Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Fairclough and Martin.

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.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Farnham Town Council meeting held on July 31^st  at Appendix A.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th July were deferred to the next meeting.

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.

Ros Abery and Debbie attended to encourage Council to support a smartphone free childhood, an item that had been discussed at the Community and Well-being Working Group.  This was a community and health issue to create smartphone free areas in schools and community buildings.  They asked if it was possible for the Council to help raise awareness at other tiers of councils as well as the community, providing leadership and informing parents that there was help available to them. Primary schools in the area were already supportive but Secondary Schools were more challenging but were engaging in the conversation.

The Mayor congratulated Ros and Debbie for their grassroots campaign and for what they had achieved already in raising awareness.  Cllr Earwaker advised that the Community Grants programme was open and they may wish to apply for support.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor advised that he had been away for part of September and the Deputy Mayor had stepped in and covered his engagements including a visit to Farnham’s Twin Town Andernach with the Farnham Andernach Twinning Association.  The Deputy Mayor said this had been uplifting and useful with discussions with the Oberburgermeister and Burgermeister ahead of the 35^th anniversary of the partnership in 2026. He would prepare a paper for discussion for a future meeting.

The Mayor said he was really pleased that the Council had played its part in Getting the entrance to Farnham Park named as Graham Thorpe Drive.  This is where Graham Thorpe had begun his cricketing career and was an appropriate legacy for him.

The Mayor had attended the Sandy Hill Fun Day, which was part of the activities of one of his charities for the year.  It was very good and positive.  He encouraged everyone to support his fundraising quiz and karaoke night at the Six Bells on 3^rd October.

The Mayor reported on the Mayor of Guildford’s Civic Service and reminded that the Farnham Civic Service was taking place on 21^st September.

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

There were no Questions by Members in accordance with Standing Order 9.

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

i)    Community & wellbeing held on 4^th September 2025Appendix B

ii)   Strategy and Resources held on 8^th September 2025Appendix C

iii)  Environment held on 10^th September 2025               Appendix D

2        To receive any relevant verbal updates from Culture & Business Working Group

1        Community & Wellbeing Working Group

Cllr Earwaker introduced the Notes of the Community & Wellbeing Working Group held on 4^th September at Appendix B to the agenda.  The Working Group received a presentation from Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) promoting its ‘Parent Pact’ to delay smartphone ownership until aged 14. Members supported the principles of the campaign and discussed promotion via council channels and events. There was particular concern over peer pressure in schools with bullying and demand for inappropriate pictures leading to significant mental health issues for younger people.  Cllr Mauluka offered to support SFC in its visits to schools.

       The Working Group had reviewed community grants, noting quiet demand for the Support Fund and confirming the 2026/27 grant timetable which was open until December. Reports from youth partners (Hale Community Centre, 40 Degreez, and the Jubilee Hub) highlighted ongoing work supporting young people were welcomed, and a discussions on the research by Participation People was noted. The Jubilee Hub had requested an additional £4,875 from unallocated SLA funds for additional work undertaken which was supported.

The Working Group also discussed older people’s services with the move of the Brightwells Gostrey Centre to Brambleton Hall; CCTV improvements; and better health integration within the new Neighbourhood Area Committees (NAC) following a presentation by the Chief Executive of the Frimley Integrated Care Board advising of changes being implemented as part of new Government priorities.  It was hoped other observers could also attend the NAC pilots to learn how the process worked.

It was Resolved nem con that:

1)    Jubilee Hub receive an additional £4,875 from the remaining SLA allocation for 2025/26 to support extended youth engagement work, with £2,625 retained for future reallocation;

2)    the Lead Member for Community and Wellbeing represent the Council on the pilot Neighbourhood Area Committee to ensure community health and wellbeing issues were prioritised;

3)    Farnham Town Council continue to support community awareness initiatives, including Smartphone Free Childhood, through communication channels and event participation;

4)    the timetable for community and South Street Trust grants for 2026/27 be approved.

