Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

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

Apologies were received from Councillors Beatty and Geach. Councillor Doran attended as a substitute for Councillor Beatty.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Bateson, Buck, Clarke, Gibson and Howkins were also members of 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.

Committee is asked to:

a.    Note the current overall assurance level for the Governance Assurance area relating to ‘Inclusive Economy,’ which forms part of the Council’s Governance Assurance Register;

b.    Consider the key focus areas, concerns, and issues relating to this Governance Assurance Area.

The Committee considered a report that sought to inform and assure members on the “Inclusive Economy” section of the Council’s Governance Assurance Register. This section currently had an overall assurance level of high, with only two sections listed as amber. The amber areas, “Establish a Business Engagement Framework” and “Shared Data & Intelligence”, were rated as such as this work was ongoing and had been delayed due to resource restrictions.

The Committee acknowledged that some of the work being undertaken would be useful for the new West Surrey authority, and encouraged collaboration with existing district and borough councils. The Committee noted that there were local restrictions, such as the lack of appropriate schools in the area, that affected some of the performance outcomes.

Councillor Buck arrived at 19:20

The Committee resolved to:

a.    Note the current overall assurance level for the Governance Assurance Area relating to ‘Inclusive Economy’, which forms part of the Council’s Governance Assurance Register; and

b.    Acknowledge the key focus areas, concerns and issues relating to this Governance Assurance Area as outlined in Appendix A.

Committee is asked to:

1.    Consider the BID Proposal, Draft Operating Agreement, Draft Baseline Agreement, BID Compliance Matrix, Provisional List of Voting Businesses, and Summary of Consultation and Engagement

2.    Agree not to exercise a power of veto under Section 51 of the Local Government Act 2023; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Economic Development Manager to confirm to the BID proposer that ballot can proceed.

Appendices A and E contain exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of 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 Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Acknowledge the BID Proposal, Draft Operating Agreement, Draft Baseline Agreement, BID Compliance Matrix, Provisional List of Voting Businesses, and Summary of Consultation and Engagement; and

2.    Agree not to exercise a power of veto under Section 51 of the Local Government Act 2023; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Economic Development Manager to confirm to the BID proposer that ballot can proceed.

The Committee considered the Business Improvement District (BID) Proposal for Ashford to determine whether the proposal should proceed to ballot. Officers had reviewed the BID proposal and supporting documentation, and were satisfied that the relevant legislative requirements had been met, appropriate governance and operational arrangements were in place, and no grounds had been identified to justify the exercise of the Council’s veto powers, including policy conflict, disproportionate financial burden, or concerns regarding deliverability.

The  Committee noted the BID was considered financially viable, and the delivery plans were realistic and proportionate. Ballot papers were scheduled to be issued mid-November, with the result being announced by the Council before Christmas. If successful, the BID would commence April 2027.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Acknowledge the BID Proposal, Draft Operating Agreement, Draft Baseline Agreement, BID Compliance Matrix, Provisional List of Voting Businesses, and Summary of Consultation and Engagement; and

2.    Agree not to exercise a power of veto under Section 51 of the Local Government Act 2023; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Economic Development Manager to confirm to the BID proposer that ballot can proceed.

The Committee will receive an update on the delivery of the Ashford Business Improvement District project.

The Committee received an update on the Ashford Business Improvement District from Gary Reeves and Rishi Sood.

It was proposed by Councillor Sexton, seconded by Councillor Buck and resolved to exclude public and press for part of the discussion of this item and for the remainder of the agenda in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government 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 circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because the 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.

Engagement was underway with businesses on the Ashford BID Business Plan, which set out four key pillars: A Connected Ashford, A Safer Ashford, A Thriving Ashford, and An Attractive Ashford. Feedback would be collated and presented back to businesses to gain support for the forthcoming ballot. 138 businesses would be balloted.

The Committee noted the proposed BID boundary and acknowledged how the BID would be managed and administered if successful.

The Committee resolved to note the update.

To note the Forward Plan for future business.

The Chair of the HSR/SLR Working Group confirmed there was no update to provide at this time, but suggested updates be added to future meetings.

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan with the addition of HSR/SLR Working Group Updates.

Meeting ended 20:52