Cabinet - Tuesday, 10th February, 2026 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 meetings held on 13th January, 2026 and 20th January, 2026 (copies attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 13th January and 20th January, 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. PEO2601 (copy attached), which sets out a number of updates in relation to the Council’s workforce.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PEO2601, which set out a number of updates in relation to the Council’s workforce.

Members were informed that the report contained updates on the implementation of elements of the Council’s People Strategy implemented in 2021, which had since been reviewed to reflect the new Council Delivery Plan and the future effects of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The Cabinet were advised that a new two-year People Plan 2026-28, had been developed to strengthen support to staff. It also provided key data on the Council’s workforce for 2025, the latest Pay Policy Statement and Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap calculations, which would be considered by the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee and the Council.

In discussing the Report, Members acknowledged the great job the People Team did in supporting the wider staff cohort and expressed their thanks to all staff.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)              the People Plan 2026/28, be agreed,

(ii)             the Annual People Report 2025, as set out in Report No. PEO2601, be noted; and,

(iii)           the Pay Policy Statement, Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap report to the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee and the Council, as set out in Appendix 3 of the Report, be noted.

To consider Report No. ED2601 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information in relation to the Council Delivery Plan and Risk Register for the third quarter of 2025/26.

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2601, which set out the performance monitoring information for the Council Delivery Plan and key service measures for the third quarter of 2025/26. 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 services were included in the report. The Cabinet heard that the Council’s Corporate Risk Register identified factors that could impact on the future delivery of the Council’s services and key priorities. A summary of those risks was provided in the report for discussion. At the request of the Cabinet an additional data set had been provided, which set out the largest risk gap (residual vs target).

In discussing the report, Members were satisfied that good progress was being made by the Council towards delivering this year’s Council Delivery Plan.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)              the progress made towards delivering the Council Delivery Plan and the latest performance information in relation to Council services, as set out in Report No. ED2601, be noted; and,

(ii)             the changes highlighted in the Corporate Risk Register, as set out in Section 5 of the Report, be noted.

To consider Report No. FIN2603 (copy attached), which sets out a number of financial matters, including making recommendations on the budget, Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30, the Council Tax Requirement and other financial matters, for submission to the Council on 26th February, 2026.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2603, which set out the draft General Fund Budget for 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) up to 2029/30.

The Cabinet were advised that the MTFS sets out the financial context of the Council over the next two years and beyond into the new council after Vesting Day on 1st April 2028. 

It was reported that the Council could set a balanced budget, with the use of reserves, to Vesting Day. There was a deficit of £11.94 million over the MTFS term, but this could be resolved through capital receipts, which would reduce capital charges in the revenue accounts whilst during down reserves to fund the balance of the current deficit of £3.962 million.

The Cabinet discussed the report and felt that it was a sensible and appropriate budget, based on factual assumptions, that supported the Council’s Delivery Plan and protected services. Members expressed their gratitude for the hard work of the finance team.

The Cabinet

(i)              RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that approval be given to:

(a)  the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the strategy, set out in this report, to mitigate the 2026/27 and 2027/28 MTFS deficit;

(b)  the General Fund Revenue Budget Estimates Summary 2026/27 Appendix 1;

(c)   the Council Tax Requirement of £8,324,717 for this Council;

(d)  the Council Tax level for Rushmoor Borough Council’s purposes of £246.87 for a Band D property in 2026/27 (an increase of £7.17);

(e)  the Capital Programme as per Appendix 1; and

(f)    the Strategy for the Flexible use of Capital Receipts as per paragraph 3.16 of this report.

(ii)             RESOLVED that the requested earmarked reserves and delegations, as set out in paragraph 3.05 – 3.07 of Report No. FIN2603, specifically:

(a)  supplementary approvals in respect of legal, finance and planning expenditure that may not be managed within existing budget, such as Interim professional capacity, advice and consultation up to a total of £400k from useable reserves, delegated to the Senior Leadership team in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder; and

(b)  supplementary approvals in respect of activity to deliver the Council Delivery Plan priorities amounting to £237k to be funded as one off activities from useable reserves, delegated to the Senior Leadership Team in as per itemised scheduled in Appendix 1, be approved.

To consider Report No. ED2602 (copy attached), which seeks approval of a Council Delivery Plan for 2026-28, for submission to the Council.

The Cabinet considered Report No. ED2602, which set out a Council Delivery Plan for 2026-28.

Members were informed that the plan set out the Council’s priorities and the key projects and activities that the Council would undertake over the following two years to contribute to delivering the new strategic priorities. The plan was structured across five themes:

·                 Skills, Economy and Regeneration

·                 Homes for All: Quality Living, Affordable Housing

·                 Community and Wellbeing: Active Lives, Healthier and Stronger Communities

·                 Pride in Place: Clean, Safe and Vibrant Neighbourhoods

·                 The Future and Financial Sustainability

In discussing this matter, the Cabinet were very pleased that the Council Delivery Plan was delivering on priorities that residents wanted and that the financial sustainability of the Council had settled and funds were available to achieve the priorities set out.

The Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that the Council Delivery Plan 2026-28, as set out in Report No. ED2602, be approved.

To consider Report No. ED2603 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to establish an Armed Forces Day Working Group to oversee the delivery of this significant project.

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2603, which set out the background to the Council’s successful bid to host the National Armed Forces Day event in June 2026, a launch for which had been held on 5th December, 2025.

A multi-agency Project Delivery Board (PDB) was being established and an event director, to support the delivery of the event, had been sought. However, in addition, to ensure good governance around the event, it was being proposed that a cross-party, politically balanced, Cabinet Working Group be established to meet on a four weekly cycle to receive updated from the PDB.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to establish a National Armed Forces Day Working Group to oversee the delivery of the National Armed Forces Day Event 2026.

To consider any matters arising from the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 5th February, 2026, particularly in relation to the Committee’s consideration of the disposal of accommodation units at Union Yard, Aldershot and the procurement of a leisure operator.

It was noted that no recorded recommendations had been made as a result of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5th February 2026, in respect of Farnborough Leisure Centre - Leisure Operator Procurement and Union Yard, Aldershot - Disposal of Blocks C & D.

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.

10                    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.

67                3                   Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Report No. OS2603 (copy attached), which sets out the outcome of the leisure operator procurement process and seeks approval to award the operator contract.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2603 and the Exempt Appendices, which sought approval to award the operator contract to run the existing and proposed new leisure facilities in the Borough.

The Cabinet were appraised of the procurement process based on a 60% quality and 40% cost criteria and were provided with a summary of the outcomes.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the successful completion of the procurement process to secure a leisure operator for the Council’s existing leisure facilities and the proposed new centre in Farnborough, be noted;

(ii)          the implications of the risks highlighted in sections 3.1 – 3.4 of the Report, be noted;

(iii)         the award of the leisure operating contract be made to the highest scoring bidder, as outlined in Exempt Appendix 1, subject to the completion of the standstill period. The contract was on the basis of an agency agreement and covered a 15 year term, (with an option to extend by five years), plus an additional interim phase whilst the new centre was under development, be agreed;

(iv)         the adjustment to budgets from 2026/27 to reflect the proposed contract requirements as detailed in Exempt Appendix 2, be approved;

(v)          a feasibility study revenue budget for the Alpine Snowsports Centre of £30,000 to be funded from the remaining balance of the 2025/26 ski centre revenue budget, as referenced in section 3.6, be approved, and;

(vi)         authority be delegated to the Executive Head of Operations, in consultation with the Corporate Manager – Legal Services, to finalise and enter into the leisure operating contract with the successful bidder, be approved.