Council - Thursday, 7th October, 2021 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 29th July, 2021 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr Marina Munro; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 29th July 2021 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)      The Mayor thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending the Raising of the Merchant Navy Day flag at the Council Offices on his behalf on 3rd September 2021.

(2)      The Mayor reported that there had been an official opening of the Post Office at the Wellington Centre, Aldershot on 16th September 2021.

(3)      The Mayor reported that he had attended the Bula Festival on the Queen’s Parade, Aldershot on 18th September 2021, which had been an integration event showcasing Fijian culture and traditions.

(4)      The Mayor reported that, on 19th September 2021, he had attended the  Battle of Britain Remembrance Service at North Camp Methodist Church and march past of RAF Association members and representatives from the local Air Training Corps Squadrons.

(5)      The Mayor reported that he had attended the unveiling of the statue of Rifleman Kulbir Thapa VC, the first Gurkha soldier to receive the Victoria Cross, at Princes Gardens on 24th September 2021.

(6)      The Mayor reported that he had attended the Parachute Regimental Association service of remembrance at the Royal Garrison Church on 3rd October 2021 for those members of the Association who had lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

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.

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

(1)      Regeneration Programme – Potential Acquisitions in Farnborough Town Centre

The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Property (Cllr. M.J. Tennant) introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 10th August 2021, which sought approval of funding to enable the progression of potential land and property acquisitions in part of Farnborough Town Centre.

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant; SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp – That the Council agree an initial budget of up to £250,000 to enable the progression of the associated due diligence, legal assessment, feasibility study, development options and preparation of a detailed business case for the acquisition and development of the land and property set out in the exempt appendix to the Report, as part of the ongoing regeneration of the town.

There voted FOR: 31; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

(2)      Aldershot Crematorium – Proposal to Undertake Feasibility Study to Inform Future Investment Options

The Operational Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.L. Sheehan) introduced the Report from the Cabinet which sought funding to deliver a feasibility study to inform future investment options in relation to the Aldershot Crematorium. 

It was MOVED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan; SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp – That approval be given to a budget of £75,000 to deliver a feasibility study to inform future investment options in relation to the Aldershot Crematorium. 

There voted FOR: 30; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

(3)      Variation to Capital Programme

The Operational Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.L. Sheehan) introduced the Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21st September 2021 which sought approval for funding to amend the Capital Programme to enable the Council to purchase vehicles required for the food waste service. 

It was MOVED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan; SECONDED by Cllr K.H. Muschamp – That approval be given to the addition of £235,000 to the Capital Programme in 2021/22 to enable the Council to purchase the vehicles required for the Food Waste Service. 

There voted FOR: 32; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 0 and the Recommendation was DECLARED CARRIED.

(4)      Appointment of Independent Member to the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee

The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (Cllr Sue Carter) introduced the Report of the Committee meeting held on 27th September 2021, which recommended the Council to confirm the appointment of Mr. Tom Davies as an Independent Member of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee for a period of three years.

It was MOVED by Cllr Sue Carter; SECONDED by Cllr P.J. Cullum – That the appointment be confirmed of Mr. Tom Davies as the Independent Member of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee for a period of three years.

There voted FOR: 31; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 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 a question had been submitted by Cllr Christine Guinness for response by the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder (Cllr Marina Munro) relating to rough sleepers and associated policies.

In response, Cllr Marina Munro stated that, during the previous four years, there had been the following placements under the Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP):

·         2017/18 – 17 placements of rough sleepers

·         2018/19 – not recorded/no placements

·         2019/20 – 4 placements

·         2020/21 – No SWEP placements due to ‘Everyone In’

It was noted that SWEP was triggered when the temperature was forecast at zero degrees or below for three consecutive days.   The Council had recently used bed and breakfast accommodation and other temporary accommodation to house rough sleepers during SWEP.  Throughout SWEP the Housing Options Team took the opportunity to help rough sleepers to find a more permanent housing solution so not to return to the streets. 

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

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the following meetings be received:

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

RESOLVED:  That the Reports of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22nd July and 24th August 2021 and Policy and Project Advisory Board held on 22nd September 2021 be received.