Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Chandler attended the meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams. As she was not present at the meeting, she was not allowed to vote.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 03 July 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillors Beatty, Beecher, Burrell, Chandler, Gibson, Howkins, Nichols and Williams advised the Committee that they were members of the Planning Committee and therefore would not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

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 action that have arisen since last meeting.

There were no urgent actions to report.

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

The Sub-Committee considered the forward plan for future sub-committee business.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the forward plan.

To nominate up to four members of the Development Sub-Committee to attend the Asset Management Strategy Workshop in September

The Group Head – Assets informed the Sub-Committee that they were in the process of developing a new five year asset management strategy and wished to have member engagement and input. A workshop would take place in September 2023 for members to attend and provide input ahead of the strategy being presented to the Committee later in the year.

Councillors Beecher, Gibson, Howkins, Nichols and Williams expressed an interest in attending the workshop. Though four nominations were originally sought, the Group Head - Assets agreed that five could be accommodated.

The Sub-Committee resolved that Councillors Beecher, Gibson, Howkins, Nichols and Williams attend the Asset Management Strategy Workshop in September 2023.

To consider and agree the terms of reference for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee, and to agree to make changes to the terms of reference for the Development Sub-Committee.

Councillor Chandler joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams at 19:09.

Following a referral from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 17 July 2023, the Development Sub-Committee considered the terms of reference for a new proposed Commercial Asset Sub-Committee and proposed changes to the terms of reference for the Development Sub-Committee. The original report suggested splitting the Development Sub-Committee’s remit so that commercial assets could be dealt with under a separate sub-committee.

The Sub-Committee suggested the following amendments to the terms of reference for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee: that the reference of acquisitions relating to regeneration be refined.

The Sub-Committee suggested the following amendments to the terms of reference for the Non-Commercial Development Sub-Committee: that the reference to membership reflect the same membership for the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee, and that clarity should be provided around the term ‘non-commercial’.

The Sub-Committee suggested that there should be some clarity as to mixed-use developments, and the Group Head – Assets recommended that this would sit best in the developing Asset Management Strategy.

The Committee resolved to agree

1.    The terms of reference for the new Commercial Assets Sub-Committee with the amendments discussed

2.    The changes to the terms of reference for the Development Sub-Committee with the amendments discussed

3.    To note that any Constitutional changes required as a result of the recommendations in the report will be considered by the Standards Committee on 4^th October 2023.

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 Beecher, seconded by Councillor Gibson and resolved to exclude the public and press be excluded for the following agenda items, in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 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 finalizing acceptable contract terms.

To consider a report on a Local Authority Housing Fund Residential Acquisition.

The Committee considered a report from the Group Head – Assets on the acquisition of a further property from the Local Authority Housing Fund.

The Committee resolved to agree the recommendations as set out in the report.

In accordance with Standing Order 21.6, Councillor Nichols requested that his abstention be recorded.

To receive a verbal update on White House Residential from the Development Management Consultant

The Sub-Committee received an update on White House Residential.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the update on White House Residential.

To receive a verbal update on the Ashford Multi Storey Car Park from the Development Management Consultant

The Sub-Committee received a verbal update on the Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the update.

To receive a verbal update on Thameside House from the Development Management Consultant

This item was heard before item 12 on the agenda.

The Sub-Committee received a verbal update on Thameside House.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the verbal update on Thameside House.

To receive a verbal update on the new Leisure Centre from the Development Management Consultant

This item was heard before item 12 on the agenda.

The Sub-Committee received a verbal update on the Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the update on the Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

To receive an update from the Principal Asset Manager on the refurbishment projects.

Due to officer availability, the Chair agreed that this item would be heard before item 11 on the agenda.

The Sub-Committee received an update on refurbishment projects from the Principal Asset Manager.

The Sub-Committee noted the timelines, budget expenditures and anticipated completion dates on the refurbishment projects.

The Sub-Committee resolved to note the update.