Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting held on 14 January 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2025 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 a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund by Spelthorne District Scouts towards improvements for Hengrove Scout Hut.

The Committee resolved to authorise £15,000 from the Green Initiatives Fund towards improvements for Hengrove Scout Hut.

Councillor Brennan arrived at 19:04.

The Committee considered a funding bid from Spelthorne District Scouts towards improvements for Hengrove Scout Hut from the Green Initiatives Fund. If approved, the funding would be used to improve the energy efficiency of the building, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the overall condition of the building for the tenants.

The Committee noted the funding was requested as part of a programme of improvements the tenants wished to make, and information on other funding opportunities had been provided to them. The Committee felt the use of funding for improvements to the building would be beneficial, not just to the tenants but to the Council as well.

The Committee resolved to authorise £15,000 from the Green Initiatives Fund towards improvements for Hengrove Scout Hut.

To consider a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund towards funding a Climate Change Officer.

The Committee resolved to authorise £50,900 of funding from the Green Initiatives Fund to finance the climate change office role up to 2028/29.

The Committee considered a request for funding from the Green Initiatives Fund to finance a Climate Change Officer role up to 2028/29. The role had previously been funded through the Green Initiatives Fund, and a final year of funding was sought to give security to the role through 2028/2029. The funding requested covered the salary as well as oncosts.

Examples of the past and current work undertaken by the Climate Change Officer were provided to the Committee. The Committee noted the plans set out by the current postholder and what they hoped to achieve with the support of members.

The Committee resolved to authorise £50,900 of funding from the Green Initiatives Fund to finance the climate change officer role up to 2028/29.

To make a recommendation to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for a representative from the Environment and Sustainability Committee to be appointed to the Spelthorne Direct Services Board.

The Committee resolved to recommend to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that Councillor Councillor Woodward be appointed to sit on the Board of Spelthorne Direct Services Limited.

The Committee considered nominations to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for a member to sit on the Board of Spelthorne Direct Services Limited. Spelthorne Direct Services is a commercial waste company owned by the Council. Guidance suggested that a councillor should be appointed to sit on the board to help strengthen governance.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Mathur that Councillor Woodward be put forward as the nomination from the Committee.

The Committee resolved to recommend to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that Councillor Woodward be appointed to sit on the Board of Spelthorne Direct Services Limited.

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

Community Infrastructure Levy Task Groups (to follow)

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.

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 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.

Meeting ended 19:26