Council - Thursday, 6th October, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 23rd June, 2022 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan and

RESOLVED:  That, subject to an amendment to show Cllr Sarah Spall as being present at the Meeting, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 23rd June 2022 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)      The Mayor reported that he had attended several events relating to the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, 8th September. These included the laying of floral tributes, the Proclamation Ceremony at the Council Offices and the Service of Commemoration at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints in Aldershot.

(2)      The Mayor advised members that on Wednesday 6th July 2022, Aldershot had hosted the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonweath Games. The Baton, containing the Queen’s message, had been taken along part of Queens Avenue and into the Aldershot Military Stadium. Local schools from Aldershot had been invited to watch and take part in a sporting event hosted by the Aldershot Military after the relay. 

(3)      On 7th July 2022, the Council had hosted a visit by the Ambassador of Nepal and the Mayor had had the pleasure of welcoming the delegation to a reception at the Council Offices. The visit had been testament to the strength of the Borough’s links with its Nepali community.      

(4)      The Mayor reported that the Farnborough International Air Show had returned in July. The Mayor had hosted visits by delegations from the Borough’s sister cities of Rzeszow in Poland and Dayton, Ohio, and from its twinned town of Meudon.

(5)      The Mayor took the opportunity to thank the Council’s Executive Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer, David Stanley, for his service to the Council.  His last meeting would be at the Cabinet the following Tuesday before taking up a new role at Cotswold District Council. David had been with the Council for just under four years and had overseen the Council’s finances during an extremely challenging period.

To receive any questions by Members submitted in pursuance of Standing Order 8 (3).

The Mayor reported that no questions had been submitted under Standing Order 8.

To consider the following Notice of Motion which has been submitted by Cllr Christine Guinness pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“Rushmoor Borough Council acknowledged, in June 2019 the climate emergency and pledged to introduce policies to support a reduction in carbon emissions. The Government has declared diesel and petrol vehicles will be phased out by 2030. To encourage Rushmoor Hackney Carriages and Private Hire to achieve this target, the Cabinet is recommended to consider the approach to operator fees and reduce the annual licence fee for operators using electric vehicles from £200 to £100 for Hackney Carriages and from £170 to £85 for Private Hire. This to come into effect from 01/12/2022.”

The Council was asked to consider a Motion which had been submitted by Cllr Christine Guinness in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1): 

“Rushmoor Borough Council acknowledged, in June 2019 the climate emergency and pledged to introduce policies to support a reduction in carbon emissions. The Government has declared diesel and petrol vehicles will be phased out by 2030. To encourage Rushmoor Hackney Carriages and Private Hire to achieve this target, the Cabinet is recommended to consider the approach to operator fees and reduce the annual licence fee for operators using electric vehicles from £200 to £100 for Hackney Carriages and from £170 to £85 for Private Hire. This to come into effect from 01/12/2022.”

In moving the Motion, Cllr Guinness referred to the declaration of a climate  emergency and the need for local action to help to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Cllr Guinness was of the opinion that road traffic and associated pollution had a significant effect on climate change and air quality and felt that lower licence fees would encourage taxi drivers to use electric vehicles and to reduce, therefore, carbon emissions.

During discussion, it was suggested that discounted licence fees would not result in more taxi drivers using electric vehicles due to the prohibitive cost of such vehicles and the fact that there was only one type of electric vehicle currently in production that was suitable for use as a taxi. It was felt that any such changes to the fees structure should only be made in full consultation with the taxi trade.

In seconding the Motion, Cllr Sophie Porter referred to the adverse effects on health caused by poor air quality and stated that small incentives could help to reduce carbon emissions.

The Motion was then put to the Meeting. There voted FOR: 8; AGAINST: 23 and the Motion was DECLARED LOST.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive (copy attached) which recommends that the Interim Executive Head of Finance, Mr. Ross Brown, be designated as the Council’s Section 151 Officer (Chief Finance Officer) from 17th October 2022.

Members were informed that the Council had a statutory requirement to appoint a Section 151 Officer (Chief Finance Officer) with responsibility for the administration of the financial affairs of the Council. Under the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the designation of an officer as the Council’s Section 151 Officer was made by the Council, and this report sought approval to designate the current Interim Executive Head of Finance as S151 Officer following the departure of the incumbent Executive Head of Finance.

RESOLVED: That the current Interim Executive Head of Finance, MR. ROSS BROWN be appointed as the Council’s Section 151 Officer from 17th October 2022.

To receive any questions by Members to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with the Procedure Note.

The Mayor reported that two questions had been submitted for response by Members of the Cabinet.

The first question had been submitted by Cllr S. Trussler for response by the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder, on behalf of the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder, regarding the support available, from both the Government and the Council, for local residents in respect of the cost of living challenge and rising energy bills.

In response, Cllr A.R. Newell detailed the measures currently in place and commended the work of Council officers in acting swiftly to implement those that were administered by the Council.

The second question had been submitted by Cllr M.J. Roberts for the Leader of the Council on the impacts of the Government’s economic policy on the Councils financial position. 

In response, Cllr D.E. Clifford stated that the effects of the measures taken by the Government would not be known for some time, at least two months. It was confirmed that the Cabinet would continue to monitor closely the financial position and service delivery of the Council.

To receive and ask questions on the Reports of the following Meetings (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the following meetings be received:

To note the Reports of the following meetings (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED: That the Reports of the Policy and Project Advisory Board meetings held on 8th June 2022 and 13th July 2022 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 16th June 2022, 21st July 2022 and 15th September 2022 be noted.