Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday, 31 January 2023 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Surrey County Council, Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey ,RH2 8EF

Contact: Huma Younis or Andre Ferreira  Email: huma.younis@surreycc.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1/23

Apologies for Absence

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    To note any apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Apologies were received from Mark Nuti.

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Mark Nuti.

2/23

Minutes of Previous Meeting: 20 December 2022 pdf icon PDF 251 KB

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    To agree the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record of the meeting.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

     

    These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

     

    Minutes:

    These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

     

3/23

Declarations of Interest

    All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter:

     

    (i)            Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or

    (ii)           Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting

    NOTES:

     

    ·         Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest

    ·         As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner)

    ·         Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were none.

     

    Minutes:

    David Lewis declared a non-pecuniary interest for Item 16 stating that he was the borough member for Oxshott and Stoke d'Abernon and had historically been involved with the Oxshott scout group which was part of the application. 

4/23

Procedural Matters

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    Additional documents:

4/231

Members' Questions pdf icon PDF 341 KB

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    The deadline for Member’s questions is 12pm four working days before the meeting (25 January 2023).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were six member questions. The questions and responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Minutes:

    There were six member questions. The questions and responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    With regards to his first question Jonathan Essex asked if there was anything more that the council could do to support the NHS in clearing its backlog. The Leader explained that two funds had been allocated by the government for discharge. There was conversation between the council and Surrey Heartlands on how to progress this. The Leader explained that the issue was complex and only 30% of people being discharged from hospital went onto access the social care system with the remaining 70% being self-funders. £6 million had gone into finding ways of speeding up the discharge process with staffing being a key issue here.  

     

    With regards to his second question Jonathan Essex asked if the council could indicate the scale of private brokerage of care homes that the NHS was using in Surrey and whether the council had offered recently vacated adult social care homes that might be repurposed by the NHS. The Leader stated that the properties Surrey had could not be repurposed and not in the timescale required.

     

    With regards to his third question Jonathan Essex asked for the number of people who were in care beds in provision we had recently let go and where their next destination was and if this was either independent living and extra care provision. The Leader stated that a written reply would be provided to the member.

     

    Catherine Baart asked a supplementary to her original question which was for the number of accompanied asylum seeker children who were living in hotels in Surrey with either their parents and/or adults. The Leader stated that a written reply would be provided to the member.

     

5/23

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 322 KB

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    The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (24 January 2023).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were two pubic questions. The questions and responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Minutes:

    There were two public questions. The questions and responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Elizabeth Daly asked if a levelling up bid had been submitted to support concessionary travel schemes. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety stated that the council website had been updated to identify Bookham library as having slots to book appointments for bus passes. A new member of staff had also joined the team which would speed up the process. The Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth stated that Surrey had applied for levelling up funding a number of times and had been unsuccessful. The council had just finished a bus consultation which would look at delivering a better bus service across the county. The council would be introducing a half price under 20s scheme to follow the £2 fair cap starting on 3 April. The council could not afford the TfL offer but would continue to provide as much of a cheap, efficient and reliable service on our best network as possible.

     

    Paul Kennedy asked the following supplementary in relation to his original question, stating that the response from the Cabinet Member stated there would be a cabinet paper in the summer seeking feasibility funding for development of the Keswick Care Home and other sites. Paul Kennedy asked what these "other sites" were and if these were in reference to other care homes that were closed at the same time, or to other local sites such as the former Bookham Youth Centre and perhaps the Rentwood site in Fetcham. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families stated that the report coming to Cabinet in summer would include the seven care homes that had been closed.

     

     

6/23

Petitions

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    The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were none.

    Minutes:

    There were none.

7/23

Representations received on reports to be considered in private

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    To consider any representations received in relation why part of the meeting relating to a report circulated in Part 2 of the agenda should be open to the public.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were none.

    Minutes:

    There were none.

8/23

Reports from Select Committees , Task Groups, Local Committees and other Committees of the Council pdf icon PDF 233 KB

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    To consider any reports from Select Committees, Task Groups, Local Committees and any other Committees of the Council.

