Council - Thursday, 22nd February, 2024 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 7th December 2023 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan; SECONDED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 7th December, 2023 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)      The Mayor reported that events he had attended since the previous meeting of the Council had included:

·                the Rushmoor Community Carol Service at the Garrison Church on 8th December;

·                a charity quiz night in aid of his charities on 2nd February, where a total of £611 was raised;

·                the Holocaust Memorial Service at St. Andrew’s Church, Aldershot on 28th January: and

·                a wreath-laying service, organised by the Aldershot Parachute Regimental Association, at Pennefather’s Road to mark the 52nd Anniversary of the Aldershot Officers’ Mess Bombing.

(2)      The Mayor reported that 1st April, 2024 would mark 50 years since the official formation of Rushmoor Borough Council from Aldershot Borough Council and Farnborough Urban District Council. The Council would be marking the occasion throughout the year, including the compilation of a digital memory book and various events.

(3)      The Mayor reminded Members that his Mayoral Gala event was planned for 15th March at The Empire in Aldershot. Members were asked to reserve their places as soon as possible.

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

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

(1)      Financial Resilience

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

“This Council notes that, facing heightened risk from debt levels of over ten times its annual income, the historic failure to fix interest costs at a manageable level will cost taxpayers over £15m and has plunged the Council into financial crisis.   This failure was completely contrary to best practice financial management and despite clear warnings signs as interest rates rose in 2022.

The Budget report states that without significant mitigation in 2024-25 the Council will not be able to set a balanced budget in 2025-26.  The implications of the report are that the Cabinet has been forced into actions it was unwilling to make voluntarily, to address serious financial shortcomings that would have led to the issuing of a Section 114 Notice.

These actions include the sale of £40m of as-yet unspecified assets and a review of the funding plans for the Civic Hub.

Residents deserve a full account of the Council’s mismanagement of its debt and whether these actions will be enough to prevent financial disaster for Rushmoor.  We call on Rushmoor Borough Council to publish the financial resilience review commissioned from CIPFA, in full, as soon as it is available, so that residents can judge for themselves.”

(2)          Community Safety

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

"Rushmoor Borough Council welcomes the Government's Safer Streets Fund support secured by Donna Jones, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, for a youth outreach project to engage with 60 young people involved in ASB in Hart and Rushmoor, and improvements to CCTV in key areas of Rushmoor to improve public safety.

This Council supports the Police and Crime Commissioner's projects to tackle violence against women and girls in Hampshire and will work with her to ensure the streets of Aldershot and Farnborough are safe for all in our community. 

Furthermore, this Council believes that the increased roll out of CCTV will help change the attitudes and behaviours that will prevent crimes from happening in the first place.

This Council also commits to supporting newly recruited police officers in Rushmoor through providing forums in Aldershot and Farnborough for them to meet with local residents.”

(1)      Financial Resilience

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

“This Council notes that, facing heightened risk from debt levels of over ten times its annual income, the historic failure to fix interest costs at a manageable level will cost taxpayers over £15m and has plunged the Council into financial crisis. This failure was completely contrary to best practice financial management and despite clear warnings signs as interest rates rose in 2022.

The Budget report states that without significant mitigation in 2024-25 the Council will not be able to set a balanced budget in 2025-26. The implications of the report are that the Cabinet has been forced into actions it was unwilling to make voluntarily, to address serious financial shortcomings that would have led to the issuing of a Section 114 Notice.

These actions include the sale of £40m of as-yet unspecified assets and a review of the funding plans for the Civic Hub.

Residents deserve a full account of the Council’s mismanagement of its debt and whether these actions will be enough to prevent financial disaster for Rushmoor. We call on Rushmoor Borough Council to publish the financial resilience review commissioned from CIPFA, in full, as soon as it is available, so that residents can judge for themselves.”

In proposing the Motion, Cllr Williams stated that the Council’s 2022 budget had involved £155 million of borrowing. He explained that this borrowing had been subject to short-term interest rates and, whilst most other local authorities had moved to long-term rates, Rushmoor still held 91% of its debts on short-term rates. Cllr Williams contended that the financial resilience review report was needed to provide residents with a clear view of the Council’s financial situation.

