Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

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

Apologies were received from, Councillors Buck, Gibson and Howkins. Councillor Caplin attended as Councillor Gibson’s substitute.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 and the extraordinary meeting held on 3 February 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 and the extraordinary meeting held on 3 February 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillors Bateson, Beatty, Caplin, and Clarke are also members of the Planning Committee.

Councillor Sinead Mooney declared she was also a member of the West Surrey Voluntary Joint 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.

The Committee will receive a presentation on the Business Growth Service.

The Committee resolved to note the update on the Spelthorne Business Growth Service.

The Committee received a presentation from Ray Lavery from CPG Executive Consulting Ltd on the Spelthorne Business Growth Service. Ray advised that although the early months of the year were expected to be quiet, targets for engagement had been achieved so far, with expectation to meet future targets. Ray outlined the different types of support that were offered for businesses and how they were tailored to what individual businesses required. Data against Key Performance Indicators was being collected and would be demonstrated later in the year as support for businesses embedded in practice.

The Committee noted the support that was provided for businesses as well as the different types of businesses that engaged with the service. The Committee acknowledged they would be provided with case studies in future to demonstrate the support provided and improvement to businesses.

The Committee resolved to note the update on the Spelthorne Business Growth Service.

The Committee will receive a presentation on the delivery of the Ashford Business Improvement District project.

The Committee resolved to note the update on the Ashford Business Improvement District project.

The Committee received a presentation on the Ashford Business Improvement District (BID) project from Andy Wilmott from Places Support Partnership. Andy advised the Committee that work was underway on the mobilisation and governance phase, and all info to-date was being reviewed to provide updated modelling and options for the BID proposal. The aim of the proposal was to meet the needs and demands of the business within the BID area and to ensure it was affordable for businesses. Conversations with key stakeholders were taking place, with a ballot date set for late 2026.

The Committee noted that some resident groups had been involved in conversations, but the focus of the BID was businesses as they would be the BID ratepayers.

The Committee resolved to note the update on the Ashford Business Improvement District project.

To receive any further updates on Heathrow Rail from the Chair of the HSR/SLR Working Group Chair.

The Committee resolved to note the update on Heathrow Rail.

The Committee received an update from the Chair of the HSR/SLR Working Group on progress of Heathrow Rail since the Council indicated support for the project.

Councillor Bateson confirmed that Heathrow had acknowledged the three caveats outlined by the Council in their support. Future work included undertaking studies on Staines Moor and flood risk.

The Committee expressed a desire for the authority, and the successor authority, to continue to be involved in discussions about the rail project.

The Committee resolved to note the update on Heathrow Rail.

To receive updates from the Chair on items within the Committee’s remit.

The Committee resolved to note the updates.

The Committee received an update from the Chair on work being undertaken for disposals in the regeneration portfolio, and the progress on the sale of Thameside House.

The Committee resolved to note the updates.

To note any urgent actions which have been taken since the last meeting.

There were none.

To note the Forward Plan for future business.

The Committee considered the forward plan for future committee business.

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan for future committee business.