Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
68
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Resident Services Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 16th September 2026
6:30 PM
Wednesday, 16th September 2026
6:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 16th September 2026
9:30 PM
Wednesday, 16th September 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
16 Sep 2026
16 Sep 2026
Location:
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Meeting Attendees
Vice-Chair
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Committee Member
Vice-Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee and Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Secretary
Ellie Cole
Expected
Committee Member
Reserve
Leader of the Conservative Group
Committee Member
Reserve
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Committee Member
Chair
Chair of the Resident Services & Vice-Chair of Development Control Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Leader of the Reform UK Group
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hynan.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 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 17 June 2026 07 Sep 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
4
Rodent Control and Prevention
Contact Officer: Chris Williams
Members of the committee have raised concerns regarding a perception of an increase in the rat population across the borough. This report will provide an overview of the number of reports received by the council and the work undertaken by the Environmental Health team to manage pest control across the Borough.
Members of the committee have raised concerns regarding a perception of an increase in the rat population across the borough. This report will provide an overview of the number of reports received by the council and the work undertaken by the Environmental Health team to manage pest control across the Borough.
Attachments:
- Document Report 07 Sep 2026
Minutes
The Cabinet Member for Residents' Services and Housing introduced the report, which had been requested by the Committee following concerns in relation to a perceived increase in rat activity across the Borough.
The report provided an overview of rodent control activity, current trends and the Council's approach to managing infestations.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Members sought clarification on the role that litter, waste management and public litter bin provision played in attracting rodents. Officers advised that whilst litter could contribute to issues in some locations, unmanaged food sources, bird feeding, composting and animal feed were generally more significant factors.
Questions were raised regarding commercial waste management and concerns were expressed about waste storage arrangements on private land. Officers confirmed that environmental health powers could be used where waste management standards were inadequate and that food premises inspections now included consideration of waste storage arrangements.
Members discussed issues relating to management companies, unadopted land and litter bin provision and requested further information such as the contact details of the relevant management companies.
Members highlighted the importance of education and behavioural change and suggested that information be shared with residents on the practical steps to reduce the conditions which attract rats.
Raised the issue of overgrown or neglected properties, the responsibilities of homeowners and landlords, and the Council's powers to intervene where rodent infestations could be evidenced.
Noted that there was limited evidence to support the effectiveness of certain plants as a control method.
The Committee welcomed the report and requested that further consideration be given to publishing an educational article in the Council's “Your Place” Residents magazine to raise awareness to reduce rodent activity.
Resolved: That the Committee notes the report.
The report provided an overview of rodent control activity, current trends and the Council's approach to managing infestations.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Members sought clarification on the role that litter, waste management and public litter bin provision played in attracting rodents. Officers advised that whilst litter could contribute to issues in some locations, unmanaged food sources, bird feeding, composting and animal feed were generally more significant factors.
Questions were raised regarding commercial waste management and concerns were expressed about waste storage arrangements on private land. Officers confirmed that environmental health powers could be used where waste management standards were inadequate and that food premises inspections now included consideration of waste storage arrangements.
Members discussed issues relating to management companies, unadopted land and litter bin provision and requested further information such as the contact details of the relevant management companies.
Members highlighted the importance of education and behavioural change and suggested that information be shared with residents on the practical steps to reduce the conditions which attract rats.
Raised the issue of overgrown or neglected properties, the responsibilities of homeowners and landlords, and the Council's powers to intervene where rodent infestations could be evidenced.
Noted that there was limited evidence to support the effectiveness of certain plants as a control method.
The Committee welcomed the report and requested that further consideration be given to publishing an educational article in the Council's “Your Place” Residents magazine to raise awareness to reduce rodent activity.
Resolved: That the Committee notes the report.
5
Housing and Homelessness Strategy
Contact Officer: Tom Roworth
This report presents a summary of the achievements of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2023-2027 following the annual review of 2025/26 performance.
This report presents a summary of the achievements of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2023-2027 following the annual review of 2025/26 performance.
Attachments:
- Document Report 07 Sep 2026
- Document Appendix 1 07 Sep 2026
- Document Appendix 2 07 Sep 2026
Minutes
The Cabinet Member for Residents' Services and Housing introduced the report which provided a summary of the achievements delivered through the Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2023-2027 following the annual review of performance during 2025/26.
The report also sought views on the proposal to undertake a light-touch refresh of the existing strategy framework rather than develop a new strategy.
The Committee discussed the potential implications of Local Government Reorganisation and queried whether this would affect the strategic direction of the document. Officers advised that, irrespective of future arrangements, the current priorities remained relevant.
Questions were also raised regarding the incorporation of emerging legislation and national policy developments, such as Awaab's Law and the renter’s rights reforms. Officers confirmed that the refresh would take account of any relevant changes which would ensure that the strategy remained current.
Members sought updates on the Preferred Partner Scheme with housing associations, rough sleeping trends and the factors contributing to fluctuations in rough sleeping numbers.
The Committee requested that the refreshed strategy be circulated to Members with tracked changes once completed so that amendments could be reviewed.
Resolved: That the Committee:
Notes the progress in delivering the priorities set out within the report.
Notes the proposed approach and timescales to refresh the Housing and Homelessness Strategy.
Requests that the refreshed document be circulated to Committee Members with tracked changes showing the proposed amendments.
The report also sought views on the proposal to undertake a light-touch refresh of the existing strategy framework rather than develop a new strategy.
The Committee discussed the potential implications of Local Government Reorganisation and queried whether this would affect the strategic direction of the document. Officers advised that, irrespective of future arrangements, the current priorities remained relevant.
Questions were also raised regarding the incorporation of emerging legislation and national policy developments, such as Awaab's Law and the renter’s rights reforms. Officers confirmed that the refresh would take account of any relevant changes which would ensure that the strategy remained current.
Members sought updates on the Preferred Partner Scheme with housing associations, rough sleeping trends and the factors contributing to fluctuations in rough sleeping numbers.
The Committee requested that the refreshed strategy be circulated to Members with tracked changes once completed so that amendments could be reviewed.
Resolved: That the Committee:
Notes the progress in delivering the priorities set out within the report.
Notes the proposed approach and timescales to refresh the Housing and Homelessness Strategy.
Requests that the refreshed document be circulated to Committee Members with tracked changes showing the proposed amendments.
6
Review of the 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 07 Sep 2026
- Document Work Programme Suggestion Form - Ashfield - Disposal of Social Housing 07 Sep 2026
Minutes
The Chair introduced the Work Programme and advised the Committee that a Work Programme suggestion form had been submitted by Councillor Ashfield relating to the disposal of social housing properties by a registered provider.
Members expressed concern regarding the loss of social housing stock. It was suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting with representatives from the housing provider invited to attend if appropriate.
Members also suggested a range of future topics for consideration including:
Regeneration and renewal of older planting schemes and landscaped areas throughout the Borough
Oversight arrangements for leisure services following changes to management arrangements at the Aquadrome
Accessible walking routes
Members expressed concern regarding the loss of social housing stock. It was suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting with representatives from the housing provider invited to attend if appropriate.
Members also suggested a range of future topics for consideration including:
Regeneration and renewal of older planting schemes and landscaped areas throughout the Borough
Oversight arrangements for leisure services following changes to management arrangements at the Aquadrome
Accessible walking routes
Previous Meetings
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