Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2019 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 19 June 2019 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 O. Rybinski

To consider a request to set aside funds for infrastructure feasibility studies.

Cabinet considered a proposal to participate in the Infrastructure Feasibility Study fund for Surrey. 

Surrey Boroughs and Districts are not attracting central government and LEP infrastructure funding due to a lack of feasibility studies.  This dedicated fund will ensure that resources are available to support project development at an early stage.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not to contribute to the scheme which would put Spelthorne at further risk of falling behind.

Resolved to:

1.    Participate in the Infrastructure Feasibility Study for Surrey;

2.    Commit a one-off sum of £210,000 to the Fund for 2019/20.

Reason for the decision

Investment in project development is needed at an early stage to develop a pipeline of projects able to apply for full project funding when bidding rounds become available. This fund would ensure there were dedicated resources to develop a robust pipeline of schemes to kick start infrastructure and regeneration within Spelthorne.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan. 

Cabinet noted the report on the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) requires Spelthorne to produce a Housing Delivery Test Action Plan because our housing delivery over the previous three years has been less than 95% of the housing requirement. 

No alternatives were considered as this is a government requirement.

Resolved to adopt the Housing Delivery Test Action Plan.

Reason for decision

To ensure that the Council delivers the number of housing units expected by central government.

Councillor R.O. Barratt

To consider a proposal to make Public Space Protection Orders in the borough to prevent unauthorised moorings and to consult residents on the matter.

Cabinet considered a proposal to consult on new powers to prevent unauthorised mooring.

There had been an increase in recent years of boats mooring without permission along the River Thames which has had a detrimental effect on those living in the locality. A consistent approach to mooring enforcement was proposed with ongoing discussions with Elmbridge and Runnymede Borough Councils

Alternative options considered and rejected:

1.    Undertake a review of byelaws.  This was rejected as the process is time consuming, does not cover anti-social behaviour and waterside land ownership through the three boroughs of Spelthorne, Elmbridge and Runnymede is complex.

2.    Implement a managed moorings project.  This was rejected as it relied on the land being local authority controlled.

3.    Do nothing.  This was rejected as it was likely to result in a deteriorating situation and increased number of complaints.

Resolved to:

1.    Support the proposed consultation on approaches to manage mooring without consent;

2.    Consider the results of the initial stakeholder consultation once the consultation period had closed to agree next steps. 

Reasons for decision

To engage with the community on a proposed change to enforcement on the River Thames and work on partnership with other councils to achieve a consistent approach to mooring enforcement in the area.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To note the Council’s Annual Report for 2018-19.

Cabinet noted the Annual Report which highlighted the corporate priorities, key achievements and work of the Council for the municipal year 2018-19.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

HRH Princess Alexandra KG GCVO presented The Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on 2 July 2019. This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. 

The Capture Spelthorne Awards ceremony was held at Shepperton Studios. The top photo was awarded to Elaine Wisden.

There are 13 categories in the Spelthorne Means Business Awards 2019. Nomination entry is until 30 September and the black tie gala dinner is on 17 October to announce the winners at Shepperton Studios.

Parks Officer, Richard Leppard, has retired after serving Spelthorne Council for 50 years.

The Council’s Community Wellbeing team have started regular visits to St Peter’s hospital wards to liaise with patients directly about services available which may help them once back home. These include handyperson grabrails, Meals on Wheels, Community alarms, social prescribing.

Spelthorne Planning Committee has granted planning permission for a new development by Berkeley Homes at 17-51 London Road, Staines-upon-Thames.

A Planning Application has been submitted to build a hostel for single homeless people on The White House site on Kingston Road, Ashford.

Work to replace the roof of the Clock Tower at the Council Offices in Knowle Green is being carried out. The works are expected to be completed by the end of July.

Free Music in the Park took place on 7 July at The Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 6AB, from 2-4pm, with a performance by Saxophany.

To move away from the recycling of single-use plastics towards avoiding them altogether, we are working towards zero use across our own operations and services.

The Laleham Riverside clean-up will take place on 18 July with the Surrey Canoe Club and NCS volunteers from 10am followed by a community BBQ at 1pm.

Over 15 tonnes of unwanted items were cleared from Viola Avenue in Stanwell during two street clean days on 29 May and 5 June.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following item, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved to move the exclusion of the Press and Public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information)

(Variation) Order 2006.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider an exempt report on the construction budget required for the White House Hostel development.

Reason for exemption

This report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

In all the 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 the bidding procurement of contracts by allowing other parties to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the procurement process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to place contracts for the prudent management of its financial affairs.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Cabinet considered an exempt report seeking approval of a capital spend for the construction budget to provide a 31 bedroom hostel and facilities for severe weather emergency accommodation for the homeless.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         To do nothing

·         To delay works

Resolved to:

1.            Approve the capital spend as set out in the cost plan in Appendix 2to the report;

2.            Authorise the Chief Financial Officer to make prudent financing arrangements for the transaction, should Homes England grant funding fall below the threshold specified in the report;

3.            Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement this construction project, including any legal agreements required in order to receive grant funding from Homes England;

4.            Authorise the Portfolio Holder and Group Head for Regeneration and Growth to authorise the appointment of a suitable contractor to undertake these works.

Reasons for decision

·         To take advantage of a time-limited grant funding programme which requires completion of the hostel by 31 March 2021.

·         To improve the quality and quantum of accommodation within the Borough for vulnerable homeless households.

·         To align Spelthorne Borough Council with the requirements of the Homeless Reduction Act.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider the proposed letting of a Council owned property which will generate an additional income for the Council.

Reason for exemption

This report contains exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006):

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)  and in all the 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 position of the authority during the negotiation of the terms of the letting of this property. 

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Cabinet considered an exempt report seeking approval to the letting of a property owned by the Council.

Resolved to approve the letting of property ‘A’ as detailed in the report to Cabinet.

Reason for decision

The letting will generate an additional income for the Council and reduce the Council’s current exposure to void costs.  The letting is consistent with the strategy outlined at the time of purchase.

NOTES:-

(1)       Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are reminded that under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16, the “call-in” procedure shall not apply to recommendations the Cabinet makes to the Council.  The matters on which recommendations have been made to the Council, if any, are identified with an asterisk [*] in the above Minutes.

(2)       Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are entitled to call in decisions taken by the Cabinet for scrutiny before they are implemented, other than any recommendations covered under (1) above.

(3)       Within five working days of the date on which a decision of the Cabinet or a Cabinet Member is published, not less than three members [one of whom must be the Chairman] ofthe Overview and Scrutiny Committee are able to "call in" a decision;

(4)       To avoid delay in considering an item "called in”, an extraordinary meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be convened within seven days of a "call in" being received if an ordinary meeting is not scheduled in that period;

(5)       When calling in a Cabinet decision for review the members doing so should in their notice of "call in":-

·                Outline their reasons for requiring a review;

·                Indicate any further information they consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee needs to have before it in order to conduct a review in addition to the written report made by officers to the Cabinet;

·                Indicate whether, where the decision was taken collectively by the Cabinet, they wish the Leader or his nominee (who should normally be the Cabinet Member) or where the decision was taken by a Cabinet Member, the member of the Cabinet making the decision, to attend the committee meeting; and

·                Indicate whether the officer making the report to the Cabinet or the Cabinet Member taking the decision or his/her representative should attend the meeting.

(6)         The deadline of five working days for "call in" by Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the above decisions by the Cabinet is the close of business on 25 July 2019.