Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Martin 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, 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.

The following declarations were made:

1)     Cllr Beaman as a Trustee of Creative Response;

2)     Cllr Fairclough as Deputy Leader of Waverley Borough Council and portfolio holder of parking and enforcement;

3)     Cllr Merryweather as an Executive Councillor at Waverley Borough Council and portfolio holder for finance, assets and property.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on 19^th December 2024 at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th December were agreed as a correct record for the signature of the Mayor.

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.

Mr John Neale of Castle Ward asked if the Councilwould meet with the Farnham Society given its concerns over the mass form and location of the proposed public conveniences and storage in Gostrey Meadow.

The Mayor thanked Mr Neale for his question and advised that this would be discussed later in the meeting.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor recorded his thanks to Farnham’s twin town Andernach for inviting him to join their wonderful Christmas concert. It had been a great community event and a privilege to attend.

The Mayor advised it had been a busy start to the year including a special reception with the Lord Lieutenant presenting the Kings Award for Voluntary Service to the Farnham Repair Café.  This was a much deserved honour as they have been an exemplar nationally since they were founded just ten years ago.

The Mayor had also hosted another reception to say ‘goodbye’ to Iain McCready as he left Farnham to be the Chief Officer of Berwick on Tweed Town Council.  Many community partners attended to wish him well and congratulate him for his contribution to Farnham life and the Farnham In Bloom success.

Cllr Mauluka said he was interviewed for Farnham Talking News - a wonderful charity that helps anyone who is ‘print disabled’ - and he encouraged councillors to recommend it to those who may benefit from its service.

Finally, the Mayor had been honoured to attend the Installation service for the new Dean of Guildford, the Very Reverend Bob Cooper.  Farnham looked forward to welcoming him and his wife Kate to Farnham as they settle in to their life in the diocese.

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

There were no Questions from Members.

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

i)        Community & Culture held on 8^th January 2025        Appendix B

ii)       Strategy and Resources held on 20^th January 2025     Appendix C

2     To receive an update on any relevant matters from the Environment Working Group.

1 Community & Culture Working Group

Cllr Mirylees reported on the Community & Culture Working group meeting held on 8^th January at Appendix B.  She commented that the Literary Festival programme had come together well with keynote speakers including Lorraine Kelly and David Walliams.  The writing Festival had three good prizes for authors.

The proposed Film Festival was on hold with a meeting planned to consider venues.

The summer programme included a VE Day 80 commemoration as part of the national programme, a repeat of the World Music Day and the Craft Month would include another Lantern Festival. 

Council noted discussions on collaboration with the Farnham Maltings and Waverley Borough Council on the future of the Museum was underway.

Council received an update on the Farnham Support Fund (FSF), noting that the balance was currently £9,731.90 with spending of £5,869.57 to date, but totalling £14,365.11 when combined with donations from the other charities on the panel.  Cllr Earwaker noted that there was likely to be a bigger call on the Fund as the Government had stopped the winter Fuel payments.

It was RESOLVED  that

1)    Farnham Town Council, in partnership with philanthropic groups, continues to support the residents of Farnham through the Farnham Support Fund as the financial struggles of the past few years are far from over;

2)      Farnham Town Council pledge £2,500 to top up the Support Fund once the balance nears £3,000, to be match-funded by partner charities/organisations.

2 Strategy & Resources Working Group

Cllr White introduced the report of the Strategy & Resources Working Group held on 20^th January at Appendix C.

a)  Finance Report

Council noted the latest position financially and that things were as expected at the 9 month period.  The Working Group had considered a wide range of matters including the Community Grants for 2025/26 and the Fees and Charges for the coming year.  It was noted that WBC would be asked to review the fee paid by FTC for the Farmers’ Market.  The Investment Strategy was recommended for approval.  It was noted that there was not a formal minute recording the loan to the BID for its start up work, and at the suggestion of the Internal Auditor, this was recommended for retrospective endorsement.  The remaining elements of the Internal Auditor’s report and recommendations and the officers’ comments were welcomed.

It was RESOLVED that

1)         The quarterly Finance Report be approved by the Council;

2)         The Community Grants proposals set out at Annex 1 be approved It was RESOLVED Community Grants allocations as set out in Annex 1 to Appendix C be approved, with specific conditions on:

·       Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) - Additional £5,000 funding subject to greater transparency over costs.

·       Hoppa Community Transport - £5,000 increase conditional on matched funding for Farnham to Frimley Park Hospital service.

·       Brightwells Gostrey Centre - £10,000 grant split into two tranches, second tranche subject to premises security and service sustainability.

