Agenda and decisions

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 02 June 2026 as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

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.

The report seeks to:

1.    inform the Committee of current crime levels, highlights areas of improvement or concern and the ongoing initiatives to reduce crime and enhance public safety across the Borough; and

2.    Provide members with an update on crime statistics in Spelthorne for the 2025/26 reporting year, summarises key trends and progress to date and sets out actions taken by Surrey Police and other community safety stakeholders.  

The Committee resolved to receive the progress update contained in the report.

The Committee is asked to receive the Places for People Leisure Annual Report for the period April 2025 to March 2026 and acknowledge the performance against the Leisure Operating Contract.

The Committee resolved to receive Places for People Leisure (PfP) Annual Report for the period April 2025 to March 2026, and acknowledge the performance against the Leisure Operating Contract.

The Committee is asked to:

1.    Consider the contents of this report and make a recommendation to Council to:

a)    Agree in principle to access the Cost and Procurement Advisory Service (CPRAS) Temporary Accommodation Open Framework if established,

b)    Agree a maximum budgeted value of the contracts of £2.4m; and

c)    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Community Wellbeing to enter into Call Off Contracts with providers on the Framework.

The Committee resolved not to make a recommendation to Council on this item and agreed that further details would be communicated to all members through an all member briefing before going onto Council.

The Committee is asked to:

1.    Approve the continuation of the Council’s existing Community Grants Programme (as approved for 2026/27) into 2027/28 for the currently funded strategic community organisations identified within Appendix 1; and

2.    Agree that grant awards are made on the basis of existing funding principles and approved budget provision, subject to normal grant agreements and monitoring arrangements.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the continuation of the Council’s existing Community Grant Programme (as approved for 2026/27) into 2027/28 for the currently funded strategic community organisations identified with Appendix 1; and

2.    Agree that grant awards are made on the basis of existing funding principles and approved budget provision, subject to normal grant agreements and monitoring arrangements.

The Committee is asked to:

1.    Note the outcome of investigations undertaken following the June 2026 Committee meeting regarding potential redistribution of Disabled Facilities Grant underspends from other Local Authorities,

2.    Note that advice received from MHCLG and Foundations confirms that no mechanism exists to transfer underspent DFG funding between Local Authorities and must be returned through the relevant Government funding arrangements,

3.    Approve the amendment of the Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant Policy to remove discretionary means test exemptions for level access showers,

4.    Approve the introduction of means testing for this adaptation type in line with statutory DFG requirements under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996,

5.    Approve the reduction of the aids and adaptations disregard from £2000 to £1000,

6.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee to implement minor operational changes required to enact the revised policy; and

7.    Note the intention to align Spelthorne Borough Council’s DFG Policy with other Surrey Authorities in advance of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Note the outcome of investigations undertaken following the June 2026 Committee Meeting,

2.    Note that advice received from MHCLG and Foundations confirms that no mechanism exists to transfer underspent Disabled Funding Grant (DFG) funding between authorities and must be returned through the relevant Government funding arrangements,

3.    Approve the amendment of the Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant Policy to move discretionary means test exemptions for level access showers,

4.    Approve the introduction of means testing for this adaptation type in line with statutory DFG requirements under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1966,

5.    Approve the reduction of the aids and adaptations disregard from £2000 to £1000,

6.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair to implement minor operational changes required to enact the revised policy; and

7.     Note the intention to align Spelthorne’s DFG Policy with other Surrey Authorities in advance of Local Government Reorganisation.

The Committee is asked to:

a.    Note the current overall assurance level for the Governance Assurance Area relating to ‘Ensuring we address affordable housing supply and demand to meet local need’ which forms part of the Council’s Governance Assurance Register; and

b.    Consider the key focus areas, concerns and issues relating to this Governance Assurance Area, as outlined in Appendix A.

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Committee on 17 November 2026.

The Committee is asked to consider and acknowledge the Q1 2026/27 Key Performance Indicators for:

·         Housing Options

·         Housing Benefits

·         Independent Living

·         Leisure and Community Development

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Committee on 17 November 2026.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Committee on 17 November 2026.