Minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee
19 March 2026
Present:
Councillor J.A. Turner (Chair)
Councillors:
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L. Barker M. Beecher T. Burrell J.P. Caplin |
D.C. Clarke S.M. Doran K.M. Grant K. Howkins
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A. Mathur H.R.D. Williams
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Substitutions: |
Councillors D. Saliagopoulos (In place of J.R. Boughtflower) |
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Apologies: |
Councillors P.N. Woodward |
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In Attendance: |
Councillors C. Bateson |
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20/26 |
Minutes
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The minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2026 and the extraordinary meeting held 27 January 2026 were agreed as a correct record.
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21/26 |
Disclosures of Interest
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There were none.
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22/26 |
Questions from members of the Public
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There were none.
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23/26 |
Statutory Consultation on Spelthorne Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
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Councillor Williams arrived at 19:07
The Committee considered the draft version of the Spelthorne Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Climate Change SPD for consultation. The SPDs would not introduce new policies or requirements, but would assist in the interpretation and application of existing Local Plan Policies. The Affordable Housing SPD had been prepared in collaboration with a cross-party Member Steering Group supported by officers and consultants. The Climate Change SPD required minor updates to ensure alignment with newly adopted Local Plan Policies. Both SPDs required consultation before adoption was required at the end of June 2026.
The Committee noted that the adoption of the Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document alongside the newly adopted Local Plan would strengthen the policies. The Committee expressed concern over the possibility developers may not be able to deliver affordable housing, and the alternative approaches for them to pursue. The Local Plans and Infrastructure Manager advised the Committee the SPD provided a Policy that ensured the Council would get the best deal, and without a Policy developers may be able to deliver less. The Government were also due to review legislation around affordable housing provision.
The Committee resolved to:
1. Agree that the consultation draft version of the Spelthorne Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be published for a four-week public consultation starting on 8 May 2026, under Regulation 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012.
2. Agree that delegated authority is given to the Deputy Chief Executive in agreement with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to agree any minor revisions to the draft document prior to the consultation.
3. Agree that the delegated authority is given to the Deputy Chief Executive in agreement with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, to agree the consultation draft version of the updated Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and that this draft be published for a four-week public consultation starting on 8 May 2026, under Regulation 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012.
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24/26 |
Spelthorne Recycling Bring Sites
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The Committee considered a request for closure for four bring sites located around the borough. The Group Head Neighbourhood Services advised the four sites were regularly subject to illegal dumping and fly-tipping, and as a result, most waste disposed of at the site was contaminated and could not be recycled.
The Committee noted that a majority of households in the borough now received a kerbside recycling service. The Committee expressed concern that closure of the sites may encourage fly-tipping at the closed sites or other areas, but acknowledged that there would be monitoring of the sites through cameras and re-allocated staff resource.
The Committee resolved to authorise the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to close the following bring sites located around the borough:
- Hadfield Road, Stanwell
- White House Depot, Ashford
- Woodlands Parade, Ashford
- High Street, Shepperton
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25/26 |
Public Consultation for Proposed Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Memorial Gardens, Staines upon Thames
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The Committee considered authorising the commencement of a public consultation for a proposed new Multi-Use Games Area to be built in Memorial Gardens, Staines-upon-Thames. Subject to satisfaction of the consultation, if supported, the Group Head Neighbourhood Services would undertake surveys, appropriate procurement exercises, and submit a planning application for the construction and installation of a new recreation facility at Memorial Gardens, Staines-upon-Thames. The Committee would be asked for final approval before the project proceeded.
The Committee noted the lack of proposed lighting for the site due to its location, but acknowledged it could be added later if required. The opening times could also be reviewed if there was demand for use, but the intention was for the facility to be self-managed.
Some members of the Committee raised concerns about the change of intention for the memorial gardens, but other members of the Committee felt the change would be beneficial to the area and provide younger residents with recreational opportunities.
Some members of the Committee expressed concern about the report being presented to the committee immediately before the pre-election period.
