Social Value Ideas for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Church extension approved

The committee approved a major extension to St. Leonard's Church involving a single-storey extension, regraded footpaths, two air-source heat pumps, and cycle stands. The scheme was repeatedly describ…

“The proposed development would deliver substantial public benefits through the provision of additional floor space, enabling services currently accomm…”

Planning performance below target

Non-major planning applications were just under the council's 85% local target, though the officer said performance improved in the final quarter after new appointments and better use of extensions of…

“In terms of our performance, uh you'll see from the information, the government indicator is 70%. Our local target is 15% higher than that, 85%. Um an…”

Agricultural grain store approved

Permission was granted for a new steel portal-framed agricultural building to be used as an on-grain dryer and store at Mana Farm. The discussion highlighted operational savings from avoiding long jou…

“Right. Thank you. Uh we have a motion on the table to approve the officer's recommendation. It's been seconded. All those in favor unanimous. Thank yo…”

Local plan delayed by water supply uncertainty

The council says it cannot proceed to the next draft local plan timetable because South East Water has not provided a definitive answer on available water capacity or future supply resilience. This cr…

“We discovered that Southeast Water couldn't guarantee that it could provide a resilient supply of fresh water for the new houses that we're being aske…”

S106 agreement discharged

The committee approved discharge of an existing section 106 planning obligation tied to a 1992 permission for a listed barn and a dwelling, with the legal mechanism to be completed by deed of discharg…

“"This is a submission to discharge um uh requirements of a section 106 agreement to remove the restriction requiring the barn and yard um and milhouse…”

Section 106 Biodiversity Net Gain Agreements

Multiple applications required section 106 legal agreements to secure biodiversity net gain. This represents a mandatory requirement under updated planning policy. For the Grange Nursing Home applicat…

“The point of section 106 is to make sure that there is a biodiversity net gain achieved and then the detail of that will be within the section 106...I…”

Hackney fare uplift consultation

The committee agreed to send the proposed Hackney Carriage fare table, including a 30p increase to the base drop, out to a statutory 14-day consultation under section 65, after which it will be referr…

“So the recommendation on this paper is for you to consider the new fair table with the 30p extension to the drop for it to go out for consultation for…”

Animal licensing policy consultation

The committee approved the draft animal licensing policy for consultation. The discussion identified a need for clearer guidance, better presentation of star ratings, stronger explanation of franchise…

“So what we want to do is make sure that our policy reflects the current legislation, the statutory guidance, best practice and that is accessible to p…”

Street trader policy adopted

The amended street trader policy was adopted following consultation. Changes included shorter-term licences for festivals, clarification that licences cannot be transferred, and flexibility through th…

“So, we have our very exciting um, November meeting, which will be the licensing act um, policy, which will be the first time I've ever changed the lic…”

New Furniture on Highways Licensing Policy Approved for Consultation

Committee approved the draft Furniture on Highways Licensing Policy (2026-2031) for 8-week public consultation. Policy replaces the previous tables and chairs regime following the Leveling Up and Rege…

“Uh in lie of any other comments or questions then uh does the committee agree to approve the draft furniture on the highway licensing policy 2026 to 2…”

Biodiversity Duty Reporting Requirement

Public authorities have a legal obligation under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act to develop and publish a biodiversity report documenting policies and actions taken. Th…

“This duty is placed on all public authorities and falls under section 40 of the natural environment and rural communities act. and we have a legal obl…”

Local Nature Reserve Declaration - Little Pemwood

Little Pemwood, a 13-hectare ancient bog and wet woodland site north of High Clear, is imminently to be declared as the council's 11th local nature reserve. A management plan has been developed and a …

“the imminent declaration of Little Pemwood which is a 13 hectare site north of High Clear. It will be our 11th local nature reserve in the burough. A …”

Task and Finish Group - Biodiversity Strategy Refresh

Committee approved establishment of a task and finish group to refresh the biodiversity strategy and action plan. The group will meet approximately 5 times and include external parties and stakeholder…

“it would be to go back to the formulation of the biodiversity strategy and action plan way back in 23 and yeah 23 um which involved a lot of external …”