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

There were none.

To consider and agree the publication of the Consultation Response document.

Jane Robinson, Local Plans Manager, presented her report setting out the results of the Staines Development Framework consultation.

The consultation looked at issues affecting the town and proposed options of how to address these.  Concerns had been raised by local residents and councillors about the height and massing of buildings in Staines and the consultation gave an opportunity for feedback on this subject.

Concern was expressed that the volume of information was likely to deter the public from reading the results of the consultation thoroughly and that a summary document drawing out key issues should be published with the consultation response.   The Staines Development Task Group had previously discussed this option but considered it best to publish all responses received in the interests of openness and transparency and officers had been concerned that they could be accused of editorial bias in producing any summary.

The Committee noted that there had been some technical glitches in publication of the document as part of the agenda pack and that these would be addressed prior to formal publication of the response document.   A request was also made that a quantitative data baseline was included to make the information more meaningful. 

The Committee resolved to agree publication of the consultation response document by the Strategic Planning Manager subject to minor amendments as discussed during the meeting and the provision of a summary document by the Staines Development Task Group, agreed by the Chair and Vice Chair of the Local Plan Task Group and Chair and Vice Chair of the Staines Development Task Group.

Reason for decision

The Consultation Response document is a factual account of what was expressed by those who responded. It is important for transparency that the document is published so that members of the public, especially those who participated, can see what was said and that the Council can incorporate these views into the next stage of the Framework’s preparation.

A summary of the document would be useful in providing an overview to the public.

To consider and agree the consultation response to Surrey County Council.

The Committee considered a report setting out the Council’s proposed response to the consultation by Surrey County Council on the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP4) for 2022 to 2032.  The LTP4 sets out the County’s vision for Transport and the objectives to tackle climate change and work towards net zero carbon by 2050.

The proposed response was generally supportive of the document. There were some key points that the Council wished to raise in response generally and also specifically to the borough, such as air quality management.  It was suggested that more should be done to monitor/improve air quality at the lynch traffic points and that Surrey County Council’s support should be sought.  The Chair supported the idea of an additional air monitoring point in the borough and suggested this was added to the forward plan for consideration.  Cllr Fidler believed that Spelthorne is responsible for air quality monitoring equipment.

The Committee asked that additional information was added on a number of matters including improvements to the local bus network and learning from the success of TfL, access to Heathrow airport and in particular from the south, improvements to the rail service and the addition of Spelthorne to the Oyster zone / contactless payment system.

The Committee resolved the consultation response should be amended by the Strategic Planning Manager in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair to incorporate the additional comments and views expressed by members. The response would then be circulated to members before being issued to Surrey County Council on behalf of Spelthorne Borough Council.

Reason for decision

The draft Local Transport Plan (LPT4) considers the key challenges facing Surrey in relation to transport and sets out the approach to reduce carbon emissions towards net zero carbon by 2050. The consultation is an opportunity to ensure the Council’s views are captured as the draft progresses to the final Plan.