Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of:

a) the meeting held on 28 September 2016 and

b) the Extraordinary meeting held on 25 October 2016.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 September 2016 were agreed as a correct record subject to the words ‘the remaining 80%’ at Minute 2290 6. d. being replaced with ‘up to 80%’.

The minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 25 October 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.

Cllr Williams

To consider the recommendation from the Audit Committee on the Corporate Risk Register.

Cabinet considered the recommendation of the Audit Committee on the Corporate Risk Register.

Cabinet requested improvements to future updates of the Risk Register to clarify the status of the risks.

RESOLVED to approve the Corporate Risk Register subject to:

1. the definitions of green, amber and red particularly with regard to those risks that are ongoing/underway versus partially actioned be reconsidered; and

2. an extra column to indicate direction of travel be included in future updates.

Cllr Pinkerton

To consider awarding the Disabled Facilities Grant Framework Agreement to a list of successful tenderers.

Appendix 2 to the report(list of successful tenderers) has been circulated to members of the Council only, because it 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) 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 of the successful tenderers to the public prior to awarding the contract, would be likely to give an advantage to a person entering into or seeking to enter in a contract with the authority.

Cabinet considered a report proposing to award the Disabled Facilities Grant Framework Agreement to a list of successful tenderers.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         To not agree to award the contract

Resolved to award the Disabled Facilities Grant Framework Agreement to the successful tenderers listed in the exempt Appendix 2 of the officer report.

Reason for decision

The implementation of this disabled facility grant framework agreement will:-

·         reduce the time taken to process grants and waiting time for building work to start;

·         offer greater protection for residents through the introduction of warranties to cover the building works; and

·         provide a fair and transparent system of procurement.

Cllr Williams

To note the current Capital spend.

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

Resolved that Cabinet notes the current level of capital spend.

Cllr Williams

To note the current revenue spend.

Cabinet considered a report on net revenue expenditure covering the period April to September 2016.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the current level of revenue spend.

Cllr Gething

To consider granting a new lease to Surrey County Council for office space at the Council Offices, Knowle Green for 5 years until 4 December 2021.

Cabinet considered a report on the renewal of the lease for office space at Knowle Green Council offices by Surrey County Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         not to provide a new lease and let the current one expire on 4 December 2016.

Resolved to approve the grant of the new Lease to Surrey County Council for office space at the Council Offices, Knowle Green for 5 years until 4 December 2021 subject to:

1.    Ensuring that the service charge element incorporates any necessary uplift to reflect the increase in business rates from 2017 onwards for Knowle Green;

2.    Receiving up to date valuation advice on the appropriate rental level (which will be greater than current income levels); and

3.    Final approval on the rental and service charge levels delegated to the Group Head for Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Fixed Assets

Reason for decision

The five year lease will continue to bring in a rental income for the Council of at least £248,630 (rental and service charges inclusive)

There is a mutual break clause which can be exercised at any time on or after 4 June 2017 which protects the Council’s position regarding the future of Knowle Green. 

Cllr Gething

To consider the surrender of the lease for accommodation at the Council Offices, Knowle Green, by Surrey Police.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the options available following the surrender of the lease of offices at Knowle Green by Surrey Police.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         That there is no surrender and the Police pay the rental for the remaining period until the next break clause in 2020.

Resolved to:

1. agree the position regarding Surrey Police largely moving out and 

2. agree the value of the surrender of the lease.

Reason for decision

The surrender will ensure the Council receives financial recompense for the Police vacating Knowle Green.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

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

The canvass for the Electoral Register is underway and will be published on 1 December 2016. The response has been very poor this year and canvassers are now knocking on the doors of those who have not responded to encourage them to do so. Preparations for the County Council Elections on 4 May 2017 have also begun.

Businesses in Staines-upon-Thames are currently voting on whether a Business Improvement District (BID) should be established in the town. The ballot closes on 28 November and the result will be known the following day.

The annual Heathrow Business Summit took place on 8 November at the Park Hotel on the Bath Road. This event generates significant amount of business for the companies which participate and Spelthorne was well represented this year.

The Borough’s CCTV cameras will be upgraded from fibre-optic and broadband connectivity to a wireless connection in the next few months, resulting in savings of approximately £50k a year. 

Christmas lights went up in Staines on 10 November. The lights have been funded using money from Staisafe, the radio system for retailers.

IT company, Service Now, have moved from their Egham offices to the Strata Building in Staines-upon-Thames. They will initially employ around 200 people with capacity to expand. 

The Members Code of Conduct Committee met recently to consider a complaint. The Panel heard that a resident had complained that Cllr Steven Burkmar had spoken to him in a disrespectful manner during a telephone conversation which took place in April and that the councillor was also failing to respond to email communications. The Panel concluded that the actions of Cllr Burkmar had amounted to a breach of the Code of Conduct and that he had been disrespectful to his constituent and discourteous to his email correspondents by failing to respond to them in a timely and appropriate manner. The councillor was ordered to apologise to the resident in writing and attend ICT training.

The Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it has confirmed its preference for a third runway to be built at Heathrow. The Government will now produce a draft National Policy Statement on aviation which will be consulted on before being referred to Parliament next autumn.

Neighbourhood Services recently took delivery of four new assisted transport buses. The Council spent £218K purchasing the new Spelride vehicles which are specially designed for passengers with mobility problems.

A new community coffee bar will be opening in Staines Community Centre from February next year. The Council undertook a review of the Centre’s catering services in preparation for the end of the current catering contract and concluded that a restaurant was no longer sustainable. Options are being explored for people who rely on the restaurant for their main meal.

The sporting successes of local players, coaches and volunteers was celebrated at the annual Sports Awards at Shepperton Studios on Tuesday 11 October. The awards were presented by Nerys Pearce who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2314.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.