Venue: Concorde Room, Council Offices, Farnborough
Contact: Chris Todd, Democratic Services on 01252 398825 or e-mail: chris.todd@rushmoor.gov.uk
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To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th June, 2016 (copy attached). Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet
held on 28th June, 2016 were confirmed and signed by
the Chairman. |
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DIGITAL ADVERTISING PDF 499 KB To consider the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1614 (copy attached), which sets out the next steps in the Council’s digital advertising project. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the
Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1614, which set out the proposed next
steps in the digital advertising project. Members were informed that
the project formed part of the income generation strand of the Council’s
8-Point Plan for achieving financial sustainability. The project also linked to
the second strand of the 8-Point Plan, by seeking to make better use of the
Council’s existing assets and maximising their revenue return. Members were
reminded that the Cabinet had, previously, approved the addition of digital
advertising to the interactive wayfinders being
installed as part of the Activation Aldershot project and the principle of
pursuing further digital advertising opportunities. Since that time, a project
team had been set up and initial market testing had identified a number of
possible options for digital advertising. It was now proposed to employ a
consultant to provide expert industry advice and to advise whether the options
identified would be viable. The consultant would be appointed using the
Council’s normal procurement processes. It was explained that, in
expanding its advertising activities, it was necessary for the Council to
consider any risks to its reputation that this might bring about. A draft
Advertising Policy was attached to the Report, which set out categories of
advertising that would be unacceptable to the Council and other categories that
the Council might choose to refuse on a case-by-case basis. Members considered
these lists and decided that two items, relating to weapons, dangerous products
or materials and religions or religious beliefs, should be moved from the
unacceptable list to the list of categories that the Council might refuse. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
the
Head of Financial Services, in consultation with the Head of Service or
Director responsible for procurement and the Cabinet Member for Corporate
Services, be authorised to procure and appoint a consultant to support the
project, to be funded from the flexible use of capital receipts, up to a value
of £40,000; and (ii)
the
draft Advertising Policy, as set out in Appendix B of the Head of Financial
Services Report No. FIN1614 and amended at the meeting, be approved. |
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RUSHMOOR LOCAL PLAN WORK PROGRAMME PDF 430 KB To consider the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1624 (copy attached), which provides an update on the future work programme for the preparation of the new Rushmoor Local Plan. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The
Cabinet considered the Head of Planning's Report No. PLN1624,
which provided an update on the future work programme for the preparation for
the new Rushmoor Local Plan. It was explained
that it was necessary to make some changes to the work programme due to a
number of factors, including the need to refresh the Joint Strategic Housing
Market Assessment and Employment Land Review. The revised timetable was set out
in the Report and this showed a delay of around four months in the adoption of
the Local Plan. It was noted that further delays could
not be ruled out as the project progressed. Members
discussed the timetable and expressed support for the production of an accurate
evidence base. It was noted that, as the Council had a
sound Core Strategy, any risks to the Council would be minimised over the
coming period. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
the revised timetable for the next steps in the
preparation of the Rushmoor Local Plan, as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the Head
of Planning’s Report No. PLN1624, be approved; (ii)
an updated Rushmoor Local Development Scheme 2016 – 2019,
incorporating the timetable changes agreed at resolution (i)
above, be approved for publication on the Council’s website, with effect from
1st August, 2016; and (iii)
the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Environment and Service Delivery, be authorised to make any
necessary minor amendments to the Local Development Scheme. |
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To consider the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1622 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to cease seeking contributions from developers, under Section 106 agreements, in respect of small scale residential developments. Presented By: Business, Safety and Regulation Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1622, which
set out a proposal to cease seeking contributions, under Section 106
agreements, towards infrastructure from small scale
residential development of ten dwellings or less. It was also
proposed to implement national planning guidance changes to the way in
which affordable housing requirements were sought on sites where a vacant
building was to be demolished or re-used. Members were informed that, in 2014, the
Government had introduced changes to the circumstances under which affordable
housing and Section 106 contributions could be sought. This had been subject to
a successful legal challenge by a group of local authorities and the
Government’s guidance was therefore withdrawn.
