CORPORATE PLAN 2024-28 ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Short-term actions: 2024-25
Medium-term actions: 2025-27
Long-term actions: 2027-28
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COMMUNITY Aim: To place the needs of the borough at the heart of everything we do; supporting residents to live healthy and fulfilling lives and empowering communities so they feel included, valued, supported and safe. |
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Theme 1 - Clean and safe borough Making our borough a great place to live, keeping our borough safe, and encouraging communities to take pride in their area |
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Action: |
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Short Term: Launch the Keep Spelthorne Clean initiative and engage with relevant agencies and businesses to take responsibility for their areas. Trial new ways of working to address the issues of street sweeping in difficult to access roads such as parking suspensions or prior notification boards, adapting to increasing demands and delivering solutions within existing resources. |
A 4 page special Keep Spelthorne Clean feature was published in the Spring Bulletin magazine highlighting the initiative. Following a successful poster competition with local schools the following comms assets have been developed.
• 3m x 1m banner to be printed on vinyl for our parks with QR code • Roll-up banner for reception • 20 social media assets • Poster template to host on website so residents can download to promote their own events • 8-page residents guide for website • 3 new Litter posters with QR code • 3 new dog fouling posters with QR code
NS&E committee agreed that we should trial different ways of working with residents to help keep their areas clean and help us to sweep more of the hard to access areas. We continue to trial parking suspension, signage, community clean days and a report will be presented to the relevant committee next year with the results of our trials and where possible options for future ways of working.
Final posters have been designed and ready for print.
20/12/2024 – Neighbourhood Services organised printing and posters are displayed around the borough. |
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Medium Term: Trial the use of QR codes on bins in key shopping areas, so residents can report full bins/litter concerns.
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The signs with the QR codes have been installed and progress will be managed by way of the eforms. There is no deadline date for this project as it will be ongoing. |
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Theme 2 - Healthier communities Address the causes of health inequalities, promote more active and healthier lifestyles and our parks and open spaces. |
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Short Term: Install five new inclusive play areas in parks across the Borough.
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All play areas have been tendered and we have seen a limited response to the exercise, 2 suppliers have been agreed and contracts will be issued, 1 is due to be retendered and another is going through the clarification stage before award. The equipment for 3 play areas has now been installed and the play facilities opened to MOP. 2 are outstanding and going through a fresh procurement exercise. |
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Theme 3 - Empowered communities Communicating, listen and engage with residents, be an inclusive Council for all our residents and sustaining our Community Centre Network, adjusting to the needs of our residents. |
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Short Term: Launch a Citizens’ Panel in 2024 to help shape the Council’s decisions on services and policy. Introduce an online engagement tool to gain views on planning design codes in 2024. |
The Citizens Panel is currently in the middle of sessions. |
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ADDRESSING HOUSING NEED To support the delivery of high-quality housing and solutions to allow residents to live independently which meets the needs of all sections of the community at every stage of life, addressing the challenges around availability, affordability and homelessness.
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Theme 2 – Affordability Maximise the provision of affordable homes through the planning process, support the delivery of social housing and work with partners to increase the range and affordability of housing. |
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Action |
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Short Term: Seek to maximise the provision of affordable homes through the planning process through viability assessments and s106 agreements. |
Running Horse – Approved on appeal. S106 Agreement provides for a financial contribution to the LPA of £2.5m for the provision of off-site affordable housing within the borough. Hazelwood – Approved on appeal. Application includes 50% on site affordable housing. |
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Short Term: Proceed to Examination and adopt the Local Plan to guide how new sustainable development which benefits our communities comes forward over the next 15 years.
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The Council has received confirmation of the dates for the resumption of the Local Plan Examination. |
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RESILIENCE Aim: To ensure prudent management of our finances and resources and create a climate in which businesses and individuals can thrive. Work with our partners to maintain our preparedness for emergencies.
