Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Fairclough 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, Alan Earwaker, Tony Fairclough, George Hesse, Andrew Laughton, Mark Merryweather, Kika Mirylees, George Murray, 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 declared an interest in relation to potential asset transfers as portfolio holder for assets and finance at Waverley Borough Council and left the room for discussion of that item.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on June 19^th 2025 at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th June 2025 were agreed for signing by the Mayor subject to correction of Cllr Jackman in apologies as he appeared in those present and apologies.

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 the public.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor began by passing on the Council’s wishes for a speedy recovery to the past Mayoress Mrs Caroline Mauluka.

The Mayor advised he had had a busy time since the last Council meeting and that being Mayor was an absolute treat  It was an honour and privilege to meet local organisations and individuals and to hear that the Town Council is held in such high esteem.

In particular the Mayor mentioned a number of activities including school visits, judging the Farnham Carnival floats, welcoming the judges for South and South East in Bloom and hosting the Lord Lieutenant as he presented the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group.

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:

i)    Environment held on 16^th July 2025                           Appendix B

ii)   Culture & Business held on 30th July 2025                Appendix C

iii)  Strategy and Resources held on 21^st July 2025           Appendix D

2        To receive any relevant updates from other Working Groups

i)     Community & Wellbeing Terms of Reference            Appendix E

1)         Environment Working Group

Cllr Brown introduced the Notes of the Environment Working Group held on 16^th July.

a)     Council noted the Farnham in Bloom Community Group had been re-established and that there had been a positive response to sponsorship opportunities with a welcome new approach from the team.

       Council noted the outcomes of the Tree survey and the required works and maintenance.  In terms of the allotments a number of breaches of the rules were being addresses and the Working Group had endorsed the fact that only assistance dogs were allowed on allotments on hygiene and safety grounds.

The Working Group had reported on various works in Gostrey Meadow and also the delays in the Riverside Walk walking and cycling improvements.

It was Resolved nem con that Farnham Town Council makes representations to Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Crest Nicholson over the quality of work and the time taken to complete the Riverside Walk project.

b)       Council noted the outcomes of a recent safety inspection had resulted in the need for remedial works to 54 memorials.  It was also made aware of recent concerns that had been raised on cemetery matters and of an ongoing review into a breach of Cemetery Regulations in Badshot Lea noting the sensitivities around this issue.

It was Resolved nem con that Farnham Town Council updates the Cemetery Regulations and the Exclusive Rights of Burial (EROB) and Notification of Burial forms, reflecting recent questions raised regarding non-resident interment fees and an advisory notice about adjacent burials.

2)      Culture & Business Working Group

Cllr Mirylees outlined discussions that had taken place at the Culture and Business Working Group held on 30^th July.

Council noted the success of recent events but that it had proven difficult to have councillors attending the FTC Information Tent on every occasion. The Working Group had reviewed the Sustainability Festival and how it could be further developed but reaffirmed the long-standing position that political groups would not have a space allocated at community events organized by FTC.

The experiment with longer Music in the Meadow events had generally not worked with most people arriving at the normal start time and with additional costs incurred.  UIt was agreed that the World Music Day event would continue.

In terms of World Craft Town, Cllr Mirylees advised that the Artist in Residence was hoped to be a jeweller in 2026 and plans were progressing well for Craft month and a repeat of the Lantern Festival.

In terms of business activities, Cllr Mirylees advised that the Farnham Infrastructure Programme was planning to promote Downing Street during the works with bunting and  additional promotion for businesses.

3          Strategy & Resources Working Group

Cllr White introduced the notes of the Strategy & Resources Meeting held on 21^st July at Appendix D.

a)  Finance

            Council noted the quarterly Finance Report with expenditure running at the expected level for the first three months of the year at 37.4% with income at 57.8% given the payment of  ...  view the full minutes text for item C32/25

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 30^th June and 14^th  and 28^th July at Appendices F, G and H.

Cllr Laughton introduced the Notes to the Planning & Licensing meetings held on 30^th June and 14^th  and 28^th July at Appendices F, G and H.  Items of note included the refusal of the Trueform sign on appeal (being inappropriately sited) and a presentation by the developers of the Centrum Site with the Waverley Planning Officer.  Cllr Laughton outlined the comments made by FTC .

In terms of Licensing, an application had been received for Laithwaites.

To receive details of any actions taken under the scheme of delegation not already reported including initial actions following the award of planning permission for the Gostrey Amenity Building.

The Town Clerk advised that the National pay award had been agreed by the National Joint Negotiating Committee and that this would be implemented in the August salaries effective from 1^st April.

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

Cllr Martin confirmed that the Your Fund Surrey would be continuing with each of the County Councillors being allocated £50,000 to support local projects.

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 18^th September 2025 at 6pm.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 18^th September at 6pm.