Cabinet - Tuesday, 14th December, 2021 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

Under the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, all Members are required to disclose relevant Interests in any matter to be considered at the meeting.  Where the matter directly relates to a Member’s Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Registrable Interest, that Member must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain in the room unless they have been granted a dispensation (see note below). If the matter directly relates to ‘Non-Registrable Interests’, the Member’s participation in the meeting will depend on the nature of the matter and whether it directly relates or affects their financial interest or well-being or that of a relative, friend  or close associate, applying the tests set out in the Code.

NOTE:

On 27th May, 2021, the Council’s Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee granted dispensations to Members appointed by the Council to the Board of the Rushmoor Development Partnership and as Directors of Rushmoor Homes Limited.

Having regard to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, no declarations of interest were made.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th November, 2021 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16th November, 2021 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN2127 (copy attached), which gives details of an application for discretionary rate relief in respect of Blucando Limited.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2127, which set out details of an application for rate relief on behalf of Blucando Limited.

Members were informed that details of the application were contained within the Report and that the applicant was a technology company that had relocated to Farnborough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that 75% discretionary rate relief be awarded to Blucando Limited for a period of one year, as set out in Report No. FIN2127.

To consider Report No. FIN2135 (copy attached), which set out details of a project to secure replacement hostel accommodation for use by the Council.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EPSH2135, which set out details relating to the provision of the Council’s hostel accommodation in the Borough.

Members were informed that the Council currently provided hostel accommodation at North Lane Lodge and Clayton Court in Aldershot. Both of these properties were owned by the Ministry of Defence and formed part of the Wellesley development land. The Council had use of these properties until September 2023 and had started work to find replacement accommodation from this date.

Members expressed strong support for the proposed approach for the ongoing provision of this important Council service.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the project plan and a supplementary estimate of £40,000, which was needed to fund legal and advisory costs, site surveys and due diligence work, as set out in Report No. EPSH2135, be approved, to support the delivery of alternative accommodation.

To consider decisions made under the Council’s arrangements for urgency and exceptions to ensure the safety of a Council building and maintain progress on the Union Yard regeneration scheme (Report No. ED2102 and Record of Executive Decision attached).

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2102 and a Record of Executive Decision, which set out an urgent decision made on 10th December, 2021 by the Executive Director, in consultation with the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, in relation to urgent works required to a party wall between Nos. 35-39 High Street, Aldershot. The details of the issues and work required to make the wall safe were set out in the Report and the Record of Executive Decision.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the action taken, as set out in the Record of Executive Decision dated 10th December, 2021, be noted and endorsed.