Cabinet - Tuesday, 2nd June, 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 21st April, 2026 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21st April, 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider Report No. ED2606 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information in relation to the Council Delivery Plan and Risk Register for the fourth quarter and end of year of 2025/26.

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2606, which set out the performance monitoring information for the Council Delivery Plan and key service measures for the fourth quarter and end of year 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.

In discussing the report, Members were satisfied that good progress had been made by the Council towards delivering the Council Delivery Plan and that the Risk Register represented an accurate summary of the most significant risks faced by the Council.

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. ED2606, be noted; and,

(ii)          the changes to the Corporate Risk Register, as set out in Section 6 of the Report, be approved.

To consider Report No. PG2610 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to undertake a scoping consultation in respect of the new local plan for Rushmoor.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PG2610, which set out the next stage in relation to the production of a new local plan for Rushmoor.

Members were informed that, in order to comply with Local Plan Regulations, it would be necessary to carry out a scoping consultation exercise. It was proposed that this would run for six weeks between 19th June and 31st July, 2026. The consultation would combine online and in person engagement and would focus on what the local plan should include and how future engagement should be carried out.

In discussing the report, Members expressed support for the proposed approach and requested to be informed if consultation responses were low in any particular area or demographic. In response, it was confirmed that there would be a review halfway through the exercise and that any such discrepancies would be identified and communicated to Members.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)            the undertaking of the scoping consultation, as set out in Report No. PG2610, be approved;

(ii)          the Executive Head of Property and Growth be authorised to finalise the Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping and Habitats Regulations Assessment Pre-Screening for consultation; and

(iii)         the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Housing, Planning & Property Portfolio Holder, be authorised to finalise the Consultation and Engagement Strategy following the scoping consultation to reflect the feedback received.

To consider Report No. ED2608 (copy attached), which sets out an update on progress with planning for the Armed Forces Day National Event 2026, along with the revised budget position.

The Cabinet considered Report No. ED2608, which set out an update on progress with planning for the Armed Forces Day National Event 2026, along with a revised budget position that was required to ensure the safe and successful delivery of the event.

Members were reminded that the Council, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and local shareholders, had secured the opportunity to host this prestigious event, bringing significant economic, social and community benefits to the Borough. The Cabinet, as its meeting in November, 2025, had agreed to underwrite the cost  of the event and had approved proposals for seeking sponsorship to cover the costs of running the event. The Cabinet had received a further report in April, 2026 which had set out revised cost projections and Members had agreed to underwrite an anticipated budget gap. Since this time, planning had progressed further and Police and Armed Forces leads had become more involved and this had resulted in a more thorough understanding of the safety, security and specialist infrastructure that was required to deliver an event of national significance. This has resulted in an updated forecast budget that more accurately reflected the safety and logistical demands involved. It was reported that considerable commercial sponsorship and in-kind supports had already been secured, with further opportunities still being actively pursued. At the time of writing, however, there was a funding gap between current income and expenditure of around £431,736, which the Council would need to underwrite for the event to be delivered.

The Cabinet continued to express strong support for this event, which Members considered would be of significant benefit to the Borough, despite the costs escalating to a level considerably higher than was indicated when the Council initially discussed the possibility of hosting the event.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the current financial position, as set out in Report No. ED2608, be noted and the underwriting of the current budget gap of £431,736 be approved, to be funded from any forecast underspend in the events budget, broader service budget savings, the community recovery fund and, as a last resort, the stability and resilience reserve;

(ii)          the adding of a contingency of 10% to the forecast event budget be approved;

(iii)         the proposals for seeking additional commercial income to cover the remaining costs and to close the budget gap, as set out in the Report, be noted; and

(iv)         officers be requested to identify options to achieve the required level of savings following the budget outturn, Medium Term Financial Strategy review and final event account.

To consider Report No. DEM2610 (copy attached), which sets out the appointments to the proposed Cabinet Working Groups for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)            the following Cabinet Working Groups be appointed for the 2026/27 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 named 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.

99                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. PG2611 (copy attached), which sets out a proposed strategy for the lease at Bridge House, Eelmoor Road, Farnborough.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. PG2611, which sought approval to agree a strategy for the lease at Bridge House, Eelmoor Road, Farnborough.

Members were reminded that the Council had purchased Bridge House in 2019 as an investment property to generate income to support the Council’s revenue account. The Cabinet was informed that the current tenant had expressed a wish to exit the lease early and this would provide the Council with the opportunity to address dilapidations issues and consider the future of this asset in the context of a wider review of its commercial investment portfolio. The exempt report set out details of the proposed lump sum settlement that had been negotiated in respect of the early surrender of the lease.

The Cabinet expressed support for the proposed approach as being the best available to the Council at the current time.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           in principle and subject to legal documentation, the early surrender of the lease in respect of Bridge House, Eelmoor Road, Farnborough, as set out in Exempt Report No. PG2611, be approved, on the basis of a negotiated lump sum settlement for the figure set out in the Exempt Report;

(ii)          the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Executive Head of Finance and the Executive Head of Governance and Law, be authorised to confirm the final terms of the surrender and settlement;

(iii)         officers be authorised to attempt to relet the property whilst also putting the property up for sale with or without vacant possession; and

(iv)         a further detailed options appraisal be brought back to the Cabinet once feasible let and/or disposal options are secured.