To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.
Minutes:
The Chief Executive made the following announcements:
“The Monitoring Officer, Victoria Statham, after 21 years of loyal service has recently chosen to move to a neighbouring authority. Victoria’s last day of employment with Spelthorne will be the 18 March 2022. As Head of Paid Services, I should like to place on record our deep appreciation for Victoria’s professionalism, integrity and hard work in support of this Chamber and the democratic mandate that underpins our collective public service commitment. Victoria, Thank You and we wish you the very best in your future endeavours.
Last Friday, a red weather warning was issued by the Met Office for Storm Eunice as very high winds battered Spelthorne and the rest of the South-East. Many colleagues worked and remained on stand-by over the weekend to cover essential services supporting our residents. As Chief Executive, I want to pay tribute to our Neighbourhood Services team. Despite the adverse weather conditions, all scheduled waste and cleansing work across the Borough was undertaken and completed without incident. The demands on the Parks Team have equally been significant, clearing fallen trees and debris from roads and footpaths. I also want to thank our Community Wellbeing Team and Meals on Wheels Staff who ensured vulnerable residents were prioritised and supported. All in all, another prime example of how this authority keeps our communities at the very heart of what we do.
Indeed, this authority goes to incredible lengths to serve our residents, particularly those most needy in pursuing our corporate priorities and values as elucidated in our corporate plan. As an authority, we remain a learning authority, keen to excel and adopt best practice. That is why, subject to support from the Corporate Policy and Resource Committee, we intent to initiate an LGA Corporate ‘whole-system’ Peer Review. Peer Reviews are a valuable ‘health-check’ for any authority and with our recently completed LGA Finance Peer Review firmly under our belt, it is now time to advance in securing a Corporate Peer Review, maximising the return on our annual c£10,000 LGA subscription.
Late last night, Mr Jon Button was duly announced as elected Councillor for the vacant seat of Stanwell North. Congratulations Councillor Button. As Returning Officer, I should like to thank our election team for their sterling endeavours in delivering yet another smooth election supporting our democratic mandate. Mr Mayor, may I also thank you for your Civic assistance at the count and ensuing result announcement.
Referencing the prospect of future elections, I ought to also inform this chamber that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has decided to undertake an electoral review of Spelthorne Borough Council. The purpose of an electoral review is to consider the number of councillors elected to the council, the names, number and boundaries of the wards, and the number of councillors to be elected to each ward. The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 sets out the duty placed on the Commission to undertake an electoral review of every principal local authority in England ‘from time to time’. The last electoral review of Spelthorne Borough Council was undertaken in 1998. Accordingly, the Commission considers that a review of this authority is now due.”