Test Valley Borough Council
Councillors:
43
Wards:
21
Committees:
17
Meetings (2026):
29
Meetings (2025):
92
Meeting
Cabinet - Test Valley
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 14th January 2026
5:30 PM
Wednesday, 14th January 2026
5:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 14th January 2026
9:30 PM
Wednesday, 14th January 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
14 Jan 2026
14 Jan 2026
Location:
The Annexe, Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey SO51 8GL
The Annexe, Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey SO51 8GL
Meeting Attendees
Vice-Chairman
Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Recycling and Environmental Services Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Climate Emergency and Countryside Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Democracy and Governance Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Delivery Lead - Community Led Projects Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Housing and Enivronmental Health Portfolio Holder
Chairman
Leader and Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder
Councillor Phil North
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Planning Portfolio Holder
Councillor Phil Bundy
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Community, Leisure and Tourism (including Diversity and Inclusion) Portfolio Holder
Agenda
0
Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/07
Minutes
Consideration was given to the report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which presented a Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27.
The Council was required to have a Council Tax Support Scheme to assist residents with their liability to pay Council Tax. It was proposed that existing scheme, which had been approved for 2025/6 following review by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be continued for 2026/27, allowing for inflationary uplifts in scheme parameters and any changes required by regulation.
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 Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/27, as shown in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
2. That the Director of Finance & Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Scheme that are required by the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) Regulations 2026 when they are confirmed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
3. In the event that any new government initiatives are introduced that result in receipt of a grant or an increase in Universal Credit or other government benefits, that the Director of Finance & Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to disregard these awards as income in accordance with government guidelines.
The Council was required to have a Council Tax Support Scheme to assist residents with their liability to pay Council Tax. It was proposed that existing scheme, which had been approved for 2025/6 following review by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be continued for 2026/27, allowing for inflationary uplifts in scheme parameters and any changes required by regulation.
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 Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/27, as shown in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
2. That the Director of Finance & Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Scheme that are required by the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) Regulations 2026 when they are confirmed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
3. In the event that any new government initiatives are introduced that result in receipt of a grant or an increase in Universal Credit or other government benefits, that the Director of Finance & Revenues, in consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder, be authorised to disregard these awards as income in accordance with government guidelines.
1
Apologies
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T Swain.
2
Public Participation
Minutes
Councillor Parker was in attendance to speak on agenda item 6 – Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Affordable Housing Panel – Demand and Supply.
3
Declarations of Interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
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 19 November 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes , 19/11/2025 Cabinet 06 Jan 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 19 November 2025 were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2025 were signed as a correct record.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2025 were signed as a correct record.
6
Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
To consider recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 26 November 2025 from the Affordable Housing Panel.
Attachments:
- Document Recs of OSCOM - Report 06 Jan 2026
- Document Recs of OSCOM - Annex 06 Jan 2026
- Document Recs of OSCOM - Appendix 1 06 Jan 2026
- Document Recs of OSCOM - Appendix 2 06 Jan 2026
- Document Recs of OSCOM - Appendix 3 06 Jan 2026
- Document Recs of OSCOM - Appendix 4 06 Jan 2026
Minutes
Councillor Parker introduced the report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which set out recommendations from the Affordable Housing Panel – Demand and Supply, which he had chaired.
The Panel had adopted an evidence-led approach, beginning with a comprehensive data analysis of affordable housing supply, existing stick within the borough and demand reflected in housing and homelessness figures. Feedback was collected from partners and service users to inform panel sessions and recommendations.
A number of recommendations had been made by the Panel which focussed on actions the Council could take ahead of local government reorganisation to help improve the experience of residents in applying for and securing an affordable home. The report also highlighted good practice to take forward into the new unitary council.
The recommendations would be reviewed by officers and the portfolio holder to consider feasibility, prioritisation and timing of implementation with an update being presented to future Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor K North, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:
Resolved:
1. That Cabinet considers the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in section 3 of the report.
2. That the Director of Housing and Environmental Health review the recommendations and advise the Housing and Environmental Health Portfolio Holder on the feasibility and timing of implementation.
