Council - Thursday, 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

The Mayor paid tribute to Honorary Alderman John Debenham MBE who sadly passed away on 29 September, 2024.

John had served as a Councillor for 28 years, having first been elected to Farnborough Urban District Council. He had been Mayor of Rushmoor when the new Council was formed in 1974. John served until 2002 representing Knellwood ward and was an active member of the Council, Cabinet and Chairman of numerous bodies and Committees during his time on the Council.

His loyal and distinguished service was recognised in 2002 when he was made an Honorary Alderman, this was further acknowledged when he was awarded an MBE for services to the community.

John would be long remembered for having left a lasting legacy through his contribution to community life in the Borough. 

Cllrs Crawford, Masterson and Card also paid tribute to Alderman Debenham, all of whom recognised his dedication and desire to support the community and his encouragement of other to do the same. John had been well respected and would be greatly missed by all who knew him. A Service of Thanksgiving would be held the following day at St Marks Church, Farnborough and the Council’s thoughts were with John’s wife, family and friends at this difficult time.

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 25th July 2024 (copy attached) and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 15th August 2024 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr Keith Dibble; SECONDED by Cllr Sarah Spall and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Ordinary Meeting on 25th July, 2024 (copy having been circulated previously) and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting on 15th August, 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 Bula Festival – 3rd August

·       The 44th Commemoration of Defense Forces Day – 15th August

·       Africa Day at the Carnival – 24th August

·       Merchant Navy Flag Raising – 3rd September

·       Rushmoor Community Lottery Anniversary event – 11th September 

·       Battle of Britain Service – 15th September

·       Rushmoor Community in Bloom and  Rushmoor Schools in Bloom Awards Evening – 16th September & 19th September

·       Rushmoor Pride 2024 – 28th September

·       Diwali in Rushmoor – 18th October

·       Black History Month performance event at Princes Hall – 22nd October 

(2)        In addition, the Mayor had visited two of the Council’s twin towns, Meudon in France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Oberursel in Germany to mark the 35th Anniversary of Rushmoor’s twinning with Oberursel.

(3)        The Mayor thanked the Deputy Mayor who attended the Step by Step charity ‘Sleep Out’ on 11th October, in her place whilst she was away in Germany. The event raised funds to support young people facing homelessness.

(4)        It was also reported that the Mayor would be hosting a Charity Fashion and Beauty Show on Friday 8th November. Tickets were available in advance or on the door and all were welcome to attend.

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

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

(1)            Winter Fuel Payments 

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

“Noting:

·       The Government’s decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners in receipt of benefits like Pension Credit.

·       Criticism from AgeUK which says 2 million pensioners needing the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it.

·       The significant role the payments play in helping many older people in Rushmoor afford heating.

·       The additional strain this will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit, for reasons including administrative barriers and perceived stigma.

·       The short notice and lack of adequate compensatory measures.  

Council resolves to:

• Write to the Chancellor urging review and asking Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners not claiming Pension Credit are protected.
• Sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment’ petition being run by AgeUK.
• Promote Pension Credit through council services and partnerships including a special meeting of the Senior Citizens Forum.
• Urgently review options for our Hardship Fund and council tax support to help those hardest hit.
• Explore keeping council buildings including the Council Offices and Princes Hall open for older people who may not have anywhere warm to go and maintaining a directory of local facilities where people can stay warm.”

(2)        Sustainability 

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

“Recognising the urgent nature of the challenges confronting Rushmoor in terms of the climate crisis, the financial situation, the economic environment, and the inequity that some of our residents continue to face.

Further recognising how challenging it will be to achieve the targets that Council set after declaring a climate emergency in 2019.

Council therefore resolves to:

-    Support and deliver sustainability across Council’s policies, projects, operations, and estate, where sustainability includes, but is not limited to, sound financial management, fair and equitable treatment of residents, staff, and organisations within Rushmoor, and have a positive impact on our environment and biodiversity.

-    Introduce climate impact assessments for Council Decisions on all new projects.

-    Encourage residents, businesses and organisations working within the borough to be responsible and sustainable.

-    Be open and transparent in communications with residents and those working or operating in the borough.

-    Foster relationships of mutual respect and collaboration with other councils, public authorities, and businesses to ensure sustainability.”

(1)        Winter Fuel Payments

The Council were asked to consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr Sue Carter under Standing Order 9 (1) on Winter Fuel Payments. The Motion was proposed by Cllr Peace Essien-Igodifo on behalf of Cllr Carter, who had been unable to attend the meeting.

“Noting:

·       The Government’s decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners in receipt of benefits like Pension Credit.

·       Criticism from AgeUK which says 2 million pensioners needing the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it.

·       The significant role the payments play in helping many older people in Rushmoor afford heating.

·       The additional strain this will place on vulnerable pensioners, many of whom do not claim Pension Credit, for reasons including administrative barriers and perceived stigma.

·       The short notice and lack of adequate compensatory measures. 

Council resolves to:

• Write to the Chancellor urging review and asking Government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners not claiming Pension Credit are protected.
• Sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment’ petition being run by Age UK.
• Promote Pension Credit through council services and partnerships including a special meeting of the Senior Citizens Forum.
• Urgently review options for our Hardship Fund and council tax support to help those hardest hit.
• Explore keeping council buildings including the Council Offices and Princes Hall open for older people who may not have anywhere warm to go and maintaining a directory of local facilities where people can stay warm.”

Cllr Essien-Igodifo emphasised the high level of pressure and worries about keeping warm faced by many residents during the winter months. She asked Members to stand together in unity to defend older people and protect those in need from illnesses linked to colds and the cold weather and highlighted the impacts for the NHS and other support services.

In seconding the Motion, Cllr Lyon reserved his right to speak.

It was MOVED by Cllr C.W. Card and SECONDED by Cllr T.W. Mitchell – That the Motion be amended (in italics) as follows:

“Noting:

·       The Council notes the recent announcement by the Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to those in receipt of Pension Credits. Pensioners on lower and middle income will not receive the payments. Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for winter fuel payments will fall by 10 million to 1.5 million people.

·       This Council believes the threshold has been set too low at £218.15 a week for a single person or £332.95 for a couple.  

Council resolves to:

·       Group Leaders within Rushmoor Council to sign a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the winter fuel payment policy to be suspended and reviewed to ensure that vulnerable pensioners are protected.

·       Urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits. This will include social media council noticeboards, targeted letters and local media.

·       Urgently review options for our Hardship Fund and council tax support to help those hardest hit.

·       Explore keeping council buildings including the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

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) requesting clarity, as a ward councillor, on the process for supporting residents at risk of homelessness.

In response, Cllr Williams advised that data was collected in accordance with requirements and not all personal data may be held on all residents seeking support. Cllr Williams offered to follow up with Cllr Harden following the meeting.

(2)            Cllr Martin Tennant had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Property (Cllr Christine Guinness) requesting an update on when the Council would be submitting a planning application for a leisure centre in Farnborough.

In response, Cllr Guinness advised that due to the current financial position, any facility that was provided needed to be affordable - and a scheme was currently being considered. Timescales would be shared with all Members when appropriate, but it was thought that detailed plans would be available within 10 months.

(3)            Cllr Stuart Trussler had submitted a question for response by the Leader of the Council (Cllr Gareth Williams) regarding the impact of the increases to National Insurance Contributions on the Council’s payroll when the new regime came into force from April 2025.

In response, Cllr Williams confirmed that no impact would be made on the Council’s payroll as local authorities would be compensated. However, there was currently no method to assess any impacts from contracts.

(4)            Cllr Gareth Lyon had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Development and Economic Growth (Cllr Keith Dibble) on how the Council were using the £50,000 from the Esso Pipeline project and the £70,000 from the Environment agency associated with Cove Brook.

In response, Cllr Dibble advised that there were three separate funding streams relating to the Cove Brook, Esso Environmental Investment Programme (£23,000), Environmental Agency Water Framework Directive (£90,000 (match funded)) and Environment Agency Collaborative Agreement funding (£70,000).

The funding would be used to improve wildflower corridors, in-stream habitat, and provide technical support for watercourse activities. Restore the ecological function of Cove Brook to achieve Good Ecological Status through the removal of artificial bed/banks, bankside vegetation management, and flow management in Southwood Country Park.

Each funding stream would target specific ecological enhancements, with ongoing coordination and flexibility in project design.

(5)            Cllr Paul Taylor had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Becky Williams) regarding any conversations that had taken place with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) relating to progress for a Police Community Base in Farnborough Town Centre.

In response, Cllr Williams advised that a date was being sought for a meeting with the PCC to discuss this matter. It was important to understand how the facility would operate and the Leader would be included in any discussions.

Further questions for the Cabinet had been submitted prior to the meeting. However, as the 15-minute threshold for questions had been reached, these would be answered outside the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

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 1st August, 12th September and 19th September 2024 and the Policy and Project Advisory Board meetings held on 23rd July and 24th September 2024 be noted.