Issue - meetings

To receive any questions or petitions.

The public retain their right to submit questions for written response, with such answers recorded in the minutes of the meeting; questioners may participate in meetings to ask a supplementary question. Petitioners may address the Committee on their petition for up to three minutes. Guidance will be made available to any member of the public wishing to speak at a meeting.

Notes:

1.    The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (11 July 2024).

2.    The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting(10 July 2024).

3.    The deadline for petitions is 14 days before the meeting.

There was one question received from a member of the public and one received from a Member of the Committee, in writing, prior to the Committee meeting. The questions and answer were provided in the supplementary agenda circulated at the meeting.

The same member of the public was present at the Committee meeting and asked a supplementary question about Surrey County Council’s budget of £1.5 million for verge cutting in the current financial year, and whether this was an appropriate use of these funds. The member of the public also stated that it would be beneficial to the local environment if the Council did not cut verges regularly and enabled wildlife to develop in verges.

In reply, the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth stated that the Council encouraged environmental protection.  However, the Council received requests to cut back verges and needed to balance these requests. In doing so, the Council would continue with the previous district and borough scheme of six cuts in urban areas and two cuts in rural areas. Maintaining this level allowed the Council to continue the Blue Hearts Wildflower Scheme and reduce the overall amount of cutting.