Minutes:
Cllr Neale introduced the Notes of the Strategy & Finance Working Group held on 15th June. He advised that the Income and Expenditure report to 31st May had been reviewed and it had been agreed to move an additional £400k into the Public Sector Deposit Fund for a slightly better investment return.
It was RESOLVED nem con to award a grant of £800 to the Farnham Art and Design Educational Group for the 2021 Big Draw.
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Cllr Attfield reported on the Assets matters that had been presented by the Assets Task Group. Council noted progress on a number of contract matters including the Central Car Park toilets and the progress of the Greenhouse fire insurance claim. The detailed discussion on the Hale Chapels was set out in Appendix B. Council noted the huge efforts that had been undertaken, working alongside the Hale Chapels Trust and the community to save the chapels, but the cost benefit analysis did not really stack up.
Council agreed with the Working Group that it was time to resolve the issue of the unsightly dilapidated buildings and improve the cemetery. Members felt it was important to retain the character of the area and the sympathetic reduction of the height of the walls with the creation of a community garden was considered to be the best option. Members agreed with the suggestion that part of the garden could be a lasting memorial and place of reflection for the whole community to remember those lost to the pandemic. It was noted that the Hale Chapels Trust had offered to assist with fundraising to restore the buildings and the Working group proposed that the Trust should be given the option to raise the difference between the cost of creating a garden and the restoration cost, and if there was clear community support and funds becoming available within 6 months (the time used as a benchmark for raising funds for assets of community value) then the Council could reconsider the restoration project. If not it was suggested the works could be targeted to commence in 2022.
It was RESOLVED with one objection to:
1. Sympathetically reduce the structure of both Chapels to a safe height and create a landscaped garden which could also incorporate columbaria in the future;
2. Give an opportunity (of 6 months) for the Hale Chapels Trust to raise the money with the local community to restore the Chapels rather than covert them into a memorial garden;
3. Allocate up to £200,000 of earmarked reserves to complete the project if external funds cannot be raised;
4. Designate part of the garden as a lasting memorial garden for the Farnham community to remember those who have died from Coronavirus;
5. Authorise the Town Clerk to progress these matters.
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Cllr Attfield gave Council an update on the detailed report on the condition of the Grade II listed West Street Cemetery gates that had been removed for assessment. Special features discovered through the sandblasting (the use of mortice and tenon joints, lead fillers and the integrated casting of the lock were noted the views of the Historic Building officer had been sought to ascertain what level of restoration was required and that a mix of materials could be used. Council noted that the costs of the work would require a formal tender through the online tendering system although some elements (such as pattern making) may be separately tendered for specialist contractors. It was also noted that grants applications for external funding would also be made.
It was RESOLVED nem con that Farnham Town Council:
1) Meets its obligations to restore the listed gates;
2) Seeks the advice of the Waverley Borough Council Historic Buildings Officer on materials and methods which could be used for the restoration of the gates;
3) Seeks external funding to help defray the costs;
4) Earmarks £80,000 for the restoration from reserves;
5) Authorises the Town Clerk to progress the tendering of the work in the most expedient manner.
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Cllr Neale advised that the anticipated meeting with Waverley on planning concerns was still awaited. It was noted that Waverley had shared plans for overhauling processes which should be beneficial. Council commented that stronger relationships with Town and Parish Councils were essential.
Cllr Cockburn provided an update on the new draft Design Statement and also commented on the latest success of the Neighbourhood Plan which had been used as the basis for the Planning Inspectorate refusing the recent Lower Weybourne Lane appeal. This was a fantastic result for Farnham although the fact that Waverley was still short of its five year land supply was of real concern.
Cllr MacLeod advised that Local Plan part 2 was progressing and Waverley were hoping it would be submitted to the Inspector in the summer for Examination in early 2022.
Council also received updates on the work of the Younger People’s Task Group and the Cultural Projects Task Group.
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Cllr Neale provided an update on the Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP) including matters covered at the Farnham Infrastructure Board meeting on June 11th and the briefing for all councillors on the draft ‘place-shaping’ background document prepared by PJA Associates.
The Board had agreed to remove most of the Covid social distancing measures with some retained in Castle Street and Downing Street. Council noted that the HGV ban would be implemented in August and consideration of the 20MPH zone was progressing. The wayfinding signage (initially a Brightwells Section 106 project that had been considered by both FCAMP and the Farnham visitors Forum) was being progressed to be implemented in the autumn with a mix of finger posts (as per existing) and map-based signs. The road reclassification project was also underway.
In response to councillor questions, it was confirmed that the aim was not to clutter with new signs but to improve the information at key points to help people navigate around town. Any signs would need to fit with the conservation area.
Cllr Fraser asked about the HGV ban details as he had not seen what had been proposed. The Town Clerk agreed to follow up with Cllr Fraser after the meeting.
Cllr Hesse raised concerns over the number of damaged railings and advised that he had written to the Surrey portfolio holder about this. Other councillors also felt that the number of battered railings and broken signs was an embarrassment for the town. It was agreed the Town Clerk should raise this with Surrey County Council.
Cllr Dunsmore reminded councillors to use the reporting function on the Surrey website when there were highways matters needing attention as she had used this successfully recently to get signs and railing replaced.
Councillors raised a range of concerns about the process for involving the Town Council in key matters affecting the town before they were effectively ‘rubber stamped’ at the Farnham Board meetings. There were also concerns about the proposals to outline the Hickleys Corner proposals to the Department of Transport (DFT)in September as there was no clarity about how this would be discussed with the local community beforehand.
In response the Town Clerk advised that he understood the DFT submission would be high level to confirm the project was still current, and that the September Council meeting was ahead of the next FIP Board meeting.
Council outlined the importance of the varied views of town councillors being represented on the Board given that this was the biggest thing happening to the town. The need for early sight of what was emerging in order that an effective input could be made by the Town Council was emphasised. The proposed number of ‘quick wins’ arising from the recent consultation events was substantial but there was no indication yet of what would be delivered.
The Town Council has strongly supported a Strategic link road to the west of the town and there needed to be more debate about this ion the town. Cllr Ward said that although he was no longer an FIP Board member he had been involved from the beginning and he was concerned that the Surrey approach seemed to favour speeding up east-west traffic flows, whereas the town wanted more north-south connectivity. It was important that Surrey allowed Farnham Town Council to get involved in the formation of ideas at an early stage. It was suggested that a Surrey officer be invited to present the ‘route map’ to a Strategy & Finance meeting.