Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Joanne Sexton, Councillor Clare Barratt, and Councillor Richard Barratt.

Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos was nominated to attend as Councillor Sexton’s substitute. She attended the meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams but was not allowed to vote.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2022 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2022 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 their 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 23 June 2022.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were 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 23 June 2022.

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

There were none.

To consider adoption of the Food Safety Service Plan and the Health and Safety Service Plan for 2022/24.

The Committee considered a report on the proposed Food and Health and Safety Service Plans for 2022/24.

The Principal Environmental Health Officer outlined the achievements of the Environmental Health’s Commercial Team for the previous year, and presented the main objectives for the future. She provided a summary of the situations the team addressed over the past year.

The Committee acknowledged the challenges surrounding food businesses registering from private homes as well as how inspections were prioritised. The Committee also confirmed how the team assisted businesses to help them reach the best standards.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Committee:

1. To amend one or both of the proposed service plans.

2. Not adopt one or both of the proposed service plans.

The Committee resolved to adopt both proposed service plans for 2022/2024.

To consider authorising the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to enter a contract with Runnymede Borough Council for the monitoring and maintenance of its on-street CCTV equipment for an initial period of 3 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years in two 12-month extension periods.

The Committee considered a report on a contract award regarding Spelthorne’s CCTV monitoring and maintenance.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that this service had previously been provided by Runnymede Borough Council, and suggested this arrangement should continue. She outlined the benefits the Council had received from the service previously, and how the partnership reduced costs to the borough and its residents.

The Committee noted the noted the number of cameras in the borough as well as how they were utilised by police. The Committee also noted the process for assessment and review for camera placement around the borough. The Committee clarified that the contract did not include deployable cameras which were monitored by Spelthorne Borough Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Committee:

1. Do not enter into a new contract.

2. Enter into a contract with an alternative supplier/partner.

The Committee resolved to authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to enter a contract with Runnymede Borough Council for the monitoring and maintenance of its on-street CCTV equipment for an initial period of 3 year with the option to extend for a further 2 years in two 12-month extension periods.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services provided a summary of reports scheduled to be heard at future committee meetings. She suggested that due to the substantial amount of business due to be heard at the meeting in October 2022, the “JET Environmental Crime Policy” should be scheduled to be heard at the meeting in January 2023. The Committee agreed.

The Committee resolved to note the Forward Plan subject to the changes agreed at the meeting.

To consider an urgent item on Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park.

The Chairman has authorised this for the following reason:

“This item is urgent because it is in the public interest to consider, at the earliest available opportunity, whether the multi-storey car park in Ashford should be re-opened following vandalism that has now made it unsafe to operate without repairs. Urgent consideration is therefore required on whether it is necessary to repair and re-open the car park, or agree that it should remain closed, pending the formulation of future proposals for re-development of the site.”

The Chair agreed to the consideration of this item, in accordance with paragraph (4)(b) of Section 100B of the Local Government Act 1972 for the following reason:

“It is in the public interest to consider, at the earliest available opportunity, whether the multi-storey car park in Ashford should be reopened following vandalism that has now made it unsafe to operate without repairs. Urgent consideration is therefore required on whether it is necessary to repair and re-open the car park, or agree that it should remain closed, pending the formulation of future proposals for redevelopment of the site.”

The Committee considered a verbal report from the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services. She explained that Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park had recently needed to be closed following significant vandalism. She advised that the car park was not well utilised, and in order for the car park to be re-opened, approval for a substantial amount of funding would be required to bring it into a state of good repair and address all health and safety concerns. She confirmed that since its initial closure after the vandalism, there had only been one concern raised in response to its closure, and this had been addressed.

The Committee queried the timeline for re-development as they were aware the it would have an impact on the opening of the car park. The Committee also confirmed that Ashford Councillors had been consulted over the closure and plans for the future of the site.

The Committee resolved to agree the Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park should remain closed.