     

    The following reports has been received from the Council’s Select Committees.

     

    A.    Scrutiny of 2023/24 Draft Budget And Medium-Term Financial Strategy To 2027/28

    1. Home To School Travel Assistance Learning Review
    2. Draft Inclusion And Additional Needs Strategy

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the three Select Committee reports be noted and recommendations considered.

    Minutes:

    The Chairman of the Resources and Performance Select Committee, Chairman of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee and Chairman of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee spoke on the recommendations presented by the Select Committees on the budget. They recognised that all local authorities had huge and significant pressures and specifically rising inflation. The Chairman of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee spoke about hyperinflation association with highways. The Chairman was pleased to see that additional capital funding would be identified to ensure delivery of schemes associated with members allocation. More lobbying should be encouraged with government around highways funding. The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee welcomed the initiatives that had been introduced such as retention payment policy and was happy that the directorate was considering market rates supplements for social workers in the family safeguarding team. The Leader thanked the Select Committees for their diligent work on the budget. The joint recommendations from the Select Committees were welcomed.

     

    The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for the response to the home to school travel assistance and learning review and explained that Family Voice had seen improvements with the transport team via feedback from parents. The Cabinet Member for Education and Learning welcomed the positive feedback.

     

    The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for the response to the draft inclusion and additional needs strategy. The Cabinet Member for Education and Learning stated an easy read version would be produced and thanked the Select Committee for their constructive comments on the strategy.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the three Select Committee reports be noted and recommendations considered.

9/23

Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member/ Strategic Investment Board Decisions Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting pdf icon PDF 125 KB

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    To note any delegated decisions taken by the Leader, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members, Strategic Investment Board and Committees in Common Sub-Committee since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting be noted.

     

    Minutes:

    The decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting were considered.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting be noted.

     

10/23

Cabinet Member of the Month pdf icon PDF 397 KB

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    To receive an update from Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth announced that he had written to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) setting out his disappointment that TfL and the Mayor's office were proceeding with plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) right up to the boundary of Surrey with the complete absence of any meaningful conversation on the impacts on Surrey residents. A detailed response to the ULEZ expansion had been sent to TfL but no response has been received. If TfL wanted to proceed with expanding and installing any equipment or signage to  Surrey Highways around advanced warning then they would need to commence meaningful discussions with the council. The Leader reinforced the need for TfL to have a conversation with the council on the impacts of ULEZ for Surrey residents and businesses. The council had the legal power to prevent the Mayor of London putting up signage on Surrey highways.

     

    The Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth stated that the Future Bus Network consultation ran from 3 November to 6 January and received over 2,500 responses from the public and stakeholders. This would help us shape what the future bus network would look like.Cabinet had recently approved the third phase of schemes to be progressed as part of Surrey’s Infrastructure Plan (SIP).?Adopted in February 2021 following its development with District and Borough Council’s, the SIP provided for a rolling process of moving schemes from concept to design to implementation and ensures there is a healthy pipeline of schemes developed to a ‘shovel ready’ stage.On 10 November, the council hosted the inaugural Surrey Skills Summit, bringing together local business leaders, employers, colleges, universities, skills providers and local government officials to help us take the next step in collaborating to create a more inclusive and dynamic skills system in Surrey. The event was energised and there was a commitment from all stakeholders on delivering skills for the future.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

     

11/23

REFRESH OF THE ORGANISATION STRATEGY 2023- 2028 pdf icon PDF 294 KB

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    The report asks for Cabinet to agree and commend the updated version of the Organisation Strategy to Council.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet commend the updated version of the Organisation Strategy to Council subject to the amendments agreed.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The Organisation Strategy is updated at least every two years to ensure that Surrey County Council’s plan for delivering under the Community Vision for Surrey 2030 remains up-to-date and relevant to the changes in circumstance of the county.

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    The refreshed organisation strategy was introduced by the Leader who explained that the strategy being presented was from 2023-2028 but was a living document which would be updated regularly. The strategy explains how the council would deliver the 2030 Community vision which was a vision built up with all of our partners across the county. There were four strategic priority areas within the strategy which the council aimed to deliver and would have the greatest impact on tackling inequality and improving outcomes for people living and working in the county. The Leader stated that Surrey was diverse with a 10 year difference in life expectancy for males and 14 year difference in life expectancy for females in parts of the county. The council needed to do more to help people improve their own health and help the most vulnerable groups in Surrey. The Leader stated that the council must tackle all forms on inequality including inequality of opportunity, inequality of life expectancy and inequality of access to key support services. The Leader thanked the Chief Executive and officer for being at the frontline and delivering this strategy.

     

    The Deputy Cabinet Member for Levelling Up proposed a change to the Organisation Strategy under the equality diversity and inclusion paragraph to take into account previous discussions that had taken place. It was agreed that the current text in the second paragraph and from the second sentence onwards would be replaced with the following “For staff, the Council recognises the importance of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing a culture where everyone is valued and respected. People should feel comfortable carrying out their roles and the Council is committed to equality of opportunity being practised and promoted to all”. This change was agreed by the Cabinet.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet commend the updated version of the Organisation Strategy to Council subject to the amendment agreed.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The Organisation Strategy is updated at least every two years to ensure that Surrey County Council’s plan for delivering under the Community Vision for Surrey 2030 remains up-to-date and relevant to the changes in circumstance of the county.

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

     

12/23

2023/24 FINAL BUDGET AND MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY TO 2027/28 pdf icon PDF 444 KB

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    Cabinet is required to consider and make recommendations to Council on:

    ·      The Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2023/24, including efficiency proposals.

    ·      The Council Tax Precept level for 2023/24.

    ·      The Council’s Capital Programme for 2023/24-2027/28.

    ·      The Council’s Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategy, which provide an overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contribute to the delivery of our services and sustain our capital investments.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That Cabinet makes the following recommendations to Council on 7 February 2023.

     

    Cabinet recommends that Council:

     

    1. Approves the net revenue budget requirement be set at £1,101.5 million (net cost of services after service specific government grants) for 2023/24 (Annex B), subject to confirmation of the Final Local Government Financial Settlement.
    2. Approves the total Council Tax Funding Requirement be set at £866.0 million for 2023/24. This is based on a council tax increase of 2.99%, made up of an increase in the level of core council tax of 0.99% and an increase of 2% in the precept proposed by Central Government to cover the growing cost of Adult Social Care (Annex E).
    3. Notes that for the purpose of section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council formally determines that the increase in core council tax is not such as to trigger a referendum (i.e. not greater than 3%).
    4. Sets the Surrey County Council precept for Band D Council Tax at £1,675.08, which represents a 2.99% uplift. This is a rise of £0.94 a week from the 2022/23 precept of £1,626.39. This includes £217.94 for the Adult Social Care precept, which has increased by £32.46. A full list of bands is as follows:

     

    1. Notes that underlying General Fund Balances are projected to remain at £48 million as of 1 April 2023.
    2. Approves the Total Schools Budget of £599.3 million to meet the Council’s statutory requirement on schools funding (as set out in Section 9 of the 2023/24 Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2027/28).
    3. Approves the overall indicative Budget Envelopes for Directorates and individual services for the 2023/24 budget (Annex B).
    4. Approves the total £1,950.4 million proposed five-year Capital Programme (comprising £1,202.4 m of budget and £748.0m pipeline) and approves the £308.7 million Capital Budget in 2023/24 (Annex C).
    5. Approves the Capital and Investment Strategy (Annex F - Sections 1 to 3), which provides an overview of how risks associated with capital expenditure, financing and treasury will be managed as well as how they contribute towards the delivery of services.
    6. Approves the policy for making a prudent level of revenue provision for the repayment of debt (the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy) (Annex G).
    7. Agrees the Council’s refreshed Transformation and Cross Cutting Efficiency Programme (as set out in section 3 of 2023/24 Final Budget Report and Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2027/28)
    8. Note that the investment in Transformation required to deliver improved outcomes and financial benefits is built into the proposed Medium-Term Financial Strategy (as set out in section 3 of 2023/24 Final Budget Report and Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2027/28.
    9. Cabinet notes that the Audit & Governance Committee has approved Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators (Annex F – Section 4) which set a framework for the Council’s treasury function to manage risks, source borrowing and invest surplus cash on 24 January 2023.

