Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2017 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 December 2017 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

There were none.

Councillor Gething

Cabinet considered a report on the implementation of a new Off-Street Parking Places Order 2018.

The Order sets out the terms and conditions for use of Council owned car parks, and the charges and penalties which apply to those using the car parks. It forms the legal basis from which all future charges and enforcement actions relating to Council owned car parks are made.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         Not to implement the proposed Parking Order

The Cabinet was concerned about the impact on disabled drivers by the proposed increase in charges for Disabled Persons Badge Holders Season Tickets set out at Paragraph 1.8 of the report. Cabinet agreed not to implement this part of the proposals. The current charges for disabled drivers would remain as at present:

£26 for 3 months

£51.50 for 6 months

£77 for 9 months

£103 for 12 months

Resolved to

1.    Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to proceed with the proposals made in the report and to implement the Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2018, with the exception of increases for Disabled Persons Badge Holders Season Tickets referred to in paragraph 1.8 of the report. These charges to remain at :-

£26 for 3 months

£51.50 for 6 months

£77 for 9 months

£103 for 12 months

2.    Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to publish all notices required to implement the Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2018;

3.    Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Head of Corporate Governance to consider and address any objections and to amend the proposals if necessary following the public consultation.

Reasons for Decision

To ensure that parking regulations in all off-street car parks identified within this report are current and enforceable and to support the Council’s aim for sustained Economic Development.

Councillor Barnard

To consider a report on the refurbishment of lifts serving the Elmsleigh Centre south wing car park.

Cabinet considered a report on appointing a contractor to refurbish three lifts at the Elmsleigh shopping centre.

Advice from a condition survey was that refurbishment of the lifts would provide another fifteen years or more life expectancy and result in an equivalent improvement in appearance. Replacement of the lifts would offer no long term advantage over comprehensive refurbishment whilst adding significantly to the cost.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         Do nothing

·         Report to a future Cabinet with a recommendation to appoint a contractor

Resolved to

1.    Authorise the Group Head Regeneration and Growth to determine the contractor to be appointed for refurbishment of the Elmsleigh Centre lifts (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development and the Chief Finance Officer); and

2.    Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into the legal documentation in order to appoint the contractor.  

Reasons for Decision

The Council is in the process of running a tender to appoint a contractor to refurbish three lifts at the Elmsleigh shopping centre

Due to the expected duration of the project, Cabinet is being asked to delegate the final decision to the Group Head Regeneration and Growth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development and the Chief Finance Officer so to ensure that the appointment allows time for the refurbishment works to be completed in advance of the Christmas 2018 trading period

Councillor Williams

To consider the Council’s Fees and Charges for 2018-19.

Cabinet considered a report proposing the levels of the Council’s fees and charges for 2018-2019.

Resolvedto approve the charges as set out in Appendix A to the report with the exception of the proposed increases in charges for Disabled Persons Badge Holders Season Tickets in Elmsleigh Car Park. The current charges for disabled persons would remain as at present:

£26 for 3 months

£51.50 for 6 months

£77 for 9 months

£103 for 12 months

Reason for Decision

Fees and Charges are an important source of income for the authority each year and are a key importance in balancing the budget.

Councillor Williams

To note the Treasury Management half-yearly report for 2017/18.

Cabinet considered the half-yearly report on Treasury Management. The report was an interim statement of treasury activities and the associated monitoring and control of risks for the first six months of the financial year, to the end of September 2017.

Resolved to note the treasury position achieved during the first six months of 2017/18 and the financial environment in global markets.

Councillor Williams

To consider the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2018/19 and make a recommendation to Council.

Cabinet considered the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2018/19.

The Council had borrowed and invested substantial sums of money and was therefore exposed to financial risks including the loss of invested funds and the revenue effect of changing interest rates. The successful identification, monitoring and control of risk are therefore central to the Council’s treasury management strategy.

Resolved to recommend that Council approves the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2018/19.

Reasons for Decision

The Treasury Management strategy is fundamental to developing the financial sustainability of the Council.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments.

Eight councillors contributed £1145 from their Better Neighbourhood Grants to pay for Christmas gifts for Meals on Wheels clients. London Irish Rugby Club also supported the initiative by donating chocolates, Christmas puddings and satsumas.

A petition was presented to Cabinet on 12 December by 88 residents affected by constant noise from trains sounding their horns on the approach to Shortwood Common pedestrian railway crossing. Network Rail has now closed the crossing. 

Planning permission was granted on 20 December to redevelop the former Brooklands College site in Ashford. The scheme includes 357 dwellings, some affordable housing, public open space, a hairdresser facility for Brooklands College and an element of commercial floor space.

The Planning Enforcement team took action against a landowner in Stanwell who was allowing his field to be used as airport parking.

The Council has purchased a new-build commercial property in Hammersmith for £170m as part of its ongoing acquisition strategy.

The Old Market Square in Staines-upon-Thames was recently used as a filming location for the ‘we buy any car’ television advert. The Council was paid a fee for the use.

Spelthorne Means Business Awards - an event is taking place on 6 February at Café Gusto in Staines-upon-Thames to launch the very first Spelthorne Means Business Awards. There will be a number of categories designed to celebrate and recognise excellence within local businesses and the awards will be presented at Shepperton Studios on 11 October.

The Council continues to support small local businesses and budding entrepreneurs who live or work in Spelthorne with free business advice. Flyers will be going out with Business Rates bills and an article put in the Bulletin to promote this service.

The 2018 Leisure Directory has been finalised and will soon be available online and also at the Council Offices, leisure centres, schools and community centres.

The Council’s online forms have been updated to include information which complies with the new data protection regulations.

A working group has been set up to consider the implications of expansion at Heathrow.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.