To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 22nd February, 2018 (copy Minutes attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr Barbara Hurst; SECONDED by Cllr M.J. Tennant and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 22nd February, 2018 be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

(1)          The Mayor spoke of the sudden death of former Councillor Andy Straker who had passed away on 17th March, 2018, aged 51.  He had become a councillor in 1994 and had represented the North Town Ward alongside Cllrs Keith and Sue Dibble until 2003.  He had been the Labour Group Leader from 1996 to 2003 and had been the Council Leader during the Municipal Year 1999/2000.   Andy Straker’s poignant and well attended funeral had been held at the Park Crematorium in Aldershot on 17th April, 2018.  

(2)          The Mayor reported that she had held her Bollywood Charity Ball at Princes Hall on 9th March, 2018.  She thanked all Members who had supported the event which had been held in aid of her charities.

(3)          The Mayor advised Members that she had attended the unveiling of a Victoria Cross Memorial Stone at the Municipal Gardens in Aldershot on 25th March.  The Memorial Stone had been donated by the Government Department for Communities in memory of the only resident of Aldershot to have been awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One – Alfred Maurice Toye.  The date of the unveiling had coincided with the anniversary date that Alfred Maurice Toye had committed the act of bravery which had resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross.

(4)          The Mayor thanked everyone who had baked cakes, helped at and attended her Easter Afternoon Tea event which had been held at the Council Offices on 6th April, 2018.   The event had raised just under £650 for her charities.

(5)          The Mayor reported that, on 1st April, 2018, she had attended the RAF Centenary Parade at the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum which had featured several Squadrons of the Air Training Corps.

(6)          The Mayor reported that her Charity Fundraising Committee was organising a Charity Walk at the Rowhill Nature Reserve on 13th May, 2018 from 2 pm.   There would be a guided walk to be led by the Rowhill Manager.

(7)          The Mayor referred to the fact that the meeting was the last full Council meeting before the Borough Council Elections on 3rd May, 2018 and that there were three Members who were not seeking re-election:  Cllrs Les Taylor, Jeremy Preece and Adam Jackman. 

Cllr Taylor had served on the Council for six years, having been elected in 2012 to represent the residents of Cherrywood Ward.  Cllr Preece had served the residents of Wellington Ward since his election in 2014.  Cllr Jackman had served on the Council for twelve years following his election in 2006 to represent the residents of Knellwood Ward.

The Mayor thanked Cllrs Taylor, Preece and Jackman for their work representing the residents of their Wards and the people of Rushmoor and wished them well for the future.

The Mayor wished all those Members who were standing for election well in their endeavours.

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 Cllr A.H. Crawford, pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“This Council undertakes to use all means at its disposal, including working with partner organisations, to tackle the crisis of obesity that is afflicting many residents of the borough, including children and young people."

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 P.F. Rust – That

“This Council undertakes to use all means at its disposal, including working with partner organisations, to tackle the crisis of obesity that is afflicting many residents of the Borough, including children and young people.”

Speaking in support of his Motion, Cllr Crawford referred to the increasing toll taken by obesity on the NHS, with more people being admitted to hospital with heart conditions, gallstones problems or needing hip and knee replacements related to their weight.    NHS data showed an 18% increase in admissions over the previous year for obesity treatment – usually stomach-reducing surgery – or conditions caused or complicated by obesity, such as heart disease or pregnancy.   Cllr Crawford also quoted recent press coverage given to the fact that obesity increased the risk of developing and dying from bowel cancer by 1.5 times, with the association being stronger for men than women.  

A further cause for concern was that couples who were obese could be risking the health of their future children, according to experts who were calling for far more awareness of the effects of modern lifestyles on babies in the womb.  Cllr Crawford also referred to the fact that most studies suggested that eating lots of fibre reduced the risk of obesity, but that may be partly because people who were a healthy weight tended to have a high-fibre diet.

