Council - Thursday, 6th July, 2023 7.00 pm - Agenda

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

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

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

“The Council welcomes its role in implementing the Armed Forces Covenant set out in the Armed Forces Act 2021.

However, the Council is conscious of the considerable number of Gurkha veterans living in the Borough, who were enlisted into the Brigade of Gurkhas between 1948 and 1993, who face disadvantages due to lower rate of pension credit. This equates to many of them are living in the borough in poor circumstances and require additional support from the Council to ensure there is no disadvantage; however, the services delivered do not fully compensate for the disadvantage.  Gurkha Pensions and Welfare Issues are still under negotiation between the British and Nepal Governments.

Given that this Council must fulfil the Armed Forces Duty and ensure no disadvantage, this Motion requests that:

•      The Leader of the Council writes to the government to raise concerns about the housing and health challenges facing Gurkha veterans and their families.

•      The Scrutiny committee review our approach to supporting the Armed Forces generally in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant.”

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and Committees in relation to the following items:

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 1) which sets out a report prepared by the Council’s local housing company, Rushmoor Homes Limited, containing a five year plan for the development of the business. Cllr D.E. Clifford, the Leader of the Council will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 2) which recommends the approval of an update to the three year Council Plan. Cllr Sue Carter, Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships Portfolio Holder, will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 3) which recommends the Council to confirm the appointment of Mr. Matt Smith as the Council’s Designated Independent Person for Standards for a period of three years. Cllr P.J. Cullum, Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

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

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

To note the Report of the following meeting (copy reports attached):