Minutes of the spelthorne borough council
Minutes of the Council Meeting of Spelthorne Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames on Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 7.20 pm
Present:
Councillor S.A. Dunn, The Mayor, in the Chair
Councillors:
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M. Gibson M. Arnold L. Barker C. Bateson S.N. Beatty M. Beecher S. Bhadye M. Bing Dong H.S. Boparai L.H. Brennan |
T. Burrell J.R. Boughtflower J. Button D.C. Clarke J.T.F. Doran S.M. Doran R.V. Geach D.L. Geraci K.M. Grant S. Gyawali
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K. Howkins S.C. Mooney G. Neall L. E. Nichols K.E. Rutherford J.R. Sexton J.A. Turner H.R.D. Williams
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Apologies: |
Apologies were received from Councillors J.P. Caplin, M.J. Lee, A. Mathur, D. Saliagopoulos, B. Weerasinghe and P.N. Woodward and |
Meeting commenced: 21:07
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95/26 |
Minutes |
The minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 July 2026, and the extraordinary Council meetings held on 6 August 2026, 17 September 2026, and 28 September 2026 were agreed as a correct record.
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96/26 |
Disclosures of Interest |
Councillors Boparai, Mooney, and Sexton advised they were also Surrey County Councillors.
Councillors Barker, Bateson, Boparai, Mooney and Sexton advised they were also West Surrey Councillors.
Councillor Nichols declared he was a member of the Knowle Green Estates Board.
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Announcements from the Mayor |
The Mayor gave the following announcements:
“Since the last Council meeting, I have attended many events, too many to mention. I met many residents of Spelthorne, given awards, and had the pleasure of meeting children and young people from local schools.
I was also invited to Melun, our twin town near Paris, for the Brie Festival, which was a very memorable occasion.
In the run up to Christmas, there are many events taking place in Spelthorne for me to attend, including Remembrance Day on the 8th of November, which I hope you will all support at your local war memorials.
I would also like to promote my charity events, which range from a disco at the Greeno Centre, a Night at the Races at Kempton Park, a Christmas wreath-making session, and a Christmas party at the Hazlewood Centre in Sunbury, which will also be attended by our Spelthorne officers, and all the profits will go to charities. Please could you come along and support any of these dates that you can make.
Thank you.”
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Announcements from the Leader |
The Leader made the following announcements:
“As we prepare for local government reorganisation, we are inviting residents to have their say on the proposed Council Tax Reduction schemes for the new West Surrey Council. It is important that the views of residents on low incomes and those who currently receive Council Tax Reduction are heard as we work towards bringing the existing schemes together. I would encourage anyone affected to take part in the consultation, which closes on 3 December 2026.
I am pleased that businesses in Staines-upon-Thames have voted to renew the Visit Staines Business Improvement District (BID) for a further five years, from 2027 to 2032. With 81% of businesses voting in favour, this result demonstrates the value placed on the BID’s work to support local businesses, improve the town centre and encourage more people to work, shop and visit. I would like to congratulate the Visit Staines team and thank all the businesses that took part in the ballot.
Sticking with the business theme, I would also like to congratulate all the winners and finalists of the Spelthorne Business Awards 2026. Particular congratulations go to Vintage Chic ReLoved, which was named Best Business in Spelthorne, and to all those recognised across the various categories. The awards are an important opportunity to celebrate our local business community and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to their success over the years.
The Council is consulting on proposals to extend the Misuse of Public Land Public Space Protection Order for a further year. Introduced in 2024, the Order provides powers to address issues including the use of tents and barbecues in parks and open spaces, and taxis and private hire vehicles parking in certain residential areas. We are keen to hear residents’ views and the consultation runs until 31 October 2026.
Following the recent Extraordinary Council meeting, we have agreed to ask the Government to establish Charter Trustees for the Spelthorne area, helping to preserve the historic and ceremonial role of the Mayor when Spelthorne Borough Council is replaced by West Surrey Council in April 2027. This would allow the Mayor to continue representing our communities at civic events, supporting local charities and maintaining our borough’s civic traditions. The proposal recognises the importance of preserving Spelthorne’s identity and heritage through this period of significant change, although the final decision rests with the Government.
