Test Valley Borough Council
Councillors:
43
Wards:
21
Committees:
17
Meetings (2026):
29
Meetings (2025):
92
Meeting
Council - Test Valley
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
5:30 PM
Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
5:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
9:30 PM
Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
22 Apr 2026
22 Apr 2026
Location:
Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey SO51 8GL
Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey SO51 8GL
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources 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
Committee Member
Community, Leisure and Tourism (including Diversity and Inclusion) Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Planning Portfolio Holder
Councillor Phil Bundy
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Recycling and Environmental Services Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Leader and Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder
Councillor Phil North
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Prayers
Minutes
Prayers were led by Reverend Wharton.
2
Apologies
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Gregori, R Hughes, I Jeffrey, P Lashbrook and R Kohli.
3
Public Participation
Minutes
There was no public participation.
4
Declarations of Interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
5
Minutes of the previous meeting
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2026.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes , 26/02/2026 Council 14 Apr 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 February 2026 were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 26 February 2026 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 26 February 2026 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
6
Mayor's Announcements
Minutes
There were no announcements from the Mayor.
7
To receive and adopt Committee reports
To receive and, where necessary, adopt reports of Committees.
Attachments:
- Document To receive and adopt committee reports 14 Apr 2026
- Document CAP 2023-27 Year 3 - Cabinet Report - April 2026 14 Apr 2026
- Document 2023-27 CAP year 4 Appendix 14 Apr 2026
- Document FMC - Report 14 Apr 2026
- Document FMC - Appendix 14 Apr 2026
- Document New Forest Ondesignation - Report 14 Apr 2026
- Document New Forest Ondesignation - Appendix 14 Apr 2026
Minutes
Minutes of Meetings
The minutes of meetings were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the following Committees and Cabinet meetings be received:
Cabinet – 25 February 2026
Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 4 March 2026
Northern Area Planning Committee – 12 March 2026
Southern Area Planning Committee – 17 March 2026
Audit Committee – 23 March 2026
Northern Area Planning Committee – 2 April 2026
Southern Area Planning Committee - 7 April 2026
Cabinet – 8 April 2026
To adopt recommendations from the following:
The following recommendations were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood
Cabinet – 8 April 2026
Corporate Action Plan – Year 4
Resolved:
That the current Corporate Plan (2023-27) be extended for one additional year to align with TVBC’s transition to a new unitary council in 2028.
Andover Former Magistrates Court
Resolved:
1. That a budget of £1.5M be approved to undertake the demolition of the Former Magistrates Court, Andover (as identified in Annex 1 to the report).
2. That a budget of £200,000 be approved to commission the necessary professional consultants to undertake the recommended approach outlined in section 6.
3. That the recommended project be added to the Council’s Capital Programme.
New Forest On-designation Mitigation Scheme
Resolved:
That the Director of Strategic Planning & Growth, in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder and Finance & Resource Portfolio Holder be authorised to increase the budget necessary to support the delivery of the studies described in paragraph 8.3, subject to their being sufficient developer contributions to meet the extra cost.
The minutes of meetings were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the following Committees and Cabinet meetings be received:
Cabinet – 25 February 2026
Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 4 March 2026
Northern Area Planning Committee – 12 March 2026
Southern Area Planning Committee – 17 March 2026
Audit Committee – 23 March 2026
Northern Area Planning Committee – 2 April 2026
Southern Area Planning Committee - 7 April 2026
Cabinet – 8 April 2026
To adopt recommendations from the following:
The following recommendations were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood
Cabinet – 8 April 2026
Corporate Action Plan – Year 4
Resolved:
That the current Corporate Plan (2023-27) be extended for one additional year to align with TVBC’s transition to a new unitary council in 2028.
Andover Former Magistrates Court
Resolved:
1. That a budget of £1.5M be approved to undertake the demolition of the Former Magistrates Court, Andover (as identified in Annex 1 to the report).
2. That a budget of £200,000 be approved to commission the necessary professional consultants to undertake the recommended approach outlined in section 6.
3. That the recommended project be added to the Council’s Capital Programme.
New Forest On-designation Mitigation Scheme
Resolved:
That the Director of Strategic Planning & Growth, in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder and Finance & Resource Portfolio Holder be authorised to increase the budget necessary to support the delivery of the studies described in paragraph 8.3, subject to their being sufficient developer contributions to meet the extra cost.
8
Questions under Rule 11.1
Minutes
There were no questions under procedure rule 11.1.
9
Questions under Rule 11.2
Minutes
Councillor Gwynne asked the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder the following question:
The Business Plan for Valley Housing approved by Cabinet on 8 April will see the current total of 24 properties in the Valley Housing portfolio remain unchanged over the next 12 months (probably the next two years). Savill’s report on the UK Housing Market was published the following day with the strap line “Activity starting to slow after a strong start to 2026”. This also included the information that house prices in England’s South East had fallen by 0.8% in March. Given the situation in the Middle East, and the probable impact of the Renter’s Rights Act (i.e. some private landlords (and housing associations) looking to get out of the market), this trend seems likely to continue.
Against this backdrop, would it not be sensible to keep an eye on the market for potential bargains? And to discuss such an option with the relevant individuals in New Forest District Council and Winchester City Council – given that they own and manage close to 11,000 council houses between them, and that Test Valley will join them in the same unitary in just two years’ time?
Councillor Flood advised that Valley Housing would continue to monitor the market for any potential properties that fit the business model given the current housing market. The Business plan set out to recognise the new legislation and regulations being brought in by the Renters Rights Act and sought to have a focus on maintaining its current stock in preparation for the implementation of these significant changes.
The new Unitary council would be a stock holding authority, taking on the stock currently held by Winchester City Council and some of the stock held by New Forest District Council. The housing stock currently held by WCC and NFDC was delivered as affordable housing, allocated via those council’s housing registers.
