Decisions

The Committee considered a report on the Shared Ownership Strategy from the Stephanie Green, Housing Strategy & Policy Officer  that sought approval to adopt the revised Shared Ownership Strategy.

The Committee resolved to approve the adoption of the revised Shared Ownership Policy.

The Committee considered a report from Marta Imig Strategic Lead, Housing that sought agreement for officers to ask the North Surrey Health Alliance to continue to commission the Step Down Service and Partnership Agreement for a further 12 months from April 2022.

The Committee resolved that officers can ask the North West Surrey Health Alliance to continue to commission the Step Down Service and Partnership Agreement for a further 12 months from April 2022.

There were none.

There were none.

Councillors Helen Harvey, Doran and Noble advised the Committee that they were Planning Committee members and therefore would not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

Councillor Buttar advised the Committee that he was a Director of the Knowle Green Estate Board and therefore would take part in the debate for Item 12 in his role of Ward Councillor but would not be voting on this issue.

Councillor Mooney advised the Committee that she was Cabinet Member at Surrey County Council.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings

There were none.

Proposer: Councillor R Smith-Ainsley

Seconder: Councillor H Harvey

Councillor Noble was elected as chairman of the meeting.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Committee considered an item deemed as urgent by the chair in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 and resolved to approve the recommendations outlined in the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Smith-Ainsley, Seconded by Councillor Nichols and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of this item, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

The Committee agreed to note the current Development Sub-Committee Forward Plan

There were none.

It was proposed by Councillor Sexton, Seconded by Councillor Boughtflower, and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of this item, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The reasons for this were:

Agenda item 15 – Staines Library Hub and Museum

Disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

Agenda item 16 – 5^th Floor, Communications House, Staines

Disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in any lease, contract or other type of negotiation with the tenant, who could then know the position of the Council.

The Committee agreed that an additional meeting be held on Wednesday 19 January 2021 at 7.00pm.

The verbal update was noted.

The committee noted the current level of overspend (£1,286k) on capital expenditure against its Capital Programme provision as at 30 September 2021.

To consider an exempt report requesting approval of consultant's fees to progress the project.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

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The Committee:

·         Noted the progress made to date on discussions with other local authorities on opportunities for collaborative/joint working arrangements.

·         Agreed to the formation of a Councillor/Officer Working Group.

·         Agreed the Terms of Reference for this Working Group

·         Appointed Councillors Beardsmore, Boughtflower, Nichols and Sexton to the working group.

The committee recommended that Council adopt the Corporate Plan for 2021-23.

There was no urgent business.

The urgent actions were noted.

The forward plan of committee business was agreed.

There were none.

There were none.

Agenda item 5 – Knowle Green Estates Ltd

Councillor S Buttar declared that he was a member of the Knowle Green Estates Ltd board of directors.

Agenda item 16 – Staines Library Hub and Museum

Councillor S Mooney declared that she was a councillor at Staines County Council.

The minutes of the meetings held on 4 October 2021 and 19 October 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

Councillor A Brar gave apologies for absence.

Councillor V Siva was participating in the meeting remotely and did not vote on any matter.

The annual report was noted.

The committee agreed that the existing tenancy strategy should remain in effect.

The Committee:

·         Approved the procurement process for the letting of contract(s) for maintenance services of fire alarm systems and emergency lighting installations in the Council’s municipal and residential properties, subject to the tendering exercise enabling companies to bid to provide services in lots (such as separate services for municipal and residential properties).

·         Agreed a contract commencement date of 1 April 2022 for an initial contract term of three years, with the option to extend annually for further two 12-month periods, at the Council’s sole discretion, taking into account contractor performance on the contract(s).

·         Delegated the appointment of contractor(s) to the Group Head of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

·         Authorised the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the new contract(s).

The Committee:

·         Recommended to Council that the gross Council Tax Base for 2022/23 be determined at 40,867 (2021/22: 40,223) after taking account of the Council’s agreed Council Tax Support Scheme

·         Recommended to Council that the net Council Tax Base for 2022/23 calculated as Band D equivalents, be determined at 39,233 (2021/22: 39,016) after adjustment by 3% to allow for; irrecoverable amounts, appeals and property base changes.

The committee noted the treasury position achieved during the first six months of 2021/22.

The Deputy Chief Accountant was asked to explore whether it was possible to identify sustainability measures/scores for funds with the Council’s treasury management advisers.

The Committee:

·         Recommended to Council that the base budget for 2022-23 take into account an additional 1% pay award for 2021-22, in accordance with its resolution on the revenue monitoring report at agenda item 7.

·         Recommended to Council that it apply the maximum empty property council tax premia for properties which were empty for a) up to 2 years, b) 5 to 10 years and c) more than 10 years.

·         Recommended to Council that it seek to protect its council tax base over the four-year outline budget period by increasing council tax by the maximum allowed by the Government limits, whilst seeking to find savings and efficiencies to close its budget gaps.

·         Supported the range of measures set out in the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The Committee:

·         Noted the current level of underspend on revenue expenditure against its Revenue Budget provision as at 30 September 2021.

·         Recommended to Council that it approve a supplementary estimate of £200k to the Spelthorne Borough Council pay award for 2021/22, subject to an enhanced pay increase being proposed for the lowest paid staff (i.e. weighted towards the lowest paid staff).