Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023 as a correct record.

19:02 - Councillor Gyawali arrived at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023 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 review and approve the proposed fees and charges for 2024-2025 and recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that they approve the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024-2025.

The Committee resolved to:

1.     Review the Fees and Charges for 2024-25 for this Committee.

2.     Approve the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024-25 for this Committee.

3.     Recommend to Corporate Policy & Resources Committee that they approve the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024-25.

The Committee considered the Fees and Charges under the Economic Development Committee’s remit as part of the annual budget process. All Fees and Charges presented for review by the Committee were discretionary and were adjusted in accordance with direction from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that they should rise by approximately 5%.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024-25 for this Committee.

2.    Recommend to Corporate Policy & Resources Committee that they approve the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024-25.

To review and approve service plans for the Committee’s area(s) of responsibility.

Report to follow.

The Committee resolved to:

1.     Formally review the proposed Revenue Growth Bids and Savings Plan for 2024-2025 for this Committee

2.     Approve the proposed Revenue Growth Bids and Savings Plan for 2024-25 for this Committee

3.     Recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that they approve the proposed Revenue Growth Bids and Savings Plan for 2024-25

The Committee considered the Service Plans under the Committee’s remit for 2024-25. The Service Plans set out the proposed revenue growth bids and savings plan for the next financial year.

The Chief Accountant advised the Committee that the growth bid set out in the report was fully funded and would have no impact on the overall Council budget.

The Committee noted expenditure on salaries had decreased from last year and requested clarification on the reasons for this. The Committee were advised that this may be due to temporary contracts not being renewed, but confirmation would be provided outside the meeting. The Committee also noted the costs related to the business incubator had increased significantly, and were advised that this was mostly in part to an increase in utility bills.

A committee member raised that they felt more work could be done to engage international businesses to operate in Spelthorne. The Group Head – Place, Protection Prosperity advised that it could not be considered during this point in the budget process, but agreed to provide further information for the Committee in future.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the proposed Revenue Growth Bids and Savings Plan for 2024-25 for this Committee

2.    Recommend to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that they approve the proposed Revenue Growth Bids and Savings Plan for 2024-25

To note the proposed draft budget for 2024-25 for the Committee’s areas of responsibility.

After publication of the agenda, this item was included as Appendix D in item 6 on the agenda and as it was considered under that item, did not require separate consideration.

To note the net expenditure budget for the Committee’s areas of responsibility.

After publication of the agenda, this item was included as Appendix C in item 6 on the agenda and as it was considered under that item, did not require separate consideration.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Committee considered the forward plan for future Committee business.

The Committee requested further information be provided on the Heathrow and Air Space Modernisation item, and the Group Head – Place, Protection and Prosperity agreed to provide further information to the Committee.

The Committee agreed to note the forward plan subject to the inclusion of the additional item raised at the meeting.

Meeting ended at 19:38

The following actions arose from the meeting:

The Group Head – Place, Protection, Prosperity, agreed to produce a report regarding international business engagement in the borough.

The Group Head – Place, Protection, Prosperity agreed to provide the Committee with further information regarding specific budget items.

The Group Head – Place, Protection, Prosperity agreed to provide the Committee with further information regarding Heathrow’s future plans.