Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 227 KBVenue: Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DN
Contact: Vicky Hibbert or Anne Gowing 020 8541 9938 Email: anne.gowing@surreycc.gov.uk
Media
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Mr Few. |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: 24 February 2015 and 10 March 2015
The minutes will be available in the meeting room half an hour before the start of the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meetings held on 24 February and 10 March 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest. · Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register. · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest. Additional documents: Minutes: There were none. |
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PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Additional documents: |
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Members' Questions
The deadline for Member’s questions is 12pm four working days before the meeting (18 March 2015).
Additional documents: Minutes: No questions from Members were received. |
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Public Questions
The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (17 March 2015).
Additional documents: Decision: A question from Mr Crews was received. The question and the response is attached as Appendix 1. Minutes: A question from Mr Crews was received. The question and the response is attached as Appendix 1.
Mr Crews asked a detailed supplementary question which the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning said would receive a response outside the meeting. |
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Petitions
The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.
Additional documents: Minutes: No petitions were received. |
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Representations received on reports to be considered in private
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: Minutes: No representations were received. |
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(i) Recommendations from Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to the Carbon and Energy Policy 2015 to 2019 (on the Cabinet agenda for consideration at item 8).
(ii) Recommendations from Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to Budget Monitoring.
(iii) Recommendations from Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to the Digital Transformation Progress Update. Additional documents: Decision: Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee:
(i) Recommendations relating to the Carbon and Energy Policy 2015 – 2019. The response from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning is attached as Appendix 2.
(ii) Recommendations relating to Budget Monitoring. The response from the Leader of the Council is attached as Appendix 3.
(iii) Recommendations relating to the Digital Transformation Progress Update. The response from the Cabinet Member for Business Services is attached as Appendix 4. Minutes: Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee:
(i) Recommendations relating to the Carbon and Energy Policy 2015 – 2019. The response from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning is attached as Appendix 2.
(ii) Recommendations relating to Budget Monitoring. The response from the Leader of the Council is attached as Appendix 3.
(iii) Recommendations relating to the Digital Transformation Progress Update. The response from the Cabinet Member for Business Services is attached as Appendix 4. |
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Medium Term Financial Plan 2015 - 2020
The Cabinet approved the council’s corporate strategy for the period 2015 to 2020 at its meeting on 3 February 2015. This paper proposes the supporting strategies from individual services showing the goals and actions that services will deliver in 2015/16.
Full County Council set its budget envelope and council tax precept for the 2015/16 financial year on 10 February 2015. At the same meeting, it approved indicative budgets for the following four years, 2016/17 to 2019/20 and refreshed the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2015-20. Since then, there have been a number of changes to government grants following the Final Local Government Settlement leading to budget changes. This report details these changes and presents the detailed service revenue and capital budgets for 2015/16, including fees and charges, and indicative budgets for the following four financial years.
This paper reports on the Equality Impact Assessments that support the changes in service budgets.
After approval by Cabinet, the council will publish the detailed budgets as the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2015-20 on its website. This will enable users – budget managers and residents - to either view budget details interactively on-line, or request a hard copy of relevant sections.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee] Additional documents: Decision: 1. That the 2015/16 service strategies that will deliver the Corporate Strategy 2015-20, as set out in Annex 1 to the submitted report, be approved. 2. That the detailed service revenue and capital budgets for the years 2015/16 and indicative budgets for 2016-20, including amendments resulting from the final Local Government Financial Settlement and other Government funding changes announced since 10 February 2015, as set out in Annex 1 to the submitted report, be approved. 3. That the match funding of the Brooklands Motor Museum contribution totalling £225,000 over five years, as set out in paragraph 18 of the submitted report, be approved. 4. That the initiative to increase volunteering from the New Models of Delivery Budget, costing £75,000 in 2015/16 and also in 2016/17, as set out in paragraph 19 of the submitted report, be approved. 5. That the publication of the service revenue and capital budgets as the Medium Term Financial Plan 2015-20 be approved. 6. That the fees & charges approved under delegated powers be endorsed and other fee and charge proposals, as set out in Annex 2 of the submitted report, be approved. 7. That the Equality Impact Assessment of the savings proposals within the directorate and service budgets, as set out in Annex 3 to the submitted report be noted.
