The Council meeting on 4th December 2025 was scheduled to discuss several notices of motion, including proposals for Cabinet Champion roles, the use of flags on public highways, and the management of unattached land. The meeting also included time for public questions and the reception of reports from various committees and boards.

Notices of Motion

Cabinet Champion Roles

Councillor Nadia Martin submitted a notice of motion proposing that Cabinet Champion roles should be non-executive, non-political positions, open to all councillors, with appointments made by Full Council or the appropriate committee rather than by the Leader. The motion also called for the Council's Constitution to be amended to reflect this, and for the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee to prepare the necessary amendments for consideration by Full Council.

Flags on Public Highways

Councillor Craig Card proposed a motion recommending that Hampshire County Council take action to remove flags from public highways, citing distress among residents and a perceived misuse of the national flag for political purposes. The motion highlighted the borough's connection to the British Army and the sacrifices made by those who defend the flag's represented values.

Management of Unattached Land

Councillor Steve Harden put forward a motion for the Council to write to the local Member of Parliament and the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding concerns about the management and maintenance of unattached land. The motion also requested that the Policy and Project Advisory Board consider the feasibility and costs of reviewing such land, assessing emergency works needed, and exploring proposals for formal partnerships with relevant bodies to clarify ownership and responsibility.

Public Questions

Several public questions were raised during the meeting. One resident inquired about the breakdown of Rushmoor's pension contributions invested under Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. Another asked for details on council spending for the Pride Parade, the Rushmoor Eco Festival, and the Rushmoor Cultural Day. Concerns were also raised about the number of flags being displayed on public highways and steps being taken to limit them. The outstanding amount of unpaid Council Tax and the council's recovery methods were questioned, as was the evaluation and cost of the 'Walk this Waste Skips' pilot scheme. A resident asked about the expenditure of the £50,000 Community Cohesion Fund, and another questioned the council's approach to homeless individuals on military estates. The consultation process regarding the potential abolition of Rushmoor Borough Council was also a subject of inquiry, as was the status of a migration hotel in Farnborough. Finally, a question was posed regarding the number of homeless veterans housed compared to asylum seekers housed in social housing, and another raised concerns about illegal activities attributed to illegal immigrants.

Reports of Cabinet and Committees

The meeting agenda included the reception of reports from the Cabinet meeting on 14th October 2025, and from the Development Management Committee meetings on 8th October and 19th November 2025, as well as the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee meeting on 21st October 2025. Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Policy and Project Advisory Board were also to be received.

Reports of Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Policy and Project Advisory Board

The meeting agenda also listed the reception of reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 23rd October 2025, and the Policy and Project Advisory Board meeting held on 18th November 2025.

Notes:

• The information provided is based on the agenda for a scheduled meeting. No decisions made at this specific meeting can be reported as the meeting status is SCHEDULED_ONLY.
• The Rushmoor Pension Fund is a collective investment scheme managed by Hampshire County Council on behalf of various local authorities in Hampshire, including Rushmoor Borough Council, to provide retirement benefits for their employees. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria are used to evaluate companies based on their environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
• The Pride Parade is an event celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and culture. The Rushmoor Eco Festival is an event focused on environmental awareness and sustainability. The Rushmoor Cultural Day is an event aimed at celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of the borough.
• 'Walk this Waste Skips' was a pilot scheme likely involving the provision of skips to residents to encourage the responsible disposal of bulky waste and reduce fly-tipping.
• The Community Cohesion Fund was established to address community tensions and support initiatives that foster unity and understanding within the Rushmoor community. The Belong Network is an organisation that works to build community cohesion.
• Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) refers to potential changes in the structure of local government, which could involve the merging of councils or the creation of new unitary authorities.
• 'Migration Hotel' refers to hotels used by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers.
• 'Key sector workers' are individuals employed in essential public services, such as healthcare and education.
• 'Section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971' relates to legal agreements that can be made between a local planning authority and a person interested in land, often used to restrict the use of land or impose conditions on development.
• 'RIBA Stages' refer to the stages of architectural design and project development as defined by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
• 'UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)' is a UK government fund designed to invest in local communities and businesses. The Community Response Fund (CRF) is likely a fund established to support community initiatives.
• 'The Landing' is a venue in Farnborough town centre used for events and community activities.
• 'West End Centre (WEC)' is a multi-arts venue in Aldershot.
• 'Arena magazine' is a publication likely used by Rushmoor Borough Council for communication with residents.
• 'The Meads Shopping Centre' is a retail development in Farnborough.