Rushmoor Borough Council
Councillors:
39
Wards:
14
Committees:
11
Meetings (2025):
46
Meetings (2024):
63
Meeting
Council - Rushmoor
Agenda
Published
Minutes
Pending
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 27th February 2025
7:00 PM
Thursday, 27th February 2025
7:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 27th February 2025
11:00 PM
Thursday, 27th February 2025
11:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
27 Feb 2025
27 Feb 2025
Location:
Council Chamber, Council Offices, Farnborough
Council Chamber, Council Offices, Farnborough
Meeting Attendees
Chairman
Mayor of the Borough
Committee Member
Councillor Leola Card
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Cabinet Champion for Pride of Place
Councillor Lisa Greenway
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Thomas Day
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Champion for Armed Forces and Forces Families
Committee Member
Policy, Performance & Sustainability Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Pride in Place / Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Economy, Skills & Regeneration Portfolio Holder
Councillor Julie Hall
Apologies
Committee Member
Councillor Steve Harden
Apologies
Committee Member
Councillor Rhian Jones
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Leader of the Conservative Group
Committee Member
Councillor Bill O'Donovan
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Ivan Whitmee
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Leader of the Council
Committee Member
Deputy Leader and Healthy Communities & Active Lives Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Finance & Resources Portfolio Holder
Councillor Alex Crawford
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
MINUTES
To confirm the minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 5th December, 2024, the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 5th December and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 5th February, 2025 (copies attached).
Attachments:
- Document Extraordinary Council Minutes - 5 December 2024 19 Feb 2025
- Document Council Minutes - 5 December 2024 19 Feb 2025
- Document Extraordinary Council Minutes - 5 February 2025 19 Feb 2025
2
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
3
STANDING ORDER 8 - QUESTIONS
To receive any questions by Members submitted in pursuance of Standing Order 8 (3).
4
NOTICE OF MOTION - EMPLOYER NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOCAL ECONOMY
To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr G.B. Lyon pursuant to Standing Order 9 (1):
“As a result of the UK Government Budget, Employer National Insurance contributions from April will increase from 13.8% to 15% - a tax increase for employers of almost 9%.
The threshold will also reduce from £9,100 to £5,000.
The OBR notes that ‘firms will pass on 60% of the higher costs to workers and consumers, via lower wages and higher prices’.
That many local services, including nurseries, hospices, care homes and charities will be hit by these huge tax increases in addition to many businesses of all sizes in Rushmoor.
This Council also notes the dire impact on Rushmoor's own finances which will come at the cost of local services and will lead to higher costs when dealing with contractors.
This Council resolves to:
Request Cabinet to establish a working group to work with local businesses to produce plans to support the local economy to combat the impact of these tax increases to report back to Council within 6 months.
To record our disappointment regarding the National Insurance increases and their damaging impact on all who live and work in Rushmoor.
To request the Leader to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask her to reconsider the changes.”
“As a result of the UK Government Budget, Employer National Insurance contributions from April will increase from 13.8% to 15% - a tax increase for employers of almost 9%.
The threshold will also reduce from £9,100 to £5,000.
The OBR notes that ‘firms will pass on 60% of the higher costs to workers and consumers, via lower wages and higher prices’.
That many local services, including nurseries, hospices, care homes and charities will be hit by these huge tax increases in addition to many businesses of all sizes in Rushmoor.
This Council also notes the dire impact on Rushmoor's own finances which will come at the cost of local services and will lead to higher costs when dealing with contractors.
This Council resolves to:
Request Cabinet to establish a working group to work with local businesses to produce plans to support the local economy to combat the impact of these tax increases to report back to Council within 6 months.
To record our disappointment regarding the National Insurance increases and their damaging impact on all who live and work in Rushmoor.
To request the Leader to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask her to reconsider the changes.”
5
APPOINTMENTS 2024/25
In accordance with arrangements to secure political balance, the Council to confirm an appointment to the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in place of Cllr A.H. Crawford, for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year.
6
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CABINET AND COMMITTEES
To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and Committee in relation to the following items:
6
.1
ANNUAL CAPITAL STRATEGY 2025/26
To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 1) which recommends the approval of the Council’s Annual Capital Strategy for 2025/26 to 2027/28 and Prudential Indicators for 2025/26. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6 (1) - Annual Capital Strategy 2025-26 19 Feb 2025
6
.2
ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND NON-TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2025/26
To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 2) which recommends the approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26, Annual Borrowing Strategy 2025/26, and Annual Non-Treasury Management Investment Strategy 2025/26. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6 (2) - Treasury Management Strategy Investment Strategy 2025-26 19 Feb 2025
6
.3
COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT SCHEME
To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 3) which recommends the continuation of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 for approval. The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Resources will introduce this item.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6 (3) - Council Tax Support Scheme 2025-26 19 Feb 2025
6
.4
GENERAL FUND BUDGET 2025/26 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2025/26 TO 2028/29
To receive a report from the Cabinet (copy attached – Annex 4) which recommends the approval of the General Fund Budget for 2025/26 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2028/29. Cllr Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council, will introduce this item.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6 (4) General Fund Budget 25-26 and MTFS - Final_ 19 Feb 2025
6
.5
REVISED CONTRACT STANDING ORDERS
To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 5) which recommends the approval of updated Contract Standing Orders for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6 (5) - Revised Procurement Contract Standing Orders 2025 19 Feb 2025
- Document Item 6 (5) - Appendix - Contract Standing Orders 19 Feb 2025
6
.6
PAY POLICY STATEMENT, GENDER PAY GAP AND ETHNICITY PAY GAP
To receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (copy attached – Annex 6) which recommends the approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26. The Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee will introduce this item.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6 (6) - Pay Policy Statement 19 Feb 2025
7
THE COUNCIL TAX 2025/26
To fix the level of Council Tax for the financial year 2025/26 taking into account precepts of Hampshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority. (A copy of the appropriate draft resolution is attached – Annex 7).
Attachments:
- Document Item 7 - Council Tax Setting Report 2025-26 for Council 19 Feb 2025
8
QUESTIONS FOR THE CABINET
To receive any questions by Members to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with the Procedure Note.
9
REPORTS OF CABINET AND COMMITTEES
To receive and ask questions on the Reports of the following Meetings (copy reports attached):
Cabinet
26th November, 2024
14th January, 2025
11th February, 2025
Committees
Development Management
15th January, 2025
Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards
29th January, 2025
Development Management
12th February, 2025
Cabinet
26th November, 2024
14th January, 2025
11th February, 2025
Committees
Development Management
15th January, 2025
Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards
29th January, 2025
Development Management
12th February, 2025
Attachments:
- Document Combined Reports of Cabinet and Committees 19 Feb 2025
10
REPORTS OF OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
To note the Reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 28th November, 2024, 12th December, 2024 and 30th January 2025 (copies attached).
Attachments:
- Document Reports of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 19 Feb 2025
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