Properties managed under Valley Housing were not affordable housing but instead private rented homes. The long-term future of Valley housing, and its properties, would be a decision for the new unitary.
Councillor Gwynne asked a supplementary question enquiring as to whether the council should be considering the allocation of funding to assets within Test Valley knowing they maybe of use to the new authority?
Councillor Flood responded to note that the council would continue to monitor the situation.
The Business Plan for Valley Housing approved by Cabinet on 8 April will see the current total of 24 properties in the Valley Housing portfolio remain unchanged over the next 12 months (probably the next two years). Savill’s report on the UK Housing Market was published the following day with the strap line “Activity starting to slow after a strong start to 2026”. This also included the information that house prices in England’s South East had fallen by 0.8% in March. Given the situation in the Middle East, and the probable impact of the Renter’s Rights Act (i.e. some private landlords (and housing associations) looking to get out of the market), this trend seems likely to continue.
Against this backdrop, would it not be sensible to keep an eye on the market for potential bargains? And to discuss such an option with the relevant individuals in New Forest District Council and Winchester City Council – given that they own and manage close to 11,000 council houses between them, and that Test Valley will join them in the same unitary in just two years’ time?
Councillor Flood advised that Valley Housing would continue to monitor the market for any potential properties that fit the business model given the current housing market. The Business plan set out to recognise the new legislation and regulations being brought in by the Renters Rights Act and sought to have a focus on maintaining its current stock in preparation for the implementation of these significant changes.
The new Unitary council would be a stock holding authority, taking on the stock currently held by Winchester City Council and some of the stock held by New Forest District Council. The housing stock currently held by WCC and NFDC was delivered as affordable housing, allocated via those council’s housing registers.
Properties managed under Valley Housing were not affordable housing but instead private rented homes. The long-term future of Valley housing, and its properties, would be a decision for the new unitary.
Councillor Gwynne asked a supplementary question enquiring as to whether the council should be considering the allocation of funding to assets within Test Valley knowing they maybe of use to the new authority?
Councillor Flood responded to note that the council would continue to monitor the situation.
10
Service Resource - Strategic Planning & Growth (Regeneration)
To set out proposals for increased resource requirements in the regeneration team.
Attachments:
- Document Council Regen Resource - Report 14 Apr 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder which sought additional resources for the regeneration team within the Strategic Planning & Growth Service to facilitate progress with delivering the various projects contained within the Corporate Action Plan particularly the Andover and Romsey masterplans.
The Council had made significant progress with delivering its priority regeneration projects for Andover and South of Romsey Town Centre. In addition, the Council had identified through the annual Corporate Action Plan a pipeline of additional strategic projects closely aligned to the corporate priorities or connected to projects identified in the two masterplans.
In order to support the continued timely delivery of the masterplans schemes and make the best progress on the Corporate Action Plan projects a review had identified the need for additional resources within the regeneration team.
Councillor P North proposed, and Councillor Flood seconded the recommendation.
Resolved:
That the funding as set out in paragraph 8.1 for additional resource requirement for the Regeneration team be approved.
The Council had made significant progress with delivering its priority regeneration projects for Andover and South of Romsey Town Centre. In addition, the Council had identified through the annual Corporate Action Plan a pipeline of additional strategic projects closely aligned to the corporate priorities or connected to projects identified in the two masterplans.
In order to support the continued timely delivery of the masterplans schemes and make the best progress on the Corporate Action Plan projects a review had identified the need for additional resources within the regeneration team.
Councillor P North proposed, and Councillor Flood seconded the recommendation.
Resolved:
That the funding as set out in paragraph 8.1 for additional resource requirement for the Regeneration team be approved.
11
Independent Person Appointment
To appoint to the role of Independent Person until May 2029.
Attachments:
- Document Independant Person Appointment Report 14 Apr 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Governance and Democracy Portfolio Holder which sought approval for the appointment of two Independent Persons.
The Localism Act 2011 changed the ethical framework applicable to local authorities. The provisions came into force in 2012 and included the requirement for the Council to appoint Independent Persons who can be consulted in the case of allegations of failure to comply with the code of conduct and who will be present at any meetings where alleged breaches are considered.
The opportunity was publicly advertised with an interview process where both candidates demonstrated a strong understanding of ethical governance and standards frameworks, the ability to provide impartial, balanced and proportionate opinion, relevant professional and/or governance experience and a clear appreciation of the role of an Independent Person under the Localism Act.
Councillor Lodge proposed, and Councillor P North seconded the recommendations.
Resolved:
1. That Peter Bird and Femi Olude are appointed as Independent Persons until 1 May 2029 pursuant to Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.
2. That the Monitoring Officer is authorised to make all necessary arrangements to give effect to the appointments.
The Localism Act 2011 changed the ethical framework applicable to local authorities. The provisions came into force in 2012 and included the requirement for the Council to appoint Independent Persons who can be consulted in the case of allegations of failure to comply with the code of conduct and who will be present at any meetings where alleged breaches are considered.
The opportunity was publicly advertised with an interview process where both candidates demonstrated a strong understanding of ethical governance and standards frameworks, the ability to provide impartial, balanced and proportionate opinion, relevant professional and/or governance experience and a clear appreciation of the role of an Independent Person under the Localism Act.
Councillor Lodge proposed, and Councillor P North seconded the recommendations.
Resolved:
1. That Peter Bird and Femi Olude are appointed as Independent Persons until 1 May 2029 pursuant to Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.
2. That the Monitoring Officer is authorised to make all necessary arrangements to give effect to the appointments.
12
Notice of Motion - Rule 12
Minutes
There were no motions to consider.
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