Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2021 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were none.

The Chair, or her nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

Note: the deadline for questions to be considered at this meeting is 5pm on Thursday 4 November 2021. 

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

Note: the deadline for ward issues to be notified for consideration at this meeting is 12 noon on Thursday 4 November 2021.

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues had been received.

There were none.

To receive a Parking Services update from the Parking Services Operational Manager.

The Parking Services Operational Manager presented the parking services update which provided the Committee with an overview of the parking situation within the borough. He explained the car parks within the borough  (particularly in Staines Town Centre) usually generated significant income, but this was disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions. Though there was an increase of visitors and revenue from recreational ground car parks, this was not enough to cover the losses from the town centre car parks.

The Committee noted the operational costs for car parks and management of residential parking within the borough. The Committee acknowledged that Parking Services faced difficulties as spending, shopping, and travelling habits had evolved during the pandemic. The Committee expressed an interest in options for cashless parking being provided within the borough and looked forward to more information being provided at the next meeting.

The Committee requested more information be provided on what was being done within the Business Improvement District to encourage shoppers to return to Staines Town Centre and use Spelthorne Borough Council owned car parks.

The Committee resolved to note the parking services update from the Parking Services Operational Manager.

To note the forecast outturn for 2021/22 as at 30 September 2021.

The Committee received a revenue monitoring report related to Neighbourhood Services for quarter two of the financial year from the Chief Accountant and welcomed feedback from the Committee. He confirmed there were no further figures to update since the report had been published and explained that the largest variance in the report continued to be due to under recovery of income.

The Committee noted that most income was generated from town centres and discussed what could be done to mitigate any further losses. The Committee noted that incremental changes needed to be made to alleviate losses, but the larger focus would need to be encouraging visitors to return to town centres. The Committee also requested clarification on vacant posts within Neighbourhood Services, and this was provided by the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services.

The Committee requested more information be provided in relation to the variance related to Pollution Control Assessments.

The Committee resolved to note the forecast outturn for 2021/22 as at 30 September 2021 and the aggregate variances by cost centre reported in Appendix A of the report.

To receive an update on cemetery capacity within the borough from the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services presented the report which provided an update on cemetery capacity within the borough. She reported that the Council had recently undergone a full analysis to ensure all plots available at all cemeteries and burial grounds within the borough were recorded. As a result of this exercise, it was found that there was enough space to last for the next ten to fifteen years, but these numbers were reviewed periodically.

The Committee noted the timeline for future capacity for both burial and cremated remains as well as alternative options for burial sites.

The Committee resolved to note the update on cemetery capacity within the borough given by the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services.

To receive a verbal update on the litter poster campaign from the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services provided a verbal update on the litter poster campaign. She confirmed that all signage within the borough had been replaced with posters as part of a single campaign. She also confirmed that there had been an attempt to engage local schools in producing litter posters to place outside their schools, but this hadn’t generated much engagement and another attempt would be made in spring.

The Committee requested information on the Spelthorne Litter Pickers, and the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services confirmed she received regular updates and feedback from them.

The Committee resolved to note the verbal update on the litter poster campaign.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services provided the Committee with a summary of the work programme for the Committee at future meetings.

The Committee resolved to note the Forward Plan, subject to the following amendments:

1.  Parking Services Update be amended to reflect that it was not a key decision;

2. Cashless Parking will be amended to reflect it is a Key Decision;

3. Electric Vehicle Charging Points in Car Parks to be scheduled for the 3 March 2022 meeting;

4. Committee Services to circulate an updated version of the Forward Plan with the minutes.

To consider any business deemed as urgent by the Chair.

There was none.