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Theme 3 - Preparing for the effects of climate change: Maintaining our preparedness and response to borough emergencies |
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Action: |
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Short Term: Manage our parks and open spaces and commons e.g. utilising tree planting and plant species to reduce risks of flooding. |
No update at this time. |
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Short term: Advise residents steps they can take to prepare for emergencies with a ‘warning and informing’ campaign using a range of communication platforms. |
Initial meeting has taken placed with the LRF to combine comms strategies. |
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Short term: Work with partners including Surrey County Council in developing a climate change and resilience plan for adoption in 2024. |
Work has been completed on the Surrey Adaptation Strategy, which was published earlier in 2024. Spelthorne fed into this document and rather than developing a completely new strategy this one will be brought forward to E&S in January 2025
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Medium Term: Continued engagement with the Environment Agency and support the progress of the development consent order to build the channels and associated infrastructure for the River Thames Scheme. |
This is an ongoing project which the Council continues to be fully engaged with so as to mitigate flood risk in the long term and is reported under Environment. |
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Medium Term: Build on established flooding community groups to prepare for flooding emergencies and assist when required. |
This is an area being picked by Surrey Prepared and the Surrey Local Resilience Forum (SLRF)
Initiated conversations with the SLRF on this and also a workshop has been held to try and encourage community groups to be involved in preparing for any emergency not just flooding. SCC looking to seek funding to work with the National Flood Forum on community resilience to flooding |
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Medium Term: Work with Surrey County Council to implement relevant aspects of their ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy' to ensure it meets Spelthorne’s requirements. |
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Long Term: Identify habitats with high biological carbon sequestration potential and planting species which can adapt to future environmental changes |
Officers are exploring a new software Ai Dash which will calculate carbon sequestered across the borough, and identify areas to target to increase sequestration. Tiny Forests will also deliver on climate resilient planting – they’ll provide cooling, air purification, reduce surface run-off, they’re all native to support native wildlife optimally. A new interactive map is also being developed to showcase areas of biodiversity and sustainability projects across the borough which will help identify target areas (being led by the Climate Change Officer and GIS and LLPG Officer). |
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Long Term: Adapt Council assets to prepare for changing climate and weather conditions |
When reviewing assets, we will investigate options for introducing measures that meet our climate change targets. Implementation of the recommendation report (RR) will be carried out in 2024/25; 2025/26 and 2026/27 which will enable emissions reduction measures. This work is ongoing
EPC and DEC certificates have been obtained for all municipal properties. |
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ENVIRONMENT |
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Theme 1 - Our Council’s journey to Net Zero 2030 |
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Aim: Deliver actions in the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, operate sustainable practices and procurement and complete the New Leisure Centre, promoting Passivhaus standards. |
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Action: |
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Short Term: Introduce an electric Spelride community transport bus to our existing fleet.
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The vehicle is now in operation on the Spelride fleet, feedback from users find the bus comfortable and a pleasant ride |
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Short Term: Become a certified carbon literate organisation. |
We have met bronze requirements and are working achieving the additional criteria to meet silver accreditation level. An application has been made to the GIF for funds to apply for both accreditations. |
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Short Term: Develop a NetZero tracker to benchmark the Climate Change Strategy actions. |
The climate team are using this to track climate change actions across the organisation. The tracker has been used to inform the 2024 climate change progress report |
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Medium Term: Update other vehicles and equipment to electric including mopeds, mowers, leaf blowers and small vans (subject to technical and financial constraints) |
progress will be dependent on approval of growth bids. Bids have been put forward for 25/26 and grant funding applications have also been made |
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Medium Term: Implement EV rapid charging points at Lammas car park and where feasible other locations in the Borough in 2025. |
We are currently investigating options and costings for EV rapid charging points across the borough. |
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Medium Term: Identify further environmental enhancements and energy saving opportunities for Council properties e.g. white roofs to keep interiors cooler and air source heat pumps. |
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Long Term: All other Council vehicles to run by alternative fuel (e.g. electric/hydrogen powered) in line with government regulations. |
DE is currently gathering all relevant information in respect of the potential move from Diesel to HVO. A report will be presented to E&S on the proposal which will also require a growth bid to be submitted via the service plan for 25/26.Growth bids for EV vehicles have been put forward as well as growth to exchange fuel tanks and increase power supplies into the depot and nursery. |
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Long Term: Reduce Council energy use by 50% by 2028 and explore Passivhaus opportunities for own portfolio. Complete full energy audits in 2028. |
SBC has successfully secured a decarbonisation bid which will allow the Council to take forward a number of projects We are looking at the installation of PV panels and Battery backup storage to provide all electricity provision at the Lammas recreation ground. |
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Theme 2 - Protecting and enhancing our environment |
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Aim: Improving air quality, reducing noise impacts, enhancing biodiversity across the borough and working with partners to deliver a greener future. |
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Action: |
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Short Term: Create a Tree Nursery at Laleham Nursery and seek opportunities for new species to meet climate change adaptation needs. |
The tree nursery is now complete with a good rolling stock of trees for planting out in the borough in 24/25/26 |
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Short Term: Work with key stakeholders to help address poor air quality by adopting a revised air quality management area and an air quality action plan for 2024-25.
