Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2016.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 April 2016 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 Pinkerton OBE

Cabinet considered a report on a Landlord Rent Guarantee Scheme.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the proposed Landlord Rent Guarantee scheme which is designed to encourage landlords to rent their accommodation to clients in housing need and address the increase in numbers awaiting suitable housing in the borough.

Reasons for decision:

Spelthorne continues to face a series of challenges in response to housing demand and the prevention of homelessness. Accessing the housing market in Spelthorne is challenging and affordability is an issue. The Landlord Rent Guarantee scheme will incentivise private landlords to house Spelthorne clients in housing need.

Councillor Williams

Cabinet considered a report on the Treasury Management for 2015-16.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the report.

Councillor Williams

Cabinet considered a report on the provisional capital outturn spend for 2015-16.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the contents of the report.

Councillor Williams

Cabinet considered a report on the provisional revenue outturn for 2015-16.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the contents of the report.

Councillor Gething

Cabinet considered a report on a retail and office Business Improvement District (BID) within Staines-upon-Thames. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet support an amendment to the use of the funding previously agreed by Cabinet, from a ‘retail only’ Business Improvement District (BID), to a ‘retail and office’ BID within Staines-upon-Thames.

Reason for the decision:

The Business Improvement District (BID) will collectively benefit the retail and office business community within Staines-upon-Thames, generating connections and cooperation to fund and negotiate mutually beneficial initiatives.

Councillor Mitchell

Cabinet considered a report on the updated Caravan Site Licence Fees Policy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

·         approves the ‘Caravan Site Licensing Fee Policy’ for Spelthorne attached in Appendix 2.

·         approves delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to approve any future minor amendments to the Caravan Site Licence Fees Policy.

Reasons for the decision:

The licensing scheme is in place to ensure that the health and safety of residents living in caravans and park homes are better protected and that the value of their homes is safeguarded. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has issued guidance to local authorities on setting the fee structure, including advice on how fees are to be calculated and the matters that can and cannot be taken into account. As a result the policy required updating.

Councillor Harvey

Cabinet considered a report on the proposed appointments of representatives to Outside Bodies, Surrey County Council Spelthorne Local Committee and Working Groups 2016-17.

RESOLVED that Cabinet appoints representatives to Outside Bodies, Surrey County Council Spelthorne Local Committee and Working Groups 2016-17 as shown in Appendix A of the report.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

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

The Council has successfully prosecuted a Hackney Carriage driver for refusing to take a customer who only wanted to travel a short distance. The defendant, Hamidullah Samim, was found guilty at Redhill Magistrates Court on 19 April and fined £250 with a victim surcharge of £25 and costs of £846. The driver has since had his licence revoked.

Following traveller incursions at Laleham Park, the Council has been looking at ways to make the Park more secure. After exploring various options, a soil embankment has been created around the edges of the Park which will be seeded with grass and wild flowers. Access has been provided for pedestrians and grounds maintenance machinery.

The Council recently announced its decision to purchase The Harper Hotel in Ashford to provide temporary accommodation for homeless households. The property, which cost just over £2m, will provide accommodation for up to 20 households once planned refurbishment works are completed.   The Council had previously been using the hotel to place homeless households, paying nightly rental rates.

The Mayors of Spelthorne and Runnymede celebrated the opening of the Sir William Perkins’s School boathouse at Laleham on 28 April. The boathouse was completed recently after years of planning, construction and fitting-out, producing a state-of-the-art facility for the school’s rowers. Future plans include working with the Council to offer rowing ‘taster’ activities to schools in the Spelthorne area.

595 runners took part in this year’s Staines 10K road race which is organised by Staines Strollers and Runnymede Runners, with support from Spelthorne Council. The winner was James Samson, finishing in a time of 33 minutes 30 seconds. The women’s race was won by Tish Jones who completed the course in a time of 34 minutes 43 seconds and finished 3^rd overall.

The Council has welcomed Heathrow’s announcement that it intends to meet, and in many cases exceed, the conditions set out in the Airports Commission’s recommendation for Heathrow expansion. As part of the consultation led by the Davies Commission, the Council voiced its support for an expanded Heathrow on the proviso that certain environmental conditions be met. With many of the Borough’s residents employed at the airport or in related industries, Spelthorne has been a long-standing supporter of Heathrow.

Funding of £100k has been awarded by Surrey County Council to make improvements to shopping parades situated at Clare Road, Edinburgh Drive, Woodlands Parade and Groveley Road; this has been match funded by Spelthorne and the work is expected to be completed over the next 12 months.

The third Spelthorne Business Plan Competition took place at BP on 26 May. The winner of the competition, Victoria Beale, won £3,500 for her plan to create an online programme of holistic health advice for pre and postnatal women.

The Economic Assessment and Economic Development Strategy is currently being refreshed and a consultation with a number of local businesses took place at the Mercure Hotel in Staines-upon-Thames on 7 June. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2274.

Councillors are requested to identify any issues to be considered at future meetings.

There were none.