Council - Thursday, 21st April, 2016 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 25th February, 2016 (copy Minutes attached).

It was MOVED by Cr. P.J. Moyle; SECONDED by Cr. K.H. Muschamp and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 25th February, 2016 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)      The Mayor spoke of the sad and sudden death of Councillor Ron Hughes who had passed away at his home on 9th April, 2016.  Ron had been elected to Rushmoor Borough Council in May, 2010 to serve the residents of Manor Park Ward.  He had been a Cabinet Member since 2014, holding the Health and Housing Portfolio.   Cr. Hughes had previously served as Chairman of the Community Policy and Review Panel and Vice-Chairman of the Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel. 

Cr. Hughes had been a well-known, well respected and popular representative of his Ward and would be greatly missed at the Council.

The Leader of the Council also spoke in tribute to Cr. Ron Hughes.

(2)      The Mayor thanked all Members who had supported his Charity Jazz  Ball, which had been held at Princes Hall on 4th March, 2016.

(3)      The Mayor reported that, on 12th March, 2016, the Council had granted Freedom of the Borough to 10 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.  Around 150 soldiers from the Regiment had marched through Aldershot, led by the Brigade of Gurkhas Band and their Regimental Pipes and Drums.  The Mayor had had the privilege of inspecting the troops before formally presenting the Freedom Scroll to the Regiment.  The Mayor expressed his pride at the important event for the Borough and the people of Aldershot.

(4)      The Mayor reported that, on 8th April, 2016 he had attended the funeral of Past Mayoress, Mrs. Sheila Frost, at St. Peter’s Church in Farnborough.

(5)      The Mayor advised Members that he had been honoured to have been invited by the President of the Army Boxing Association to attend the Inter-Service Boxing Championship Finals at the Combat Centre in Aldershot on 13th April, 2016.

(6)      The Mayor reported that, on 18th April, 2016, a 2¾ miles charity walk around Southwood and Cove had been held, taking in the three churches within the Parish of Cove, which had been led by Mrs. Jo Gosney.  It had been an interesting and informative walk, which had been followed by cream tea at Southwood Community Centre, which had been prepared by members of Southwood Church.  The walk had been very well supported and £280 had bee raised for the Mayor’s Charities. 

(7)      The Mayor reported that this was the last Council meeting before the local elections on 5th May, 2016 and that two Members would not be seeking re-election.  Firstly, Cr. Alan Ferrier and, secondly, Cr. David Welch. 

Cr. A.M. Ferrier

Cr. Ferrier had been a Member for Fernhill Ward since 1983.  Cr. Ferrier had served on the Cabinet as the Corporate Services portfolio holder from 2001 to 2007.  Over his time on the Council, Cr. Ferrier had served on most of the Council’s committees and panels across the various decision making structures.   In 1990 to 1991 and 2008 to 2009, Cr. Ferrier had had the honour of serving as Mayor of the Borough. 

In addition to being Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Cr. Ferrier had also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The Council to put on record its warmest congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen to mark the occasion of her 90th Birthday. Her Majesty has been a continuous source of strength, leadership and inspiration to this country and across the world. The Council will pay tribute to her service and looks forward to Her Majesty’s continued service in the years to come.

The Council will be asked to give three cheers.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her 90th Birthday that day.  Her Majesty had been a continuous source of strength, leadership and inspiration to the country and across the world. 

The Mayor advised Members that he would be sending a letter to Her Majesty The Queen to express the Council’s and Borough’s congratulations and to pay tribute to her service to Great Britain and the Commonwealth.   Members stood to give three cheers for Her Majesty The Queen.

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 Cr. Mike Roberts pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“This Council supports the stand taken by all groups at the LGA over the academisation of all schools sought by Government as being neither relevant nor appropriate to the education, community involvement and educational outcomes for students at primary or secondary level in Hampshire and in Rushmoor, and represents a manifest interference in the running of said schools."

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

“This Council supports the stand taken by all groups at the LGA over the academisation of all schools sought by Government as being neither relevant nor appropriate to the education, community involvement and educational outcomes for students at primary or secondary level in Hampshire and in Rushmoor and represents a manifest interference in the running of said schools."

Speaking in support of his Motion, Cr. Roberts referred to the White Paper which set out the Government’s proposals to convert all state-funded schools in England to academy status by 2022, following the announcement which had been made by the Chancellor in his Budget statement.   Academies were state-funded, non-fee-paying schools which were independent of local authorities.  They operated in accordance with their funding agreements with the Secretary of State.   The White Paper proposed that local authorities would no longer maintain schools.   Cr. Roberts was of the opinion that the proposals were fundamentally flawed and should be withdrawn.