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The Air Quality Action Plan was adopted by the E&S Committee on 3 December 2024 |
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Short Term: Implement Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) obligations through the planning process and complete baseline surveys for Council BNG sites. |
To address the
increase in self-build applications which by passes the BNG
process, the planners are now imposing a condition to ensure that
such housing remains as self-build for three years (the maximum) to
avoid it being sold off as non-self-build. |
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Medium Term: Complete phase 2 of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. (LCWIP) |
Regular progress meetings held with SCC on the phase 2 programme 08.24 - the feasibility study has established that some elements of the phase 1 scoping exercise cannot practically be implemented. a de-scoping and re-scoping exercise is currently underway. The additional cost of this work will be borne by SCC 09.24 - detailed consideration being given to alternative options for delivery under the re-scoping. 12.24 SCC developing a re-scoped delivery programme and setting up three borough ward cllr workshops to set out progress in January 2025. |
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Medium Term: Work with local groups to enhance biodiversity through planting wildflower meadows in suitable locations. |
This spring we worked with BugLife and GreentheUK to organise a wildflower planting at Longlane rec and Stanwell moor rec. Local corporate volunteers carried out the planting. |
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Medium Term: Promote and grow the Council’s commercial waste service - Spelthorne Direct Services, assisting businesses to comply with legislation, be more efficient and reduce cost and waste. |
SDS is going from strength to strength and it is anticipated to reach a turnover in excess of £1m in 25/26
Progress is monitored by the board on a 2 monthly basis |
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Long Term: Secure further LCWIP funding with Surrey County Council to fully implement the scheme for the benefit our residents. |
Currently undertaking with Surrey CC a Phase 2 study to identify in detail appropriate routes which will determine case for progressing any schemes |
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Long Term: Continue support for the River Thames Scheme (which should be into its construction phase in 2027/28). |
Work on the development consent order is progressing well with submission expected in 2025. A statutory consultation took place in early 2024 and the results released in August 2024. A further consultation was held in September 2024 regarding options for the channel section through Ferris Meadow Lake. Project review being undertaken Nov 24 to Jan 25 to finalise details of the scheme. |
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Long Term: Seek to minimise the impacts of the redesign of Heathrow’s flightpaths (airspace changes) on our communities in terms of noise. |
A report is being presented to E&S Committee in January regarding the Easterly Alternations proposal. |
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Theme 3 - Championing local action |
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Aim: Supporting residents and businesses to lower their carbon footprint and promoting development of community environmental groups |
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Action: |
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Short Term: Promote and assist the development of community environmental groups across the borough to develop environmental initiatives and enhance biodiversity in our parks and open spaces, supporting the Climate Change Action Plan. |
There is ongoing working with various groups in parks and with Talking Tree. a Green Forum event was held with Borough residents in spring 2024 and a further meeting with Talking Tree and resident groups with an interest in green actions will take place on 30 Sept 2024 and further ones planned in February 2025. |
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Short Term: Run a programme of business energy and carbon reduction seminars for local businesses offering practical advice and solutions. |
The programme SustainSpelthorne is running, which provides SME's with advice on sustainability measures that will reduce their carbon and financial costs. |
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Short Term: Deliver climate change audits for businesses to enable them to reduce costs and adapt to greener energy solutions.
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August 24: 28 SMEs have been approved, 23 grants claimed worth £190,580.67, and 188 annual tCO2 saved |
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Medium Term: Promoting local ‘greening the grey’ and neighbourhood ‘Library of things’ initiatives via schools and community groups. |
Working on a comms campaign for next year on "greening the grey". Additionally, greening / biodiversity article has been submitted for the Summer Bulletin 2024. Articles will be submitted to the Winter 2024 bulletin. |
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Medium Term: Encourage the reduction of plastic waste by promoting water fountain facilities and work with partners to identify suitable locations to introduce new water fountains. |
Need to develop a strategy for implementation and communications |
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Long term: Encourage the development of space for locally sourced community food growing initiatives. |
We have successfully implemented 4 growing spaces across the borough using the Shared Prosperity Fund. We will continue to expand this in the long term and look for additional funding to assist communities to create these spaces. |
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Long Term: Encouraging circular economy development through repair cafes and education of residents about how to respond to climate change |
Opened initial conversation on this, but a long term action as this will take time to develop. |
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Long term: Continue to identify available community and business grant funding opportunities for energy efficiency and decarbonisation initiatives.
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Signed up for working with Surrey on a loan scheme which will help businesses to become "greener". A designated web page has been set up pm the SBC website, in the climate/sustainability section, with information on grants. Working with Action Surrey on energy efficiency grant schemes for residents including HUG2. Solar Together is running for a third phase. |
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SERVICES: To deliver a wide range of high-quality community focused and accessible services for everyone who lives and works in Spelthorne, striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of our work and providing excellent customer care. |
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Theme 2 - Digitally enabled and accessible services - Empowering customer experience, using customer insights for smarter service delivery and enabling remote accessibility to increase customer choice |
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Action: |
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Short Term: Bid for funding for digitalisation of planning services to improve digital engagement and community interaction. |
The Systems Administrator attends regular Digital Planning Improvement Fund meetings and the TPO Working Parties with reps from the MHCLG and other LPAs. A monthly update report is sent through with progress and outstanding issues. The processes for data capture of documents for creating TPO Orders have been reviewed. On 7 August a temporary member of staff commenced work to carry out the data capture for the TPOs. The main issue concerns how we can spend the grant. We have a project in mind to undertake big improvements to our website for users and the MHCLG has advised at present that the grant cannot be used to employ consultants for the implementation of projects. This may be reviewed. Both the Systems Administrator and the Planning Development Manager have communicated with Surrey Health BC who have similar problems over the funding. |