Council - Thursday, 27th July, 2017 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 22nd June, 2017 (copy Minutes attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd June, 2017 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

(1)          On behalf of the Council, the Mayor congratulated Cllr David Clifford and Ms Liz Stovell on their marriage earlier that week.  Cllr and Mrs Clifford were extended very best wishes for their future together.

(2)          The Mayor reported that she had attended the Aldershot Junior Schools’ Kwik Cricket Festival at the Aldershot Cricket Club on 23rd June.  This had been the 28th year that the Aldershot Cricket Club had organised the Kwik Cricket Festival which involved over 350 children taking part in a day of cricket matches between schools.

(3)               The Mayor reported that she had had the pleasure of hosting a reception for Sir Gerald Howarth on 20th July, 2017 to mark his retirement from the House of Commons, having been the Member of Parliament for the Aldershot Constituency for over 20 years.  The Mayor reported that Sir Gerald had been in touch following the event to say how touched he had been by the event and the gift from the Council and the attendance of so many guests from the different areas of his work as the Member of Parliament for the area.  He had been particularly moved by the appearance of the Aldershot Military Wives Choir who had sung for Sir Gerald and guests.

To receive any questions by Members submitted in pursuance of Standing Order 8 (3).

The Mayor reported that no questions had been submitted in pursuance of  Standing Order 8 (3).

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

"While thanking Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service (HFRS) for its recent partnership in monitoring fire safety in multi-storey residential blocks in Rushmoor, this Council resolves to ask:

·       Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority to ensure that HFRS is fully funded and resourced to keep the residents of Rushmoor safe, including having all necessary trained personnel, equipment and procedures in place so that fires at all levels of the tallest residential buildings can be tackled effectively;

·       all relevant partners to conduct an Emergency Planning Exercise as soon as practicable to test the response to a major fire in a multi-storey residential block."

The Council was asked to consider the following Motion, which had been submitted by Cllr J.J. Preece in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1).  It was MOVED by Cllr J.J. Preece; SECONDED by Cllr T.D. Bridgeman – That

“While thanking Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services (HFRS) for its recent partnership in monitoring fire safety in multi-storey residential blocks in Rushmoor, this Council resolves to ask:

·                Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority to ensure that HFRS is fully funded and resourced to keep the residents of Rushmoor safe, including having all the necessary trained personnel, equipment and procedures in place so that fires at all levels of the tallest residential building can be tackled effectively;

·                All relevant partners to conduct an Emergency Planning Exercise as soon as practicable to test the response to a major fire in a multi-storey residential block.”

In introducing the Motion, Cllr Preece stated that the Grenfell Tower fire had been the worst UK fire disaster since the Second World War.  At least 80 people had met a horrific death and he considered that this had been preventable.  Cllr Preece also felt that the subsequent response of Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council had angered many people.   He said that people in Rushmoor would want to know that such an event could not happen in Rushmoor and that, if it did, Rushmoor Borough Council would spring into action with a clearly defined disaster plan. 

Cllr Preece commented that it was reassuring to know that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service had conducted fire safety checks on the five multi-storey buildings in Rushmoor, including Alexander House and Stafford House.  Both buildings had passed fire safety checks although cladding at Stafford House and areas of external insulation at Alexander House needed to be sorted out and that follow-up work would be required. 

Cllr Preece stated that fire safety work was very complicated and that fire safety inspections were about saving lives and therefore required properly qualified fire personnel to carry them out.  Cllr Preece quoted Hampshire Chief Fire Officer, Dave Curry, who once said “sprinklers are a must for high rise buildings” and had also cited the deaths of two firefighters at Shirley Tower in Southampton in 2010 and a fire at Lakanal House in London in 2009 in which six people had died.  Cllr Preece felt it was imperative that new sprinkler systems should be inspected by qualified people. 

Cllr Preece spoke of the recent campaign to keep Rushmoor fire station operational 24 hours per day and was disappointed that further cuts were now being imposed on the fire station.   It was noted that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was proposing to cut the number of immediately available fire crew from twelve to ten.   Cllr Preece understood this to mean that only two fire engines would be available during the day and one at night.  The Fire Brigade Union was fighting this proposal and proposing alternative cuts.  Cllr Preece was disappointed that all fire services were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The Council is asked to confirm the appointment of Cllr. A.H. Crawford to the Licensing and General Purposes Committee, in place of Cllr Jennifer Evans for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.  

It was MOVED by Cllr L.A. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr Keith Dibble and

RESOLVED:  That Cllr A.H. Crawford be appointed to the Licensing and General Purposes Committee in place of Cllr Jennifer Evans for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.  

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and Licensing and General Purposes Committee in relation to the following items:

(1)          Treasury Management Operations for 2016/17 and revisions to the 2017/18 Indicators

The Corporate Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr P.G. Taylor) introduced the Report of the Cabinet which recommended the approval of:

(i)           The updated treasury management practices and schedules

(ii)          A variation to the Capital Programme of £15 million with delegation to the Cabinet to draw down for the purposes of investment property acquisition in 2017/18; and

(iii)         The updated 2017/18 prudential indicators contained in Appendix E of the Report.

It was MOVED by Cllr P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr D.E. Clifford – that approval be given to the recommendations. 

There voted FOR: 22; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)          Code of Corporate Governance

The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cllr A. Jackman) introduced the Report of the Committee on the updated Code of Corporate Governance 2016/17.

It was MOVED by Cllr A. Jackman; SECONDED by Cllr J. Woolley – that approval be given to the Code of Corporate Governance. 

There voted FOR:  25; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

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

The Mayor reported that no questions had been submitted for the Cabinet.

To receive and ask questions on the Reports of the following Meetings (copy reports attached):

(1)          Cabinet

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr G. Lyon and

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the Meetings of the Cabinet held on 13th and 27th June, 2017 be received.

(2)          Development Management Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr B.A. Thomas; SECONDED by Cllr J.H. Marsh and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 21st June, 2017 be received.

(3)          Licensing and General Purposes Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr J. Woolley; SECONDED by Cllr M.D. Smith and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee held on 26th June, 2017 be received.

To note the Reports of the following meetings of the Policy and Review Panels (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the undermentioned meetings of the Policy and Review Panels be received: