Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Martin and Woodhouse.

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.

Cllr Merryweather made a declaration as Waverley Borough Council Executive Councillor for Assets.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 9^th May 2025  at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th May 2024 were agreed.

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 by members of the public.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor said how pleased and humbled he was to receive a message from the President and first Lady of Malawi on his election as Mayor.  He was truly grateful for their kind words.

He was also pleased to host a councillor Gertrude Chirambo from Blantyre City Council in Malawi, who was in the UK on a short visit.  He asked her to send greetings from Farnham to the Mayor of Blantyre and hoped Farnham might be able to create links between schools and have a deed of friendship with them.

The 80^th anniversary of D-Day was a historic occasion and Farnham Town Council organised three very special civic events as part of the national commemoration.  The Mayor thanked the Deputy Lieutenants, the Royal British Legion, the Town Crier, staff and all the volunteers and participants for their support in creating such a moving and memorable day.

Since the last Council, the Mayor had attended a number of events including the Farnham Walking Festival, the launch of the North Farnham Arts Trail, the Creative response Summer exhibition and the Farnham Arts Society Schools photographic exhibition.  He was very impressed by the quality of the pupils’ photography. 

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

There were no questions by Members.

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

     Strategy and Resources held on 4^th June 2024                     Appendix B

2)   To receive a verbal update on any matters for information from the Environment and Community & Culture Working groups.

Cllr White introduced the Strategy & Resources report at Appendix B and covered a range of matters for Council.

1)       Finance

As part of the finance month-end papers, the Working Group considered charges for the hire of equipment by community groups at weekends and bank holidays, noting the cost and imposition on staff time and that this cost would often be met by a grant from the small grants fund.  Council noted the informal request for a contribution towards the Heath End School Astro and agreed that it would not be right to allocate funds from CIL for an individual community project without opening a formal CIL application round (not expected until 2025 subject to further income being received) but agreed that an ad hoc community grant application could be considered.  The Working Group had considered the rent review for Wrecclesham Community Centre and recommended a phased increase over four years.  The Working Group had reviewed the No Interest Loans Scheme to be run by Boom Credit Union and recommended loan values to support consolidated loans.

It was Resolved unanimously that

i)    A charge for delivery and collection of equipment for community groups be at a rate of £75 and the rate for businesses be on actual cost if higher.

ii)  The Wrecclesham Community Centre lease be £9,000 plus VAT in 2024/25, with an increase of £1,000 per annum over the following three years up to £12,000.

iii)The range of No Interest Loans from Boom Community Bank be from £300 to £1,500 to provide greater opportunity for debt consolidation if required. 

2)       Contracts and Assets

i)        Council noted progress on a number of contract and assets matters including the Gostrey Gates widening, the purchase of the new Goupil, and the latest position on the Library Gardens where a further meeting with the SCC officer was expected.  In terms of the Gostrey Meadow toilets and playground, it was noted that several points had been raised for discussion with the architect prior to more detailed drawings being supplied including the toilets being shuttered at night to minimise the potential for vandalism; the nature of the ‘labels’ on individual toilets with a strong view that there should be some which were specifically for women; and on the possibility of introducing a ground source heat pump.   Council agreed that the consultation on the playground layout/equipment should take place in parallel with the planning application to reduce delays and that advice of Waverley on similar consultations would be sought.

ii)       Council noted there had been several instances of land encroachment and agreed with the proposed action.

iii)     Council noted the Christmas Lights tender was being prepared with some elements planned for 2024 but the majority for 2025 under the guidance of a Task Group.  The new scheme should involve some input from the Business Improvement District as it was part of their areas of focus.

It was Resolved unanimously that

i)    a fence be installed at the Morley Road allotments (from existing grounds budgets) where  ...  view the full minutes text for item C19/24

Cllr Brown said the emphasis for the year was to get behind Farnham in Bloom which had a distinct focus on diversity and community spirit.  The involvement in the awards helped inspire those taking part and engage businesses.  The judges had a close eye on sustainability and biodiversity which was important for wildlife corridors.  There was hope that more businesses would get on board through the Business Improvement District.

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 13^th May and 3^rd June at Appendices C, and D.

Cllr Laughton reported on the two Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings that had been held on 13^th May and 3^rd June at Appendices C and D to the agenda.

Items of note were:

i)    the Farnham Liberal Club in  South Street where the external work to the grade 2 listed building should be kept in line with local architecture.

ii)   A canine hydrotherapy business in external work with FTC maintaining its objections since this was in a residential area.

iii)  Headway House Care Home, Crosby Way with FTC awaiting  further details on surface water management.  

Cllr Laughton advised there were many tree cutting/ pruning applications where FTC eas guided by the Arboricultural Officer’s comments.  There was also an increasing number of residential applications for new build or extensions within already dense built-up residential areas. FTC would object accordingly as required.   Planning applications for developments above 4 storeys, especially around East Street/ Woolmead areas, would be carefully considered to ensure plans remained in line with FNP guidelines.

In terms of Licensing issues, Cllr Laughton advised The Local off license in The Borough, needed to submit additional information whilst FTC had objected to The Luxe, in Lion & Lamb Yard, extended hours application, since  it was not in line with the local environment with concerns over noise, nuisance, and waste management.

Council noted with regret that the Blue Bear bookshop was closing and moving elsewhere.  This was understood to be because of high rents and the owners were thanked for their contribution to Farnham.

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

There were no actions under the scheme of delegation to report that had not already been covered.

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 White reported that FTC had had a meeting with Peter Glanville the CEO of the Farnham Maltings.  He had now spent his first year and was focussed on getting ore connected into the community.  Cllr Mirylees advised the Maltings had an amazing set of events and was working nationally and internationally.  She advised that the maltings had been described as a ‘cultural colossus’ and what was ahead was very exciting.

ii)              Cllr Jackman thanked the Mayor for opening the Badshot Lea Fete and North Farnham Arts trail both of which had been successful.

To agree the date of the next meeting as Thursday 18 July 2024 at 6pm.

To agree a new date for the December Council as Thursday 19^th December at 6pm.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 18^th July 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, legal or contractual matters which may be commercially sensitive.

On a proposal by the Mayor, it was agreed nem con to exclude the press and the public in view of the confidential matters being reported.

Statutory Challenge

The Town Clerk advised Council of an unorthodox approach by the President of the Bourne Club proposing that if FTC withdrew from its Statutory Challenge, the developer, Wates, would make a £200K contribution to the Bourne Club and pay the Council’s legal costs.  Councillors were shocked at the underhand way in which this had emerged and RESOLVED by 12 votes to 1 to reject the proposal and release information to the media after the General Election had taken place.

It was agreed to brief the South Farnham Residents’ Association and issue a press release to the local media with details of what had happened.