Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Hesse, Mirylees and White.

To receive from members, in respect of any items included on the agenda for this meeting, disclosure of any disclosable pecuniary or other interests, or of any gifts and hospitality, in line with the Town Council’s Code of Conduct.

NOTES:

(i)              The following councillors have made a general non-pecuniary interest declaration in relation to being councillors of Waverley Borough Council: Cllrs David Beaman, George Murray, Tony Fairclough, George Hesse, Andrew Laughton, Mark Merryweather, Kika Mirylees,          John Ward, and Graham White.

(iii)        The following councillor has made a general non-pecuniary interest declaration in relation to being a councillor of Surrey County Council: Cllr Michaela Martin;

(iv)        Members are requested to make any declarations of interest, on the form attached, to be returned to customer.services@farnham.gov.uk by 5pm on the day before the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they declare a pecuniary interest they must leave before any debate starts unless dispensation has been obtained.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 8^th August 2023 at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 8^th August were agreed with the addition of Cllr Dickson in attendance, observing the meeting remotely via Zoom.

In accordance with Standing Order 10.1, the Town Mayor will invite members of the public present to ask questions or make statements.

At the discretion of the Town Mayor, those members of the public, residing or working within the Council’s boundary, will be invited to make representations or ask questions in respect of the business on the agenda, or other matters not on the agenda, for a maximum of 3 minutes per person or 20 minutes overall.

There were no questions or statements from the public.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor said he was delighted to announce that the transformation of the Hale Chapels into the Hale Chapels Garden had won a coveted British Association of Landscape Industries Award.   He was very pleased to see that this is one of two awards that Landform Consultants had won this year, the second being the SuperBloom project at the Tower of London.  The Mayor advised that the Garden had also been entered the Garden in the Civic Trust awards, and the scheme was being assessed in early October.

The Mayor reported on the special reception held to thank Alberto Ceccatelli, who had brought a special exhibition from Italy about Pauline Baynes, well known for her illustrations on Lord of the Rings, Narnia and Watership Down as well as around 200 other publications.  He also referenced other talks and events being held for this year’s Heritage Open Days programme in Farnham.

The Mayor advised Council that October would have a World Craft Town focus and would include a special delegation from Kilkenny, one of Farnham’s World Craft Town partners.

To consider any questions from councillors in accordance with Standing Order 9.

There were no questions from members.

To receive the notes and any recommendations of the following Working Groups:

i)           Strategy and Resources held on 5^th September 2023       Appendix B

ii)         To receive any relevant updates from the Communities or Environment Working Groups.

Cllr Beaman introduced the Notes of the Strategy & Resources Working Group meeting attached at Appendix B.

i)               The Working Group had reviewed the month end finance reports, noting variations in income for ticket sales because of the relocated Gin & Fizz Festival but that overall there were no matters of real concern.

            Council noted a request from the Boom Credit Union (which specifically covers Surrey and Farnham) for an investment by the Town Council to sustain its lending of small loans locally to those in hardship.  Statistics on those being assisted in Farnham prior to a decision being made were awaited, and the Chairman and Chief Executive of Boom had been invited to present its new No Interest Loans Scheme to a wider meeting of Town and Parish Councils in Waverley which would be hosted by FTC prior to a decision being made.

            Some additional grant applications had been considered and:

It was RESOLVED nem con that:

1)      A new radar gun be purchased for Community speedwatch at a cost of £516.50;

2)      A contribution of £450 be made to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Farnham Sports Council;

3)      Grants applications for both the Community Grants and the South Street Trust for 2024-2025 be open from1^st October to 4^th December.

ii)             Matters arising from the Assets Task Group had been considered in detail and several items were recommended to Council for approval.  Council noted that the pre-application advice from Waverley for Gostrey Meadow was awaited; that the lift refurbishment and audio improvements in the town Hall had been completed with the updated entry control system awaited; that there continued to be problems in resolving the faulty CNG equipment at the depot that changes to the external CCTV were being made in Central Car Park (covering the public conveniences) and Longbridge (covering the Hands Turn sculpture) at a combined cost of £1,900 which would be met from the CCTV budget and noted the plans for Christmas Lights for 2023 and the intention to only replace those where the LEDs had failed pending discussion on a new scheme for 2024 (which would be subject to a further report prior to tendering).  

The Working Group recommended to Council received an update on the Goupil electric vehicle that had been out of action because of difficulty obtaining a part and it could not pass its MOT because the main battery appeared to have failed.  One option was to purchase a second hand Goupil for around £12,000 (plus any import costs as most are available in France, Holland and Germany) with the old one retained for spares or sold.

The Working Group noted that the energy audit survey of the Council offices and depot by Hazel Hill, was awaited, and there a bid to be part of the reverse auction for solar panels led by Surrey County Council and Solar Together. It was also noted that there may be synergy with Waverley’s installation of panels on Wey Court House.

The Working  ...  view the full minutes text for item C57/23

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 21^st August and 4^th September at Appendices C and D.

Cllr Laughton provided an overview of issues that had arisen in the two meetings of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group which had been held on 21^st August and 4^th September and were listed at Appendices C & D.

To receive details of any actions taken under the scheme of delegation not already reported.

There were no actions to report under the Scheme of Delegation that had not already been reported.

To receive from Councillors any updates on matters affecting Farnham from Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council.

Council welcomed the launch of the Surrey Connect minibus service for Farnham run by Hoppa funded by the Department for Transport.

To receive from Members any verbal reports on Outside Bodies where they represent Farnham Town Council.

Council noted that the Farnborough Airport airspace change consultation event was being held at the Farnham maltings on 21^st September and that a report would go to the next Strategy & Resources Working Group.

To agree the date of the next meeting as 26^th October 2023.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as 26^th October 2023.

TO PASS A RESOLUTION to exclude members of the public and press from the meeting at Part 3 of the agenda (if required) in view of any confidential items under discussion. These will usually relate to exempt staffing matters or contractual matters which may be commercially sensitive.

On a recommendation of the Mayor, it was RESOLVED nem con to exclude the press and public in view of the discussion on the legal challenge to the Waverley Lane Appeal Inspector’s decision.

Council discussed the latest position on the Judicial Challenge to the Waverley Lane Appeal and noted the significant efforts undertaken by staff and the Council’s barrister to complete and deliver the documentation to Court by the due date, despite the very tight timescale.

The court’s decision on whether or not the challenge would be given Leave to Appeal was awaited.

Council discussed various scenarios for the next steps dependant on the decision of the court and agreed to provide a confidential interim update to the South Farnham Residents Association who had been assisting in the challenge.