Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Environmental and Sustainability Committee meeting held on 6 September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

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

There were none.

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.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues were received.

There were none.

To consider agreement to a policy focus being developed which would outline ways that would reduce embodied carbon, without requiring an outright embodied carbon calculation, through a Supplementary Planning Document.

The Committee considered a report from the Sustainability Officer regarding embodied carbon foot printing. He explained that calculating carbon foot printing varied across organisations as there was not a universally agreed method. However, there were good methods to assess operational carbon  and focus could more easily be directed on reducing operational carbon foot printing in the Council’s assets. A Supplementary Planning Document could then be produced to provide guidance for developers on future developments in the borough.

The Committee confirmed the Supplementary Planning Document would be compatible with the Local Plan if it were adopted, and how it would be taken into consideration in determining future planning applications. The Committee noted the policy would be focused on new developments. The Committee also acknowledged that discussions over operational carbon and development of a Supplementary Planning Document had taken place across a number of departments within the Council.

The Committee resolved to agree to a policy focus being developed which would outline ways that would reduce embodied carbon, without requiring an outright embodied carbon calculation, through a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

To consider approval of a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund.

The Committee considered a request from Friends of Kenyngton Manor Park Association for £150 from the Green Initiatives Fund. If granted, the money would be used to install a wildflower meadow in Kenyngton Park.

The Committee acknowledged that feedback from previous planting schemes had been reviewed.

The Committee resolved to approve £150 in funding to Friends of Kenyngton Manor Park Association from the Green Initiatives Fund.

To note the overspend on capital expenditure for the Environment and Sustainability Committee against its Capital Programme provision as at 30 June 2022.

The Committee received a report from the Chief Accountant on the performance of the Committee’s allocated capital projects against their approved budget as at 30 June 2022. Current planned overspend related to Laleham Park Pavilion, though it was confirmed there were allocated funds for the project.

The Committee resolved to note the £87k overspend on capital expenditure against its Capital Programme provision as at 30 June 2022.

To note the projected underspend on revenue expenditure for the Environment and Sustainability Committee against its budget as at 30 June 2022.

The Committee received a revenue monitoring report related to Environment and Sustainability Committee for quarter one of the financial year from the Chief Accountant. He highlighted the areas of underspend and advised where rising fuel costs were having an impact.

The Committee resolved to note the £119,760 projected underspend on revenue expenditure for the Environment and Sustainability Committee against its budget as at 30 June 2022.

To receive written or verbal updates from the following Task and Finish/Working Groups:

CIL – written update

Staines Development Task Group – Ann Biggs, Strategic Planning Officer

Local Plan Task Group – Ann Biggs, Strategic Planning Officer

Climate Change Working Group – verbal update from Councillor Noble

The Chairman proposed that this item be heard before item six on the agenda. This was agreed by the Committee.

The Committee received updates on the work of the CIL Task Group, the Staines Development Framework Task Group, and the Local Plan Task Group from the Strategic Planning Manager. An update on the work of the Climate Change Working Group was given by Councillor Noble.

Since the update had been issued with the agenda, the CIL Task Group had met to recommend the NHS bid proceed with removal of EV Charging Points and bike racks. This would need to be agreed by the Spelthorne Joint Committee.

The Staines Development Framework Task Group had met to agree recommended amendments to the finalised draft of the Staines Development Framework. The final draft would be considered by the Committee in November.

There had been no calls to have meetings of the Local Plan Task Group as officers were working through consultation responses. The Committee requested clarification on how questions regarding the Local Plan could be considered. The Strategic Planning Manager explained she was happy to answer questions, but the examination of the Local Plan would be the next forum for debate. The Committee noted that advice on the Local Plan had been received from an advisory inspector and barrister as part of the process. Next steps for the Local Plan process were outlined for the Committee.

Councillor Noble provided a summary of items considered by the Climate Change Working Group.

The Committee resolved to note the updates from the CIL Task Group, Staines Development Task Group, the Local Plan Task Group, and the Climate Change Working Group.

A copy of the Environmental & Sustainability Committee Forward Plan is attached.

The Committee considered the Forward Plan for future committee business.

The Committee acknowledged the significant amount business on the forward plan for the next meeting. The Chairman agreed this would be reviewed.

The Committee resolved to note the Forward Plan for future committee business.

To move the exclusion of the public and press in order to discuss the next items in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was proposed by Councillor Gething, seconded by Councillor Fidler, and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following items, in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

This report contains 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 Paragraph 3 – 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.

The Committee received an Emergency Planning Update from Applied Resilience.

The Committee confirmed that the document was reviewed regularly and that feedback from past emergencies had been incorporated. The Committee noted that the Council worked alongside other responsible authorities to assist with emergencies.

The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report and the Council’s Emergency Plan.

To consider the draft service plans for the following services:

·         Planning Development Management

·         Strategic Planning

The Planning Development Service Plan, and the Strategic Planning Service Plan were presented to the Committee.

The Committee were invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the service plans.

The Committee resolved to note the Planning Development Service Plan and the Strategic Planning Service Plan.