Agenda item

The Leader, or his nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 14.

Note: the deadline for questions to be considered at this meeting is 12 noon on Thursday 12 December 2019.

The Mayor reported that, under Standing Order 14, four questions had been received from members of the public.

Question from Caroline Nichols:

“As the building known as Ceaser Court One grows upwards to dominate the skyline in Green Street, I am wondering why the site never went to public consultation for complete redevelopment. The site could have accommodated a lower broader housing development more in keeping with the street scene and providing better privacy to the homes on the Benwell Estate. Why was there no public involvement in deciding the form and function of the development when the site was first acquired?”

Response from the Leader, Councillor Ian Harvey:

“Thank you for your question Mrs Nichols. As we are both aware your husband Councillor Nichols spent approximately 30 minutes discussing the project on Friday 17 May and you spent a further 45 minutes, well past finishing time the next day, also discussing this with Mr Richard Mortimer, our senior Property Manager. There is no record or recollection of either of you mentioning this proposal at those discussions.

I am frankly astonished that you would even think this a possibility. The financial cost, extended construction period, local disruption and perhaps most fundamentally of all the impact to the environment of destroying a perfectly sound structure, increasing footprint and waste of materials and unnecessary consumption of new materials makes this a non-starter.”

Question from Caroline Nichols:

“The next Great British Spring Clean is scheduled for 20th March to 13th April 2020 and the Keep Britain Tidy campaign gives awards to the best performing councils. In Spelthorne there are many local groups and individuals who support the Council with litter picks but there is still more to do. Would the Council be agreeable to raising the profile of the next Great British Spring Clean and publish it prominently in the next edition of the Borough Bulletin with a view to competing for an award?”

Response from the Leader, Councillor Ian Harvey:

“The Spring Clean involves the community and we are fortunate in Spelthorne to have so many residents that are passionate about their environment and working with us to keep the borough a wonderful place to live.  We support them by supplying litter picking equipment and helping them clear up.  The River Ash is a great example of the Council and residents working together with over a dozen litter picking events happening in the last year all over Spelthorne.  We also provide equipment and bags for scout groups that carry out annual litter picks in our parks and town centres.  The annual Keep Britain Tidy campaign is something we participate in every year where we look at how we can improve specific places and areas in the borough to enhance our public spaces.

I can therefore confirm that the Keep Britain Tidy campaign will be advertised in the next edition of the Borough Bulletin and the Neighbourhood Services team will be discussing entering for an award with our community groups.”

Question from Martin Shortland:

“If Spelthorne BC did not fund the costs required [airfare, accommodation, transportation, meals] for the Council Leader and Chief Executive’s visit to Mauritius in November 2019 when they were officially representing the Council who did fund them and why?

Were the details and supporting documents of this official visit published?

On which dates did the Council Leader and Chief Executive leave and return to the UK?”

Response from the Leader, Councillor Ian Harvey:

“Thank you for your question Mr Shortland.  Officers have already answered your question on the 5^th of December, so there is not much further to add.  The Chief Executive and I went to Mauritius in our own time and at our own expense to mark the 10^th anniversary of the Borough’s twinning with the district of Grand Port.  Hence, as previously advised, at nil cost to the taxpayer.

If you would like to see the official communique of the 10^th anniversary, you would be very welcome to review it in the corridor outside the Council Chamber.  The date of attendance is also clearly stated as 15 November 2019.  The details of the trip were made public and were announced at the last Cabinet meeting.  Details are on our website.

As to the private travel arrangements undertaken by individuals whilst on leave, these are not a matter of public record.  In closing, I am pleased to announce that the Chairman and Chief Executive of Grand Port will be visiting Spelthorne in the New Year as part of their District’s commemoration of our twinning.”

Question from Shadia Doerfel:

“As it is understood that the Council's Monitoring Officer, Michael Graham, will be leaving Spelthorne Borough Council around February 2020 after a number of years’ service, will he continue his role as Company Secretary for Knowle Green Estates Ltd (the council's property and real estate buying and selling company whom I understand can also make planning applications)?

Mr Graham is still listed as company secretary to Knowle Green Estates Ltd with other listed directors, one of whom I understand is Councillor Harman - and Spelthorne Borough Council itself is listed as a "person with active significant control" of the company - does that mean the whole council, including opposition councillors, therefore have control of this company?”

Response from the Leader, Councillor Ian Harvey:

“Thank you for your question Mrs Doerfel and for your interest in our property company Knowle Green Estates Ltd. 

The Head of Corporate Governance is not staying on as Company Secretary and has already tendered his resignation at a recent board meeting in November.  If the details have not been updated on the Companies House website so far, they will be shortly. 

You are right that, in accordance with company law, the Council is noted as a person with significant control of the Company as it owns more than 75% of the allotted share capital and has the right to appoint and dismiss directors. 

The shareholder function of the Council is an executive matter and is therefore delegated to Cabinet.  In May 2017, the Leader of the Council was appointed as the shareholder representative for the Council.”