Agenda item

To receive any questions by Members to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with the Procedure Note.

(1)      Cllr M. Hope had submitted a question for response by the Operational Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.L. Sheehan) about the Prostate Cancer UK’s campaign “Boys Need Bins”.

In response, Cllr Sheehan stated that he recommended all Members to research the campaign. He felt that there was a case for sanitary bins to be provided at Southwood Country Park, the Council Offices and Princes Hall.  Cllr Sheehan also stated that private establishments (e.g., restaurants, cafes) would be asked to consider providing sanitary bins and publicity would also be given to the “Boys Need Bins” campaign. 

(2)      Cllr S. Trussler had submitted a question for response by the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder (Cllr G. Lyon) about a Habitat Bank.

          In response, Cllr Lyon stated that a public consultation exercise had been held on a Draft Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). A report would be considered by the Cabinet seeking the adoption of the SPD, the launch of a Rushmoor Habitat Bank and the adoption of a Rushmoor Habitat Bank Procedure Note.

(3)      Cllr Mrs D.B. Bedford had submitted a question for the Planning and Economy Portfolio Holder (Cllr G. Lyon) about support for Lynchford Road traders.

          In response, Cllr Lyon confirmed that support was being given to North Camp traders (rates relief) and referred to work on promotional campaigns for the shops in North Camp.

(4)      Cllr M.D. Smith had submitted a question of the new Leader of the Council regarding his priorities for the Council.

          In response, Cllr Lyon outlined his priorities for the Council, including the regeneration of the town centres, caring for neighbourhoods and parks, strengthening communities, developing a robust Financial Strategy and Digital Strategy and a well-run Council.   In addition, Cllr Lyon confirmed that he had asked Cllr Calum Stewart to work with the migrant community going forward.

(5)      Cllr S.J. Masterson had submitted a question for the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder (Cllr M.J. Tennant) about the number of trees planted in the Borough in recent years.

          In response, Cllr Tennant stated that the following number of trees had been planted:

(6)      Cllr D.E. Clifford had submitted a question for the Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships Portfolio Holder (Cllr Sue Carter) about marking Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2024.

          In response, Cllr Sue Carter stated that Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) was marked each year on 27th January to remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides across the world since World War Two and was supported by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. She confirmed that, in January 2024, the Council would mark Holocaust Memorial Day with a week-long exhibition of display information at the Council Offices and the Princes Hall which would be linked to the theme for 2024 - ‘Fragility of Freedom’. Arrangements were also being made for a public Holocaust Memorial Day Church Service at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints in Aldershot on Sunday 28th January 2024 to which the Mayor and all councillors would be invited to attend.

(7)      Cllr M.J. Roberts had submitted a question for the Leader of the Council (Cllr G.B. Lyon) regarding a planning application which had been submitted by McDonalds for a site near Tongham/Farnham but on the border of Rushmoor’s boundary adjacent to Tices Meadow, Aldershot.

          In response, Cllr Lyon confirmed that the planning application was within the Borough of Guildford and that Rushmoor had not received an adjoining borough consultation. However, Rushmoor had provided advice to partners on how they and individuals could submit their comments to Guildford as the Local Planning Authority for the planning application submitted by McDonalds, and that he would be happy to make representations. 

(8)      Cllr Gaynor Austin had submitted a question for the Corporate Services Portfolio Holder (Cllr P.G. Taylor) regarding the Council’s Financial Strategy, in particular to enable the delivery of the Farnborough Leisure and Cultural Hub and the wider civic quarter development.

          In response, Cllr Taylor stated that the Council had borrowed to fund investment in the Borough and to support service delivery.  He said that borrowing was always done with due diligence and in line with the Capital and Investment Strategy approved by the Council each February.  These strategies included the identification of risk and appropriate mitigations. The unprecedented turmoil in financial markets and resulting rise in the Bank of England base rate from 3% last December to the current rate of 5.25% had put pressure on the Council’s finances.  The rapid increase interest cost had triggered the mitigation measures built into the underlying approved Capital and Investment Strategies to be expedited.  The full detail of how these Strategies were being implemented would be provided as part of the overall budget proposals due to come to the Council meeting in February 2024.