Cabinet - Tuesday, 30th 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 2nd June, 2026 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2nd June, 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider Report No. ED2610 (copy attached), which sets out a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy and Equality Action Plan for the Council.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EDO2610, which set out an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy for the Council.

Members were informed that the new policy had been developed through engagement with stakeholders, analysis of local insight, including resident feedback, ward data and service complaints and organisational learning. It aligned with the Equality Framework for Local Government and would fulfil the Council’s duties under the Equality Act 2010. An associated action plan was also introduced and this would deliver the five strategic goals that were set out in the policy, covering community insight, accessible services, community cohesion, an inclusive workforce and governance/accountability. A phased approach to 2028 was proposed, with early quick wins to be implemented within the first six months. Members stressed the importance of making sure that these quick wins would be seen to be driving ongoing improvements

In discussing this, Members expressed their strong support for the introduction of this new policy and stressed the importance of the impact of the policy being accurately measured and monitored. The Leader of the Council agreed to discuss this with the Council’s Service Manager – Policy, Strategy and Transformation, with a view to this being included in the regular performance management report. Members placed on record their thanks to the Policy and Project Advisory Board for its contribution to the process of developing this policy.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 of Report No. ED2610, be approved;

(ii)          the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, as set out in Appendix 2 of the Report, be noted; and

(iii)         the publishing on the Council’s website of the annual Public Sector Equality Duty Update be noted, with the next report due in October 2026.

To consider Report No. OS2616 (copy attached), which sets out a proposed priority renewal / refurbishment priority list for Council-owned playgrounds.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2616, which set out a proposed priority order list in respect of the renewal or refurbishment of Council-owned playgrounds.

Members were informed that, for many years, the renewal or refurbishment of playgrounds had only been carried out when sufficient Section 106 developer contributions had been available. However, for each of the financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28, a capital budget of £200,000 had been provided, making a total investment of £400,000 over the two years. The priority list had been prepared factoring in the overall condition of the site, coupled with the size and usage of the facilities. It was reported that the Policy and Project Advisory Board had considered the proposals in detail and had endorsed the proposed approach.

In discussing this, Members expressed support for the proposed approach and stressed the importance of the local community being involved in the process of renewing or refurbishing facilities in their neighbourhood. In response to a question, it was confirmed that the funding was not sufficient to improve all Council-owned playgrounds in the Borough and that Section 106 developer contributions would continue to be utilised to boost the funds available for this work.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the playground renewal / refurbishment priority list, as set out in Report No. OS2616, be approved; and

(ii)          the playgrounds on the Playground Priority Upgrade Order List, to be considered by the new authority for future investment from 2028-29 onwards, be noted.

To consider Report No. ED2609 (copy attached), which sets out information relating to the Council’s Pride in Place funding programme.

The Cabinet considered Report No. ED2609, which set out an overview of the Pride in Place funding programme for the Mayfield area.

Members were informed that the report also included progress made to date, along with the proposed governance arrangements that would be required to support the delivery of the programme. The Cabinet was reminded that, in February 2026, the Government had announced that Mayfield, Farnborough had been awarded £20million over a ten-year period as part of Phase Two of the Pride in Place programme. A Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board would be required to provide a strategic oversight of the programme, to engage with local communities and stakeholders and to lead the development of a 10-year Pride in Place Plan. It was confirmed that the Council would be allowed to nominate only one representative to the Board and that the Chair would be independent.

The Cabinet expressed strong support for the provision of this funding for one of the Borough’s most deprived areas. It was felt to be important that the Board would adopt a Strategic Communications Plan to ensure that communications would be as effective as possible.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the objectives and progress of the Pride in Place funding programme,  as set out in Report No. ED2609, be noted;

(ii)          the financial implications be noted, with approval that expenditure would be managed in accordance with the approved funding conditions and the Council’s financial procedures;

(iii)         the Council’s acceptance of the grant and administering of the funding in accordance with programme requirements be approved; and

(iv)         it be recommended to the Board that a Strategic Communications Plan be adopted to ensure effective communications.