Decisions

(Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

 

Cabinet considered an exempt report seeking approval of the costs for the redevelopment of Harper House.

 

A revised capital programme provision and an increased net financing cost was required as a result of the redesign of Harper House following feedback from Homes England.

 

Alternative options considered, and rejected, by the Cabinet:

·         Delay works

·         Do nothing

 

Resolved to:

1.            recommend to Council the approval of a supplementary estimate of increase in the existing capital programme provision of £400k for the demolition and rebuild of Harper House, for the reasons set out in the report, and in line with the Order of Costs Estimate in Appendix 1;

 

2.            authorise the Chief Financial Officer to make prudent financing arrangements for the project;

 

3.            authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement this construction project, including any legal agreements required in order to receive grant funding from Homes England; and

 

4.            authorise the Portfolio Holder for Community Wellbeing and Group Head for Regeneration and Growth to authorise the appointment of a suitable contractor to undertake these works.

 

Reasons for Decision:

To take advantage of a time-limited grant funding programme.

To improve the quality and quantum of accommodation within the Borough for vulnerable homeless households.

To align Spelthorne Borough Council with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act.

(Paragraph 2 – Information relating to any individual)

 

Cabinet considered an exempt report on the procurement of a provider of housing management and resident support services at Harper House.

 

Alternative options considered, and rejected, by the Cabinet:

·         Recruit internally to provide a housing management and resident support service in-house

·         do nothing and manage Harper House on existing resources available to Housing

 

Resolved to:

1.         note the benefits of procuring a managed service provider to provide a housing management and resident support service at the rebuild Harper House;

 

2.         authorise the Group Head for Community Wellbeing to determine the provider to be appointed, in consultation with the Corporate Procurement Manager, the Portfolio Holder for Community Wellbeing & Housing and the Chief Financial Officer; and

 

3.         authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to appoint the new provider.

 

Reason for Decision

To allow sufficient time to appoint the provider up to six months prior to the anticipated practical completion of the rebuilds, so as to be party to key decisions to be made on the furniture, fixtures and fittings, as well as the operational logistics of running the accommodation.

 

 

Cabinet considered a report on a proposal to set up a Property and Investment Committee as a Cabinet Sub-Committee.

 

The existing process of decision making has been appropriate and sufficient

for many years, but due to dramatic changes in the Council’s property portfolio over the last few years it is now apparent that it is no longer ‘fit for purpose’. Cabinet considered how decision making is structured in the future to ensure that the Council can make fully informed and transparent decisions but at a speed that is acceptable within a fast moving and commercial environment.

 

Alternative options considered, and rejected, by the Cabinet:

·         Leave arrangements as they are

 

Resolved to approve the set up and Terms of Reference of the Property and Investment Committee as a Cabinet Sub-Committee.

 

Reason for Decision

To update and streamline the decision making process for dealing with asset transactions whilst providing a clear audit trail for decisions

Cabinet considered a report on a proposal for a Staines-upon-Thames Masterplan.

 

Proceeding with a Masterplan brings a number of advantages, as set out in Paragraph 2.4 of the report, including setting out an ambitious and deliverable overall vision for the transformation and regeneration of the whole town.

 

Alternative options considered, and rejected, by Cabinet:

·           Do nothing and continue with ad-hoc decision making

·           Deliver masterplan using in-house resource

 

Resolved to:

1.    agree to go out to tender for a Staines-upon-Thames Masterplan; and

 

2.    agree that the Deputy Chief Executive (Finance), in consultation with the Leader, be given delegated authority to enter into a contract to appoint the external advisors.

 

Reasons for Decision

The production of a Masterplan for Staines-upon-Thames will help shape and develop the town alongside the new Local Plan which is being reviewed, and which will be adopted in 2021.

 

It will set a clear vision and strategy for the transformation and regeneration of the centre of the town, focusing on deliverable outcomes and policies in an holistic way.

 

It will set out our expectations of developers, investors and the local community and will be rooted in commercial reality. 

 

Cabinet considered a report on a proposal to provide a council tax exemption to care leavers living in independent accommodation from 18 up until the age of 25.

