Council - Thursday, 19th March, 2026 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 26th February, 2026 (copy attached).

With the support of the Mayor and the Managing Director, some minor amendments had been requested by the Conservative Group which related to the minuting of the 8 Amendments to the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Under Amendment 1 (page 6), it was agreed to update the wording from ‘concern was expressed’ to ‘some of those opposing expressed concern about..’ and that this change would be applied to the minuting of each amendment up to Amendment 8.  

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

RESOLVED: That, subject to the amendment as set out above, the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 26th February, 2026 (copies having been circulated previously), be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

Since the last Council Meeting, the Mayor had attended an event for International Women’s Day on 7th March, and the North Hampshire Armed Forces Covenant Conference at the Princes Hall, Aldershot on 10th March.

Earlier in the day, the Council had hosted a countdown event to mark 100 days until the National Armed Forces Day event in June. At the event, the Mayor awarded Caroline and Michael (Mick) Mills with a Mayor’s Award for Community Service for their exceptional contribution to the local community in Rushmoor over more than twenty years. This included their leadership in scouting and work with the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association and wider support to veterans and their families.

(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.

(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 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)  Sean – Wellington Ward - Armed Forces Champion - Rushmoor is the home of the British Army and previously had an Armed Forces Champion. Can the Council explain why this role is currently vacant, how long it has been unfilled, and whether the Council will commit to appointing a new Armed Forces Champion?

Cllr Sophie Porter, Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities and Active Lives advised that, the Armed Forces Champion was Cllr Nadia Martin, and later in the meeting, during item 7.3, the Council would debate changes to the role to become a Council appointed role for two years.

During the period that the champion post was vacant, Cllr Porter had fulfilled the role as part of her Cabinet portfolio responsibility for Community. During this time the Council had submitted an application for the Gold Employment Recognition Scheme, hosted the first Armed Forces Covenant Conference and won the bid to host the National Armed Forces Day (NAFD). The NAFD event would bring together the whole community to thank our Armed Forces for protecting us as a country and community. Earlier that day (19 March) the Council and its partners came together to celebrate the 100-day countdown until the event in June 2026.

In addition, the Council had also looked at the housing policies for the Armed Forces community, strengthened ties with local Cadet units and connected with many associated organisations. The Armed Forces community were very important to the current administration, and they would continue to develop close ties with the community, ensuring they do not face disadvantage. The strategic priorities for the Armed Forces Covenant Champion would be set by this Council.

(2)  Mr Bailey – Empress Ward – Unauthorised and Illegal Attachments – HCC has allowed unauthorised and illegal attachments to street lighting throughout Rushmoor for the past seven months. Does RBC accept that these have undermined community cohesion, are divisive by design, politically provocative and been accompanied by abuse, intimidation and threats of violence and thereby undermine its core values of social cohesion, diversity, equality and inclusion?

Cllr Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council advised that, as was recorded in his reply to Cllr Crawford’s question from the last meeting in February, it was understood how the display of flags, without consultation within the communities where they have been installed, had left some residents feeling intimidated and less safe. Given the intimidatory behaviour of some who have attended this council meeting, who have identified themselves in part as responsible for the flags, the Leader could certainly empathise with those feelings.

On the other hand, not everyone who supported the displays  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Jules Crossley pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1):

“This Council notes that Basingstoke and Deane Council agreed to recognise the rights of the River Loddon, which the Blackwater is a tributary of, in May 2025, and committed to developing a ‘Declaration on the Rights of the River’ by Spring 2026.

The Council recognises that environmental laws and regulations have failed to protect the quality of our rivers and further protections are needed.

This Council will:

1)    Consult with Basingstoke and Deane, Hart Council and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of mutual support in the implementation of the Rights of Rivers.

2)    Write to the Environment Agency to express the Council’s concerns about the poor ecological and chemical health of the Blackwater and Cove Brook, requesting that the EA explain how they have been, and how they plan to further protect and enhance our local rivers.

3) Ensure that within the scope of existing law and agreed policy, officers and the development control process shall, where they are able, take account of the Rights of Rivers within individual planning decisions, including consideration of the imposition of planning conditions to have no adverse impact on the health, water quality or ecological integrity of the Blackwater River and Cove Brook.”

The Council were asked to consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr Jules Crossley under Standing Order 10 (1) on Rights of Rivers as set out below:

“This Council notes that Basingstoke and Deane Council agreed to recognise the rights of the River Loddon, which the Blackwater is a tributary of, in May 2025, and committed to developing a ‘Declaration on the Rights of the River’ by Spring 2026.