    Reasons for Decisions:

    Council will meet on 7 February 2023 to agree a budget and to set the Council Tax Precept for 2023/24. Cabinet is  ...  view the full decision text for item 12/23

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Leader who explained that the rise in inflation had put a huge amount of pressure on setting the budget for the year. The work the council had undertaken on its finances over the past few years has set the council up in a strong position for the year. It was explained that the budget being presented would not cut frontline core services and there would be a 2.99% increase to the council tax which is lower than the 5% increase some local authorities were proposing. The production of the 2023/24 budget had been developed through an integrated approach across Corporate Strategy, Transformation and Finance, aligning revenue budgets, capital investment and transformation plans with each Directorate’s service plans and the corporate priorities of the organisation. The council was investing over £300 million in capital projects over this next year which would be £1.9 billion over the period of the medium term financial strategy. This would be investing in our schools, in specialist facilities for those children that have additional needs, building accommodation for our looked after children so that they can be closer to home and building independent living facilities so people can live independently for longer.The final budget for 2023/24 proposes total funding of £1,101.5m; an increase of £61.4m from 2022/23.

     

    The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources explained that a responsible budget which allows the council to deliver frontline services and at the same time put aside contingency funds had been developed. There was a recognition of the issues facing residents and an exciting capital programme had been agreed. Officers were thanked for hard work in getting the budget to this stage. There was support from the Cabinet on the proposed budget. Members highlighted that many councils would be retracting from investment where as Surrey would continue to fund capital programmes.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That Cabinet makes the following recommendations to Council on 7 February 2023.

     

    Cabinet recommends that Council:

     

    1. Approves the net revenue budget requirement be set at £1,101.5 million (net cost of services after service specific government grants) for 2023/24 (Annex B), subject to confirmation of the Final Local Government Financial Settlement.
    2. Approves the total Council Tax Funding Requirement be set at £866.0 million for 2023/24. This is based on a council tax increase of 2.99%, made up of an increase in the level of core council tax of 0.99% and an increase of 2% in the precept proposed by Central Government to cover the growing cost of Adult Social Care (Annex E).
    3. Notes that for the purpose of section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council formally determines that the increase in core council tax is not such as to trigger a referendum (i.e. not greater than 3%).
    4. Sets the Surrey County Council precept for Band D Council Tax at £1,675.08, which represents a 2.99% uplift. This is a rise of £0.94 a week from the 2022/23 precept of £1,626.39. This includes £217.94 for the Adult Social Care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12/23

13/23

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PEOPLE STRATEGY 2023- 2028 pdf icon PDF 425 KB

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    This report sets out the council’s new draft People Strategy 2023-2028 and also sets out how the strategic context for the council and workforce has changed and the key factors we need to respond to now, to deliver the workforce needed for the future.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet endorses the direction of travel for the Surrey County Council People Strategy 2023-2028

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The council’s workforce is crucial to delivering the Organisation Strategy for the benefit of Surrey residents and to ensure no one is left behind. Approximately 36% of the council’s budget is spent on staffing so it is vital this money is spent wisely on a workforce that performs to its full potential and is inclusive of the communities the council represents. The People Strategy sets out the outcomes needed to deliver this and ensure that outstanding services can continue to be delivered to residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable, in the context of significant financial challenges. It is recommended that the Cabinet endorses the draft People Strategy, in the context of setting the 2023/24 budget and agreeing the Medium Term Financial Strategy. Further work will then be undertaken to finalise the People Strategy and develop a delivery plan setting out the specific actions needed to deliver the four people outcomes and how we will measure our progress.

