Council - Thursday, 8th December, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 6th October, 2022 (copy attached).

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 6th October 2022 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)      The Mayor reported that he had been sad to receive news of the passing of Honorary Alderman Colin Balchin, who had passed away on 9th November. Alderman Balchin had served as a Councillor for 32 years and his loyal and distinguished service had been recognised by the Council in 2014 when he was made an Honorary Alderman. He would be long remembered, having left a lasting legacy through his contribution to community life and the well-being of the Borough. 

(2)      The Mayor informed Members that former Councillor Pat Devereux had passed away on 5th December. She had spent the last few years of her life living in Brighton close to her family. Mrs Devereux had been elected to the Council in 1987 for Empress Ward and had served for nineteen years. She had been Mayor of the Borough in 1995/96 and had also served on Hampshire County Council. The Council’s thoughts and sympathies were with her family.  

(3)      On Sunday 13th November, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor had attended several wreath laying services and Services of Remembrance. The Mayor expressed appreciation to all Councillors and officers who had supported these important commemorative events.

(4)      On 1st December, the Mayor had hosted a reception in partnership with the Garrison and the Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey, Shahid Azeem, where a statement of goodwill and collaboration had been signed between Rushmoor and Rawalpindi, the home of the Pakistani Army. The event had marked the roles and importance that Aldershot and Rawalpindi played with their respective armies.  

(5)      On Monday 5th December, the Mayor’s Christmas Coffee Morning had been held at the Council Offices and had raised £218 for the Mayor’s charities. The Mayor thanked all who had supported the event.  

(6)      The Community Carol Service event, organised jointly by the Council, HQ Aldershot Garrison, Aldershot Town Football Club, Aspire Defence and Grainger, was to take place the following day, Friday 9th December, at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints, Aldershot.  In addition to the carol service at 6.30 pm, the event would include a giant snow globe, a brass band, food stalls and family entertainment from 5.00 pm. All were invited to attend.

(7)      The Mayor reported that Honorary Alderman John Debenham had been in touch to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and he wished to be remembered to the Council. Alderman Debenham, who had been a former Leader and Mayor of the Borough, reported that he was healthy and living at Knellwood.

(8)      The Mayor informed Members that his Charity Quiz night would be held at 7.00 p.m. on Friday 27th January at the Council Offices to raise funds for his charities. Further information would be circulated soon.

(9)      The Mayor reported that Ms Catriona Herbert, Corporate Manager – Legal Services, would be leaving the Council on 23rd January 2023, having been with the Council for just over four years. He thanked her for her service to the Council.

(10)   Also leaving the Council was Mr Andrew Colver,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

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 recommendation of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in relation to the following item:

Protocol for the selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Cllr. P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 28th November 2022, which recommended the approval of several changes to the protocol for the selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.  It was MOVED by Cllr. P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr Jessica Auton – That approval be given to the changes set out in the Report.

There voted FOR: 34; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive (copy attached – Annex 2) which recommends that the new Interim Executive Head of Finance, Mr. Simon Little, be designated as the Council’s Section 151 Officer (Chief Finance Officer) from 3rd January 2023.

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 new Interim Executive Head of Finance as S151 Officer following the departure of the current Interim Executive Head of Finance.

RESOLVED: That the new Interim Executive Head of Finance, MR. SIMON LITTLE be appointed as the Council’s Section 151 Officer from 3rd January, 2023.

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

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

The first question had been submitted by Cllr Peace Essien Igodifo for response by the Operational Services Portfolio Holder regarding the measures the Council was taking to prioritise enforcement of housing standards in the Borough in the light of the recent death of Awaab Ishak as a result of prolonged exposure to mould in his home environment.

In response, Cllr M.L. Sheehan detailed the procedures currently in place and assured Members that Council officers would act swiftly in implementing them.

The second question had been submitted by Cllr Jules Crossley for the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder on opposition from local residents to the potential loss of trees in Farnborough town centre as a result of the Farnborough Civic Quarter Development. 

In response, Cllr M.J. Tennant stated that the planning application for the Farnborough Civic Quarter was a live application and was subject to scrutiny and that it was, therefore, not appropriate to comment on this at this time.  It was confirmed that the Rushmoor Development Partnership was committed to minimising the loss of trees as a result of the development and that the scheme demonstrated an overall net gain of biodiversity.

The third question had been submitted by Cllr Sophie Porter for the Operational Services Portfolio Holder on the number of prosecutions brought by the Council since 2010 against housing associations or private landlords in relation to mouldy and damp properties in the Borough. 

In response, Cllr M.L. Sheehan stated that, whilst the Council had not instigated any prosecutions since 2010, the Private Housing Team had offered advice and, where required, taken enforcement action, including the issue of prohibition notices.

The fourth question had been submitted by Cllr Sophie Porter for the Operational Services Portfolio Holder on what steps the Council was taking to respond to the poor quality of Armed Forces family houses within the Borough. 

In response, Cllr M.L. Sheehan stated that issues relating to military accommodation would be treated the same as any other housing in the Borough. It was confirmed, however, that there had not been many complaints received historically from military personnel and that the communications strategy in this respect would be reviewed to increase awareness.

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 21st September 2022 and 23rd November 2022 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20th October 2022 be noted.