Cllr Crawford spoke of the work of the Leisure and Youth Panel in 2017 when it had examined the issue of the healthy weight of children and said that the Council needed to do more work in this area.    He referred to his on-going survey on small playgrounds in Farnborough and Aldershot that had received 353 responses so far.  The risk of obesity was one of the main factors that concerned respondents, 96% of whom wanted the Council to maintain the nineteen small playgrounds that the Leisure and Youth Panel had heard were approaching the end of their life.

Cllr Crawford was of the opinion that the Council needed to make a more extensive commitment in providing a lead on what was a serious obesity crisis, including for the Borough’s children and young people – and not least by investing and sustaining the small playgrounds where young children could enjoy exercise. 

During discussion, reference was made to the Council’s on-going work with partners in tackling obesity, which had been identified as a key priority area.  The view was expressed that the Motion gave the impression that obesity was being neglected and therefore it was MOVED by Cllr Barbara Hurst; SECONDED by Cllr Sue Carter that the Motion be amended as follows:

“Recognising the valuable work already being carried out with a wide range of partners, this Council re-affirms obesity as a key health priority and also its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

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

(1)          Changes to the Budget – Capital Investment

The Leader of the Council (Cllr D.E. Clifford) introduced the Report of the Cabinet which recommended the approval of a variation of £10 million to the 2018/19 Capital Programme and an increase in the operational boundary and the authorised limit for external debt accordingly.  It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor – That approval be given to a variation of £10 million to the 2018/19 Capital Programme and an increase in the limits for external debt accordingly, as set out in the Report.

There voted FOR: 31; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)          Review of the Governance Structure

The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cllr A. Jackman) reported that the Committee had considered various changes to the decision making structure, the main one being the replacement of the existing policy and review panels by one Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a Policy and Project Advisory Board.  The Report also set out a number of consequential changes to documents within the Constitution. 

It was MOVED by Cllr A. Jackman; SECONDED by Cllr. M.D. Smith – That

(i)           the proposed changes to the decision making structure set out in the Report be endorsed;

(ii)          the changes to the Constitution set out in Appendix 2 (incorporating Annexes 1-6) be approved; and

(iii)         the Chief Executive and the Head of Democratic and Customer Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and the Chairman of the Committee, be authorised to make any further consequential changes to the Constitution resulting from these proposals, the Leader’s decision on portfolio responsibilities and the outcome of the internal review of the structure of the organisation.

During discussion, Cllr Jennifer Evans spoke of her reservations regarding the democratic accountability of the proposals.  It was MOVED by Cllr Jennifer Evans; SECONDED by Cllr A.H. Crawford - That the proposals should be referred back to the Licensing and General Purposes Committee for further discussion.  

Following debate, the Motion was put to the Meeting.  There voted FOR: 11; AGAINST: 21 and the Motion to refer back to the Licensing and General Purposes Committee was DECLARED LOST.

Following further debate, it was MOVED by Cllr Keith Dibble and SECONDED by Cllr J.J. Preece that - Recommendation 8.1 (iii) be amended to include the Opposition Group Leader in the list of people to be consulted in making any further consequential changes to the Constitution arising from the proposals,   the Leader’s decision on portfolio responsibilities and the outcome of the internal review of the structure of the organisation. 

Following debate on the proposed Amendment, there voted FOR: 11; AGAINST: 23 and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

The Council then voted on the original Recommendations.   There voted FOR: 23; AGAINST: 11 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

NOTE:  In accordance with Standing Order 29, the proposed amendments to the ‘Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business’ (Annex 4, Appendix 2)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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

The Mayor reported that four questions had been submitted for response by the Cabinet.

(1)          Cllr D.S. Gladstone asked a question of the Leisure and Youth Portfolio Holder regarding the closure of children’s playgrounds in the Borough.

In response, Cllr M.L. Sheehan stated that none was scheduled to be closed.

(2)          Cllr J. Canty asked a question of the Concessions and Community Support Portfolio Holder regarding standing against anti-Semitism and all other forms of racism.

