Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Tim 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.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 27^th April at Appendix A and 11^th May at Appendix B.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 27^th April and 18^th May 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 questins or statements.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor welcome everyone to the first business meeting of the new administration.  He advised that former councillor Pat Evans was still in hospital and had appreciated everyone’s good wishes.

The Mayor advised that the South East Water works in West Street were approaching their final phase and that officers were working with Cllr Martin and business representatives to secure funding from South East Water to promote Farnham welcoming back customers.

The Mayor announced that the Green Flag judges had assessed Gostrey Meadow West Street Cemetery and Badshot Lea Cemetery and that he had attended the Waverley Mayor Making meeting, which saw Penny rivers elected as Mayor and John Ward moving into the role of Deputy Mayor. 

The Mayor advised that the Civic Service was taking place on 9^th July in St Andrew’s Church and he hoped all councillors would be able to attend.

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

There were no Questions by Members.

To elect Working Groups, Task Groups and Panels in accordance with Standing Orders 15 at Appendix C.

A report on the election of Working Groups, Task Groups and Panels for 2023/24 at Appendix C was introduced by the Town Clerk. Council noted that Councillors had identified preferences for the Working Group for 202324 in accordance with Standing Order 15. The appointments were made as set out below. 

The Mayor proposed and it was agreed nem con, that Council be adjourned in order that each Working Group appoint its Lead Member to confirm the composition of Strategy & Resources Working Group.

Meetings of each Working Group were held in turn.

i)               Community Working Group

It was agreed that Cllr Mirylees be appointed as Lead Member.

ii)              Environment Working Group

It was agreed that Cllr Brown be appointed as Lead Member. 

The Leader of Council and Lead Member of Strategy & Resources (Cllr White) was appointed at the Annual Meeting of Council.

It was noted the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group and Panels and Task Groups would appoint their Lead Members at the first meeting.

The appointments to each Group was agreed as follows:

To appoint representatives who will attend external bodies and report back to the Council on matters of interest.  Report at Appendix D.

A report on the Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies at Annex 1 to Appendix C was introduced by the Town Clerk.

Councillors had identified preferences for being the Council’s representative to External Bodies 2023/24 and the following appointments were agreed:

To receive a report on Planning & Licensing applications received since the last meeting and submissions made under the scheme of delegation at Appendix E.

Cllr Hesse introduced the notes of planning applications considered under the scheme of delegation pending the appointment of new members to the Consultative Group.

He advised that two appeals had been dismissed on the basis of being in conflict with the Neighbourhood Plan, and asked that thanks be recorded to councillors, residents association members and local people who gave evidence.  The site at Green Lane & Lower Weybourne would have seen 271 houses built, with the former part of the Strategi  Gap and the latter would have undermined the credibility of the Neighbourhood Plan.

Cllr Hesse hoped the same approach would be taken at the appeal at Waverley Lane.  

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

No additional actions under the scheme of delegation were reported.

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.

There were no updates from Outside Bodies.

To agree the date of the next meeting of Council as 27 July 2023. 

To note the ethics/standards training scheduled for 30^th June can be attended remotely but provision will be made for collective attendance in the Council Chamber.

To note that the date of the Planning Training provisionally set for 22^nd June is being rearranged to fit with the trainer’s availability (likely to be 21^st June).  The date will be confirmed at the meeting.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as being 27^th July 2023.

Council noted that the ethics and Standards training was set for 30^th May, and the date for the Planning training with Steve Tilbury was agreed for 26^th June.