Cabinet - Monday, 16th December, 2019 5.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th November, 2019 (copy attached).    

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12th November, 2019 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN1934 (copy attached), which sets out the work undertaken by the Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group to review the Council’s Council Tax Support Scheme.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN1934, which set out the work carried out by the Council’s Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group in respect of potential changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme. The Chairman welcomed Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford, Chairman of the Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group, who was attending to report on the Group’s recommendations.

The Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group had met on 1st August, 2019 and 8th October, 2019 to consider its recommendations to the Cabinet. The Group had paid specific attention to a number of matters during its deliberations and these were set out in paragraph 2 of the Report. Having considered all relevant data that had been available, the Group recommended that no changes should be made to the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21. This would mean that the minimum contribution would remain at 12%. Additionally, it was recommended that a fundamental review of the Scheme should be started in 2020, specifically to consider the impact of the roll out of Universal Credit on Rushmoor residents and the Council, to look at improvements to reduce the administrative burdens on the Council and to make the Scheme easier to understand for the customer.

In considering the proposal, the Cabinet expressed broad support for this approach.

The Cabinet

(i)           RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that the current Council Tax Support Scheme be retained for 2020/21; and

(ii)          RESOLVED that:

(a)          the deliberations and considerations of the Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group in arriving at its recommendations, as set out in Report No. FIN1934, be noted; and

(b)          the Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group be requested to carry out a review of the Council’s Council Tax Support Scheme, starting in 2020, as set out in the Report.

To consider Report No. OS1909 (copy attached), which sets out proposals to vary the current scheme of hackney carriage fares.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS1909, which outlined proposals to vary the current scheme of hackney carriage fares, which had been last amended on 1st September, 2018.

The Report set out two proposals to vary the current scheme of fares. The taxi trade had submitted a proposal and the other had been devised by the Council in response to Members’ concerns about the existing scheme. Members were asked to consider whether to approve either proposal for public consultation. It was confirmed that the Council-devised proposal had been aimed at producing a scheme that was easier to understand and that eliminated extra charges wherever possible, such as for telephone or internet bookings and for journeys that crossed the Borough’s boundaries. Members were informed that the matter would be brought back to the Cabinet for a final decision in the event of representations being received during the consultation exercise. The provisional implementation date of a revised scheme of fares would be 1st March, 2020.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the proposed scheme of fares, as set out in Appendix C to Report No. OS1909, be approved for public consultation;

(ii)          in the event of representations being received during the consultation stage, the matter be brought back to the Cabinet for consideration at its meeting on 4th February, 2020; and

(iii)         a provisional implementation date of 1st March, 2020 be approved for the revised scheme of fares, subject to the outcome of the consideration of any representations received during the consultation exercise.

To consider Report No. OS1917 (copy attached), which outlines proposals for public consultation on a taxi-sharing scheme to run for the duration of the Farnborough International Airshow 2020.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS1917, which outlined proposals for a taxi-sharing scheme to run for the duration of the Farnborough International Airshow 2020.

Members were informed that similar schemes had operated successfully at each Airshow since 2004. It was reported that this year’s proposed scheme was similar to that implemented in 2018 but with an uplift to the fare to be charged. Details of how the scheme would operate were set out in the Report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)        the proposed taxi-sharing scheme, as set out in Report No. OS1917, be approved for public consultation; and

(ii)       following the period of public consultation, the Operational Services Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the Head of Operational Services, be authorised to approve the final 2020 Scheme and any future taxi sharing proposals, taking account of any responses received during the consultation exercise.

To consider Report No. EPSH1951 (copy attached), which seeks agreement to publish for public consultation and, subject to no substantive policy or resource objections having been received, to adopt the draft Locally Listed Heritage Assets Supplementary Planning Document.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EPSH1951, which set out the draft Locally Listed Heritage Assets Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and sought agreement for this to be published for consultation and, following the consultation period, adopted.

Members were informed that the purpose of this SPD was to provide further guidance to support the implementation of Policy HE1: Heritage and Policy HE2: Demolition of a Heritage Asset, which were contained in the recently adopted Rushmoor Local Plan. It was proposed that the Cabinet would adopt the SPD, subject to no substantive policy or resource objections being received during the consultation exercise. If such objections were received, the matter would be brought back to the Cabinet for further consideration.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the draft Locally Listed Heritage Assets SPD be approved for public consultation for a period of six weeks;

(ii)          the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make factual and/or non-substantive minor amendments to the SPD prior to consultation and adoption, including an alteration to entry no. LL5130 in the Rushmoor Local List to read “Former Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Queens Road, Farnborough”;

(iii)         subject to no substantive policy or resource objections being received during that time, the adoption of the Locally Listed Heritage Assets Supplementary Planning Document, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report No. EPSH1951, and subject to any subsequent minor amendments, be approved; and

(iv)         in the event of substantive policy or resource objections being received, the matter be brought back to the Cabinet for consideration.

To consider Report No. EPSH1950 (copy attached), which sets out proposed boundary changes, character appraisals and management plans and Article 4 Directions in respect of the Cargate Avenue and Aldershot Military Town Conservation Areas.

The Cabinet considered Report No. EPSH1950, which set out information relating to reviews of the Cargate Avenue and Aldershot Military Town Conservation Areas.

Members were informed that these reviews were part of a comprehensive review of the Council’s eight conservation areas and set out draft character appraisals, including proposed boundary changes and management plans, for each conservation area, together with draft Article 4 directions, that would remove certain permitted development rights in the vicinities.

