Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for this meeting of the Development Sub-Committee

Nominations were received for Cllr Nichols and Cllr Smith-Ainsley.

A vote was taken and it was resolved that Cllr Nichols be appointed Chairman for this meeting.

To receive any apologies for non-attendance.

There were none.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 09 August 2021.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 9 August 2021 were agreed as a correct record subject to inclusion that a request had been made that a report would be presented regarding developments affected by the moratorium. 

The detail of the restricted minutes was discussed in private session and it was agreed that these should be amended to reflect in greater detail the discussion that had taken place on the Waterfront project and then circulated to members of the Sub-Committee for comment.

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

Councillors Helen Harvey, Noble and Smith-Ainsley advised the Committee that they were Planning Committee members and therefore would not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

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.

It was proposed by Cllr Nichols and Seconded by Cllr Smith-Ainsley and resolved to move the exclusion of the Press and Public for the remaining items on the agenda 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 receive an update from the Group Head Regeneration and Growth on Staines Library.

Reason for exemption

This report contains 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:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

The Committee considered a report recommending that negotiations commence with Surrey County Council to relocate the Staines Library and Spelthorne Museum.

Surrey County Council had aspirations to improve and develop the library facilities in the town centre and the proposed site would provide greater opportunity for this.  Spelthorne Museum were supportive in principle. 

Councillors Bateson and Beecher were invited to give their views as representatives of Staines wards.  Both considered that the idea had merit.

The Committee resolved to make a recommendation to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that negotiations may commence with Surrey County Council to relocate Staines Library and Spelthorne Museum from Thames Street in Staines upon Thames.

To receive an update from the Group Head Regeneration and Growth on the proposed Staines Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Reason for exemption

This report contains 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:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding process for the site by allowing other bidders to know the position of the Council. This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the bids process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to acquire a site in order to enable regeneration in the Borough.

The Committee received and noted an update on the Centre.

To receive an update from the Development and Property Manager, on development projects.

Reason for exemption

This report contains 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:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding process for the site/services by allowing other bidders to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the bids process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to acquire a site/services in order to enable regeneration in the Borough.

The Committee received and noted an update on development projects.

To consider an urgent item on White House Residential and Thameside House. This item is urgent because the design of the residential units is progressing and if a revised design is to be explored this needs to commence without any delay to ensure that there are no project delays which will immediately impact upon costs, time and resource availability to progress.

Reason for exemption

This report contains 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:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding process for the site/services by allowing other bidders to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the bids process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to acquire a site/services in order to enable regeneration in the Borough.

The Sub-Committee resolved:

1.    White House – Residential Units

That a report providing more detailed information in terms of value of the site and viability should be submitted to the meeting on 20 September 2021 so that consideration could be given to the proposal to deliver affordable housing on the brownfield area of the site.

2.    Thameside House

That a detailed report is provided to the Sub-Committee at their meeting on 20 September 2021 listing all of the various options available on how the development can be progressed for further consideration.