Cabinet - Tuesday, 4th August, 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 meeting held on 30th June, 2026 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 30th June, 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider Report No. FIN2613 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s financial outturn for 2025/26, current year monitoring and an update to the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2613, which set out an update on the Council’s budget outturn position for 2025/26, the first quarter forecast for 2026/27 and an update of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Members were reminded that the Council had approved the 2025/26 budget with a planned deficit of £5.6 million, partly mitigated by a savings target of £2.2 million to be achieved in year, with the remaining £3.4 million funded from revenue reserves. It was reported that the provisional outturn indicated that the savings target had been been fully achieved and that additional underspends had reduced the overall reliance on reserves to £2.362 million. Unaudited usable reserves available to support the 2026/27 financial position were estimated at £6.9 million. It was reported that, despite the improved outturn position, the Council continued to face significant financial challenges over the MTFS period. Officers would continue to monitor financial performance closely and would provide regular updates to Members on the Council’s financial position, risks and mitigating actions.

The Cabinet was pleased with the progress that had been made in addressing the Council’s challenging financial position and expressed gratitude to the finance team for its work in this respect. It was noted that prudent financial management would continue to be required for the foreseeable future. Discussion was held on the appropriate scrutiny process with regard to the Council’s budget strategy and the Leader would progress this matter further with the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the Revenue Outturn for 2025/26, as set out in Report No. FIN2613, be noted;

(ii)          the £64,795 revenue budget carry forward and £2.834 million Capital reprofiling to 2026/27, as set out in the Report, be approved;

(iii)         the Quarter 1 forecast for 2026/27, as set out in the Report, be noted;

(iv)         the Medium Term Financial Strategy update for 2026/27 to 2029/30, as set out in the Report, be noted; and

(v)          the write offs, as set out in Section 3 of the Report, be approved.

To consider Report No. ED2611 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information in relation to the Council Delivery Plan and Risk Register for the first quarter of 2026/27 and an updated Performance Management Framework and Data Quality Policy.

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2611, which set out the performance monitoring information for the Council Delivery Plan and key service measures for the first quarter of 2026/27. Members were informed that key projects and activities from the Delivery 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. Members were also informed that the Performance Management Framework and Data Quality Policy had been refreshed and updated and were included in the report.

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. Many projects were highlighted that had demonstrated the excellent work that had been carried out by officers and Members.

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. ED2611, be noted;

(ii)          the changes to the Corporate Risk Register, as set out in Sections 5.1 to 5.12 of the Report, be approved;

(iii)         the refreshed and updated Performance Management Framework and Data Quality Policy, as set out in the Report, be approved; and

(iv)         the Executive Director, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to make minor amendments to reflect organisational structure changes.

To consider Report No. PEO2602 (copy attached), which sets out a new employee Probation Policy for approval.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PEO2602, which set out details of a new Probation Policy for adoption.

It was explained that the Policy would provide clear formal expectations, roles, responsibilities and guidelines for new employees and Line Managers during the six month probation period. The Policy had been discussed with both managers and UNISON.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the proposed Probation Policy, as set out in Annex 1 of Report No. PEO2602, be approved.

To consider Report No. OS2620 (copy attached), which sets out an updated Civil Penalties Policy, in relation to housing enforcement, for the Council.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2620, which set out an updated Civil Penalties Policy for housing enforcement.

Members were informed that the policy provided the framework for issuing civil penalties for housing related offences under the Housing Act 2004, Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 had had a significant impact on the private rented sector and its implementation had required an update to the Council’s Civil Penalties Policy to ensure compliance with the new statutory duties.

In discussing this, the Cabinet expressed support for this policy, which it felt would strengthen the Council’s ability to assist local residents.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the Civil Penalties Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 of Report No. OS2620, be approved;

(ii)          the Executive Head of Operations be authorised to make minor amendments to the policy to reflect future legislative or regulatory changes;

(iii)         the publication and implementation of the policy with immediate effect, as set out in the Report, be approved; and

(iv)         the running in parallel of the new and the existing policies for a transitional period, as set out in the Report, be approved.

To consider Report No. PG26xx (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the establishment of a new Young Adult Employment Hub (Youth Hub) in the Borough.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PG2630, which set out a proposal to establish a ‘Youth Hub’ in the Borough.

Members were advised that the Council had successfully secured funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to establish a Youth Hub in Rushmoor. The Youth Hub formed part of a national programme designed to support young people aged 16 to 24 to access employment, education and training opportunities. It would address the relatively high number of residents classed as the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in the Borough. It was reported that the DWP grant would enable the Council to recruit two Employment Advisors who would provide tailored employability support, careers guidance and practical assistance to young people seeking employment. It was proposed that the Youth Hub would be based on the second floor of the Council Offices, in close proximity to Citizens Advice.

During discussion, Members commented that transport was often a barrier to younger people seeking opportunities and that consideration should be given to the service being available on an outreach basis in due course.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the acceptance of the DWP grant for the establishment of a young Adults Employment Hub in Rushmoor, as set out in Report No, PG2630, be approved;

(ii)          the delivery of the Young Adults Employment Hub from the Council Offices in Farnborough be endorsed; and

(iii)         the recruitment of two fixed-term Employment Advisors, funded through the grant, be supported.

To consider Report No. OS2622 (copy attached), which sets out a policy for the use of mobile CCTV cameras in the Borough.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2622, which set out a Mobile CCTV Policy for the Council.

Members were informed that the Council had successfully applied to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for funding towards mobile CCTV, which had been granted in April 2026. The grant of £12,500 would cover the purchase of multiple camera units and associated data costs. The cameras would be used to strengthen the Council’s approach to addressing antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping, increasing the opportunity of obtaining evidence for enforcement action. It was explained that the Mobile CCTV Policy would summarise the purposes and objectives for the cameras’ use and would provide guidelines around data protection, monitoring and recording of footage and circumstances whereby footage may be released to a third party.

In discussing this, Members expressed their strong support for the introduction of mobile CCTV in the Borough and felt that this would be a significant tool in the Council’s approach both antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the Mobile CCTV Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 of Report No. OS2622, be approved.

To consider Report No. ED2614 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the Council to provide partnership funding towards a third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch at Wavell School, Farnborough.

The Cabinet considered Report No. ED2614, which set out a proposal to provide partnership funding towards a third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch at Wavell School, Farnborough.

Members were advised that the school was seeking a main grant from the Football Foundation and the Council’s contribution would form part of the required local partnership funding. In addition, Wavell had been fundraising and would be contributing a minimum sum of £100,000. It was explained that the Rushmoor Local Football Facilities Plan (LFFP), which had been updated in 2025, had identified a shortage of 3G facilities in the Borough, so this proposal would help to address the excess demand for 3G pitches. The proposal would also  support the Council’s ambitions to improve health and wellbeing, increase participation in sport and physical activity and to strengthen community resilience through sport. The application to the Football Foundation would be subject to a stringent community usage agreement to ensure the facility would be available to local clubs, community organisations and residents during evenings, weekends and school holidays.

The Cabinet welcomed this proposal and felt the investment would help to enable the provision of an excellent facility for Rushmoor residents in a central location within the Borough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           a Council contribution of £150,000, subject to the project securing Football Foundation funding and confirmation of a minimum of £100,000 direct partnership funding from Wavell School, as set out in Report No. ED2614, be approved; and

(ii)          the utilisation of the balance of the Council’s Community Recovery Fund (£85,000) and a further £65,000 from the Council’s Capital Receipts, as set out in the Report, be approved.