Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting held on 18 June 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2024 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 their 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:

1)    Authorising the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to commence a tender for the procurement of play area equipment

2)    Delegating authority to the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to appoint the chosen supplier/s

3)    Authorising the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter the contract with the selected supplier

The Committee resolved to

1)    Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to commence a tender for the procurement of play area equipment;

2)    Delegate authority to the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to appoint the chosen supplier/s;

3)    Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter the contract with the selected supplier.

The Committee considered a request to refurbish the older children’s play area in Lammas Park. The Deputy Group Head Neighbourhood Services confirmed Section 106 funding had been provided for the refurbishment.

The Committee noted the popularity of the current play area and queried how extensive the refurbishment would be. The Committee were assured that views from park users on the current play area had been sought, and only outdated equipment would be removed or replaced. The rest of the play area would be enhanced.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to commence a tender for the procurement of play area equipment;

2)    Delegate authority to the Group Head Neighbourhood Services to appoint the chosen supplier/s;

3)    Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter the contract with the selected supplier.

To consider approval of the submission of Spelthorne Borough Council’s response to the Government’s open consultation of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the planning system.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Approve the submission of Spelthorne Borough Council’s response to the Government’s open consultation of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the planning system;

2)    Give delegated authority to the Group Head Place Protection and Prosperity in consultation with the Chair of the Environment & Sustainability Committee to make any final amendments to the consultation response before it is submitted.

The Committee considered the Council’s response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation. The Senior Planning Officer highlighted key proposed changes to the policy which included a new standard method for calculating housing need, demonstration of a five year housing land supply, approach to green belt release, and provision of affordable housing.

Councillor Rybinski proposed that wording be added to emphasise protection of the green belt and supporting the climate change agenda. This was seconded by Councillor Howkins. The Committee agreed by majority that the response be amended as suggested. The Committee noted that the reservoirs in the borough were calculated as highly performing green belt, and felt this added constraints to areas with large amounts of water. Councillor Williams proposed that further wording be added to request this be taken into account. This was seconded by Councillor Sexton and agreed by the Committee.

The Committee noted the suggestion for local authorities to assess for modernised economies and explored what this may mean. The Committee acknowledged the suggestion for local nature recovery strategies and confirmed that ecological surveys were undertaken, and if adopted, the Local Plan would require all development to provide at least 10% biodiversity net gain.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Approve the submission of Spelthorne Borough Council’s response to the Government’s open consultation of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the planning system;

2)    Give delegated authority to the Group Head Place Protection and Prosperity in consultation with the Chair of the Environment & Sustainability Committee to make any final amendments to the consultation response before it is submitted.

To consider a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund towards funding for electric vehicle charging.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Authorise funding of £7,787.38 from the Green Initiatives Fund to offset the already spent cost of the provision sufficient electric vehicle charging.

The Committee considered a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund for the reallocation of funds towards Electric Vehicle Charging at Knowle Green, the Depot, and the Council’s nursery. The previous back-end operator was not meeting the requirements for the operational use of the Council’s electric vehicles, so the software required replacement.

The Committee noted that all charging sites had been upgraded. The charging sites were also available for staff use, but staff were charged a fee for personal use.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Authorise funding of £7,787.38 from the Green Initiatives Fund to offset the already spent cost of the provision sufficient electric vehicle charging.

To consider a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund towards the application for Carbon Literacy Accreditation.

The  Committee resolved to:

1)    Approve the bid for funding of £2,500 from the Green Initiatives Fund towards the application for Carbon Literacy Accreditation.

The Committee considered a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund to apply for bronze and silver Carbon Literacy Accreditation for the Council. The Sustainability and Flood Risk Officer confirmed that the Council had met bronze accreditation and would shortly be able to apply for silver accreditation. The request also met one of the Council’s corporate objectives to become a certified carbon literate organisation.

The Committee noted that further Carbon Literacy training would be offered for councillors in the coming months.

The  Committee resolved to:

1)    Approve the bid for funding of £2,500 from the Green Initiatives Fund towards the application for Carbon Literacy Accreditation.

To consider:

1)    Agreeing the publication of the Climate Change Strategy Progress Report

2)    Approving the changes to the Climate Change Strategy Action Plan

The Committee resolved to

1)    Agree to the publication of the Climate Change Strategy Progress Report, and

2)    Approve the changes to the Climate Change Strategy Action Plan.

The Committee received a progress report on the Climate Change Strategy from the Sustainability and Flood Risk Officer. Following a declaration of a Climate Emergency by the Council in 2020, a Climate Change Strategy was developed and adopted in September 2022. Though there were many positive and completed actions to report, the Council’s emissions had increased.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Agree to the publication of the Climate Change Strategy Progress Report, and

2)    Approve the changes to the Climate Change Strategy Action Plan.

To note the Committee’s strategic priorities for 2024/2025.

The Committee received the strategic priorities that fell within the Committee’s remit as part of the Corporate Plan.

The Committee resolved to note the strategic priorities.

To consider the appointment of the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee to the Design Code Task Group.

The Committee resolved to amend the membership o the Design Code Task Group to include the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee.

The Committee considered a request to amend the membership of the Design Code Task Group.

It was proposed by Councillor Burrell and seconded by Councillor Williams that the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee be added to the Design Code Task Group.

The Committee resolved to amend the membership of the Design Code Task Group to include the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee.

To receive an update on the following task and finish and/or working groups:

Community Infrastructure Levy Task Groups – written update

Climate Change Working Group – verbal update

Spelthorne Design Code Task Group – verbal update

The Committee received an update on the work of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Task Groups, and a verbal update on the work of the Climate Change Working Group and the Design Code Task Group.

The Chair provided a summary of topics and reports discussed at the last meetings of the Climate Change Working Group and encouraged members to take park in upcoming Carbon Literacy Training.

The Chair of the Design Code Task Group provided a summary of the work of the Design Code Task Group since the Committee last met. The Committee requested that the Design Code definition be circulated to them after the meeting.

The Committee resolved to note the updates.

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

The Committee received the forward plan.

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan for future Committee business.