The Rushmoor Borough Council meeting on 25 September 2025 was scheduled to cover topics including local government reorganisation, a community governance review, updates to the council's constitution, committee appointments, and extensions to the designations of the Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer. Councillor Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Bill O'Donovan, Chair of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee, were scheduled to introduce several of the items.

Local Government Reorganisation

The council was scheduled to discuss a report from the Cabinet regarding local government reorganisation. The report recommends approval of the proposal 'Close Enough to be Local, Big Enough to Stay Strong' for submission to the government, confirming the council's preferred option. Councillor Gareth Williams, Leader of the Council, was scheduled to introduce this item.

Community Governance Review

The agenda included a discussion of the Community Governance Review. The Monitoring Officer prepared a report, Annex 2 - Community Governance Review Update and Next Steps, which sets out the results of the first-round consultation. The council was scheduled to discuss whether to proceed to the second stage consultation. Councillor Bill O'Donovan, Chair of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee, was scheduled to introduce the item.

A community governance review examines and makes recommendations for changes to community governance arrangements, such as altering parish boundaries or creating new parishes¹.

Constitution Update

The council was scheduled to consider and approve updates to the Constitution, specifically the Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business. According to the agenda, the proposed amendments to the standing orders were previously adjourned without discussion at the council meeting on 10 July 2025, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 29 (1). A copy of the revised Standing Orders, Annex 3 - Updates to Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business, was attached to the agenda. Councillor Bill O'Donovan, Chair of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee, was scheduled to introduce this item.

Appointments to Committees

The council was scheduled to review and approve changes to appointments to committees for 2025/26. These changes were prompted by shifts in the political balance on the council. The agenda states that a review of committee seats was conducted and shared with Group Leaders. The council was recommended to approve the changes to appointments to committees in accordance with the allocations to achieve political balance as set out in Annex 4.

Extension to Designations of Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer

The council was scheduled to receive a report from the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee, Annex 5 - Update on Designations of HoPS and Monitoring Officer, recommending extensions to the designations of the statutory posts of Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer. Councillor Bill O'Donovan, Chair of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee, was scheduled to introduce the item.

The Head of Paid Service is a statutory role in local government, responsible for the overall management and leadership of the council's paid staff². The Monitoring Officer is another statutory role, responsible for ensuring the legality and fairness of the council's decision-making processes³.