Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
68
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Environment and Infrastructure Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 11th June 2026
6:30 PM
Thursday, 11th June 2026
6:30 PM
End:
Thursday, 11th June 2026
9:30 PM
Thursday, 11th June 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
11 Jun 2026
11 Jun 2026
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Meeting Attendees
Secretary
Ellie Cole
Expected
Officer
Communications
Expected
Chair
Deputy Leader of the Labour Group and Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee and Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Committee Member
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Reserve
Chair of the South Ham & Buckskin Regeneration Committee
Reserve
Leader of the Conservative Group
Reserve
Chair of the Resources Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Licensing Committee
Reserve
Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Councillor Blackberry was replaced by Councillor Jenkin.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
Councillor Slimin declared a non-pecuniary interest as she was an unpaid Director of Calleva Community Energy.
3
Appointment of Vice-Chair
To appoint a Vice-Chair to the Environment & Infrastructure Committee for the 2026/27 municipal year.
Minutes
Councillor Blackberry was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2026/27 municipal year.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2026
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2026 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
5
Presentation on the Manydown Country Park
Following a request, the Committee will receive a briefing/presentation from David Ainsworth from the Manydown Development Vehicle LLP.
The briefing/presentation will provide a progress update on the new country park at Manydown North to include matters such as how it will be operated, funded and managed both during the development phase and longer term and how biodiversity will be enhanced.
The briefing/presentation will provide a progress update on the new country park at Manydown North to include matters such as how it will be operated, funded and managed both during the development phase and longer term and how biodiversity will be enhanced.
Minutes
The Committee received a presentation from David Ainsworth from the Manydown Development Vehicle LLP.
The presentation provided the Committee with a progress update on the new country park at Manydown North.
The Committee discussed the presentation and made the following comments:
Questioned whether a field education centre would be included within the hub. Officers confirmed that this was planned.
Clarification was sought on management, finance and control arrangements, including land ownership. It was confirmed that the landowner would retain ownership, with parts managed under a countryside park management company.
Some members raised concerns in relation to governance protocols and requested that future presentations be published in advance. It was confirmed that all information presented was publicly available on the Urban & Civic website and had previously formed part of the public engagement.
Clarification was sought on whether the park would be a paid for facility, officers confirmed it would be a public open space.
Resolved: The Committee notes the presentation.
The presentation provided the Committee with a progress update on the new country park at Manydown North.
The Committee discussed the presentation and made the following comments:
Questioned whether a field education centre would be included within the hub. Officers confirmed that this was planned.
Clarification was sought on management, finance and control arrangements, including land ownership. It was confirmed that the landowner would retain ownership, with parts managed under a countryside park management company.
Some members raised concerns in relation to governance protocols and requested that future presentations be published in advance. It was confirmed that all information presented was publicly available on the Urban & Civic website and had previously formed part of the public engagement.
Clarification was sought on whether the park would be a paid for facility, officers confirmed it would be a public open space.
Resolved: The Committee notes the presentation.
6
Climate Emergency Update
Contact Officer: Sam Taylor
This report and accompanying slides set out to provide an update to the committee on the council’s progress in tackling the climate emergency.
This report and accompanying slides set out to provide an update to the committee on the council’s progress in tackling the climate emergency.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency introduced the report and presentation which provided the Committee with an update to the committee on the council’s progress in tackling the climate emergency.
The Committee discussed the report and presentation and made the following comments:
Some members raised concern in relation to using carbon offset credits and the anticipated requirement for additional offset credits in 2027/28 ahead of the new Aquadrome. It was noted that reliance on offsets was not desirable.
Clarification was sought on the cost associated with achieving carbon reduction targets. Officers agreed to provide further information.
Requested a written response on the cycling grant funding from Hampshire County Council.
Suggested the development of a bike hub to support young people to know how to maintain and fix their bikes.
Sought clarification on the Car Club Pilot scheme.
Resolved:
The Committee notes the report
Recommends to Cabinet that future climate emergency work should prioritise and incorporate the following areas:
· Strengthen links with blue and green infrastructure
· Prioritise measures that support the cooling and greening of buildings
· Integrate the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) into planning and delivery
· Investigate drainage solutions and flash flood routes in response to wetter seasons
· Explore the establishment of an LNRS forum, linked to a Local Nature Reserve Fund, to support delivery and stakeholder engagement.
The Committee discussed the report and presentation and made the following comments:
Some members raised concern in relation to using carbon offset credits and the anticipated requirement for additional offset credits in 2027/28 ahead of the new Aquadrome. It was noted that reliance on offsets was not desirable.
Clarification was sought on the cost associated with achieving carbon reduction targets. Officers agreed to provide further information.
Requested a written response on the cycling grant funding from Hampshire County Council.
Suggested the development of a bike hub to support young people to know how to maintain and fix their bikes.
Sought clarification on the Car Club Pilot scheme.
Resolved:
The Committee notes the report
Recommends to Cabinet that future climate emergency work should prioritise and incorporate the following areas:
· Strengthen links with blue and green infrastructure
· Prioritise measures that support the cooling and greening of buildings
· Integrate the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) into planning and delivery
· Investigate drainage solutions and flash flood routes in response to wetter seasons
· Explore the establishment of an LNRS forum, linked to a Local Nature Reserve Fund, to support delivery and stakeholder engagement.
7
Review of work programme
The Committee is asked to note and review its Work Programme and to receive updates from the Lead Members of Task and Finish Groups.
Attachments:
- Document Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme May v2 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Chair introduced the work programme and gave a brief overview of the items that would be included on the agenda for the upcoming meetings.
Councillor Chatburn questioned whether the Tree Policy could be effectively scrutinised without the Biodiversity Policy and requested that the written response on the difference between regulation 18 and 19 be circulated as soon as possible. The Democratic Services Officer agreed to check with the relevant Officers after the meeting.
Councillor Chatburn gave an update to the Committee as the Lead Member of the Biodiversity Task and finish group and advised that the first meeting had taken place and that further Monthly meetings were planned over the next four months. He further advised that the Draft Terms of Reference would be circulated to members for approval.
Councillor Chatburn questioned whether the Tree Policy could be effectively scrutinised without the Biodiversity Policy and requested that the written response on the difference between regulation 18 and 19 be circulated as soon as possible. The Democratic Services Officer agreed to check with the relevant Officers after the meeting.
Councillor Chatburn gave an update to the Committee as the Lead Member of the Biodiversity Task and finish group and advised that the first meeting had taken place and that further Monthly meetings were planned over the next four months. He further advised that the Draft Terms of Reference would be circulated to members for approval.
Previous Meetings
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