Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Earwaker, Mirylees and Ward.  Cllr Dickson attended the meeting remotely but did not vote.

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.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on September 12^th at Appendix A.

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.

1)     Mr Chris Butler of Castle Street raised the matter of speeding in Castle Street again.  He had not received feedback on what had happened since his last question and was really disappointed with what the Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP) had come up with.  He believed the raised table would make no difference as people would drive faster as they sped away.  He had spoken with the police and they did not wish to enforce the matter nor want speed cameras.  Mr Butler asked if Farnham Town Council would push the police and Surrey County Council to do more.

            In response, the Leader thanked Mr Butler for raising the matter again and said the Council would continue to raise the issue in relevant forums.  The Town Clerk added that the issue had been discussed in the Strategy & Resources Working Group in September which was minuted and reported back to the September Council meeting.  Officers had raised the matter with the police at a joint council anti-social behaviour meeting and Cllr Beaman had raised the matter again at the September FIP Board meeting as well as with the relevant Surrey highways officers.

2)     Anna Hollidge of the Bourne added her support to concerns that the 20MPH zone did not work and advised that the Mead Lane/Potters Gate required a Belisha beacon crossing before something terrible happened.  She understood it was not an FTC issue but was the responsibility of Surrey CC but she hoped something could be done.

In response the Leader advised that there were a number of changes coming up that would hopefully help including new crossings by Coxbridge and from Potters Gate to the Borough funded by the Old Park Lane application.  He understood the concerns raised which were complicated by the Farnham Infrastructure Programme but he would take it back to the Strategy & Resources Working Group for further discussion.  Cllr Martin advised that Potters Gate would be a School Street with a focus on safety.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor opened by exclaiming what an amazing month it had been and relayed some of the events he had been privileged to take part in.

He was very proud to represent Farnham at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards in Manchester and go with Iain McCready to collect the Gold award and best in category for the town and city centres. He said he had been almost in tears with joy and thanked everyone involved in this fantastic achievement.

Farnham also had the honour of a Royal visit welcoming Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO to Hale.  She was a wonderful visitor engaging with young people and old, and met several community groups discussing their work in the town.

The Mayor had attended the Lord Lieutenant’s Awards ceremony for cadets at Sandhurst.   It was great to see the achievements of so many young people and he invited councillors to encourage other young people to join.

The High Sheriff had recently visited the Town Hall to discuss how he could support the Mayor’s two charities and he thought there are some good opportunities.

The Town Council had hosted a lovely ceremony to add Pauline Baynes, illustrator for JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis as the 33^rd name on the Notable names of Farnham wall.

The Mayor advised he would be leaving Council early to celebrate the centenary of the Farnham Rotary Club which was an impressive achievement of service to Farnham.

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

Cllr Sally Dickson:

“My constituents and members of the public attending the recent superlative food festival have expressed support for the incoming restrictions on speed and HGVs in the town centre and Upper Hale.  I also understand SCC has been proactive in providing a camera car to monitor HGVs.   Is it now time to discuss a permanent camera and or request delegated powers from Surrey to fine moving vehicles in Farnham.”

Cllr Dickson had raised a question in accordance with Standing Order 9 advising that her constituents and members of the public attending the recent superlative food festival had expressed support for the incoming restrictions on speed and HGVs in the town centre and Upper Hale.  She also understood SCC has been proactive in providing a camera car to monitor HGVs.   Was it, she asked, the time to discuss a permanent camera and or request delegated powers from Surrey to fine moving vehicles in Farnham.

In response, the Town Clerk advised that legislation did not allow FTC to take on traffic enforcement of moving vehicles but had offered Surrey CC the possibility of incorporating such cameras alongside the FTC CCTV system.  At this stage, they did not consider this was possible.  Cllr White said the issue would be considered again at the Strategy & Finance Working Group.

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

i)           Environment held on 25^th September 2024                     Appendix B

ii)         Community & Culture held on 2^nd October 2024          Appendix C

iii)        Strategy and Resources held on 14^th October 2024        Appendix D

1          Environment

Cllr Brown introduced the Notes of the Environment Working group held on 25^th September 2024.  He said he had been ’gutted’ he could not attend the Farnham in Bloom Awards.  He gave special mention to Gemma Ball who had received the Mayor’s Special Award for her longstanding contribution to In Bloom as Head of Badshot Lea Village Infants School and commended everyone who had won.

