Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2017, as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 January 2017 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 Williams

To consider the report on the detailed Revenue Budget for 2017-18 and make a recommendation to Council.

Cabinet considered an updated report on the detailed revenue budget 2017-2018. The budget showed a very positive picture in that for the first time in a decade a balanced budget had been put forward without the use of reserves, with investment being made in retaining staff, addressing resourcing issues and maintaining the Council’s assets.

Resolved to recommend Council that:

1. the growth and savings items as set out in the report’s appendices be approved;
2. the Council tax base for the whole council area for 2017-18.[Item T in the formula in Section 31b(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “act”)] should be 38.908.60 band D equivalent dwellings and the Council tax requirement for the Council’s own purpose for 2017-2018 is £192.44 Per Band D equivalent dwelling;
3. a 2.7 % or (£5) increase in the Spelthorne Borough Council element of the Council tax for 2017-18 be approved. Moreover:

a)    the revenue estimates as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

b)    no Money, as set out in this report is appropriated from General Reserves in support of Spelthorne’s local Council tax for 2017/18.

c)    the council tax base for the year 2017/18 is 38,908.60  band D equivalent dwellings calculated in accordance with regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council tax base) Regulations 1992, as amended, made under Section 35(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, be agreed;

That the following sums be now calculated by the Council for the year 2017/18 in accordance with Section 31 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992.

That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2017/18 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2337.

Councillor Williams

To consider a report on the Council’s draft Capital Programme for 2017-18 to 2020-21 and make a recommendation to Council.

Cabinet considered a report on the Capital Programme 2017-2018 to 2020-2021, in the light of the available resources and corporate priorities. The report covered progress on current schemes and included future schemes for consideration. The report also provided information on the availability of resources to continue moving forward with the proposed capital schemes within the Programme.

All bids to go on the Capital Programme had been critically assessed and reviewed by Management Team and Cabinet to ensure they met the new criteria of Capital expenditure.

Resolved to recommend that Council approves:

1.    the Capital Programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 and

2.    the Prudential Indicators for 2017/18 to 2020/21.

Reason for decision

To allow the authority to spend its capital resources for the financial year 2017/18.

Councillor Barnard

To consider a report on the adoption of a 5 year Economic Strategy from 2017-2022.

Cabinet considered a report on the adoption of an Economic Strategy for the period 2017-2022.

The Strategy had been designed to stimulate more investment, jobs and visitors to Spelthorne to further the overall economic wellbeing and prosperity of the Borough and its residents in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Resolved to adopt the Economic Strategy 2017-2022.

Reason for decision

The previous Economic Strategy ran from December 2013 – 2016 and needed to be replaced with a current and relevant strategy. 

Councillor Williams

To note the current level of Revenue spend for the period April to December 2016.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the current level of revenue spend.

Councillor Williams

To note the current level of Capital spend for the period April to December 2016.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the current level of capital spend.

Councillor Mitchell

To consider the report on a Pay Policy Statement for 2017-18 and make a recommendation to Council.

Cabinet considered a report on a Pay Policy Statement for 2017-2018.

The Pay Policy Statement set out the Council’s policies on a range of issues relating to the pay of its workforce, particularly its senior staff and the lowest paid employees, including:

•           Remuneration of its Chief Officers

•           Remuneration of its lowest paid employees

•           The relationship between the remuneration of its Chief Officers and the remuneration of those employees who are not Chief Officers

•           The publication of and access to information relating to remuneration of Chief Officers.

Resolved to recommend that Council approves:

1.    the Pay Policy Statement 2017-2018 and

2.    amendments to the Pensions Policy Statement

Reason for decision

Local authorities are required to publish an annual Pay Policy Statement to increase transparency regarding the use of public funds to pay council staff. This requirement was set out in the Localism Act 2011 with guidance on items to be included issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Councillor Harman

To consider a report on the annual grants to be awarded to organisations within the voluntary and community sectors.

Cabinet considered a report on the proposed grants to organisations in the voluntary and community sectors for 2017-18 and other support for charities and community organisations.

Resolvedto:

1. agree the grants awards for 2017-2018 to the organisations set out in the report;

2. delegate authority to the Leader, in consultation with either the Deputy Leader or the Chief Executive or the Deputy Chief Executive (for Finance) to award Windfall Grants; and

3. to note all other support to the voluntary and charity sector.

Reason for decision

The agreement to award grants for 2017-18 will:

·         enable a number of charities to continue operating in the borough for the year ahead;

·         maintain service levels where charities provide complementary activities to Council frontline services; and

·         enable new charities and community groups to begin working in the borough, or expand their operations.

Councillor Harvey

To consider changes to councillor representation on certain Outside Bodies as a consequence of the recent part reshuffle of Cabinet portfolios.