During debate, views were expressed that the Council’s financial situation and risk profile were clearly set out within the budget report, to be considered that evening, and that officers would start work in early May towards a full budget review to be completed in July. At this time, all of the papers, including the report requested by Cllr Williams, would be made available for scrutiny.

In seconding the Motion, Cllr Gaynor Austin stated her concerns about the Council’s approach to borrowing and interest rates, and that the current year’s budget could only be shown to be balanced by the significant use of reserves and that the Council would not be in a position to present a balanced budget for the following year as things stood.

Following further discussion, the Motion was put to the meeting.  There voted FOR: 15; AGAINST: 21; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Motion was DECLARED LOST.

(2)      Community Safety

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

"Rushmoor Borough Council welcomes the Government's Safer Streets Fund support secured by Donna Jones, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

At its meeting on 31st January 2024, the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee considered the nominations for Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2024/25 and made the following recommendations:

(i)        That Cllr Mara Makunura be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2024/25; and

(ii)       That Cllr Gaynor Austin be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (Cllr P.J. Cullum) reported that the Committee had considered the nominations for the Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2024/25 at its meeting on 31st January, 2024. The Committee had agreed to recommend that:

(i)        Cllr Mara Makunura be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2024/25; and

(ii)       Cllr Gaynor Austin be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr Christine Guinness – That the Recommendations of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee be approved in respect of the Mayor-Elect and Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2024/25.

There voted FOR: 35; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

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

To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 1) which recommends the approval of the Council’s Annual Capital Strategy for 2024/25 to 2026/27 and Prudential Indicators for 2024/25. Cllr Peter Cullum, Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 31st January, 2024, which recommended the approval of the Capital Strategy 2024/25 to 2026/27, including the Prudential Indicators for capital finance for 2024/25.  

It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr S. Trussler – That approval be given to the Capital Strategy 2024/25 to 2026/27 and Prudential Indicators for 2024/25. 

There voted FOR: 20; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 17 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 2) which recommends the approval of the Treasury Management Strategy and Non-Treasury Investment Strategy for 2024/25. Cllr Peter Cullum, Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 31st January, 2024, which recommended the approval of the Treasury Management Strategy and the Non-Treasury Investment Strategy for the year 2024/25.

It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr S. Trussler – That approval be given to the Treasury Management Strategy and the Non-Treasury Investment Strategy for the year 2024/25.

There voted FOR: 20; AGAINST: 13; ABSTAINED: 4 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 3) which recommends the approval of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, Medium Term Financial Strategy and Council Tax Level, including a recommendation on the Capital Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25. Cllr G.B. Lyon, Leader of the Council will introduce this item.

Cllr P.G. Taylor introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 6th February, 2024, which recommended the approval of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, Medium Term Financial Strategy and Council Tax requirement for 2024/25 and the Council Tax Support Scheme 2024/25. 

It was MOVED by Cllr P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr G.B. Lyon – That

(i)        approval be given to the following recommendations as detailed in report FIN2406:

(a)   the Executive Head of Finance’s report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, as set out in Appendix 7;

(b)   the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the strategy set out to resolve the Medium Term Financial Strategy, as set out in the Report;

(c)   the Draft General Fund Revenue Budget Estimates Summary 2024-25, as set out in Appendix 4;

(d)   the Council Tax Requirement of £7,683,131 for this Council;

(e)   the Council Tax level for Rushmoor Borough Council’s purposes of £232.74 for a Band D property in 2024/25 (an increase of £6.76);

(f)     the UK Shared Prosperity Fund project list, as set out in Appendix 6 of the Report;

(g)   the Capital Programme, set out in paragraph 8.5 of the Council Report; and

(h)   the Strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts, as set out in paragraph 9.2 of the Council Report;

