Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 May 2026, and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 June 2026.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 May 2026 and the Extraordinary meeting held 29 June 2026 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

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

Councillors Attewell, Boparai, Sexton and Weerasinghe advised they were also Surrey County Councillors.

Councillors Attewell, Bateson and Sexton advised that they were also West Surrey Councillors.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

“Since the last Council meeting, I have attended many events, too many to mention, and met many residents of Spelthorne, given awards and visited local schools.  I will name just three of the ones I have attended.

·         Firstly, the Spelthorne & Runnymede Volunteer Awards Ceremony at the Royal Holloway College in Egham where I presented awards to our wonderful local heroes who give so much time to help others.  I would particularly like to mention our own Cllr Michelle Arnold who received an award for her work with Ashford Youth Club.  Please give Michelle a big clap for her award

·         I attended Spelthorne Business Awards at BP where a panel of judges picked a winner from a short list of people based in Spelthorne who had submitted business plans for ideas of promoting new businesses in the local area.  This was an extremely interesting evening, and the winner received £4000 to help with the startup of their business.

·         Staines upon Thames Day took place on 28^th June and the Deputy Mayor and I were there to help celebrate the day.  Cllr Michele Gibson opened the proceedings in the morning, and I had the pleasure of choosing the best decorated business Duck which this year went to Surrey Libraries.  I was then called upon to start the race which was enthusiastically attended and followed to the finishing line.  A great day for many local families and very well supported.  A big thank you for the many people that worked so hard to organise this event.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to promote the next few events that my committee have helped me to organise in support of my 4 charities –

·         The Patient Cancer Support Group

·         Holly’s Heroes

·         East to West

·         Home-Start Spelthorne

These events start on the afternoon of 24^th July with a Timeless Afternoon Tea at the Hazlewood Centre in Sunbury.  Followed by an evening at Thames Side Brewery with music by Jason Searle, winner of ‘Stars in Their Eyes plus a BBQ on Saturday, 8^th August. After the summer break on 24^th September at 7-30 pm we have a Mayor’s Quiz at the Magpie in Sunbury and on the 15^th October in the Council Chambers we will have a talk by Nick Pollard on 1000 years of Spelthorne. Please come along and support any of these dates that you can make.”

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

“I am pleased to report that the Council’s Commissioners have recognised the progress we continue to make through our Improvement and Recovery Programme. Their latest report published yesterday, acknowledges improvements in governance, financial management and organisational capacity. This is an encouraging endorsement of the hard work and dedication of our officers and councillors, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their continued commitment. But we are under no illusion about the scale of the challenge ahead. There is still a great deal to do, and we remain fully committed to delivering the improvements the Commissioners have identified, strengthening the Council's financial position and ensuring we leave a strong legacy for the new West Surrey Council.

I am proud to announce that the Walled Garden in Sunbury and Staines Cemetery have once again received national Green Flag Awards, recognising them as among the very best managed parks and green spaces in the country. This prestigious achievement reflects the dedication of our parks teams, volunteers and community groups who work throughout the year to maintain these valued spaces. My thanks go to everyone whose efforts have helped secure this recognition. 

As preparations continue for the creation of West Surrey Council, residents are being invited to help shape the identity of the new authority. A public survey is now open, giving residents, businesses and community groups the opportunity to share what makes our area unique and the values they would like the new council to reflect. Importantly, the new branding will be designed in-house by council staff at no additional cost. I encourage everyone to take part before the consultation closes on 3 August. 

And finally, next Tuesday a new play area at Staines Park will officially open just in time for the summer holidays. Funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy, the new facility has been designed as an inclusive, accessible and modern space for children of all ages and abilities. It represents another investment in our parks and community facilities, and I look forward to seeing local families enjoying it for many years to come”. 

To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive advised Council that some of the items on the agenda had previously been discussed at a meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 13 July 2026 and that there had been concerns raised about considering the items in a closed session. Members were advised that public reports had been produced that enabled these items to be debated in a public session, but the appendices remained confidential. If any member wished to refer to data contained within the appendices, the meeting would need to go into a closed session.

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 13.

No questions have been received from members of the public.

The Mayor reported that, under Standing Order 14, no questions had been received from a member of the public.

Council is asked to note the recommendations of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in relation to the proposed amendments to the Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 3) Order 2026 and to approve and adopt the proposed amendments.

Council resolved to:

1.    Note the recommendations of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee made at its meeting on Monday 20 April 2026 in relation to the proposed amendments to the Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 3) Order 2026,

2.    Approve and adopt the proposed amendments to the Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 3) Order 2026 as recommended by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 20 April 2026,

3.    Resolve to make the Spelthorne Borough Council Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 3) Order 2026; and

4.    Authorise the Group Head Neighbourhood Services and Group Head Corporate Governance, in consultation with the Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, to make any minor drafting or consequential amendments necessary to give effect to the Order.

