Rushmoor Borough Council Cabinet Meeting

Having regard to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, the following declarations of interest were made: 

Cllrs Taylor and Trussler each declared a non-pecuniary interest as Board Members of Rushmoor Homes Limited. In accordance with the dispensation granted by the Council’s Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards on 27th May, 2021, both Councillors remained in the meeting and participated in the decision.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6th February, 2024 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet considered Report No. FIN2407, which set out the anticipated financial position for 2023/24, based on the budget monitoring information provided by Heads of Service and Service Managers as at the end of February 2024. Members were informed that the Council continued to face a number of external budget pressures that were having an impact on the 2023/24 budget and the Council’s finances over the medium term, including higher than expected interest rates and the rate of inflation. It was reported that, at this stage of the financial year, the projected General Fund net adverse variation was £2.178 million, which represented an overall improvement of £169,000 compared to the previous quarter. The Report set out the reasons for this variance and confirmed that, overall, the financial position was stable. It was confirmed that the risks and pressures were being closely monitored by budget holders. The Cabinet expressed appreciation for the work that had been carried out by the Council’s financial officers.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the revenue budget forecast and impact on reserve balances, as set out in paragraphs 2.4 to 2.12 of Report No. FIN2407, be noted; and

(ii)          the Capital Programme forecast, as set out in paragraphs 2.13 to 2.18 of the Report, be noted.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2401, which set out a new Antisocial Behaviour Policy for the Council.

Members were informed that there was not, currently, a formal Antisocial Behaviour Policy in place. The Policy set out what response residents should expect from the Council and also the processes to be followed. The draft policy had been considered by the Policy and Project Advisory Board and the Board had recommended it to the Cabinet for adoption. The Cabinet was supportive of the proposed approach in relation to dealing with incidents of antisocial behaviour and was pleased to see the Council’s new Place Protection Team in operation.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the Antisocial Behaviour Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 of Report No. OS2401, be approved.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PG2405, which set out an updated Car and Cycle Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for adoption.

Members were reminded that the purpose of the update was to reflect a number of factors, including changes to policy, recent town centre planning applications, 2021 Census data and factual changes since the adoption of the current SPD in 2017. A consultation exercise had been carried out during December 2023 and January 2024. Whilst this had generated a number of responses, there had only been minor changes made to the SPD since the Cabinet had considered the draft document in November 2023.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the adoption of the Car and Cycle Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document, as set out in Report No. PG2405, be approved.

The Cabinet considered Report No. PG2406, which set out a Local Development Scheme in relation to the Council's Local Plan.

The Cabinet was reminded that it had agreed, in November 2023, that the current Rushmoor Local Plan was in need of updating. It was explained that the Local Development Scheme set out an indicative timetable for the preparation of this updated Local Plan. In considering this, Members discussed matters around the expected level of housing provision and the availability of areas of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace. 

The Cabinet RESOLVED that the publication and submission to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of an updated Local Development Scheme for the new Local Plan, as set out in Report No. PG2406, be approved.

RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the item:

Minute           Schedule      Category

No.                  12A Para.

                        No.

61                   3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. REG2403, which set out a proposal to dispose of a leasehold interest for the private residential units contained within the Union Yard scheme.

Members were informed that there was a total of 82 private units being delivered. The Report set out the next steps for the disposal with a view to the scheme achieving practical completion and handover in Summer 2024.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)            the market review of disposal options provided by Lambert Smith Hampton Investment Management, as set out at Appendix 3 of Exempt Report No. REG2403, be noted;

(ii)          the disposal of a leasehold interest in the private residential element of the Union Yard development, comprising 82 units, to Rushmoor Homes Limited, at the value set out in paragraph 3.3 of the Exempt Report, be approved; and

(iii)         on the conclusion of due diligence, the Executive Director, in consultation with the Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder, be authorised to confirm the final terms and to enable the disposal.