Council - Thursday, 20th April, 2023 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 23rd February 2023 (copy attached).

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 23rd February 2023 be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)      The Mayor reported that he had welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress of Gorkha to the Borough on 9th March 2023.  The delegation had stayed in the Borough until 12th March and the group had also included the Deputy Mayor of Gorkha.  The delegation had also attended the Mayor’s Charity Banquet on 10th March.

          The Mayor advised the Council that he had attended festivities for the Nepali New Year, which this year had fallen on 14th April 2023.  The in Nepali calendar it was the year 2080.

(2)      The Mayor advised that, on 10th March 2023, he had attended an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Edgar Jerome Ltd in Aldershot.

(3)      The Mayor reported that, on 10th March 2023, he had held his Charity Banquet at Princes Hall in Aldershot.  He thanked all Members who had supported this event, which had raised £3,000 for his charities.

(4)      The Mayor reported that, on 24th February, he had attended a topping out ceremony at Union Yard in Aldershot, which marked the completion of the building’s concrete structure, when councillors, staff and representatives from the Hill Group had joined together to pour the topping concrete on the roof.

(5)      The Mayor reported that it gave him great pleasure to mark the long-service of eight councillors: 

·                Cllr Diane Bedford had been elected to St. Mark’s Ward in 2002 and had served on many of the committees and panels during her 21 years’ service.  Currently, Cllr Bedford was Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and she had also served as the Leisure and Youth Portfolio Holder from 2004 until 2013.  Cllr Bedford had had the honour to serve as Deputy Mayor in 2013/14 and Mayor of the Borough in 2014/15 (20 years’ service medal).

·                Cllr Craig Card had been first elected to the Council in 1991 and had served the residents of Mayfield Ward until 2010.  After a spell away from the Council, Cllr Card had been re-elected to represent the residents of St. Mark’s Ward in 2022 (20 years’ service medal).  

·                Cllr Peter Crerar had been elected to the Council in 2003 to represent the residents of Manor Park Ward.  Cllr Crerar had served on many of the Council’s committees and panels and currently served as Vice-Chairman of the Policy and Project Advisory Board.  Cllr Crerar had also had the honour of being Deputy Mayor in 2011/12 and Mayor of the Borough in 2012/13 (20 years’ service medal).

·                Cllr Paul Taylor had been elected to the Council in 2002 and had served the residents of Knellwood Ward ever since.  Cllr Taylor had served as Chairman of the Leisure and Youth Panel from 2003 to 2007 and had been the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder on the Cabinet since 2007 (except for one year when Cllr Taylor had been the Customer Experience and Improvement Portfolio Holder) (20 years’ service medal). 

·                Cllr Steve Masterson had been first elected to the Council in 1991 and had served the residents of Grange Ward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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 Sophie Porter pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“Youth Violence is an issue in Rushmoor, compared to other areas in Hampshire. According to the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) report ‘Violence Reduction Unit – Problem profile’ (2022), the 4 factors leading to increased risk of crime involvement are: society, community, Relationship’s and the individual. 

Rushmoor continued to have higher rates of risk factors, this being due to greater deprivation.

A safe space for youth, such as youth cafés, can have an impact on individual factors for reducing youth crime.

External funding has been found to implement a youth crime prevention program in Aldershot, but there needs to be targeted schemes throughout the whole of Rushmoor. A submission has been made to seek external funding.

This motion requests Rushmoor Borough Council allocates Officer resources to tackle youth crime in the area by: 

·         writing business cases to seek external funding for a youth café in both Farnborough & Aldershot, addressing access to the arts, youth employment and engagement with civic duties.  

·         The Communities Team redesign the youth provision in Farnborough with crime prevention in mind.

·         The Chief Executive writes to the Crime Commissioner requesting investment in the area for youth services.”

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

“Youth violence is an issue in Rushmoor, compared to other areas in Hampshire.  According to the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) report “Violence Reduction Unit – Problem Profile (2020)”, the four factors leading to an increased risk of crime involvement are:  society, community, relationships and the individual.

Rushmoor continues to have higher rates of risk factors, this being due to greater deprivation.  A safe space for youth, such as youth cafes, can have an impact on individual factors for reducing youth crime. 

External funding has been found to implement a youth crime prevention programme in Aldershot, but there needs to be targeted schemes through the whole of Rushmoor.  A submission has been made to seek external funding. 

This Motion requests Rushmoor Borough Council allocates Officer resources to tackle youth crime in the area by:

·                writing business cases to seek external funding for a youth café in both Farnborough and Aldershot, addressing access to the arts, youth employment and engagement with civic duties;

·                the Communities Team redesign the youth provision in Farnborough with crime prevention in mind; and

·                the Chief Executive writes to the Crime Commissioner requesting investment in the area for youth services.”

In moving the Motion, Cllr Porter referred to a 17-year-old from Aldershot who had attended a party in Camberley who had sadly been stabbed and who had died from his injuries. This young man’s family was known to Cllr Porter. Cllr Porter also advised of a recent event for 11–16 year olds where it had become apparent that many knew of someone their age who carried a knife.