He echoed the Mayor’s comments on the amazing result in the RHS Britain in Bloom awards with Farnham missing the overall title by the smallest of margins to Bath.

In terms of Green Flag entries for 2025, Cllr Brown advised that the Working Group would like to enter the Library Gardens if the new lease has been signed by Surrey as a new management plan would be beneficial.  In response to a question the Business and Facilities Manager advised that Farnham had signed the contract for the lease and was awaiting Surrey handing over the keys.

Council noted the Working Group had suggested the Town Council undertook the work to calculate its carbon footprint and progress made and that this was in hand.

Cllr Jackman thanked the team for the graffiti removal in Badshot Lea.

Cllr Mauluka left at this point and handed over to the Deputy Mayor.

2          Community and Culture

Cllr Murray introduced the Notes of the Community and Culture Working Group held on 2^nd October at Appendix C to the agenda. 

Council noted the update on recent events and the potential impact of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme on 2025 events and that this had led to the Carnival Committee considering the future of the Carnival.

Cllr Murray reported that the Craft Month events had been well attended with internationally recognised artists taking part and that the first Lantern Festival had over 500 lanterns distributed with the procession taking place on 31^st October.

The Working Group had agreed that a Film Festival would be considered for 2025/26 and asked the Town Clerk to include a draft budget of £15,000.

Cllr Murray reported on the development of the Farnham Business Improvement District which was working to create a new Farnham Bid brand, and that they were discussing running a ‘Free after 3’ campaign for car parks in Farnham during November and December.

Cllr Fairclough said that whilst he recognised the town centre was vital to the economy he hoped the Community & Culture Working group would consider extending activities across the town wards.

Cllr Dickson left the meeting at this point.

3          Strategy & Resources

Cllr White introduced the Notes of the Strategy & Resources Working group meeting held on 24^th October at Appendix D to the agenda.  It had been a busy meeting with some key items discussed.

i)       Farnham Infrastructure Programme

Cllr Beaman outlined the latest position on the Farnham Infrastructure Programme, and that there was likely to be consideration of the Farnham Board being disbanded once the implementation phase commenced but there was a need to have an  ...  view the full minutes text for item C58/24

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 16^th and 30^th September and 14^th October 2024  at Appendices E, F, and G.

Cllr Laughton introduced the Minutes of three meetings that had been held since last Council on 16^th and 30^th September and 14^th October at Appendices  E, F and G.

There were three key matters he drew attention to: 

·       The first was Land at Bourne Woods, Tilford where the applicant requested filming after 23.00.  Despite FTC’s objection, Waverley had authorised the request with concern this  could now set a worrying precedent. 

·       The second was an application to extend the sports facilities at Weydon Academy, Wrecclesham.  There had been strong local objections due to a combination of extra traffic, extra noise and light pollution.

·       The third was Farnham Park Cemetery in Hale Rd.  Following the application refusal, the Ismaeli Trust had lodged an appeal which would be heard over six days between 17/12/24 and 16/1/25.

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

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

There were no reports from other councils.

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

i)               Cllr Murray advised that additional volunteers were being sought for the Farnham Fireworks.

ii)              Cllr White asked that if any councillor had not been contacted by the Outside Body they were on since being appointed, they should let him know.

To agree the date of the next meeting as Thurday 19^th December 2024.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 19^th December at 6pm.

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 or legal matters which may be commercially sensitive or legally privileged.

It was RESOLVED nem con to exclude the press and the public in view of the confidential contractual and staffing matters being discussed.

1)     Strategy & Resources

Legal and property matters

Council received a report on the HR Panel that had met on 23^rd October.  The Panel had reaffirmed the membership of two Appeal panels with Cllr Laughton replacing Cllr Mirylees.  It received the detailed Job Evaluation results following the review by Council HR Governance & Support, with a recommendation that the evaluation results and proposed honorarium for taking on additional responsibility be implemented effective from 1^st April 2023.  Council was recommended to approve new weekend working rates for events and correcting an error relating to pensionable benefits for overtime which had been caused by the payroll supplier at an estimated cost of £3,600 per annum.  Council noted arrangements for the recruitment of the replacement for the Business & Facilities Manager and for the Town Clerk’s appraisal.

It was Resolved unanimously that the report and recommendations of the HR Panel be approved.