Reasons for Decisions:
The 2015–20 MTFP is a five year budget that is aligned to the Corporate Strategy. It reflects assumptions about the current local and national financial, economic and political environment. The setting of a five year budget is a key element of the Council’s multi-year approach to financial management. Regular reporting through the year will enable progress to be effectively tracked and managed.
The Corporate Strategy 2015-20 sets out the Council’s key strategic goals of wellbeing, economic prosperity and residents’ experience. The service strategies provide the detail on the goals and actions to achieve these strategic goals.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee] Minutes: The Leader said that in February, the Cabinet had approved the Council’s five year corporate strategy Confident in Surrey’s future and that the overall budget and council tax precept for 2015/16 and indicative budgets for the following four financial years had been set at the full County Council meeting.
He said that before Cabinet today was the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2015 – 2020, which set out the detailed service strategies that would deliver the overall corporate strategy, together with the detailed revenue and capital budgets for 2015/16 and indicative budgets for 2016/17 to 2019/20. These budgets included fees and charges, grant changes in the Final Local Government Settlement and the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) of the savings proposals.
He also confirmed that the Council’s strategy was focused on working in the long-term interests of Surrey and making sure residents remained healthy, safe and confident about their future and that the Council would concentrate on providing lasting support to those who needed it, supporting economic growth and ensuring residents get excellent, value for money services.
He was delighted to inform the Cabinet that savings of over £257m had been made in the past four years, and that the Council was forecast to make over £73m this year.
Finally, he said that the corporate goals would be achieved even though the Council faced huge financial pressures – in particular, rising demand for school places and adult social care and this would be achieved by:
· continuing to find new ways of doing things better, · continuing to work with others to transform services and · continuing to seek more devolved funding and powers. The Leader of the Council invited each Cabinet Member to comment on the MTFP and the accompanying EIAs for their portfolios. They made the following points:
(i) Deputy Leader: He highlighted the four savings proposals that had been identified as requiring an EIA in the Chief Executive’s service: · the cross cutting communications review · re-structure of libraries’ staff · reduction in the contingency budget for by-elections · 5% reduction in the Policy and Performance Service
(ii) Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding made the following points: · That Highways had a good year, helped by the clement winter weather · The aims and objectives for this service remained the same as last year, namely to keep Surrey’s road network safe - Project Horizon was helping to deliver this objective · Continued support for economic prosperity for residents and businesses · That pro-active partnerships in Surrey were excellent · Thanked officers for achieving financial savings in what had been a difficult year · That EIAs had been undertaken for those confirmed savings that had been deemed as requiring one
Mr Harmer, Chairman of the Environment and Transport Select Committee had asked to speak on this item and said that his select committee had undertaken a detailed review of this service’s budget. It was his opinion that £200K could be transferred from the streetlighting budget into winter maintenance, to create a ‘reserve’ pot of funding for severe weather emergencies. ... view the full minutes text for item 59/15 |
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Finance and Budget Monitoring Report for February 2015
The Council takes a multiyear approach to its budget planning and monitoring, recognising that the two are inextricably linked. This report presents the Council’s financial position at the end of February 2015 (eleventh month). The details of this financial position are covered in the Annex to this report.
Please note that the Annex to this report will be circulated separately prior to the Cabinet meeting.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]
Additional documents: Decision: That the report be noted, including the following:
1. That the Council forecasts an improved revenue position for 2014/15 of £13.4m underspend, up from £7.9m at 31 January 2015. This position includes the need to fund £6.2m spending on planned service commitments that will continue beyond 2014/15, as set out in Annex1, paragraph 3 of the submitted report.
