Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Boughtflower. Councillor Saliagopoulos attended as his substitute.

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

Councillors Bateson, Beatty, Beecher, Burrell, Clarke, Gibson, and Nichols 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 their 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 the Terms of Reference for this Committee.

The Committee considered the Terms of Reference for the Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee. The Committee requested clarification on what the statutory and non-statutory functions were that fell within the Committee’s remit.

The Committee asked whether feedback would be available from the Heathrow Liaison and were advised that this was something that could be requested if they wished.

The Committee asked for an update on the International Business Engagement report that had been on the Forward Plan for the former Economic Development Committee and were advised that it was now on the Forward Plan for Business, Infrastructure and Growth Committee for September.

The Committee asked for clarification as to whether recommendations on disposal of assets would go to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and were informed that, as per the terms of reference, this would go directly to Council.

The Committee asked for clarification on the regeneration portfolio assets being used as income producing. The Group Head Assets advised that there were three assets within the strategic regeneration portfolio that were currently income producing but once they were ready to be developed, would be transferred to the development portfolio.

To discuss the Strategic Priorities for 2024/25 for this Committee.

The Committee considered the Strategic Priorities for 2024/2025.

The Chair highlighted the following areas as potential focuses for the Committee; prioritisation of the Development/Regeneration properties, the Heathrow Rail Link, infrastructure in Town Centres to target antisocial behaviour, and partnership working to deliver infrastructure in support of new homes such as GP surgeries and roads.

The Committee requested an update on the Heathrow Rail link and were advised that the Group Head Place, Protection & Prosperity would be attending a meeting next week with the Heathrow Area Transport Forum on a draft report from HSPG (Arups) on a comparison between Southern Light Rail (SLR) and Heathrow Southern Rail (HSR) This draft report from the HSPG was expected by end of June 2024 and an item would be added to the Forward Plan for the Committee’s meeting in September. The Committee requested that as part of that item a summary of the history of the project could be included. There is a separate meeting between key councillors and HSR next week.

The Committee requested one priority should be to focus on the riverfront and making it more attractive and easily accessible to residents.

To consider the Forward Plan for Committee business.

The Committee noted the Forward Plan with the addition of the items agreed during the meeting.

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 Bateson 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 options for Thameside House.

The Committee considered a report on options for Thameside House.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommendation as set out in the report.

Meeting ended at 20:06