Council - Thursday, 25th July, 2024 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 21st May 2024 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr Gareth Williams; SECONDED by Cllr Sophie Porter and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Annual Council on 21st May, 2024 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

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

·             the 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings on 6th June, 2024, where the Mayor and her Chaplain has attended the commemorations and flag raising ceremony;

·             the Armed Forces Day flag raising ceremony on 24th June 2024 and the Armed Forces Day, Prom in the Park, on 22nd June 2024;

·             Other community events attended included;

o   Supporting Africa Day on 25th May

o   The Gurkha Cup football tournament on 26th May

o   Farnborough Rotary Clubs Donkey Derby on 27th May

o   Victoria Day on 8th June

o   The Hampshire Lord Lieutenant’s Reception for New Mayors and Council Chairmen on 10th June.

(2)        During the Farnborough International Airshow, between 22nd – 26th July, to which the Council had welcomed visitors from two of our International Link towns, Oberursel, Germany and Rzeszow, Poland. A civic reception had been held on 19th July to welcome the Mayor of Oberursel and to mark the 35th anniversary of the twinning between the two towns, and on 24th July, another civic reception had been held to welcome the Mayor of Rzeszow.

(3)        It was also report that the Mayor would be making a visit to Meudon in France, another of our twin towns, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

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.

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

“This Council notes growing alarm amongst residents over proposals to put “Mega Skips” on residential streets throughout the Borough – which risk attracting fly-tipping from across three counties into our Borough and pose significant health and safety risks.

Furthermore, this Council notes resident concerns about the lack of transparency on the scope and cost of introducing mega skips across Rushmoor, and that proposals could undermine efforts to improve recycling rates.

The Council will therefore:

-   Engage in prior consultation with all households in a street before any skip is placed there, ensuring that if a significant number of objections are made that the proposal will not proceed.

-   Conduct full health and safety, policing and highways impact checks on each site being considered for mega skips.

-   Clarify the full list of items that would be permitted and prohibited for the mega skips. 

-   Publish an assessment of the costs of introducing mega skips, and whether officer time needs to be diverted from enforcement or environmental maintenance activity to supervise the mega skip days.

-   Publish an assessment of potential impacts on recycling rates.

-   Refer the proposals to PPAB for urgent revision and development.”

The Council were asked to consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr P.J. Cullum under Standing Order 9 (1) on proposals for Mega Skips.

“This Council notes growing alarm amongst residents over proposals to put “Mega Skips” on residential streets throughout the Borough – which risk attracting fly-tipping from across three counties into our Borough and pose significant health and safety risks.

Furthermore, this Council notes resident concerns about the lack of transparency on the scope and cost of introducing mega skips across Rushmoor, and that proposals could undermine efforts to improve recycling rates.

The Council will therefore:

-   Engage in prior consultation with all households in a street before any skip is placed there, ensuring that if a significant number of objections are made that the proposal will not proceed.

-   Conduct full health and safety, policing and highways impact checks on each site being considered for mega skips.

-   Clarify the full list of items that would be permitted and prohibited for the mega skips. 

-   Publish an assessment of the costs of introducing mega skips, and whether officer time needs to be diverted from enforcement or environmental maintenance activity to supervise the mega skip days.

-   Publish an assessment of potential impacts on recycling rates.

-   Refer the proposals to PPAB for urgent revision and development.”

In proposing the Motion, Cllr Cullum expressed the need to ensure that the proposals had been fully considered, and that all the implications, such as the potential for increased fly tipping and anti-social behaviour, and the views of residents and the costs had been taken into account. 

During debate, Cllr Becky Williams responded by stating that the proposal had been assessed and that the modified service would use mobile vehicles to collect waste on a scheduled timetable from locations across the borough. The trial area was yet to be confirmed but would complement the existing facilities and provide a service to those with accessibility issues. It was advised that the proposed service would be more cost-effective and less disruptive than a static skip. It was recognised that communications with residents would be key to making the scheme a success, and channels including the Council’s website and social media platforms would be utilised, ensuring that dates and locations for collection stops and alternative methods of waste disposal were advertised. The pilot scheme would be monitored and hoped to enhance pride in the community.

In seconding the Motion, Cllr G.B. Lyon emphasised his concerns regarding expectations created by the scheme and the potential for future increases in fly-tipping and environmental impacts. He also referred to the cost implications and democratic involvement and encouraged the Council to support the Motion.

Following further discussion, the Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 14; AGAINST: 20; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Motion was DECLARED LOST.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the following item:

(1)          2024-25 to 2027-28 Medium Term Financial Strategy Update and 2023-24 Budget Outturn

Cllr Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council, introduced the Report of the Cabinet Meeting on 23rd July 2024, which set out the 2024-25 to 2027-28 Medium Term Financial Strategy Update and 2023-24 Budget Outturn.