2. That Services forecast achieving an improved position on efficiencies and service reductions by year end of £73.8m up from £72.7m at 31 January 2015 and £1.5m above the year’s planned target of £72.3m, as set out in Annex1, paragraph 80 of the submitted report.
3. That the Council forecasts investing £198.3m through its capital programme in 2014/15, as set out in Annex1, paragraphs 84 and 85 of the submitted report.
4. That Services’ management actions to mitigate overspends, as set out throughout Annex1 of the submitted report, be noted.
5. That the use of the uncommitted Member allocations, totalling £22,362, to make a grant to the Surrey Save Credit Union, as set out in Annex1, paragraph 36 of the submitted report, be approved.
6. That a virement of the Surrey Growth Fund (£0.8m) from Environment & Infrastructure to the Chief Executive’s Office, to align with managerial responsibility for the Economy function, as set out in Annex1, paragraph 46 of the submitted report, be approved.
7. That £2.5m from Central Income and Expenditure budget to fund a new reserve: “Economic Prosperity Reserve”, as set out in Annex1, paragraph 70 of the submitted report, be approved
Reasons for Decisions:
This report is presented to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval and action as necessary.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]
Minutes: The Leader of the Council presented the budget monitoring report for month eleven of 2014/15, the period up to 28 February and said that the forecast revenue position was an underspend of £13.4m at year end. This was an improvement on January’s forecast outturn of £7.9m underspend and included £6.2m of spending on planned service commitments that would continue beyond 2014/15. He also said that the efficiencies forecast was £73.8m, up from £72.7m at 31 January. This was the fifth consecutive year that the Council had delivered over £60m of savings for Surrey residents and he thanked the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and the S151 officer for their outstanding efforts which had resulted in achieving these savings. He drew Cabinet’s attention to the three items for their approval - the first being to use £22,362 of uncommitted Member allocations to make a grant to the Surrey Save Credit Union. As he had said, at previous Cabinet meetings, the Council continued to face demand growth and funding reductions and had four key drivers to ensure sound governance to manage the finances and provide value for money. These were: 1. Keep any additional call on the council taxpayer to a minimum Currently, the end of year revenue forecast was for services to underspend by £13.4m and he believed that Cabinet’s commitment to tight financial management and the actions of managers would make 2014/15 the fifth consecutive year that there would be a small underspend or a balanced budget. 2. Continuously drive the efficiency agenda That, at the end of February, services forecast delivering efficiencies of £73.8m against a target of £72.3m and of these forecast efficiencies, over 94% were already achieved or on track. 3. Develop a funding strategy to reduce the council’s reliance on council tax and government grant income. That reducing reliance on government grants and council tax was key to balancing the Council’s budgets over the longer term and the Revolving Infrastructure and Investment Fund had invested £6.7m so far this year and forecast delivering £0.4m net income. 4. Continue to maximise our investment in Surrey Finally, he said that the Council’s capital programme not only improved and maintained the Council’s services, it was also a way of investing in Surrey and generating income for the Council and he stressed the importance of the Council doing everything it could to support Surrey businesses.
Other Cabinet Members were invited to highlight the key points and issues from their portfolios, as set out in the Annex to the report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Council forecasts an improved revenue position for 2014/15 of £13.4m underspend, up from £7.9m at 31 January 2015. This position includes the need to fund £6.2m spending on planned service commitments that will continue beyond 2014/15, as set out in Annex1, paragraph 3 of the submitted report.
2. That Services forecast achieving an improved position on efficiencies and service reductions by year end of £73.8m up from £72.7m at 31 January 2015 and £1.5m above the year’s planned ... view the full minutes text for item 60/15 |
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Carbon and Energy Policy 2015 - 2019
This report sets out the County Council’s Carbon and Energy policy for 2015 to 2019, which builds on the Council’s existing policy framework.
The policy sets out the County Council’s ambition to be a resilient and low carbon council in the most cost effective way, whilst enhancing the wider benefits to Surrey’s economy and environment.
The policy will enable the Council to reduce its carbon emissions, manage energy costs and become more resilient in times of volatile global energy markets, whilst meeting our energy needs in buildings, streetlighting and the Council’s fleet and business travel.
The Council has a number of statutory duties that it is obliged to carry out in respect of carbon and energy.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Environment and Transport Select Committee] Additional documents: Decision:
1. That the proposed Carbon and Energy Policy, as set out in Annex A to the submitted report, be approved.
2. That an action plan be developed, further to the policy’s outline action plan, as set out in Annex A, section 7 to the submitted report, to implement the policy and deliver the carbon emissions reductions and associated cost savings.
3. That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning works in partnership with Surrey Boroughs and Districts to develop opportunities for joint working to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs of the public sector.
Reasons for Decisions:
Implementing the Carbon and Energy Policy will support the Council’s aims, including providing improved cost control and value for money, demonstrating community leadership in relation to carbon emissions reduction and achieving wider benefits for Surrey’s local economy and environment.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Environment and Transport Select Committee]
Minutes: The Council’s Carbon and Energy policy for 2015 to 2019, which built on the Council’s existing policy framework was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning.
He said that the County Council had a number of statutory duties that it was obliged to carry out in respect of carbon and energy and that this policy built on the Carbon and Energy Policy of the last four years.
He said that, through the policy, the County Council was demonstrating responsibility and leadership in protecting quality of life for Surrey residents and future generations, as well as achieving value for money for residents today. Energy management was one of several ways that the County Council was bearing down on its operational costs to ensure more money goes to front line services, whilst ensure statutory responsibilities in this area were fulfilled.
He gave a detailed explanation of the way forward to 2019 and said that the policy set a target of 10% reduction in carbon emissions by 2019 against a 2013/14 baseline. He also considered that there were sound business cases in place to secure the necessary funding.
Finally, he said that one of the next steps would be a joint working partnership with Boroughs and Districts.
RESOLVED:
1. That the proposed Carbon and Energy Policy, as set out in Annex A to the submitted report, be approved.
2. That an action plan be developed, further to the policy’s outline action plan, as set out in Annex A, section 7 to the submitted report, to implement the policy and deliver the carbon emissions reductions and associated cost savings.
3. That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning works in partnership with Surrey Boroughs and Districts to develop opportunities for joint working to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs of the public sector.
Reasons for Decisions:
Implementing the Carbon and Energy Policy will support the Council’s aims, including providing improved cost control and value for money, demonstrating community leadership in relation to carbon emissions reduction and achieving wider benefits for Surrey’s local economy and environment.
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This paper presents the outcomes of the development of 8 Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes (LTS & FP). It makes recommendations that the Cabinet endorses the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes as part of the Surrey Transport Plan, for ratification by full Council. The County Council is producing Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes for each District and Borough in the county. The purpose of these strategies is to support the growth set out within District and Borough Local Plans and provide a programme of transport infrastructure required to deliver this growth. The strategies also provide an evidence base for future funding bids. The strategies have been produced in tranches. Tranche 1 and 2 have been completed and are the subject of this paper. Tranche 3 comprises strategies for the three remaining Districts and Boroughs (Waverley, Runnymede, Guildford). These will be produced as and when the relevant Local Plans are developed. This will ensure that the strategies capture the outcomes of the Local Plans and address their development aspirations. The strategies are ‘live documents’ which will be updated at regular intervals to ensure they remain relevant and current. On approval, they will become part of the Surrey Transport Plan. The strategies provide a commentary on the transport provision and transport problems in each District or Borough and provide possible solutions to the identified problems. The forward programmes seek to address the problems identified in the main documents of each strategy and mitigate the impact of future growth on the transport network. Cabinet is asked to endorse the first and second tranche of the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes for ratification by full Council, which comprises 8 Districts and Boroughs. [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment and Transport Select Committee]
Additional documents: Decision: . (1) That Tranche 1 & 2 of the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes and their suggested objectives be approved for: o Woking (2) As part of the Surrey Transport Plan, the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes be endorsed by Cabinet, for ratification by full Council.
Reasons for Decisions:
Delivering the Local Transport Strategies will support the County Council’s priorities to promote sustainable economic growth and secure investment in infrastructure. The Local Transport Strategies will benefit Surrey residents and businesses by accommodating sustainable population growth, helping to boost the economy and limit the impact of transport and development on the environment. The strategies adhere to using a place-based approach to plan for future sustainable economic growth and address existing problems on the network. By considering issues locally, the transport strategies have been able to identify issues which residents feel most affect them in each District and Borough. The Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes also support the Environment & Infrastructure priorities, specifically Themes 1, 2 and 4. [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment and Transport Select Committee]
Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding said that this report presented the outcomes of the development of eight Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes (LTS & FP) and made recommendations that the Cabinet endorsed the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes as part of the Surrey Transport Plan, for ratification at the next County Council meeting. He said that these strategies were important to the sustainability of Surrey’s economy and had been produced in tranches. Tranche 1 and 2 have been completed. Tranche 3, comprising strategies for the three remaining Districts and Boroughs (Waverley, Runnymede and Guildford), would be produced as and when the relevant Local Plans were developed, so that the strategies captured the outcomes of the Local Plans and addressed their development aspirations. The strategies were ‘live documents’ which would be updated at regular intervals to ensure they remained relevant and current. They had been developed in partnership with colleagues in Boroughs and Districts and on approval, they would become part of the Surrey Transport Plan and may be used as crucial evidence for future funding applications, such as Local Enterprise Partnerships. The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning praised the commitment of officers who had compiled these strategies and forward programmes – he considered that it was an excellent piece of work. RESOLVED:
(1) That Tranche 1 & 2 of the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes and their suggested objectives be approved for: o Woking (2) As part of the Surrey Transport Plan, the Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes be endorsed by Cabinet, for ratification by full Council.
Reasons for Decisions:
Delivering the Local Transport Strategies will support the County Council’s priorities to promote sustainable economic growth and secure investment in infrastructure. The Local Transport Strategies will benefit Surrey residents and businesses by accommodating sustainable population growth, helping to boost the economy and limit the impact of transport and development on the environment. The strategies adhere to using a place-based approach to plan for future sustainable economic growth and address existing problems on the network. By considering issues locally, the transport strategies have been able to identify issues which residents feel most affect them in each District and Borough. The Local Transport Strategies and Forward Programmes also support the Environment & Infrastructure priorities, specifically Themes 1, 2 and 4.
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Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA)
This paper asks for the Cabinet to note the content of the report on the sufficiency of childcare and early education places for children under five years, and for school aged children.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children and Education Select Committee]
Additional documents: Decision: That the content of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment report (CSA) be noted.
Reasons for Decisions:
The 2006 Childcare Act places a duty on Local Authorities (LAs) to make sure there are sufficient childcare places of high quality for parents that need them to allow them to work or to train. There also needs to be sufficient services for parents of eligible children to take up their offer of free early education, even for parents who are not working or training. Department for Education (DfE) Early Education and Childcare, statutory guidance for local authorities (September 2014) states that to secure sufficient childcare places, we should take account of the local childcare market, and the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty to report annually to elected council members on how we are meeting this duty and to make the report available and accessible to parents.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: The Cabinet for Schools and Learning said that the content of the report on the sufficiency of childcare and early education places for children under five years, and for school aged children was for noting due to the Children and Families Act 2014 placing a duty to report this annually to elected Members and to make the report available and accessible to parents.
She said that most childcare in Surrey was delivered via the private, voluntary and independent sector and that the County Council’s Early Years and Childcare Service supported the development of new provision in areas of need. She drew attention to the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2014, which set out pre-school penetration rates in Surrey by ward, and said that this document would shape the future of the childcare service in Surrey.