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Leader who explained that the council’s new draft People Strategy 2023-2028 outlined how the council would develop its workforce and be better equipped to address recruitment and retention issues, seeking to ensure that all staff have access to career pathways and development opportunities, to keep the right staff with the right skills to continue delivering outstanding services to residents. The Leader was clear that the council was reliant on its staff but had to do more to support career progression and career opportunities. The People Strategy sets out four key outcomes for the workforce that will equip the council with the staff it needs now and in the future. Members recognised that the council needed to create a working culture where people could reach their full potential so they could live their best working life.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet endorses the direction of travel for the Surrey County Council People Strategy 2023-2028

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The council’s workforce is crucial to delivering the Organisation Strategy for the benefit of Surrey residents and to ensure no one is left behind. Approximately 36% of the council’s budget is spent on staffing so it is vital this money is spent wisely on a workforce that performs to its full potential and is inclusive of the communities the council represents. The People Strategy sets out the outcomes needed to deliver this and ensure that outstanding services can continue to be delivered to residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable, in the context of significant financial challenges. It is recommended that the Cabinet endorses the draft People Strategy, in the context of setting the 2023/24 budget and agreeing the Medium Term Financial Strategy. Further work will then be undertaken to finalise the People Strategy and develop a delivery plan setting out the specific actions needed to deliver the four people outcomes and how we will measure our progress.

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

     

14/23

THE SURREY SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN AND A LIFETIME OF LEARNING STRATEGY 2030 pdf icon PDF 511 KB

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    The Cabinet is asked to consider and endorse the School Organisation Plan which sets out the policies and principles underpinning both mainstream and specialist school organisation in Surrey.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called- in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees the approach to secure the ambitions within the Community Vision for Surrey 2030 and the Surrey Skills Plan through collaborative work with stakeholders;   

    2.    That Cabinet endorses the School Organisation Plan 2022-2032 which will meet our statutory duties to ensure that there are sufficient high-quality places for pupils in Surrey and refer it to Council for approval (Annex A)

    3.    That Cabinet agrees the principles to be adopted in the light of falling birth rates across Surrey and growing vacant school places (Annex A).

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    In a changing education landscape, it is imperative to bring all education providers in Surrey together to secure a shared vision based on collaboration that meets the needs of all our learners.

    The School Organisation Plan is a key document used by schools and education stakeholders in considering medium and long term plans. It is necessary to review the plan to ensure that the best and most up to date information is published for use in this process to encourage collaborative and collegiate planning.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Education and Learning who explained that Cabinet was being asked to consider and support the development of a Lifetime of Learning Strategy for Surrey aligned to the Community Vision for Surrey 2030 and endorse the draft joint ambitions for wider consultation with all education providers and key partners. Through the local education partnership and in conjunction with Schools Alliance for Excellence, work had commenced to articulate a set of joint ambitions for education and learning.  These joint ambitions are key to ensure that the whole education community can align and prioritise activity to realise these ambitions and in particular move toward educational equity for all by levelling up.

     

    The Cabinet Member explained that the Cabinet was also being asked to consider and endorse the School Organisation Plan which sets out the policies and principles underpinning both mainstream and specialist school organisation in Surrey. The plan highlights the likely demand for school places projected over a 10-year period and sets out any potential changes in school organisation that may be required in order to meet the council’s statutory duty to provide sufficient places. Members welcomed the detail within the School Organisation Plan which would be of benefit to residents when planning for their children’s future.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees the approach to secure the ambitions within the Community Vision for Surrey 2030 and the Surrey Skills Plan through collaborative work with stakeholders;   

    2.    That Cabinet endorses the School Organisation Plan 2022-2032 which will meet our statutory duties to ensure that there are sufficient high-quality places for pupils in Surrey and refer it to Council for approval (Annex A)

    3.    That Cabinet agrees the principles to be adopted in the light of falling birth rates across Surrey and growing vacant school places (Annex A).

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    In a changing education landscape, it is imperative to bring all education providers in Surrey together to secure a shared vision based on collaboration that meets the needs of all our learners.

