Cabinet - Thursday, 20th August, 2026 3.30 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 4th August, 2026 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4th August, 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider Report No. REG2603 (copy attached), which seeks authority to increase the capital budget allocation in respect of the project at Nos. 16-18 The Meads, Farnborough.

The Cabinet considered Report No. REG2603, which set out a proposal to consider increasing the capital budget allocation to enable the completion of the building works at Nos. 16-18 The Meads, Farnborough.

Members were informed that most of the main contractor works had been completed and that additional unforeseen costs had arisen which had resulted in an overspend of the project’s budget allocation. It was explained that these additional costs could be attributed largely to the complexity of the ground conditions alongside risks inherent in carrying out refurbishment works to an ageing asset.

The Cabinet was supportive of the proposed approach to complete the delivery of this important project in the regeneration of Farnborough town centre. Concern was expressed, however, that the cost of this project had exceeded the agreed budget and that this been the case with other recent projects. It was agreed that the method by which project budgets and contingencies were calculated should be thoroughly reviewed.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that an increase to the project’s capital budget of up to £35,000, to enable the completion of the works by the end of September, 2026, plus the provision of a contingency of up to £15,000, be approved, both funded from capital receipts balances.

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.

5                      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.

27                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. REG2604 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to establish a revenue budget to enable the Council to settle a right of light claim.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. REG2604, which sought approval to agree a revenue budget to settle a claim for compensation.

Members were advised that a compensation claim had been received from the owners of a nearby property in respect of an interference with its right to light caused by the Union Yard development. It was reported that settlement of the claim would avoid the issue of legal proceedings by the applicants. The Report set out the legal position in relation to this matter and summarised a report that had been commissioned from the Council’s rights of light surveyors.

The Cabinet queried whether insurance against such claims might have been appropriate but it was explained that insurance of this type was cost-prohibitive.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the establishment of a Supplementary Budget within the Revenue Account, in the sum set out in the Exempt Report No. REG2604, be approved, to be funded from the Stability and Resilience revenue reserve.