2        Strategy & Resources Working Group

a)     Cllr White introduced the Notes of the Strategy & Resources Working Group held on 10^th September at Appendix D to the agenda.  The Working Group reviewed the mid-year finance report showing income at 62% and expenditure at 49% of the profiled budget and noted the budget timetable for 2026/27.

b)     Asset Transfer updates were received with a report at Appendix F to the S&R agenda, noting progress with responses awaited from Waverley on Waggon Yard Garages, Montrose House, Monkton Lane, the Memorial Ground and Brightwells Green Space. Business plans submitted to Waverley Borough Council for nine sites. Council endorsed the concern set out about the time being taken to process the applications (despite FTC paying for the service) and reiterated the need for income generating assets to support some transfers which needed significant investment.  It was noted that FTC would still have to do its own surveys and due diligence if  ...  view the full minutes text for item C44/25

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 11^th August, 1^st September and 15^th September at Appendices E, F, and G.

Cllr Laughton introduced the Notes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 11th August, 1st September, and 15th September 2025 at appendices E, F and G.

He drew attention to the proposed extension to the Premier Inn and concerns over the bulk and that it was of an industrial design not in keeping with the area which was an important entrance to the town.  Similarly an application for six self-build houses near Switchback Lane was of concern, being in a flood area and a management plan to protect woodland would be required. An application for five dwellings on a tight site in West Street was supported as long as there was sufficient amenity space.  In terms of a resubmission of an application in Gardeners Hill Road FTC maintains its objections as contrary to the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan.

Cllr Laughton advised that the 26 dwellings near Birdworld had been approved on appeal.

In terms of Licensing applications concerns of residents over Restaurant Bar No 5 in Brightwells were noted and the applicant had been requested to work with residents to minimise any disruption.  The application for the new Italian in the Borough was supported.

Farnham Town Council appoints Trustees to local charities as part of their Trust Deeds.  One is the Isabella Schroder Trust which has a vacancy. Robert Durrant is currently an ex-officio Schroder Trustee as he is Churchwarden of St. Peter’s Church Wrecclesham. His term as Church Warden has come to an end and the Trust seeks the Council’s approval for Robert Durrant to continue as a Trustee in his own right. 

Recommendation:  FTC agrees to appoint Robert Durrant as a Trustee to fill the vacant Isabella Schroder Trustee position.

The Council considered the recommendation to reappoint Robert Durrant as Trustee of thye Isabelkla Schroder Trust following the end of his ex-officio term as Churchwarden of St Peter’s Church, Wrecclesham.

It was Resolved nem con that Robert Durrant be appointed as a Trustee of the Isabella Schroder Trust in his own right.

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

There were no items to report.

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.

i)        Cllr Jackman reported that drainage works had been carried out by Waverley at Badshot Lea Recreation Ground and the dugouts for the football pitch had been upgraded thanks to a grant from Your Fund Surrey.

ii)       Cllr Jackman thanked FTC for its support in helping improve the Badshot Lea War Memorial which had been in a poor state.

iii)      Cllr Fairclough and Martin had attended the Farnham BID meeting and with the new BID Manager in place it now had more momentum.

iv)      Cllr White reported he had met with the Chair of Trustees of Wrecclesham Community Centre and there will hopefully be a new Youth Evening in the future.

v)       The Mayor advised that the Farnham Society’s exhibition in Brightwell’s was really interesting and encouraged councillors to attend.

vi)      Cllr Brown advised the Heritage Open Day’s talk on the architecture of Kharkiv and Farnham had been well presented and the UCA art exhibition on Ukrainian Women was worth a visit.

To agree the date of the next meeting as 30^th October 2025 at 6pm.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 30^th October.

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.

It was Resolved that members of the public and press be excluded for consideration of an exempt Cemetery Appeal matter.

1)     Cemetery Appeal matter at Exempt Annex 1

2)     Report of the HR meeting held on 15^th September 2025 at Exempt Annex 2.

Council received a report at Exempt Appendix 1 on a Cemetery Appeal.  There were a number of matters discussed and a compromise was agreed for discussion with the family.  It was noted that there had been direct and abusive correspondence to a member of staff from an out-of-area stonemason.  The Appeals panel was the final arbiter but in view of the extra issues in this case it was necessary to report the matter to full Council.

Council reiterated that aggressive or inappropriate behaviour to staff was never tolerated and agreed a course of action in response to this matter including preventing the individual stonemason from being able to work in Farnham’s cemeteries.