Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Cockburn and Fraser.

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 Beaman, Blishen, Cockburn, Dickson, Edmonds, Gray, Hesse, Macleod, Martin, Merryweather, Mirylees, Neale, and Ward.

(ii)        The following councillor has made a general non-pecuniary interest declaration in relation to him being a councillor of Surrey County Council: Cllr Macleod.

(iii)        Members are requested to make 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 relating to items on the agenda.

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Town Mayor will invite Members of the Public present to ask questions on any Local Government matter, not included on the agenda, to which an answer will be given or if necessary a written reply will follow or the questioner will be informed of the appropriate contact details. A maximum of 15 minutes will be allowed for the whole session.

No questions or statements were made.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 23^rd May 2019 (Appendix A).

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23^rd May 2019 were agreed to be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Town Mayor highlighted the following events he had attended in his role as Mayor since the previous meeting:

-       Opening the launch of the Flash Festival at Gostrey Meadow.

-       Voices Together Community Choir at St Andrew’s Church, raising money for The Alzheimer’s Café.

-       The Godalming Civic Service.

-       The Thrive Dance Academy Graduation Celebration and Performance at the Maltings.

-       Farnham Sixth Form College Celebratory Garden Party.

-       Armed Forces Flag Raising ceremony, followed by a short commemoration for the 75^th anniversary of D-Day at the War Memorial.

-       A plaque unveiling ceremony in memory of Ron Stonehouse, a former athlete and coach on the Famous Names of Farnham Wall.

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

There were no questions raised by Members.

To elect a Town Mayor for the municipal year 2019/20.

Cllr Ward proposed, and Cllr Gray seconded, that Cllr Pat Evans be elected as Mayor of Farnham for the Municipal Year 2019/20.  There were no other nominations.

Cllr Ward said that he had met Cllr Evans many years before when working at Unilever before Cllr Evans moved into a career in local government, lasting some 30 years.  Cllr Evans was the Town Clerk at Godalming before becoming the Farnham Town Council Clerk in 2000.  Cllr Ward praised Cllr Evans for her work with the Rotary Club where she had become the first female District Governor and maintained a passion for helping the disadvantaged.  Cllr Ward said that Cllr Evans was good with people and always determined to do a good job which would put her in good stead for the year ahead.

Cllr Gray agreed that Cllr Evans would make a fabulous Mayor and looked forward to supporting her in the year ahead.

RESOLVED nem con that:  Cllr Pat Evans be elected Mayor of Farnham for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

To receive the Mayor’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Having been invested with the Chain and Badge of Office, Cllr Evans made her Declaration of Office and commenced her duties as Mayor.

The Mayor welcomed everyone and said that she was humbled and honoured to serve as Mayor.  The Mayor thanked the electorate in Upper Hale for their support and demonstrating their confidence in electing her as their representative.

The Mayor provided a background on her two chosen charities to support her theme for the year of “Working with the Community for the Community”:

Space2Grow is a community garden set on an acre in the heart of Farnham.   The acre uses horticulture as a tool to help people with health issues that include mental health, addiction and eating disorders to achieve a level of sustainable well being in a safe, non-judgemental space.

The Hale Community Centre had started its existence as the Sandy Hill community Bungalow now encompasses a wider area outside the Sandy Hill Estate.   It provides opportunities for individuals and groups to run their own educational, training, employment, cultural and leisure activities.   Its vision is to be the heart of the community enabling social and community success with a community garden, a community choir, a Girlz Club for 11-16 year olds, a seniors group, an opportunities group and holiday activities.

The Mayor introduced her husband David as the Mayor’s Consort and looked forward to the forthcoming year with much pleasure and anticipation.

The Mayor presented Mr David Evans with the badge of the office of the Mayor’s Consort.

To elect the Deputy Town Mayor for the municipal year 2019/20.

Cllr Neale proposed, and Cllr Mirylees seconded, that Cllr Alan Earwaker be elected Deputy Town Mayor for the Municipal Year 2019/20.  There were no other nominations.

Cllr Neale reported he had first met Cllr Earwaker as a fellow candidate for the Firgove Ward.   Cllr Earwaker was very active in the community helping charity groups and was appointed as Lead Member of the Tourism & Events Working Group where he was already making a great impression.  Cllr Neale said that Cllr Earwaker was a great asset to the Council and he had no hesitation in nominating him as Deputy Town Mayor.

