Licensing and Corporate Business Committee - Tuesday, 21st October, 2025 6.30 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Cllr. Jacqui Vosper be appointed as Chair of the Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: That Cllr. Sarah Spall be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

(1)  Licensing Sub-Committee

To confirm the Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year on the basis of five Members (Proposed: 2 Lab: 1 Con: 1 RIG: 1 Lib Dem).

(2)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments)

To confirm that the Corporate Manager - Democracy is authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

(3)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis)

To confirm that the Corporate Manager – Democracy is authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

(4)  Appointments and Appeals Panels –

To confirm that the Corporate Manager - Democracy is authorised to make appointments to Appointments and Appeals Panels set up on behalf of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, in accordance with the membership criteria set out in the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

(5) Constitution Working Group -

To confirm that the membership of the Constitution Working Group shall include the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, and a representative of the Rushmoor Independent Group in addition to the current membership in 2025/26 (Cllrs Porter, O’Donovan, Austin, Lyon, Harden and C. Card).

(1)  Licensing Sub-Committee

RESOLVED: That the following Members be appointed to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year, on the basis of five Members (2 Labour: 1 Conservative: 1 Rushmoor Independent Group: 1 Liberal Democrat):

Labour Group:  Cllrs Rhian Jones and Sarah Spall

Conservative Group: Cllr Jacqui Vosper

Rushmoor Independent Group: Cllr Jules Crossley

Liberal Democrat: Cllr C.W. Card 

(2)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments)

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Manager - Democracy be authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Alcohol and Entertainments) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

(3)  Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis)

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Manager – Democracy be authorised to make appointments from the membership of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee in accordance with the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee (Taxis) Hearings Protocol and Procedure.

(4)  Appointments and Appeals Panels –

RESOLVED: That the Corporate Manager - Democracy be authorised to make appointments to Appointments and Appeals Panels set up on behalf of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, in accordance with the membership criteria set out in the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

(5) Constitution Working Group -

RESOLVED: That the membership of the Constitution Working Group included the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee, and a representative of the Rushmoor Independent Group in addition to the current membership in 2025/26 (Cllrs Porter, O’Donovan, Austin, Lyon, Harden and C. Card).

To consider the Corporate Manager - Democracy Report No. DEM2508 (copy attached), which recommends that the polling place for Fernhill FB be moved to the Ferns Primary School Academy in Fernhill Ward, Farnborough.  

The Committee considered the Corporate Manager – Democracy’s Report No. DEM2508, which recommended that the polling place for Fernhill FB be moved to the Ferns Primary School Academy in Fernhill Ward, Farnborough.

The Committee noted that following the Parliamentary election in July 2024, feedback showed that the polling place at The Fox Inn, Chapel Lane in Fernhill, was not a suitable venue for use as a polling place for parliamentary elections as the premises did not have sufficient space for two polling stations, and there were some accessibility issues. The Electoral Commission guidance stated that it was essential that polling stations provided sufficient space for voting to take place. The Elections Group recommended a review of the polling place for Fernhill FB polling district at its meeting on 29th April 2025 and agreed to consult on changing the polling station to the Ferns Primary Academy, Field Road in Fernhill Ward, Farnborough. The Elections Group considered the findings of the public consultation at its meeting on 23rd September 2025 and recommended that the polling place be moved to the Ferns Primary Academy. Concerns raised by residents in the public consultation included potential school closures and difficulty finding the venue from the main road. The Committee noted that the school would not have to close on polling days, as the polling station would be segregated from the school building. Maps would be included with poll cards and additional signage would be placed on the main road.

During discussion, Members commented that the Ferns Academy had better accessibility arrangements for people with disabilities and better parking availability.

RESOLVED That:

(1)       the polling place for Fernhill FB be moved to The Ferns Primary Academy;

(2)       a map showing the location of The Ferns Academy be included with the poll card for the next election; and

(3)       additional signage from the main road to The Ferns Academy be provided on polling day.