Agenda and minutes

The Committee’s Terms of Reference were presented to the Committee.

Committee to receive a presentation on the work of the Economic Development Team.

Due to availability of the presenter, the Chair proposed that item 7 on the agenda be heard before this item. The Committee agreed.

The Committee received a presentation from the Economic Development Manager on the work and structure of the Economic Development Team.

The Committee explored how the Economic Development team provided support with employment in the borough through associates such as the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Committee noted the collaboration of the Economic Development team with the other districts and boroughs across Surrey to provide support for businesses within the borough.

The Committee suggested and agreed that information on the Spelthorne Business Forum should be provided for all councillors.

The Committee resolved to note the presentation.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023 as a correct record of proceedings.

The Committee resolved to note the minutes of the meeting held 12 January 2023 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 receive a presentation on the Staines Business Improvement District (BID).

Due to availability of the presenter, the Chair suggested this item be heard before item 3 on the agenda. The Committee agreed.

The Committee received a presentation from the Business Improvement District (BID) Manager.

The BID Manager reviewed the BID area for the Committee as well a requirements for business inclusion. The four objectives of the BID were safety, marketing and events, welcoming, and business information. Achievements and events of the last six months were reviewed, alongside communication with businesses.

The Committee confirmed that it was compulsory for businesses with over £15k annual rateable value to contribute to the BID, though there were some exceptions for certain categories of businesses.

The Committee queried how the BID was addressing incidents of anti-social behaviour in Staines Town Centre. The BID Manager explained that BID rangers were equipped with body cameras, and CCTV covered the town centre. The BID Manager had also met with the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner who was working to increase the number of PCSO’s in the area. Longer term plans included training BID rangers in the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme to enable them to issue fines.

The Committee inquired how the success of the BID was measured, and the BID manager explained that success of events was measured via social media outreach, event attendance, and feedback from businesses.

The Committee resolved to note the presentation on the Staines Business Improvement District.

Report to follow.

The Committee considered Spelthorne Council’s response to Heathrow’s consultation on their draft Noise Action Plan. Key considerations for Spelthorne included the impact of the runway alternation on Stanwell Moor, and night time flights, and whether anything further could be done beyond the timespan of the plan. A brief on the draft had been provided to the Environment and Sustainability Committee, but the proposed draft was presented to this committee for consideration.

In accordance with Standing Order 35 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chair agreed that members of the Environment and Sustainability Committee present were welcome to contribute on the item, though they were not allowed to vote on the item.

The Chair of Environment and Sustainability Committee queried if consideration could be given to additional sign-off by the Chair and Vice-Chair of Environment and Sustainability Committee as issues regarding Heathrow also fell under consideration of that Committee. This was agreed.

The Committee acknowledged that Heathrow’s plan to significantly increase Easterly arrivals would hugely affect residents of Stanwell Moor, and requested that the response opposing that plan be strengthened in paragraph 5.3.

The Committee noted that Heathrow would also be applying for planning permission to make alterations to their runway to accommodate the alternating use of the runway. When that application was submitted, the Council  would respond to the application, and residents would also be invited to respond.

The Committee queried how residents could express concern over current aircraft noise and were advised contact information was available through the Spelthorne Borough Council website.

The Committee resolved to agree Spelthorne Council’s response to Heathrow’s draft Noise Action Plan, including any further comments or changes agreed at the meeting, with the final sign-off to be delegated to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Committee and Environment and Sustainability Committee.

The 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.

It was proposed by Councillor J Button, seconded by Councillor J Boughtflower and resolved that the public and press be excluded during discussion of this agenda item, in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose 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 because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

The Committee considered a report from the Economic Development Manager regarding the Business Incubator.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommended option as set out in the report.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Committee considered the forward plan for future committee business.

The Chair raised that Surrey County Council had their own Economic Development department and suggested an invitation be extended to them to give a presentation to the Committee. This suggestion received support from the Committee.

The Chair also invited the Committee to review the Terms of Reference before the next meeting and suggested any changes to be recommended to Council. This suggestion received support from the Committee.

The Chair raised that he felt there were elements missing from the Strategic Prosperity Strategy for the borough.

Councillor J Boughtflower left the meeting at 21:24

The Committee discussed how the strategy was currently monitored and how often it was updated. The Committee agreed to review the strategy ahead of the next meeting so that it could be considered in more detail.

Councillor R Geach left the meeting at 21:30

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan subject to the inclusion of the following items:

-       Surrey County Council’s Economic Development department would be invited to give a presentation at a future Committee meeting

-       The Committee’s Terms of Reference would be reviewed at the next meeting

-       The Economic Prosperity Strategy would be reviewed at the next meeting