To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader made the following announcements:
· This Borough, along with the rest of England is still enduring a period of lockdown and I know this continues to be a very difficult time for many of our residents and businesses in the Borough. COVID-19 positive numbers are decreasing in Spelthorne, however if you do need help our Support4Spelthorne helpline remains open and is on hand for residents who need support. The Prime Minister has set out the road map towards the end of lockdown and, for it to be successful, we must continue to follow the rules.
· The Council continues to support business in Spelthorne and to date have issued £16 million in business and discretionary grants and £18m of business rates 12-month reliefs. We will continue to signpost businesses to the various support grants available.
· Earlier this month, Spelthorne Borough Council became the first Borough in Surrey to launch asymptomatic community testing with a centre at the Thameside Centre in Staines and three pharmacies in Spelthorne. Anyone in the Borough who must leave home to work and does not have access to a symptom-free test through other routes can access to these tests. We are particularly encouraging critical workers leaving home for work to be tested.
· Following a four week consultation the Council are reviewing the submissions from residents on the proposed changes to the way decisions are made at the Council. Following the 30 July 2020 Council meeting, a motion was approved which proposed adopting a Committee System of governance; meaning that decisions which are currently taken by the Cabinet would instead be taken by several committees. I consider that the Committee System could provide a more open, democratic, inclusive and transparent way of conducting Council business.
· We have also been undertaking a consultation on putting in place a Public Space Protection Order to prohibit the possession and use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in the Borough. Details of the consultation, which closes on Sunday 28 February, can be found on our website.
· Spelthorne Borough Council announced the purchase of the freehold of the former Marks & Spencer building in the heart of Staines-upon-Thames. Having bought the Elmsleigh Centre in February 2020 this opportunity supports the Councils regeneration and housing strategy for Staines town centre, to the benefit of its residents and local retail businesses.
· The Council is working on the extension of the Fordbridge Day Centre, which is due to be completed by the end of April. These works will provide a bigger and brighter venue for visitors to enjoy once the Centre is allowed to reopen.
· The Cabinet voted to impose a temporary moratorium, and to pause three significant Council development proposals in Staines-Upon-Thames until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2021. This is to allow the Strategic Planning team to undertake a public consultation exercise on Issues and Options for the Staines Development Framework.
· Spelthorne Borough Council hosted a series of free virtual events to keep children entertained over the half term break. These events were well received with over 80 participants and included workshops in painting, drumming and creative writing.
· On Tuesday 19 January a briefing session was held by officers for nominated representatives of the Riverside Residents (Staines) Coalition and local ward Councillors on the Waterfront scheme at Bridge Street car park in Staines. I called the meeting to address the concerns being raised by residents around the development agreement that the Council entered into to deliver a 4-star hotel and residential development.
· Spelthorne Borough Council have partnered with the Purple Angels to launch the 'Send a Smile' campaign. The current national lockdown means we are all spending more time at home and, with lots of people looking to make a positive difference, we are inviting young people in Spelthorne to write a letter, draw a picture or make a card to send to residents living with dementia. Full details are on our website.
· Finally, this Council has been told it has "focused on building financial sustainability" and shown "a strong response" to the COVID-19 pandemic with plans for "promoting economic recovery and community resilience". The local authority was praised in a recent LGA Corporate Peer Review report after Spelthorne Borough Council invited them to conduct a 'financial' peer review of the Council in late 2020 and the full report can be read on our website.