Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

All councillors were present.

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.

The Town Clerk advised that he was a former Director of and saver with Boom Community Bank.

Cllr Fairclough, Cllr Merryweather and Cllr Mirylees declared interests as Executive members at Waverley Borough Council.

Cllr Ward declared an interest as his wife was a Trustee of Abbeyfield Housing Association and left the Chamber for items 5.4 and 5.5 of Appendix C.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 25^th January 2024  atAppendix A.

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 25^th January 2024 were approved for signature.

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.

 Goodman asked the following statement:

“Farnham town council has been at the heart of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme ever since the pollution summit five years ago. One of the key objectives of the programme was to reduce the illegal air pollution levels in central Farnham. I would be grateful if you could tell me how the proposed build works costing more than £10m that will be starting later this year are going to reduce air pollution levels in the town centre”.

In response, Cllr Beaman advised that there would be a discussion on the Farnham Infrastructure Programme later in the agenda and that if all the measures were implemented, it should improve the environment significantly.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor recorded with sadness the passing of Roger Steele.  He was a hardworking servant of Farnham who served as a councillor on both Waverley and Farnham making a valuable contribution in many areas including the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and the Farnham Building Preservation Trust.

The Mayor congratulated everyone involved in the Farnham Literary Festival this year.  He drew attention to the particular contributions of Cllr Kika Mirylees, Oliver Cluskey and Sue Keogh for shaping and delivering of the Festival ably supported by colleagues and a huge team of volunteers.

The Mayor had been privileged to attend the spectacular 40^th anniversary concert and celebration of the Farnham Youth Choir in Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square with attendees from the whole lifespan of the choir.  It was a clear demonstration of why Farnham Youth Choir was going to World Choir Games.

The Mayor highlighted the incredible performance of Farnham Town Football club this year and the fact that they now hold the record for the longest run of consecutive wins, 25, by any team in the English football leagues.

The Mayor announced that Fiona Byrne, the first Artist in Residence, funded by the Farnham South Street Trust, had been incredibly busy and was holding an informal Open Studio. Her finished commission would be the first piece in a collection of the work of World Craft Town Artists in Residence over the next five years.

The Mayor advised that the RNLI Farnham branch were holding a celebration of the 200^th year of the RNLI.  It was he said an amazing volunteer organisation giving their time to save the lives of others.

Finally, the Mayor invited all electors to attend the annual Town Meeting of electors taking place in the Bush Hotel on Monday 22^nd April at 6.30pm.

The Deputy Mayor added that he had been able to represent the Mayor at the Farnahm’s Got Talent event which was excellent.

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

From Councillor George Hesse to the Co-Leaders/Town Clerk.

I would like to ask the following Member’s question concerning vehicles continuing to speed through the Town Centre’s 20mph Zone and the risk to the safety of pedestrians.

This issue may have come to Members’ attention even if you don’t live in the town.  Speeding and extremely reckless driving has been witnessed by Members who live in or close to the town centre.  As one of Castle Ward’s Councillors I have had a number of requests from residents asking for safe crossings and speed calming measures in several locations. 

At the December Farnham Town Council meeting, it was agreed to press for a crossing across Longbridge between Gostrey Meadow and the Maltings, funded by the savings of changes to the Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP) town centre improvements proposed by Farnham Town Council, as this crossing was always considered part of the (FIP) Scheme. However, this has not yet been accepted by officers of Surrey County Council.

Accordingly I am asking the question,

“Would colleagues support making an official request to Surrey County Council for the installation of the following crossings and a safety improvement:?

1.          Reinforcing the need for the previously approved Longbridge Crossing which could be a Belisha Beacon with a speed calming raised table;

2.          A new shrouded Belisha Beacon crossing on West Street between Mead Lane and Potters Gate, incorporating a speed calming raised table.

3.          A proposal to have incorporated into the Major Road Network stage of the Farnham Infrastructure Program, the installation of a new shrouded Belisha Beacon crossing between the traffic island on the North side of Farnham Station to the opposite kerb, adjacent to the bus shelter, incorporating a speed calming raised table (subject to any complete re-design of the area).

4.          Old Park Lane. A new pedestrian crossing at the informal crossing point between Old Park Lane and the Farnham Castle side of the A287 which is dangerous. This was raised as part of the initial FIP consultation.

A meeting also took place in March 2023 with Surrey Highways, the local SCC member, a FTC Officer and The Old Park Lane Residents’ Association, which resulted in no measures being offered. One year and many near misses later, with fast vehicles continuing to come around the blind bend from the North, we are once again asking for the provision of speed calming and an electronic warning sign.

1)      

Councillor George Hesse had submitted the following question concerning vehicles continuing to speed through the Town Centre’s 20mph Zone and the risk to the safety of pedestrians.  “Would colleagues support making an official request to Surrey County Council for the installation of the following crossings and a safety improvement:?

1.            Reinforcing the need for the previously approved Longbridge Crossing which could be a Belisha Beacon with a speed calming raised table;

2.            A new shrouded Belisha Beacon crossing on West Street between Mead Lane and Potters Gate, incorporating a speed calming raised table.

3.            A proposal to have incorporated into the Major Road Network stage of the Farnham Infrastructure Program, the installation of a new shrouded Belisha Beacon crossing between the traffic island on the North side of Farnham Station to the opposite kerb, adjacent to the bus shelter, incorporating a speed calming raised table (subject to any complete re-design of the area).

4.            Old Park Lane. A new pedestrian crossing at the informal crossing point between Old Park Lane and the Farnham Castle side of the A287 which is dangerous. This was raised as part of the initial FIP consultation.

In response, Cllr White said that the question would be considered by the next meeting of the Infrastructure Planning Group and advised that the question raised questions of pedestrian safety at other locations in Farnham which other members may wish to raise for their own wards.  Sites not already earmarked could be included for the Waverley review of the Infrastructure Development Plan.

1)     To receive the notes and any recommendations of the following Working Groups and the Human Resources Panel:                                                              

i)    Environment held on 28^th February 2024                     Appendix B

ii)   Strategy and Resources held on 5^th March  2024         Appendix C

2)     To receive a verbal update on any relevant matters from the Community Working Group.

3)     To receive the Notes of the HR Panel that met on 4^th March 2024   Appendix D

1            Environment Working Group

a)     Cllr Brown introduced the Notes of the Environment Working Group held on 28^th February. He said the meeting had started with an amazing presentation by Alister Young of the volunteer Water Rangers who test water quality in and around Farnham.  It had been eye-opening disturbing and optimistic.

The group had proposed catching water from FTC buildings and encouraging others to do the same to help with watering town centre floral displays.

It was RESOLVED unanimously that

i)               Water butts and irrigation systems be sourced to help with the watering of the seasonal floral displays and businesses and residents be encouraged  to adopt the same approach;

ii)             Water testing kits be purchased for schools (3 sets) and individual volunteers (6 sets) at a cost of £1,500 from the 2023-24 Community Initiatives budget.

b)     Council noted the training that had taken place for councillors  and staff on the new biodiversity legislation and received an update on the allotment liaison meeting and dates for the year ahead.

c)     Cllr Brown advised that the Allotments Liaison Group meeting had been very good and the group had accepted the rent increase from October 2024 and also agreed that the insurance policy was required.

d)     Cllr Brown provided an update on works taking place on parks and open spaces and Council noted the top up graffiti programme that continued.  He said that the Green flag entries had been submitted and judging was awaited.

e)     The proposed dates for the installation of names of the Notable Names of Farnham wall were agreed and it was RESOLVED unanimously that Alan Mitchell, (1922-1995) Internationally acclaimed Tree expert and Dendrologist be included on the Notable Names of Farnham wall.

f)      Council received the dates for Farnham in Bloom 2024 and welcomed the nomination of Farnham as a Finalist in the town and city centre category of RHS Britain in Bloom.  Council noted that former councillor Pat Evans had been elected as chair of the FIB Community Group.

g)     Council noted the latest position with the cemeteries service which was working smoothly.

Cllr Dickson thanked the outside workforce team for the removal of graffiti in north Farnham, although noted that those doing it would come back.

2            Strategy & Resources Working Group

Cllr White introduced the Notes of the Strategy & Resources Working Group held on 5^th March at Appendix C to the agenda.  He advised that the potential end of year financial outturn had been considered noting that income was above budget and expenditure was running slightly under budget and that not all commitments may be implemented in the current year.  In response to a question by Cllr Beaman, the Town Clerk advised that the small write off had been processed in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Council noted there would be an adjustment to the allotments income for those who had terminated their sites late.

i)     Cllr White reported that the Working Group had considered a proposal from Boom Community Bank to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C112/23

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 5^th and 19^th of February, and 4^th March  at Appendices E, F and G.

Cllr Laughton introduced the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 5^th and 19^th of February, and 4^th March at Appendices E, F and G to the agenda.

The first meeting had a presentation from Villages against Warehouses against an 80 acres industrial park at the M3/A287 interchange.  FTC support the concerns over the lack of infrastructure and location.

An application for 6 dwellings in Frensham Vale requiring 200 trees to be removed was objected to as it was out of character and not in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Consultative Group received a presentation on initial ideas for developing the former South Street Club/Liberal Club designed by Lutyens. 

Concern was expressed over the Holt Pound outline plan.  Initially 19 homes were assessed as being appropriate but now a scheme with 50 had been promoted.  It was felt this was too much for the local area.

Cllr Laughton reported that the proposed cemetery in Farnborough Road had been turned down by Waverley Planning Committee on grounds of high traffic flow at a pinch point and that it was out of character for the area and contrary to the Neighbourhood Plan.

Council noted that a public consultation was being held for the proposed Hawthorns development of 65 homes and a presentation would be made to the Town Council.

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

There were no additional items to report.

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

Cllr Martin reported that Frimley Park hospital was due for rebuilding by 2030 and Surrey were reviewing the best site option.

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

There were no matters reported from outside bodies.

To agree the date of the next meeting as Thursday 26^th April 2024..

The next meeting was agreed for Thursday April 25^th at 6pm.