Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillors Attewell, Gibson and Lee.

Councillor Dunn was in attendance as substitute for Councillor Gibson.

The Committee were advised that Councillor Nichols would be attending the meeting late due to a prior commitment.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2023 and the carry-over meeting held 29 June 2023 as a correct record.

Minutes to follow.

The minutes of the meetings held on 26 and 29 June 2023 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

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

Councillor Nichols declared an interest in Item 12, Knowle Green Estates Ltd in that was the Council’s representative on the Knowle Green Estates Board.

He advised that he would not be voting on this item.

Councillor Sexton declared that she was also a Surrey County Councillor.

The Chair, or his nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were none.

Committee are asked to note the report on the Corporate Establishment Review and consider any further actions required.

The Committee considered a report on the Corporate Establishment Review that was undertaken by South East Employers (SEE). Jennifer McNeil, Regional Director of SEE presented her findings to the Committee.

The Committee resolved to note the report.

Committee is asked to agree the proposed Outline Action Plan as outlined in Appendix A, to address the 12 recommendations from the Local Government Association following the completion of their Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC), and to agree to the subsequent development of a Detailed Action Plan as outlined in the report.

The Committee considered the proposed Outline Action Plan that sought to address the 12 recommendations from the Local Government Association (LGA) following the completion of their Corporate Peer Challenge.

The Committee were advised that the LGA team would need to come back to the Council in September 2023 and complete their report by the end of November 2023.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Agree the proposed Outline Action Plan as outlined in the report to address the 12 recommendations from the Local Government Association; and

2.    Agree to the subsequent development of a Detailed Action Plan.

Committee is asked to consider and approve the creation of a Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.

Councillor Nichols entered the Chamber at 20:16

The Committee considered a report that sought approval for the creation of a new Commercial Assets Sub-Committee with associated Terms of Reference and the changes to the Terms of Reference for the existing Development Sub-Committee.

The Committee agreed in principle to the creation of a Commercial Assets Sub-Committee but wanted to look at its Terms of Reference again and alongside this look at the revisions needed to the Terms of Reference for the Development Sub-Committee. A focus group would be set up that would consist of members and officers to look at both Terms of Reference and report back to this Committee with their recommendations. If additional professional advice was needed, the Committee agreed to undertake a procurement exercise to employ an external consultant.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Create a Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

2.    Delegate authority to the Development Sub-Committee to revisit the Terms of Reference for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee and to revise its own Terms of Reference and to take any professional advice as required; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to consider any constitutional changes that are required.

Committee is asked to note the Treasury Management Outturn position for 2022/23.

The Committee considered a Treasury Management Annual Outturn Report 2022/23.

The Committee resolved to note the report.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Committee resolved to note the contents of the Forward Plan with the following addition:

‘Review of Consultants Working within Spelthorne Borough Council’.

To note those urgent actions which have been taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader since the last Corporate Policy and Resources meeting on 29 June 2023.

There were none.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of 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.

It was proposed by Councillor Beecher and Seconded by Councillor Bateson and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following items, 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 in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms:

Item 12  – Knowle Green Estates Ltd

Item 13  – Licensing Policy for Houses in Multiple Occupation

Committee is asked to consider an exempt report in respect of Knowle Green Estates.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommendations as outlined in the exempt report in respect of Knowle Green Estates Limited.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommendations as outlined in the exempt report in respect of Knowle Green Estates Limited.

Committee is asked to approve the revisions to the Housing in Multiple Occupation Policy.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommendations as outlined in the exempt report in respect of the Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation.

The Committee considered a report that sought approval for mandatory licensing for houses in multiple occupation.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommendations as outlined in the exempt report in respect of the Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation.