Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 December 2016, subject to the following amendment:

That Minute 277/16 relating to the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2016 be amended by the inclusion of the words in italics to read:

“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”

It was proposed that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 December 2016 were agreed as a correct record, subject to:

Minute 277/16 relating to the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2016 being amended to read, by the inclusion of the words in italics, as follows:

“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”

Councillor P.C. Forbes-Forsyth requested that it be noted that she was given incorrect advice at the meeting held on 22 December 2016 when she was disqualified from taking part in the vote on the Motion at Minute 292/16, due to her absence from the Council Chamber during part of the debate.

Mr Michael Graham, the Council’s Monitoring Officer, offered to consider the comments that had been made at the meeting and write to all councillors to provide advice on attendance in a meeting before voting. He advised that the Mayor proceed to the vote on agreement of the minutes of the meeting held on 22 December 2016.

Resolved that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 December 2016 were agreed as a correct record, subject to:

Minute 277/16 relating to the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2016 being amended to read, by the inclusion of the words in italics, as follows:

“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”

In accordance with Standing Order 22.4, Councillor I.J. Beardsmore, S.A. Dunn, Q.R. Edgington, P. Forbes-Forsyth, D. Saliagopoulos, J. Sexton and B.B. Spoor requested that their individual votes against the motion be recorded.

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.

Following this item the Mayor dealt with Item 16. Motions, (see Minute 334/16) in view of the interest in this item by members of the public attending the Council meeting.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor announced that since the last meeting of this Council he had held two successful fundraising events in support of his charities: a film show at Shepperton Studios and twilight racing in the Royal Box at Kempton Park. He thanked all those who helped arrange these functions and those members of the Council who supported him.

He announced some forthcoming events: a Rhythm and Blues Evening at Sunbury Cricket Club on March 10^th and the Masquerade Ball at the Runnymede Hotel on April 8^th. 

He commended the good work done by Mr Nigel Drury, Community Connector for Spelthorne and mentioned the invaluable communication tool he produces for local organisations in the voluntary sector called "Community Connections".

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

He expressed his thanks and gratitude, and those of the Cabinet, to Councillor Jean Pinkerton OBE who would be standing down from the Cabinet from the Annual Council meeting in May 2017 as she was Deputy Mayor designate. He welcomed two new Cabinet colleague designates, Councillors Olivia Rybinski and Mark Francis.

He advised that the closing date for Windfall Grants was extended to 21 March 2017. The grants of £20,000 per ward had been made available for councillors to benefit their wards due to the Council’s property acquisition success.

Councillor Harvey announced to the Council the forthcoming retirement of the Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini, after 39 years in Local Government, 11 of those being with Spelthorne. He thanked Mr Tambini for all his years of service to the Borough.

He also thanked two officers, Linda Norman and Ryan Maslen who were leaving Spelthorne and wished them well in their new roles.

Finally, he informed the Council that the Cabinet had decided to end the positive Legal Services partnership with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, preferring to re-establish Spelthorne’s own in-house service to give us a strong platform from which to pursue our property investment and housing portfolio ambitions.

To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.

There were none.

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

Note: the deadline for questions to be considered at this meeting is 12 noon on Thursday 16 February 2017.

The following question has been submitted by Paul West of Ashford:

“Could the Leader kindly confirm if every single, current, councillor lives within Spelthorne and name those borough councillors who do not live within Spelthorne?”

The Mayor reported that, under Standing Order 14, one question had been received from a member of the public and he invited Mr Paul West to ask his question.

Question from Mr Paul West of Ashford

“Could the Leader kindly confirm if every single, current, councillor lives within Spelthorne and name those borough councillors who do not live within Spelthorne?”

Response from Councillor Ian Harvey, Leader of the Council

“Thank you for your question, Mr West.

All members of Spelthorne Borough Council live within Spelthorne with the exception of Councillor Howard Thomson, who has very recently moved to an address outside of the borough. Cllr Thomson continues to work closely with the local community, support local organisations and campaign on local issues. At the time of his election he lived in Ashford. However Labour County Councillor Robert Evans, Divisional Member for Stanwell and Stanwell North lives in Weybridge, outside of Spelthorne, and has lived there since before he was elected to represent this Division in Spelthorne.