Council is asked to:

1.    Approve the continuation of Special Responsibility Allowances for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee at 40% and 20% respectively of the Leader’s Allowance,

2.    Approve the amendment to Part 6 of the Constitution as set out in paragraph 2.8 of this report; and

3.    Approve that the Special Responsibility Allowances for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee will apply retrospectively from 21 May 2026.

Following a debate a named vote was requested.

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the continuation of Special Responsibility Allowances for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee at 40% and 20% respectively of the Leader’s Allowance,

2.    Approve the amendment to Part 6 of the Constitution as set out in paragraph 2.8 of the report as follows,

2.1 Where an allowance set out in Paragraph 2 of the Scheme is amended during a municipal year, the amended allowance may apply retrospectively from the beginning of that municipal year; and

3.    Approve that the Special Responsibility Allowances for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee will apply respectively from 21 May 2026.

Council is asked to endorse the Standards Committee Annual Report 2025.

Following a debate a recorded vote was requested.

Council resolved to endorse the Standards Committee Annual Report 2025.

Council is asked to approve the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee as follows:

Chair – Councillor L Nichols

Vice Chair – Councillor D Saliagopoulos

Council resolved to appoint the following councillors as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee:

Councillor Nichols – Chair of Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

Councillor Saliagopoulos – Vice-Chair of Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

The meeting adjourned at 20.27

The meeting restarted at 20.40

Council is asked to approve the proposed Council Transitional Plan 2026/27 (as outlined in Appendix A).

Council resolved to approve the proposed Council Transitional Plan 2026/27 as outlined in Appendix A of the report.

To receive and agree the reports from the Committee Chairs.

Council considered the decisions made by Committees since the last Council meeting.

Council resolved to note the Chairs’ reports.

To receive any motions from Councillors in accordance with Standing Order 16.

No motions were received for this meeting.

In accordance with Standing Order 16 the Council received no written Notices of Motions.

The Leader, or their nominee, to answer questions from Councillors on matters affecting the Borough, in accordance with Standing Order 14.

No questions were received for this meeting.

The Mayor reported that no general questions had been received.

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 3 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 Bateson, seconded by Councillor Button and Council resolved to exclude the public and press for the discussion of the item Nos. 17 and 18, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Part 3 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.

Council is asked to approve the disposal of Council owned land.

Councillor Nichols proposed and Councillor Gyawali seconded a motion to add an additional recommendation as follows:

“Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to receive a report setting out options for the allocation of the capital receipt”.

Council resolved to agree the amendment.

Councillor Bing Dong left the chamber at 22.30

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the offer received for the sale of the Council Land on the terms set out in this report,

2.    Approve the appropriation of the Council Land to discharge the S106 obligations made by the Council to keep the Council land as public open space,

3.    Approve the withdrawal of litigation against the purchaser for unlawful occupation of the Council land,

4.    Formally accept the discontinuance of the purchaser’s claim against the Council for adverse possession of the Council land,

5.    Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer and Group Head Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to agree the sale of the Council land at the agreed sale price set out in the Heads of Terms, or otherwise at a price within a tolerance of 10% of the sale price and agree any minor variations to the Heads of Terms;

6.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a conditional contract and transfer to complete the disposal and any associated legal documentation required:

·         To see the Council land

·         To discharge the public open space covenants made in the S106 agreements in respect of the Council land

·         To formally discontinue the Council’s trespass claim

·         To formally discontinue the buyer’s counter claim for adverse possession claim

7.    The Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to receive a report setting out options for the allocation of the capital receipt.

1.    Council is asked to:

1.1 approve the freehold acquisition of 5 houses on the terms set out in this report,

1.2  Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, to agree minor variations to the Heads of Terms and the acquisition price within a tolerance of 10% of the agreed price; and

1.3 Delegate Authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into all relevant legal documentation relating to the acquisition referred to in 1.1 above.

Following a debate, Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the freehold acquisition of 5 houses on the terms as set out in the report,

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to agree minor variations to the Heads of Terms and the acquisition price within a tolerance of 10% of the agreed price; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into all relevant legal documentation relating to the acquisition referred in in Recommendation 1.

Council is asked to:

1.    Approve the proposed disposal on the terms set out in the exempt report,

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to agree minor variation to the Heads of Terms and adjustments to the sale price; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a transfer to complete the disposal and any ancillary legal documentation required in relation to the proposed disposal.

Council commenced this item in an open session. During the debate Councillor Geraci proposed, Councillor Sexton seconded and Council resolved to exclude the public and press for the discussion of the item No. 19, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Part 3 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.

The meeting adjourned at 22:00

The meeting reconvened at 22.10

Councillors Geach and Saliagopoulos left the Chamber at 10pm

Following a debate a recorded vote was requested.

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the proposed disposal of World Business Centre 4 on the terms set out in the report,

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer and Group Head of Assets, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, to agree minor variations to the Heads of Terms and adjustments to the sale price; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a transfer to complete the disposal and any ancillary legal documentation required in relation to the proposed disposal.

This Public Report was considered as part of Item No. 19, Disposal of a Commercial Asset.