Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Councillor Noble and Councillor Siva.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2022.

Minutes to follow.

Councillor Gibson requested clarification in the minutes as to what would happen to the underground works at the Rill.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2022 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

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

Councillor Gibson advised the Committee that she was a member of the Planning Committee and therefore would not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

Councillor Sexton advised that she was a Surrey County Councillor.

The Chair, or his 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 day, date i.e day after agenda publication.

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 day, date i.e day after agenda publication.

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

There were none.

The Committee noted the Forward Plan for Development Sub-Committee business.

Councillor Nichols asked for clarification as to when the Committee would receive the Business Plan for 12 Hammersmith Grove. The Asset Manager confirmed the Business plan would be presented at the next meeting.

The Committee resolved to agree the Forward Plan.

To consider the contents of the motion submitted by Councillor Beecher to Council on 20 October 2022, that was withdrawn in order for it to be considered at the Development Sub Committee. The Committee are asked to make a recommendation to Corporate Policy & Resources Committee for them to consider at their meeting on 28 November 2022. Council will reconsider it on 08 December 2022.

The Committee consider a motion submitted by Councillor Beecher and were asked to make a recommendation to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

The Deputy Chief Executive explained that a report was being created by officers to enable informed discussion of the motion and would be ready for committee at the next meeting. It was proposed that the item be moved to 14 November 2022.

The Committee voted and resolved not to defer their discussion.

The Deputy Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer explained the challenging position that Knowle Green Estates was in. These challenges included a reduction in forecast rental income, increased construction costs, and increased interest rates from the Public Works Loan Board. These would leave Knowle Green Estates in a non-viable position.

It was proposed by Councillor I Harvey, seconded by Councillor Buttar and resolved that the public and press be excluded during further consideration of the item, 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.

Following discussion of the exempt information the meeting returned to open session.

It was proposed by Councillor I Harvey, seconded by Councillor Buttar and resolved that the committee did not recommend a temporary adoption of the Staines Development Framework and that the Sub-Committee recommend that the Council move ahead promptly, without delay tomaximise the viability of Council owned development assets.

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 I Harvey 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 any urgent action that have arisen since last meeting.

Urgent Action taken – Ericsson, 14^th Floor, Thames Tower, Reading

Under delegated authority and in consultation with both the Leader and the Chair of the Development Sub Committee an agreement was reached with Ericsson in respect of the 14^th floor at Thames Tower, Reading.

The Committee was informed of an Urgent Action which related to Thames Tower, Reading.

Report to follow.

The Committee considered a report from the Asset Manager that outlined the Annual Commercial Property Report for the year ending 31 March 2022.

The Committee resolved to note the Annual Commercial Property Report.

Report to follow.

The Committee considered a report from the Asset Manager that outlined the Annual Business Plan for the BP Campus.

The Committee resolved to note the BP Campus Annual Business Plan.

Report to follow.

This item was deferred to the meeting of the Development Sub-Committee on 14 November 2022.

Report to follow.

The Committee considered a report from the Asset Manager that outlined the Annual Business Plan for Thames Tower, Reading.

The Committee resolved to note the Thames Tower Annual Business Plan.