Contact details for all Borough and County Councillors are available on our website.”

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

There were none.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 25 January 2017, on the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2017/18

The proposed Strategy represented an appropriate balance between risk management and cost effectiveness.

Resolved to approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2017/18.

The Budget Book (green cover) accompanies the Council agenda and

reflects the recommendations to be considered at the meeting of the

Cabinet on 22 February 2017.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet on the detailed Revenue Budget for 2017-18 and the proposed Council Tax for 2017-18. The Mayor referred councillors to the Budget Book (green cover) and the updated report circulated in the supplementary Council agenda, reflecting the decisions and recommendations made by the Cabinet on 22 February 2017, including the precepts being levied by Surrey County Council and the Surrey Police.

The Mayor asked the Council to agree, in accordance with Standing Order 20.4, that the respective Budget speeches of the Group Leaders may each exceed 10 minutes in length if necessary.

Resolved toagree that the respective Budget speeches of the Group Leaders may each exceed 10 minutes in length if necessary.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and the portfolio holder for Finance, Councillor H. R. Williams, made a joint statement on the Budget and the Council Tax and moved and seconded the recommendations on the detailed Budget for 2017-18 as set out in the report circulated in the supplementary Council agenda. The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor I.J. Beardsmore, then made a statement.

Although the formation of the UKIP party had not been formally notified to the Chief Executive prior to the meeting, the Mayor used his discretion to allow the Leader of UKIP, Councillor D. Saliagopoulos to make a statement on the Budget.

In response to a query from Councillor K. Flurry about the amount of write-offs agreed in 2016-2017, Councillor H. Williams agreed to provide a written response.

Copies of Councillor Harvey’s and Councillor Beardsmore’s speeches are attached to these minutes as Appendices A and B.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10pm to allow councillors and officers a five minute comfort break.

Upon reconvening, and as the Council was close to having sat for three hours, it was moved, seconded and agreed to suspend Standing Orders and continue with the remaining items of business on the agenda.

At the conclusion of the debate on the Revenue Budget, the Mayor explained that it was a legal requirement to record in the minutes of the proceedings the names of the persons who cast a vote for the decision or who abstained from voting.

The voting was as follows:

Resolved 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,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 325/16

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 22 February 2017, on the Capital Programme for the period 2017-18 to 2020-21 and the Prudential Indicators for 2017-18 to 2020-21.

Resolved to:

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

2.    approve the Prudential Indicators for 2017-18 to 2020-21.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 22 February 2017 on the Pay Policy Statement 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:

1.    approve the Pay Policy Statement 2017-2018 and

2.    approve amendments to the Pensions Policy Statement.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Audit Committee on the appointment of external auditors.

Resolved to agree that the Council opts in to the appointing person arrangements made by Public Sector Audit Appointments.

To receive the reports from the Leader of the Council on the work of the Cabinet at its meetings held on 25 January 2017 and 22 February 2017.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey, presented the reports of the Cabinet meetings held on 25 January 2017 and 22 February 2017 which outlined the matters the Cabinet had decided since the last Council meeting.

To receive the report from the Chairman of the Audit Committee on the work of her Committee.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee, Councillor M.J. Madams, presented her report which outlined the matters the Committee had decided since the last Council meeting.

To consider a report from the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor R.W. Sider, presented his report on a successful prosecution of a taxi driver.

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 decided since the last Council meeting.

To receive the report 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 report which outlined the matters the Committee had decided since the last Council meeting. He reminded the members of upcoming seminars on Planning Committee procedures and encouraged their attendance.

To receive any motions from Councillors in accordance with Standing Order 19.