During discussion, Members spoke of the success of the current education system and felt that it should be left alone as there appeared to be no evidence to support academisation and that the current proposals were ill-thought out.  The view was also expressed that the Government’s proposals provided an exciting opportunity for schools to develop to respond to local job markets, to ensure that pupils received appropriate guidance, to provide a good link with universities and to prepare children well for the future ahead of them. 

During the debate, it was MOVED by Cr. K.H. Muschamp and SECONDED by Cr. D.E. Clifford that the Motion be referred to the Leisure and Youth Policy and Review Panel for an in-depth investigation of all aspects of the Government’s proposals.

Cr. Roberts, with the consent of the Council, accepted the proposal for reference to the Panel.   

Following further debate, the Motion was then put to the Meeting.  There voted FOR: 34; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion for reference to the Leisure and Youth Policy and Review Panel was DECLARED CARRIED.

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

To receive a report from the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (copy attached – Annex 1), which sets out revised Officer Employment Procedure Rules for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution. The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cr. A.M. Ferrier) will introduce this item.

The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cr. A.M. Ferrier) introduced the Report of the Committee meeting held on 21st March, 2016 which recommended that approval should be given to the revised Officer Employment Procedure Rules for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution. 

It was MOVED by Cr. A.M. Ferrier; SECONDED by Cr. S.J. Masterson – that approval be given to the Pay Policy Statement 2016/17. 

There voted FOR: 24; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

To receive a report from the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (copy attached – Annex 2), which recommends the amalgamation of the Licensing and General Purposes and the Standards and Audit Committees to take effect from start of the 2016/17 Municipal Year, and that the necessary consequential changes to the Constitution be made. The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cr. A.M. Ferrier) will introduce this item.

The Chairman of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (Cr. A.M. Ferrier) introduced the Report of the Committee meeting held on 21st March, 2016 which recommended that approval should be given to the amalgamation of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee and the Standards and Audit Committee.

It was MOVED by Cr. A.M. Ferrier; SECONDED by Cr. J.H. Marsh – that approval be given to the amalgamation of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee and the Standards and Audit Committee and the Head of Democratic and Customer Services, in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council, be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Constitution. 

There voted FOR: 32; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

NOTE:  Recommendation (ii) of the Committee’s Report for the amendment of Standing Order 4 (1) to remove reference to the Standards and Audit Committee, and the deletion of Standing Order 4 (2), stood adjourned without discussion to the Annual Council Meeting on 24th May, 2016.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 3), which recommends that approval be given to the Strategy for the Fixed Use of Capital Receipts 2016/17. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Cr. P.G. Taylor) will introduce this item.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Cr. P.G. Taylor) introduced the Report of the Cabinet on 29th March, 2016 which recommended that approval be given to the Strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts 2016/17. 

It was MOVED by Cr. P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cr. P.J. Moyle – that approval be given to the Strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts 2016/17.

There voted FOR: 30; 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 two questions had been submitted for Cabinet Members.

The first question had been submitted by Cr. M.J. Roberts for the Cabinet Member for Environment and related to the Housing and Planning Bill, which Cr. Roberts felt failed to respond to real issues, was bi-partisan in outcomes and should be withdrawn.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Environment (Cr. R.L.G. Dibbs) state that the provisions of the Housing and Planning Bill were extensive and complex and were still being debated and discussed at length by both Houses of Parliament.  Many proposals and counter-proposals had been discussed and it was true that, if enacted, some of the provisions would have significant implications on services provided by the Council.  The Government had issued a number of technical consultation documents containing options on how certain provisions might be implemented.  The Council would continue to keep a careful watch on the passage of the Housing and Planning Bill.

The second question had been submitted by Cr. A.H. Crawford for the Leader of the Council and related to the issue of devolution.

In response, the Leader of the Council (Cr. P.J. Moyle) stated that the journey towards the potential creation of a Combined Authority across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had not been an easy one.  The Treasury had negotiated an ‘in principle’ deal with the Solent Authorities that was not currently supported by Hampshire, which was reluctant to see the County split and preferred a Hampshire-wide solution.   Government Ministers were understood to be keen to encourage Hampshire to join a proposed Solent Combined Authority and were continuing to pursue this line.  In the meantime, no formal announcement had been made by the Government, although this was believed to be likely in the near future.

