The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Rushmoor Council was scheduled to discuss the council's Homes for All priority, an update on rough sleeping in the borough, and the work plan for the upcoming municipal year. The meeting also included the appointment of vice-chairs and membership for various groups.

Homes for All: Priority Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation on the current position of the council's Homes for All: Quality Living, Affordable Housing priority, as outlined in the Council Delivery Plan 2026-28. The presentation was to be delivered by Suzannah Hellicar, Service Manager – Housing, Zoe Paine, Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager, Jermaine Pinto, Housing Options Manager, and Charlotte Redpath, Housing Support Team Leader. The Housing Service Performance Data for Quarter 4 was provided for reference. Councillor Keith Dibble, the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Property, was expected to attend to answer questions.

The report pack included housing indicators and measures for Q4 2025/26. It noted a significant quarterly increase in homelessness enquiries, with 307 cases, which was attributed to the incoming Renters' Rights Act. The report also indicated that the number of rough sleepers reported throughout the quarter was 17, with a note that a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) was in effect during this period. Costs for Bed and Breakfast accommodation were estimated at £69,335 for Q4, with a projected total of £156,274 for 2025/26, a decrease from the previous year. The number of private sector housing improvement notices issued by the council was reported as 2 for the quarter, with a total of 8 expected for 2025/26. A reduction in private sector complaints was also noted, with 83 in the quarter, contributing to a total of 342 for 2025/26.

Rough Sleeping

An overview of rough sleeping within the borough was scheduled to be presented, along with details of the support offered to vulnerable rough sleepers.

Appointments for 2026-27

The committee was due to consider appointments for several groups for the 2026-27 municipal year:

• Agenda Preparation Group: This group was to include the Chair, Councillor Halleh Koohestani, the Vice-Chairs, and one Labour Group Member.
• Council Tax Support Task and Finish Group: Membership for this group was to be appointed, with the requirement that it include either the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Committee. Nominations received were to be tabled at the meeting.
• Housing Oversight Group: The membership for this group was also to be appointed, with nominations to be tabled.

Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider the Work Plan for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

Previous Meeting Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24th February 2026, were to be confirmed. The report pack indicated that at the February meeting, the Cabinet was considering alternative options for fly-tipping and bulky waste removal, having decided not to continue with the Walk this Waste pilot scheme. A letter had been sent to the Leader of Hampshire County Council on 23rd January 2026, and a response was still awaited. The report also mentioned that the Housing Oversight Group (formerly the Registered Providers Task and Finish Group) had held its first meeting on 2nd February 2026, and its membership and meeting frequency had been increased.

The report pack also referenced a previous discussion regarding the Farnborough Leisure Centre build. At the February meeting, members had discussed the financial implications of an £8.8m additional borrowing for the project, with estimated revenue costs outweighing operational income in the initial years. The report noted that payback was anticipated in 2041/42. The committee had requested financial modelling for a 3-4% interest rate increase and a combination scenario. Discussions had also covered options for borrowing, the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and the introduction of Climate Impact Assessments. Representatives from development partner Alliance Leisure had also provided an overview of their business model. The report indicated that the remainder of that meeting was held in private to discuss exempt appendices related to the financial and business affairs of Alliance Leisure and contractor Pellikaan.