Cabinet - Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft 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 meetings held on 8th April, 2025 and 22nd April, 2025 (copies attached).

The Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 8th April, 2025 and 22nd April, 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. ED2501 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information in relation to the Council Plan and Risk Register for the fourth quarter of 2024/25 and the year end position.

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2501, which set out the performance monitoring information for the Council Plan and key service measures for the fourth quarter and end of year of 2024/25. Members were informed that key projects and activities from the Council Plan and key service indicators and measures used by the Council to monitor how the Council runs were included in the Report. The Cabinet heard that the Council’s Corporate Risk Register identified factors that could impact on the Council’s wider operations and the future delivery of the Council’s key priorities. A summary of those risks that had become issues, new risks and those risks that had seen a siginicant change in the risk gap was provided in the report for discussion.

In discussing the Report, Members were satisfied that the amended format of the document had continued to help Portfolio Holders to better track performance within their areas of responsibility and provided a more balanced and transparent view of the Council’s activities.

The Cabinet NOTED

(i)           the progress made towards delivering the Council Plan and the latest perfomance information in relation to Council services, as set out in Report No. ED2501; and

(ii)          the changes highlighted in the Corporate Risk Register, as set out in paragraphs 4.4 – 4.7 of the Report.

To consider Report No. PEO2505 (copy attached), which sets out a new Neonatal Care Policy for the Council.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PEO2505, which set out a new Neonatal Care Policy within the Council’s Special Leave Policies.

Members were informed that the new policy reflected a recent legislative change brought about by the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, that had come into effect on 6th April, 2025. The new law had introduced the right for parents to have additional time off to be with a baby who was receiving neonatal care.

In discussing this, Members expressed their strong support for the introduction of this new policy and the exercising of discretionary powers to support staff in this situation as extensively as possible.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the adoption of the Neonatal Care Policy, as set out in Appendix A of Report No. PEO2505, be approved.

To consider Report No. OS2509 (copy attached), which sets out proposed changes to the Council’s Gambling Licensing Statement of Principles.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2509, which set out changes to the Council’s Gambling Licensing Statement of Principles.

It was advised that a review of the Statement of Principles had been carried out in light of changes to legislation and guidance and that a public consultation exercise had been carried out, as required by the legislation. Comments received as a result of the exercise had been considered and, where appropriate, amendments had been made to the proposed Statement of Principles.

In discussing the proposed changes, a query was raised as to whether comments made by the Police should be considered in respect of any of the licensing objectives and not just one licensing objective, as was indicated in the proposed change of wording at paragraph 2.12. It was agreed that this would be investigated and that any minor changes of this nature would be delegated to the Executive Head of Operations, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder. 

The Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that the proposed Gambling Licensing Statement of Principles, as set out in Appendix C of Report No. OS2509, be approved, subject to any minor amendments being agreed by the Executive Head of Operations, in consultation with the Pride in Place / Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder.

To consider Report No. DEM2506 (copy attached), which sets out the appointments to the proposed Cabinet Working Groups for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)            the following Cabinet Working Groups be appointed for the 2025/26 Municipal Year based on the memberships as set out below:

(ii)          the Corporate Manager - Democracy, in consultation with Group Leaders, be authorised to finalise the appointments to the Groups as required.

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 paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such item:

Item                Schedule      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

8                      3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

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      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

8                      3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. OS2510 (copy attached), which seeks the Cabinet’s endorsement of an urgent decision taken by the Leader of the Council in relation to the operation of the Alpine Snowsports Centre in Aldershot.

The Cabinet received Exempt Report No. OS2510, which set out urgent action that had been taken to allow the Aldershot Ski Centre to reopen following the failure of the previous operator.

Members were informed that the Centre had been closed since 2nd April, 2025. Since that time, the Council had been assessing its options for the facility, including bringing the operation in-house, contracting a new operator or closing the Centre. Following engagement with the Council’s incumbent leisure operator, Places Leisure, a temporary arrangement had been proposed to enable the centre to reopen, also providing a period to consider more permanent arrangements. It was explained that the decisions set out in the Exempt Report had been urgent in nature due to the imperative to reopen the facility as soon as possible, to retain the staff and to maintain access to necessary booking systems and had been taken in consultation with the Leader of the Council, in accordance with the Access to Information Procedure Rules within the Constitution and would be considered, for the reasons of urgency, to be exempt from the call-in process.

In discussing the Report, Members expressed satisfaction that the facility had been well used since reopening.

The Cabinet ENDORSED the urgent decisions to

(i)           terminate the contract with Active Nation for the operation of the Alpine Snowsports Centre due to a material breach of contract by the contractors, as set out in Exempt Report No. OS2510;

(ii)          reopen the facility through a temporary contract to enable a full options appraisal to be brought forward;

(iii)         enter into an interim contract for up to twelve months and financial arrangements with Places Leisure for the operation of the Alpine Snowsports Centre on the basis set out in the Exempt Report, in order that the facility reopened as soon as possible;

(iv)         accept the financial implications outlined in Section 4 of the Exempt Report and resultant impacts on budget;

(v)          accept the risks in Section 4 of the Exempt Report on the basis of the Council not holding all of the relevant information from Active Nation relating to financial, health and safety and employee matters; and

(vi)         approve the budget provision set out in the Exempt Report, funded from the Stability and Resilience Reserve, to support the decision to reopen the facility.