Agenda item

(1)      Financial Resilience

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

“This Council notes that, facing heightened risk from debt levels of over ten times its annual income, the historic failure to fix interest costs at a manageable level will cost taxpayers over £15m and has plunged the Council into financial crisis.   This failure was completely contrary to best practice financial management and despite clear warnings signs as interest rates rose in 2022.

The Budget report states that without significant mitigation in 2024-25 the Council will not be able to set a balanced budget in 2025-26.  The implications of the report are that the Cabinet has been forced into actions it was unwilling to make voluntarily, to address serious financial shortcomings that would have led to the issuing of a Section 114 Notice.

These actions include the sale of £40m of as-yet unspecified assets and a review of the funding plans for the Civic Hub.

Residents deserve a full account of the Council’s mismanagement of its debt and whether these actions will be enough to prevent financial disaster for Rushmoor.  We call on Rushmoor Borough Council to publish the financial resilience review commissioned from CIPFA, in full, as soon as it is available, so that residents can judge for themselves.”

(2)          Community Safety

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

"Rushmoor Borough Council welcomes the Government's Safer Streets Fund support secured by Donna Jones, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, for a youth outreach project to engage with 60 young people involved in ASB in Hart and Rushmoor, and improvements to CCTV in key areas of Rushmoor to improve public safety.

This Council supports the Police and Crime Commissioner's projects to tackle violence against women and girls in Hampshire and will work with her to ensure the streets of Aldershot and Farnborough are safe for all in our community. 

Furthermore, this Council believes that the increased roll out of CCTV will help change the attitudes and behaviours that will prevent crimes from happening in the first place.

This Council also commits to supporting newly recruited police officers in Rushmoor through providing forums in Aldershot and Farnborough for them to meet with local residents.”

(1)      Financial Resilience

The Council was asked to consider a Motion which had been submitted by Cllr Gareth Williams in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1):

“This Council notes that, facing heightened risk from debt levels of over ten times its annual income, the historic failure to fix interest costs at a manageable level will cost taxpayers over £15m and has plunged the Council into financial crisis. This failure was completely contrary to best practice financial management and despite clear warnings signs as interest rates rose in 2022.

The Budget report states that without significant mitigation in 2024-25 the Council will not be able to set a balanced budget in 2025-26. The implications of the report are that the Cabinet has been forced into actions it was unwilling to make voluntarily, to address serious financial shortcomings that would have led to the issuing of a Section 114 Notice.

These actions include the sale of £40m of as-yet unspecified assets and a review of the funding plans for the Civic Hub.

Residents deserve a full account of the Council’s mismanagement of its debt and whether these actions will be enough to prevent financial disaster for Rushmoor. We call on Rushmoor Borough Council to publish the financial resilience review commissioned from CIPFA, in full, as soon as it is available, so that residents can judge for themselves.”

In proposing the Motion, Cllr Williams stated that the Council’s 2022 budget had involved £155 million of borrowing. He explained that this borrowing had been subject to short-term interest rates and, whilst most other local authorities had moved to long-term rates, Rushmoor still held 91% of its debts on short-term rates. Cllr Williams contended that the financial resilience review report was needed to provide residents with a clear view of the Council’s financial situation.

During debate, views were expressed that the Council’s financial situation and risk profile were clearly set out within the budget report, to be considered that evening, and that officers would start work in early May towards a full budget review to be completed in July. At this time, all of the papers, including the report requested by Cllr Williams, would be made available for scrutiny.

In seconding the Motion, Cllr Gaynor Austin stated her concerns about the Council’s approach to borrowing and interest rates, and that the current year’s budget could only be shown to be balanced by the significant use of reserves and that the Council would not be in a position to present a balanced budget for the following year as things stood.

Following further discussion, the Motion was put to the meeting.  There voted FOR: 15; AGAINST: 21; ABSTAINED: 2 and the Motion was DECLARED LOST.

(2)      Community Safety

The Council was asked to consider a Motion which had been submitted by Cllr D.E. Clifford in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1):

"Rushmoor Borough Council welcomes the Government's Safer Streets Fund support secured by Donna Jones, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, for a youth outreach project to engage with 60 young people involved in ASB in Hart and Rushmoor, and improvements to CCTV in key areas of Rushmoor to improve public safety.

This Council supports the Police and Crime Commissioner's projects to tackle violence against women and girls in Hampshire and will work with her to ensure the streets of Aldershot and Farnborough are safe for all in our community.

Furthermore, this Council believes that the increased roll out of CCTV will help change the attitudes and behaviours that will prevent crimes from happening in the first place.

This Council also commits to supporting newly recruited police officers in Rushmoor through providing forums in Aldershot and Farnborough for them to meet with local residents.”

In proposing the Motion on behalf of Cllr Clifford, who was unable to attend the meeting, Cllr S.J. Masterson stated that he had considered the matters raised and that he supported the approach suggested. In seconding the Motion, Cllr Peace Essien Igodifo stated that the Police and Crime Commissioner had provided funding for projects targeting young people and leaders, women and young girls. She urged Members to support the Motion. 

During debate, views were expressed that the Police and Crime Commissioner had made a major contribution in making the Borough safer by initiating various local policing matters. It was reported that the Police and Crime Commissioner has been invited to, and attended, many local events in relation to community safety and that this had shown her commitment to the local area.

The view was also expressed, however, that the Police and Crime Commissioner had been ineffective in tackling community safety issues locally and that many of the measures introduced had not had a positive effect on crime and anti-social behaviour.

Following further discussion the Motion was put to the meeting.  In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs A. Adeola, Jessica Auton, Mrs. D.B. Bedford, Jib Belbase, J.B. Canty, C.W. Card, Sue Carter, P.J. Cullum, Peace Essien Igodifo, A. Gani, Michael Hope, G.B. Lyon, S.J. Masterson, Marina Munro, M.L. Sheehan, C.J. Stewart, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, Nem Thapa, S. Trussler, Jacqui Vosper (21); AGAINST: (0); ABSTAINED: Cllrs Abe Allen, Gaynor Austin, Jules Crossley, K. Dibble, Christine Guinness, Halleh Koohestani, Nadia Martin, T.W. Mitchell, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, Dhan Sarki, Sarah Spall, Becky Williams, Gareth Williams, the Deputy Mayor (Cllr Mara Makunura) and the Mayor (Cllr C.P. Grattan) (16) and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.