In response, Cllr G.B. Lyon stated that, in many ways the Council was already complying with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism and he committed to adding the endorsement of the recommendations of the Board of Deputies of British Jews’ Manifesto for Local Government to the Cabinet work programme for consideration in the future.

(3)          Cllr A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Concessions and Community Support Portfolio Holder regarding the current date for the full roll out of Universal Credit in the Borough.

In response, Cllr G.B. Lyon stated that 18th October, 2018 was the current date for full roll out of Universal Credit in the Borough.

(4)          Cllr M.S. Choudhary asked a question of the Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder regarding the services provided by Serco and whether service delivery specifications were being met.

In response, Cllr M.J. Tennant stated that, despite some initial teething problems, there had been some improvements in performance in services following the commencement of the new contract.  He referred to work carried out by Serco to analyse service delivery and that the vast majority of customers were very happy.   Performance had been very good and this had been backed up by the results of independent research.

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Reports (copies attached at Annexes 3 - 7) of the following Policy and Review Panels for the 2017/18 Municipal Year:

(1)             Borough Services

(2)             Community

(3)             Corporate Services

(4)             Environment

(5)             Leisure and Youth

A procedure note for asking questions has been circulated to Members.

(1)          Borough Services Policy and Review Panel –

The Chairman of the Borough Services Policy and Review Panel, Cllr A.R. Newell, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2017/18.

Cllr Jennifer Evans asked a question of the Chairman regarding anti-social behaviour in Aldershot Town Centre.  In response, Cllr Newell stated that the question would perhaps be better asked of the Portfolio Holder.  However, he understood that ten Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued since September and other repeat offenders had had criminal offender behaviour orders issued against them.   He said that there had been 100% compliance with the surrender of alcohol on request and that there had been a fall in the number of anti-social behaviour reports. 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Borough Services Policy and Review Panel be noted.

(2)          Community Policy and Review Panel –

The Chairman of the Community Policy and Review Panel, Cllr M.D. Smith, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2017/18.

Cllr A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman regarding Accent Housing and leaseholders in Station Road, Aldershot who faced substantial outstanding charges on which they had not been consulted and the poor communications with the finance department which was based in Shipley, Yorkshire.   In response, Cllr Smith said that some of the issues had been raised at the January Registered Providers meeting and that they were being addressed.   He understood that officers, where appropriate, had offered advice and assistance to Ward Councillors to help residents in reporting complaints to Accent and to access the escalation procedure.

Cllr Crawford raised a supplementary question regarding what Registered Providers could do to assist leaseholders.  Cllr Smith undertook to provide a written reply to the supplementary question.

Cr. Crawford asked a second question of the Chairman regarding voluntary drivers for Neighbourcare, who had received parking penalty charge notices, debt collection letters and threats of court action arising from providing transport for frail and vulnerable patients to Aldershot Centre for Health who now felt that they could not provide such voluntary care under these circumstances.   In response, Cllr Smith stated that this issue would be raised at future discussions with NHS Property Services regarding parking at the Health Centre.

Cllr Crawford raised a supplementary question regarding what the Council would be doing on this issue.   In response, Cllr Smith undertook to arrange for a response to be provided when the actions agreed by the Environment Policy and Review Panel had been followed up.

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Community Policy and Review Panel be noted.

(3)          Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel –

Cllr Jacqui Vosper presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2017/18. 

RESOLVED:    That the Annual Report of the Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel be noted.

(4)          Environment Policy and Review Panel –

The Chairman of the Environment Policy and Review Panel, Cllr D.S. Gladstone presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2017/18.

Cllr A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

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

Cabinet –                                                                              6th March, 2018

Committees –

Development Management                                               28th March, 2018

Licensing and General Purposes                                     9th April, 2018

(1)      Cabinet

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 6th March, 2018 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 28th March, 2018 be received.

(3)      Licensing and General Purposes Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr A. Jackman; SECONDED by Cllr M.D. Smith and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee held on 9th April, 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: