Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2016.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 21 December 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 Attewell

To receive a petition containing 92 signatures, against the loss of hot meals at Staines Community Centre.

The petition organiser may speak for a maximum of three minutes.

Cabinet received a petition containing 92 signatures calling on the Council to reverse its decision to close the hot meal service at Staines Community Centre.

Tel Donaldson spoke on behalf of the petitioners.

Councillor Davis then spoke as a Staines ward councillor and Councillor Saliagopoulos spoke as a Surrey County councillor for Staines.

Councillor Attewell as portfolio holder for Community and Wellbeing responded to the petition and commented that a late indication of interest to tender for the provision of a full catering service at Staines Community Centre had been received and was being progressed with support from Council officers.

The Cabinet had the option to support or dismiss the action the petition called for. Councillor Attewell proposed that Cabinet dismiss the petition but that the position be reviewed in 6 months’ time.

The Cabinet discussed the matter.

RESOLVED that Cabinet dismiss the petition but undertake a review of the position in six months’ time.

Councillor Mitchell

To consider the Draft Surrey Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2017-2032.

Cabinet considered a report on the draft Surrey Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2017- 2032, which would enable Surrey County Council to fulfil its statutory duty as the lead local Flood Authority.

The updated strategy sets out how the responsible authorities in Surrey are seeking to manage the impact of flooding from rivers, ground and surface water. In recognition of the long term nature of measures needed to address flood risk, the strategy is proposed for a fifteen year period. During this time rolling action plans would be developed to address those long term needs in Surrey and specifically for Spelthorne mitigation of flooding from the River Thames via the River Thames scheme.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

Not to support the strategy would be counterproductive in taking forward measures to mitigate flooding the Borough.

Resolved:

1.    to approve the Draft Surrey Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2017-2032; and

2.    that the Group Head for Commissioning and Transformation be authorised to approve, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, minor modifications to the draft strategy in light of amendments required to be made by Surrey County Council arising from its public consultation.

Reason for Decision

To enable Surrey County Council to fulfil its Statutory Duty to produce a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Surrey.

Councillor Williams

To consider the fees and charges for 2017-2018 as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Cabinet considered the detailed schedule of proposed fees and charges to be introduced from 1 April 2017.

The proposed fees and charges for the next financial year had in the majority of cases been up rated by 2% which is the current inflation rate (RPI). Some fees had been amended to reflect the maximum level it was perceived that the market could currently stand, while in some cases, there was no increase proposed for 2017/18.

Councillor Williams noted one change to the fees and charges at page 44 of Appendix A – the fee for the upstairs or downstairs area of Staines Community Centre (Community Use) on a Saturday evening was revised to £35.

Resolved to approve the fees and charges for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix A to the report, subject to the fee for the upstairs or downstairs area of Staines Community Centre (Community Use) on a Saturday evening being revised to £35.

Reason for decision

Fees and charges are an important source of income for the authority each year and are of key importance in balancing the budget.

Councillor Williams

To consider the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2017-2018.

Cabinet considered a report on the Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18.

The Council had borrowed and invested substantial sums of money and was therefore exposed to financial risks including the loss of invested funds and the revenue effect of changing interest rates. The successful identification, monitoring and control of risk are therefore central to the Council’s treasury management strategy.

Resolved to recommend that Council approves the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18.

Reason for Decision

The Treasury Management Strategy is fundamental to developing the financial sustainability of the Council.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader announced a part reshuffle of the Cabinet as follows:

Councillor Mitchell will assume Councillor Barnard's Corporate Management portfolio, Councillor Gething will assume Councillor Mitchell's Environment and Compliance portfolio and Councillor Barnard will assume Councillor Gething's Planning and Economic Development portfolio.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.