Rushmoor: 18 of 23 priorities on track, Aspen Grove play area due work
The council's first-quarter report covers April to June 2026, while a separate Cabinet decision earmarks money for Aspen Grove.
Rushmoor Borough Council reported on 5 August 2026 that 18 of its 23 priorities were on track at the end of the first quarter (April to June). Separately, Cabinet agreed in July a £400,000 two-year playground programme that includes Aspen Grove in Aldershot this financial year.
Rushmoor Borough Council has published its first-quarter performance update, and a July Cabinet decision gives Aldershot a playground to look forward to.
The first-quarter update
The update covers April to June 2026. The council says 18 of its 23 priorities were on track at the end of the quarter, and that it had secured about £100,000 of funding from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Among the achievements it highlights are funding for a new Youth Hub, delivery of the Armed Forces Day National Event, work starting on a Loungers cafe at The Meads, the start of construction on the new Farnborough Pools and Fitness Centre, and the Young at Heart booklet being distributed across the borough. Mental health support programmes for families and residents also began.
Council leader Councillor Gareth Williams said the update "shows encouraging progress". The council's 2025/26 annual report was published at the same time.
Playground upgrades
On 3 July, Cabinet agreed a £400,000 improvement programme for local playgrounds over two years. The council says 16 of its 40 playgrounds across Aldershot and Farnborough are flagged as high priority for renewal or refurbishment, and some equipment is 25 to 30 years old.
The sites named are:
- This financial year: Keith Lucas Road and Sunnybank Road/Dart Road (both Farnborough) and Aspen Grove in Aldershot
- 2027/28: Montgomery Road and Cumbria Court in Farnborough
Councillor Christine Guinness said: "The Cabinet has made it a priority to invest in our local playgrounds, not only to improve our neighbourhoods, but also to make sure children can lead safe, healthy and active lives from an early age."
What it means for residents
If you live near Aspen Grove, expect the existing play equipment to be replaced or refurbished during the current financial year, which ends in March. The council has not yet given dates, so watch its website and local notices for any temporary closures.
The quarter-one figures are the council's own assessment, so treat them as a progress report rather than an independent audit.
Source: Rushmoor Borough Council.
Frequently asked questions
- How many council priorities are on track?
- 18 of 23 at the end of the first quarter (April to June 2026), according to Rushmoor.
- Which Aldershot playground is getting work?
- Aspen Grove, in the current financial year.
- How much is the playground programme?
- £400,000 over two years.
- How many playgrounds does the council have?
- 40 across Aldershot and Farnborough, 16 of them flagged as high priority.