In view of the feedback from parents, in relation to the affordability of childcare, considered the main barrier for all parents from using childcare and particularly for those on lower income, Members asked about funding. They were informed that in order to ensure that there were sufficient places, particularly in areas of greatest need, the Council had allocated the Early Years Childcare Service over £4m.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment report (CSA) be noted.
Reasons for Decisions:
The 2006 Childcare Act places a duty on Local Authorities (LAs) to make sure there are sufficient childcare places of high quality for parents that need them to allow them to work or to train. There also needs to be sufficient services for parents of eligible children to take up their offer of free early education, even for parents who are not working or training. Department for Education (DfE) Early Education and Childcare, statutory guidance for local authorities (September 2014) states that to secure sufficient childcare places, we should take account of the local childcare market, and the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty to report annually to elected council members on how we are meeting this duty and to make the report available and accessible to parents.
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St Francis Catholic Primary School, Caterham
To approve the Business Case for the expansion of St Francis Catholic Primary School from a 1.5 form of entry primary (315 places) to a 2 form of entry primary (420 places) creating 105 additional places in Caterham to help meet the basic need requirements in the Caterham area from September 2016.
N.B. An annex containing exempt information is contained in Part 2 of the agenda – item 16.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Additional documents: Decision: That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in the submitted Part 2 report, the business case for the provision of an additional 0.5 Form of Entry (105 places) primary places in Caterham be approved.
Reasons for Decision:
The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Caterham area.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: The Cabinet Member introduced the report, saying that this was the first of three school expansions on today’s agenda, which would create an additional 400 primary school places in Surrey. She said that the Local Authority had a statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population and there was also a demonstrable need to provide more catholic places in this area.
She referred to the Ofsted judgement of June 2014 for this school but said that she was satisfied that effective action to address the areas requiring improvement was underway.
The Leader of the Council expressed concern about the access road to the school and the proposed mitigating measures which has also been discussed at a recent Tandridge Local Committee meeting. He asked the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to clarify ownership of this access loop road.
RESOLVED:
That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in the submitted Part 2 report, the business case for the provision of an additional 0.5 Form of Entry (105 places) primary places in Caterham be approved.
Reasons for Decision:
The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Caterham area.
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The Greville Primary School, Ashtead
To approve the Business Case for the expansion of The Greville Primary School. The school currently provides 90 infant places (Key stage 1) and 360 junior places (Key Stage 2) to give a total of 450 primary places.The expansion will increase infant places (Key stage 1) to 180 and increase junior places (key stage 2) to 480 to give a total of 660 primary places. This creates 210 additional primary places in Ashtead to help meet the basic need requirements in the area from September 2015.
N.B. An annex containing exempt information is contained in Part 2 of the agenda – item 17.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Additional documents: Decision: That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in the submitted Part 2 report, the business case for the provision of an additional 1 form of entry (210 places) primary places in Ashtead be approved.
Reasons for Decision:
The school is a vital part of the Council’s education offer in the local area. Increasing the number of school spaces within Ashtead is essential to ensure that the County Council performs its statutory duty of educating all resident pupils who request a school place.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: The Leader of the Council invited Mr Townsend, local Member for Ashtead to speak on this item. He began by stating that there were massive issues about the provision of primary school places in this area. He said that he was not against the expansion of this school but was concerned about the mitigation aspects and he also drew attention to the consultation process.
The Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning welcomed his comments and said that she knew this school and had attended local residents’ meetings. She said it was a school currently rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and that it was popular with parents. She acknowledged that the expansion would create a large primary school of 660 primary places, which would help meet the basic need requirements in the Ashtead area from September 2015.
She also informed Cabinet Members that the local catholic primary school was also being expanded to create additional faith places in the area.
It was agreed that mitigation and highways issues would be discussed within the Part 2 section of the meeting.
RESOLVED:
That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in the submitted Part 2 report, the business case for the provision of an additional 1 form of entry (210 places) primary places in Ashtead be approved.
