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Test Valley Borough Council
Councillors: 43
Wards: 21
Committees: 17
Meetings (2026): 29
Meetings (2025): 92

Meeting

Cabinet - Test Valley

Minutes
Published
Decisions
Published
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 19th November 2025
5:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 19th November 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
19 Nov 2025
Location:
Conference Room 1, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover SP10 3AJ
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Philip Bundy photo
Committee Member
Planning Portfolio Holder
Councillor Philip Bundy

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor David Drew photo
Committee Member
Recycling and Environmental Services Portfolio Holder
Councillor David Drew

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Maureen Flood photo
Vice-Chairman
Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder
Councillor Maureen Flood

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Alison Johnston photo
Committee Member
Climate Emergency and Countryside Portfolio Holder
Councillor Alison Johnston

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Nick Lodge photo
Committee Member
Democracy and Governance Portfolio Holder
Councillor Nick Lodge

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Philip North photo
Chairman
Leader and Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder
Councillor Philip North

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Stewart MacDonald photo
Committee Member
Delivery Lead - Community Led Projects Portfolio Holder
Councillor Stewart MacDonald

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Kirsty North photo
Committee Member
Housing and Enivronmental Health Portfolio Holder
Councillor Kirsty North

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Terese Swain photo
Committee Member
Community, Leisure and Tourism (including Diversity and Inclusion) Portfolio Holder
Councillor Terese Swain

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Iris Anita Andersen photo
Committee Member
Councillor Iris Anita Andersen

Conservative

In attendance

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Councillor Zilliah Brooks photo
Committee Member
Councillor Zilliah Brooks

Conservative

In attendance

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Agenda
1 Apologies
Minutes There were no apologies for absence.
2 Public Participation
Minutes Councillor Andersen was in attendance to speak on agenda item 15 – Corporate Action plan Delivery – Vigo Park Improvements.
3 Declarations of Interest
Minutes Councillor Bundy declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 - Provision of Adult Fitness Equipment at St Boniface Park in Nursling and Rownhams as a member of Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council and left the room during consideration of the item.

Councillor Swain declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 - Provision of Adult Fitness Equipment at St Boniface Park in Nursling and Rownhams as a member of Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council and left the room during consideration of the item.
4 Urgent Items
Minutes There were no urgent items.
5 Minutes of the previous meeting
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September and 1 October 2025.
Attachments:
Minutes The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 September 2025 were proposed by Councillor P north and seconded by Councillor Flood.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2025 were signed as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 October 2025 were proposed by Councillor P north and seconded by Councillor Flood.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2025 were signed as a correct record.
6 Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
There were no recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Minutes There were no recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
7 Provision of Adult Fitness Equipment at St Boniface Park in Nursling and Rownhams
Finance and Resources

To allocate Section 106 developer contributions in the Capital Programme for fitness equipment.
Attachments:
Minutes Councillors Bundy and Swain had both declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 - Provision of Adult Fitness Equipment at St Boniface Park in Nursling and Rownhams as members of Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council and both left the room during consideration of the item.

Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which set out details of a proposal for the provision of adult fitness equipment, funded by developer contributions, at St Boniface Park in Nursling and Rownhams.

The Council had secured developer contributions from a number of developments granted planning permission in Nursling and Rownhams to support improvements to public open space. The developer contributions must be used to fund the provision and/or improvement of public open space in the parish of Nursling and Rownhams.

The release of funding requested by the parish council to fund new adult fitness equipment on St Boniface Park within Nursling and Rownhams was considered an appropriate use of the funds to enhance the public open space for the benefit of the local community and beyond.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1. That Section 106 developer contributions secured for improvements to Public Open Space be used to fund the project described in section 2 of the report.

2. That should the project described in section 2 of the report exceed the specified expenditure, the Head of Planning and Building in consultation with the Head of Finance and Revenues be authorised to release additional funds towards the project subject to the additional costs being funded through s106 contributions.