Cllr Porter referred to a new crime prevention programme called “Fighting Chance” which aimed to address the causes of crime in young people by encouraging them to engage in other social activities, including sport. Members were advised that a funding bid had been made to the National Lottery for this scheme to enable it to be offered throughout the Borough, particularly to those deemed at risk of exclusion from school or vulnerable to gangs with the potential to be involved in serious youth violence. Cllr Porter stated that the Motion was not about asking for funding but asking for Council Officers to be able to devote time to the scheme.

An amendment was MOVED by Cllr Porter; SECONDED by Cllr Gaynor Austin – That the Motion be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to examine the “Fighting Chance” youth programme and youth services in the Borough, including the work of the Police and Hampshire County Council in respect of young people. 

In seconding the Amendment, Cllr Austin referred to the importance of stability for young people and referred to the links between drugs and crime; family, relationships, deprivation and lack of stability were all factors in young people turning to drugs and crime.  Cllr Austin spoke of the importance of early intervention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

At its meeting on 23rd February 2023 the Council considered and approved updates to the Constitution. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 29 (1), the proposed amendments to the Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business stood adjourned without discussion. A copy of the revised Standing Orders is attached herewith (Annex 1). The recommendation is as follows:

“That the Council adopt the revised Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business, attached at Annex 1, for inclusion in Part 4 of the Constitution”

The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (Cllr P.J. Cullum) will introduce this item.

The Mayor advised Members that, on 23rd February 2023, the Council had considered and approved an updated Constitution. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 29(1), the proposed amendments for the Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business had stood adjourned without discussion until this meeting.

It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum (Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee); SECONDED by Cllr S.J. Trussler – That the revised Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business (as set out in Annex 1 of the Agenda) be adopted for inclusion in Part 4 of the Constitution.   There voted FOR: 25; ABSTAINED: 0; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in relation to the following items:

(1)      Pay Policy Statement and Gender Pay Gap 2023/24

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced a report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 27th March 2023, which recommended the approval of the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 for publication under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017, as set out in Annex 2 to the agenda.   It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr S. Trussler – That the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 be approved. 

There voted FOR: 22; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)      Variation to the Capital Programme – Local Authority Housing Fund

Cllr M.J. Tennant, Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 18th April 2023 on progress that had been made on the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) and the proposed governance arrangements associated with the purchase of individual properties.  This Fund aimed to reduce housing pressures on local authorities arising from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine. 

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant; SECONDED by Cllr P.J. Taylor – That £1,818,089 be added to the Capital Programme for 2023/24 for the purchase of Local Authority Housing Fund funded properties, noting the capital financing implications of the match funding, as set out in Exempt Appendix 1 to the Report.

There voted FOR: 22; ABSTAINED: 0; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

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

(1)      Cllr M.J. Roberts had submitted a question for response by the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr P.G. Taylor) in respect of business rates and how these affected small, medium and large businesses. 

In response, Cllr P.G. Taylor stated that support for local businesses had been extensive.  The Council had distributed over £7 million to local businesses around the Borough as a result of government initiatives to mitigate the effect of the Pandemic.  The business rates team had done much to make sure businesses were receiving the support they needed.

(2)      Cllr M.J. Roberts had submitted a question for response by the Customer Experience, Digital and Transformation Portfolio Holder (Cllr J.B. Canty) in respect of artificial intelligence (AI) on the work of the Council.

In response, Cllr Canty stated that, over the previous few years, the Council had seen a major shift in how residents accessed its services.  Fewer people were visiting the Council Offices in person.  The Council had a Customer, Digital and Technology Plan in place.  Cllr Canty confirmed that there were currently no plans to roll out AI at the Council, however this was something that would be looked at more closely. 

(3)      Cllr M.J. Roberts had submitted a question for response by the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr P.G. Taylor) on various financial matters, concerning the level of borrowing/debt in respect of Capital Programme projects; the effect of inflation on goods and services; and, whether any major works would be deferred.

In response, Cllr Taylor stated that approved projects within the Capital Programme would go forward, alongside Council approved plans.  The Council would keep within borrowing requirements and projects would be carried out as needed.  Cllr Taylor advised that the Council would not spend or borrow until it was the right time to do so.   In respect of inflation, Cllr Taylor confirmed that inflation was factored into projects. 

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (copy attached – Annex 4) for the 2022/23 Municipal Year. A procedure note for asking questions has been circulated to Members.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr M.D. Smith, presented the Annual Report of the Committee 2022/23.

The Mayor reported that one question had been submitted by Cllr Jules Crossley for response by the Chairman in respect of the scrutiny of Farnborough Airport and whether the Committee would be continuing this work through the establishment of a Task and Finish Group to look at noise monitoring, weekend flights, complaints from outside of the Borough and air quality in Rushmoor.   In response, Cllr Smith stated that he expected such a Task and Finish Group to be set up and invited Cllr Crossley to be a member when it was established.

RESOLVED: That the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

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 Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 9th February and 30th March 2023 and the Policy and Project Advisory Board meeting held on 15th March 2023 be noted.