    The School Organisation Plan is a key document used by schools and education stakeholders in considering medium and long term plans. It is necessary to review the plan to ensure that the best and most up to date information is published for use in this process to encourage collaborative and collegiate planning.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

     

15/23

SURREY INCLUSION AND ADDITIONAL NEEDS STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 339 KB

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    Cabinet is asked to endorse the Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy 2023-26.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called- in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That Cabinet endorses the Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy 2023-26 and in doing so approves the following ambition statement for children with additional needs and disabilities:

     

    “Our aspiration is to enable Surrey children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs and / or disabilities to lead the best possible life. ?This strategy sets out our ambition that all Surrey children and young people with additional needs and/or disabilities and their families:?

     

    ·         are heard and are involved in the decisions that affect them?

    ·         achieve positive outcomes, including the opportunity to lead healthy lives?

    ·         develop positive relationships ?

    ·         learn and achieve their educational potential, and ?

    ·         become increasingly independent where possible and flourish within their community?.

     

    To achieve this, we will work in partnership with families and colleagues across education, health, social care and the third sector to:?

     

    ·         improve experiences and outcomes for children, young people and their families and ensure that no-one is left behind?

    ·         be a champion for children and young people with additional needs and/or disabilities?

    ·         ensure children and young people are rooted in Surrey and educated locally, wherever possible?

    ·         learn from our feedback and continue our improvement journey”.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    It is  a requirement of the Children and Families Act 2014 and associated SEND Code of Practice to “ensure that all children and young people are able to access the right support and provision to meet their needs”.

     

    The Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy 2023-26 replaces the Surrey ‘SEND’ Partnership Strategy 2019-2022 and underpins the additional needs and disabilities transformation programme. The strategy sets out the commitment of the partnership to work together to enable all children with additional needs and disabilities in Surrey to thrive and achieve their full potential.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Education and Learning presented the Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy to Cabinet which sets out the commitment of the Surrey Additional Needs and Disability Partnership to work together to enable all children with additional needs and disabilities in Surrey to thrive and achieve their full potential. It was explained that the strategy was an example of great partnership work and had taken on the views of children and their families. The strategy had been scrutinised by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee whose views had been considered and incorporated into the strategy. The Cabinet Member explained that the number of EHCPs had massively increased in the last five years and there had been very little financial support from the government. The council is committed to the principle of early identification and support for children and their families. The Cabinet Member explained that a small number of parents had staged a powerful protest outside the council offices. The Cabinet Member had listened to the stories of these parents and apologised for the delays and the stress and the strain that sometimes these parents and families are put through. The Leader stated that he also had an opportunity to speak to these parents and that it was important that the council listens to the lived experiences of residents.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That Cabinet endorses the Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy 2023-26 and in doing so approves the following ambition statement for children with additional needs and disabilities:

     

    “Our aspiration is to enable Surrey children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs and / or disabilities to lead the best possible life. ?This strategy sets out our ambition that all Surrey children and young people with additional needs and/or disabilities and their families:?

     

    ·         are heard and are involved in the decisions that affect them?

    ·         achieve positive outcomes, including the opportunity to lead healthy lives?

    ·         develop positive relationships ?

    ·         learn and achieve their educational potential, and ?

    ·         become increasingly independent where possible and flourish within their community?.

     

    To achieve this, we will work in partnership with families and colleagues across education, health, social care and the third sector to:?

     

    ·         improve experiences and outcomes for children, young people and their families and ensure that no-one is left behind?

    ·         be a champion for children and young people with additional needs and/or disabilities?

    ·         ensure children and young people are rooted in Surrey and educated locally, wherever possible?

    ·         learn from our feedback and continue our improvement journey”.

     

     

     

     

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    It is  a requirement of the Children and Families Act 2014 and associated SEND Code of Practice to “ensure that all children and young people are able to access the right support and provision to meet their needs”.

     

    The Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy 2023-26 replaces the Surrey ‘SEND’ Partnership Strategy 2019-2022 and underpins the additional needs and disabilities transformation programme. The strategy sets out the commitment of the partnership to work together to enable all children with additional needs and disabilities in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15/23

16/23

FOSTER CARE REMUNERATION pdf icon PDF 967 KB

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    The Cabinet is being asked to consider options and agree increased remuneration to foster carers who are approved by Surrey County Council. 

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called- in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet considers the business case and approves the investment to improve remuneration to Surrey County Council Foster Carers. 