The Council recognises that environmental laws and regulations have failed to protect the quality of our rivers and further protections are needed.

This Council will:

1)    Consult with Basingstoke and Deane, Hart Council and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of mutual support in the implementation of the Rights of Rivers.

2)    Write to the Environment Agency to express the Council’s concerns about the poor ecological and chemical health of the Blackwater and Cove Brook, requesting that the EA explain how they have been, and how they plan to further protect and enhance our local rivers.

3)    Ensure that within the scope of existing law and agreed policy, officers and the development control process shall, where they are able, take account of the Rights of Rivers within individual planning decisions, including consideration of the imposition of planning conditions to have no adverse impact on the health, water quality or ecological integrity of the Blackwater River and Cove Brook.”

In PROPOSING the Motion, Cllr Crossley spoke of the poor ecological health of the Borough’s rivers and detailed the threats which contributed to this, including urban run-off from industrial sites and roads. By working with partners to protect the bodies of water in the Borough, solutions could be found to improve their health. In SECONDING, Cllr Crawford stressed that the cost of inaction was no longer acceptable and their declining health showed that the rivers were struggling to cope with the demands put on them.

During debate, some Members expressed concern regarding the legal interpretation and implications of the detail in the Motion. In response, it was emphasised that the Motion was not a legal move, but a statement of intent on an operational level to protect the rivers from polluters and pollutants and to improve the water that flowed through the Borough. The Motion was intended as a call to action to collaborate and cooperate to protect the waterways.

The Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 24; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAIN: 5; and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee (copy attached – Annex 1) which recommends the approval of an extension to the term of office of Mr Matt Smith as the Council’s Designated Independent Person, for the period from July 2026 to the end of April 2028. Cllr Jacqui Vosper, Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, will introduce this item.

Cllr Jacqui Vosper introduced the Report of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee on 15th January 2026, which recommended an extension to the terms of office for the Council’s Designated Independent Person, Mr Matt Smith, up to the end of April 2028.

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vosper; SECONDED by Cllr Sarah Spall – That approval be given to the extension to the term of office of Mr Matt Smith as the Council’s Designated Independent Person (DIP), for the period from July 2026 to end of April 2028. 

There voted FOR: 24; AGAINST: 2; ABSTAINED: 3; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Community Engagement Task and Finish Group (copy attached – Annex 2), which provides details of the activities delivered to understand and address community concerns following a Council motion in 2024, and setting out plans to support cohesion and integration activity. Cllr Sophie Porter, Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities and Active Lives, will introduce this item.

Cllr Sophie Porter introduced the Report on the work of the Community Engagement Task and Finish Group established following a Council Motion in 2024 to understand an address community concerns following protests and instances of social unrest.

In PROPOSING the Report, Cllr Porter advised of the Group’s intention to be open and transparent and work together in a respectful way for the whole community. By embedding improved integration and cohesion into business as usual, the newly appointed Community Cohesion Officer, alongside the Belong Network, could continue the work started. In SECONDING the Report, Cllr Koohestani endorsed the strong foundation established as a result of the work of the Group and welcomed the inclusion of cohesion and improved integration into the Council’s priorities.

During debate many welcomed the approach to embed improving cohesion and integration into business as usual for the Council, however, some expressed the view that the work of the Group needed greater visibility and hadn’t gone far enough to address the concerns for some residents.

It was MOVED by Cllr Sophie Porter; SECONDED by Cllr Halleh Koohestani – That:

• the achievements and effective cross party working of the Task and Finish Group, be noted;
• confirmation be given that the work of the Task and Finish Group was now concluded and that improving cohesion and integration was now embedded in business as usual within service planning and day to day operations; and,
• updates will continue to be received on cohesion activity through regular all Member Briefings and written updates.

There voted FOR: 25; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 3; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr G.B. Lyon pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1):

“This Council notes:

The incredible historical and cultural importance of Farnborough and Aldershot and the pride which local residents take in that history.

The role which public art and community projects can play in expressing, preserving and deepening that pride.

The relative lack of these in our Borough.

The lack of dedicated existing funds for developing more of these.

This Council therefore resolves to:

Request a relevant cross-party group of councillors to consider proposals for establishing, administering and promoting a public fund which residents and businesses could contribute, or subscribe to, dedicated to public art and community projects related to our local heritage and history.”

The Council were asked to consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr G.B. Lyon under Standing Order 10 (1) on Public Art and Community Projects as set out below:

“This Council notes:

The incredible historical and cultural importance of Farnborough and Aldershot and the pride which local residents take in that history.

