Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 20 July 2017 and the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on the 21 August 2017.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 July 2017 and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 21 August 2017 were agreed as correct records.

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 announced two upcoming events:

·         Wednesday, 29th November Civic Reception for the Business Sector at St James School, Ashford from 6-8pm, with guest speaker Sir Peter Bonfield.

·         Friday, 19th January Wine Tasting & Quiz event at the Holiday Inn, Shepperton.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

I am pleased to have this opportunity to tell you some good news about recent Council successes.

Shepperton has been named as the most courteous town in the UK by officials from the National Campaign for Courtesy, a UK registered charity that stands for and promotes good manners, respect and courtesy for all. The award will be presented to Cllr Sider at a ceremony on 21 October.

In line with our ongoing programme of investment in properties which generate sustainable revenue streams, I am pleased to announce the purchase of two further commercial properties since our last Council meeting: an office development in Stockley Park, Uxbridge; and the ‘World Business Centre 4’ office development at Heathrow.  We also completed the purchase of Benwell House in Sunbury, a site outside the Green Belt, which is set to be converted into much needed housing for the Borough.

Improvements have been made to Edinburgh Drive in Staines-upon-Thames as part of a £200,000 project, jointly funded by Spelthorne and Surrey County Council, to improve four shopping parades in the Borough. We think the changes help demonstrate our commitment to invest in Spelthorne and support the small businesses that residents rely on.

Events that have taken place include the annual Junior Citizen Event attended by 1000 year-6 pupils; ‘Living Well Week’ promoting the activities and services available to help older people improve their health; ‘Spelthorne Skills and Careers Fair opened by Kwasi Kwarteng MP, the biggest we’ve ever held; and Spelthorne Sports Awards where awards were presented to sporting stars in recognition of their efforts and dedication to sport in our Borough.

Each year Spelthorne donates a proportion of the money raised from the textiles collection service to charity.  The chosen charity for this year was the Manna Food Bank, based in Staines-upon-Thames, which received a cheque for £800 this month.

We know that anti-social behaviour can blight communities, so on 10^th October Spelthorne’s Community Safety Partnership held a public meeting at the Council Offices to outline the work undertaken by the Council, Surrey Police and other local agencies to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.  Chaired by Cllr Gething, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Compliance, the meeting featured a number of presentations and a question and answer session for residents to raise issues of concern.

As evidence that Spelthorne Means Business when it comes to law enforcement, the Council has recently secured the conviction of a Stanwell resident who dumped unsightly rubbish in the Borough and was illegally trading in waste and scrap metal, and a Hounslow resident who was found guilty of accepting cash donations and selling trinkets in the Borough without the necessary charity collection and street trading consents.  Well done to the JET and Licensing teams.

Finally I would like to again put on record my gratitude for all those that helped with the two counter-terrorism incidents which occurred over the weekend of 16^th and 17^th of September.  I would like  ...  view the full minutes text for item 567/17

To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive, Daniel Mouawad, thanked Councillors for the warm welcome they had extended to him as Chief Executive.

He said he was looking forward to working closely with Council to ensure that our strong community leadership role remains at the heart of everything we do.

In regards to the two counter terrorism operations that occurred over the weekend of the 16th and 17th September, he joined the Leader, Councillor Ian Harvey, in thanking all of our staff who have worked hard and gone the extra mile to care for our residents. The evacuation of over 200 residents required the mobilisation of colleagues across the Council who freely gave up their time over the weekend to help in this emergency plan operation. He also took the opportunity to thank the Met and Surrey Police for their sterling service and the high level of cooperation throughout.

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 noon on Thursday 12 October 2017.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive any petitions from members of the public.

There were no petitions.

To receive the report from the Leader of the Council on the work of the Cabinet at its meeting on 27 September 2017.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey, presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 September 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 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.

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 reports from the Chairman of the Planning Committee on the work of his Committee at the meetings held on:

26 July 2017, 23 August 2017 and 20 September 2017 – attached

18 October – to follow

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, subject to a correction: the third application considered at the meeting on 26 July 2017 concerning the erection of a single storey side extension at 3 Corsair Road, Stanwell (17/00696/HOU) was in fact refused. 

He informed the members of an upcoming seminar on Affordable Housing 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 9 October 2017 and none were received.

No Motions had been received.

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 is noon on 12 October 2017 and the following question was received from Councillor Sider:

“In recent months there have been several incursions of Travellers on council land in all areas of the borough. In Shepperton, the group who recently encamped on Duppas Park were particularly aggressive, destructive and intimidated local residents, eventually departing leaving a great deal of rubbish for the council to collect. Whilst this authority takes, and has taken every precaution to prevent these incursions and encampments, the borough is still committed to dealing with this ongoing problem both with its financial resources and limited manpower. That said, will the Leader and all members of the council join me in congratulating the Group Head for Neighbourhood Services and the council’s legal team for their unstinting efforts in the way that they have dealt with the aforesaid incursions, and at most times under considerable pressure and duress.”

The Mayor reported that one question on a ward issue had been received from Councillor Sider.

Question from Councillor Sider

“In recent months there have been several incursions of Travellers on council land in all areas of the borough. In Shepperton, the group who recently encamped on Duppas Park were particularly aggressive, destructive and intimidated local residents, eventually departing leaving a great deal of rubbish for the council to collect. Whilst this authority takes, and has taken every precaution to prevent these incursions and encampments, the borough is still committed to dealing with this ongoing problem both with its financial resources and limited manpower. That said, will the Leader and all members of the council join me in congratulating the Group Head for Neighbourhood Services and the council’s legal team for their unstinting efforts in the way that they have dealt with the aforesaid incursions, and at most times under considerable pressure and duress.”

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

“Thank you for your question Cllr Sider. As per your previous question and my subsequent answer, I am sure every Councillor would wish to join me in thanking our very committed staff, both in Neighbourhood Services and Legal, for their continued hard work and successes. You will also be aware that the Government has recently announced that they are exploring whether there needs to be changes to legislation regarding Traveller Incursions.

The Council has dealt with a number of traveller incursions in recent months. In doing so the Council acted as swiftly as possible whilst following the legal processes needed to get the travellers to move on. We will continue to review the processes we use to make sure they are as expedient and effective as possible and are also undertaking works to deter traveller incursions in some parts of the Borough.”

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 noon on 12 October 2017.

There were no general questions.