Minutes of the Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee
20 November 2025
Present:
Councillor H.R.D. Williams (Chair)
Councillor J.R. Boughtflower (Vice-Chair)
Councillors:
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C. Bateson S.N. Beatty |
D.C. Clarke R.V. Geach
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M. Gibson S. Gyawali
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Apologies: |
Councillors M. Beecher, S. Bhadye and N. Islam |
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43/25 |
Apologies and Substitutes
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Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beecher, Bhadye and Islam.
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44/25 |
Minutes
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The minutes of the meeting held 11 September 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
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45/25 |
Disclosures of interest
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There were none.
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46/25 |
Questions from members of the Public
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There were none.
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47/25 |
Approval to progress with the freehold disposal of vacant land known as plots 12 & 13 adjacent to Revelstoke, Shepperton Towpath, Shepperton TW17 9LL
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It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, seconded by Councillor Gibson and resolved to exclude the public and press for the discussion of this agenda item in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as 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 disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in any contract or other type of negotiation with a prospective purchaser who could then know the position of the Council.
The Committee considered a disposal for vacant land adjacent to Revelstoke, Shepperton Towpath.
The Principal Asset Manager provided the history of the site and summarised the offers received after six weeks of marketing.
The Committee acknowledged previous plans for the site had not materialised and the land was surplus to the Council’s requirements. The recommended offer would contribute to supporting the Council’s financial resilience and debt reduction initiative.
The Committee resolved to:
a) Approve the freehold disposal of Plots 12 & 13 adj Revelstoke, Shepperton Towpath, Shepperton for a price of £350,000 to Bidder A referred to in Appendix 2;
b) Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into transfers to complete the disposals and any ancillary legal documentation required in relation to Plots 12 and 13 adjoining Revelstoke, Shepperton Towpath, Shepperton shown edged red on plan in Appendix 1.
In accordance with Standing Order 21.6, Councillors Clarke and Boughtflower requested their abstention from the vote be recorded.
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48/25 |
Appointment of new valuation surveyors to undertake the annual municipal valuation
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The Committee re-entered public session.
The Committee considered the appointment of new valuation surveyors to undertake the annual municipal valuation. The Council’s municipal portfolio was valued annually, with a new valuer appointed every three years in line with best practice. Four suppliers were invited to tender, and the recommended bidder achieved the highest overall quality score and submitted the most competitive pricing, representing best overall value to the Council. Local Government Reorganisation had been taken into consideration when determining the length of the contract.
The Committee noted the Council was required to undertake annual valuations and these would be provided to the new local authority. The length of the contract would ensure some length of continuity while alternative arrangements for valuations were made under the new authority.
The Committee resolved to:
1. Approve the appointment of Bidder C to undertake the municipal valuation programme for a period of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 1 year.
2. Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a contract and any ancillary legal documentation required in respect of appointment of Bidder C.
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49/25 |
Chair's Updates
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The Committee received updates from the Chair on work being undertaken as part of the Housing and Regeneration workstream within the Implementation and Recovery Plan. A Social Value Strategy would be presented to members for consideration in the new year and would be applied to a number of regeneration sites. Regarding the Ashford Business Improvement District work, further engagement with businesses regarding the proposed boundary and levy was being progressed.
The Committee resolved to note the updates.
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50/25 |
Forward Plan
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The Committee received the forward plan for future Committee business. The Committee were advised that since publication, further items had been added to the forward plan: “Spelthorne Business Forum Grant Application,” and “Staines Bid Ballot Vote Report.”
The Committee resolved to note the forward plan.