Council - Thursday, 27th February, 2025 7.00 pm - Agenda

To confirm the minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 5th December, 2024, the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 5th December and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 5th February, 2025 (copies 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 G.B. Lyon pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“As a result of the UK Government Budget, Employer National Insurance contributions from April will increase from 13.8% to 15% - a tax increase for employers of almost 9%.

The threshold will also reduce from £9,100 to £5,000.

The OBR notes that ‘firms will pass on 60% of the higher costs to workers and consumers, via lower wages and higher prices’.

That many local services, including nurseries, hospices, care homes and charities will be hit by these huge tax increases in addition to many businesses of all sizes in Rushmoor.

This Council also notes the dire impact on Rushmoor's own finances which will come at the cost of local services and will lead to higher costs when dealing with contractors.

This Council resolves to:

Request Cabinet to establish a working group to work with local businesses to produce plans to support the local economy to combat the impact of these tax increases to report back to Council within 6 months.

To record our disappointment regarding the National Insurance increases and their damaging impact on all who live and work in Rushmoor.

To request the Leader to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask her to reconsider the changes.”

In accordance with arrangements to secure political balance, the Council to confirm an appointment to the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in place of Cllr A.H. Crawford, for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and 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 2025/26 to 2027/28 and Prudential Indicators for 2025/26. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

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 2025/26, Annual Borrowing Strategy 2025/26, and Annual Non-Treasury Management Investment Strategy 2025/26. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 3) which recommends the continuation of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 for approval. The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Resources will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 4) which recommends the approval of the General Fund Budget for 2025/26 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2028/29. Cllr Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council, will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 5) which recommends the approval of updated Contract Standing Orders for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 6) which recommends the approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.

To fix the level of Council Tax for the financial year 2025/26 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 7).

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 Reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 28th November, 2024, 12th December, 2024 and 30th January 2025 (copies attached).