Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the following meetings:

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 July 2016 and the Extraordinary Cabinet meeting held on 21 July 2016, were each 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.

Cllr Gething

To consider the recommendations of the Local Plan Working Party from its meeting held on 5 September 2016.

A copy of all the documents referred to in the Local Plan Working Party minutes as a) to f) have been placed in the Members’ Room. They will be made public following the meeting, subject to Cabinet’s agreement to the recommendations.

The Cabinet considered the recommendations from the most recent meeting of the Local Plan Working Party.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees to:

1.    Approve the draft Spelthorne Functional Economic Area Analysis for public consultation;

2.    Approve the Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for public consultation;

3.    Approve the Strategic Land Availability Assessment Methodology;

4.    Approve the Brief for the Green Belt Assessment for public consultation and authorises the Chairman (Cllr Harvey), to approve any appropriate alterations to the brief arising from that consultation;

5.    Approve the Planning Monitoring Report 2016; and

6.    Approve the following proposals on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL):

a.    5% of monies received be retained by the Borough Council to meet its costs of administering the CIL process (in accordance with the CIL Regulations);

b.    Engagement with local communities on how the ‘neighbourhood funding’ element (15% of CIL monies received) should be based on the 5 main community areas of the Borough – Ashford, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell and Sunbury;

c.    Decisions on the allocation of the ‘neighbourhood funding’ element to be solely for the Borough Council to make subject to appropriate community consultation; and

d.    A Joint Infrastructure Working Group with Surrey County Council, including the portfolio holder for Planning and Economic Development or a Deputy, be established to put in place appropriate mechanisms for establishing priorities and programming for expenditure of the remaining *up to 80% of CIL monies. [*amendment made at Cabinet 23/11/16]

Cllr Mitchell

To consider the implementation of the Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2016.

The Cabinet considered a report on the implementation of the Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2016.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees to:

1.    Implement the Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2016 to include the amendments set out in paragraph 2.1 of the Officer report, subject to public consultation; and

2.    Authorise the Group Head for Commissioning and Transformation, in consultation with the Head of Corporate Governance, to consider and address any objections arising from the public consultation.

Reason for decision

The proposed amendments to the Order provide the Council with the ability to enforce restrictions or introduce revised charging regimes such as weekly season tickets.

Cllr Williams

To consider the report of the Chief Finance Officer on the Outline Budget 2017-18 to 2020-21.

The Cabinet considered a report on the Outline Budget for 2017-18 to 2020-21.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees to:

1.    Set the net budgeted expenditure (before investment and use of reserves) for 2017-18 at a maximum level of £13.9m;

2.    Support the overall strategy set out in the report for addressing efficiencies and achieving medium term financial sustainability;

3.    The proposed response, as appended to the report, to the Government’s consultation papers on Fair Funding and 100% business rates retention;

4.    The financial health indicators set out in paragraph 3.25 of the report; and

5.    The Council accepting the Government offer of a 4 year funding settlement in order to protect the Council against risk of further increases in payments it is required to make in future years to the Government, but in so doing makes clear this is on the basis that it does not accept negative grant allocations for 2019-20.

Reason for decision

The recommended options set out in the Report will help to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability of the Council in light of changes to Revenue Support Grant and other longer term financial pressures that local government is facing. 

Cllr Williams

To note the current Capital spend position.

Cabinet considered a report on capital expenditure covering the period April to July 2016.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the current level of capital spend.

Cllr Williams

To note the current Revenue spend position.

Cabinet considered a report on revenue expenditure covering the period to July 2016 and the forecast position.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the current level of revenue spend.

Cllr Harvey

To consider the appointment of a representative and deputy representative to the NHS North West Surrey Sustainability and Transformation PlanStakeholder Reference Group.

Cabinet considered the appointment of a representative and deputy representative to the NHS North West Surrey Sustainability and Transformation Plan Stakeholder Reference Group for the period July 2016 to June 2017.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreesthe appointment of Councillor Daxa Patel as the Council’s representative and Councillor Sinead Mooney as the deputy representative on the NHS North West Surrey Sustainability and Transformation Plan Stakeholder Reference Group for the period July 2016 to June 2017.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

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

The Council has been warning residents to stay away from unregistered tattooists following an increase in the number of complaints across the country. Skin piercing procedures can cause scarring and transfer life changing infections such as Hepatitis and HIV if they are not done correctly. Unregistered tattooists often operate from home and, although they may be cheaper, are often inexperienced and fail to maintain a clean, safe environment.

For the sixth year running, theWalled Garden in Sunbury-on-Thames has won the prestigious Green Flag Award which recognises the best green spaces in the country.

The Environment Agency and Spelthorne Council have undertaken a joint project to restore part of the River Ash in Shepperton. Various techniques were used to create a bypass and naturalise this newly opened section of the River, making it easier for fish to swim between the River Colne and the Thames. Work was also undertaken to improve the water quality and provide an enriched habitat for fish, birds, amphibians and invertebrates.

New pay and display machines have been installed in car parks across the Borough. Drivers will be able to pay for their parking using cash or a debit/credit card and contactless payment will also be introduced soon.

A 2.5km fun run was held on 26 July to celebrate the launch of a new running route in Laleham Park which has been installed to encourage residents to keep fit and make better use of the Park.

Over forty young people received free skate and scooter instruction at the new skate park in Long Lane Recreation Ground in Stanwell on 27 July. The sessions were organised and funded by Spelthorne Council with support from Team Rubicon who provided the instruction.

The Council launched Get Active 50+ in August to inspire residents aged 50 and over to take up a new activity. 

More than 100 local children and their families enjoyed a series of free art and craft activities in the Borough’s libraries this summer. Participants helped create a community art piece which was unveiled at a celebratory showcase event on 31 August in Staines Library.

Leisure Services is in the process of compiling the 2017/18 edition of the Leisure Directory which provides local residents with information on leisure centres, parks, clubs, groups, halls and community centres. The Directory is distributed through libraries, leisure centres and doctors' surgeries and is also available on the Council’s website.

Community Tennis Limited took over the management of the tennis courts in Fordbridge Park in Ashford at the beginning of September. Floodlights are currently being installed and work to build a tennis pavilion will start towards the end of September. 

Junior Park Run has been launched in the Borough. This free event is run by volunteers for young people aged 4-14 and takes place in Laleham Park every Sunday from 9am. Spelthorne Council provides grant funding for the initiative.

The Council has received a commuted sum of £794,809 for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2296.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of the paragraphs, indicated below, 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 items 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.

Cllr Harvey

(Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and on the basis that publication would not be in the public interest because publication of the Council’s approach to this agreement prior to contract award and negotiation of the Development Agreement would likely prejudice the Council’s ability to agree the most advantageous terms and conditions with the preferred bidder. Details of the contract process and evaluation of bids can be made available after exchange of contracts.

The Cabinet considered a report on the disposal of the Ashford Multi Storey Car Park site. The options considered were in the main body of the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees to:

1.    The disposal of the Ashford multi-storey car park to the preferred bidder or to any other bidder subject to consultation with the Leader (as the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Assets);

2.    The disposal being subject to the provision of 40% affordable housing (with 35% on site and the remainder in the form of a financial contribution);

3.    Set aside a sum of £1m from any capital receipt received from the sale of the site to assist with more parking provision in Ashford; and

4.    Authorise the Group Head Regeneration and Growth to negotiate and finalise all terms for the sale of the site in consultation with the Leader.

5.    Send a strong message to the affordable housing provider of the site that it wishes to see priority to nomination rights for the affordable housing given to local people.

Reasons for decision

The preferred bidder has delivered the ‘best value’ bid in both monetary terms and in the benefits the development will bring to the wider community in terms of a retailer and quality housing. It will provide considerably more residential units than the previously preferred bidder and include on and off site affordable housing in line with the Borough’s overall requirements to provide 40% of new build as affordable.

The proposal will also generate a significant capital receipt for the Council which will assist in delivering one of the three main strands of the Council’s ‘Towards a Sustainable Future’ transformation programme.

Funding to address car parking issues has been set aside in recognition of the significant level of local concern from residents. This may be used in conjunction with other funding streams that may be forthcoming from other sources such as Surrey County Council.

Cllr Attewell

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

The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the report contains commercially sensitive data.

The Cabinet considered a report on the future of catering provision at Staines Community Centre. The options considered were in the main body of the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees to the change of service provision of the café at the Community Centre from a Contractor run café to a Volunteer run snack service.

Reason for decision

This change will enable a catering service at Staines Community Centre to continue but in a more cost effective way which generates a small income stream to the Council and reduces prices for those that use the café.

Cllr Williams

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

Publication would not be in the public interest because: (1) information in this report relates to personal data; (2) disclosure is not in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998; and (3) the Information has been provided to the Authority by individuals under an obligation of confidentiality.

The Cabinet considered a report on Business Rates, Council Tax and Sundry Debt Write Offs.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees to:

1.    The Business Rates write offs amounting to £23,639.36

2.    The Council Tax write offs amounting to £ 24,436.76

3.    The Sundry Debt write offs amounting to £6,959.54.

Reason for decision

The debts referred to in this report have reached a point where their recovery is no longer possible for reasons stated in each case. No further action can therefore be taken to recover these debts and it is good accounting practice in such cases to write them off.