Agenda item

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 to a formal agreement for its repayment during the 2024/25 financial year be endorsed;

4)         The 2025-26 Fees and Charges at Annex 2 to Appendix C be adopted;

5)         The 2025-26 Investment Strategy at Annex 3 to Appendix C be adopted;

6)         The Internal Auditor’s Interim Report be welcomed and that the officers’ comments be adopted.

b)      Risk Management Report 2024-2025

The Working group had recommended the latest Risk Management Report to Council.

It was RESOLVED that:

1)         The Risk Management report be welcomed and adopted.

2)         The work undertaken by the Working Groups in managing risk be welcomed.

3)         The Fire Safety, Health & Safety, and Environmental Policy statements be re-adopted.

c)  Contracts & Assets Update

There had been a detailed discussion on a range of matters set out including the tender for the playground in Gostrey Meadow which had been won by Eibe Play after interview.  There were options being developed for further public consultation on the final preferred design.  Members noted the increased accessibility of the equipment proposed. Th Farnham Swimming Baths Trust had offered to pay a contribution to the Council for the resurfacing of the paths in Victoria Garden and this was out for quotation.

It was RESOLVED that:

1)    Eibe Play Ltd be appointed to construct the new play area in Gostrey Meadow with a budget cost of £220,000 funded by CIL contributions;

2)    Farnham Swimming Baths Trust’s £20,000 garden path improvements be approved with the cost being funded by a donation from the Trust.

d)      Local Government Reorganisation Task Group

Cllr White gave an update on the Devolution White Paper and it was agreed to recommend a Local Government review Task Group be created.

It was RESOLVED that a Local Government Reorganisation Task Group be created with membership comprising:  Cllrs Brown, Earwaker, Hesse, Mirylees, Murray and White. (with Cllr Laughton as a reserve).

e)  Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP)

Cllr Beaman provided an update on the Farnham Infrastructure Programme and work was about to start.  At the last FIP board, he had reemphasised the Council’s position on the retention of Ironstone and the suggested move of the raingardens in castle Street for the optimising of space for ‘al fresco’ dining.  A meeting on this was being organised prior to the next Board meeting on 28^th March.  As the FIP was moving to implementation, it was suggested that the Terms of Reference for the FIP Board should be adjusted and suggestions had been discussed which would be sent to Surrey to include local representation and a business representative.

Cllr Jackman raised the suggestion that FTC should write to Waverley Borough Council asking that the Borough Council should freeze car park charges for 18 months during the FIP road works because of the difficulties that businesses and drivers would face.  In the ensuing debate some members felt there was no impact assessment of this proposal  and it could have unintended consequences. Others drew attention to the reliance on car park income to keep council tax low. It was noted there would also be investment in the car parks during the same period and this still required funding but it was also noted that more than 50% of Waverley’s car park income was generated in Farnham.  There was also frustration that the data available did not provide any indication of the impact of the evening charges in the town.  After further debate the Motion proposed by Cllr Jackman and seconded by Cllr Hesse that FTC writes to WBC to request that parking charges are frozen during the town centre phase of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme was LOST by 5 votes to three with five abstentions including Waverley Executive portfolio holders.

It was RESOLVED that:

1)     Farnham Town Council opposes the removal of 103 square meters of ironstone in Castle Street.

2)     Consideration be given to future representation at the FIP Board being changed to include a local ward councillor and a local business representative.

f)    Neighbourhood Plan Task Group

Council noted the latest formula housing numbers for Waverley had been indicated which had increased to a staggering 29,600 over the Local Plan period, equating to 1481 per annum. Although numbers had not been indicated across the Borough this could equate around 9,000 new homes in Farnham if only 30% of the target were allocated. The number had not been accepted as being valid or achievable but it underlined the scale of the challenge for communities as they tried to address the Government’s housing targets.

Council was adviced there were Waverley briefings for councillors on 28th January and for

town and parish councils scheduled as a hybrid meeting on 3rd February when further information would be shared.