Council - Thursday, 25th February, 2021 7.00 pm - Agenda

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 3rd December 2020 (copy attached).

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

(1)      Commonwealth and Gurkha Veterans

To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Nadia Martin pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“Rushmoor Borough Council are aware of the difficulties experienced by Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans, many of whom live in Aldershot, Home of the British Army, and wish to ensure that those who are currently experiencing problems, whether financial or immigration, are not disadvantaged whilst their applications for visas are ongoing.

To that end, Council request that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister, the Minister of State for Immigration, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) outlining the Council's support for all Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans who have served a minimum of 4 years being granted the automatic, free-of-charge right to remain in the UK and for any veteran who completes 12 years of service being automatically given British Citizenship.

Further, Council request that the Leader of the Council write to the MP for Aldershot Constituency to ask that he press the Government for a change in the legislation on visas and citizenship that affects Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans who have served Her Majesty The Queen and this country  diligently and honourably.”

(2)      Devereux House

To consider the following Notice of Motion which has been submitted by Cllr C.J. Stewart pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

“This Council notes the sad closure of Devereux House (formerly the Farnborough and Cove War Memorial Hospital), and pays tribute to the extraordinary work of its staff and volunteers in the service to our Borough over the past 100 years. 

In addition, this Council notes its longstanding support for the Trust, as well as the generosity of volunteers, local charitable organisations, and the wider community over many years.

This Council affirms its commitment to endeavouring to further the legacy of the Trust, alongside its partners, and continue honouring the fallen of the First World War.”

At its meeting on 25th January 2021, the Licensing Audit and General Purposes Committee considered the nominations for Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2021/22 and made the following recommendations:

(i)        That Cllr B.A. Thomas be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

(ii)       That Cllr C.P. Grattan be selected as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

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

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 1) which recommends the approval of the Council’s Capital Strategy for 2021/22, including the Prudential Indicators for capital finance. Cllr P.G. Taylor, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder, will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 2), which recommends the approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2021/22, the Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2021/22 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement. Cllr P.G. Taylor, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder, will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 3) which recommends the approval of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax Level, including a recommendation on the council tax support scheme for 2021/22. Cllr D.E. Clifford, the Leader of the Council, will introduce this item.

To receive a report from the Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee, (copy attached – Annex 4), which proposes changes to the arrangements for polling districts and polling places. Cllr S.J. Masterson, Chairman of the Licensing, Audit and General Purposes Committee will introduce this item.

To fix the level of Council Tax for the financial year 2021/22 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 5)

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

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

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