Gosport Borough Council
Councillors:
27
Wards:
14
Committees:
10
Meetings (2026):
59
Meetings (2025):
50
Meeting
Policy and Organisation Board - Gosport
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Friday, 16th January 2026
6:00 PM
Friday, 16th January 2026
6:00 PM
End:
Friday, 16th January 2026
10:00 PM
Friday, 16th January 2026
10:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed; Extraordinary
Confirmed; Extraordinary
Date:
16 Jan 2026
16 Jan 2026
Location:
Council Chamber
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Kirsty Cox
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Jamie Hutchison
Apologies, sent representative
Vice-Chair
Councillor Robert Hylands
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Philip Raffaelli CB FRCP
Apologies, sent representative
Committee Member
Councillor Mrs June Cully
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for non-attendance
To receive apologies for non attendance.
Minutes
Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillors Raffaelli and Councillor Hutchison.
2
Declarations of interest
All Members are required to disclose at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter, any disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest in any item(s) being considered at this meeting.
Minutes
There were none.
3
Deputations - Standing Order 3.4
(NOTE: The Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Wednesday 14 January 2026. The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes).
Minutes
There were none.
4
Public Questions - Standing order 3.5
(NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from Members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Wednesday 14 January 2026).
Minutes
There were none.
5
Appointment of a Member Panel to interview candidates and appoint a replacement for the S.151 Officer / Borough Treasurer.
Minutes
The Board was advised that there was a need to appoint a Member panel to support the appointment of the Section151 Officer following notice of Chris Ward leaving the Council.
It was recognised that the process for recruitment needed to be determined, and that following this interviews and recruitment would take place.
The Chairman proposed a composition of 3:1:1, some Members advised that this was not politically proportionate and that 3:2:1 was more proportionate to the make up of the Council. The Chairman advised he would be happy to consider 3:2:1 if the Chairmanship of the panel was retained by his group.
A Member questioned when the delayed Policy and Organisation Board would take place, alongside any rearrangement of the Council subsequent Council meeting as it was acknowledged it was likely the panel report would be presented to Council.
It was recognised that it was important to move the panel forward to allow an appointment to be made.
It was acknowledged that there was an amendment to the make up of the Council following the byelection and that this would be addressed at Full Council. The opposition party felt that as they only had 2 seats less than the administration, that 3:2:1 would be far more proportionate.
It was advised that the panel did not need to be proportionate, and a proposal for 3:2:1 was lost.
It was acknowledged that a large interview panel was disproportionate but recognised that a balance of gender should be considered. It was reiterated that a 3:2:1 panel better allowed for this.
It was confirmed that deputies would be permitted if required.
The Board was advised that the Head of HR had prepared a paper concerning the matter, and that this should be circulated prior to the panel meeting.
It was acknowledged that the report would be presented to the Policy and Organisation Board with a recommendation following interviews and consideration.
RESOLVED: That a panel comprising 3:1:1 be appointed to progress the appointment of a Section 151 officer. This was confirmed as Councillors Hammond, Hylands, Chegwyn, Philpott and Cully.
It was recognised that the process for recruitment needed to be determined, and that following this interviews and recruitment would take place.
The Chairman proposed a composition of 3:1:1, some Members advised that this was not politically proportionate and that 3:2:1 was more proportionate to the make up of the Council. The Chairman advised he would be happy to consider 3:2:1 if the Chairmanship of the panel was retained by his group.
A Member questioned when the delayed Policy and Organisation Board would take place, alongside any rearrangement of the Council subsequent Council meeting as it was acknowledged it was likely the panel report would be presented to Council.
It was recognised that it was important to move the panel forward to allow an appointment to be made.
It was acknowledged that there was an amendment to the make up of the Council following the byelection and that this would be addressed at Full Council. The opposition party felt that as they only had 2 seats less than the administration, that 3:2:1 would be far more proportionate.
It was advised that the panel did not need to be proportionate, and a proposal for 3:2:1 was lost.
It was acknowledged that a large interview panel was disproportionate but recognised that a balance of gender should be considered. It was reiterated that a 3:2:1 panel better allowed for this.
It was confirmed that deputies would be permitted if required.
The Board was advised that the Head of HR had prepared a paper concerning the matter, and that this should be circulated prior to the panel meeting.
It was acknowledged that the report would be presented to the Policy and Organisation Board with a recommendation following interviews and consideration.
RESOLVED: That a panel comprising 3:1:1 be appointed to progress the appointment of a Section 151 officer. This was confirmed as Councillors Hammond, Hylands, Chegwyn, Philpott and Cully.
6
Any other items
Minutes
There were none.
Previous Meetings
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