Agenda and decisions

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2024 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.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

To review and recommend the draft 2025-26 Budget for the Committee to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

Committee resolved to agree the Community Wellbeing draft detailed budget for 2025/26 and made a recommendation to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to approve the proposed budget.

To review and recommend the 2025-26 draft detailed capital Budget for the Committee to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

Committee resolved to agree the Community Wellbeing draft detailed capital budget for 2025/26 and made a recommendation to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to approve the proposed budget.

To consider the Annual Grant Awards 2025/2026 and make a recommendation to Council.

Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the recommendations of the Grants Panel regarding the proposed recipients of the 2025/2026 community grants, and made a recommendation to Council.

2.    Approve the recommendations of the Grants Panel regarding indicative grant funding for the 5 core funded organisations for 2026/2027.

3.    Note the other support that Spelthorne Borough Council provides to the voluntary/charity sector.

4.    Note the proposal that any underspend from the Council Grants and Better Neighbourhood Grants budget will be carried forward to the next financial year.

     5. Note the potential changes to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

To consider the proposed works and additional spend at the Eclipse Leisure Centre.

Committee resolved to:

1.     Approve option one and a budget of £3000 in relation to the sauna coals.

2.     Approve option 4, subject to exploring alternative hedging solutions and a budget of £10,000 in relation to the barrier to protect the turfed area.

3.     Delegate approval of the final solution in relation to the design barrier to protect the turfed area to the Group Head Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee.

To consider adoption of the Spelthorne Leisure and Culture Strategy 2025-2035.

Committee resolved to:

1.     Approve and adopt the Spelthorne Leisure & Culture Strategy 2025-2035

2.     Agree delegated authority to the Group Head, Community Wellbeing in consultation with Chair and Vice Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee to make necessary changes to the Spelthorne Leisure and Culture Strategy, 2025 – 2035.

To consider the proposed scheme of distribution of Household Support Fund Phase 6.

Committee resolved to:

1.    Agree the proposed scheme of distribution of Household Support Fund Phase 6 as per preferred option 3.

2.    Agree that in the event of any funds being unallocated that they are moved to the “General Allocation Pot” at the end of March 2025.

To consider the continuation of the Community Centre Saturday opening Provision.

Committee resolved to:

1. Continue to endorse the Council’s approach of expanding the Community Centres provision to take account of the impact of current cost of living, energy and social isolation crisis on our communities.

2. Continue with the provision of opening at least one community centre within the borough of Spelthorne for 6 days a week, which is currently in place, engaging centre staff to provide the additional provision as per option 2.

3.To agree delegated authority to Deputy Chief Executive Terry Collier in consultation with Chair and Vice Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee to agree a continuation every 6 months within the permitted budget envelope.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of 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.

To make a recommendation to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee regarding the unit price of meals on wheels.

The Committee resolved to make a recommendation to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to increase the unit price of meals on wheels based on option 3.

To make a recommendation to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee regarding the unit price of OPAL Group.

The Committee resolved to make a recommendation to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to increase the unit price of OPAL Group based on option 2. 

To note the update and amended operational arrangements as set out in the report.