Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2021 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2021 were agreed.

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 had been 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 had been received.

There were none.

The process for considering the budget for 2022/23 was explained to the committee.  As part of this process, the committee was invited to consider its recommendations to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 7 February 2022, where all service committee recommendations would be available for consideration as part of the detailed budget report.  A subsequent recommendation would then be made to Council on 24 February 2022.

There was currently a projected revenue budget deficit of approximately £1.35m which the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee needed to address, in order to deliver a legally required balanced budget.

There are no capital bids that require this committee’s consideration.

There were none.

There are no proposed savings that require this committee’s consideration.  A summary of growth bids is attached.

There were no proposed savings bids.

The committee sought clarification on where the National Non-Domestic Rates were accounted for.  Questions were also asked about whether the proposed new posts would represent value for money.

The proposed revenue growth bids were recommended for approval by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and Council.

To consider the proposed fees and charges, for recommendation to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

The proposed fees and charges were reviewed.  It was noted that there was no proposed increase in the charges for plots at Staines Market due to them being broadly in line with other similar markets.  It was also felt that an increase would risk harming the vitality of the market.

The proposed fees and charges were recommended for approval by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

To receive an update on the Economic Prosperity Strategy 2022-2027 and to consider the formation of a task group.

The draft strategy had been informed by the recent Local Economic Assessment.  Environmental elements would be added to a later draft, with the final version to be considered by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in May 2022.  The Additional Restrictions Task Group would be considering the red/amber/green ratings of each proposal.

A particular focus on STEM had been incorporated, as had providing opportunities for local business operators to develop skills, particularly for generating an online presence.

The draft Economic Prosperity Strategy was noted.

To receive an update on the use of the Additional Restrictions Grant.

The committee received information on the use of the latest round of grant funding.  It had been specifically used to support local businesses in the hospitality sector and had provided funding to purchase IT and associated services, training, refreshed shopfronts, etc.  Officers were working hard to ensure that as many businesses as possible were able to benefit from grants before the scheme ended.

It was noted that various measures had been employed to ensure that businesses used grants for permissible purposes.

The update on the use of the Additional Restrictions Grant was noted.

To appoint a member to the Additional Restrictions Grants Task Group.

It was agreed that as the Additional Restrictions Grant was coming to an end, no appointment would be made to the task group.

To receive an update on the Economic Development aspect of the Corporate Recovery Plan.

The Corporate Recovery Plan would be updated to include a section on Heathrow because of its impact on employment in the local area.

The update on the Economic Development Committee’s section of the Corporate Recovery Plan was noted.

To consider the forward plan for committee business.

The Heathrow and Airspace Modernisation item had been delayed pending Heathrow Airport being advised by the Civil Aviation Authority about their capital funding settlement (period H7) which would determine and impact the future work programme. This was not expected until Spring 2022.

The forward plan was agreed.

To consider any business deemed as urgent by the chair.

There was none.