Cabinet - Tuesday, 10th August, 2021 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, Cllr P.G. Taylor notified the Cabinet that he would be making a declaration in respect of Minute No. 25.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th July, 2021 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28th July, 2021 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. FIN2112 (copy attached), which gives details of two applications for discretionary rate relief.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2112, which set out details of applications for rate relief from nDreams Limited (Spectrum Point, No. 279 Farnborough Road, Farnborough) and Mr Hardik Sorathiya (Aldershot Post Office, Nos. 63-68 Wellington Street, Aldershot).

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)            50% discretionary relief be awarded to nDreams Limited for a period of one year; and

(ii)          34% discretionary relief be awarded to Mr Hardik Sorathiya from 21st July, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

To consider Report No. ACE2105 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information in relation to the Council Business Plan for the first quarter of 2021/22.

The Cabinet received Report No. ACE2105, which set out progress in delivering the Council Business Plan projects during the first quarter of 2021/22. Members were informed that progress against eighteen key projects was included in the Report, along with the Council’s business performance monitoring information and the Council’s Corporate Risk Register. It was reported that good progress was being made against an ambitious programme of work, taking account of the impact of the current pandemic and ongoing resource constraints.

The Cabinet NOTED the progress made towards delivering the Council Business Plan, as set out in Report No. ACE2105, and the risks identified within the Corporate Risk Register in July, 2021.

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.

6                      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.

25                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. RP2107 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to move forward with negotiations to acquire land and property to enable the progression of regeneration in part of Farnborough town centre.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. RP2107, which set out a proposal to progress negotiations to acquire land and property to enable the progression of regeneration in part of Farnborough town centre.

Members were informed that an opportunity had arisen to acquire land and buildings that were considered to be important in providing a joined-up approach to the regeneration and development of the town centre and Civic Quarter areas. Details of the potential acquisitions were set out in the Report. It was reported that, at this stage, the proposal was to provide funding to progress the necessary due diligence, legal work and options assessment and to commence work on a detailed business case to enable the progression of the regeneration of this part of the town centre. Members were informed that the suggested approach carried a range of potential risks to the Council and that a summary of these was contained within the Report. It was reported that, if agreed, the Council would continue to use Lambert Smith Hampton Investment Management as its property advisors for the acquisition.

In discussing the proposals, the Cabinet expressed strong support for the suggested approach and the continued involvement of Lambert Smith Hampton Investment Management. Members noted the risks associated with the scheme but, overall, felt that this represented an excellent opportunity for the Council to intervene directly in the regeneration of Farnborough town centre. This would allow the Council to ensure that any future development in this area and the Civic Quarter site was both complementary and of a sufficient quality to provide the best outcome for local residents and other users of the town. 

The Cabinet

(i)           RESOLVED that the undertaking of further negotiations with the vendor to secure the best price and commercial offer for the land interests, as set out in Exempt Report No. RP2107, be approved, with appropriate work being undertaken to progress the associated due diligence, legal assessment, feasibility study, development options and business case; and

(ii)          RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that an initial budget of up to £250,000 be allocated to enable the progression of the steps set out at Resolution (i) above.

NOTE:  Whilst not a declarable interest under the Code of Conduct, as this decision did not directly relate to his registered disclosable pecuniary interest, nor directly relate to or affect his financial interests or well being,  Cllr P.G. Taylor advised, in the interests of transparency in respect of this item, that he was currently a tenant of one of the properties within the site under discussion.