Council - Thursday, 28th April, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 24th February, 2022 (copy attached).

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 28th April 2022 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

(1)          The Mayor welcomed Mr. Jerry Jones to the Chamber to present him with a long service award.  The Mayor also welcomed Mr. Jones’ family and friends who were also in attendance.   The Mayor stated that Mr. Jones had started work with Rushmoor on 10th November 1977 and had worked for 44 years until his retirement on 12th November 2021.  Originally employed as a refuse loader, he had quickly been encouraged to take the HGV driving test and then worked as a driver for the Council for many years.  Mr. Jones had transitioned across to the Council’s environmental contractor when the service had been outsourced in the 1990s and, whilst employed by a private sector company, had remained working on behalf of Rushmoor’s residents as a member of the wider Rushmoor team.

            It was known that Mr. Jones had been held in very high regard by his former colleagues and had been a well known figure by the Borough’s residents, having worked the same round for many years.   Mr. Jones had been a well-recognised face and his diligent service had been appreciated by several thousands of people.   The Mayor placed on record the Council’s thanks and appreciation to Mr. Jones; 44 years showed amazing dedication and commitment to the area and it was right that Rushmoor recognised such an achievement.  Mr. Jones was given the Council’s best wishes for his well-earned retirement and invited to come forward to be presented with a gift and a long service certificate.

(2)          The Mayor advised Members that he had held his Charity Ball at Princes Hall, Aldershot on 11th March 2022.  He thanked all Members who had supported this event, which had raised £2,065.

(3)          The Mayor reported that the Mayoress’ Easter Afternoon Tea had been held on 6th April and had raised £364 for the Mayor’s charities.

(4)          As this was the final meeting of the 2021-22 Municipal Year, the Mayor paid tribute to the five Members who would not be seeking re-election at the elections on 5th May 2022: Cllrs Terry Bridgeman, Sophia Choudhary, Rod Cooper, Ashley Halstead and Ken Muschamp.  The Mayor was also not seeking re-election and his final meeting would be the Annual Council Meeting on 24th May 2022.

            The Mayor wished all Members well in their endeavours who were standing for election at the Borough Council Elections.

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.

(1)          Fuel Poverty -

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

“The Resolution Foundation think-tank’s research shows that over 3,000 Rushmoor households are in fuel poverty, which has been exacerbated since the price cap increase on the 1st April. The cost-of-living crisis is spiralling out of control for many in our Borough and hardworking families are now requiring intervention and support.

We call on Rushmoor Borough Council to support these families struggling by setting up a cross party Emergency Task & Finish Group to identify ways in which residents can be supported, including: review of available budget, amalgamating all charitable support, increasing awareness of all government funding and encouraging those who do not need their Winter Fuel Allowance to donate to those who are suffering the most from high fuel prices and offering a dedicated helpline to those in fuel & food poverty”

(2)       Ukraine -

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

“Rushmoor Borough Council is saddened and disturbed by the unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, which has caused horrific devastation, and created an escalating humanitarian crisis with millions displaced or affected. In light of this, and as a way of expressing support for the people of Ukraine and members of our communities who are from or who have ties with Ukraine, this Council;
 
a. Condemns the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and their families and friends, including those local to Rushmoor.

 
b. Stands ready to provide support and open our arms to innocent people displaced and affected by this unprovoked Russian aggression.

 
c. Will work with and support the efforts of our local communities to provide help, support and comfort to those in need."

The Council was asked to consider two Motions which had been submitted in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1).

(1)        Fuel Poverty

It was MOVED by Cllr. Nadia Martin; SECONDED by Cllr. Sarah Spall – That

“The Resolution Foundation think-tank’s research shows that over 3,000 Rushmoor households are in fuel poverty, which has been exacerbated since the price cap increase on 1st April.  The cost-of-living crisis is spiralling out of control for many in our Borough and hardworking families are now requiring intervention and support.