Following debate, the Recommendations at (i) (a)-(h) above were put to the meeting. In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs A. Adeola, Jessica Auton, Mrs. D.B. Bedford, Jib Belbase, J.B. Canty, Sue Carter, P.J. Cullum, Peace Essien Igodifo, A. Gani, Michael Hope, G.B. Lyon, S.J. Masterson, Marina Munro, M.L. Sheehan, C.J. Stewart, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, Nem Thapa, S. Trussler Jacqui Vosper (20); AGAINST: Cllrs Abe Allen, Gaynor Austin, Jules Crossley, K. Dibble, Christine Guinness, Halleh Koohestani, Nadia Martin, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams, Gareth Williams (13); and ABSTAINED: Cllrs C.W. Card, T.W. Mitchell, the Deputy Mayor (Cllr  Mara Makunura) and the Mayor (Cllr C.P. Grattan) (4) and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED; and

It was MOVED by Cllr P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr G.B. Lyon – That

(ii)     approval be given to the following recommendations, as set out in the Report No. FIN2405:

(a)   the Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers being adjusted to increase the maximum Council Tax liability used to calculate Council Tax Support from 88% to 100%, effective from 1st April 2024 and to apply to all calculations made within the Council Tax Support Scheme relating to liabilities occurring on or after 1st April, 2024; and

(b)   that, in all other respects, the current Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers should continue unchanged, with the addition of the annual uplift to rates used within the calculation mirroring that applied to national Housing Benefits rates, as advised by the Department for work and Pensions.

The Recommendations at (ii) were put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 35; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

NOTE:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 4), which recommends approval of the Pay Policy Statement. Cllr Peter Cullum, Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee held on 31st January, 2024 which proposed the approval of a Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 and the noting of the Gender Pay Gap calculations for 2022/23.

It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr S. Trussler – That the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25, as set out in Appendix A of the Report, be approved and that the Gender Pay Gap calculations for 2022/23, as set out  in the Report, be noted. 

There voted FOR: 35; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 5) which seeks approval for an amendment to the Capital Programme 2023/24 to enable the next steps in the regeneration of Farnborough. Cllr M.J. Tennant, Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, will introduce this item.

Cllr M.J. Tennant, Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 6th February, 2024 which recommended  variations to the Capital Programme to enable the progression of the next steps in the regeneration of Farnborough and the delivery of the Leisure and Cultural Hub. 

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant and SECONDED by Cllr G.B. Lyon – That approval be given to:

(i)        an increase of £255,000 into the Capital Programme for 2023/24, funded from a further draw down from the Levelling Up grant for the Leisure and Cultural Hub; and

(ii)       the £1.725 million One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund grant, to enable the demolition of the Pinehurst Car Park and site preparation and utilities work across plots established by the Civic Quarter Masterplan, being included in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Capital Programmes, as appropriate.

There voted FOR: 35; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To fix the level of Council Tax for the financial year 2024/25 taking into account precepts of Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority. (A copy of the appropriate draft resolution is attached – Annex 6).

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor – That

(i)        it be noted that the Council had calculated the amount of £33,011.65 as its Council Tax base for the year 2024-25 in accordance with Section 31B(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended by the Localism Act 2011 (the ‘Act’);

(ii)       it be noted that the following amounts had been calculated by the Council for the year 2024-25, in accordance with Sections 31 and Sections 34 to 36 of the Act:

(a)      £43,283,163.00 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act;

(b)      £35,600,031.58 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act;

(c)       £7,683,131.42 being the amount by which the aggregate at (ii)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (ii)(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year;

(d)      £232.74 being the amount at (ii)(c) above, all divided by the amount in (i) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of Council Tax for the year;

(e)       

being the amounts given by multiplying the amount at (ii)(d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which, in that that proportion, is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

(iii)      it be noted that, for the year 2024-25, Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority have stated the following amounts in precepts issued the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:

NOTE: Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue precepts are provisional until the above notified amounts are formally set at their respective meetings on Thursday 29th February, 2024. In the event that any of the precepting bodies elects to change their precept, Rushmoor Borough Council will need to reflect the revised precept in line with that formally approved by the precepting body.