RESOLVED nem con that Cllr Alan Earwaker be elected as Deputy Town Mayor of Farnham for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

Having been invested with the Chain and Badge of Office, Cllr Earwaker made his Declaration of Office.

Cllr Earwaker thanked Members for honour of being Farnham Deputy Town Mayor.  His daughter Claire would be the Deputy Town Mayoress Earwaker.  He would support the Mayor and the town of Farnham and looked forward to fulfilling his duties.

To receive the Vote of Thanks for the retiring Town Mayor Cllr David Attfield.

Cllr MacLeod proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Cllr David Attfield, which was seconded by Cllr Dunsmore.

Cllr MacLeod said that Cllr Attfield was a “modern Mayor” who had been a pleasure to work with as the Mayor and Ward Councillor during his “special year”.

Cllr Attfied had become a Farnham Town and Waverley Councillor in 2003 and became Mayor in 2006, his first Mayoral term of office.  Cllr MacLeod commented that, remaining as a Liberal Democrat Councillor where the local trend was different at the last election, was a testament to Cllr Attfield.

Highlights of Cllr Attfield’s second term as Mayor included the 40^th Anniversary of Phyllis Tuckwell, the 50^th Anniversary of the Maltings, the 60^th Anniversary of the Hedgehogs, the 70^th Anniversary of the Woodlarks and the 75^th anniversary of the D-Day landings.  Throughout his year Cllr Attfield had been a great ambassador for Farnham and carried out all his duties with dignity.

Cllr Dunsmore said that Cllr Attfield was an amazing Councillor and a hard one to follow in the steps of.  Deputising for Cllr Attfield had been a real pleasure having been asked to attend a number of events.  Cllr Dunsmore praised Cllr Attfield for working hard and continuing to do so and said that it had been a pleasure and joy to deputise for him.

Cllr Attfield, responded by saying he had a wonderful year, met some amazing people in the community and enjoyed celebrating events with them.  He thanked organisers and hosts of the many events he had attended and for the work they did on behalf of the community.

Cllr Attfield also thanked Cllr Dunsmore for acting as the Deputy Mayor.  He thanked Town Councillors, past and present, the Town Clerk and every member of the staffing team for their help and guidance over the past year.

Past Town Mayor’s Badge to be presented to Cllr David Attfield and Past Mayoress Badge to Mrs Ann Attfield.

The Mayor presented Cllr Attfield with a Past Mayor’s Badge and invited Cllr Attfield to receive a Past Mayoress’ badge and flowers on behalf of past Mayoress Mrs Ann Attfield.

The Mayor thanked the retiring Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Paula Dunsmore for her support throughout 2018/19 and presented her with a bunch of flowers.

Cllr Earwaker presented the notes of the Tourism & Events Working Group held on 11^th June 2019, as presented with the agenda.  The meeting had reviewed and considered all the events for the current year and reported that the next meeting would start to plan for the 2020 programme of events.

The notes of the Tourism & Events Working Party were then agreed.

Cllr Dickson presented the notes of the Community Enhancement Working Group held on 12^th June 2019, as presented with the agenda.

Cllr Dickson explained that the Community Enhancement Working Group was responsible for overseeing Farnham in Bloom and commented that Farnham streets were starting to look beautiful.  Cllr Dickson thanked the Business & Facilities Manager and John Ely, Chair of the Farnham in Bloom Community Group, for their hard work.

Other discussion points had included street furniture, biodiversity and a plastic free pledge.  There were two recommendations which had been referred to the Strategy & Finance Working Group as a result of policy implications.

The notes of the Community Enhancement Working Party were then agreed.

Cllr Mirylees presented the notes of the Cemeteries & Appeals Working Group held on 13^th June 2019, as presented with the agenda.

The meeting had received an overview of the Working Group.  Some of the discussion points included the extension of wild flower planting and a review of charges for those who lived outside the town.  The Working Group had agreed to maintain current rates.

The notes of the Cemeteries & Appeals Working Party were then agreed.

Cllr Neale presented the notes of the Strategy & Finance Working Group held on 18^th June 2019.