 

Alternative options considered, and rejected, by the Cabinet:

·         A variance on the scheme could be proposed i.e. a different level of discount, or for a shorter time.

·         Do nothing

 

Resolved:

1.    that Care Leavers living in independent accommodation be exempt from Council Tax until the age of 25 from April 2020; and

 

2.    to note that from January 2020 Everyone Active, who operate Spelthorne and Sunbury Leisure Centres, will provide free swimming for children in care and care leavers up to age of 25

 

Reason for Decision

Care leavers who are living independently for the first time find managing their own finances extremely challenging, due to issues such as limited family support.  This can mean that care leavers may fall into debt and financial difficulty.  

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

 

Council considered a recommendation from Cabinet to approve a supplementary Capital provision of £42m to provide sufficient headroom in the Capital Programme for the acquisition of a property known as ‘Property Acquisition X’.  This was considered a strategic asset with potential to improve the environmental and economic well-being of the area.  The site was likely to be considered for numerous diversified uses all of which have the potential to help the Council achieve its strategic objectives outlined in the Corporate Plan.

 

Resolved that Council approves a supplementary Capital provision of £42m to provide sufficient headroom in the Capital Programme for the acquisition and for the appointment of the design team and the contractors for enhancement projects.

 

The Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet from its meeting on 25 September 2019 to approve a supplementary capital estimate of £130,000 for the proposed extension at the Fordbridge Centre, and its inclusion in the 2019/20 capital programme.

 

The extension at the Fordbridge Centre would increase seating capacity in the dining room from 81 seats to 101 and offer a flexible area for other activities such as classes, games or exercise to take place.  It would also enable the Opal Group to be more integrated into the wider community.

 

Resolved to approve the supplementary capital estimate of £130,000 for the proposed extension at the Fordbridge Centre, and its inclusion in the 2019/20 capital programme.

 

Staines Parochial Charity

It was proposed by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C. Harman and

 

Resolved that Mrs Jean Pinkerton OBE be appointed as a trustee of Staines Parochial Charity for a four year term expiring 31 October 2023.

 

Laleham Parish Lands Trust

It was proposed by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C. Harman and

 

Resolved that Dominic O’Malley be appointed as a trustee of Laleham Charities – Village Hall and Recreation Grounds for a four year term expiring 31 October 2023.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 17 the Council received five written Notices of Motions.

 

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey moved and Councillor R.W. Sider BEM seconded the following Motion:

 

“This Council supports the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of Anti-Semitism (decided on 26 May 2016 at Bucharest) and henceforward adopts this definition and the illustrative examples for all relevant aspects of Council policy particularly in the field of anti-discrimination and the promotion of human rights.”

 

Councillor S.M. Doran, proposed the following amendment (additional words have been italicised) which was seconded by Councillor C.L. Bateson:

 

“This council supports the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of Anti-Semitism (decided on 26 May 2016 at Bucharest) and henceforward adopts this definition and the illustrative examples for all relevant aspects of Council policy particularly in the field of anti-discrimination and the promotion of human rights.

 

Additionally, Council welcomes, endorses and hereby adopts, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) definition of Islamophobia including all of its examples, again for all relevant aspect of Council policy particularly in the field of anti-discrimination and the promotion of human rights.

 

Spelthorne is rightly proud of its diverse community and recognises the valuable part played by the communities of all faiths and beliefs.”

 

The amendment was not carried and the original Motion put to the vote.

 

The original Motion was carried.

 

Resolved that this Council supports the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of Anti-Semitism (decided on 26 May 2016 at Bucharest) and henceforward adopts this definition and the illustrative examples for all relevant aspects of Council policy particularly in the field of anti-discrimination and the promotion of human rights.

 

The second Motion was moved by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C. Harman:

 

“The Council is currently working on the development of its new Corporate Plan to cover the next three years of this administration.  In doing so it will be reaffirming its four Corporate Priorities of:

1.         Housing

2.         Economic Development

3.         Clean and Safe Environment

4.         Financial Sustainability

 

This Council notes that many other Councils have recently declared a “climate emergency”. We understand that there is rightly much concern about climate change and that urgent action is needed.  This Council is committed to its priorities including a clean and safe environment.  It is the right thing to do to tackle climate change for future generations and to further community wellbeing. 