Note: The deadline for motions to be considered at this meeting was Monday 13 February 2017 and one was received as follows:

“That Spelthorne Borough Council request that the new Fire Station proposed by Surrey County Council to be built at Fordbridge Roundabout, has two pumps/appliances/fire engines each fully manned by trained Fire Fighters whole time (full time at all times, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week).  To do otherwise would seriously endanger and disadvantage the lives and property of the residents of Spelthorne, which is an area of high demand for both Fire and Rescue Services and one of elevated risks due to many factors.”

Proposed by Councillor S.M. Doran

Seconded by Councillor I.J. Beardsmore

In view of the interest in this item by the public attending the meeting, the Mayor advised that he would bring this item forward and deal with the Motion immediately after Item 3 on the agenda, Disclosures of Interest, had been dealt with.

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

Councillor S. Doran moved and Councillor I.J. Beardsmore seconded the following motion:

“That Spelthorne Borough Council request that the new Fire Station proposed by Surrey County Council to be built at Fordbridge Roundabout, has two pumps/appliances/fire engines each fully manned by trained Fire Fighters whole time (full time at all times, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week).  To do otherwise would seriously endanger and disadvantage the lives and property of the residents of Spelthorne, which is an area of high demand for both Fire and Rescue Services and one of elevated risks due to many factors.”

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey moved and Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley moved the following amendment to leave words out of the motion (as shown by strikethrough):

“That Spelthorne Borough Council request that the new Fire Station proposed by Surrey County Council to be built at Fordbridge Roundabout, has two pumps/appliances/fire engines. each fully manned by trained Fire Fighters whole time (full time at all times, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week).  To do otherwise would seriously endanger and disadvantage the lives and property of the residents of Spelthorne, which is an area of high demand for both Fire and Rescue Services and one of elevated risks due to many factors.”

Copies of the amendment were circulated to everyone at the meeting.

The mover of the original motion, Councillor S. Doran accepted the amendment and therefore the following substantive motion was put to the vote:

“That Spelthorne Borough Council request that the new Fire Station proposed by Surrey County Council to be built at Fordbridge Roundabout, has two pumps/appliances/fire engines. To do otherwise would seriously endanger and disadvantage the lives and property of the residents of Spelthorne, which is an area of high demand for both Fire and Rescue Services and one of elevated risks due to many factors.

Resolved:

that Spelthorne Borough Council request that the new Fire Station proposed by Surrey County Council to be built at Fordbridge Roundabout, has two pumps/appliances/fire engines. To do otherwise would seriously endanger and disadvantage the lives and property of the residents of Spelthorne, which is an area of high demand for both Fire and Rescue Services and one of elevated risks due to many factors.”

The Mayor adjourned the meeting for five minutes to allow the public who so wished, to leave the meeting.

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer questions from councillors on issues in their Ward, in accordance with Standing Order 15.

Note: the deadline for questions to be considered at this meeting is 12 noon on Thursday 16 February 2017.

There were no questions on Ward issues.

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer questions from councillors on matters affecting the Borough, in accordance with Standing Order 15.

Note: the deadline for questions to be considered at this meeting is 12 noon on Thursday 16 February 2017.

The Mayor reported that one general question had been received, in accordance with Standing Order 15, from Councillor D. Saliagopoulos and invited her to ask her question.

Question from Councillor Saliagopoulos 

“Would the Leader confirm that there are plans in place to enhance the Lammas Park in Staines - as he is aware, the loss of the children's railway is a real blow to users of the Park: I have been contacted by many residents in Staines Village about this.” 

Response from Councillor Ian Harvey, Leader of the Council

“The operators of the leased facilities in the Lammas indicated to us early last year that continuing to operate the crazy golf and train was no longer financially viable for them and they would not be renewing their licence to operate. Terms of the licence required the operators to remove their equipment before leaving the site; this is not yet complete as the ground needs to be made good but should be complete in the next couple of months. Officers responsible for this service are looking for a temporary solution to cover this year and ensure that park users continue to enjoy the facilities on offer at this very popular location. Subject to Cabinet approval this year, officers will then be seeking potential suppliers for a more permanent replacement of suitable recreational equipment within the Lammas Park.”

If there are any other relevant points you wish to make I would invite you to speak to the portfolio holder, Cllr Gething.