The Town Clerk had provided a presentation on the Working Group including an explanation of how the budget operated.

i)          Neighbourhood Plan Review

Cllr Neale explained the current position on the Farnham Neighourhood Plan.  Following the Regulation 16 Submission in January, developers had responded to the consultation and the Independent Examiner conducted a procedural exploratory meeting on 4^th June to hear representations from Farnham Town Council, Waverley Borough Council and developers.

Cllr Neale further reported that the Independent Examiner’s response was subsequently received after the Strategy & Finance meeting determining that to proceed would require an Examination and Referendum.  As a result of the Independent Examiner’s response being received after Strategy & Finance meeting, additional recommendations were made relating to the Independent Examiner’s letter and his question at paragraph 13 iii on page 37 of the agenda.

Cllr Neale proposed, and Cllr Attfield seconded the following which was RESOLVED nem con:

1)        Farnham Town Council is disappointed that the government changed the Planning Policy Guidance on May 9th with no transition period for Neighbourhood Plans already submitted;

2)        Following the Independent Examiner’s procedural meeting, Farnham Town Council determines to proceed with the Examination of the draft Neighbourhood Plan under Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) as amended.

3)        The Town Clerk make the necessary arrangements for the Independent Examination and subsequent referendum in consultation with the Infrastructure Planning Group.

Cllr Neale referred back to the following recommendations in Cllr Dickson’s report which had also been discussed by Strategy & Finance.

Farnham Town Council agrees to support a journey to plastic-free community status, using plastic free alternatives where possible and championing plastic free initiatives within the wider Farnham community including with businesses and local schools.

It was RESOLVED nem con that:

Farnham Town Council agrees to support a journey to plastic-free community status, using plastic free alternatives where possible and championing plastic free initiatives within the wider Farnham community including with businesses and local schools.

It was RESOLVED nem con that:

1)        The Biodiversity Action Group Memorandum of Understanding besigned by the Town Clerk on behalf of Farnham Town Council.

2)      Funding of £500 be awarded to the Biodiversity Action Group.

Cllr Neale reported that Strategy & Finance welcomed the new Biodiversity Action Group CIC which would complement the work of the Council.

To receive the minutes of the Planning and Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on:

3^rd June (Appendix F) and 17^th June 2019 (Appendix G).

Cllr Edmonds presented the notes of the Planning & Licensing Working Group meetings held on 3^rd June 2019 and 17^th June 2019, as presented with the agenda.

Cllr Edmonds reported that the first meeting had identified and appreciated the enormity of the task and said that it was essential to receive feedback on applications from other Members and neighbours.

Cllr Edmonds drew attention to one application, the application from 350 homes close to the Coxbridge Roundabout, and advised that the decision that Environmental Impact Assessment was not required was being challenged.

The notes of the Planning & Licensing Working Group held on 3^rd June and 17^th June were agreed.

There were no actions reported under the Scheme of Delegation.

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

Waverley Borough Council Leader, Cllr Ward, reported that the Waverley Borough Council Executive was embarking on a huge learning curve and receiving weekly briefings from Waverley Officers.  Cllr Ward said that there would be no “knee jerk reaction” Council resolutions until Members had all the required information.  Cllr Ward further reported that the Secretary of State had announced ‘Garden Community Status’ for Dunsfold.

Surrey County Councillor, Cllr MacLeod, asked for the Council to take a close interest in the wider consultation for library closures in Surrey.  Cllr MacLeod also reported that Surrey County Council was undertaking a transport review including bus services.  Cllr MacLeod finally reported that Surrey County Council had received an application for exploratory drilling of oil and gas wells near Dunsfold and that Waverley Borough Council would be preparing a response to the controversial issue.

Cllr Dunsmore reported on the progress of highways matters relating to Wrecclesham:

-    The over-height vehicle signs had not yet been installed to Wrecclesham Bridge as planned but the work would be completed within the following couple of weeks.

-    There were daily reports of HGV’s stopping by the bridge.

-    Surrey County Council was conducting a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing in The Street, Wrecclesham.  It was hoped that the study would identify 4 proposals to be put forward for consultation.

-    Members were invited to support an “anti-idling” campaign by St Peter’s School and Potters Gate.

There were no confidential matters to discuss.

Members noted the date of the next full Council meeting on 25^th July 2019.