Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

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

Apologies were received from Councillors Boughtflower, Geach, and Gyawali. Councillor Burrell attended as Councillor Geach’s substitute, and Councillor Caplin attended as Councillor Gyawali’s substitute.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2025.

Councillor Clarke raised there was an outstanding request arising from the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2025 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, Buck, Burrell, Caplin, Clarke, Gibson and Howkins are also members of the Planning Committee.

The Economic Development Manager declared an interest in item 7, “Visit Staines BID – Voting Report” as he was a board member of the Staines BID, and would leave the room for discussion of that 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.

The Committee will receive a presentation from Helen Roberts from CPG on the Business Growth Service.

The Committee received a presentation from Helen Roberts from CPG Executive Consulting Ltd on the Business Growth Service. Following approval by the Committee to continue the Council’s Business Support Service, CPG Executive Consulting Ltd had been appointed to deliver the Business Growth Service, and would be based in the business hub for the next year. The programme aimed to support the creation, sustainability and growth of viable local businesses through targeted events, one-to-one support and specialist interventions.

An intensive outreach campaign was being undertaken to reach as many businesses within the borough as possible. A number had already been in contact regarding services. Services would be offered in-person and online to be as accommodating as possible. Regular reports would be provided to the Economic Development Manager to demonstrate development and improvement against key performance indicators.

The Committee resolved to note the presentation from CPG Executive Consulting Ltd.

The Committee will receive a presentation from Rishi Sood on the delivery of the Ashford BID project.

The Committee received a presentation on the Ashford Business Improvement District (BID) project from Place Support Partnership and GJR Management. Following approval by the Committee to progress the development of a BID in Ashford to the next stage, Places Support Partnership were appointed to undertake this. They had partnered with GJR Management who would undertake the strategic aspects of the programme. The representatives set out their credentials, history of supporting Ashford businesses, and experience in setting up BIDs.

Key landmarks were set out for the Committee which included the launch of a BID proposal in September with an aim to go to ballot in late 2026.  Engagement with businesses was underway alongside other key stakeholders, including PCSO’s and residents associations. A number of communities have improved from having a BID, and there was hope that if a BID was approved in Ashford that it would attract more footfall to the area.

The Committee noted the bid levy would be derived from business rates and the levy would vary from business to business.

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

Committee is asked to:

1)    Agree that Spelthorne Borough Council supports the principle of the Visit Staines Business Improvement District (BID) ballot and voting “for” in October 2026.

2)    Delegate authority to the Group Head for Place, Protection & Prosperity to exercise the ballot vote in support of the Visit Staines BID.

3)    Note the financial implication associated with the Visit Staines BID in respect of paying the BID levy as set out in the report.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Agree that Spelthorne Borough Council supports the principle of the Visit Staines Business Improvement District (BID) ballot and voting “for” in October 2026.

2)    Delegate authority to the Group Head for Place, Protection & Prosperity to exercise the ballot vote in support of the Visit Staines BID.

3)    Note the financial implication associated with the Visit Staines BID in respect of paying the BID levy as set out in the report.

The Committee considered supporting the renewal of the Visit Staines Business Improvement District (BID). The current five year cycle of the Visit Staines BID ended in March 2027, and the BID was seeking renewal from eligible voters, which included the Council. The BID operated on a not-for-profit basis and aimed to improve the town centre on behalf of the 275 businesses within its boundary. The BID invested in activities and promotions  to encourage footfall into the town centre, as well as other initiatives such as  working with the Police and other agencies to address anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

The Committee noted the Council would be required to provide support for the BID if successful. The Committee acknowledged the support the BID provided to businesses within the town centre as well as the events they sponsored. The BID provided regular updates to their board on their achievements.

The Committee resolved to

1)    Agree that Spelthorne Borough Council supports the principle of the Visit Staines Business Improvement District (BID) ballot and voting “for” in October 2026.

2)    Delegate authority to the Group Head for Place, Protection & Prosperity to exercise the ballot vote in support of the Visit Staines BID.

3)    Note the financial implication associated with the Visit Staines BID in respect of paying the BID levy as set out in the report.

Committee is asked to:

1.    Agree the Social Value Strategy relating to the Council’s regeneration sites and recommend to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for approval by Council.

2.    Note that by adopting the Strategy the relevant housing and regeneration sites will be marketed to include a requirement for third parties to provide social value provision within their offers.

The Committee resolved to:

1)    Agree the Social Value Strategy relating to the Council’s regeneration sites and recommend to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for approval by Council

2)    Note that by adopting the Strategy the relevant housing and regeneration sites will be marketed to include a requirement for third parties to provide social value provision within their offers.

Meeting adjourned at 20:37

Meeting reconvened at 20:47

The Committee considered the Social Value Strategy for site disposals. A Social Value Strategy would provide decision-making Committees with agreed criteria against which to appraise offers for future development on Council-owned sites which were not based only on financial consideration. If adopted, the strategy would provide clear guidance to developers on the Council’s expectations on the inclusion of social value initiatives in their offers. The strategy was generic but provided a list that could be chosen from to ensure the right social value elements were applied to appropriate sites.

The Committee noted that adopting the strategy would assist in delivering social housing within the borough. It would also provide an objective way for Committees to determine if lower offers that provided affordable housing should be considered. Some members of the Committee cautioned against proposals that suggested lower capital receipts, but other members of the Committee acknowledged that providing social housing would offset the Council’s temporary housing budget.

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Sexton and the results were as follows:

The Committee resolved to:

1)    Agree the Social Value Strategy relating to the Council’s regeneration sites and recommend to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for approval by Council

2)    Note that by adopting the Strategy the relevant housing and regeneration sites will be marketed to include a requirement for third parties to provide social value provision within their offers.

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

The Committee received an update from the Chair on work being undertaken as part of the Housing and Regeneration workstream within the Implementation and Recovery Plan. The Social Value Strategy had been presented at the meeting and would be applied to a number of regeneration sites if agreed by Council.

The Economic Development Team would provide quarterly updates through the Members’ Briefing Pack.

The Committee resolved to note the updates.

To note the Forward Plan for future business.

The Committee received the forward plan for future committee business.

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan.