Council - Thursday, 11th April, 2019 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 21st February, 2019 (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 21st February 2019 (having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)          The Mayor advised Members that 4 Armoured Medical Regiment would be exercising its right to march through the Borough on 11th May 2019 when there would be a Farewell Parade through Aldershot town centre before the Regiment relocated to Tidworth in Wiltshire.  Invitations to join the Lord-Lieutenant and the Mayor to view the parade would be sent out in the near future. 

(2)          The Mayor advised Members that there would be a Parade by serving personnel, reservists, veterans and cadet forces through Aldershot town centre on 29th June 2019 to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

(3)          The Mayor reported that he had held his Charity Ball at Princes Hall on 8th March 2019.  He thanked Members and officers who had supported this event, which had been held in aid of his charities.   He was pleased to report that just under £3,000 had been raised on the night.

(4)          The Mayor thanked everyone who had baked cakes for, helped at, and attended his Easter Coffee Morning on 10th April 2019 in aid of his charities.

(5)          The Mayor stated that the meeting was the last Ordinary Meeting of the Council before the Borough Council Elections on 2nd May 2019.   There were five Members who were not seeking re-election:  Cllrs Sue Dibble, R.L.G. Dibbs, Barbara Hurst, B. Jones and G.B. Lyon.  The Mayor then paid tribute to each of the Councillors.

Cllr Sue Dibble had been on the Council for 24 years, having been elected in 1995 to serve the residents of Belle Vue Ward, which had later become North Town Ward.  Cllr Dibble had been a member of many committees and panels over the years, most notably the Development Management Committee, of which she had been Chairman in 1998/99 and 1999/2000.

Cllr Roland Dibbs had served on the Council for 25 years, having first been elected in 1987 to serve the residents of St. Mark’s Ward and then, from 1998, Knellwood Ward.   Cllr Dibbs had been a Member of the Cabinet for thirteen years as the Environment Portfolio Holder and then the Environment and Service Delivery Portfolio Holder.  Cllr Dibbs had been Deputy Leader of the Council from 2007/08 until 2013/14.  In addition, Cllr Dibbs had been Chairman of the Environment Panel, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, Chairman of the Highways Sub-Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Borough Services Panel.  Cllr Dibbs had also represented the Council on many outside bodies and was currently the County Councillor for the Farnborough South Division.

Cllr Barbara Hurst had been on the Council since 2010 when she had been first elected to serve the residents of St. John’s Ward.  Cllr Hurst was currently the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder and had been a member of the Cabinet since 2016, when she had taken over the Health and Housing Portfolio.   Cllr Hurst had also been Chairman of the Borough Services Panel and Vice-Chairman of the Corporate Services Panel and had represented the Council on many outside bodies.

Cllr Barry Jones had been elected in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

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 Liz Corps pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“This Council calls on, and will work closely with, Hampshire County Council to enhance the proposed scheme from the County for Lynchford Road, to focus on improving the quality of life for all North Camp residents, by incorporating measures to improve cycle paths, walking routes including pedestrian crossing, environmental conditions and residential parking across the North Camp area.”

The Council was asked to consider a Motion which had been submitted by Cllr Liz Corps in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1).  It was MOVED by Cllr Liz Corps; SECONDED by Cllr Diane Bedford – That

“This Council calls on, and will work closely with, Hampshire County Council to enhance the proposed scheme from the County for Lynchford Road, to focus on improving the quality of life for all North Camp residents, by incorporating measures to improve cycle paths, walking routes including pedestrian crossing, environmental conditions and residential parking across the North Camp area.”

Speaking in support of her Motion, Cllr Liz Corps stated that she welcomed the range of proposals from Hampshire County Council for improvements which would benefit residents, cyclists and improve footpaths in the Lynchford Road area of North Camp, giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists over road traffic.   

During the debate, general support was expressed for the proposals. 

The Motion was then put to the meeting.  There voted FOR: 24; AGAINST 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

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

(1)          Proposal for the establishment of a Council-owned housing company

Cllr D.E. Clifford introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 5th March, 2019, which recommended the approval of the establishment of a Council-owned housing company to deliver housing and meet the Council’s objectives for the housing company.

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp that approval be given to

(i)           the establishment of a Council-owned housing company to deliver housing and meet the Council’s objectives for the housing company, as set out in the Report;

(ii)          on incorporation of the company, the appointments set out in paragraph 3.19 of the Report to become the Council’s appointments as Directors of the Board of the housing company, with future appointments to be made by the Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee;

(iii)         the authorisation of the Shadow Board and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Council’s statutory officers, to establish the housing company and complete the relevant paperwork and documents, as required; and

(iv)         confirmation that, subject to availability, the company be incorporated as “Rushmoor Homes Limited”.

There voted FOR: 34; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)          Pay Policy Statement 2019/20

The Vice-Chairman of the Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee (Cllr Jacqui Vosper) introduced the Report of the Committee meeting held on 25th March, 2019, which recommended the approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20.

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vosper; SECONDED by Cllr Veronica Graham-Green that approval be given to the Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20.

There voted FOR: 32; 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 one question had been submitted for response by the Cabinet.

Cllr A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Operational Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.L. Sheehan) about the Council operating the car park at the Aldershot Centre for Health.

In response, Cllr Sheehan stated that the Council had entered into a three months’ management agreement with the Aldershot Centre for Health in August 2018 to assist in maintaining the Centre’s car park whilst a new operator was procured. The agreement had been extended twice due to delays the Centre for Health had encountered with this process.  Cllr Sheehan advised that the management agreement had recently expired and that the Council had removed the pay and display machines and signage. 

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (copy attached at Annex 3) for the 2018/19 Municipal Year. A procedure note for asking questions has been circulated to Members.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr M.D. Smith, presented the Annual Report of the Committee 2018/19.

Cllr J.B. Canty asked a question of the Chairman regarding holding Registered Providers to account.  In response, Cllr Smith stated that the Committee’s approach to scrutinising Registered Providers had been very effective and that the Council had developed an excellent working relationship with Registered Providers.

RESOLVED:   That the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

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 Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5th March, 2019 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 13th February and 13th March, 2019 be received.

(3)          Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee

It was MOVED by Cllr Jacqui Vosper; SECONDED by Cllr B. Jones and

RESOLVED:  That the Report of the meeting of the Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee held on 25th March, 2019 be received.