Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 23 September 2020 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 J. McIlroy

To consider a recommendation from the Local Plan Task Group

Cabinet considered the recommendation from the Local Plan Task Group to progress the new Local Plan on the basis of a lower housing need figure derived from proposed updated methodology in the Government’s recent consultation on Changes to the Planning System which is associated with the Planning for the Future white paper consultation.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To continue to rely on the existing higher need figure.

Resolved to agree the recommendation of the Local Plan Task Group to proceed with preparation of the new Local Plan to meet our housing need in full on the basis of the lower figure emerging from the Government consultation on the revised methodology.

Reason for decision:

This endorses the views of the Task Group and will enable officers to proceed with Local Plan preparation and evidence gathering from a common position.  It will show a clear audit trail at the Examination of our Plan to show how it has developed.

Councillor S. Buttar

To consider the amended Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy and make a recommendation to Council

Cabinet considered the recommendation of the Audit Committee on amendments to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.

Resolved to recommend the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy, as amended, to Council for approval.

Reason for Decision:

The Strategy forms part of the Council’s Constitution and is in line with best practice. The Strategy continues to underpin the Council’s commitment to prevent all forms of fraud, bribery and corruption, demonstrating the important role it plays in the overall Corporate Governance framework.

Councillor R. Barratt

To consider the proposed Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to dog control and make a recommendation to Council.

Cabinet considered a report proposing a new Dog Control - Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to increase responsible dog ownership and adopt fixed penalty notices for any breaches of the PSPO.  A consultation had been carried out as required.

Options considered and rejected:

To seek an extension of the current Dog Control Order which expired on 19 October 2020.

Resolved to recommend to Council:

(a)       To make a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to dog control with the listed offences set out in Appendix A to the report, in accordance with the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

(b)       Adopt the Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of the Dog Control PSPO which currently stand at £100.

(c)        Delegate authority to the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of the above PSPO.

Reasons for recommendation:

1.    To increase responsible dog ownership and the promotion of excellent dog care and control.

2.    To create high levels of enjoyment for all users in Spelthorne Borough’s parks and open spaces environment.

3.    To provide a safe environment for all users of Spelthorne Borough’s parks and open spaces including dog owners and their pets.

Councillor R. Barratt

To consider the Council’s proposed response to the Government’s Open Consultation on Managing Pavement Parking

Cabinet considered the proposed response to the Department for Transport’s public consultation on tackling pavement parking.  In England, parking is permitted on pavements and verges unless specifically prohibited by a local authority under a formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

Options considered and rejected:

Option 1 – to rely on improvements to the existing TRO system

Option 3 – a national pavement parking prohibition

Resolved to support option 2 of the consultation to allow local authorities with Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) powers to enforce against “unnecessary obstruction of the pavement”.

Reason for recommendation:

The Open Consultation will shape the Government’s decision over what option to take, moving forward. Each of the three options has distinct impacts on Spelthorne, and Surrey in general, so it is important that formal feedback is provided to the consultation in that capacity, regardless of the outcome of the national consultation that is open to all citizens of the United Kingdom. Option 2  is the most likely to strike the right balance between flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and immediate positive impact on the key issues identified.

Councillor R. Chandler

To consider the proposed Playing Pitch Strategy for Spelthorne

Cabinet considered a report proposing adoption of a Borough Playing Pitch Strategy for 2020 – 2035.  The strategy contained an assessment of all outdoor sports playing pitch provision in the borough by all providers.  It offered recommendations of actions to be taken to ensure a good supply of high quality pitches until 2035. 

Options considered and rejected:

Not to approve the Strategy.

Resolved to adopt the 2020-2035 Borough Playing Pitch Strategy for implementation.

Reasons for decision:

The Strategy provides a robust evidence base that will allow the Borough to plan, prioritise and schedule future outdoor sports pitch projects. It will help guide investment and provide the essential information required to apply for external funding. It is also an important part of the evidence required to inform the new Local Plan 2020-2035 and assist the Planning Development Managerment Team when making planning application decisions.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader gave the following announcements and the latest service updates from various Council departments:

As part of this Council’s continued support for our most vulnerable residents, we are working to ensure no child goes hungry this half-term.

We are working with food banks across the Borough who, last week, received funding from the Council to support families in Spelthorne.

The Council will also be providing food parcels, which consist of either hot/cold meals or a sandwich through our community centres via our Support4Spelthorne community hub. We understand that it has never been more important to ensure no child is ever left hungry.

As part of this commitment to support our most vulnerable residents, I am pleased to inform that, following a thorough procurement process, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) have won a five-year contract to provide an intensive housing management and resident support service at two of the Council's residential developments. The White House and Harper House, both in Ashford are due to open for new residents in May 2021.

Once completed, Harper House will bring local homeless families back into the Borough and out of Bed & Breakfast accommodation. The new development includes 20 self-contained flats, cycle, and car parking as well as a garden to the rear. Residents will benefit from a seven-day service from MTVH.

The White House will comprise 27 en-suite rooms with shared kitchens, and four self-contained studio flats, designed for single, homeless people who need support in moving to more settled accommodation. Over the next six months, MTVH and the Council will be working together with partners, including health care, police, and mental health teams to ensure that existing services and new opportunities are identified to fully benefit residents to meet their support goals.

This Council also wants to promote a cleaner, greener Spelthorne and, to that end, the Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Colin Barnard, and Mayoress joined the Spelthorne Litter Pickers for a litter pick on 20 October at Laleham Riverside.

The litter pick saw eight bags collected, which included items such as takeaway boxes, clothes, a plastic fender and sofa cushions despite there being bins in the area to utilise. At the river's edge, large amounts of plastic pollution were collected as well as a discarded buoy and rope, which could have caused injury to wildlife.

The Mayor spoke with the co-founders of Spelthorne Litter Pickers, Shirley and Kelly, about the benefits of litter picking, including encouraging others, walking with a purpose and having pride in where you live. The group so far has over 380 members and in 11 weeks have dedicated over 700 hours to litter picking and have collected an incredible 485 bags of rubbish and 101 bags of recycling.

The Council have been running a #NoRubbishExcuses campaign, seeking to deter individuals from leaving litter and new signage has been installed at parks across the Borough. Many local shops are also supporting the campaign as well as Visit Staines, Two Rivers, The Elmsleigh Centre and MacDonald's. As part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2781.

To note those urgent actions which have been taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader since the last Cabinet meeting in September 2020.

Cabinet noted urgent actions taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader since the last Cabinet meeting in September 2020.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.