Council - Thursday, 5th December, 2024 7.15 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 7th November 2024 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr Gareth Williams; SECONDED by Cllr P.J. Cullum and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Ordinary Meeting on 7th November, 2024 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)          The Mayor reported that former Councillor Neville Dewey, had sadly passed away in November after spending much of the last year in hospital. Councillor Dewey served as a Councillor for the former Mayfield Ward for 17 years. A funeral for Neville would be held on 16th December at 11am at the Redan Road Chapel in Aldershot. Our thoughts were with Neville’s family at this sad time.

(2)          The Mayor advised that she had been in attendance at several wreath-laying services and Services of Remembrance on Sunday 10th November. The Mayor had been really pleased to see such a large number of residents in attendance at the Aldershot Cenotaph service. She extended her thanks to all Councillors and officers who had come out to support these important commemorative events.

(3)          The Mayor then reported on the events she had attended since the previous meeting of the Council, these had included: 

·         the Graduation Services for the Class of 2024 at the University Centre Farnborough on 23rd October,

·         the prize giving ceremonies at the Rose Bowl Gymnastics Centre on 26th and 27th October,

·         the Rushmoor Voluntary Services Volunteers Recognition Awards on 12th November, 

·         the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Aldershot on 16th November at the Christmas Cracker event, and

·         the Hampshire Business Awards held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on 21st November.

(4)          The Mayor also advised that she had attended the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s and the Mayfield Community Partnership’s Christmas Concerts and would be attending several more in the run up to Christmas.

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.

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

“This Council believes that residents should receive the infrastructure and amenities they are promised when they buy a new home or when new development takes place nearby and that developers and this Council should be held accountable for their legal obligations within S106 agreements.

This Council will produce a quarterly report detailing performance against financial, programme and other obligations of all parties within S106 agreements of which this Council is a party and a breakdown of this by ward.

The report will be issued to all members of this council and ward members will be given regular opportunities to engage with and a shape the use of S106 funds in their wards.

Increasing transparency on performance against commitments will provide confidence to communities that promises will be delivered on while local councillor input will help target available funds more effectively.”

The Council were asked to consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr P.J. Cullum under Standing Order 9 (1) on Section 106 Agreements. It was advised that Cllr Cullum had given notice of an alteration to the Motion in advance of the meeting which the Chairman had agreed, as set out below:

“This Council believes that residents should receive the infrastructure and amenities they are promised when they buy a new home or when new development takes place nearby and that developers and this Council should be held accountable for their legal obligations within S106 agreements.

This Council will produce a quarterly report detailing performance against financial, programme and other obligations of all parties within S106 agreements of which this Council is a party and a breakdown of this by ward. The report will be issued to all members of this council.

Ward members will be given opportunities to engage with and shape the use of S106 funds in their wards through the Local Plan. Increasing transparency on performance against commitments will provide confidence to communities that promises will be delivered on while local councillor input will help target available funds more effectively.”

In proposing the Motion, Cllr Cullum advised that planning matters were determined by what was allowed and not necessarily by what people wanted. Section 106 (S106), allowed for an agreement between developers and the Council to mitigate against the impacts of development. By providing quarterly reporting which detailed performance against financial, programme and other obligations, Members would have increased visibility to enable them to help influence how S106 funds were used to provide value for money and positive outcomes for residents. In SECONDING the Motion, Cllr Day expressed the importance of increased transparency and accountability of all.

During discussion, there was a general consensus in support of the Motion. Positive outcomes of previous engagement which had resulted in projects funded through S106 which benefited local residents were noted. In addition, the importance of monitoring information shared by the Planning Team to keep informed on upcoming developments was crucial for early engagement. Improved reporting on S106 to provide transparency and allow residents to have a greater say was also seen as a positive measure.

The Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 32 AGAINST: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED unanimously.

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

(1)          Cllr Lisa Greenway had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Property (Cllr Christine Guinness) on the status of the internet supply for the student accommodation in Union Yard.

In response, Cllr Guinness advised that the internet had been up and running for the past two weeks and expressed her thanks to officers who had liaised with the service provider and the University of the Creative Arts whilst the issues were remedied.

(2)          Cllr Sarah Spall had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Becky Williams) on the expiration of the current SERCO contract and measures being implemented to ensure value for money on contracted-out services.

In response, Cllr Becky Williams advised that the current SERCO contract allowed for a ten-year extension and had been considered a viable option. However, it was important to ensure that the agreement remained in the best interest of the Borough and provided value for money for residents. Conversations were currently ongoing with SERCO to explore this, and monitoring of contracted services were being monitored as part of the process. Updates would be provided as appropriate.

(3)          Cllr Gaynor Austin had submitted a question for response by the Leader of the Council (Cllr Gareth Williams) on the key priorities and their benefit to residents.

In response, Cllr Gareth Williams advised that the Cabinet had approved the key priorities at its meeting on 26th November, 2024. The Priorities took account of the current financial position of the Council and were in line with the Prime Minister’s priorities announced earlier the same day.

The Priorities included:

·         Skills, Economy and Business

·         Homes for All: Quality Living, Affordable Housing

·         Community and Wellbeing: Active Lives, Healthier Stronger Communities

·         Pride in Place: Clean, Safe and Vibrant Neighbourhoods

·         Vision for the Future, Financial Sustainability

Questions 4 and 5 were taken together and responded to collectively.

(4)         Cllr Thomas Day had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Development and Economic Growth (Cllr Keith Dibble) on the Government’s housing target of 606 new homes and how the number would be achieved.

(5)          Cllr G.B. Lyon had submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Development and Economic Growth (Cllr Keith Dibble) on the Government’s proposed housing target for Rushmoor.

In response, Cllr Dibble advised that he welcomed the Government’s decision to provide more homes. It helped the Council deliver its priorities and take an evidence-based approach to delivering the right scale and mix of homes. The challenge should not be underestimated, and the development of the new Local Plan would help to maximise delivery going forward.

Cllr Lyon asked a supplementary question on the potential of building an area the size of North Camp every five years, and how this could be achieved within the Borough. In response, Cllr Dibble advised that mixed Member representation on the Local Plan Group would provide valuable commentary during the development stages of the Plan.

(6)          Cllr M.J. Tennant had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

To receive and ask questions on the Report of the following Meeting (copy report attached):

RESOLVED: That the Report of the following meeting be received:

To note the Reports of the following meetings (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED: that the Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24th October, 2024 and the Policy and Project Advisory Board meeting held on 19th November, 2024 be noted.