Venue: Council Chamber - Farnham Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Email: town.Clerk@farnham.gov.uk
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Cllrs Brown, Jackman, Martin, Mirylees, Ward and Woodhouse. |
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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 David Beaman, Alan Earwaker, 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. Minutes: Cllr Merryweather declared an interest as Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property at Waverley Borough Council relating to property matters in item 7 Appendix C. |
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To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 24 October at Appendix A. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 24th October were agreed as a correct record. |
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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: 1 Ms Faye Sharpe, of Castle Ward, made a statement about the hazardous nature of Bridge Square at the bottom of Firgrove Hill and asked what more the Town Council could practically do to mitigate the hazard. She considered the root cause was excessive speed and had experienced multiple incidences and near misses when crossing the road from Gostrey Meadow on Longbridge. She had met with local councillors and the police but nothing was being done, and she asked whether there had to be injury or a death before anything happened?
In response, Cllr White advised that members of the Town Council were just as concerned as the public about this. Now there was a 20MPH zone this allowed further measures to be implemented such as speed tables. FTC asked for a crossing but it was turned down by Surrey County Council. He encouraged Ms Sharpe to keep pressing the case with Surrey as she made a good case and advised that Cllr Hesse would continue to support her.
2 Mr Butler of Castle Street asked a similar question and whether he would receive a response from his previous questions. He considered the raised platform proposed for Castle Street was in the wrong place and that residents’ views should be taken into account by the scheme designers. He also asked that FTC put pressure on Surrey for cameras to catch offenders.
In response, Cllr White read the actions taken since Mr Butler raised his questions, as recorded in the previous Council minutes. He confirmed that FTC would continue to raise the issue with the police and Surrey County Council. |
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Town Mayor's Announcements To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements. Minutes: The Mayor recorded with great sadness the passing of Stewart Dakers BEM who was both a valued member of the Farnham Town Council staff but also an incredible volunteer who was involved in so many things in Farnham. He advised that Stewart was an inspiration and a great ambassador for Farnham and passed on the condolences of the Council to his family.
The Mayor reported on a number of community activities he had been privileged to attend since Council met in October. The first Lantern Festival organised by the FTC events team was outstanding and an immense achievement involving well over one thousand people.
The Surrey Artist of the year judging at the New Ashgate Gallery underlined the talented creative people there are in and around Farnham and the Mayor had chosen one of the images of the winner for his Mayoral Christmas card.
The Remembrance services for the schools and wider community were once again both impressive and poignant. The Mayor advised these occasions mean so much to the veterans and their families, he recorded a special thanks to Ian Hunter who steps down as Parade Marshall for the Royal British Legion.
The Mayor attended Christmas Lights switch on events across town, including Gostrey Meadow, Badshot Lea and Hale , and also enjoyed special carol services at St Andrew’s St John’s St Joan’s and St Thomas’s.
The Mayor was also part of a superb Venison Dinner at the Bush Hotel. This long=standing civic occasion maintains a tradition that stretches back 400 years and was a very enjoyable occasion.
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Questions by Members To consider any questions from councillors in accordance with Standing Order 9. Minutes: There were no questions by members. |
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1 To receive the notes and any recommendations of the following Working Groups: · Environment held on 29th November 2024 Appendix B · Strategy and Resources held on 11th December 2024 Appendix C 2 To receive any relevant update from the Communities & Culture Working Group
Additional documents: Minutes: 1) Cllr Merryweather introduced the Notes of the Environment Working Group at Appendix B to the Council agenda.
i) Farnham in Bloom and Open Spaces Council noted the dates for 2025 and arrangements to contract supply floral displays to InOdiham and the potential challenges in participation in the In Bloom awards in 2026 and 2026. Council also noted the plans for heritage lighting columns on the Riverside walk and that officers were obtaining costs to extend the lighting to Kimber’s Lane. Council noted that the Green Flag sites were all due for judging in April.
It was Resolved nem con that Farnham enter all five categories in the South and South East in Bloom Awards and to withdraw the Town Centre if needed due to the planned FiP (Farnham Infrastructure Programme)
ii) Notable names
It was Resolved nem con that Roger Remmington (Project Director London Ring Main and winner of the BTS James Clark Medal) to be added to the Notable Names of Farnham wall.
iii) Climate Action Plan Council noted Surrey County Council were undertaking some pilot schemes for climate action. It was Resolved unanimously that Farnham Town Council to take part in the Parish Pilot project to support the development of a climate and nature action plan.
2) Strategy & Resources Working Group Cllr White introduced the Notes of the Strategy & Resources Working Group at Appendix C to the Council agenda.
i) Council Business Plan Review 2024 Cllr White reported on the detailed discussions that took place on the review of the Council’s Business Plan, drawing attention to projects that were to be funded from capital (such as CIL) rather than revenue funding. There had been discussion on a potential community hub in Badshot Lea. Council noted that this was in the ownership of a separate charity (The Kiln) and it was for the Trustees to approach the Council for support rather than for the Town Council to lead on such a project. It was agreed that local councillors would inform the trustees that support for a feasibility study could potentially be supported through the Community Initiatives budget.