3. That the expenditure and funding, as set out in section 8 of the report, be added to the Council’s capital programme.
8 Waterloo Court Stopping Up Order (New Andover Theatre)
Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships

To seek authority to proceed with an application for a Stopping Up Order to the east side of Waterloo Court.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder which sought authority to proceed with an application for a Stopping Up Order to the east side of Waterloo Court adjacent to Unit 62 of the Chantry Centre to facilitate the delivery of the new Andover Theatre.

Undertaking the Stopping Up Order application would enable the creation of the ramped accessible access to the rear of the new theatre and complete the rear external landscaping, as shown in public consultations.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor P North, seconded by Councillor Flood and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Recommended to Council:

1. That an application be made to the Secretary of State for Transport under section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for an order to Stop Up the highway identified indicatively in the Annex to the report as necessary to facilitate the delivery of the new Andover Theatre.

2. That the Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development be authorised if necessary to secure a deed of dedication incorporating any necessary land within Council ownership as publicly adopted highway in order to facilitate the delivery of the new Andover Theatre.
9 Andover Western Avenue Scheme - Taxi Ranks
Democracy and Governance

To recommend the removal of the West Street hackney carriage rank in Andover town centre.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report of the Democracy and Governance Portfolio Holder which proposed the removal of the existing under-utilised hackney carriage rank in West Street.

The Western Avenue enhancement works in Andover will result in extensive remodelling of the road layout. The reconfiguration work reduces the amount of available highway such that it would no longer be possible to accommodate the existing hackney carriage rank in West Street.

The existing hackney carriage trade had been consulted over the proposal with no representations received.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Lodge, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1. The existing Hackney Carriage rank on West Street, Andover be removed as necessitated by the Western Avenue scheme.

2. The responsibility for approving adoption and removal of hackney carriage ranks in future be delegated to the relevant Portfolio Holder in conjunction with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.
10 Climate Emergency Action Plan Progress Report
Climate Emergency and Countryside

To provide an update on the progress against delivery of the Climate Emergency Action Plan and actions.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report of the Climate Emergency and Countryside Portfolio Holder which provided an annual update on the progress against the delivery of the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and actions along with information on the Council’s greenhouse gas emissions and borough wide greenhouse gas emissions.

The delivery of the CEAP was monitored by the Climate Emergency Working Group. Key updates included the establishment of a community climate change grant, the delivery of the rural net zero support project and approval of the Council’s tree strategy.

The Council has calculated its current greenhouse gas emissions and has reported on them every year since 2018/19. Overall, net emissions have decreased in 2044/25 by 99 tonnes CO2e from 2023/24.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1. That the Climate Emergency Action Plan Progress Report in the Annex to the report be endorsed.

2. That the Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development be given delegated authority to make changes of a minor nature to the Climate Emergency Action Plan Progress Report in consultation with the Climate Emergency and Countryside Portfolio Holder prior to publication.
11 Capital Programme Update 2025/26 to 2027/28
Finance and Resources

To provide an update on the approved Capital Programme.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to the report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which provided an update on the Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2027/28.

The update included a summary of progress of the existing 2025/26 Capital Programme and included forecast changes to its timescale and total cost.

Proposals for new capital schemes recommended to be added to the Capital Programme over the period 2025/26 to 2027/28 were also included. The total cost of new projects recommended for inclusion in the Capital Programme was £2.8M. After taking into account external funding and contributions from reserves, the net cost of these bids was £150,000.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Recommended to Council:

1. That the new capital schemes with a total cost of £2.8M, as shown in Annex 2 to the report, be added to the 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme.

2. That the revised estimates and financing for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme, as shown in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
12 Quarterly Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/26
Finance and Resources

To review the Council’s revenue spending for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to the report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which reviewed the Council’s revenue spending for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year.

The report also examines the main differences between the original estimate for 2025/26 and actual spend to 30 September 2025 and provided explanations for significant variances.

