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Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

The full agenda with individual reports can be viewed on this page below.

The full agenda with all reports can be downloaded from the Agenda reports pack.

Venue: Council Chamber - Farnham Town Hall

Contact: Email: Town.Clerk@farnham.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

C43/21

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apololgies were received from the Mayor and Cllr Edmonds.

C44/21

Disclosures of Interest

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.

Minutes:

In addition to disclosures from those  who were double and triple hatted councillors, Cllr Cockburn declared an interest as a Trustee of the Ridgeway School.

 

C45/21

Minutes pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on July 29th  at Appendix A.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29th July were agreed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

 

C46/21

Questions and Statements by the Public

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.

Minutes:

Mr Peter Goodman raised a question about the mobile coffee seller in Gostrey Meadow commenting that it had had an adverse impact on his business.  He asked whether the impact on local coffee shops in Downing Street was taken into consideration when the licence to sell coffee on Gostrey Meadow on Mondays to Saturdays was granted.  He also asked whether the council had considered that it would be better to have more diversity amongst retailers in this part of the town to attract shoppers rather than having a regular coffee van on Gostrey Meadow suggesting that a vendor selling products other than coffee would provide this. He also drew attention to environmental concerns with disposable coffee cups being used in town.

 

Cllr Evans responded as Lead Member of the Tourism and Events Working Group which supported business as part of its programme.  She advised that here had been a concession selling coffee in Gostrey Meadow since 2015 when the owner of the Vintage Cake House, a previous owner of the premises occupied by the Electric Cycle Café, entered into an agreement with Waverley Borough Council.  Subsequent traders have also had a similar concession providing a valuable service to families and users of Gostrey Meadow.  The Tourism and Events Working Group reviewed this arrangement recently and considered the wider offer in town, but determined that the benefits of continuing with the service to users of Gostrey meadow outweighed the potential disbenefits.

 

Cllr Evans added that Farnham Town Council had worked with Waverley Borough Council, retailers and the Chamber of Commerce to support businesses during the emergence from the pandemic and would continue to do so as it promoted the rich variety of independent shops and businesses that made Farnham such a delightful place to visit.  Unfortunately, national planning legislation and individual entrepreneurs determined which businesses take up retail opportunities in the town but the Town Council welcomed innovation, such as the Electric Cycle Café, choice and excellent customer service.

 

 

 

C47/21

Deputy Town Mayor's Announcements

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

Minutes:

The Deputy Town Mayor wished the Mayor, who was in attendance from home whilst recovering from Coronavirus, a speedy recovery.

 

C48/21

Questions by Members

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

Minutes:

There were no Questions by Members.

C49/21

Working Group Notes pdf icon PDF 257 KB

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

i)    Strategy and Finance held on 7th and 10th September 2021 at Appendix B

 

2               To receive a verbal update on any relevant matters covered by

ii)          Cemeteries and Appeals Working Group 

iii)        Tourism and Events Working Group

iv)        Community Enhancement Working Group

 

 

Additional documents:

C50/21

Strategy & Finance

Minutes:

Cllr Neale introduced the notes of the Strategy & Finance Working Group held on 7th and 10th September at Appendix B. 

 

i)            The recommendation for a grant of £500 to the organisers of the Pilgrim Marathon was agreed.

ii)          Council noted arrangements to tender the West Street Cemetery Gates.

 

Cllr Cockburn declared an interest and absented herself for discussion on the next item.

 

iii)         Council reviewed the revised location for the café in Gostrey Meadow proposed by the Ridgeway School and discussed an additional option that Farnham Town Council investigate whether it should undertake the proposed works and lease the completed building to the Ridgeway School.  The removal of the dilapidated old pavilion was also agreed ready for the moving of the Borelli Shelter in future.

It was RESOLVED  nem con:

1)     The Town Clerk discuss options further with Ridgeway School;

2)    Approval forCouncil to construct the building as an alternative to Ridgeway be agreed;

3)    The Town Clerk be authorised to go to the Public Loans Board to outline a request for funding to build of the Cafe in Gostrey Meadow; and

4)     The old Bowling Green Pavilion and fencing be removed.

 

iv)         Council noted that the tenders for the refurbishment of the Victoria Road Public Conveniences refurbishment were being prepared, and that TUPE information for the in-sourcing of the offices and public convenience cleaning contract was awaited. Council further noted the latest position with the Hale Chapels and the Community meeting that had been held to offer the opportunity for the community to raise the funds for a full refurbishment.  A representative of the Farnham Society was meeting with Cllr Fraser to consider whether there were any unexplored opportunities.

 

v)          Council discussed the proposal to formalise permission for fishing in Gostrey Meadow now the Council had taken responsibility for the area and following concerns raised about the safety of visitors to the Meadow.  It was noted that informal fishing had taken place over many years and that a trial arrangement in a designated zone should be made provided those fishing had the relevant Environment Agency licence.