Against this background and mindful of the significant financial resource links associated with not being part of a Combined Authority, Cr. Moyle advised Members that the remaining Hampshire Councils (Winchester, New Forest, Test Valley, Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor) together with Enterprise M3 were working together on developing a potential North Hampshire and New Forest Combined Authority option. 

Work was progressing well, albeit that issues and details to be addressed, including governance options and the controversial issue of a directly elected mayor. 

The Council had delegated authority to the Leader and the Chief Executive to take part in the discussions and the development of options.  Members would be kept informed and a seminar for Members would be organised in the near future to be followed by a debate at full Council.

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Reports (copies attached at Annexes 4-8) of the following Policy and Review Panels for the 2015/16 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, Cr. Barbara Hurst, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

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, Cr. M.D. Smith, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

Cr. A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman regarding the evidence and incidence of street homelessness in the Borough.  In response, Cr. Smith stated that the number of street homeless in Aldershot town centre had increased over the previous year.  This reflected the position in neighbouring authorities and national trends – a reported increase of 30% in street homeless. 

Local evidence was that, during March 2016, 31 people had at some point spent some time on the streets, of which it was believed that currently twelve people were consistently street homeless in Aldershot town centre.  However, the Police had reported that the numbers on the street at night were substantially less than that.  Most of the people had a local connection to Rushmoor.

The Council was working with relevant agencies, such as The Vine, the Police and Inclusion (a drug and alcohol service) to help the people involved to secure appropriate accommodation.  Despite this, a number continued not to engage with Rushmoor’s officers and some that had engaged had not been able to sustain their accommodation.  The Council was continuing to monitor the situation and was exploring all options to ensure that the number of street homeless was reduced as soon as possible.  The Panel would be keeping the situation under review.

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

(3)      Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel –

The Chairman of the Corporate Services Policy and Review Panel, Cr. Jacqui Vosper, presented the Annual Report of the Panel for 2015/16.

Cr. A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Chairman regarding the Council’s website.    In response, Cr. Vosper stated that, as part of the Panel’s review of the web service, the Panel had been informed that customer feedback was monitored regularly by using the results of the “Did you find what you were looking for?” form that appeared on content pages.  The performance over time was available in the Council’s Corporate Plan and was usually around the 80% positive rate.  Where people did not find what they were looking for, the Council looked to make improvements.

Cr. Vosper also advised that the Council also was assessed externally by the Society of IT Managers.  The latest assessment had given the Council the highest score of four stars and recommended the Council’s planning section to other councils as a service that was easy to use.

In response to changing trends, further improvements had been made to the website design so that it worked well on mobile phones and tablets. 

RESOLVED:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

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

Cabinet –                                                                 1st March, 2016

                                                                                29th March, 2016

Committees –

Development Management                                        2nd March, 2016

Standards and Audit                                                  14th March, 2016

Licensing and General Purposes                                21st March, 2016
Development Management                                        30th March, 2016

(1)      Cabinet –

It was MOVED by Cr. P.J. Moyle; SECONDED by Cr. K.H. Muschamp and

RESOLVED: That the Report of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 1st March, 2016 (Para. Nos. 287 - 296) be received.

(2)      Cabinet –

It was MOVED by Cr. P.J. Moyle; SECONDED by Cr. K.H. Muschamp and

RESOLVED: That the Report of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 29th, March, 2016 (Para. Nos. 297 – 304) be received.

(3)      Development Management Committee –

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

RESOLVED: That the Report of the Meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 2nd March, 2016 (Para. Nos. 305 – 311) be received.

(4)      Standards and Audit Committee –

It was MOVED by Cr. J.H. Marsh; SECONDED by Cr. A.M. Ferrier and

RESOLVED: That the Report of the Meeting of the Standards and Audit Committee held on 14th March, 2016 (Para. Nos. 312 - 315) be received.

(5)      Licensing and General Purposes Committee –

It was MOVED by Cr. A.M. Ferrier; SECONDED by Cr. S.J. Masterson and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Licensing and Geneal Purposes Committee held on 21st March, 2016 (Para. Nos. 316 – 323) be received.

(6)      Development Management Committee –

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

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the Meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 30th March, 2016 (Para. Nos. 324 – 330).

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

Corporate Services                                                    31st March, 2016

Leisure and Youth                                                     4th April, 2016

Environment                                                             5th April, 2016

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