Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for non-attendance and details of Member substitutions.

No apologies for absence were received.

Councillor R Smith-Ainsley attended the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2022.

MINUTES TO FOLLOW

The Committee resolved to agree the minutes.

The Committee considered the following outstanding action from the meeting held on 24 January 2022:

The Committee had asked the Assets Team to provide costings and details of the viability of the 91-93 High Street, Staines proposed development. The Property and Development Manager advised the Committee that this work had not been completed and that it would be presented to the Committee once the figures had been finalised.

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

Councillors Doran, Harvey, Noble and Smith-Ainsley are Planning Committee members and therefore will not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

Councillors Helen Harvey, Doran and Noble 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.

Councillor S Mooney advised the Committee that she was a Surrey County Councillor and asked that this disclosure was put on future minutes as a standing item.

The Chair, or his 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.

There were none.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

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

There were none.

To consider any urgent actions that have arisen since last meeting.

There were none.

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 Councillor Buttar, Seconded by Councillor Nichols and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following items, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose 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.

To consider and note the Benwell Phase One End of Project Report and to provide feedback on the format and any areas of improvement for subsequent reports.

Report to follow

The Committee resolved to move this item into the Part II session of the meeting so members could discuss the report and all the appendices.

The Committee considered a report from the Development and Property Manager, that sought to share with the Committee the feedback from two 3 hour ‘lessons learnt’ workshops that involved a wide number of Assets Teams officers both from the development and property management teams.

The Committee members provided feedback on the format of the report and any areas of improvement for subsequent reports.

Report to follow.

The Committee considered a report from the Development & Property Manager, Nick Cummings on the Long Lane Pavillion, Stanwell.

The Committee resolved to approve the Council entering into an agreement with Stanwell Events

To consider an urgent item on Benwell Phase II Development. This item is urgent because delays in approval of a revised scheme to be submitted to the Planning Committee will increase the amount of ongoing costs to the Council.

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.

This item was an urgent item on Benwell Phase II Development. This item was considered urgent because delays in approval of a revised scheme to be submitted to the Planning Committee would increase the amount of ongoing costs to the Council.

This item was considered by the Committee after Benwell Phase I End-of-Project Report (minute no. 38/22)

Reason for exemption

This report contained 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 Development and Property Manager, Nick Cummings advised the Committee that there were currently issues with Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park in respect of anti-social behaviour and health and safety.