3. That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive an update on the feasibility of implementation and timing once the Director of Housing and Environmental Health and the Housing and Environmental Health Portfolio Holder have considered the recommendations contained within the report.
The Panel had adopted an evidence-led approach, beginning with a comprehensive data analysis of affordable housing supply, existing stick within the borough and demand reflected in housing and homelessness figures. Feedback was collected from partners and service users to inform panel sessions and recommendations.
A number of recommendations had been made by the Panel which focussed on actions the Council could take ahead of local government reorganisation to help improve the experience of residents in applying for and securing an affordable home. The report also highlighted good practice to take forward into the new unitary council.
The recommendations would be reviewed by officers and the portfolio holder to consider feasibility, prioritisation and timing of implementation with an update being presented to future Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor K North, seconded by Councillor P North and Cabinet agreed to the following:
Resolved:
1. That Cabinet considers the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in section 3 of the report.
2. That the Director of Housing and Environmental Health review the recommendations and advise the Housing and Environmental Health Portfolio Holder on the feasibility and timing of implementation.
3. That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive an update on the feasibility of implementation and timing once the Director of Housing and Environmental Health and the Housing and Environmental Health Portfolio Holder have considered the recommendations contained within the report.
7
South of Romsey Town Centre Regeneration
To confirm the delegated authority to be able to proceed with the key stages of delivering the South of Romsey Town Centre masterplan.
Attachments:
- Document SoRTC Cover Report 06 Jan 2026
- Document Annex SoRTC Council Dec 2025 v2 06 Jan 2026
- Document Appendix 1 - SoRTC Council Report Dec 25 06 Jan 2026
- Document Appendix 2 - SoRTC Council Report Dec 25 06 Jan 2026
- Document Appendix 3 - SoRTC Council Report Dec 25 06 Jan 2026
- Document Appendix 4 - SoRTC Council Report Dec 25 06 Jan 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Leader which sought delegated authority to proceed with the key stages of delivering the South of Romsey Town Centre masterplan.
On the 3 December 2025, Council approved the approach for the regeneration of the bus station and Crosfield Hall sites in Romsey, which would see a new community facility; decked car parking, a new bus station and public realm improvements. As part of that report there was a recommendation to Cabinet setting out specific delegations to enable the stages involving procurement, design, submitting a planning application and appointing a contractor to be completed.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor P North subject to an alternation to the first recommendation to include the Chairman of Romsey Future in the list of those to be consulted with. The meetings consent was signalled without discussion.
The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Flood and Cabinet agreed to the following:
Resolved:
The Director of Strategic Planning and Growth in consultation with the Leader, Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder, Chairman of Romsey Future and Director of Finance and Revenues, be authorised to progress all design and development work necessary to enable the completion of detailed design, up to and including the submission of a planning application and stopping up order, to include production of tender documents, appointment of a contractor to develop detailed costs for construction stage.
On the 3 December 2025, Council approved the approach for the regeneration of the bus station and Crosfield Hall sites in Romsey, which would see a new community facility; decked car parking, a new bus station and public realm improvements. As part of that report there was a recommendation to Cabinet setting out specific delegations to enable the stages involving procurement, design, submitting a planning application and appointing a contractor to be completed.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor P North subject to an alternation to the first recommendation to include the Chairman of Romsey Future in the list of those to be consulted with. The meetings consent was signalled without discussion.
The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Flood and Cabinet agreed to the following:
Resolved:
The Director of Strategic Planning and Growth in consultation with the Leader, Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder, Chairman of Romsey Future and Director of Finance and Revenues, be authorised to progress all design and development work necessary to enable the completion of detailed design, up to and including the submission of a planning application and stopping up order, to include production of tender documents, appointment of a contractor to develop detailed costs for construction stage.
8
Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27
To consider the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27.
Attachments:
- Document Council Tax Support Scheme 06 Jan 2026
- Document Test Valley S13A Council Tax Reduction scheme 2026 DRAFT 06 Jan 2026
Minutes
Future Meetings
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