Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Dickson, Martin, Merryweather, Mirylees and Ward.

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 June 13 2024 at Appendix A.

The minutes of the Meeting held on June 13^th were agreed as a correct record.

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 Chris Butler raised a question about speeding traffic and noise in Castle Street and Castle Hill.  It was clearly well above the legal limit with motorcycles speeding past cars and also making excessive noise despite the speed limit being 20MPH.  he had spoken with the Polic & Crime Commissioner and the Borough Commander but they said there was nothing they could do.  Whilst he knew this was not a FTC responsibility he wondered if pressure could be put on relevant authorities to install speed and noise monitors.

In response, Cllr White thanked Mr Butler for bringing the question and said he hoped the Farnham Infrastructure Programme proposals would assist in resolving some of the issues.  However, he would have the matter raised at the next meeting of the Strategy & Resources Working Group to discuss what measures the Town Council could take.

Local resident Maxine Anderson drew attention to the phased reduction of speed limits in Guildford leading up to a speed camera and wondered if something similar could be introduced in Farnham to assist with problem.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements.

The Mayor said it was a great honour to welcome some special friends to Council - the Bürgermeister of Andernach, Claus Peitz, and the director of the Andernach City Orchestra, Betram Kleist who were visiting Farnham  as part of an exchange with organised by the Farnham Andernach Friendship Association.  All councillors, werewelcome to join the group for a formal welcome in Victoria Garden on Friday 19th.

The Mayor had had a busy time since the last Council meetiing including visiting the Kids Out event organised by the Rotary Club; presenting community grants to community organisations; welcoming visitors to the third UK Repair Café Conference at the UCA; attending the Farnham carnival, the handover lunch for the new Farnham Lions’ President, the year six production of Aladdin at Potters Gate school; and Founders Day at More House School.

The Mayor had supported the Lord Lieutenant’s reception for groups nominated to receive a King’s Award for Voluntary service which this year included the farnham Repair Café and Tice’s Meadow Bird Group.  He wished them success.

During Armed Forces week, the Mayor had been joined by Brigadier Paul Evans OBE to raise the Armed Forces Week flag, and had hosted the family of former Farnham Mayor Brigadier Paddy Blagden CBE, for the unveiling of his name on the Notable Names of Farnham Wall.  He had been recognised for his international work on de-mining.

The Mayor said he had a enjoyed a very special opportunity to see the Heathland Artworks at the RSPB site (behind the Museum of Rural Life) and he encouraged everyone to visit the trail.

The Mayor, with Cllr Brown, had met with the judge for South and South East in Bloom and would be welcoming the judges of Britain in Bloom at then end of July. 

The Mayor said he had been humbled to meet Martin and Tara Cosser who run Charlie’s Promise, one of his Mayoral charities, and he looked forward to supporting them and their important work in helping young people understand the dangers of knife crime during the rest of his Mayoral year.

Finally, the Mayor advised that the 2024 Civic Service would take place in St Andrew’s Church on September 15^th.

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

There were no questions by members.

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

i)     Strategy and Resources held on 9^th June 2024                Appendix B

ii)   Community & Culture held on 10^th June 2024              Appendix C

2     To receive a verbal updone on any relevant matters from the Environment Working Group.

1. Strategy & Resources

Cllr White presented the Notes of the Strategy & Resources Working Group meeting held on 9^th July 2024 at Appendix B to the Council agenda.

Council noted that the quarterly finance report was as expected with income at 50.8% and expenditure at the expected level for the first three months.  It was noted the External auditor had commented on the additional day allocated for the public inspection of the accounts.  Cllr White advised that an additional application from the Museum of Rual Life for summer activities had been found in the junk mailbox and a grant of £1,500 had been allocated.

a)  Task Groups

i) Younger People Panel

     Cllr White reported that the Younger People Panel had considered in detail two proposals for the Younger People research one which was more traditional quantitative research whilst the other had an added dimension of training young people to survey other young people.