3)         The agreement to provide a £30,000 initial start-up loan to the Farnham Business Improvement District, subject  ...  view the full minutes text for item C87/24

To consider the report from the Strategy & Resources Working Group at Appendix D and agree the 2025-26 precept.

Cllr White introduced the 2025/26 precept report at Appendix D. 

As a result of careful deliberation, the Strategy & Resources Working Group recommended to Council a precept of £1,535,300.  This equated to an increase of ten pence per week and a cost of £83.45 per Band D property per annum (£1.60 per week) in total for all the Town Council services. 

The precept needed to be set in a context of continuing significant economic pressures particularly with energy costs and higher inflation.  Inflation over the past 18 months had been at a 40 year high (11% at the in 2023 but falling to 3.2% (CPI, October 2024) or 3.4% (RPI).  Costs had risen significantly for many of the Council’s activities. The evolving priorities of the new administration elected in May 2023 had seen the addition of £25,000 in the grants budget to meet the increasing needs of community organisations with a reduction in grants from other authorities, a new allocation for the Farnham Museum service run by the Farnham Maltings of £10,000 , and additional costs in the personnel budgets as a result of the increase in the National Insurance contribution for employers and provision for an inflationary cost of living increases for employees (subject to national pay negotiations).  In addition, the year ahead would see a new playground built at Gostrey Meadow and the start on new toilets and storage in Gostrey Meadow to improve facilities for visitors to events.

Cllr White reminded Council that in 2013, Farnham’s precept amount was £5.63 above the sector average whereas in 2024/25 it was £7.73 below the sector average despite having taken on extra land from Waverley Borough Council, significantly expanding the number of activities being run by the Council including a new focus on supporting younger people, and maintaining high standards of service which have been recognised by national awards. 

The precept proposed was based on prudence and caution and acknowledged need with well-costed projects aimed at the betterment of the local community.

In discussion, councillors felt an extra 10p a week represented incredible value for money and thanked sponsors for their contributions to events and activities that helped keep the level of precept low for the wide ranging programme delivered. It was noted there would be challenges ahead with devolution and the Town Council would need to pay to take on extra services being stopped or handed down by the new unitaries.  It was agreed that an informative leaflet should again be distributed with the Council Tax bills to explain how Farnham was spending its contribution.

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the 2025/26 precept be set at £1,535,300, representing a Band D equivalent amount of £83.45.

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 9^th and 23^rd January at Appendices F, and G .

Cllr Laughton reported on the two meetings held on 13tha nd 27^th  January 2025 at Appendices F & G.  Of note were:

1.     Land at the walled garden, Moor Park Lane. Change of use of existing agricultural land to SANG. Moonriver Ltd , who is providing services for biodiversity schemes to developers and is participating in the first private SANG project with Natural England to increase public access to footpaths,  presented its p[roposal to FTC planning. Supporting infrastructure (include car parking) would be required. Planning applications would  follow in due course

2.     Land south east of Farnham sewage treatment works, Monkton Lane. Plan to erect 3 industrial warehouses  with relevant infrastructure. FTC noted the risk of  restriction of surface water disbursement and requests additional infrastructure conditions including culvert maintenance.

3.       A proposed base station upgrade at St Johns ambulance off The Hart car park. This required increasing the mast height by 1m to 17.5m to accommodate 5G technologies. FTC notes the proposal which is all under Permitted Development and was not an application.

Discussion had also taken place on the School Streets project around Potters Gate School.

Council discussed the question raised by Mr John Neale at the start of the meeting but it was agreed after debate that it was not the time to enter into a discussion with the Farnham Society over design as a planning application was under consideration.

To receive details of any actions taken under the scheme of delegation not already reported including a letter sent under the scheme of delegation as requested by the Planning Inspector regarding suggested conditions for the Ismaili Trust Cemetery appeal APP/R3650/W/24/3350600.

None were reported.

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

Cllr Merryweather reported that the Wey Court East renovation had been completed and the new Doctor’s surgery was opening.  This was a multi-million pound healthcare investment for which the community will be proud.

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

Cllr Beaman reported on the Wey Valley Community Rail Partnership and the celebration of 200 years of the railway in Farnham.

To agree the date of the next meeting as 20^th March 2025.

To note the date of the Annual Meeting of Electors as being Monday 24^th March 2025 at the University for the Creative Arts.

To agree to move the date of the Annual Meeting of Council to 15^th May 2025 in order to support the 80^th anniversary commemorations of the end of World War 2.

It was agreed that the next Full Council Meeting be held on 20 March 2025 and that the Annual Meeting of Electors would take place on 24 March 2025 at the University for the Creative Arts.

It was also agreed that the Annual Meeting of Council be moved to 15 May 2025 to accommodate VE Day 80 commemorations.