Agenda item

To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 4) which recommends the approval of the General Fund Budget for 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30. Cllr Gaynor Austin, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, will introduce this item.

 

Cllr Gaynor Austin introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 10th February, 2026, which recommended the approval of the General Fund Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) up to 2029/30, with the addition of a new recommendation, as set out below:

 

“7. To adopt the Council Tax Support Scheme as per paragraph 3.18”.

 

The Report was seconded by Cllr Gareth Williams.

 

The Council were advised that the Conservative Group wished to propose eight amendments, which would be considered individually. Each amendment would be proposed, seconded, debated and put to a recorded vote.

 

Amendment 1 –

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr Steve Harden that an amendment be made, as set out below:

 

          “To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1. to: 

• add £50,000 for additional street and park cleaning.”

 

During debate, some of those opposing expressed concern about the lack of prior discussion on the proposed amendment, the absence of details about what the additional funding would fund, whether full costings had been carried out, and how the additional funding could be saved elsewhere in the Budget.  In support, it was noted that the cleanliness of streets and parks affected how people saw the Borough and it was important to ensure that the overall appearance of streets and parks was positive.

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Leola Card, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (19); ABSTAIN: the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (2) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

Amendment 2 -

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr Steve Harden that an amendment be made, as set out below:

 

“To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1, to:

• add £105,000 to fund free parking in our town centres and Camp Road Car Park on Sundays.”

 

During debate, some of those opposing expressed concern about the absence of detail to inform a decision on the financial/economic return on the investment to offer free parking on Sundays across the Borough. In support, it was proposed that by offering free parking on Sundays it would encourage more shoppers into the town centres, support traders and residents with the cost-of-living crisis.

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Leola Card, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (19); ABSTAIN: the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (2) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

Amendments 3 & 5 -

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr Steve Harden, that the amendments be made, as set out below:

 

“To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1, to:

• add £65,000 to fund £5,000 of environmental improvements and anti-fly tipping measures in each ward, and
• add £11,000 for discounted bulky waste collection.”

 

During debate, some of those opposing again expressed concern about the absence of supporting details, the financial implications of the amendments and whether these had been fully costed. In support of the amendment, reference was made to a cross-party discussion at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at which matters relating to bulky waste had been addressed and where there had been a general consensus to look at alternative options to deal with bulky waste. The Portfolio Holder for Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services, advised that alternatives had been considered, and it was intended that a revised scheme would be implemented shortly.

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Leola Card, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (19); ABSTAIN: the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (2) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

Amendment 4 -

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr Akmal Gani that an amendment be made, as set out below:

 

“To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1, to:

• add £30,000 to fund mobile CCTV coverage.”

 

During debate, again some of those opposing expressed concern about the absence of supporting details, the financial implications of the amendment, and whether what was intended had been fully costed. In response, reference was made to the overall impact of CCTV on incidents and the prosecution of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Leola Card, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (18); ABSTAIN: the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (2) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

Amendment 6 -

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr S. Trussler that an amendment be made, as set out below:

 

“To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1, to:

• add £26,000 to fund a council tax rebate for Band A properties”

 

During debate, it was noted that there were around 1,480 Band A properties in the Borough. A query was made as to the percentage of council tax rebate the amount had been based on. In response, it was acknowledged that while the Council were not in a position to help all council taxpayers across all bands, this amendment would help to assist those in most need by giving a small amount back. 

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Leola Card, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (19); ABSTAIN: the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (2) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

Amendment 7 -

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor that an amendment be made, as set out below:

 

“To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1, to:

• add £5,000 for the fit-out of a Cop Shop in Farnborough.”

 

During debate, it was indicated that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, had offered to take on the operational cost of a facility of this nature, with a cash injection of £5,000 from the Council as a set up cost. In response, it was suggested that the police did not have capacity, at this time, to run a “cop shop” facility. Again, some of those opposing felt the evidence of costing the additional spend had not been clear.

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, Leola Card, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (18); ABSTAIN: Cllr C.W. Card, the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (3) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

Amendment 8 -

 

It was MOVED by Cllr G.B. Lyon and SECONDED by Cllr Mara Makunura that an amendment be made, as set out below:

 

“To amend the corporate delivery plan, as set out in Appendix 1, to:

• add £25,000 to support the fit-out of George V Park Cafe.”

 

During debate, the benefits of a café as a social/community hub in the park were raised. There was currently no meeting place in the area where residents could gather in a safe welcoming place, strengthening community cohesion and reducing isolation. However, again, some of those opposing felt that there were no details forthcoming on the financial implications of the additional spend.

 

In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Ade Adeola, A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (10); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Leola Card, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (19); ABSTAIN: the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (2) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

 

It was MOVED by Cllr Gaynor Austin; SECONDED by Cllr Gareth Williams – That

 

(i)              approval be given to the following recommendations as detailed in Annex 4

 

(1)  the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the strategy set out in the report to mitigate the 2026/27 and 2027/28 MTFS deficit,

(2)  the General Fund Revenue Budget Estimates Summary 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 1 of the Council Report,

(3)  the Council Tax requirement of £8,324,717 for this Council,

(4)  the Council Tax Level for Rushmoor Borough Council’s purposes of £246.87 for a Band D property in 2026/27 (an increase of £7.71)

(5)  the Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 1 of the Council Report,

(6)  the Strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts as per paragraph 3.16 in Annex 4 of the Council Report, and

(7)  to adopt the Council Tax Support Scheme as per paragraph 3.18.

 

Following debate, the Recommendations at (i) (1)-(7) above, were put to the meeting. In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, A.H. Crawford, Jules Crossley, Thomas Day, Keith Dibble, C.P. Grattan, Lisa Greenway, Christine Guinness, Julie Hall, Rhian Jones, Bill O’Donovan, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams and Gareth Williams (17); AGAINST: Ade Adeola, C.W. Card,  A. Gani, Steve Harden, G.B. Lyon, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (11); ABSTAIN: Cllr Leola Card, the Deputy Mayor (Cllr P.J. Cullum) and the Mayor (Cllr Calum Stewart) (3) and the substantive Motion, with the additional recommendation, was DECLARED CARRIED.