Agenda and minutes

The Mayor made the following announcements and also invited Councillor R. Sider, BEM to speak about an appeal for the people of Ukraine:

“For two years COVID has dominated the news and our thoughts. It is often said that everyone of a certain age can recall where they were when they heard that Kennedy had been assassinated. I believe most of us can also recall when we realised that COVID was so serious, .I don’t think any of us expected it to last so long or have such an impact on our daily lives.

As many will be aware I have this evening just unveiled a piece of artwork commemorating the hard work and sacrifices of Spelthorne staff during these two difficult years. I am aware that a separate sub-committee is looking at exploring what we do for the general public.

Many will be aware that we have a new political party represented here tonight. Cllrs Siva and Vinson have joined a new party called Breakthrough. You may wish to check their website to learn more about what they stand for.

On Mayoral matters, on Sunday 27th February we had the Mayor’s Church Service at St Mary’s, Sunbury. We had an excellent turnout and those present were very complimentary.

This last Saturday night we held our charity fundraising ABBA tribute event at the Holiday Inn Shepperton and everyone attending appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. I certainly did!

Coming up we have a music night at Sunbury Cricket Club with all profits going to my Mayoral Charity. This takes place on Friday 18th March. Tickets can be purchased on the door at £10 each.

Also an early “save the date” for our Mayor’s Spring Blossom Ball, which will be our main charity event of the year, at the Holiday Inn Shepperton on Friday 29th April.

Despite premature announcements at the last Council meeting, this really is our last meeting of the Council at which Victoria Statham, our outgoing Monitoring Officer.  On behalf of all, I would like to thank you Victoria for all your years of loyal service and wish you the best for the future.

On a personal note, can I just mention that my wife Cllr Helen Harvey and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this coming Monday.

We have still got a lot to get through tonight so can I ask that if you wish to speak, can you please be succinct

Finally, Councillor Sider has asked to address the Chamber with regard to Ukraine.”

Councillor Sider then spoke about an appeal in Shepperton in support of the Ukrainian people:

“I am grateful to you allowing me to speak Mr. Mayor. 

On Saturday 5 March this year, history was made in Shepperton.  As the result of an idea by Mr Mike Brennan and Councillor Maureen Attewell it was suggested that we have an appeal for the people of Ukraine. 

This was circulated on social media and for once in a lifetime this social media was spreading good news, and not tearing people apart as social media often does. 

Mr Mayor, the response was unbelievable: at 8.30 there were three 4x4 vehicles already full and we were overwhelmed, and by 11 o’clock in the morning we had piles of donations 6 feet high by 5 feet wide and we had to store them somewhere, so we asked colleagues in Ashford if they would open an office so we could move some of the stuff there until it could be sorted.   Throughout the morning volunteers came from everywhere, the young, the old, and children bringing their teddies.  It was so emotional. 

As the morning wore on we had more donations than ever and we were fortunate that we were able to open the Village Hall and move all of these donations across in black bags. The Post Office in Shepperton came out with their large crates, six of them, to help and brought them into the Village Hall.  During the afternoon on Saturday we sorted all the parcels and black bags and moved a great deal of them to a warehouse in Egham which Mr. Brennan had arranged with a colleague of his.

On Sunday we continued moving all of these items.  That said, they were all now located in the warehouse in Egham and had to be sorted into men’s, women’s, children’s and miscellaneous items.  This was completed on Wednesday.

The team spirit among the volunteers was absolutely amazing, this was what team spirit was all about, it was quite exciting. 

At the end of the day having been sorted they were put into large boxes and onto pallets.  The first vehicle left today en route to the Red Cross in Poland.  The total weight of all our donations, Mr. Mayor, was 18.5 tonnes.  It was phenomenal. The second articulated lorry will be leaving at 1.00pm tomorrow.  The boxes are labelled with the Union flag and also from Shepperton and parents. 

Mr. Mayor I would ask if it is possible that this be documented into the annals of this Council and into the Museum because it is most unlikely that we will ever see anything like this again.

Thank you Mr. Mayor”

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To designate Petra Der Man as Monitoring Officer (on an interim basis) from 21 March 2022.

It was proposed by Councillor L. Nichols, seconded by Councillor J. Sexton and resolved to designate Petra Der Man as interim Monitoring Officer from 21 March 2022.

Pursuant to Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to agree the representation of the different political groups on committees.

It was moved by Councillor L. Nichols and seconded by Councillor J. Sexton and resolved to agree the political allocation of seats on Committees and Sub-Committees as set out in item 4a in the supplementary agenda. 

In accordance with the Constitution, to appoint the members to serve on the Council’s committees, and sub-committees.

It was moved by Councillor L. Nichols and seconded by Councillor J. Sexton and resolved to agree the appointment of members to committees and sub-committees as set out in item 4b of the supplementary agenda.

Councillor D. Saliagopoulos left the meeting at this point.

To consider a recommendation from the Development Sub-Committee on the expenditure for construction works at Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

This report 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 to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding process for the services by allowing other bidders to know the position of the Council. This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the bids process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to acquire services in order to enable regeneration in the Borough.

It was proposed by Councillor N. Gething, Seconded by Councillor J. Boughtflower and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of this item, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose 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 to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority and potentially the selected provider in a competitive procurement process by allowing other bidders to know the financial position of the Council and the selected provider. This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the procurement process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to achieve the most economically advantageous contract and (iii) might dissuade organisations bidding for the Council's tenders if their commercial information was put into the public domain.

It was proposed by Councillor R Noble and seconded by Councillor L Nichols and resolved to agree the recommendations as set out in the report.

A recorded vote was requested.