Subsequently, the Government had challenged the High Court ruling and the Court
of Appeal had overturned the decision. The Government had acted quickly to
reinstate the guidance and had informed all local planning authorities. The
Report set out the details of the policy changes and how this
could affect infrastructure and affordable housing in Rushmoor. It was proposed to cease seeking contributions in respect of
developments of smaller sites, in accordance with the guidance. It was further
proposed to authorise the Head of Planning to instruct the Solicitor of the
Council to enter into deeds of variation to remove obligations seeking
contributions from developments of ten dwellings or less, which had been
entered into since 2014 but where the
development had not yet been implemented. Members agreed that a representation should be made
to the relevant Government Minster to set out the Council’s concerns in
relation to certain elements of the Government’s guidance in this respect. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
except in special circumstances, infrastructure
contributions through planning contributions should no longer be sought from
developments of ten units or less and with a maximum combined gross floorspace of no more than 1,000 square metres be approved; (ii)
in appropriate cases, the vacant building credit
provisions be applied in order to comply with the National Planning Practice
Guidance, as amended on 19th May, 2016; and (iii)
the Head of Planning be authorised to instruct the
Solicitor to the Council to enter into deeds of variation to amend Section 106
planning obligations previously entered into, in respect of infrastructure
contributions from residential developments of ten units or less. |
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FARNBOROUGH AIRPORT COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL FUND PDF 146 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1615 (copy attached), which sets out details of applications for grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund and seeks approval of an amendment to a previously awarded grant. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Community
and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1615, which sought approval to award
grants from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund to assist
local projects and to amend a grant previously awarded to the Mayfield
Community Partnership. The Cabinet Member for Environment and
Service Delivery had considered two applications and had recommended that both
awards should be made.
It was reported
that, in May 2016, the Mayfield Community Partnership had been awarded a £2,000
grant for the first stage of the Hawley Community Garden project. This had been completed under budget at £845 and the Partnership
had requested permission to use the remainder of the funds on the next stage of
the project. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
grants be awarded from the Farnborough Airport
Community Environmental Fund to the following organisations: Farnborough
Bowling Club £3,500 Fernhill
Primary School £8,032 (ii)
the Mayfield Community Partnership be authorised to use
the remainder of their grant on the next stage of the project. |
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GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS PDF 191 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1616 (copy attached), which sets out applications for grants from voluntary organisations. Presented By: Concessions and Community Support Minutes: The Cabinet received the
Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1616, which set
out details of applications for grants from voluntary organisations. In
accordance with the agreed procedure for the allocation of grants, the Cabinet
Member for Concessions and Community Support had approved six grants for £1,000
or less. In addition, the Cabinet Member had approved two awards in respect of
the cost of public liability insurance for two street parties to celebrate the
Queen’s Official 90th Birthday on 11th June, 2016. The
Cabinet Member also recommended that Limbcare should
receive an award of £1,774 towards the cost of a stand alone ticket validator and replacement tyres
and batteries for mobility scooters. The Cabinet (i)
NOTED that the following grants
totalling £3,200 had been approved by the Cabinet Member for Concessions and
Community Support: Aldershot
and Fleet RUFC £550 Aldershot
Rotary Club £500 Friends of
Brickfields Country Park £300 Home-Start
Rushmoor and Hart £350 Mayfield
Community Partnership £500 Southwood
Church £1,000 (ii)
NOTED that the following grants
totalling £158, in respect of insurance payments for two street parties, had
been approved by the Cabinet Member for Concessions and Community Support: Highfield
Gardens, Aldershot £79 Whites
Road, Farnborough £79 (iii)
RESOLVED that a grant of £1,774 to Limbcare be approved. |
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COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS PDF 593 KB To consider the Solicitor to the Council’s Report No. LEG1609 (copy attached), which provides an update on the Council’s progress in investing in commercial property assets in order to generate revenue income. Presented By: Corporate Services Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered
the Solicitor to the Council’s Report No. LEG1609, which provided an update on the progress towards
investing in commercial property assets, using capital resources, in order to
generate revenue income. Members heard that
making better use of property and assets was one of the projects forming part
