Council - Thursday, 4th December, 2025 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 247 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Farnborough
Contact: Corporate Manager - Democracy Email: jill.shuttleworth@rushmoor.gov.uk
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To confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 16th October 2025 (copy attached). Minutes: It was MOVED by Cllr Sophie Porter; SECONDED by Cllr Gaynor Austin and RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 16th October 2025 (copies having been circulated previously), be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record. |
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MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: The Mayor placed on record the Council’s condolences
following the passing of former Councillor John Card who had passed away in
late October. John had served on both Farnborough Urban District Council and
Rushmoor Borough Council until his retirement in 1979. The Mayor reported upcoming fundraising activities, which included the Alderwood Charity Calendar which was now available at the Council Offices, Princes Hall, and the Dressing Up Shop in Aldershot. The Mayor was also supporting the Farnborough Rotary Christmas collection on 11th December; all funds from which would be donated to the Mayor’s Charity. A quiz night was planned for 6th February, 2026, and Members were asked to contact the Mayor’s office should they wish to enter a team. |
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(1) To receive any questions by Members submitted in pursuance of Standing Order 8 (3). Public Questions (2) To answer any questions from the public submitted under Standing Order 9 in accordance with the Procedure Note. Minutes: (1) Standing
Order 8 – Questions The Mayor reported that no urgent questions had been
submitted under Standing Order 8 (3). (2) Public
Questions Further to the new scheme for public questions at full
Council meetings, the questions that had been accepted had been circulated to
Members in advance. Each question was received as set out below, and the Mayor
invited a response to each in turn: (1) Peter
Crerar – Manor Park Ward – Council Tax Rise - In 2023, Keir Starmer
said: “If there was a Labour government, you could take that council tax rise
you just got and rip it up...” “Yes, you heard it right, not a penny more on
your council tax” The Labour government has allowed councils to raise council
tax by up to 5% without a local referendum for the 2025-2026 financial year,
including Rushmoor. Does the Leader of the Council believe that Keir Starmer was
making empty promises and is the leader of the council happy for the residents
of Rushmoor to rip up their council tax bills as Keir Starmer suggested? Cllr Gaynor Austin, Portfolio Holder for Finance and
Resources advised that Council tax was important for providing the essential
services on which residents rely, and although Rushmoor was responsible for
collecting the Council Tax, the Council only kept around 12% of it. The context of the quote from 2023 was about how a windfall
tax on energy firms would have been used in that year to support people through
cost-of-living pressures and not a commitment to scrap council tax
forever. This was not a policy that was
implemented by the government at that time. Local council taxation increased as
a response to austerity. In the latest announcement for local council funding, there
was a longer-term funding commitment from government. However, Rushmoor Borough
Council had only been allowed a 3% increase in its rate (not 5%) and would be
limited to this again in 2026. The 5% increase was applicable to County
Councils – 3% + 2% specifically for Adult Social Services. Rushmoor Borough
Council’s allowable Council Tax increase for the 2025/26 financial year was 2%
without referendum. (2) Vince
Bramley – Rowhill Ward - Location of Howitzer - Could the Council update
on plans for the Howitzer that was outside Aldershot train station roundabout.
It was donated by the army many years ago but removed for much-needed
restoration. I was informed last year that a possible new position was the roundabout
by Burger King. But funds are not
available, and HCC would have to take over the works as it would be on the
highway. May I suggest that a fitting and visible location for it would be next
to the WW2 memorial beside the Princes Hall steps – where is the Howitzer and
how much longer will it be missing? Cllr Julie Hall, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Skills and Growth advised that the Council finished refurbishment of the Howitzer earlier this year and it was currently stored at one ... view the full minutes text for item 30. |
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NOTICES OF MOTION (1)
Champion Roles To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Nadia Martin pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1): “This council notes that Cabinet Champion roles exist to support and promote key areas of importance to the Borough, and that these roles should operate in a way that best serves residents across the community. This council further notes that the current arrangements for appointing Cabinet Champions are set out in the Constitution, and that these arrangements place the responsibility for appointments with the Leader of the Council. Council recognises that there is a desire among members for these roles to operate on a non-party-political basis, with transparent and cross-party appointment processes. This council will therefore: (1) Commit to the principle that Cabinet Champion roles should be non-executive, non-political positions, open to all councillors, with appointments made by Full Council or the appropriate committee rather than by the Leader, and that the Constitution should be amended to reflect this. (2) Request that the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee urgently prepare the necessary constitutional amendments, including role descriptions and accountability arrangements, and bring these proposals to the next available meeting of Full Council. (3) Enable Full Council to vote on the revised arrangements for Cabinet Champion roles at the earliest opportunity.” (2)
Flags To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Craig Card pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1): “Within Rushmoor the national flag is currently being used for a political purpose, not for national pride. This borough is the home of the British Army, and many who have risked their lives to defend the very values the flag represents are being let down by this misuse. Some have even made the ultimate sacrifice. Many residents are distressed that the flags are being used in a manner that betrays what the flag stand for. Therefore, this Council will recommend to Hampshire County Council to take action to remove the flags from the public highways as soon as possible. This would be a sign of respect for those who defend our country.” (3)