It was Resolved nem con that

1)      Westco Communications be commissioned to undertake its proposal at a cost of £11,850 to inform the 2025-26 budget;

2)      Participation People be commissioned to work with younger people on the basis of their proposal during the forthcoming academic year at a cost of £10,710;

3)      an additional allocation may be required to achieve the optimum outcomes from each proposal and that subject to a review of the outcomes, budget provision for further research may be beneficial for 2025-2026.

ii) Neighbourhood Plan Task Group. Council noted that the timeline for the Neighbourhood Plan had been agreed by the Working Group to operate to the end of 2026 to be in general conformity with the emerging Local Plan update. The Government’s King’s Speech had included a large amount on planning with the National Planning Policy Framework to be changed with a consultation expected by the end of July.  This meant timescales and other matters for Neighbourhood Plans and Local Plans were very uncertain.  There was a Waverley councillor briefing being held on 30^th July which may have further information.  The Community briefing (rescheduled because of the General Election) would now take place on 11^th September. 

b)     Cllr White reported that the Statutory Challenge on the Waverley Lane had taken place on 16/17 July.  The Council’s barrister had done a fantastic job on what was a very technical exercise.  The merits of the case rested on paragraph 10c of the Neighbourhood Plan and the outcome depended on which way the Judge viewed it.  The result was expected at the end of the summer. The case had demonstrated that the Neighbourhood Plan was very important and the Council was keen to have the community involved.  Cllr Jackman said he was more assured that the Council had done the right thing and residents were very positive about the Town Council response to the offer of money to the Bourne Club if the Council withdrew its legal challenge.

c)   Cllr Murray reported on the Business Improvement District Board meeting.  The Council loan of £30,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item C34/24

To receive the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 17^th June and 1^st and 15^th July 2024 at Appendices D, E, and F.

Cllr Laughton presented the minutes of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group meetings held on 17^th June and 1^st and 15^th July at Appendices D, E and F to the agenda.

He wanted to draw attention to four particular issues:

1.     Land at Bourne Wood. There had been two separate applications to vary conditions allowed for overnight filming to 2.30am.  The Consultative Group noted strong demand to film in the Bourne Woods which brings significant local income to the Forestry Commission and indirect benefit to the local economy but was primarily protect local residents as well as wildlife from unnecessary filming noise and light pollution. FTC is seeking further clarification as to why night filming cannot be accommodated within the agreed conditions to 11pm.

2.     West Street developments. The Consultative Group was keen to protect local residents from overdevelopment within the town centre areas, whether from new dwellings (17 West Street) or from odour and noise control from proposed exhaust flues for new food & beverage outlets (14-15 West Street).

3.     The Luxe (Lion & Lamb Yard) licensing.  At the recent licensing hearing It was suggested that the  application to extend trading hours until 01.30am was premature and time should be allowed to demonstrate that negative impacts (noise and cooking smells) on neighbours had been addressed.  It was noted The Luxe could appeal this decision.

4.     Castle Street licensing issues. As The Farnham Infrastructure Project starts major street works a key change will be the widening of many pavements including in Castle Street. The Consultative Group is encouraging a ‘pavement cafe culture’ whereby outlets can increase tables and chairs on the pavements but is mindful to ensure there remains adequate walkways.

Cllr Laughton confirmed that Cllr Fairclough had stepped down from being a member of the Planning & Licensing Consultative Group.

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

The Town Clerk reported that a King’s Counsel, Mr David Blundell, had been appointed under the scheme of delegation to represent the Council at the Waverley Lane Statutory Challenge.  The appointment, authorised in conjunction with the Mayor and Leader, had been based on a reduced fee if the Council were not successful.

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

1)       Cllr Beaman announced that Waverley Hoppa had lost the Farnham Connects contract which had been awarded to a Woking-based organisation.

2)       Cllr Fairclough announced that there had been a complete change of senior managers at Waverley Borough Council over the past twelve months.  There was a new Chief Executive, a new Section 151 Officer and a new Monitoring Officer.  He was involved in the recruitment of two new Strategic Directors and was impressed by the extraordinarily high quality of the candidates.  He was confident Waverley was well-placed to face the challenges ahead.

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

There were no reports from council representatives on outside bodies.

To agree the date of the next meeting as 12 September 2024.

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 12^th September 2024 at 6pm.