I am delighted that Spelthorne has once again achieved outstanding success at the South & South East in Bloom Awards, with Staines Cemetery, Sunbury Cemetery and Sunbury Walled Garden all receiving Gold awards. Many thanks and congratulations to the teams in Neighbourhood Services who work tirelessly to ensure these public spaces can be enjoyed to the full - your hard work and dedication is much appreciated.”
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Announcements from the Chief Executive |
There were none.
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Questions from members of the public |
There were no questions from members of the public.
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101/26 |
Amendments to the Council's Constitution |
The Council considered a report on Changes to the Constitution as a result of the Town and Country Planning Act (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
The Council resolved to agree the required amendments to the following parts of the Constitution: Part 3(b) (Terms of Reference – Planning Committee), Part 3(d) (Delegations to Officers), and Part 5(d) (Planning Code) and authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the Constitution.
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102/26 |
Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy |
The Council considered amendments to the Constitution by updating the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.
The Council resolved to approve the Constitution be updated with the amended Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.
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103/26 |
Procurement Framework for Nightly-Paid Accommodation |
The Council considered accessing the Cost and Procurement Advisory Service Temporary Accommodation Open Framework, and a maximum budgeted value of the contracts.
The Council resolved to:
1. Agree in principle to access the Cost and Procurement Advisory Service Temporary Accommodation Open Framework, if established;
2. Agree a maximum budgeted value of the contracts of £2.4 million; and
3. Delegate authority to the Group Head of Community Wellbeing to enter into Call Off contracts with providers on the Framework.
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Disposal of Communications House |
Council considered a report to approve the proposed disposal of Communications House on the terms set out in the report.
It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower, and seconded by Councillor Williams that the Council support the recommendation from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee:
“To defer any decision on disposal of Communications House until the Staines Masterplan has been agreed.”
The Council resolved to exclude public and press for part of the discussion of this item in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.
A recorded vote on the amendment was requested and the results were as follows:
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For (22): |
Arnold, Barker, Bateson, Beatty, Beecher, Boparai, Boughtflower, Brennan, Burrell, Button, Clarke, J Doran, S Doran, Geach, Geraci, Grant, Gyawali, Howkins, Mooney, Rutherford, Sexton, Williams |
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Against (0): |
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Abstain (7): |
Dunn, Gibson, Bhadye, Bing Dong, Neall, Nichols, Turner |
The Council resolved to agree the amended motion.
Councillor Geach left the meeting at 22:08
The Council resolved to defer any decision on disposal of Communications House until the Staines Masterplan has been agreed.
N.B. Subsequent to the meeting, on 23 October 2026, the Council received instructions under Powers Provided by the Best Value Directions from Spelthorne’s Commissioners requiring the Council to carry out the recommendations of the report. (attached)
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12 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 |
Councillor Bing Dong and Councillor Brennan left the meeting at 22:12
The Council considered the disposal of 12 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 on terms set out in the report.
The Council resolved to:
1. Approve the disposal terms as set out in the report;
2. Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to agree minor variations to the Heads of Terms and adjustments to the sale price; and
3. Delegate authority to Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a transfer to complete the disposal and any ancillary legal documentation required in relation to the proposed disposal.
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106/26 |
Audit Committee Annual Report 2025 - 26 |
The Council considered a report about the work of the Audit Committee in 2025-26.
The Council resolved to receive and endorse the report about the work of the Audit Committee in 2025-26.
In accordance with Standing Order 21.6, Councillor Howkins requested her vote against the recommendation be recorded.
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Reports of Committee Decisions |
The Council received reports which outlined the matters Committees had considered since the last Council meeting.
Council resolved to note the reports of Committee decisions.
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Motions |
It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, seconded by Councillor Sexton and resolved to defer the discussion of Motions until the December Council meeting.
Meeting ended 22.45
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General questions |
No questions had been received.