Council - Thursday, 22nd February, 2018 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 7th December, 2017 and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 30th January, 2018 (copy Minutes attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr Barbara Hurst; SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 7th December, 2017 and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 30th January, 2018 be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

(1)          The Mayor spoke with sadness regarding the death of Honorary Alderman Geoff Woolger on 31st December, 2017.   Geoff Woolger had served as a councillor consistently for over 35 years, having first been elected to Farnborough Urban District Council in the mid 1960s.  When local government was reorganised in the mid 1970s, he was elected to the newly created Rushmoor Borough Council where he had remained continuously as a councillor through to his retirement in 2000.

His loyal and distinguished service had subsequently been recognised by the Council in 2001 when he had been made an Honorary Alderman.

Throughout his long and distinguished career in local government, Geoff Woolger had carried out an extensive range of roles and responsibilities.  He had taken a particular interest in recreation and sporting facilities and had chaired the Borough’s Recreation and Amenities Committee for many years.

He had had a seat on all the Council’s main committees and had chaired the Council’s then most senior committee - the Policy and Resources Committee - for eight years.   

Geoff Woolger had also served one term as a Hampshire County Councillor.  He had also represented Rushmoor on over 40 internal and external bodies over his time on the Council. 

Geoff Woolger would be long remembered, having left a lasting legacy through his contribution to community life and the well-being of the Borough.  

(2)          The Mayor reported that Mark Staplehurst has resigned as a councillor on 8th January, 2018.  The Mayor paid tribute to Mr Staplehurst’s time on the Council and his service to the residents of the Borough.  

Mr Staplehurst had joined the Council in 2007 when he had been elected to serve the residents of West Heath Ward and had served on most of the Council’s Policy and Review Panels as well as the Licensing and General Purposes Committee.

(3)          The Mayor thanked all those who had baked cakes and supported her Christmas Afternoon Tea event on 8th December, 2017 and reported that this event had raised just under £800 for her charities. 

(4)          The Mayor reported that a Quiz Night had been held on 26th January, 2018 in aid of her charities and this event had raised £420.  The Mayor expressed her gratitude to her Chaplain who had been the quizmaster for the event and to all who had taken part.

(5)               The Mayor reported that her Bollywood Charity Ball would be held on 9th March, 2018 at Princes Hall.  

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

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

To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cr. A.H. Crawford pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“In view of the high incidence of complaints about the unfairness of parking charge notices issued by private operators in the borough, we call on this Council to investigate their activities and procedures and to report back on which are legitimate and which are not.”

The Council was asked to consider a Motion which had been submitted by Cllr A.H. Crawford in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1).  It was MOVED by Cllr A.H. Crawford; SECONDED by Cllr M.D. Smith – That

“In view of the high incidence of complaints about the unfairness of parking charge notices issued by private operators in the Borough, we call on this Council to investigate their activities and procedures and to report back on which are legitimate and which are not.”

Speaking in support of his Motion, Cllr Crawford explained that this issue had come to the fore after the sale of the garage block sites at Tices Meadow when residents first started receiving penalty charge notices from private parking operators for parking on the former garage block sites.  This issue seemed to be repeated across the Borough on housing estates as sales of former garage block sites had occurred.   As a result, Cllr Crawford had launched an on-line survey and he reported that he had so far received 260 responses containing many hundreds of descriptions of unfairness, abuse and bullying of Borough residents by private parking operators.  Some of these responses had also related to the Aldershot Centre for Health where patients were being caught out because of the way the system for parking had been designed.  The system was based on CCTV which captured number plates before entering the car park and then as exiting at the junction with Hospital Hill.  No allowance was made for the time taken to find a parking space, park and get a ticket on the way in, or for the time taken to exit onto Hospital Hill. 

Cllr Crawford also gave an example of the unfair situation faced by one blue badge holder resident on Tices Meadow where the private parking company had placed parking spaces across the access to off-road parking on his property and referred to the stress and inconvenience this had caused. 

Cllr Crawford called for Members to support the Motion so that an appropriate policy and review panel could assess the activities and procedures of the private parking operators.

In seconding the Motion, Cllr Smith asked for Members to support the Motion so that the activities of the private parking operators could be investigated by the Council. 

During debate, Members referred to way in which the former garage blocks had been sold off by First Wessex Housing Association.  Reference was also made to a Private Member’s Bill which aimed to regularise private parking and enforcement bodies.  The suggestion was made that there should be better communication to patients using the Aldershot Centre for Health car park on  how the system operated and the ability to top-up fees paid for parking.  

Following further discussion, the Motion was put to the Meeting.  There voted FOR:  34; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

At its meeting on 29th January, 2018, the Licensing and General Purposes Committee considered the nominations for the Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2018/19 and made the following recommendations:

(i)              That Cr. Stephen John Masterson be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2018/19; and

(ii)             That Cr. Sue Carter be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cllr A. Jackman) reported that the Committee had considered the nominations for the Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2018/19 at its meeting on 29th January, 2018. Having regard to the criteria adopted by the Council, the Committee had agreed to recommend that:

(i)        Cllr Stephen John Masterson be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2018/19; and

(ii)        Cllr Sue Carter be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

It was MOVED by Cllr A. Jackman; SECONDED by Cllr J.E. Woolley – That the Recommendations of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee be approved in respect of the Mayor-Elect and Deputy Mayor-Elect.  

