Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Martin.

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 30 January 2025 at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th January 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

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 welcomed Lucy Dorkins to her first Council meeting as the new Business & Facilities Manager and Council wished her well in her role.

The Mayor advised that he had a lovely visit to celebrate the Lunar new year with the Triple Fun Chinese Language School where he wrote his name in Chinese.

The Mayor said he was honoured to present prizes at the Farnham Sports awards held at the Farnham Rugby Club. He was very impressed with the achievements of young and old alike in so many sports.

He also attended the Surrey Armed Forces Covenant event at Pirbright which was an excellent reminder of what the armed forces and reservists based in Farnham are achieving and to underline Farnham’s own covenant as a community with them.

The Mayor attended the World day of prayer in the Spire Church bringing together all faiths and was also at the Spire Church for the 10^th anniversary of the excellent Farnham Repair Café.

On Commonwealth Day Farnham joined others around the Commonwealth in raising a flag and underpinning the connections people across the commonwealth have with each other.

Finally the Mayor congratulated Cllr Kika Mirylees, the events team and all involved in the incredible Literary Festival which was the best yet.

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

From Cllr George Hesse:

“Would the Town Clerk please advise council the position regarding the need for competitive tendering for the proposed new Gostrey toilet and storage building, and a local architect’s competition, for both stages - design and also construction, as laid out in standing orders in The Members Handbook”.

Cllr Hesse Question asked the following question of the Town Clerk under Standing Order 9.

“Please advise Council the position regarding the need for competitive tendering for the proposed new Gostrey toilet and storage building, and a local architect’s competition, for both stages - design and also construction, as laid out in standing orders.”

In response, the Town Clerk advised that

“The Council has acted in accordance with both Financial Regulations and Standing Orders for the procurement of the design of the new amenity building.  The second phase will be subject to a formal tender in accordance with Financial Regulations and the Procurement Act 2023 which came into force in February 2025 and has similar thresholds to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015”.

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

i)    Environment held on 27^th February 2025              Appendix B

ii)   Strategy and Resources held on 10^th March 2025  Appendix C

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

A Environment

Cllr Brown introduced the report of the Environment Working Group meeting held on 27^th February at Appendix B to the agenda.

i)    The Working Group recommended that FTC support the Hive Helpers proposed family Bee Trail around Farnham consisting of Oak posts and plaques with brass or synthetic stone images that could be rubbed.  It was also recommended that the trail be replicated in the cemeteries.

It was RESOVED unanimously to progress the oak posts with synthetic stone images for the bee trail at a cost of £1,680 and to  trial further oak post trails in Badshot Lea and Hale cemeteries, with West Street cemetery and Green Lane being considered thereafter.

ii)   The Working Group had considered a range of matters including an update on Library Gardens, the Green Flag judging, plans for changes in the composting arrangements; the initial findings from the latest tree safety survey, a Surrey County Council highways volunteering initiative; the introduction of a natural herbicide control using a mixture of salt and vinegar and an additional name for the Notable Names of Farnham wall; and allotment and cemetery matters.

It was RESOVED unanimously that:

1)      Compost bays are created at key sites, including Gostrey Meadow, West Street Cemetery, Hale Cemetery, Badshot Lea Cemetery, Evelyn Borelli Garden of Remembrance.

2)      A chipper and mulching decks be purchased to improve efficiency

3)      FTC signs up to the SCC community highways volunteering scheme but target activities that would benefit Farnham in Bloom;

4)      An experiment of using a salt and vinegar mixture for weed control be implemented.

5)      Lt Colonel John Luard be added to the Notable Names of Farnham wall.

iii)  In terms of street scene issues, Cllr Brown advised the Working Group had discussed graffiti, particularly around the Woolmead; and the poor state of bus stops in Alma Lane.  In discussion, the Leader advised that he had met with local MP Greg Stafford to discuss the graffiti as the site was owned by Homes England.  Other councillors suggested an art work project with schools or the UCA might be beneficial and help showcase art in Farnham, and others felt that the cost for painting over the graffiti should not fall to Farnham Town Council.

It was RESOVED that FTC:

1)      Raise the need for further treatment of all graffiti at Woolmead with Waverley and Homes England and that depending on the response FTC do a one-off paint of the hoarding graffiti;

2)      Reviews with Homes England (or the subsequent developer) the possibility of UCA and local schools being commissioned to do art panels for the hoarding;

3)      Seeks any remaining  SCC Section 106 funding to replace the two obsolete Alma Lane bus stops and agrees to allocate partial or full FTC CIL funding to enable the project to go ahead.

B Strategy & Resources

Cllr White introduced the report of the Environment Working Group meeting held on 27^th February at Appendix B to the agenda.

1)      Finance.  The latest financial position was notes  ...  view the full minutes text for item C100/24

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 10^th and 24^th February and 10^th March 2025 at Appendices D, E, and F.

Cllr Laughton introduced the Notes of the Planning Meetings held on 10^th February, 24^th February and 10^th March 2025 at appendices D, E and F.

He drew attention to six issues in particular.  The first was an application for the conversion of The Old Hop Garden in Long Garden Walk which was for 22 student rooms.  FTC had sought confirmation that the room types were C2 not C3 (hotels and boarding house). 

The second was to confirm that the Farnham Park Cemetery application had been approved on appeal.

There were two applications in the Borough (33-34 and 38-39 to create residential units.  FTC had made recommendations on soundproofing and glazing as well as challenges of constructing during the town centre works.

In the application for a new door at 17 Frensham Road, following the requirement to remove the top floor and staircase, FTC had no objection if it were regarded as a non material amendment.

In the final comment on Quarry House in Gardeners Hill Road, FTC had objected as the application was outside the built up area boundary and did not confirm with the Neighbourhood Plan policies FNP1, FNP10 and FNP30.

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.

Concern was expressed over the increased cost of the Hoppa dial-a-ride to £3.  It seemed odd at a time when everyone was trying to encourage more public transport and it was hoped a reason could be found.

The Town Clerk advised that this was as a result of the cap being raised by the government from £2 to £3.

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

There were no reports from outside bodies.

To agree the date of the next meeting as Thursday 1^st May 2025.

The date of the next meeting of Council was agreed as 1^st May 2025 at 6pm.