In discussing the revised boundaries of the Aldershot Military Town Conservation Area, the Cabinet was keen to ensure that future development in respect of the Wellesley site would not be hindered by any changes.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder, be authorised to amend the conservation area proposals for consultation relating to the Aldershot Military Town to remove the addition of the playing fields to the west of the A325;

(ii)          subject to the above amendment, the draft character appraisals, including the proposed boundary changes and Management Plans, and draft Article 4 directions for the Cargate Avenue and Aldershot Military Town Conservation Areas and the draft Conservation Areas Overview be approved for public consultation for a period of six weeks;

(iii)         the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder, be authorised to make factual and/or non-substantive minor amendments to the documents prior to consultation and adoption;

(iv)         following the consultation period and subject to no substantive objections being received during that time, the adoption of the character appraisals, including the proposed boundary changes and management plans, and Article 4 directions for the Cargate Avenue and Aldershot Military Town Conservation Areas and the draft Conservation Areas Overview, as set out in Report No. EPSH1950, and subject to any subsequent minor amendments, be approved; and

(v)          in the event of substantive objections being received, the matter be brought back to the Cabinet for consideration.

To consider Report No. OS1916 (copy attached), which sets out a proposed Rushmoor Playground Strategy.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS1916, which sought approval for the Council’s Rushmoor Playground Strategy. The Chairman welcomed Cllr J.B. Canty, Chairman of the Policy and Project Advisory Board (PPAB), who was attending to report on the Board’s contribution to the development of the document.

Members were informed that the Strategy would seek to ensure the provision of a network of high quality, diverse play facilities across the Borough. PPAB would continue to play an active part in the delivery of the Strategy.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that the viability of providing refreshment outlets in some parks in Rushmoor would be considered as a priority.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the Rushmoor Playground Strategy 2020 - 2030, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report No. OS1916, be approved.

To consider Report No. OS1915 (copy attached), which sets out the preferred approach for the procurement of a new leisure operating services contract covering the Farnborough Leisure Centre and the Aldershot Indoor Pools and Lido complex.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS1915, which set out the proposed approach for the procurement of a new leisure operating services contract covering the Farnborough Leisure Centre and Aldershot Indoor Pools and Lido complex. The Chairman welcomed Mrs Katherine Everard, Committee Member of Rushmoor Indoor Bowling Club, who had requested to address the Cabinet on this issue.

Members were informed that, in February, 2019, GT3 Architects, along with Strategic Leisure Limited, had been appointed to assist Council officers in looking at options for the future provision of leisure facilities across the Borough, including the Farnborough Leisure Centre. Members’ attention was brought to paragraph 4.9 of the Report which set out a recommended facilities mix for a new leisure facility. This recommended that the facilities mix did not include the reprovision of an indoor bowls rink. A Headline Needs Analysis had been prepared and had identified that indoor bowls could be provided as a stand-alone facility. The build cost of a new facility, or the re-purposing of an existing building or facility, would have a lower cost than the estimated £2.7 million cost of incorporating indoor bowls in a new leisure centre, based on 1000 square metres of space at a build cost of £2,700 per square metre.

Given the impact of this on the Rushmoor Indoor Bowling Club, who were the primary users of the current facility, the Council had contacted the Club advising them of the recommendations and had invited the Club to work with officers to consider alternative options. A budget of £10,000 was to be set aside to support this work.

The Cabinet heard from Mrs Everard, who was speaking on behalf of the Rushmoor Indoor Bowls Club. Mrs Everard brought the Cabinet’s attention to the written representations that had been submitted. Mrs Everard raised further points including:

-           that the increase in population from extensive developments in the area would have the potential to increase demand for indoor bowls facilities

-           could S106 developers’ contributions be used to fund the provision of indoor bowls in the mix for a new leisure facility?

-           that the current location was ideal in terms of access for the Club’s members, especially in terms of public transport links.

The Cabinet considered the representations made.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the Head of Operational Services, in consultation with the Operational Services Portfolio Holder, be authorised to carry out the procurement of a new contract, as set out in Report No. OS1915, using a process of competitive dialogue, including making amendments to and finalising the documentation for use throughout the procurement process;

(ii)          the procurement documentation and conditions of contract, as set out in Appendices 3 – 6 to the Report, be approved as the basis for the procurement;

(iii)         a total procurement project budget of £50,000, to be included in the revised revenue estimates for 2019/20, be approved, with flexibility to carry forward any unspent balance into 2020/21;

(iv)         in order to bring forward the next stage of a new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

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.

10                    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.

69                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. RP1926 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal for the acquisition of a property as part of the Council’s asset investment programme.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP1926, which set out a proposal to acquire the freehold investment in a property and the leasehold interest in associated car parking for the property, as part of the asset investment programme in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Cabinet was informed that the acquisition was proposed in the context of the Investment Property Strategy, which had been undertaken by officers and had been supported by Lambert Smith Hampton Investment Management. The Strategy was focussed on the Council’s requirement for long term and stable income from its commercial property portfolio. Members considered that the 4.86% net initial yield represented a good initial return for the Council on the basis of the uplifts set out in the Report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the purchase of the property and associated car parking, as set out in Exempt Report No. RP1926, be approved;

(ii)          the Executive Head of Regeneration and Property, in consultation with the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, be authorised to conclude negotiations, subject to due diligence, for the acquisitions, with a maximum financial commitment as set out in the Report;

(iii)         the additional revenue expenditure in 2019/20, as set out in paragraph 4.15 of the Report, be approved; and

(iv)         the extension of the delegation to the Executive Head of Regeneration and Property in respect of leases of up to £250,000 per annum, as set out in paragraph 3 of the Report, be approved until the consideration of the review of the Council’s Constitution at the Council meeting on 26th May, 2020.