Rushmoor is a local government district with borough status in Hampshire, England. It covers the towns of Farnborough and Aldershot, the former of which is the location of the council.
Rushmoor | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Rushmoor shown within Hampshire | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Region | South East England |
| Non-metropolitan county | Hampshire |
| Status | Non-metropolitan district |
| Admin HQ | Farnborough |
| Incorporated | 1 April 1974 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Non-metropolitan district council |
| • Body | Rushmoor Borough Council |
| • MPs | Alex Baker |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.1 sq mi (39.0 km2) |
| • Rank | 263rd (of 296) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 101,060 |
| • Rank | 240th (of 296) |
| • Density | 6,700/sq mi (2,600/km2) |
| Ethnicity (2021) | |
| • Ethnic groups | |
| Religion (2021) | |
| • Religion | List
|
| Time zone | UTC0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
| ONS code | 24UL (ONS) E07000092 (GSS) |
| OS grid reference | SU8567753918 |
The neighbouring districts are Hart, Surrey Heath, Guildford and Waverley.
History
editThe district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the whole area of two former districts, which were both abolished at the same time:[2]
The new district was named Rushmoor, taking its name from an old area of heath on the west side of the borough, known for Rushmoor Arena, a military showground constructed in 1923.[3][4] The new district was granted borough status from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.[5]
In May 2000, a referendum was held on whether to change the name of the borough. Two alternative names were suggested in place of Rushmoor: Aldershot and Farnborough or Farnborough and Aldershot. In the event, more than 81% of those who voted chose to retain the name, on a turnout of 29%.[6]
The population of the area that would become Rushmoor was 1,366 in 1801, growing to 39,616 in 1901. It was over 100,000 at 2021 census.
Governance
editRushmoor Borough Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Paul Shackley since May 2017 | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 39 councillors |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
Last election | 2 May 2024 |
Next election | 7 May 2026 |
| Meeting place | |
| Council Offices, Farnborough Road, Farnborough, GU14 7JU | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Rushmoor Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Hampshire County Council. There are no civil parishes in the borough, which is an unparished area.[9][10]
Political control
editThe council has been under Labour Party majority control since the 2024 election; the first time the party had won a majority on the council in its history.[11][12]
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially acting as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974.[13][14]
| Party in control | Years | |
|---|---|---|
| No overall control | 1974–1976 | |
| Conservative | 1976–1980 | |
| No overall control | 1980–1982 | |
| Conservative | 1982–1995 | |
| No overall control | 1995–2000 | |
| Conservative | 2000–2024 | |
| Labour | 2024–present | |
Leadership
editThe role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Rushmoor. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 2001 have been:[15]
| Councillor | Party | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Marsh[16] | Conservative | 2001 | 2005 | |
| Peter Moyle | Conservative | 2005 | 24 May 2016 | |
| David Clifford | Conservative | 24 May 2016 | 7 Dec 2023 | |
| Gareth Lyon | Conservative | 7 Dec 2023 | 21 May 2024 | |
| Gareth Williams | Labour | 21 May 2024 | ||
Composition
editFollowing the 2024 election, the composition of the council was:[17][18]
| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour | 21 | |
| Conservative | 15 | |
| Liberal Democrats | 3 | |
| Total | 39 | |
The next election is due in May 2026.
Elections
editSince the last boundary changes in 2012 the council has comprised 39 councillors representing 13 wards, with each ward electing three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with a third of the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office. Hampshire County Council elections are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no borough council elections.[19]
Premises
editOn its creation in 1974 the council's offices were divided between the buildings inherited from its predecessor authorities, being Aldershot Town Hall and Farnborough Town Hall. Shortly afterwards the council decided to replace both buildings with a single headquarters. A site known as Elles Mess in Farnborough was bought from the British Army and a new building called Council Offices built there, which was completed in 1981.[20]
Economy
editAviation
editThe Borough of Rushmoor stated that Farnborough Airfield, including the RAE, historically was a major employment area in Rushmoor. In the 1960s, over 10,000 employees worked at the airport. In May 1996, 5,800 jobs, 13% of the total jobs in Rushmoor, were at the airport.[21] In June 2009, TAG submitted an application to increase the total number of flight movements from 28000 a year to a maximum of 50,000 a year and to increase the number of flight movements at weekends and on Bank Holidays from 5,000 a year to 8,900 a year. This went to appeal and the secretary of state allowed it to go ahead in February 2011, overruling the Borough Council' refusal.[22]
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the British aviation accident investigation agency, is based within the airport.[23]
Twin towns - sister cities
editSee also
edit- Howard N. Cole, Borough Remembrancer for Aldershot, 1963–1974
References
edit- ^ a b UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Rushmoor Local Authority (E07000092)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
- ^ "History of the council". Rushmoor Borough Council. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
- ^ "District Councils and Boroughs". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Referendum results - Change of borough name". Rushmoor Borough Council. Archived from the original on 24 June 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Council minutes, 21 May 2024". Rushmoor Borough Council. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "New Leader sets out priorities for Rushmoor and appoints new Cabinet". Rushmoor Borough Council. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
- ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ^ Scott, Jennifer (3 May 2024). "Local elections 2024: Labour pulling off strong wins with 'truly historic' shock in Tory stronghold − as results show Brexit shift". Sky News. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Stafford, Stephen (3 May 2024). "Labour gain first win in Rushmoor". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "Rushmoor". BBC News Online. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
- ^ "Council minutes". Rushmoor Borough Council. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "Mayor of Rushmoor 2022-2023". Rushmoor Borough Council. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "Local elections 2024: full mayoral and council results for England". The Guardian. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Boothroyd, David (24 May 2024). "Kirklees leader defection". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "The Rushmoor (Electoral Changes) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/161, retrieved 13 November 2023
- ^ Garvey, John (9 October 1981). "Rushmoor moves into the space age". Farnborough News. p. 10. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Rushmoor Local Plan Review (1996–2011)" Rushmoor Borough Council. 126 (2/39). Retrieved on September 30, 2010.
- ^ "Farnborough Airport's planning history". Rushmoor Borough Council. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
- ^ "Additional information." Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved on 2 May 2010.
- ^ "Rushmoor - Our international partner towns". Rushmoor Borough Council. Retrieved 27 October 2020.