of the 8-Point Plan. The Council had been receiving help and advice from
Eastleigh Borough Council for some time to help to develop an approach to
property investment and refresh the Council’s Asset Management Strategy. This
work had enabled officers to identify commercial property opportunities where
acquiring such assets would provide a better return for the Council than having
the money in a bank. It was reported that
four bids on commercial properties had been successful so far, being: Unit No. 20 Blackwater Valley Industrial Estate,
Aldershot; Wellesley House, Eelmoor Road;
Farnborough, Optrex Business Park, Rotherwick, Hook; and; No. 168 High Street, Guildford. In
each case, the full year effect in terms of revenue that could
be generated from rental income and other financial information were set
out in the exempt appendix to the Report. The appendix also provided details of
a number of properties where a purchase would not be proceeding for various
reasons and four properties that the Council was bidding for, currently. The Cabinet expressed
its continued support for this approach. The
Cabinet NOTED the good progress being made with this 8-Point Plan project and the effect on
the Council’s revenue position, as set out in the Solicitor to the Council’s
Report No. LEG1609. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC To consider resolving: That, subject to the public
interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting
during the discussion of the undermentioned item to avoid the disclosure of
exempt information within the paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local
Government Act, 1972 indicated against such item: Item No. Schedule
12A Category Para. No. 9 3 Information
relating to financial or business affairs Minutes: RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be
excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned item to
avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A
to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the item: Minute Schedule 12A Category No. Para. No. 30 3 Information relating to financial or business affairs |
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THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS CONSIDERED |
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PROVISION OF A COUNCIL DEPOT - UPDATE To consider the Solicitor to the Council’s Exempt Report No. LEG1610 (copy attached), which sets out the latest position regarding the provision of a new Council Depot, including the consideration of alternative sites. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Solicitor to the Council’s
Exempt Report No. LEG1610, which provided an update regarding the provision of
a depot to support the waste, recycling, street cleansing and grounds
maintenance contract. It also sought approval to pursue an alternative site in
order to provide the Council with the best chance to deliver a depot by Autumn 2017. Members were reminded that the Council had
identified Canna Enterprise Centre, Lysons Avenue, Ash Vale as a suitable site to provide a depot. The Cabinet,
at its meeting on 20th October, 2015, had agreed to
the purchase of this site and, at the time, it was thought that Guildford
Borough Council would treat the site as an allocated employment site and its
use as a depot would be accepted. It later transpired that a planning
application was required for change of use and Guildford Borough Council had, at the pre application stage, indicated it was likely
to recommend refusal of the planning application. Given this advice, Rushmoor
had sought counsel’s opinion and this had suggested that the advice from
Guildford Borough Council had been misguided and should not result in the
planning application being refused. This opinion had been forwarded to Guildford Borough Council and it now
appeared that a recommendation for approval of the planning application would
be made. In light of this, only essential works would be
carried out at present at the alternative site at Hawley Lane,
Farnborough, pending the determination of the planning application. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i) the Head of Community and Environmental Services be
authorised to: -
in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery and
the Solicitor to the Council, appeal against any refusal for a depot on the
Canna site or against any inappropriate conditions or to appeal for non determination; -
undertake
the topographic survey and the ground investigations works at Hawley Lane; -
if
planning is refused for the Canna site or if the application is not determined
within the eight week period: -
conduct
pre application consultations and to undertake all preliminary work to submit a
planning application for the development of the Hawley Lane site as a depot and
travelling show persons site; -
in
consultation with the Solicitor to the Council, make an application to the
Highway Authority for the diversion of the public footpath across the site at
Hawley Lane, using appropriate legal powers; -
tender
and appoint a demolition contractor and submit a prior approval notification to
Guildford Borough Council for the demolition works and a Section 80 notice to
the building regulation service to secure a developable site at the earliest
point in time; -
undertake
the procurement of a design and build contract for the provision of the depot
facilities at either site; (ii) the Solicitor to
the Council be authorised to: - enter into negotiations to reach agreement to secure the surrender of the current leases at the Hawley Lane site and enter into any legal ... view the full minutes text for item 30. |