We call on Rushmoor Borough Council to support these families struggling by setting up a cross party Emergency Task and Finish Group to identify ways in which residents can be supported, including: review of available budget, amalgamating all charitable support, increasing awareness of all government funding and encouraging those who do not need their Winter Fuel Allowance to donate to those who are suffering the most from high fuel prices and offering a dedicated helpline to those in fuel and food poverty.”

During debate, it was MOVED by Cllr A.R. Newell; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor that the Motion be amended as follows:

“That the Motion be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration at its next meeting, but that the Committee be requested to review the Terms of Reference of the Council Tax Support Group, rather than set up a new group, to enable it to carry out a detailed examination of the issues in the Motion so that it can advise the Cabinet accordingly.”

In seconding the Amendment, Cllr. P.G. Taylor stated that the issue of fuel poverty had exercised all Ward Councillors, with residents going to find things difficult in the weeks and months ahead.  He urged Members to support the Amendment.

During debate, Members spoke of the need for urgent action to help the Borough’s residents who were in fuel poverty and reference was also made to the help already being provided to support residents most in need.   

The Amendment was put to the meeting.  On a Recorded Vote, there voted FOR:  Cllrs. Jessica Auton, Mrs. D.B. Bedford, J. Belbase, J.B. Canty, Sue Carter, M.S. Choudhary, A.K. Chowdhury, D.E. Clifford, R.M. Cooper, P.I.C. Crerar, P.J. Cullum, M.Hope, L. Jeffers, Prabesh KC, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, Marina Munro, K.H. Muschamp, A.R. Newell, M.L. Sheehan, M.D. Smith, C.J. Stewart, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, N. Thapa, Jacqui Vosper and the Deputy Mayor (Cllr. J.H. Marsh) (27); AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: Cllrs. Gaynor Auston, T.D. Bridgeman, K. Dibble, Christine Guinness, A.J. Halstead, Nadia Martin, T.W. Mitchell, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Sarah Spall and the Mayor (Cllr. B.A. Thomas) (11) and the Amendment was DECLARED CARRIED.

Following further debate, the Substantive Motion was put to the meeting.  On a Recorded Vote there voted FOR:  Cllrs. Gaynor Austin, Jessica Auton, Mrs. D.B. Bedford, J. Belbase, T.D. Bridgeman, J.B. Canty, Sue Carter, M.S. Choudhary, A.K. Chowdhury, D.E. Clifford, R.M. Cooper, P.I.C. Crerar, P.J. Cullum,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

At its meeting on 28th March 2022, the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee considered the nominations for Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2022/23 and made the following recommendations:

(i)            That Cr. J.H. Marsh be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2022/23; and

(ii)          That Cr. A.K. Chowdhury be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2022/23

The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee  (Cllr Sue Carter) reported that the Committee had considered the nominations for the Mayor-Elect and the Deputy Mayor-Elect for 2022/23 at its meeting on 28th March 2022.  The Committee had agreed to recommend that:

(i)        Cllr J.H. Marsh be selected as Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2022/23; and

(ii)       Cllr A.K. Chowdhury be selected as Deputy Mayor-Elect for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

It was MOVED by Cllr Sue Carter; SECONDED by Cllr P. Cullum  – That the Recommendations of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee be approved in respect of the Mayor-Elect and Deputy Mayor-Elect.  

There voted FOR: 35; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

To consider the recommendation of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in relation to the following item:

Pay Policy Statement 2022/23

Cllr. Sue Carter introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 28th March 2022, which recommended the approval of the Pay Policy Statement.  It was MOVED by Cllr. Sue Carter; SECONDED by Cllr P.J. Cullum – That approval be given to the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23.

There voted FOR: 35; 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 one question had been submitted by Cllr. M.J. Roberts for response by the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder on the current and future management of capital revenue debt.

In response, Cllr. P.G. Taylor stated that the Council had approved the Annual Treasury Management Strategy at its meeting on 24th February 2022, which set out how such financial issues should be dealt with.

To receive and ask questions on the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (copy attached – Annex 2) for the 2021/22 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 2021/22.

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):

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 Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 17th February and 7th April 2022 be noted.