It was RESOLVED, with Cllr Dickson and Fraser objecting, that:

1)    A fishing Zone be designated under the trees in Gostrey Meadow with appropriate signage;

2)    Anyone fishing be required to have the appropriate Environment Agency licence; and

3)    The new arrangement be kept under review.

 

vi)         Council received the report of the FCAMP walk-round meeting with Sarah Wells and Sophie Piper looking at the proposed 20MPH zone signage and ev charger points.  It had been agreed that the bollards should be conservation area style.  Significant concern had been raised about the impact of the potential build outs in Castle Street proposed by Surrey CC to manage the 20MPOH Zone.

 

The location and style of the proposed bike shelters was also discussed. Council felt it was important to support local business and crafts people in the design in the conservation area and that any new shelter was cleaned and  ...  view the full minutes text for item C50/21

C51/21

Updates on other Working Groups

Minutes:

Council welcomed the excellent results received in South and South East in Bloom and congratulated the community groups including Space2grow for their achievements.

 

Cllr Evans advised that over 5,500 people had attended the successful Music in the Meadow season despite the restrictions in place and provided an update on preparations for forthcoming events including the Food Festival, Craft Month and the Christmas Lights.

C52/21

Planning and Licensing Applications pdf icon PDF 215 KB

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 2nd and 16th August and 6th September at Appendices C, D and E.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Fraser reported on the three Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings that were attached at Appendices C, D and E.  There had again been a large number of applications (99) with 4 large or controversial, 79 routine and 16 others including 4 appeals and 3 licensing.  He expressed concern again about the ponderous website of the Borough Council that severely hampered preparation for meetings both by the FTC officer and councillors.

 

Cllr Fraser advised that the responses from FTC to the Borough Council had now changed after the continued omission of Town Council caveats and provisos in respect of specific applications. Now FTC “objects unless” caveats are taken into account.

 

Cllr Fraser raised a number of concerns around national planning policy which were being advocated elsewhere and also advised on the reinstatement of quarterly planning meeting with the Borough Council.

 

The reports were agreed.

C53/21

Actions taken under the Scheme of Delegation

Minutes:

The Town Clerk reported that he had purchased 20 ‘Portrait of Farnham’ books published by the Farnham Hedgehogs which would be used as civic gifts.

C54/21

Reports from Other Councils

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

 

Minutes:

Cllr Cockburn raised concern about the consultation on Local Plan Part 2 and resulting delay which would potentially cause issues for the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan land allocations and hoped it would be completed as soon as possible.

 

She advised that she had met with local MP the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt and with his support was taking up the need for additional support for Neighbourhood Plans with the new Secretary of State Michael Gove.

C55/21

Proposal under Standing Order 11.9

Minutes:

The Deputy Mayor advised that as it was a suitable point in the agenda approaching 10pm, Council needed to consider whether to agree an half an hour extension; to continue the meeting until business was finished or to adjourn the meeting.

It was RESOLVED nem con to continue the meeting until business was finished.

C56/21

Reports from Outside Bodies

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

 

Minutes:

i)               Cllr Cockburn advised of the Surrey Hills Forum discussion on the AONB extension which was referenced in the Neighbourhood Plan and affected Rowledge and Moor Park in Particular.

ii)              Council welcomed the news that the New Ashgate Gallery had won the prestigious Art Gallery of the Year Award 2021.

iii)             Cllr Evans reported that she had attended the Lord Lieutenant’s award presentation to the Hale Community Centre where she represents the Council.

C57/21

Date of Next Meeting

To agree the date of the next meeting as Thursday October 28th at 7pm.

Minutes:

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 28th October at 7pm.

C58/21

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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 in accordance with legisltaion for commercial sensitivity or staffing reasons.

Minutes:

The Deputy Mayor proposed the Exclusion of the Press and Public in view of the confidential item (commercial sensitivity) to be discussed at Exempt Annex 1 and it was RESOLVED nem con to do so.

C59/21

Tices' Meadow

Tice’s Meadow at Exempt Appendix 1.

Minutes:

Council noted it had agreed to support the community’s efforts to retain Tice’s meadow for public access and sustain the excellent achievements of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group.  Over the past year, officers and members from Surrey, Waverley and Farnham had created a positive relationship with Hanson to facilitate a public sector or community bid for the site.  Separately, the political leaders of the principal authorities around the area, led by Surrey CC, agreed to collaborate to purchase the site and agreement had now been reached with Hanson for SCC to purchase the site with each of the authorities making a financial contribution. It was expected that the sale would be completed at the end of 2021.

 

It was RESOLVED nem con that:

1)    Farnham Town Council contributes £10,000 to the local authority consortium bid to purchase Tice’s Meadow;

2)      FTC continues to have representation on any Board overseeing the future management of Tice’s Meadow.

 

 

 

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