Issue - meetings

To approve the cessation of all the Borough Council’s non-executive and advisory functions from the Spelthorne Joint Committee’s remit and that the functions be delegated to the appropriate committee.

Note: Some agenda items being discussed at Standards Committee on 16 February 2023 may impact on this report and it may require updating to account for that Committee’s decision after the meeting. 

Council considered a report which sought approval for the cessation of all the Borough Council’s non-executive and advisory functions from the Spelthorne Joint Committee’s remit and that the function be delegated to the appropriate committee.

It was proposed by Councillor I Beardsmore and seconded by Councillor I Harvey that the Leader of the Council write to the Leader of Surrey County Council to express our disappointment that the Spelthorne Joint Committee is being abolished and request details of any planned replacement mechanism. It was suggested that the Chief Executive or officers assist with the drafting of the aforementioned letter.

Council agreed this proposal and to also amend the second part of the recommendation.

Council resolved to approve:

1. the cessation of all the Borough Council’s non-executive and advisory functions from the Spelthorne Joint Committee’s remit as set out in the Joint Committee Constitution with immediate effect and,

2.    those functions be delegated to the appropriate Committee as set out in Paragraphs 3.5 to 3.10 within the report in accordance with Appendix B of the report.

To consider and recommend to Council

1.    The cessation of all the Borough Council’s non-executive and advisory functions from the Spelthorne Joint Committee’s remit as set out in the Joint Committee Constitution, be approved with immediate effect and

2.    Those functions be delegated to the appropriate Committee as set out in Paragraphs 3.5 to 3.10 of the report.

The Committee considered a report from the Monitoring Officer requesting that the Standards Committee recommend to Council that the functions of the Spelthorne Joint Committee be delegated to appropriate Committees. The Monitoring Officer explained that Surrey County Council (SCC) had issued notice that the Joint Committee would no longer continue. The Constitution now required amending to clarify how Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments would be considered.

The Committee expressed disappointment at SCC’s decision to dissolve the joint committees. The Committee requested clarification regarding the operation of the CIL task groups and recommended that the Monitoring Officer liaise with the lead officer of the CIL task groups to clarify future arrangements. The Committee felt the proposal for the Environment and Sustainability Committee to consider CIL bids under £1 million, and for Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to consider CIL bids over £1 million was appropriate.

The Committee resolved to recommend to Council that:

1)    The cessation of all the Borough Council’s non-executive and advisory functions from the Spelthorne Joint Committee’s remit as set out in the Joint Committee Constitution, be approved with immediate effect and

2)    Those functions be delegated to the appropriate Committee as set out in Paragraphs 3.5 to 3.10 of the report.

To consider and recommend to Council

1.    The cessation of all the Borough Council’s non-executive and advisory functions from the Spelthorne Joint Committee’s remit as set out in the Joint Committee Constitution, be approved with immediate effect and

2.    Those functions be delegated to the appropriate Committee as set out in Paragraphs 3.5 to 3.10 of the report.