cully and seconded by Councillor Jonathan Brown sought support for the LGBTQ+ community in Gosport. Councillor Cully noted that the 2021 Census showed that 3.15% of Gosport residents identified as LGBQ+ and that hate crime in Hampshire had risen by 65% in 2022. The motion proposed that Gosport Council:

show support for LGBTQ+ people by flying the Pride flag during Pride month from 2025

explore how to ensure anyone dealing with the Council may be offered the opportunity to be addressed using pronouns of their choice if they wish.

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

Councillor Chegwyn, Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board, moved a proposal from the Policy and Organisation Board to change the borough's polling districts and polling places. The changes were recommended following a review of polling districts and places carried out by the council's Electoral Task and Finish Group. The review included a public consultation, to which there were no responses. The Group considered a number of factors in making its recommendations, including the location of existing polling stations, the accessibility of polling places to disabled people, and suggestions from council officers.

The proposed changes include:

• Moving the polling place for electors in Polling District PC2 from Peel Common Infant School to Peel Common Junior School. This change is necessary because Peel Common Infant School is closing in January 2025.
• Relocating properties in Brookers Lane 66-76, Heron Way, Teal Walk, Tern Walk, Fulmer Walk and Curlew Walk from Peel Common polling district 1 to Peel Common polling district 2.

The proposed changes to polling districts and polling places were approved.

Gambling Act Statement of Principles 2025-2028

The council considered a proposal from the Policy and Organisation Board to adopt a new Gambling Act Statement of Principles¹ for the borough.

The proposed Statement of Principles was drafted by the council's Head of Environmental Health, Ian Rickman. It was subject to a public consultation, to which there was one response from the Gosport Planning Department requesting minor changes to the terminology used in the document.

The Statement of Principles sets out the council's approach to a number of issues relating to gambling, including:

• The licensing objectives of the Gambling Act 2005.
• The designation of responsible authorities.
• The exchange of information between the council and the Gambling Commission.
• The enforcement of the Gambling Act 2005.
• The licensing of different types of gambling premises.

The proposed Statement of Principles was approved.

Fees and Charges 2025

The council considered a proposal from the Policy and Organisation board to approve a schedule of fees and charges for council services from 1 January 2025.

The schedule of fees and charges was prepared by the council's Head of Finance. In preparing the schedule, the Head of Finance took into account the council's costs of providing services, the fees and charges of other local authorities, and the need to ensure that fees and charges are affordable for residents.

The proposed schedule of fees and charges includes a number of changes, including:

• An average increase of 6% in most council charges to reflect the rising cost of providing services.
• A number of new charges for services that were previously provided free of charge.
• A number of changes to existing charges, including changes to the discounts that are available.

The proposed schedule of fees and charges was approved.

Part II Minutes

The Council considered the Part II minutes of the Community and Environment Board meeting of 13 November 2024 and the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024. The Part II minutes detail the discussions held in these meetings about topics which are not confidential.

Community & Environment Board – Simpler Recycling – Food Waste

The minutes of the Community & Environment Board meeting of 13 November 2024 included a discussion about simpler recycling. The board was advised that the government had introduced reforms to ensure that the collection of recycling was consistent across the country. One of these reforms required councils to collect food waste separately from other recycling. The board approved the introduction of separate food waste collections in Gosport from 31 March 2026 and agreed that all residents would be provided with a 7 litre caddy and a 23 litre kerbside bin.

Policy and Organisation Board - Citizens Advice

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included details about a presentation given by Citizens Advice Gosport about their work over the last year. The board acknowledged the work undertaken by Citizens Advice Gosport and resolved to maintain the current funding arrangements as part of the proposed budget.

Policy & Organisation Board - 2022/23 External Audit Completion Report

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion of the 2022/23 External Audit Completion Report. The board was advised that the delay in completing the audit was caused by national capacity issues and regulatory pressure. The board noted the overall conclusion of the report and the recommendations for improvement.

Policy & Organisation Board - Financial Accounts 22/23

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion of the Financial Accounts for 2022/23. The board approved the Statement of Accounts for 2022/23.

Policy & Organisation Board - Grant of Licence for War Memorial Garden at The Promenade, Stokes Bay

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion about the proposed installation of a D-Day memorial garden at The Promenade, Stokes Bay, adjacent to Stokes Bay Sailing Club. The board approved a grant of £5,000 to the Gosport D-Day Memorial Fellowship and agreed to grant a licence for the proposed site for a period of 50 years at a peppercorn rent.

Policy & Organisation Board - Sale of Freehold Land and Buildings at Monks Walk, Elson, Gosport

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion about the proposed sale of a vacant site at Monks Walk, Elson, Gosport, to the Ministry of Defence. The board approved the disposal of the site to the Ministry of Defence.

Policy & Organisation Board - LUF Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront – Public Realm Project

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion about the Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront project. This project is part of the government's Levelling Up Fund initiative and will deliver improvements to the public realm in the area around Gosport waterfront. The project will include the development of a new People's Park, and work to improve the area around the Rum Store. The board noted the progress that was being made on the project.

Policy & Organisation Board - Bird Aware Partnership Revised Strategy

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion about the Bird Aware Partnership's revised strategy. The Bird Aware Partnership is a group of organisations that are working to protect the bird populations of the Solent. The revised strategy sets out the Partnership's plans for the next five years and was prepared following a statutory 5 year review. The strategy requires developers to take steps to mitigate the impact of their developments on bird populations. The board approved the revised strategy.

Policy & Organisation Board - Inter-Authority Agreement for the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund

The minutes of the Policy and Organisation Board meeting of 27 November 2024 included a discussion about an inter-authority agreement (IAA) for the Solent Nutrient Fund. The IAA is a legal agreement between several local authorities in the Solent region. Under the IAA the councils will work together to manage the fund, which is being used to reduce the amount of nutrients entering the Solent. The board approved the IAA.

By-Election Results

The council noted the result of the by-election for the Harbourside and Town ward, which was held on Thursday 21 November 2024. Lesley Mary Doris Meenaghan of the Conservative Party was elected, filling the vacancy created by the death of Councillor Alan Durrant.

Review of Council Boards and Committees

The council approved a revised allocation of seats on the council's boards and committees to reflect the change in the political balance of the council following the Harbourside and Town by-election.