    2.    That Cabinet approves the request to back-date the improved remuneration package to 1 January 2023.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The proposed investment will bring the allowances and fees paid to Surrey County Council foster carers more in line with competitors; this is an essential component of addressing current and future issues of recruitment and retention of foster carers. 

    The Council needs to increase in-house fostering capacity and reduce the number of children who have to be placed with Independent Agency foster carers.  Placement with independent carers, or in residential care is more expensive and more likely to be at greater distance from Surrey than in-house foster care.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

     

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Children and Families introduced the report explaining that Cabinet were being asked to approve an increase in payments to Surrey foster carers which would be in line with other local authorities and independent fostering agencies. It was added that if Cabinet agreed, foster carers remuneration package would be backdated to 1 January 2023. The increased payment was in recognition of the important work carried out by foster carers and was supported by the Surrey County Fostering Association Executive group.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet considers the business case and approves the investment to improve remuneration to Surrey County Council Foster Carers. 

    2.    That Cabinet approves the request to back-date the improved remuneration package to 1 January 2023.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The proposed investment will bring the allowances and fees paid to Surrey County Council foster carers more in line with competitors; this is an essential component of addressing current and future issues of recruitment and retention of foster carers. 

    The Council needs to increase in-house fostering capacity and reduce the number of children who have to be placed with Independent Agency foster carers.  Placement with independent carers, or in residential care is more expensive and more likely to be at greater distance from Surrey than in-house foster care.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

     

     

     

     

17/23

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURREY'S COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY CONTROLLED SCHOOLS FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 AND SURREY'S RELEVANT AREA pdf icon PDF 313 KB

18/23

GODSTONE AND MERROW HIGHWAYS DEPOTS - REPLACEMENT SALT BARNS pdf icon PDF 323 KB

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    Cabinet approval is requested for capital expenditure to build two new salt barns, one at Godstone Depot and one at Merrow Depot.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approves capital funding from the Highways Depot Strategy budget and pipeline (total £16.5m) for the development and construction of two new salt barns, one at Godstone and one at Merrow. The design and build costs are commercially sensitive at this time and are set out in the Part 2 report.

     

    2.    That Cabinet approves procurement of appropriate supply chain partners to deliver the design, build and fit out of the two new structures in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

     

    3.    That Cabinet notes that, regarding the procurement of supply chain partners, the Executive Director for Resources and the Director of Land and Property are authorised to award such contracts, up to +5% of the budgetary tolerance level.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    It is essential to provide salt barns at both Merrow and Godstone Depots in order to:

    • Provide fit for purpose, long-term facilities for the Council’s Highways department to provide its critical services, and statutory Health and Safety requirement of gritting highways in winter weather.
    • The services provided by Highways are essential for enabling safer travel across the county for residents, businesses and visitors.
    • Ensures the Service has the right facilities in the optimum locations to deliver its services, within agreed response times.

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Property and Waste who explained that Cabinet approval was required for capital funding to design and build two new salt barns, one at Godstone Depot and one at Merrow Depot. The existing structures were both beyond economic repair and neither had sufficient capacity to provide the required volume of covered storage of salt. New salt barns would ensure that the Highways and Transport Service had fit for purpose, year-round facilities with long-term operational lifespans to deliver critical services. The Cabinet Member for Highways and Community Resilience commented that both depots would hold a total of 8000 tonnes of salt.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approves capital funding from the Highways Depot Strategy budget and pipeline (total £16.5m) for the development and construction of two new salt barns, one at Godstone and one at Merrow. The design and build costs are commercially sensitive at this time and are set out in the Part 2 report.

     

    2.    That Cabinet approves procurement of appropriate supply chain partners to deliver the design, build and fit out of the two new structures in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

     

    3.    That Cabinet notes that, regarding the procurement of supply chain partners, the Executive Director for Resources and the Director of Land and Property are authorised to award such contracts, up to +5% of the budgetary tolerance level.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    It is essential to provide salt barns at both Merrow and Godstone Depots in order to:

    • Provide fit for purpose, long-term facilities for the Council’s Highways department to provide its critical services, and statutory Health and Safety requirement of gritting highways in winter weather.
    • The services provided by Highways are essential for enabling safer travel across the county for residents, businesses and visitors.
    • Ensures the Service has the right facilities in the optimum locations to deliver its services, within agreed response times.

