The Leader, or their nominee, to answer questions from Councillors on matters affecting the Borough, in accordance with Standing Order 15.
Note: the deadline for questions to be considered at this meeting was 12 noon on Thursday 15 February 2018.
Five questions were received - from Councillors Robin Sider, Joanne Sexton and Denise Saliagopoulos.
Question from Councillor Sider:
‘Will the Leader and Members of this Council join me in congratulating Freeman of the Borough Colin Squire on his being awarded the OBE in Her Majesty’s New Year’s Honours List’.
Question from Councillor Sexton:
“Once again earlier this month I had to alert the Council to the dire cleaning regime carried out at Knowle Green Leisure Centre. Members of the public had alerted me to the public areas which were obviously not cleaned for weeks. Their photographs proved it. Officers of the Council have been sent these photographs. I was astounded to find out that there is still no record keeping of cleansing of the public areas - something when I was in position as Cabinet Member, was set up. The officer in charge informed me that this would be put in place for the future. Why was this slippage allowed - it is surely mandatory to inspect the public areas for cleanliness? Our residents need to have confidence that the Leisure Centre is clean and well kept.
Whilst I thank the Cabinet Member for her intervening to once again try and sort this out, how can the users of the Leisure Centre have confidence that this will continue? Are we now leaving it to residents to have to make complaints? If a proper regime of inspection had been put in place this would not be an issue here today. Officer need to ensure that there are proactive measures at the Leisure Centre and not continual reactive ones”.
Questions from Councillor Saliagopoulos:
“At the request of Cllr Colin Davis, the then Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Council was put to extra expense on a so called security issue; can I please be advised as to the extra cost incurred to the Council on this whim? Can the Leader assure me that tax payers' monies were protected at all times? it would appear that the said Councillor for Staines Town is no longer the Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny - which may I add is an excellent move on the part of the Leader - and indeed no longer a member of the ruling Conservative group - can the Council please be assured that the Committee will now run as a proper scrutiny committee rather than a platform which was used to belittle and dismiss the opposition? As the Leader is aware, scrutiny is something that is vital to any Council. Unfortunately it has been stifled continuously by the above named individual (and only the above named individual) due to his own personal agenda. I believe the local taxpayer needs to be aware of this and that indeed I would seek the Leader's assurance that this individual will no longer be in any position of authority on this Council”.
“Would the Leader please give consideration to the questioning of individual Cabinet Members in full Council? Questions relating to individual portfolio holders are always answered by the Leader. Of course the opposition is aware that the leadership of the Council is only as good as their team. Of course scrutiny of Cabinet Members can be carried out in other committees - with their officers in attendance. If the Leader is not prepared to agree to this - why? At a recent Overview and Scrutiny I asked a question to the portfolio member for housing - a very important brief to the Council - he did not answer the question and left it to the officer - as opposition we want to pursue this further. Whilst on this issue, any questions ever put to Cllr Howard Williams have been answered with expertise and thorough knowledge. If the Leader has such confidence in the remaining Cabinet members he will surely allow them to answer questions on their portfolios in the future? If not, why not?”
“What are the Leader's thoughts on the recently announced high Council Tax rise by Surrey County Council - indeed some of the Councillors here are also on Surrey and voted for the 6% increase! As the Leader is working to ensure the future viability of Spelthorne by acquiring properties - something which the opposition have supported - surely this is a kick in the teeth. Is there something he could teach the leader of Surrey? How will the Leader now explain to the residents of Spelthorne that they are going to have to pay more once again?”
Minutes:
The Mayor reported that five general questions had been received, in accordance with Standing Order 15, from Councillors Sider, Sexton and Saliagopoulos.
1. Question from Councillor R.W. Sider BEM:
“Will the Leader and Members of this council join me in congratulating Freeman of the Borough Colin Squire on his being awarded the OBE in Her Majesty’s New Year’s Honours List?”
Response from the Leader, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey:
“Thank you for your Question Councillor Sider. Yes I am delighted to congratulate Freeman of the Borough and good friend of this Council, Colin Squire on being awarded the OBE in Her Majesty’s New Year Honours List. I am sure all Members join me in expressing our warm congratulations to Colin and thank him for all his charity work that has so richly earned him this accolade.”
2. Question from Councillor J. Sexton:
“Once again earlier this month I had to alert the Council to the dire cleaning regime carried out at Knowle Green Leisure Centre. Members of the public had alerted me to the public areas which were obviously not cleaned for weeks. Their photographs proved it. Officers of the Council have been sent these photographs. I was astounded to find out that there is still no record keeping of cleansing of the public areas - something when I was in position as Cabinet Member, was set up. The officer in charge informed me that this would be put in place for the future. Why was this slippage allowed - it is surely mandatory to inspect the public areas for cleanliness? Our residents need to have confidence that the Leisure Centre is clean and well kept.
