Cabinet - Tuesday, 8th January, 2019 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes
Venue: Concorde Room, Council Offices, Farnborough
Contact: Chris Todd, Democracy and Partnerships on 01252 398825 or e-mail: chris.todd@rushmoor.gov.uk
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To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 11th December, 2018 (copy attached). Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11th December, 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. |
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RUSHMOOR COMMUNITY LOTTERY PDF 15 MB To consider Report No. DSP1901 (copy attached), which sets out a review of the Rushmoor Community Lottery, following the first year of operation, and proposes changes to its working arrangements. Presented By: Cllr Gareth Lyon, Corporate and Democratic Services Portfolio Holder Minutes: The Cabinet considered Report No. DSP1901, which set out a review of the
Rushmoor Community Lottery, following the first year of operation. Members heard that the Lottery had been operating since July, 2017 and
had raised over £33,000 for good causes. The Cabinet was informed that some
proceeds from every ticket sold were transferred to the Community Fund and it
was now proposed that a Community Forum should be established to consider
funding applications made to the Community Fund. The Report set out the
proposed composition of the Forum and it was confirmed that the application
process would be reviewed after one year of operation. In response to a question, it was confirmed that participating
organisations would be encouraged to increase ticket sales and would be supported
in doing this, if necessary. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
the establishment of the
Community Forum, as set out in Section 3 of Report No. DSP1901, be approved;
and (ii)
the Community Forum be
authorised to allocate the Community Fund, in accordance with the arrangements
set out in Section 3 of the Report. |
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BUSINESS RATES - DISCRETIONARY GROWTH INCENTIVE RELIEF APPLICATION PDF 466 KB To consider Report No. FIN1901 (copy attached), which gives details of an application for discretionary rate relief under the Council’s Discretionary Growth Incentive Relief Policy. Presented By: Cllr Gareth Lyon, Corporate and Democratic Services Portfolio Holder Minutes: The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1901, which set out details of an application for discretionary rate relief, under the Council’s Discretionary Growth Incentive Relief Policy, from Hancock’s Restaurants Limited (Nos. 46 – 50 Kingsmead, Farnborough). The Cabinet RESOLVED that 50% discretionary rate relief be awarded to Hancock’s Restaurants Limited for a period of twelve months. NOTE: Cllr P.G. Taylor declared an interest in this item in respect of the proximity of the application address to his place of work. He remained in the meeting during the discussion on this item but did not take part in the voting thereon. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC To consider resolving: That, subject to the public interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting during the discussion of the undermentioned items to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such items: Item Schedule Category Nos. 12A Para. No. 5, 6 and 7 3 Information
relating to financial or business affairs Minutes: RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be
excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned items to
avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A
to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the items: Minute Schedule Category Nos. 12A
Para. No.
71, 72 and 73 3 Information
relating to financial or business affairs |
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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE CONSIDERED |
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ALDERSHOT REGENERATION - SITE ASSEMBLY To consider Exempt Report No. RP1901 (copy attached), which sets out matters regarding the acquisition of properties in relation to the regeneration of Aldershot town centre. Presented By: Cllr Martin Tennant, Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder Minutes: The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP1901, which set out an update
on the Cabinet’s previously agreed approach to the acquisition of properties in
Aldershot town centre for reasons of regeneration. The Report set out the latest position in relation to the assembly of
sites in the town centre to enable a comprehensive redevelopment scheme to be
brought forward. It was reported that good progress had been made to date in
this respect and that negotiations were in progress to acquire the remaining
properties. The Report referred to one particular property where meetings had
been held between the current owner, the Leader of the Council and the Chief
Executive, with a view to its acquisition by the Council. It was confirmed
that, following further negotiations, the asking price was likely to be within
the range set out in a recent valuation of the property. The Cabinet was
requested to agree an upper limit to enable the Chief Executive, in consultation
with the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, to negotiate to acquire,
by agreement, the property. It was further requested that, in the event that
the acquisition was not possible by agreement, the Corporate Manager – Legal
Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, should be authorised to
commence the compulsory purchase of the property, at the appropriate time. In discussing this matter, the Cabinet considered this to be a key site
in the regeneration of Aldershot town centre. In answer to a question, it was
confirmed that external funding that had been secured in relation to the
regeneration of Aldershot town centre was at risk if there was delay to
delivery timescales. It was considered that a delay would be inevitable if the
Council opted to acquire the property through the compulsory purchase process.
The Chief Executive drew Members’ attention to the fact that the property had
been valued between £1.2 million and £2.6 million, depending on the assumptions
that were made. He also pointed out that, with reference to property values in
Aldershot, it was unlikely that the Council would realise a return on this
purchase and it was more probable that this would be written off as a
contribution to the regeneration of Aldershot town centre going forward. The
Cabinet expressed strong support for attempting to acquire the property by
agreement and agreed an upper negotiation limit. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i)
an upper limit of £2.6 million
be approved, to allow the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Major
Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, to negotiate and acquire, by agreement,
the freehold of the property set out in Exempt Report No. RP1901; (ii)
in the event that it was
not possible to agree an acquisition value within the agreed parameters, the
Corporate Manager – Legal Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive,
be authorised to take necessary steps to commence the compulsory purchase of
the property, at the appropriate time; and (iii) the requirement for a future variation to the Capital Programme, to enable the acquisition ... view the full minutes text for item 71. |
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PROPERTY INVESTMENT PURCHASE To consider Exempt Report No. RP1902 (copy attached), which sets out details relating to the potential acquisition of property. Presented By: Cllr Martin Tennant, Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder Minutes: The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP1902, which set out a
proposal to acquire the freehold investment in a property, as part of the asset
investment programme in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy. The Report set out the details of the potential investment, including the
current lettings, the projected rates of return and the rationale for the purchase.
A recent condition survey had confirmed that the property was in a satisfactory
state of repair. The Cabinet was supportive of the purchase and, taking all factors into account, considered it to be a sound
investment for the Council. |
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APPLICATION FOR SECTION 49 REMISSION OF NON-DOMESTIC RATES To consider Exempt Report No. FIN1902 (copy attached), which gives details of an application for the remission of non-domestic rates due to hardship. Presented By: Cllr Gareth Lyon, Corporate and Democratic Services Portfolio Holder Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Exempt Report No. FIN1902, which set out an application for the remission of non-domestic rates on the grounds of hardship. Members assessed the application from Gharelu Grocery Store Limited, No. 18 Victoria Road, Farnborough, taking into account the evidence of financial hardship supplied and whether it was in the interests of local taxpayers to subsidise the business. The Cabinet took into account the nature and circumstances of the business and the availability of alternative facilities in the area. The Corporate and Democratic Services Portfolio Holder and the Principal Revenues and Benefits Officer had met to discuss the application in detail. The Cabinet RESOLVED that 33% hardship relief be granted to Gharelu Grocery Store Limited for the period from 1st May, 2018 to 31st March, 2019. NOTE: Cllr D.E. Clifford declared a prejudicial interest in this item in respect of his attendance at the store’s opening ceremony and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, left the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon. |