 

Therefore, this Council commits to establishing a Leader’s task group to work towards delivering a strategy in 2020 that clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.   We are also committed to delivering to our residents safe and secure homes, and secure employment, as sustainably as possible.”

 

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey spoke and gave a commitment that the proposed task group would be a members’ cross-party group which would report back to Cabinet regularly on proposed actions on climate change, monitoring and delivering on carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with current Government policy.  The target date would be continually reviewed and amended in line with Government Policy changes.

 

Councillor L.E. Nichols proposed and Councillor C.L. Bateson seconded the following amendment (additional words have been italicised and deleted words struck through):

 

“The Council is currently working on the development of its new Corporate Plan to cover the next three years of this administration.  In doing so it will be adding a new priority of Environmental Sustainability and reaffirming its four existing Corporate Priorities.of The Corporate Priorities will be:

 

1. Environmental Sustainability
2. Housing
3. Economic Development
4. Clean and Safe Environment
5. Financial Sustainability

 

This Council notes that many other Councils have recently declared a “climate emergency”.  We understand that there is rightly much concern about climate change and that urgent action is needed and this is why Environmental Sustainability is to be added as a Corporate Priority.  This new priority will place emphasis on the need for carbon reduction, waste and recycling, sustainable housing and energy efficiency.  This Council is committed to its priorities including a clean and safe environment.  It is the right thing to do to tackle climate change for future generations and to further community wellbeing. commit to an increased and special emphasis on Environment Sustainability.

 

Therefore, this Council commits to establishing a Leader’s task group to work towards delivering a strategy in 2020 that clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.  We are also committed to delivering to our residents safe and secure homes, and secure employment, as sustainably as possible.”

 

The amendment was not carried.

 

Councillor L.E. Nichols proposed and Councillor C.L. Bateson seconded a second amendment to the Motion (additional words have been italicised and deleted words struck through):

 

“The Council is currently working on the development of its new Corporate Plan to cover the next three years of this administration.  In doing so it will be reaffirming its four Corporate Priorities of:

 

1.         Housing

2.         Economic Development

3.         Clean and Safe Environment

4.         Financial Sustainability

 

This Council notes that many other Councils have recently declared a “climate emergency”. We understand that there is rightly much concern about climate change and that urgent action is needed.  This Council is committed to its priorities including a clean and safe environment.  It is the right thing to do to tackle climate change for future generations and to further community wellbeing. 

 

Therefore, this Council commits to establishing a Leader’s task group to report to the Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  This task group to comprise a minimum of 7 members drawn from all political groups.  The task group will work to towards delivering a strategy in 2020 that clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.   We are also committed to delivering to our residents safe and secure homes, and secure employment, as sustainably as possible.”

 

The amendment was not carried.

 

A third amendment was proposed by Councillor L.E. Nichols and seconded by Councillor C.L. Bateson (additional words have been italicised and deleted words struck through):

 

“The Council is currently working on the development of its new Corporate Plan to cover the next three years of this administration.  In doing so it will be reaffirming its four Corporate Priorities of:

1.         Housing

2.         Economic Development

3.         Clean and Safe Environment

4.         Financial Sustainability

 

This Council notes that many other Councils have recently declared a “climate emergency”. We understand that there is rightly much concern about climate change and that urgent action is needed.  This Council is committed to its priorities including a clean and safe environment.  It is the right thing to do to tackle climate change for future generations and to further community wellbeing. 

 

Therefore, this Council commits to establishing a Leader’s task group to work towards delivering a strategy in 2020 that clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the a target of net zero carbon emissions for Spelthorne Borough Council by 2050 2030.   We are also committed to delivering to our residents safe and secure homes, and secure employment, as sustainably as possible.”

 

Councillor L.E. Nichols requested a recorded vote on the amendment.