Unattached Land To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Steve Harden pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1): “This Council resolves to write to the local Member of Parliament and to the Chancellor to raise concerns regarding the management and maintenance of unattached land, and to request appropriate support and guidance. This Council also resolves that the Policy and Project Advisory Board be requested to consider, and report to Cabinet on:
Minutes: Further to Standing Order 6(2)(a) the Mayor
used his discretion to change the order in which the Notices of Motion would be
considered as follows, 4(2) Flags, 4(1) Cabinet Champions and 4(3) Unattached
Land. (1) Flags With the consent of the Council under Standing Order 14(9),
Cllr Craig Card presented an altered Notice of Motion on the topic of flags, as
set out below: “Within Rushmoor the Union flag is currently being used for
a political purpose, that is not consistent with nationally understood values
associated with the Union Flag. This borough is the home of the British Army,
the very values the flag represents are here in our borough of Rushmoor. Many
residents are distressed that the Union Flag is being used in a manner which
betrays these values. Therefore, this Council will recommend to Hampshire County
Council to take action to remove the Union Flags from the public highways as
soon as possible. This would be a sign of respect to all those who have and
currently serve in uniform.” In PROPOSING the Motion Cllr Craig Card advised that he had
spoken to residents who had expressed their shame about how the flags were
being displayed at “half-mast” on lampposts across the borough. He respected
people’s wishes to display the flags but felt it would be more appropriate for
individuals to fly flags on their own properties to show their patriotism and
pride. In SECONDING the Motion, Cllr Leola Card stated the importance of
speaking up on behalf of residents and raising the concerns of those who didn’t
want or were unable to themselves. During debate, it was confirmed that the Council had
previously written to Hampshire County Council (HCC) regarding the flags and
that HCC had advised that they would remain in place unless they were blocking
any road signs. Therefore, it was felt that writing again would not have the
desired effect of the Motion. Members discussed national pride in the flag and
the reasons behind why they had been put up across the borough. Some challenged
if those involved with putting up the flags had been asked why they had done
so, and suggested it was unfair to assume intentions. Others asked for respect
to be given to the flag by flying it appropriately, with permission, at full
mast and to those that chose not to fly it. It was suggested that the impact of
the flag is lost when displayed constantly and it was important to achieve a
balance between pride and national symbolism. The point was made that the flag
should be used to bring the nation together, not to divide it and it was
important that it not be used to stoke division within the community. Residents
should be working together to nurture cohesion with the support of their
council. In addition, it was noted than many events were held in the Borough at which the flag was raised officially, and members of the public were encouraged to attend these events to ... view the full minutes text for item 31. |
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QUESTIONS FOR THE CABINET To receive any questions by Members to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with the Procedure Note. Minutes: (1)
Cllr Leola Card had submitted a question for
response by the Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder,
(Cllr Christine Guinness) on the maintenance of the green space to the
demolished Leisure Centre in Farnborough. Cllr Guinness advised that £12,000 had been spent on maintenance
in this area in 2025/26. Works had included improvements to the skate park,
tree maintenance, grass cutting, clearing of the shrub beds and removal of
graffiti. It was noted that the Council also responds to fly-tips and reports
of trolleys found in the pond. (2)
Cllr Steve Harden had submitted a question for
response by the Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder,
(Cllr Christine Guinness) on play parks in Fernhill Ward. Cllr Guinness advised that there was no budget in place for
play parks. However, the Council were in the process of bidding for funding
from a £18 million Government grant aimed at addressing significant
inequalities in children’s access to play, particularly in deprived areas. It was noted that there were three play parks in Fernhill:
If the bidding process is successful and funding secured,
further discussions would be had on where the money could be invested. (3)
Cllr Sarah Spall had submitted a question for
response by the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder, (Cllr Keith Dibble) on
the My North Town project. Cllr Dibble advised that, he was very pleased to report that
the final phase of the project was very near to completion with the last
fourteen new shared ownership homes soon to be ready for occupation. It was
noted that for many years, North Town had an underserved reputation, due to the
perception of the run-down Denmark Square and Pegasus Avenue estate. The
original estate, which was built in the 1950’s, had been a magnet for mould and
damp, three-bedroom flats on the top floor without gardens, long dark
corridors, and a lack of security. Therefore, in 2009, First Wessex, with the support of the
Council and ward councillors, agreed a programme to demolish the existing
estate and replace it with quality homes with gardens and open spaces. The then
North Town councillors, Sue Dibble, Frank Rust, and Cllr Keith Dibble, had only
given their support to the housing association if they put “people before
bricks and mortar”, and he was pleased to confirm they had delivered on this
pledge. The new development, which has changed the landscape of
North Town, now offered 406 homes to rent, 83 for outright ownership, 182 in
shared ownership, and a new fit for purpose North Town Community Base. (4) Cllr Jules Crossley had submitted a question for response by the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder, (Cllr Keith ... view the full minutes text for item 32. |
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REPORTS OF CABINET AND COMMITTEES To receive and ask questions on the Reports of the following Meetings (copy reports attached):
Minutes: RESOLVED: that the Reports of the following meetings be received:
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REPORTS OF OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE AND POLICY AND PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD To note the Reports of the following meetings (copy reports attached):
Minutes: RESOLVED: that the Reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 23rd October and the Policy and Project Advisory Board meeting held on 18th November, 2025 be noted. |