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

19/23

2022/23 MONTH 8 (NOVEMBER) FINANCIAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 670 KB

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    This report provides details of the County Council’s 2022/23 financial position as at 30th November 2022 (M8) for revenue and capital budgets, and the expected outlook for the remainder of the financial year.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year, including the use of the contingency budget and the commitment to develop Directorate budget recovery plans.

    Reasons for Decisions:

    This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval of any necessary actions. 

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources introduced the report explaining that at Month 8 the Council was forecasting a full year deficit of £6.0m. The current level of projected Directorate overspend remained significant at a net £23m, after the implementation of in-year budget recovery plans. £17m of the corporate contingency budget was being utilised to reduce the overall level of forecast overspend to £6m. Directorates which were currently forecasting an overspend position had committed to delivering budget recovery plans, which required the identification of targeted additional in-year efficiencies to mitigate the forecast overspend.  At the end of November 2022, £10.3m of mitigations had been identified, reducing the Directorate position to £23m (from £33.3m). With regards to Capital, the Month 8 position showed a forecast spend of £212.4m against a budget of £215.8m, a variance of £3.4m. At Month 9 (January 2023) the capital budget would be reset to adjust for in-year movements, at this point forecast overspend mitigations would also be reflected.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year, including the use of the contingency budget and the commitment to develop Directorate budget recovery plans.

    Reasons for Decisions:

    This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval of any necessary actions. 

    (The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

20/23

YOUR FUND SURREY APPLICATION -THE OXSHOTT COMMUNITY HUB pdf icon PDF 401 KB

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    This report sets out the key information on the Oxshott Community Hub Your Fund Surrey (YFS) application, for consideration by Cabinet.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees to fund project CF147 for the full amount requested of £1,187,817 towards the creation of The Oxshott Community Hub.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment by officers who consider the project to meet the aims and published criteria of the fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

    The existing scout and guide hut is not fit for purpose and not utilised to its’ full potential by the local community due to its’ poor state. Rebuilding the building would create an environmentally friendly hub for use by the whole community, including the scouts and guides.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    David Lewis left the meeting at 16:12.

     

    The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety introduced the application for the Oxshott Community Hub. The application was to rebuild the existing huts to create a new community hub for the whole community, providing a new purpose built building which would consist of two halls, a kitchen, storage area and meeting rooms. The building would be environmentally friendly with low energy lighting, insulation and double glazing and lower running costs. The current huts were built in 1968 and were not fit for purpose. The hub was located in an area of deprivation and would provide a suitable location for many groups supporting the vulnerable which were not currently operating in this area. The application was supported by the Your Fund Surrey advisory panel. The Leader welcomed the application and recognised the benefits to the local community.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees to fund project CF147 for the full amount requested of £1,187,817 towards the creation of The Oxshott Community Hub.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment by officers who consider the project to meet the aims and published criteria of the fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

    The existing scout and guide hut is not fit for purpose and not utilised to its’ full potential by the local community due to its’ poor state. Rebuilding the building would create an environmentally friendly hub for use by the whole community, including the scouts and guides.

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

     

    David Lewis returned to the meeting at 16:17.

     

     

     

21/23

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

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    That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

     

22/23

GODSTONE AND MERROW HIGHWAYS DEPOTS - REPLACEMENT SALT BARNS

    This Part 2 report contains information which is exempt from Access to Information requirements by virtue of paragraph 3, Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-01-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Minute 18/23.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Property and Waste introduced the Part 2 report which contained information which was exempt from Access to Information requirements by virtue of Paragraph 3: information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-01-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Minute 231/23.

     

    (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

     

     

23/23

FUTURE WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SERVICES

24/23

PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS

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    To consider whether the item considered under Part 2 of the agenda should be made available to the Press and public.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    It was agreed that non-exempt information may be made available to the press and public, where appropriate.