The role which public art and community projects can play in expressing, preserving and deepening that pride.

The relative lack of these in our Borough.

The lack of dedicated existing funds for developing more of these.

This Council therefore resolves to:

Request a relevant cross-party group of councillors to consider proposals for establishing, administering and promoting a public fund which residents and businesses could contribute, or subscribe to, dedicated to public art and community projects related to our local heritage and history.”

In PROPSING the Motion, Cllr Lyon expressed the importance of recognising the Borough’s rich heritage and historic past and by doing so, it helped unify residents in a shared pride for their area. It was proposed that the Council could do more to support and enable the provision of public art and projects linked to the area’s local history. In SECONDING the Motion, Cllr Harden reported that some residents had expressed an interest in a public fund dedicated to public art and community projects into which residents and businesses could make financial contributions to make their areas better.

During debate, the Leader emphasised the work already being undertaken to enhance pride and recognise the Borough’s rich heritage through events such as the National Armed Forces Day and the installation of the beacon in Manor Park. It was also noted that the Arts Council England had shown their support for arts and culture in the area. Reference was made to the success of the poppies and ribbons public art community project in Rowhill and that pride in community should come from the bottom up, starting at a ward/community level. There were some concerns about a top-down approach and the additional resources of setting up and administering a public fund with the timing of Local Government Reorganisation.   

The Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 10; AGAINST: 15; ABSTAINED: 4; and the Motion was DECLARED LOST. 

At its meeting on 5th March 2026, the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee considered the nominations for Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2026/27. The Council is recommended to approve that:

(i)            Cllr P.J. Cullum be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2026/27; and

(ii)          Cllr Akmal Gani be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2026/27, subject to re-election to the Council in May 2026.

The Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee (Cllr Jacqui Vosper) reported that the Committee had considered the nomination for the Mayor-Elect for 2026/27 and the Deputy Mayor-Elect, at its meeting on 5th March, 2026. The Committee had agreed to recommend that:

(i)            Cllr P.J. Cullum be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2026/27; and

(ii)          Cllr Akmal Gani be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2026/27, subject to re-election to the Council in May 2026.

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vopser; SECONDED by Cllr Sarah Spall – That the Recommendations of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee be approved in respect of both the Mayor-Elect and Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2026/27 be noted.

There voted FOR: 28; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 0; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED unanimously.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and Committees in relation to the following items:

To receive a Report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 3) which seeks approval for the Executive Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer) to be authorised to put in place a Capital Budget up to £27.5 million for the Leisure Centre project as set out in the Report. Cllr Sophie Porter, Healthy Communities and Active Lives Portfolio Holder, will introduce this item.

Cllr Sophie Porter introduced the Report of the Cabinet held on 3rd March 2026, which set out a request for the Council to delegate authority to allow a capital budget to enable the Leisure Centre project. 

During debate, the view was expressed that the location of the new facility restricted any opportunity for expansion in the future but recognised that a leisure facility was needed in the town.

It was MOVED by Cllr Sophie Porter; SECONDED by Cllr A.H. Crawford – That the Council delegate authority to the Executive Head of Finance (S151 Officer) to put in place a Capital Budget up to £27.5m for the project to be funded by external funding (Levelling Up Programme), S106 finds and borrowing as set out in section 4.2 of Report No. REG2601.

There voted FOR: 19; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 9; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a Report from the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee (copy attached at Annex 4) which recommends that approval be given to the Pay Policy Statement 2026/27. Cllr Jacqui Vosper, Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, will introduce this item.

Cllr Jacqui Vosper introduced the Report of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee held on 5th March 2026, which set out the Council’s Pay Policy Statement, gender pay gap and ethnicity pay gap and the positive improvements in these two areas.

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vosper; SECONDED by Cllr Sarah Spall – That:

• the Council be recommended to agree the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix A; and,
• the gender pay gap and ethnicity pay gap calculations for 2025 be noted.

There voted FOR: 28; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 1; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee (copy attached – Annex 5) which recommends updates to the Council’s Constitution for new arrangements for Champion roles. Cllr Jacqui Vosper, Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, will introduce this item.

Cllr Jacqui Vosper introduced the Report of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee held on 5th March 2026, which set out updates to the Constitution for new arrangements for Champion roles.

In PROPOSING the Report, Cllr Vosper advised that the new proposal for Council Champions would be non-executive and non-political and reflected the views of the Constitution Working Group and the Committee. In SECONDING, Cllr Spall acknowledged the great work already undertaken by the current Champions.