Overall, net expenditure to 30 September 2025 was £686,000 lower than budgeted at this stage of the year. This was due to lower than estimated net expenditure across the services of £398,000 and £288,000 more income being generated from the Council’s investing and borrowing activities.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1. That the financial position for each Service and the key revenue areas contained in the Annex to the report be noted.

2. That the Treasury Management update in paragraph 4 of the report be noted.
13 Medium Term Financial Strategy
Finance and Resources

To seek approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2028/29.
Minutes Consideration was given to the report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which set out the framework within which the 2026/27 budget would be prepared along with the expected medium-term income and expenditure forecast for the following two financial years.

The strategy considers the potential impact of macro-economic factors (such as inflation and interest rate forecasts), as well as the biggest factors affecting budgets locally (such as Temporary Accommodation costs) and considers the effects they could have on budget planning in the medium term.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Recommendation to Council

That the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2028/29 be approved.
14 Estates Property Matters
Finance and Resources

To consider a property development opportunity in Andover.
Attachments:
15 Corporate Action Plan Delivery – Vigo Park Improvements
Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships

To set out proposals for improvements to Vigo Road Recreation Ground.
Attachments:
Minutes Councillor Andersen addressed Cabinet expressing her support for the proposed improvements to Vigo Park which were supported by the local community.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder which set out proposals for improvements to Vigo Road Recreation Ground following extensive community engagement, which would deliver on ambitions contained within the Vigo Road Recreation Ground Management Plan and the regeneration of Andover Masterplan.

The improvements included the provision of a new building comprising a kiosk and toilets, along with external water-play and wider landscaping, as part of a new Bowls Club Clubhouse with community space.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor P North, seconded by Councillor Flood and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Recommended to Council:

1. That Council approves proposals for improvements to Vigo Road Recreation Ground as set out in the report.

2. That £3,500,000 from the New Homes Bonus Reserve be allocated to the Capital Programme to fund the delivery of these proposals.

Resolved:

3. That subject to Council approval of recommendations 1 and 2 above, authority be delegated to the Head of Community and Leisure Services in consultation with the Head of Finance and Revenues and the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder, to take all steps necessary to complete the works described in the report.
16 Exclusion of the Public
The following report is confidential.
Attachments:
Minutes Councillor P North proposed, and Councillor Flood seconded the following recommendation:

Resolved:

That, pursuant to Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following report on the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, indicated below. The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information for the reason given below:

Estates Property Matters Paragraph 3

It is considered that this report contains exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. It is further considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the report and annexes necessarily disclose commercially sensitive financial information, relating to the Council and its partners and may fetter the Council’s ability to achieve best value from the project.
17 Corporate Action Plan Delivery - Vigo Park Improvements
Confidential Annexes to item 17.
Attachments:
18 Fees and Charges 2026/27
Finance and Resources

To recommend the level of charges for services provided by the Council in 2026/27.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to the report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which presented the proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27.

As far as was possible, increases in charges within the control of the Council had been minimized unless increases in associated costs justified it. Details of increases were set out in the report.

Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:

Resolved:

1. That the fees and charges for 2026/27, as set out in the annexes to the report, be approved.

2. That Heads of Service be authorised to increase relevant fees and charges in line with statutory levels should they change following this report.

3. That the Head of Community and Leisure in consultation with the Community, Leisure and Tourism Portfolio Holder be given delegated authority to agree the charges for Andover Sports Academy.
Previous Meetings
Meeting

8th Apr 2026

Cabinet

Meeting

25th Feb 2026

Cabinet

Meeting

14th Jan 2026

Cabinet

Meeting

19th Nov 2025

Cabinet

Meeting

1st Oct 2025

Cabinet

Meeting

24th Sep 2025

Cabinet

Meeting

20th Aug 2025 Cancelled

Cabinet

Meeting

9th Jul 2025

Cabinet

Meeting

28th May 2025

Cabinet

Meeting

9th Apr 2025

Cabinet

Future Meetings
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