 

The voting on the amendment was as follows:

 

FOR (14)	Councillors: Bateson, Cornes, Doerfel, J. Doran, S. Doran, R. Dunn, S. Dunn, Fidler, Grant, Lagden, Nichols, Siva, Spoor and Vinson
AGAINST (21)	Councillors: I. Harvey, Harman, Attewell, Barnard, C. Barratt, R. Barratt, Boughtflower, Brar, Buttar, Chandler, Gibson, H. Harvey, Islam, Leighton, Madams, McIlroy, Mitchell, Noble, Sexton, Sider and Smith-Ainsley.
ABSTAIN (1)	Councillor Beardsmore

 

The amendment was not carried.

 

The original Motion was put to the vote and carried.

 

Resolved that the Council is currently working on the development of its new Corporate Plan to cover the next three years of this administration.  In doing so it will be reaffirming its four Corporate Priorities of:

1.         Housing

2.         Economic Development

3.         Clean and Safe Environment

4.         Financial Sustainability

 

This Council notes that many other Councils have recently declared a “climate emergency”. We understand that there is rightly much concern about climate change and that urgent action is needed.  This Council is committed to its priorities including a clean and safe environment.  It is the right thing to do to tackle climate change for future generations and to further community wellbeing. 

 

Therefore, this Council commits to establishing a Leader’s task group to work towards delivering a strategy in 2020 that clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.   We are also committed to delivering to our residents safe and secure homes, and secure employment, as sustainably as possible.

 

Councillor N. Cornes left the meeting at this point.

 

The third Motion was proposed by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor J.R. Boughtflower:

 

“This Council caveats its support for a third runway and appropriate and proportionate expansion, subject to Heathrow meeting:

a)            the 16 requirements as recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its extraordinary meeting on 3 September 2019; and

b)            our demands that our impacted communities be properly compensated via the Wider Property Offer Zone scheme.”

 

The Motion was carried.

 

The fourth Motion was proposed by Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley and seconded by Councillor J.R. Boughtflower.  A request by Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley to alter his Motion was agreed.  The altered Motion was:

 

“Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the UK will eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050 and in the light of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, declaring a climate emergency: This Council resolves to:

 

1.    Commit to working closely with the Government, the Environment Agency, our County colleagues, local businesses, our residents and other partners in meeting this target;

2.    Update our strategy in 2019/20 which clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target; and

This to be undertaken by a cross-party task group and their findings shall be presented to Cabinet.

3.    Write to the Government asking them to confirm what support will be made available to local authorities to help achieve this goal.

4.    Update our target date following the publication of the IPCC Synthesis Report, due in 2022.”

 

An amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor I.J. Beardsmore and seconded by Councillor R.O. Barratt (additional words have been italicised):

 

“Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the UK will eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050 and in the light of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, declaring a climate emergency: This Council resolves to:

 

1.    Commit to working closely with the Government, the Environment Agency, our County colleagues, local businesses, our residents and other partners in meeting this target;

2.    Update our strategy in 2019/20 which clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target; and

This to be undertaken by a cross-party task group and their findings shall be presented to Cabinet.

3.    Write to the Government asking them to confirm what support will be made available to local authorities to help achieve this goal.

4.    Update our target date following the publication of the IPCC Synthesis Report, due in 2022.

 

Further, this Council requests that the Local Plan Working Party considers putting in a specific policy on this into the next draft of the Local Plan”

 

The amendment was carried and the new substantive Motion put to the vote.

 

The substantive Motion was carried.

 

The fifth Motion was withdrawn by Councillor B.B. Spoor.

Council considered a recommendation of Cabinet from its meeting on 25 September 2019 to approvethe appointment of Alison Osmond to the Independent Remuneration Panel.

 

The Independent Remuneration Panel provides advice to the Council on the type of its members’ allowances and the amounts to be paid.  Two candidates were interviewed and both were considered to be suitable and well-qualified for the role.

 

Alison Osmond was recommended due to her long HR experience in the field of compensation and benefits and in the interpretation of comparative data and economic trends in that field.

 

Resolved to appoint Alison Osmond to the Independent Remuneration Panel.