Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 October 2016.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 October 2016 were agreed as a correct record, *subject to the replacement of the words, ‘gave the following response to the supplementary question’ with ‘gave the following subsequent, written response to the supplementary question’ in all of the supplementary responses provided to Councillor Edgington at Minute 249/16 on his general questions. [*amended by Council at meeting on 23 February 2017.]

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 receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

“I am pleased to report that a successful reception was held for the Spelthorne Business Community at the London Irish Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury on Friday 11th October and it was attended by more than 50 representatives of local enterprises. There was also a fundraising event for our charities at the Shahin Indian Restaurant in Sunbury on Monday 5th October which raised over £400.00. I would like to record my gratitude to both London Irish and the Shahin Restaurant for their support.

Our next function will be a screening of the film "Everest" at Shepperton Studios on 11th January in aid of our charities. Tickets are £10.00 each and further details are available from my Secretary, Sheila Kimpton.

I recently attended the annual Surrey Sports Awards, and on behalf of everyone here I would like to send congratulations to Andy Bennett from Littleton Sailing Club for winning the Outstanding Service to Sport award.

Finally, it gives me great pleasure to announce the winner of the annual office Christmas decoration competition. It was a very close call for first place but just pipping the others to win the trophy for a second time was Committee Services.”

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

“Thank you, Mr Mayor. Firstly Congratulations to Councillor John Kavanagh and his fiancée Kayleigh on their recent engagement.

End of Year Report to Council December 2016

This has I believe been a historic and transformational year in the history of Spelthorne. Upon being elected as Leader I promised we would hit the ground running - we did.

Towards a Sustainable Future

We immediately met staff and Unions and reassured them of our positive future plans. We aimed to improve morale and I hope we have succeeded. Under the direction of Councillor Colin Barnard, we resurrected Towards a Sustainable Future which had been stalled for 3 months by my predecessor, at a cost of about £35,000. Barring some appointments at Deputy Group Head level, staff restructure has now been completed, currently saving about £147,000 per annum.

Throughout the last 10 months we have worked tirelessly to improve staff morale and the relationship between staff and us, holding several staff meetings. Following a political cabinet agreement, we have given political support to the Head of Paid Service to returning to Local Pay negotiation. I understand the Unions are very happy and this should assist staff retention. We continue to have regular meetings with staff.

Corporate Plan

Early on we finalised a new Corporate Plan which had lapsed at the end of December 2015. Our Corporate Priorities are:

·         Housing

·         Economic Development

·         A Clean and Safe Environment, and

·         Financial Stability of the Council - without this the other objectives would not be achievable

Cross Party working

We have sought to engage constructively with Lib Dem and Labour members and have received positive support for our initiatives in return. Unfortunately, our new local party, the Spelthorne Residents Independence Party, have chosen not to positively engage with us. I think this is detrimental to those who elected them.

I am grateful for Lib Dem and Labour support in areas which have benefitted

Spelthorne.

Landlord Rent Guarantee Scheme

In May, we launched our new initiative to support landlords and encourage them to let to our tenants – the Landlords Rent Guarantee Scheme. We now have the first landlords signed up and the scheme is active. This will benefit those in need of decent accommodation in our Borough.

Lord Lieutenant

In May, we welcomed the Lord Lieutenant, Michael More-Molineux, to the Borough and he was very impressed. So impressed he also joined us for the Mayor's Civic Service.

Spelride buses

In October, we took delivery of four new Spelride buses which are greatly appreciated and a real benefit to, in particular, our less mobile residents.

Business lmprovement District

In November, a referendum was held amongst Staines businesses who voted by a very significant margin in support of the introduction of a Business lmprovement District in Staines. This will create a bonus of some £1.5m over five years for Town Centre improvements.

Economic Development

To reflect our location and aspirations towards economic development we established a new Economic Development committee under the chairmanship  ...  view the full minutes text for item 280/16

To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive presented the Mayor, on behalf of the Council, with a copy of a new book about the Pinewood Group which was published to mark their 80th anniversary.

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 14.

There were none.

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

There were none.

(1) Allocation of seats on Committees – Appendix A

Pursuant to Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to agree the representation of the different political groups on Committees, following the formation of the Spelthorne Residents Independent Party.

(2) Appointment of members to Committees – Appendix B

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the members to serve on the Committees as set out on Appendix A, including the recently formed Spelthorne Joint Committee.

Details of the changes to Committee membership for the remainder of the 2016-2017 municipal year were circulated on the agenda for the meeting. The political allocation of seats was shown at agenda item 9 (Appendix A) and the members to serve on the various Committees was shown at Appendix B.

It was moved by Councillor I.T. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C. Harman and

Resolved that:

a)    The allocation of seats is agreed as shown on Appendix A.

b)    The councillors to serve on Committees is agreed as shown on Appendix B.

The Council considered the Cabinet recommendation from its meeting held on  21 December 2016 on the approval of a supplementary capital estimate for property acquisitions.

Resolved that Council approves a supplementary capital estimate for property acquisitions within the Borough of £80m for the remainder of 2016/17. 

The Council considered the Cabinet recommendation from its meeting held on 21 December 2016 on a calendar of meetings for the Municipal Year 2017-2018.

Resolved that Council approves the calendar of meetings for 2017-2018.

To receive reports from the Leader of the Council on the work of the Cabinet at the following meetings:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor I.T. Harvey, presented the reports of the Extraordinary Cabinet held on 25 October 2016 and the Cabinet meetings held on 23 November 2016 and 21 December 2016 which outlined the matters the Cabinet had decided since the last Council meeting.

To receive the report from the Chairman of the Licensing Committee on the work of his Committee.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor R.W. Sider BEM, presented his report which outlined the matters the Committee had decided since the last Council meeting. Councillor R.W. Sider BEM also recorded his thanks to those members and officers who had supported the work of the Committee throughout the past year.

To receive the report from the Chairman of the Members' Code of Conduct Committee on the work of his Committee.

The Chairman of the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee, Mr Murray Litvak, presented his report which outlined the matters the Committee had decided since the last Council meeting.

To receive the report from the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the work of his Committee.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor C.A. Davis, presented his report which outlined the matters the Committee had considered since the last Council meeting. Councillor C.A. Davis also recorded his thanks to those members and officers who had supported the work of the Committee throughout the past year.

To receive the reports from the Chairman of the Planning Committee on the work of his Committee.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley, presented his reports which outlined the matters the Committee had decided since the last Council meeting.

Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley also recorded his thanks to those members and officers who had supported the work of the Committee throughout the past year and encouraged all councillors to attend forthcoming training sessions on Planning scheduled for early 2017.

Under Standing Order 17, the Council has received Notice of the following Motion:

“Mindful of the massive, positive, economic impact that a vibrant and viable Heathrow has on the economy of Spelthorne, and in particular the 3,600 families who rely directly upon it for their income, this Council warmly welcomes the recent Government announcement of the third runway. We are of course mindful of environmental and noise concerns and will work with Heathrow and other stakeholders to ensure those are mitigated.”

Proposed by Cllr. I.T.E. Harvey

Seconded by Cllr. C.A. Davis

In accordance with Standing Order 17 the Council received one written Notice of Motion.

Councillor I.T. Harvey moved and Councillor C.A. Davis seconded the following motion:

“Mindful of the massive, positive, economic impact that a vibrant and viable Heathrow has on the economy of Spelthorne, and in particular the 3,600 families who rely directly upon it for their income, this Council warmly welcomes the recent Government announcement of the third runway. We are of course mindful of environmental and noise concerns and will work with Heathrow and other stakeholders to ensure those are mitigated.”

Councillors debated the motion.

Councillor Harvey requested that a recorded vote was taken. The Mayor then invited councillors to vote on the motion proposed by Councillor Harvey.

Councillor Forbes-Forsyth was disqualified from taking part in the vote as she was absent from the Council Chamber during part of the debate.

The voting was as follows:

The motion was carried.

Resolved that mindful of the massive, positive, economic impact that a vibrant and viable Heathrow has on the economy of Spelthorne, and in particular the 3,600 families who rely directly upon it for their income, this Council warmly welcomes the recent Government announcement of the third runway. We are of course mindful of environmental and noise concerns and will work with Heathrow and other stakeholders to ensure those are mitigated.

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer questions from Councillors on issues in their Ward, in accordance with Standing Order 15. The deadline for submission of questions is noon on 15 December 2016.

One question was received in advance of the deadline from Councillor Flurry:

“Can the Leader assure the Council that there will be no more cuts to the fire service within the next five years?

These are important issues for the residents of Stanwell North, as they now find that despite having an airport in their back garden, they will be the furthest from a fire station.”

The Mayor reported that one question on a ward issue had been received, in accordance with Standing Order 15, from Councillor Flurry.

1.    Question from Councillor K. Flurry

“Can the Leader assure the Council that there will be no more cuts to the fire service within the next five years? These are important issues for the residents of Stanwell North, as they now find that despite having an airport in their back garden, they will be the furthest from a fire station.”

Response from Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council

“Thank you for your question, Councillor Flurry. Regrettably, I can give no such assurance. As Councillor Flurry is aware, Surrey County Council is the authority responsible for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service over whom I have no control and I therefore suggest he raises this issue with the relevant divisional member, who I believe is Councillor Robert Evans. I can however assure him that we are pro-actively engaging with Surrey County Council with regards to their ongoing fire provision consultation.”

In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor K. Flurry asked the following supplementary question:

“I would like to know what the proposed response times would be for the second fire engine to arrive at a fire, taking the furthest point, which is probably Oaks Road in Stanwell? I understand that as a four man crew they cannot enter property that is on fire until the second engine arrives so the response time should be calculated on the second engine’s arrival.”

Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council, gave the following response to the supplementary question during the meeting:

“I am very concerned by the plans as well. Those of you who went to the consultation three years ago in Sunbury following the first set of cuts will have noted that I was forthright in my concerns then too. Ultimately this is a Surrey County Council matter but I am making our concerns very clear, I saw the Leader of Surrey last week to express these concerns and request further information.

At Spelthorne we are doing everything we can and I can announce that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be holding a meeting to specifically explore this situation on 7^th February 2017.”

Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council, provided the following written answer to the supplementary question after the meeting:

“I have passed your question about response times to the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and have asked them to respond to you directly once the information you have requested is available.”

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer questions from Councillors on matters affecting the Borough, in accordance with Standing Order 15. The deadline for submission of questions is noon on 15 December 2016.

The following questions have been received from Cllr. Quentin Edgington:

1.    “Can the number of signatories required for a petition to be considered by the full Council be reduced?”

2.    “Can the Leader talk to the Leader of Surrey County Council and urge him to address the increasingly dangerous road safety, congestion and parking issues on and around Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines before a fatality takes place?”

3.    “What benefits are the Council looking forward to enjoying from Brexit?”

4.    “What is the current Policy of Infilling for the Borough? And can copies of the policy be laid around for members of the Council and members of the public attending the meeting.”

5.    “Does the Leader think that the Principal Opposition Parties namely The Liberal Democrat Group and the Spelthorne Residents Independent Party Group are treated reasonably and fairly in Spelthorne?”

The Mayor reported that five general questions had been received, in accordance with Standing Order 15, from Councillor Edgington.

1.    Question from Councillor Q.R. Edgington: 

“Can the number of signatories required for a petition to be considered by the full Council be reduced?”

Response from Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council:

“Thank you for your question, Councillor Edgington. The Council welcomes petitions as an important way in which people can let us know their concerns.

I believe that the current threshold for a petition to be debated at Council is set at an appropriate level and ensures that those issues of greatest significance to local residents are recognised and treated with the importance that they deserve. There are no current plans to review these arrangements.”

In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor Q.R. Edgington asked the following supplementary question:

“Given that the current requirement for a petition to go to full Council on a local issue is a third of most wards – 1000 signatures – isn’t this undemocratic?”

Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council, provided the following written answer to the supplementary question after the meeting:

“No.”

2.    Question from Councillor Q.R. Edgington 

“Can the Leader talk to the Leader of Surrey County Council and urge him to address the increasingly dangerous road safety, congestion and parking issues on and around Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines before a fatality takes place?”

Response from Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council:

“As Councillor Edgington is fully aware, the correct route for such matters is for a ward councillor to raise highways related issues with the relevant divisional member, who I can advise you is Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos."

In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor Q.R. Edgington asked the following supplementary question:

“Is he scared of talking to the Leader of Surrey County Council? Does he have no concern for the residents of this Borough about this safety issue? He should talk to the Leader of Surrey County Council.”

Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council, gave the following response to the supplementary question:

“The correct route on a highways matter is to the divisional member. I’ve advised you that in this case the divisional member is Councillor Saliagopoulos. I am not scared of the Leader of Surrey and held a meeting with him last week.”

3.    Question from Councillor Q.R. Edgington 

“What benefits are the Council looking forward to enjoying from Brexit?”

Response from Councillor I.T. Harvey, Leader of the Council:

“It is too early to speculate on the possible benefits that Spelthorne Borough Council may receive from the Country’s decision to leave the European Union. Furthermore, as an experienced politician, I am sure you have your own views on this.”

In accordance with Council Standing Order 15.2, Councillor Q.R. Edgington asked the following supplementary question:

“How about planning for the future? Can the Leader ask the Chief Executive to speak to the Spelthorne Residents Independent Party and we will provide some benefits for residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 294/16

To consider the re-appointment of the following representative Trustees:

(1)  Staines Parochial Charity

Mr A. Forrester as a Representative Trustee of the Staines Parochial Charity for a further 4-year term until December 2020.

(2)  Laleham Charities – Hodgson and Reeve

Mr B. Morgan and Mr S. Bishop as Representative Trustees of the Laleham Charities – Hodgson and Reeve for further 4-year terms until December 2020.

(1)  Staines Parochial Charity

It was proposed by Councillor I.T. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C. Harman to re-appoint Mr A. Forrester as a Council representative trustee of the Staines Parochial Charity for a further 4-year term of office until December 2020.

Resolved that Mr A. Forrester be re-appointed as a Council representative trustee to serve on the Staines Parochial Charity for a further 4-year term of office until December 2020.

(2)  Laleham Charities – Hodgson and Reeve

It was proposed by Councillor I.T. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C. Harman to re-appoint Mr B. Morgan and Mr S. Bishop as Council representative trustees of the Laleham Charities – Hodgson and Reeve for further 4-year terms of office until December 2020.

Resolved that Mr B. Morgan and Mr S. Bishop be re-appointed as a Council representative trustees to serve on the Laleham Charities – Hodgson and Reeve for further 4-year terms of office until December 2020.