It was MOVED by Cllr Gareth Williams and SECONDED by Cllr Abe Allen – that:

(i)            approval be given to the approach and timetable to identify the required revenue savings as set out in paragraph 4.1 to 4.4 of the Report;

(ii)          approval be given for the use of the capital receipts strategy as set out in paragraph 3.50 of the Report; and

(iii)         approval be given to the proposed reprofiling of the capital receipts income target, as set out in paragraph 3.45 of the Report, and resulting addition of £1.6m drawdown of reserves 

During the debate, an amendment was MOVED by Cllr S. Trussler and SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor in respect of recommendation (i) as set out below:

“(i) approval be given to the approach and timetable to identify the required revenue savings as set out in Paragraphs 4.1 to 4.4 noting the preference to continue the current programme of efficiency savings, rebudgeting and to protect front line services and to agree that future savings would come from salary and establishment costs and not front-line services.”

The proposed amendment was put to the meeting. In a recorded vote there voted FOR: Cllrs A. Adeola, Sue Carter, P.J. Cullum, Akmal Gani, Steve Harden, Peace Essien-Igodifo, G.B. Lyon, S.J. Masterson, M.D. Smith, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (13) AGAINST: Cllrs Abe Allen, Gaynor Austin, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Halleh Koohestani, Nadia Martin, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Ivan Whitmee, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (20) ABSTAIN: Cllr Leola Card, The Deputy Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) and The Mayor (Cllr Mara Makunura) (3) and the amendment was DECLARED LOST.

Following further discussion, the original recommendation was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 33; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 3 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)          Variation to Capital Programme

Cllr Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council, introduced an additional item which was a Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 23rd July 2024, which set out details of two proposed variations to the Capital Programme relating to:

(i)            Council property and estates work programme resource requirement and future capital commitments; and 

(ii)          Swimming pool support fund grant to fund energy improvement works at Aldershot Pools

It was MOVED by Cllr Gareth Williams and SECONDED by Cllr Abe Allen – That approval be given to:

(i)            the allocation of £1.025m of capital receipts to enable the necessary capital contributions/works to enable letting of commercial units at Union Yard, Meads and across the wider portfolio subject to the consideration and approval of individual business cases by the Cabinet;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

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

(1)          Cllr Steve Harden had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Becky Williams) on the acquisition of a speed indicator device and speed gun.

In response, Cllr Williams advised that following guidance and speed watch training from the Police, Cllr Harden would have sole responsibility for the device and could expect to hear from officers the following week with further information.

(2)          Cllr P.G. Taylor had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Becky Williams) on the review and monitoring process undertaken for the maintenance of verges and green areas.

In response, Cllr Williams advised that a number of complaints had been received regarding the condition of the verges and green spaces, this had been attributed to wet weather conditions and staff illness. It was advised that all areas had been maintained by early July and complaints had reduced as a result. In addition, it was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be meeting with SERCO to discuss key performance indicators at its meeting in August.

(3)          Cllr Akmal Gani had submitted a question for response from the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Becky Williams) on the review of “No Mow” areas.

In response, Cllr Williams advised that a review would be undertaken before May 2025 and any issues should be raised with officers.

In response, Cllr Gani requested that play spaces were not included in the “no mow” areas.

Cllr Williams suggested that a meeting be set to discuss this matter in further detail.

(4)          Cllr S.J. Masterson had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Property (Cllr Christine Guinness) on the Farnborough Leisure Centre pre-planning consultation.

In response, Cllr Guinness advised that costs and plans for the development were currently being reviewed, and taking account of the current financial situation, it was likely that the plans would need to be reviewed. Cllr Guinness emphasised the Council’s full commitment to providing a swimming pool and leisure facility in Farnborough.

In response, Cllr Masterson asked if there would be a dramatic scaling down of the proposed facilities.

Cllr Guinness advised that the facility would be what was considered affordable.

(5)          Cllr Leola Card had submitted a question for response from the Portfolio Holder for Development and Economic Growth (Cllr Keith Dibble) on the impacts of the Lynchford Road roadworks and the extension of the free parking in Napier Gardens and Peabody Road to the end of 2024.

In response, Cllr Dibble acknowledged the impacts of the roadworks and had arranged to meet with the Leader of Hampshire County Council to discuss the issues, including extending the free parking offer. Members of St Mark’s ward would be invited to the meeting. 

(6)          Cllr Thomas Day had submitted a question for response from the Leader of the Council (Cllr Gareth Williams) on governance arrangements following the recent Peer Review.

In response, Cllr Williams advised that work was currently underway to review  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (copy attached – Annex 2) for the 2023/24 Municipal Year. This item has been carried over from the cancelled Council Meeting on 25th April 2024 and a procedure note for asking questions has been circulated for Members.

The 2023/24 Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Keith Dibble, presented the Annual Report of the Committee 2023/24, on behalf of the then Chairman Cllr M.D. Smith.

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 8th February, 27th March and 13th June 2024 and the Policy and Project Advisory Board meeting held on 13th February, 21st March and 12th June 2024 be noted.