A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Clarke and the results were as follows:
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For (8): |
Councillors Turner, Barker, Beecher, Burrell, Caplin, S. Doran, Grant, Williams |
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Against (4): |
Councillors Clarke, Howkins, Mathur, Saliagopoulos |
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Abstain (0): |
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The Committee resolved to:
1. Authorise the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to commence a public consultation exercise fo the proposed new Multi-Use Games Area to be built in Memorial Gardens, Staines-upon-Thames
2. Subject to the Group Head Neighbourhood Services and the Group Head Corporate Governance, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee reviewing the consultation responses and being satisfied that, on balance, the feedback indicates overall support for the proposal and that any issues raised can be appropriately addressed, authorise the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to:
a. Appoint appropriately qualified ecological specialists to undertake the necessary ecological appraisals and surveys required to support the planning application for the proposed installation of a new Multi-Use Games Area;
b. Undertake a procurement exercise to establish availability of resource and the indicative costs of the works; and
c. Submit a planning application for the construction and installation of a new recreation facility, including associated fencing, safety surfacing, and site preparation works at Memorial Gardens, Staines-upon-Thames.
3. Group Head Neighbourhood Services to report back to the Environment and Sustainability committee with feedback from the consultation, procurement exercise, and planning meeting.
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26/26 |
The Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No.3) Order 2026
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The Committee considered selected proposed variations to the Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 3) Order 2026. The Group Head Neighbourhood Services summarised the proposals which included reducing a nil-charge first hour to a 30-minute free period in certain car parks, reclassifying specific car parks as free parking spaces, introducing a restriction on return within a specific time period, updating Tariffs on Car Parks in Staines, and including the Leisure Centre Car Park is within the parking order. The recommended options would assist in reducing the Council’s budget gap, and if agreed in full, would generate an approximate additional income of £37k. 180 responses had been received on the proposed variations following a period of consultation.
The Committee noted the public consultation responses in respect of option 1a which suggested reducing the one-hour free period to a 30-minute free period. The Committee expressed support for retaining the one-hour nil tariff period.
The Committee acknowledged the savings in relation to option 2b which would create four free car parks, and expressed support for this option.
The Committee noted that option 3a was a standard condition for most car parks and expressed support for this option.
The Committee noted in respect of recommendation 6 that the parking charges were comparable to neighbouring car parks, and there were opportunities for those employed in Staines Town Centre to apply for a parking benefit.
Meeting adjourned at 20:54, reconvened at 21:00
The Committee resolved to recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee the selected proposed variations to the Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 3) Order 2026:
1. Retain the current one-hour nil tariff period in car parks and make no changes to the order or the tariffs;
2. Removal of Abbey Drive, Dumsey Meadow, Old Bathing Station and Green Street from Schedule 1 chargeable tariffs, and addition of same car parks to Schedule 3 with 11 hours maximum stay.
3. Introduce a “no return within the same charging period” in all car parks listed in Appendix 2 Schedule 1.
4. Revise the Parking Order map for Spelthorne Leisure Centre, to accurately reflect the new layout as detailed in Appendix 3.
5. Introduce other minor amendments as detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 and Schedules 1, 2, and 3.
6. Change of the Staines-upon-Thames Short and Long Stay tariffs and introduction of reference to the charges being per parking session, as detailed in Appendix 2, Schedule 4 and Schedule 5.
In accordance with Standing Order 21.6, Councillor Williams requested that his vote against recommendation 6 be recorded.
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27/26 |
Halliford Recreation Ground
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The Committee considered a request to re-locate the play facility at Halliford Recreation Ground as part of the play area restoration.
The Group Head Neighbourhood Services advised that as a result of a recent tree survey, issues with current play area location had been identified. In order to not have to undertake any work to the surrounding trees, it was suggested the play area be relocated. The new location would ensure the site was accessible, and any existing equipment that could be re-used would be. The relocation would not have any impact on current use of the park.
The Committee resolved to authorise the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to:
1. Relocate the play facility in the recreation ground from its current position in a wooded area to open space within the same park;
2. Undertake all necessary ground works to facilitate the move; and
3. Undertake ground restoration and tree planting in the wooded area once the equipment and fencing have been removed.
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28/26 |
Updates from Task and Finish and/or Working Groups
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The Committee received an update on the work of the Climate and Nature Working Group.
The Climate and Nature Working Group had met twice to discuss a range of environmental topics and project updates. The group were advised that constraints on the Green Initiatives Fund had indefinitely postponed two proposals: the proposed solar expansion programme for the White House Depot, and the White House Hostel, and a carbon sequestration assessment project. The group also received updates on several ongoing projects and partnership developments including:
- The completion of two Miyawaki forests
- Updates to the Hydromx installation at Greeno Day Centre
- Partnership working between Spelthorne and Colne Valley Regional Partnership
- Electrical capacity constraints and the need for strategic energy planning
- Project Spark
- Studios Walk
The Committee resolved to note the update.
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29/26 |
Forward Plan
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The Committee received the forward plan for future committee business.
The Committee resolved to note the forward plan.