There voted FOR: 33; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

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

(1)         Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, Council Tax Level and Council Tax Support Scheme 2018/19

The Leader of the Council (Cr. D. E. Clifford) introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 6th February, 2018, which recommended the approval of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax Level 2018/19.  It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor – That approval be given to the recommendations set out in the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme budget booklet 2018/19 in respect of the following:

(i)        the General Fund Revenue Budget Summary;

(ii)       the detailed General Fund Revenue Budget;

(iii)      the additional items for inclusion in the budget;

(iv)      the Council Tax Requirement of £6,147,509 for this Council;

(v)       the Council Tax level for Rushmoor Borough Council’s purposes of £198.49 for a Band D property in 2018/19;

(vi)      the Capital Programme;

(vii)    the Strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts;

(viii)   the Head of Financial Services’ report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act, 2003; and

(ix)      the holding of reserves and use of the Service Improvement Fund, as previously detailed in Report No. FIN1808.

Following debate, the Motion was put to the meeting.  On a Recorded Vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Mrs. D.B. Bedford, D.M.T. Bell, J.B. Canty, Sue Carter, M.S. Choudhary, D.E. Clifford, R.M. Cooper, Liz Corps, P.I.C. Crerar, R.L.G. Dibbs, D.S. Gladstone, Barbara Hurst, A. Jackman, G.B. Lyon, J.H. Marsh, Marina Munro, K.H. Muschamp, A.R. Newell, M.L. Sheehan, M.D. Smith, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, B.A. Thomas, Jacqui Vosper and J.E. Woolley (25); AGAINST: Cllrs A.H. Crawford,  Keith Dibble, Sue Dibble, Jennifer Evans, C.P. Grattan, B. Jones, J.J. Preece, M.J. Roberts, P.F. Rust  and L.A. Taylor (10); and ABSTAINED: The Deputy Mayor (Cllr S.J. Masterson) and the Mayor (Cllr Sophia Choudhary) (2) and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)         Annual Treasury Management Strategy 2018/19 and Prudential Indicators for Capital Finance

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services (Cllr P.G. Taylor) introduced the Report of the Cabinet Meeting held on 6th February, 2018, which recommended the approval of the Annual Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Borrowing Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy, Prudential Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement.

It was MOVED by Cllr P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr D.E. Clifford – That approval be given to the Annual Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Borrowing Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2018/19 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement.

There voted FOR: 33; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED. 

(3)         Rushmoor Borough Council Plan 2018/19

The Leader of the Council (Cllr D.E. Clifford) introduced the Report of the Cabinet Meeting held on 6th February, 2018, which recommended the approval of the Council Plan 2018/19, which built on the four Council priorities and the key actions which had been identified by the Cabinet.

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp – That approval be given to the adoption of the Council Plan 2018/19.

There voted FOR: 23; AGAINST:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To fix the level of Council Tax for the financial year 2018/19 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).

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

(i)            it be noted that the Council calculated the amount of £30,971.38 as its Council Tax Base for the year 2018/19 in accordance with Section 31B(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended by the Localism Act 2011 (the ‘Act’).

(ii)          the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2018/19 in accordance with Sections 31 and Sections 34 to 36 of the Act:

(a)      £78,181,984       being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act

(b)       £72,034,475      being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c)        £6,147,509        being the amount by which the aggregate at (ii)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (ii)(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year.

(d)      £198.49              being the amount at (ii)(c) above, all divided by the amount at (i) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

being the amounts given by multiplying the amount at (ii)(d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands;

(iii)       it be noted that for the year 2018/19 Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority have stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:

(iv)         That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at (ii)(e) and (iii) above, the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2018/19 for each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

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

The Mayor reported that one question had been submitted for response by the Cabinet.

Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford asked a question of the Health and Housing Portfolio Holder regarding rough sleepers in the light of the recent decision not to open a night shelter in Aldershot during the winter. 

In response, Cllr Hurst stated that The Vine was an important and valued partner in the Council’s work with rough sleepers and referred to the help and assistance that had been offered which had been provided at a lower cost than that of the provision of a night shelter the previous year.  Cllr Hurst also  referred to work undertaken to move rough sleepers into appropriate, independent accommodation.  Cllr Hurst said that in Rushmoor no one ever needed to sleep outdoors as help was available which was provided through the strong partnership working in the Borough that made this possible.    

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 K.H. Muschamp and

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the Meetings of the Cabinet held on 12th December, 2017 and 9th January and 6th February, 2018 be received.

(2)         Licensing and General Purposes Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr A. Jackman; SECONDED by Cllr J.E. Woolley and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee held on 27th November, 2017 be received.

(3)         Development Management Committee

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

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 6th December, 2017 be received.

(4)         Licensing and General Purposes Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr A. Jackman; SECONDED by Cllr J. Woolley and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee held on 29th January, 2018 be received.

(5)         Development Management Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr J.H. Marsh; SECONDED by Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 31st January, 2018 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: