Cabinet - Tuesday, 13th January, 2026 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 meeting held on 15th December, 2025 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 15th December, 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN2517 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s forecasted financial position for 2025/26 as at the end of November, 2025.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2517, which set out an update on the Council’s forecasted financial position for 2025/26, as at the end of November, 2025.

Members were reminded that the Council had a statutory obligation to set and maintain a balanced budget. It was reported that, in February 2025, the Council had identified a significant challenge to its future financial sustainability. Members were informed that the forecast outturn for 2025/26 was on track, with the full £1.8 million savings requirement achieved. The report set out a number of key service variations, mostly where service budgets had been underspent. It was discussed that, whilst the savings produced from budget underspends were welcomed as contributing towards the Council’s financial position overall, it was also important that budget-setting was carried out accurately and it was confirmed that work was ongoing to ensure that this process would be more rigorous in future. It was confirmed that work was ongoing to identify long term sustainable savings to achieve financial sustainability and resolve the savings requirements for 2026/27 and 2027/28, as set out in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Cabinet was pleased with the progress that had been made in addressing the Council’s challenging financial position.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the revenue budget forecast, as set out in Section 3 of Report No. FIN2517, be noted;

(ii)          the virements, as set out in Section 4 of the Report, be approved; and

(iii)         the capital budget forecast, as set out in Section 5 of the Report, be noted.

To consider Report No. PG2543 (copy attached), which seeks the Cabinet’s agreement to expenditure in relation to capital works to keep the Aldershot Ski Centre operational in the short term.

The Cabinet received Report No. PG2543, which set out a requirement for immediate repair works to allow the Aldershot Ski Centre to remain operational in the short term.

Members were informed that the Council remained committed to the long term future of the centre, which was recognised as a valuable and well-liked venue within the Borough that provided excellent facilities to individuals and community groups alike. It was noted that the slope would require major investment or full replacement in the medium term. The Council’s structural engineering partner had confirmed previous advice received that, with the immediate spend of around £90,000, the slope would remain safe and able to remain open for the next two years. A high-level cost analysis had been worked up providing a cost of around £325,000 to ensure stability over the medium term, although even this level of expenditure would not provide a long term solution. Members were informed that it was proposed to undertake a full strategic business case and option appraisal to establish the medium to long term future of the ski slope. It was explained, however, that it would not be prudent to carry this out until the new Leisure Operator had been appointed.

In discussing the Report, Members expressed strong support for the Aldershot Ski Centre and for the suggested approach to address the issues identified in ensuring the continuation of this valuable facility over the short term and to consider options to provide for the future of the centre over the longer term.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           an allocation of £99,000, consisting of £90,000 of estimated cost and a 10% contingency, from the capital allocation for asset maintenance, to undertake immediately necessary capital works to secure the use of the ski slope in the short term, as set out in Report No. PG2543, be approved;

(ii)          the recommendations for the medium term financial expenditure necessary  to keep the slope open, along with the need over the longer term, to maintain the structural integrity for public use of the slope, to provide a full refurbishment and repair programme or for the structure to be substantially replaced, be noted; and

(iii)         following the appointment of the new Leisure Operator, the undertaking of a full strategic business case and option appraisal, to establish the medium to long term future of the ski slope, be approved.

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.

6                      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.

54                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. LEG2505 (copy attached), which sets out an update on the disposal of the freehold interest in No. 101 Hawley Lane, Farnborough and proposes appropriate next steps.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. LEG2505, which provided an update in relation to the Council’s disposal of the freehold interest in No. 101 Hawley Lane, Farnborough.

Members were reminded that this disposal had been approved by the Cabinet at its meeting on 16th September, 2025. It was reported that an issue had arisen regarding part of the land and the Exempt Report set out a proposed mechanism to overcome this issue. This included the use of the Council’s powers to appropriate the Site for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Cabinet expressed support for the proposed approach and requested that appropriate changes should be made to the Council’s property disposals process to prevent, where possible, similar issues reoccurring in the future.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the use of the Council’s powers to appropriate the Site for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, as set out in Exempt Report No. LEG2505, be approved, noting that the decision to appropriate the Site for planning purposes would enable easements and third party rights to be overridden, in accordance with Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, to enable the development;

(ii)          the conducting of a consultation process regarding appropriations and the use of Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, as set out in the Exempt Report, be approved;

(iii)         the possibility of compensation claims and payments under 203-204 should Section 203 be used be noted;

(iv)         the Interim Monitoring Officer and Corporate Manager – Legal Services be authorised to:

-               consider any objections following the consultation; and

-               approve the appropriation of the Site from its current purpose to planning purposes, in accordance with Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, if considered appropriate to do so;

-               use Section 203 to remove any legal constraints to development if considered appropriate to do so; and

(v)          the Interim Monitoring Officer and Corporate Manager – Legal Services and Executive Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Executive Head of Property and Growth, be authorised to agree any compensation payable to the beneficiaries of rights following due diligence of any claims, to be funded from disposal receipts.