Annual Council Meeting, Council - Tuesday, 26th May, 2026 7.00 pm - Agenda

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Farnborough

Contact: Corporate Manager - Democracy  Email: jill.shuttleworth@rushmoor.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

ELECTION OF THE MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH

Cllr Steve Harden will move and Cllr Bill O’Donovan will second:

 

“That Councillor PETER JAMES CULLUM be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2027.”

 

On his election, the Mayor will make his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

The Mayor will address the meeting and will signify the appointment of Mrs Ann Cullum as the Mayoress.

 

2.

VOTE OF THANKS

To record the Council’s appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Councillor Calum Stewart as Mayor and Mrs Shani Stewart as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2025/26. An illuminated scroll shall be presented, together with a Past Mayor’s Badge, to Councillor Stewart and a Past Mayoress’ Badge to Mrs Shani Stewart.

 

3.

ELECTION OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR

To elect a Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2027.

 

On their election, the Deputy Mayor will make their Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

4.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 204 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 19th March 2026 (copy Minutes herewith).

5.

RETURNING OFFICER'S REPORT pdf icon PDF 210 KB

To receive the Returning Officer’s Report of the names of the persons elected as Borough Councillors at the Elections held on 7th May 2026 (copy attached).

6.

MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS

7.

APPOINTMENT OF THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

To consider the nominations and appoint the Leader of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2027. Cllr Gareth Williams has been nominated by the Labour Group.

 

8.

APPOINTMENTS 2026/27

(1)          To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader and the following councillors as Cabinet Portfolio Holders for the Municipal Year 2026/27, as made by the Leader of the Council:

 

Cllr Sophie Porter

Deputy Leader and Healthy Communities & Active Lives

Cllr Gaynor Austin

Finance and Resources

Cllr Keith Dibble

Housing, Planning & Property

Cllr Christine Guinness

Pride in Place / Neighbourhood Services

Cllr Julie Hall

Economy, Skills and Regeneration

 

(2)          To consider and approve the Appointments to Committees for the Municipal Year 2026/27 as follows in accordance with the allocations to achieve political balance indicated:

 

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

 

Voting Members:

           

Labour: 4

Conservative: 3

Reform: 2

Others: 1

Ind. 1

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Thomas Day

Cllr Peter Cullum

Cllr Kevin Betsworth

Cllr Calum Stewart

Cllr Becky Williams

Cllr Dhan Sarki

Cllr Mara Makunura

Cllr Dave Bell

 

 

Cllr Nicky Slater

Cllr Steve Masterson

 

 

 

Cllr Ivan Whitmee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing Deputies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour:

Conservative:

Reform:

Others:

 

Cllr Sarah Spall

Cllr Jib Belbase

Cllr Sharon Harvey

Cllr Craig Card

 

Cllr Alex Crawford

Cllr Rob Matthews

Cllr Leola Card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: The Cabinet Member with responsibility for planning matters is to be an ex officio non-voting member of the Development Management Committee.

 

 

AUDIT AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

Voting Members

 

Labour: 5

Conservative: 3

Reform: 1

Others: 2

 

 

 

 

Cllr Alex Crawford

Cllr Peter Cullum

Cllr Ian Simpson

Cllr Craig Card

Cllr Thomas Day

Cllr Paul Taylor

 

Cllr Thomas Mitchell

Cllr Bill O’Donovan

Cllr Martin Tennant

 

 

Cllr Dhan Sarki

 

 

Cllr Sarah Spall

 

 

 

 

Standing Deputies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour:

Conservative:

Reform:

Others:

Cllr Nicky Slater

Cllr Sue Carter

Cllr Sharon Harvey

Cllr Leola Card

Cllr Ivan Whitmee

 

Cllr Kevin Betsworth

Cllr Calum Stewart

 

 

 

LICENSING AND COPORATE BUSINESS COMMITTEE

 

Voting Members

 

Labour: 5

Conservative: 3

Reform: 2

Others: 1

 

 

 

 

Cllr Alex Crawford

Cllr Sue Carter

Cllr Dave Bell

Cllr Craig Card

Cllr Lisa Greenway

Cllr Peter Cullum

Cllr Kevin Betsworth

 

Cllr Rhian Jones

Cllr Steve Masteron

 

 

Cllr Bill O’Donovan

 

 

Cllr Sarah Spall

 

 

 

 

Standing Deputies:

 

 

 

(not licensing hearings)

 

 

 

 

Labour:

Conservative:

Reform:

Others:

Cllr Uttar Gurung

Cllr Paul Taylor

Cllr Sally McGuinness

Cllr Leola Card

Cllr Mike Roberts

 

Cllr Ian Simpson

Cllr Calum Stewart

 

 

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITEE

 

Voting Members

           

Labour: 5

Conservative: 3

Reform: 2

Others: 1

 

 

 

 

Cllr Uttar Gurung

Cllr Ade Adeola

Cllr Sally McGuinness

Cllr Halleh Koohestani

Cllr Bill O’Donovan

Cllr Steve Harden

Cllr Kevin Betsworth

 

Cllr Mike Roberts

Cllr Gareth Lyon

 

 

Cllr Nicky Slater

 

 

Cllr Sarah Spall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing Deputies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour:

Conservative:

Reform:

Others:

Cllr Alex Crawford

Cllr Mara Makunura

Cllr Sharon Harvey

Cllr Craig Card

Cllr Lisa Greenway

Cllr Martin Tennant

Cllr Rob Matthews

Cllr Leola Card

                                                           

 

 

POLICY AND PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

 

Voting Members

           

Labour: 5

Conservative: 2

Reform: 2

Others: 2

 

 

 

 

Cllr Thomas Day

Cllr Ade Adeola

Cllr Sharon Harvey

Cllr Leola Card

Cllr Lisa Greenway

Cllr Jib Belbase

Cllr Rob Matthews

Cllr Calum Stewart

Cllr Uttar Gurung

 

 

 

Cllr Rhian Jones

 

 

Cllr Mike Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing Deputies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour:

Conservative:

Reform:

Others:

Cllr Dhan Sarki

Cllr Mara Makunura

Cllr Dave Bell

Cllr Craig Card

Cllr Ivan Whitmee

Cllr Steve Masterson

Cllr Kevin Betsworth

Cllr Halleh Koohestani

                                                           

 

(3)             To  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.