Cabinet - Tuesday, 7th January, 2020 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th December, 2019 (copy attached).    

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16th December, 2019 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. DSP2001 (copy attached), which sets out details of an application for a grant from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund.

The Cabinet considered Report No. DSP2001, which sought approval to award a grant from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund, which had been set up to assist local projects.

The Operational Services Portfolio Holder had considered the application by the Tower Hill Primary School, Fowler Road, Farnborough for an award of £10,000 towards the cost of the installation of an outside environmental classroom area. It was confirmed that this application met all of the agreed criteria.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that a grant of £10,000 be awarded from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund to the Tower Hill Primary School.

NOTE:  Cllr A.R. Newell declared a personal but non prejudicial interest in this item in respect of the attendance of his grandchildren at the school and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, remained in the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

To consider Report No. RP2001 (copy attached), which seeks funding for the demolition of the former Farnborough Community Centre building, as part of the Civic Quarter regeneration project.

The Cabinet considered Report No. RP2001, which sought a capital budget of £95,000 to undertake the demolition of the Elles Hall, Farnborough, as part of the wider Civic Quarter regeneration project.

Members were informed that this was the former Community Centre building and that all of the Centre’s former tenants had been successfully relocated into alternative premises. It was confirmed that, since closure, the building had been subject to vandalism and trespass. Furthermore, the building was currently attracting an empty property rates liability. For these reasons, it was recommended that the building should be demolished as soon as practicable.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that the Council’s criteria for the selection of a contractor to carry out the demolition works would provide for local companies to submit a bid. The Cabinet was supportive of the proposed approach and, furthermore, agreed that the Executive Head of Regeneration and Property should be authorised to apply for the necessary permissions, including but not limited to planning, to carry out the demolition works at this site and across the Civic Quarter, as necessary.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the provision of a capital budget of £95,000, to undertake the demolition and other pre-development works associated with the former Community Centre building, as set out in Report No. RP2001, be approved; and

(ii)          the Executive Head of Regeneration and Property be authorised to apply for the necessary permissions, including but not limited to planning, associated with the demolition and other pre-development works at this site and across the Civic Quarter, as necessary.

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 paragraphs 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.

74                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. FIN2001 (copy attached), which gives details of an application for the remission of non-domestic rates due to hardship.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. FIN2001, which set out an application for the remission of non-domestic rates on the grounds of hardship.

Members assessed the application from Actfern Investments Limited, Nos. 61 – 62 Wellington Centre, Aldershot, 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 Services Portfolio Holder and the Council’s Principal Revenues and Benefits Officer had examined the application in detail, including subsequent information requested in relation to the company’s future business plan, which was set out in the Report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that 50% hardship relief be granted to Actfern Investments Limited for the period from 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2020.

NOTE:  Cllr K.H. Muschamp declared a prejudicial interest in this item in respect of his acquaintance with the company director of Actfern Investments Limited and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, left the meeting prior to the discussion and voting thereon.