The Licensing and Corporate Business Committee of Rushmoor Council was scheduled to consider the council's Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, alongside reports on the Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap. The committee was also due to discuss the selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the upcoming municipal year, and proposed updates to the Council's Constitution regarding Member Champions. Additionally, a report on the reinstatement of a polling place in North Town was on the agenda, as well as nominations for Honorary Aldermen.

Pay Policy Statement, Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap Report

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Executive Director regarding the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2026/27. This statement, required under the Localism Act 2011, outlines the council's policies on the remuneration of Chief Officers and the lowest-paid employees, as well as the relationship between their pay. The report also included the council's Gender Pay Gap and Ethnicity Pay Gap reports for 2025, which are published annually under the Equality Act 2010 and voluntarily by the council, respectively.

The Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 details the pay framework, which is determined by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services for most staff, and locally determined scales for Chief Officers. The report noted that the ratio between the Managing Director's salary and the lowest-paid employee is 1:5.07, and the ratio between the Managing Director's salary and the median salary of all staff is 1:2.96. Both figures are within the recommended maximum multiple of 1:20 outlined in the Hutton Report.

The Gender Pay Gap report indicated a mean gender pay gap of 16.04% and a median gap of 13.17% as of 31st March 2025, both of which had increased from the previous year. The report highlighted that the new People Plan for 2026-2028 includes initiatives to address this gap, such as upskilling and mentoring opportunities.

The Ethnicity Pay Gap report, published voluntarily, showed a mean ethnicity pay gap of 9.5% and a median gap of 0.2% as of 31st March 2025. Both figures represented a decrease from the previous year. The report stated a commitment to reviewing recruitment, secondment, and development processes to foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Corporate Manager – Democracy concerning the selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. The report outlined the established process and criteria for this selection, which is part of the Council's Constitution.

According to the report, Councillor Peter Cullum, the current Deputy Mayor, was expected to progress to the position of Mayor. For the role of Deputy Mayor, Councillor Akmal Gani was identified as the candidate who best met the selection criteria, based on seniority and eligibility, having served four years by May 2026. The report noted that Councillor Gani was standing for re-election in May 2026, which might necessitate a revisit of the appointment following the elections. The committee was to recommend these appointments to the full Council.

Updates to the Constitution - Member Champions

A report from the Corporate Manager – Democracy was scheduled to be presented, detailing proposed updates to the Council's Constitution concerning Member Champions. Member Champions are councillors who champion specific policy areas or groups within the community.

Update on Polling Place - North Town NB

The committee was to consider a report from the Corporate Manager – Democracy regarding the polling place for the North Town NB polling district. The report proposed the reinstatement of the North Town Community Centre on North Lane, Aldershot, as the permanent polling place. This change was anticipated in the most recent Polling District and Polling Place Review, following the completion of redevelopment work on the centre. The previous temporary polling place had been the 1st Aldershot Scout Hut on Eastern Road. The report indicated that the new Community Centre is a modern, accessible venue with parking, and that ward councillors and the Elections Group had been consulted and supported the move.

Appointment of Honorary Aldermen

The committee was scheduled to consider an exempt report from the Corporate Manager – Democracy outlining nominations received for the conferment of the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough. The report was intended to submit an appropriate recommendation to an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council. Information relating to individuals was to be discussed in private session.