The Council meeting on 12th December approved the revised Corporate Strategy 2023-2029 which was amended to include an additional project to ensure that services are accessible to all, recognising diversity and promoting inclusion. The meeting also agreed an additional meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee on 3 February 2025 to allow the committee to consider the Statement of Accounts. The Council debated two motions, Right of Local Supply for Community Energy Projects and Closure of Henry Cort Community College. The motion in respect of Community Energy Projects was approved. The motion in respect of the closure of the college was also approved, despite the initial consultation showing that 72% of respondents wanted to keep the school open.

Closure of Henry Cort Community College

Councillor Pamela Bryant's motion in respect of the closure of Henry Cort Community College was debated. The motion noted that Hampshire County Council (HCC) are proposing to build a new secondary school in Whiteley, and then relocate Henry Cort Community College to the new site. It noted that this decision was not in line with the feedback to the initial public consultation, which showed 72% of respondents would prefer to keep both school sites open.

The motion noted concerns about the decision, including transportation, environmental, educational, health and development impacts. The Council resolved to write to HCC asking that they support families living in the area by retaining Henry Cort College at its current location. If that is unsuccessful, the Council resolved to urge HCC to make provision for current and future students affected by the school move to be included in the catchment areas of Fareham Academy and Cams Hill School.

Right of Local Supply for Community Energy Projects

Councillor Connie Hockley's motion in respect of the Right of Local Supply for Community Energy projects was debated. The motion acknowledged the efforts that the Council has made to promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, it noted that it is difficult for small scale renewable energy generation sites to finance new generation projects because they receive no price certainty for the electricity they generate, making it difficult to finance new generation projects or expand existing ones. The motion recognised that requiring existing larger energy suppliers to work with community schemes to sell their electricity locally would mean that local households, businesses and public services could access clean, affordable electricity generated locally.

The motion noted that the Government-commissioned Net Zero Review, authored by the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore, recommends that the Government commit to enabling Community Energy projects to provide energy directly to local customers. The Council resolved to inform local media of their support for the Right of Local Supply, write to local MPs asking them to support its establishment and write to Power for People, a national Community Energy campaigning organisation, expressing its support for their campaign.

This motion was previously considered at the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel on 5 June 2024. The minutes and a copy of the presentation that was given to the Panel can be found on the Council's website.

Annual Review of Corporate Strategy 2023-2029

The Annual Review of Corporate Strategy 2023-2029, a report by the Assistant Director (Democracy), was discussed. The report summarised the Council's six corporate priorities:

• Providing Housing Choices
• Responding to Climate Change and Protecting the Environment
• Strong, Safe and Healthy Communities
• Promoting Economic Development
• Leisure Opportunities for Wellbeing and Fun
• A Responsive, Inclusive and Innovative Council

It provided highlights of the Council's performance in the 2023-24 financial year against each priority. It proposed some updates to the Corporate Strategy's wording and the addition of new projects. It proposed six new values, which are:

• Better Outcomes
• Responsibility
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Kindness

It also noted that the Council is moving towards a more timely, transparent and relevant set of corporate performance measures and that these will replace the previously used Local Service Agreements. The report was presented to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel on 18 November and the Executive on 3 December, where it was approved. The Council approved the report.

Additional Audit and Governance Committee Meeting

The Council agreed to schedule an additional meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee on 3 February 2025, if required, to allow the Committee to consider the Statement of Accounts. This was requested by the Committee because the 2022/23 external audit was delayed as a result of the need to comply with a national backstop date. The external auditor was unable to give an opinion on the audit, a situation that is affecting a large number of local councils.

Appointment to Outside Body - Hammond Memorial Hall Board of Trustees

The Council reappointed Roy Parker to the Hammond Memorial Hall Board of Trustees, extending his term, which was due to end in February 2025.