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vosper; SECONDED by Cllr Sarah Spall – That the Council be recommended to approve the updates to the Constitution as described in paragraph 2.1 to 2.5 of the Report, including the guidance note as attached at Appendix 2.

There voted FOR: 28; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 1; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee (copy attached – Annex 6) in respect of designations of the Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer. Cllr Jacqui Vosper, Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, will introduce this item.

Cllr Jacqui Vosper introduced the Report of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee held on 18th March 2026, in respect of designations of the Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer.

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vosper; SECONDED by Cllr Sarah Spall – That:

• Ian Harrison, Interim Managing Director, continue to be designated as the Council’s Head of Paid Service until 31st August, 2026. The role would include the statutory responsibilities of the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer; and,
• the post of Executive Head of Governance and Law be designated as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

There voted FOR: 27; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 2; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report containing the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, which recently undertook a review of the Members Allowances Scheme (copy attached - Annex 7)

The Leader of the Council (Cllr Gareth Williams) introduced the Report by the Independent Remuneration Panel which had undertaken a review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme, involving a fundamental examination of each element of the Scheme.  The new Scheme proposed in the Report reflected the Panel’s view in the light of information provided, representations made by Members, and benchmarking data from other authorities. 

It was MOVED by Cllr Gareth Williams and SECONDED by Cllr Bill O’Donovan that the Council adopt the proposals set out in the Independent Remuneration Panel’s Eighth Report. 

Following debate, the Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel were put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 21; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 7; and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

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

(1)  Cllr Steve Harden submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Christine Guinness), on data relating to fly tipping. In the absence of Cllr Guinness, The Leader of the Council (Cllr Gareth Williams) responded to the question.

In response, Cllr Gareth Williams advised that, where there was strong evidence to identify an individual who had fly tipped, the Council would seek appropriate enforcement action via Fixed Penalty Notice or Prosecution. The Council would also, in the vast majority of cases, require that they clear up the waste if it had not already been removed.

Where there was insufficient evidence, but the Council strongly suspected an individual of fly tipping, the individual would be asked to remove the waste.  

It was also noted that the data requested was not tracked and to go through the data to find a numeric answer to the question was a significant manual task.

Cllr Harden asked a supplementary question regarding enforcement action to be taken against those identified of having carried out fly tipping.

In response to the supplementary question, it was advised that any data held would be shared and the Leader would ask Cllr Guinness to follow up.

(2)  Cllr Akmal Gani submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services (Cllr Christine Guinness), on data relating to fly tipping. In the absence of Cllr Guinness, The Leader of the Council (Cllr Gareth Williams) responded to the question.

In response Cllr Gareth Williams advised that, a bid had been submitted to the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner seeking funding to enhance the Council’s current static CCTV provision, to include additional cameras that had mobile capability. If successful, this resource would become a Borough asset and available for deployment in any ward, including Fernhill. This Borough wide bid had been in development for some time and was put on hold whilst the impact of a single ward bid had been explored. 

If the bid was successful, the mobile cameras would be solely managed by Officers and could be deployed to both evidenced antisocial behaviour and fly-tip hotspots.  Deployment would be based on Council identified problem areas and police reported crime, in consultation with relevant partners.

Rules with regard to use of public space CCTV must be considered and justifiable in terms of collateral intrusion and this was governed by the Biometrics and Surveillance Commissioner and the Information Commissioners Office. These regulations necessitated Officers to invest time and knowledge to ensure compliance with current guidelines including the need to undertake and complete Privacy Impact Assessments and other documentation completed prior to any deployment.

It was advised that the Borough wide bid had been the preferred option to allow for deployment in all areas and not just with a focus on one ward.

(3)  Cllr G.B. Lyon submitted a question for response by the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities and Active Lives (Cllr Sophie Porter), on costs and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (copy attached – Annex 8) for the 2025/26 Municipal Year. A procedure note for asking questions has been circulated to Members.

The 2025/26 Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Halleh Koohestani, presented the Annual Report of the Committee 2025/26.

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 Report of the following meeting (copy report attached):

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24th February 2026, be noted.

The Mayor placed on record the Council’s thanks to Cllrs M.D. Smith and Jacqui Vosper who would be retiring from the Council in May 2026, between them, Mike and Jacqui had served over 50 years on the Council. The Mayor expressed the Council’s gratitude for their service and wished them both well for the future.

The Mayor also wished all those standing for election the best of luck.