Council - Thursday, 4th October, 2018 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 26th July, 2018 (copy Minutes attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp; SECONDED by Cllr M.J. Tennant and

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 26th July, 2018 (having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record, subject to amendments to the attendance list.

(1)       The Mayor welcomed several members of staff who attended the meeting to receive their long service awards.  There were sixteen officers in total receiving awards marking 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, with eight of those officers attending the meeting.  The Mayor thanked the staff for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the Council and Borough as a whole.  The Mayor then presented the officers with their long service awards.

(2)       The Mayor reported that he had unveiled the new road name of “Sir Hugh Trenchard Way” on 16th August for the southern access road.

(3)       The Mayor advised Members that Merchant Navy Day had been marked at the Council Offices on 3rd September with a short service and the hoisting of the red ensign.  The event had been attended by representatives from the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy and Royal British Legion and Members.

(4)       The Mayor informed Members that he had attended the annual Rushmoor in Bloom awards on 10th September at Princes Hall, which was now in its 32nd year.  Over 200 gardening enthusiasts had attended the presentation event where there were thirteen categories of awards presented and four special awards.  The Mayor congratulated all of the winners.  The Mayor thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending the presentation of the awards for the Rushmoor in Bloom schools competition on 13th September at Squires Garden Centre. 

(5)       The Mayor advised that the annual charity golf tournament had been held on 14th September at Southwood Golf Course, supported by eleven teams.  The Mayor estimated that over £1,500 had been raised for his charities at the event.

(6)       The Mayor informed Members that invitations would be sent out shortly for a “Hampshire at War” event which was being held on the evening of 6th November at the Council Offices.  The event would include a presentation on the impact of the aftermath of the First World War in Rushmoor.

(7)       The Mayor advised Members that Rushmoor would be joining the nation in a tribute to 100 years of remembrance on 11th November.  Members would be invited to a beacon lighting event in front of the Wellington Statue in Aldershot which would include a short service of poetry and remembrance of the fallen from the Borough during the First World War.

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

The Mayor reported that one urgent question had been submitted under Standing Order 8(3).

A question had been submitted by Cllr T.D. Bridgeman related to the closure of Southwood Golf Course following the liquidation of the operator Mack Trading.  An update was requested on the rental income situation, whether there were any outstanding financial claims against the operator and what the situation was for current users of the community facilities and the future use of the building.

In response, the Operational Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.L. Sheehan) stated that, following the liquidation of Mack Trading, the Council was trying to make contact with the liquidators to ensure the Council’s asset was secured.  Once contact had been made with the liquidators and further information was available, an update would be circulated to Members.

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

“Farnborough, as a “Growth Town”, is currently among the best 100 performing localities in the UK whose continued success is fundamental to the economic growth of the whole Enterprise M3 LEP area. However as a “Step-Up Town”, Aldershot faces significant challenges, including the urgent requirement for regeneration of the town centre. This Council therefore requests that the Enterprise M3 LEP recognizes the need to address the gap in performance between the two towns by designating Rushmoor as a “Growth Borough” so that the whole locality can benefit from the investment required to achieve the best performance”.

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), which stated that

“Farnborough, as a “Growth Town”, is currently among the best 100 performing localities in the UK whose continued success is fundamental to the economic growth of the whole Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area.  However as a “Step-Up Town”, Aldershot faced significant challenges, including the urgent requirement for regeneration of the town centre.  This Council therefore requests that the Enterprise M3 LEP recognises the need to address the gap in performance between the two towns by designating Rushmoor as a “Growth Borough” so that the whole locality can benefit from the investment required to achieve the best performance.”

Speaking on his Motion, Cllr Crawford advised that the Enterprise M3 LEP had just published its Strategic Economic Plan 2018-2030 which stated that the Growth and Step-Up Town status would be maintained.  However, the LEP would extend their focus to sustainable growth corridors.  As the Enterprise M3 LEP would include both Farnborough and Aldershot together as part of the sustainable growth corridor Cllr Crawford stated that he was withdrawing the Motion.

To consider the recommendation of the Cabinet in relation to the following item:

Establishing the Rushmoor Development Partnership (RDP)

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 1), which recommends the creation of the Rushmoor Development Partnership Limited Liability Partnership. The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Property (Cllr M.J. Tennant) will introduce this item.

Establishing the Rushmoor Development Partnership

Cllr M.J. Tennant introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 18th September, 2018 on the arrangements for establishing the Rushmoor Development Partnership.

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant and SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp – That approval be given to the recommendations to finalise the arrangements for the establishment of the Rushmoor Development Partnership, as set out in the Cabinet Report and as follows:

(i)        Proceed with the creation of the Rushmoor Development Partnership Limited Liability Partnership and to authorise the Legal Services Manager/Corporate Legal Manager to enter into the following documents to enable and support the operation of the partnership:

·      LLP Members Agreement

·      Power of Attorney

·      Loan Note deed(s)

·      LLP security agreement (Debenture)

·      Loan Note Exchange Agreement

(ii)       Confirm that the Council’s nominations to the Rushmoor Development Partnership Board and Investment Team are as follows:

Partnership Board

·      Leader of the Council

·      Major Projects & Property Portfolio Holder

·      Executive Director

Investment Team

·      Executive Head of Regeneration and Property

·      Regeneration Delivery Manager

·      Project Accountant, Financial Services

(iii)      Appoint the Chief Executive to act as the Council’s authorised representative as Shareholder.

(iv)      Approve the governance and reporting arrangements as set out in paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 of the report.

Following debate the Recommendations were put to the meeting.  There voted FOR: 25; AGAINST: 1 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 response by the Cabinet.

(1)       Cllr M.J. Roberts asked a question of the Operational Services Portfolio Holder about the Paris Agreement and protecting residents from the effects of traffic pollution.

In response, Cllr M.L. Sheehan advised that the Council complied with requirements in UK law relating to emissions.  An annual report was published annually setting out the Council’s measures of air quality and objectives were being met.  However, the Council would continue to work with Hampshire County Council and Highways England on improving air quality and emissions.

(2)       Cllr M.J. Tennant asked a question of the Operational Services Portfolio Holder about the closure of Southwood Golf Course.

In response, Cllr M.L. Sheehan advised that an email had been circulated to all Council Members from the Chief Executive stating that, following the liquidation of the operator Mack Trading, the Council had tried to contact the liquidators to secure the Council’s asset.  The Legal Services Manager had been asked to obtain specialist legal advice on the options and Members would be notified once further information was available.

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

(1)       Cabinet

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

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the Meetings of the Cabinet held on 24th July, 21st August and 18th September, 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 Reports of the Meetings of the Development Management Committee held on 18th July, 2018 and 15th August, 2018 be received.

(3)       Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee

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

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the Meetings of the Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee held on 30th July, 2018 be received.

To note the Reports of the following meetings (copy reports attached):

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the undermentioned meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Policy and Project Advisory Board be received: