Agenda item

(1)      Commonwealth and Gurkha Veterans

 

To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Nadia Martin pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

 

“Rushmoor Borough Council are aware of the difficulties experienced by Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans, many of whom live in Aldershot, Home of the British Army, and wish to ensure that those who are currently experiencing problems, whether financial or immigration, are not disadvantaged whilst their applications for visas are ongoing.

 

To that end, Council request that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister, the Minister of State for Immigration, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) outlining the Council's support for all Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans who have served a minimum of 4 years being granted the automatic, free-of-charge right to remain in the UK and for any veteran who completes 12 years of service being automatically given British Citizenship.

 

Further, Council request that the Leader of the Council write to the MP for Aldershot Constituency to ask that he press the Government for a change in the legislation on visas and citizenship that affects Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans who have served Her Majesty The Queen and this country  diligently and honourably.”

 

(2)      Devereux House

 

To consider the following Notice of Motion which has been submitted by Cllr C.J. Stewart pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):

 

“This Council notes the sad closure of Devereux House (formerly the Farnborough and Cove War Memorial Hospital), and pays tribute to the extraordinary work of its staff and volunteers in the service to our Borough over the past 100 years. 

 

In addition, this Council notes its longstanding support for the Trust, as well as the generosity of volunteers, local charitable organisations, and the wider community over many years.

 

This Council affirms its commitment to endeavouring to further the legacy of the Trust, alongside its partners, and continue honouring the fallen of the First World War.”

The Council was asked to consider two Motions which had been submitted in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1).

 

(1)      Commonwealth and Gurkha Veterans

 

Cllr Nadia Martin introduced her Motion and said that, since submitting her Motion she had been honoured to have inspired the Leader of the Council to take action and write that day to relevant Members of Parliament on the issues raised within her Motion.  Cllr Martin stated that she felt that this was a great step in the right direction not only for Commonwealth and Gurkha soldiers and veterans in Rushmoor, but also for all those who had served across the country.  Cllr Martin then proposed an Amendment to her Motion. 

 

It was MOVED by Cllr Martin and SECONDED by Cllr T.W. Mitchell – That the Motion be amended as follows:

 

“Rushmoor Borough Council are aware of the difficulties experienced by Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans, many of whom live in Aldershot, Home of the British Army, and wish to ensure that those who are currently experiencing problems, whether financial or immigration, are not disadvantaged whilst their applications for visas are ongoing.

 

To that end, Council records its thanks to the Leader of the Council for writing to the Prime Minister, the Minister of State for Immigration, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) outlining the Council's cross-party support for all Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans who have served a minimum of 4 years being granted the automatic, free-of-charge right to remain in the UK and for any veteran who completes 12 years of service being automatically given British Citizenship.

 

We further hope that the above press the Government for a change in the legislation on visas and citizenship that affects Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans who have served Her Majesty The Queen and this country  diligently and honourably.”

 

With the consent of the Council, the Amendment then became the Substantive Motion.  During discussion, Members referred to the current high costs faced by Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans in the processing of visas and citizenship applications. It was also mentioned that cross-party support for the Motion should give a clear message that Rushmoor was united in its message to Government that those men and women from the Commonwealth and Nepal who had served in Britain’s armed forces and put themselves in harm’s way should have the opportunity to apply for British Citizenship and visas without cost. 

 

Members were in support of the letter sent by the Leader of the Council to the Government urging the Government to make changes to the process for applying for British citizenship, permanent residency and associated rights for Commonwealth and Gurkha veteran soldiers who had served in the British Armed Forces and for their families too.   It was noted that the letter to the Government celebrated the significant contribution that Commonwealth and Gurkha soldiers had made to the British Armed Forces and to the local community in Rushmoor.  The letter recognised the existing barriers to British Citizenship faced by Commonwealth and Gurkha veterans, which included significant cost and a challenging process to follow.  The letter acknowledged that the Ministry of Defence had recently announced its intention to hold a public consultation exercise on the issue of settlement fees with the aim of providing greater simplicity and flexibility.  The letter concluded by stating Rushmoor’s intention to engage in the public consultation exercise and called on the Government to take steps to reduce the barriers to applying for permanent residency, citizenship and associated rights for Commonwealth and Gurkha soldiers and their families.    Members were urged to support the Motion.

 

The Amendment was put to the meeting.  There voted FOR: 35; AGAINST: 0; and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

 

(2)      Devereux House

 

It was MOVED by Cllr C.J. Stewart and SECONDED by Cllr Veronica Graham-Green - That

 

“This Council notes the sad closure of Devereux House (formerly the Farnborough and Cove War Memorial Hospital) and pays tribute to the extraordinary work of its staff and volunteers in the service of our Borough over the past 100 years.

 

In addition, this Council notes its longstanding support for the Trust, as well as the generosity of volunteers, local charitable organisations and the wider community over many years.

 

This Council affirms its commitment to endeavouring to further the legacy of the Trust, alongside its partners, and continue honouring the fallen of the First World War.”

 

In introducing his Motion, Cllr Stewart said that it was very sad for him, fellow Trustees and many others that Devereux House had closed.  It had been his privilege to serve as a Trustee, representing the Council since his election onto the Council in 2019.   Cllr Stewart advised that, in the aftermath of World War 1, public meetings had been held all over the country to discuss how to remember the fallen.  The residents of Farnborough, Cove and South Hawley had decided unanimously that they would welcome a living memorial and something practical for the community as a war memorial.   A private house in Albert Road, Farnborough had been purchased and a cottage hospital had been created and had been first run by volunteers.  By 1948 it had been taken over by the newly formed NHS.  In 1974, with the opening of Frimley Park Hospital, the cottage hospital had closed its doors to patients and for a short period housed a number of Council departments.  Not long afterwards, the Farnborough and Cove War Memorial Hospital Trust had been formed and Devereux House came into being.  It had been named after Councillor Lieutenant Colonel Robert Devereux who had worked tirelessly for its creation.  Lieutenant Colonel Devereux was also the first Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Rushmoor. 

 

Cllr Stewart stated that, for the last 42 years, Devereux House had been a much loved and well respected residential care home and a crucial lifeline for many residents in their later years.  As well as being a care home, Devereux House had also offered day care for 60-70 people in the form of personal care, hot meals and respite for carers.   Since established, Devereux House had always been operated as a registered charity, run by volunteers and heavily reliant on the generosity of local people.  Such organisations as the League of Friends and local Rotary Clubs had helped to keep Devereux House going for nearly 50 years. As well as support from the Council, Devereux House had also received assistance from central Government and Hampshire County Council.  However, the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic had been too great for such a small charity and sadly Devereux House had had to cease operating.

 

Cllr Stewart paid particular tribute to Maureen Kayll and Honorary Alderman John Debenham MBE who were founders of the Farnborough and Cove Hospital War Memorial Trust and had helped to establish the care facilities at Devereux House.  Cllr Stewart also wanted to pay tribute to Terri Wilcox who had led the Trust during its last, difficult year.   Cllr Stewart was grateful to the countless staff and volunteers who had donated so much of their life to Devereux House.  He advised Members that the physical war memorial at Devereux House would be given to Knellwood Residential and Care Home to house with its own. 

 

Cllr Stewart hoped that Members would support the Motion, paying tribute to Devereux House, staff and volunteers who had given so much of their life in the service of the Borough over the last 100 years.

 

During discussion, Members spoke of their experiences of and associations with Devereux House.  A question was raised regarding the future of the building and the Leader of the Council advised that the Council was currently talking to a number of organisations about the future use of the building and that this matter would be brought back to the Council in the near future. 

 

The Motion was put to the Meeting.  There voted FOR: 33; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.