Cabinet considered a report proposing changes to the representation on certain outside bodies where that appointment was relevant to the portfolio, following the part reshuffle of Cabinet portfolios announced on 25 January 2017.

It was proposed that the following councillors be appointed as representatives on each of these bodies according to their new portfolios:

1.    South East Employers (SEE) - Cllr. Barnard will replace Cllr. Gething

2.    Spelthorne Safer, Stronger Partnership Board - Cllr. Gething will replace Cllr. Mitchell

3.    Local Plan Working Party - Cllr. Barnard will replace Cllr. Gething

4.    Surrey Waste Partnership - Cllr. Gething will replace Cllr. Mitchell.

Resolved to agree the following changes of representation on outside bodies:

1.    South East Employers (SEE) - Cllr. Barnard will replace Cllr. Gething

2.    Spelthorne Safer, Stronger Partnership Board - Cllr. Gething will replace Cllr. Mitchell

3.    Local Plan Working Party - Cllr. Barnard will replace Cllr. Gething

4.    Surrey Waste Partnership - Cllr. Gething will replace Cllr. Mitchell.

Councillor Barnard

To consider a report on the grant of a new lease for the facility at the Pavilion, Ashford Recreation Ground, Clockhouse Lane, Ashford.

Cabinet considered a report seeking an in principle agreement to the grant of a new lease for the facility at the Pavilion, Ashford Recreation Ground, Clockhouse Lane, Ashford.

Dramatize, a community organisation who run theatrical workshops at the Pavilion for those with learning difficulties, had asked for a 15 year lease rather than a 3 year lease, due to the level of investment that they were planning to put into the building.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         Option 2

To enter into a lease but for a shorter period of time.

·         Option 3

To enter into a lease but require a higher rent.

·         Option 4

Not to enter into a new lease and require Dramatize to find and relocate to new premises.

Resolved to:

1. approve in principle a new lease for the facility at the Pavilion, Ashford Recreation Ground, Clockhouse Lane, Ashford for a period of 15 years and on the terms set out in option 1 of the main report.

2. delegate authority to the Group Head Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Economic Development and Fixed Assets to finalise details of the lease terms and to enter into the lease and associated licences for works.

Reason for decision

Renewal of this lease will enable a well-used community group to continue using the facility (and to extend it at their own cost). It will also bring in an on-going income stream for the Council next 15 years 

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

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

The Council secured the conviction of Firoz Mohammed of Feltham, a former taxi driver who grossly overcharged six vulnerable adults and invalidated his insurance by carrying too many passengers. The defendant charged the six adults between £10 and £15 each for a journey that started at Staines railway station and ended in Shepperton, and which should have cost around £35 in total. Mr Mohammed was found guilty of all 14 charges. He was given six points on his licence and fined £180 for having no insurance, £650 for breaching taxi licensing bye-laws, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £1,000. He also had his Spelthorne hackney carriage licence revoked.

Four of the Council’s car parks have been given Disabled Parking Accreditation. Elmsleigh surface and multi-storey, Tothill and Riverside were all recognised for being user-friendly for disabled drivers and providing good access, clear signage and accessible payment machines. 

A Spelthorne Licensing Officer took part in an enforcement day with an officer from Surrey Police’s Roads Policing Unit on Wednesday 15 February. A vehicle licensed within the TFL area was reported for illegal parking, and a Spelthorne-licensed driver was given penalty points for the same offence. One driver was reported for offences under smoke-free legislation and another given a police notice for a broken number plate. Several drivers were given warnings for minor breaches of taxi licensing bye-laws. Following the success of the day, evening and late night enforcement dates are planned.

Three defendants appeared at Southwark Crown Court on 20 December 2016 charged with conspiracy to commit Housing Benefit fraud and making false representations. Between 2008 and 2013, the defendants, Fadi Ajjaoui and Abo Zeinah, formerly of Staines, and Ali Zeine, formerly of Sunbury, made fraudulent Housing Benefit claims totalling over £100,000 by providing false details. All three pleaded guilty in Court. Fadi Ajjaoui was sentenced to twelve months in prison, suspended for 18 months, Ali Zeine was given an 18 month community order and Abo Zeinah was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

The Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a 16-week consultation on their draft National Policy Statement (NPS) regarding Heathrow expansion. Residents can find out more about the proposals at one of the DFT consultation events being held on Monday 20 February at the Hythe Centre in Staines and Tuesday 28 February at Stanwell Moor Village Hall. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 11.45pm on 25 May.

Landlords are being reminded about the new Spelthorne Rent Assure scheme which allows them to let their properties through the Council. Rents are guaranteed to reflect the local rate and are paid monthly in advance directly to the landlord. Other benefits include a six week security bond and free inventory. Adverts in the local press and social media updates are planned for February.

Work has started on the spring Bulletin which will be delivered to residents from 18 March. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2346.

To consider any items which the Chairman considers as urgent.

There were none.