Cllr White reported that Waverley Borough Council had advised that only one asset could be prioritised for transfer at this stage and the Working Group recommended the Waggon Yard garages which would be converted for Makers’ Spaces and an information point for World Craft Town. For other service matters the Working Group proposed that a new budget line be introduced within the Community and Culture budget for ongoing support for the Museum of Farnham service currently managed by the Farnham Maltings. The initial amount proposed was for £10,000 with potentially more for the local museum service after the building refurbishments were completed.
In terms of Council business, it had been agreed that the intention would be to issue a list of Council decisions as an aide memoire two days after Council and also review again the quality of the sound system for online engagement. In addition, it had been suggested that ... view the full minutes text for item C72/24 |
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To agree the draft Budget for 2025-26 at Appendix D. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cllr White introduced the detailed budget paper attached at Appendix D to the Council agenda which was the recommendation of the Strategy & Resources Working Group after a long and detailed discussion. The original draft budget had seen reductions of some £65,000 but there was still a shortfall over income as a result of a number of factors including increased costs arising out of the Government’s increases on employer’s national insurance contributions, the new funding for the Farnham Museum, and increase of £25,000 to support community organisations facing a shortfall because of funding cuts at principal authorities, and funding for new activities such as the film festival. In addition, the new Gostrey Meadow playground would be implemented in 2025, with work on the new toilets and storage in Gostrey Meadow also due to commence.
Council noted that in the previous financial year there had been no increase in the FTC precept apart from that allocated for supporting younger people, and this support would continue in 2025/26. Council was aware that fees and charges were being reviewed in January and this would help reduce the shortfall further, but that the discussion on the impact on the precept would again be a difficult one.
It was Resolved unanimously that the gross budget for 2025/26 be set at £1,946,650
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Planning and Licensing Applications To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 28th October, 11th November, 25th November, and 9th December and at Appendices E, F, G and H (to follow). Additional documents:
Minutes: Cllr Laughton reported on the four Planning and Licensing Consultative Group meetings that had taken place on 28th October, 11th and 25th November and 9th December and reported at appendices E, F, G and H. He drew attention to four specific matters:
1. Appeal notification for Old Park Lane, Farnham for up to 83 dwellings with the inquiry held over 5 days in February 2025 . FTC asks that the Inspector to dismiss the appeal and refuse planning permission. The 2. Land north of Coxbridge Farm, West Farnham. FTC welcomed amended plans which incorporated the changes to the orientation of some dwellings on the NE side of the development following consultation. 3. The Luxe, Lion and Lamb Yard, Farnham. FTC felt insufficient time had passed to demonstrate significant improvements following previous complaints of noise and smells to allow a request for variation of a premises license, 4. Change of use to provide 6 residential units and associated parking, landscaping at 38-39 The Borough Farnham. FTC noted more consultation was required to ensure local residents were not compromised by this development.
In discussion, Cllr Beaman advised that with the Government’s Planning Reform Paper local controls on planning were being eroded and there were further changes ahead. |
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Actions taken under the Scheme of Delegation To receive details of any actions taken under the scheme of delegation not already reported. Minutes: The Town Clerk advised that the tenders for the Gostrey Meadow Playground would be opened the following day and the results resported back to the next Strategy & Resources Working Group. |
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Reports from Other Councils To receive from Councillors any updates on matters affecting Farnham from Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council.
Minutes: Cllr Beaman reported that according to recently published statistics, bus use in Surrey had increased by over 11% in the past year, no doubt helped by the fare cap. He also reported that Transport for the South East had a new consultation on its strategy which was open for comments until March. |
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Reports from Outside Bodies To receive from Members any verbal reports on Outside Bodies where they represent Farnham Town Council.
Minutes: Cllr Hesse reported on the meeting of the Farnborough Airport Consultative Committee held in November at which new Chairman Colin Flack OBE took up his role. |
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Date of Next Meeting To agree the date of the next meeting as Thursday 19th December 2024. Minutes: In view of Waverley Borough Council arranging an extraordinary meeting on the same date as the scheduled FTC meeting, it was agreed to rearrange the precept setting meeting to January 30th at 6pm. |
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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. These will usually relate to exempt staffing matters or contractual matters which may be commercially sensitive. Minutes: On a motion by the Mayor, it was Resolved unanimously that the press and public be excluded in view of the contractual and HR matters being discussed. |
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Any confidential matters (if required) arising from discussions of the Working Group notes. 1) Website Contract 2) Any HR or other matters Minutes: It was RESOLVED unanimously that an additional day’s leave for all staff be allocated between Christmas and New year in view of the successes in a range of activities during a busy year. A gift voucher was agreed for certain contract based staff who had contributed to specific activities.
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