Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Joanne Sexton, Councillor Colin Barnard and Councillor Richard Dunn.

Councillor Chris Bateson was nominated to attend as Councillor Dunn’s substitute.

Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos was nominated to attend as Councillor Sexton’s substitute. She attended via Microsoft Teams but was not allowed to vote.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2022 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

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

There were none.

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 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 note the 2022 review of Community Safety.

The committee will also be pleased to hear from the Borough Commander on community safety matters.

The Committee received a report from the Community Safety Officer which provided an update on the activities and plans of the Spelthorne Safer Stronger Partnership and outlined priorities for 2021-25. The Borough Commander for Spelthorne highlighted key areas of the report and methods, such as Dispersal Orders, used to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour.

The Committee queried the lack of visible policing in some wards and the placement of CCTV and the use of ANPR in the borough. The Borough Commander invited members to report areas of concern in their wards. The Committee also suggested the need for Youth activities to assist in the reduction of ASB, and were reassured that such programmes are already in place throughout the borough.

The Community Safety Officer gave an update on this year’s Junior Citizen Event which was well attended and  was supported by multiple agencies. Surrey County Council indicated they would offer a digital version to schools next year. The Community Safety Officer informed the Committee that they were still looking to put on a similar event for primary school children in the borough.

The Chairman thanked the Borough Commander for attending the meeting, and commended her for her team’s role in HM Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral cortege.

The Committee resolved to note the 2022 review of Community Safety.

To note the projected overspend on revenue expenditure for the Neighbourhood Services and Enforcement Committee against its budget as at 30 June 2022.

The Committee received a revenue monitoring report related to Neighbourhood Services and Enforcement for quarter one of the financial year from the Chief Accountant. The report was presented alongside the overarching Revenue Monitoring report presented to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for context. He highlighted areas  of challenges and savings as well as  anticipated pressures due to  a rise in fuel costs.

The Committee resolved to note the projected £616,000 overspend on revenue expenditure for the Neighbourhood Services & Enforcement Committee against its Budget as of 30 June 2022.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Committee received the forward plan for future committee business.

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan.

To move the exclusion of the public and press in order to discuss the next item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 4 or Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

The service plans are exempt by virtue of them detailing potential changes to staffing structures, that are still subject to consultations or negotiations.

It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, seconded by Councillor Whitmore and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following items, in accordance with paragraph 4 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the draft service plans for the following services:

·         Environmental Health and Building Control

·         Neighbourhood Services

The Environmental Health and Building Control Service Plan, and the Neighbourhood Services Service Plan were presented to the Committee.

The Committee were invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the service plans.

The Committee resolved to note the Environmental Health and Building Control Service Plan, and the Neighbourhood Services Service Plan.