Whilst I thank the Cabinet Member for her intervening to once again try and sort this out, how can the users of the Leisure Centre have confidence that this will continue? Are we now leaving it to residents to have to make complaints? If a proper regime of inspection had been put in place this would not be an issue here today. Officer need to ensure that there are proactive measures at the Leisure Centre and not continual reactive ones.”
Response from Cabinet member for Community and Wellbeing, Councillor M. Attewell:
“I can confirm that there are cleaning checklists for the public toilets and changing areas in place and have never ceased to be available. Regular monitoring of these checks are undertaken both by the Everyone Active management and Spelthorne Leisure Services staff.
Detailed cleaning schedules are in place for all areas of the Centre. Both contract cleaners and in house teams undertake the cleaning regularly. The location and task being undertaken will determine the frequency of cleaning.
There are checklists for these and managers also undertake regular spot checks.
The contract cleaner at the Centre has recently been changed and the Everyone Active is working with the contractor to ensure continual improvement. Monthly contractor cleaning audits are carried out by Everyone Active.
Officers from the Council visit the Centre weekly and report the issues they have noted. The contract monitoring officer has monthly meetings with management where the issues identified are discussed.
Officers and senior managers undertook two unannounced visits on 14 and 15 February 2018. Over the two visits the whole Centre was inspected. The general cleanliness of the centre was good, however, there is clearly an issue with the high level cleaning (including cobwebs) and cleaning of the vents in the swimming pool area.
These issues have been raised with the contract manager. He has informed us that a high level clean will be undertaken next month and then regularly twice a year, or more frequently if required. Specialist equipment is hired in for this task. The vents in the swimming pool area have been cleaned and will continue to be cleaned weekly.
The leisure teams monitoring will continue and monitoring of the high level cleaning will be a priority.
The leisure team regularly review customer comments. In the last 3 months 137 comments were received. 6 of these were negative comments referring to cleaning. Considering that there are approximately 47,000 visits to Spelthorne Leisure Centre each month, the number of complaints received are very small.
Due to these findings, officers are confident that the leisure centre is being well managed. Whilst accepting that there are some issues that need to be addressed, the usage of the Centre and the customer feedback confirms an overall satisfaction in this facility.”
In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor J. Sexton asked the following supplementary question:
“I will send photographs that I took yesterday showing that there are still issues to be addressed. Can the Leader confirm that a robust monitoring regime will be put in place to avoid the need for "panic visits" by officers?”
Councillor M. Attewell responded at the meeting as follows:
“I believe that this is a request to the Leader rather than a question but will ask officers to respond further. I did ask Councillor Sexton if she was happy with the officers’ response and she indicated that she was not. If she would like to send details to me then I will pass that on.”
Councillor M. Attewell responded further after the meeting as follows:
“A comprehensive monitoring regime is in place for both centres. Monthly meetings are held between SBC and centre management and monitoring information including customer comments, bacterial water test results, cleaning tasks completed, attendance figures and the number of accidents occurring is sent monthly to the client officer. Any issues of concern are raised and addressed. In addition to this, energy consumption, marketing and communication plans, Quest improvement plans, deep cleaning programmes and staff training records are monitored quarterly and among other things safe systems of work and health and safety inspections are reviewed bi-annually. Every 6 months there is a strategic review meeting with senior management from both SBC and SLM. The cabinet member is also invited.
Quarterly meetings are held with Sunbury Manor School who share the dual use site to monitor how things are viewed from the school’s point of view.
Ad hoc visits occur regularly and members of the leisure team and group heads visit the centres both in an official capacity and as users of the centres. The client officer is in almost daily contact with the centres and feeds back any comments or concerns in between meetings.
Many SBC staff members are also users of the facilities and any comments received are fed back to the client officer so they can be addressed.”
3. Question from Councillor D. Saliagopoulos:
“At the request of Councillor Colin Davis, the then Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Council was put to extra expense on a so called security issue; can I please be advised as to the extra cost incurred to the Council on this whim? Can the Leader assure me that tax payers' monies were protected at all times? it would appear that the said Councillor for Staines Town is no longer the Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny - which may I add is an excellent move on the part of the Leader - and indeed no longer a member of the ruling Conservative group - can the Council please be assured that the Committee will now run as a proper scrutiny committee rather than a platform which was used to belittle and dismiss the opposition? As the Leader is aware, scrutiny is something that is vital to any Council. Unfortunately it has been stifled continuously by the above named individual (and only the above named individual) due to his own personal agenda. I believe the local taxpayer needs to be aware of this and that indeed I would seek the Leader's assurance that this individual will no longer be in any position of authority on this Council.”
Response from the Leader, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey:
“Thank you for what are actually four questions within this Question.
Firstly I can confirm that there are currently 10 Members actively using the Lone Worker alarms, including myself. Two other councillors took and then returned them. I personally resisted taking one initially, however as many Members know I was physically attacked on the front steps of this very building in the presence of my nine year old son. I was thereafter prevailed upon to take and use one. Given the fact that those in public office are now seemingly the frequent targets of various forms of assault and abuse I do not accept that the use of these is a “whim”. I commend all Members to use one, in particular if you consider yourself in any way vulnerable or are in difficult situations from time to time. The cost of each alarm is approximately £12 per month and I do not believe the residents of the Borough begrudge this, especially given our much improved financial basis under my leadership. I will certainly support any Member, including opposition, using one.
With regard to the change of Chairmanship of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, I can confirm that I expect all Members of my Group, and I am sure all Group Leaders will endorse this, to perform their function to the highest standards and with honesty, integrity, courtesy and impartiality within non-political roles. I would like to think that I and my colleagues set a good example in this. I have every confidence in Councillor Mooney and am sure that she will henceforth Chair the Overview and Scrutiny in the appropriate manner.
You will appreciate that I cannot give an undertaking regarding the former Chair of Overview and Scrutiny but as he is no longer a member of the controlling Conservative Group I have no anticipation of appointing him to any specific position, however as was famously observed by Harold Wilson, “a week is a long time in politics”
Whilst these are three answers I hope they address your four points adequately.”
4. Question from Councillor D. Saliagopoulos:
“Would the Leader please give consideration to the questioning of individual Cabinet Members in full Council? Questions relating to individual portfolio holders are always answered by the Leader. Of course the opposition is aware that the leadership of the Council is only as good as their team. Of course scrutiny of Cabinet Members can be carried out in other committees - with their officers in attendance. If the Leader is not prepared to agree to this - why? At a recent Overview and Scrutiny I asked a question to the portfolio member for housing - a very important brief to the Council - he did not answer the question and left it to the officer - as opposition we want to pursue this further. Whilst on this issue, any questions ever put to Cllr Howard Williams have been answered with expertise and thorough knowledge. If the Leader has such confidence in the remaining Cabinet members he will surely allow them to answer questions on their portfolios in the future? If not, why not?”
Response from the Leader, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey:
“The Constitution already permits councillors to put questions to the Leader, his nominee or a member of the Cabinet about an issue in the councillor’s ward; or in which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Borough.
I am very happy for Cabinet members to answer fair questions that fall within the remit of their portfolios at Council meetings. However, I am sure Councillor Saliagopoulos will appreciate from personal experience that Cabinet members cannot always have every fact at their fingertips and it is entirely right that they should refer to officers to assist with responses at meetings or in writing afterwards where appropriate.”
In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor D. Saliagopoulos asked the following supplementary question:
“Do you agree that it is not terribly clear how we might question individual Cabinet members?”
Councillor I.T.E. Harvey responded at the meeting as follows:
“If you send any questions to Committee Services then they will forward those on to the appropriate portfolio holder for a response”
5. Question from Councillor D. Saliagopoulos:
“What are the Leader's thoughts on the recently announced high Council Tax rise by Surrey County Council - indeed some of the Councillors here are also on Surrey and voted for the 6% increase! As the Leader is working to ensure the future viability of Spelthorne by acquiring properties - something which the opposition have supported - surely this is a kick in the teeth. Is there something he could teach the leader of Surrey? How will the Leader now explain to the residents of Spelthorne that they are going to have to pay more once again?”
Response from the Leader, Councillor Ian Harvey:
“I am unable to comment on the Council Tax increase at Surrey County Council as I do not sit on it and have no control or influence over it. I am sure Cllr Saliagopoulos has a much better understanding of their finances than I do as she was a Surrey Councillor until May 2017. I try to concentrate, with my colleagues, on doing the best for the residents of Spelthorne on matters over which we do have control.
I have the greatest of admiration and respect for my colleague and good friend, the Leader of Surrey and I know that he is doing his very best, in very difficult circumstances and through no fault of his own or his administration to minimise the impact of central government cuts upon Surrey’s budget. I would not have the audacity to try to teach him how to run a council!
I believe that I and Cllr Williams have already given a very good and detailed explanation tonight of the Spelthorne Council Tax precept and it is not for me to explain the precept set by others.”
In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor D. Saliagopoulos asked the following supplementary question:
“There has been a lot of talk about how Surrey County Council cuts, devastating to this authority, are to continue and get worse. Would you agree that we are, to an extent, dependent on what comes down to us from Surrey County Council via central government?”
Councillor I.T.E. Harvey responded at the meeting as follows:
“Yes”