Minutes:
Council reconvened at 6pm on 5th November with apologies from Cllr Mauluka and Cllr Merryweather, and apologies for lateness from Cllr Fairclough.
1 The Mayor introduced the meeting by advising that the earlier meeting had ended with some high emotions but the fresh start with the remainder of the report from the Strategy & Resources Working Group allowed a new discussion on Cllr Jackman’s proposal.
i) In between the meetings there had been a meeting with businesses attended by Cllr Follows (WBC), Cllr Oliver (SCC), Cllr Hesse FTC, Cllr Martin as a local business, Greg Stafford MP and Mr David Quick and a further meeting which involved the BID. Surrey County Council was proposing to suspend on street parking in the run up to Christmas and WBC was proposing a scheme to support business by making car parking in off street car parks free in the afternoons during December.
The result of the meeting with the BID and other partners was a revised proposal £1 after 1pm on Mondays to Thursdays from 24th November to 24th December. Figures on the basis for the costings to be shared between WBC, SCC and Farnham (FTC and the BID) had been promised but had not been received. The Town Clerk advised that the businesses had also suggested that the scheme be extended into the new year for the period when the Borough was closed. Council noted that some support in the busy trading period up to Christmas was good but it would not be a ‘silver bullet’ to solve all the issues.
Cllr Ward agreed that the review and repair recommendation was a good one and he was happy to second Cllr Jackman’s proposal.
Cllr Fairclough arrived at this point.
Cllr Jackman advised that car parks such as Riverside were underused because staff did not feel safe and the problem with evening charges was that staff working all day go into Farnham to go shopping and have to pay to buy a loaf of bread.
Cllr Earwaker proposed that the vote now take place and
It was RESOLVED unanimously that FTC to write to Waverley Borough Council to progress :
1) a review of car parking charges with a view to reducing them for the duration of the Town Centre Improvements;
2) an urgent survey of the car parks infrastructure including lighting and potholes on safety grounds.
As Cllr Fairclough was to speak in his capacity as Portfolio holder for car parking at Waverley Borough Council, it was Resolved to suspend Standing Orders to invite him to address Council.
Cllr Fairclough reiterated details of the meeting between Councils and local businesses and the desire to boost footfall from the lunchtime period onwards. As a result the Borough Council was proposing that Waverley Surrey and Farnham provide funding for a one month period to allow for free or reduced car parking costs.
Cllr Fairclough had figures for December but was unwilling to share the costs for January and February in open session advising only that they would be higher than for December.
WBC officers had done a calculation and on the basis that the scheme would be £1 after 1pm for four days a week, the estimated cost would be £49,079 split three ways.
The Town Clerk said that he could not speak on behalf of the BID but the indication was that they would contribute one third of the Farnham element if FTC funded two thirds.
Cllr Fairclough left the room at this point and the suspension of Standing Orders ceased.
Council discussed the proposal not sure if this was affordable for FTC being the smallest authority. It has not received any income from car parking revenues (unlike Waverley and Surrey) but was prepared to contribute with councillors keen to be supporting businesses and promoting the town in the run up to Christmas. It was noted that the proposal was not a ‘done deal’ and it would still be difficult to get through the Borough Council decision-making channels.
The Town Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer made a formal statement to Council stating that as he had been provided with no data by the Borough Council apart from three numbers on a piece of paper at the meeting, he could not recommend to Council that this represented value for money or was a good deal. Council would have to act in good faith. One of the numbers provided was an estimate of the income for the £1 charge after 1pm and this was netted of the total cost. Council should agree that if the income was significantly higher than estimated the amount should be rebated to those contributing.
In putting the proposal to the vote, It was Resolved by 10 votes to 1 (with Cllr Beaman against and Cllr Dickson abstaining) for FTC and the BID to contribute one third of the expected cost up to a maximum of £16,365 for the period 24th November to 24th December subject to the Council receiving a rebate if the income element was higher than estimated.
Cllr Fairclough returned
ii) In the Reports of Task Groups, updates were received on infrastructure planning, the Suez Runfold site, the Local Plan, the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan, and conservation matters. It was agreed that data collection should proceed based on the Hart Densification Study.
It was RESOLVED nem con that Farnham Town Council proceed with data collection based on the Hart Densification Study including infrastructure, to be funded from earmarked reserves.
iii) Council noted that the replacement uniform for the Town Crier funded from the unclaimed Honorarium for the Town Crier, would be sourced from Michael’s Civic Robes Ltd.
2 Cllr Brown gave a verbal update on the Environment Working Group paying tribute to the officers involved in the Farnham In Bloom Awards Ceremony at Squires which had been excellent.