Reasons for Decision:
The school is a vital part of the Council’s education offer in the local area. Increasing the number of school spaces within Ashtead is essential to ensure that the County Council performs its statutory duty of educating all resident pupils who request a school place. |
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Manby Lodge Infant School, Weybridge
To approve the Business Case for the expansion of Manby Lodge Infant School from a 2 form of entry infant (180 places) to a 3 form of entry infant (270 places) creating 90 additional places in Weybridge to help meet the basic need requirements in the Weybridge area from September 2016. This would be a major, phased building project which involves demolition and rebuilding of the oldest part of the school.
N.B. An annex containing exempt information is contained in Part 2 of the agenda – item 18.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Additional documents: Decision: That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in the submitted Part 2 report, the business case for the provision of an additional form of entry, (210 places) at Manby Lodge Infant School, in Weybridge be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Weybridge area.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: This report requested the approval of the Business Case for the expansion of Manby Lodge Community Infant School, from a two form of entry infant (180 places) to a three form of entry infant school (270 places), was presented by the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning. She informed Cabinet that the creation of 90 additional places in Weybridge would help meet the basic need requirements in the Weybridge area from September 2016. This would be a major, phased building project which involved demolition and rebuilding of the oldest part of the school. She also explained the reasons why other schools in the area had been discounted from the expansion.
The Leader of the Council asked if there was any possibility of re-modelling the new building to put the playground on the roof, thereby giving the opportunity to further expand the school.
RESOLVED:
That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in the submitted Part 2 report, the business case for the provision of an additional form of entry, (210 places) at Manby Lodge Infant School, in Weybridge be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Weybridge area.
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LEADER / DEPUTY LEADER / CABINET MEMBER DECISIONS TAKEN SINCE THE LAST CABINET MEETING
To note any delegated decisions taken by the Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members since the last meeting of the Cabinet. Additional documents: Decision: That the decisions taken by Cabinet Members since the last meeting, as set out in Annex 1 of the submitted report, be noted.
Reasons for Decisions:
To inform the Cabinet of decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated authority.
Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the decisions taken by Cabinet Members since the last meeting, as set out in Annex 1 of the submitted report, be noted.
Reasons for Decisions:
To inform the Cabinet of decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated authority.
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
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: Decision: 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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
PART TWO – IN PRIVATE
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS OF BUSINESS WERE CONSIDERED IN PRIVATE BY THE CABINET. SET OUT BELOW IS A PUBLIC SUMMARY OF THE DECISIONS TAKEN.
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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
PART TWO – IN PRIVATE
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS OF BUSINESS WERE CONSIDERED IN PRIVATE BY THE CABINET. SET OUT BELOW IS A PUBLIC SUMMARY OF THE DECISIONS TAKEN.
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St Francis Catholic Primary School, Caterham
This is a part 2 annex relating to item 11.
Exempt: Not for publication under 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 either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Decision: 1. That the business case for the project to expand St Francis Catholic Primary School by 105 places, at a total estimated cost, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.
2. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to 10% of the total value may be agreed by the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, the Cabinet Member for Business Services and the Leader of the Council be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal delivers and supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Carerham area.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: This Part 2 report contained the financial and value for money information which related to item 12.
Concern was expressed about the highways works due to be undertaken as a result of the proposed expansion of this school. Whilst it was noted that the highways improvements would benefit the adjoining Audley Primary School and Sunnydown SEN School, clarity was requested in relation to the ownership of this road.
RESOLVED:
1. That the business case for the project to expand St Francis Catholic Primary School by 105 places, at a total estimated cost, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.
2. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to 10% of the total value may be agreed by the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, the Cabinet Member for Business Services and the Leader of the Council be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal delivers and supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Carerham area.
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The Greville Primary School, Ashtead
This is a part 2 annex relating to item 12.
Exempt: Not for publication under 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 either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Decision: 1. That the business case for the project to expand The Greville Primary School by 210 places, at a total estimated cost, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.
2. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to 10% of the total value may be agreed by the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, the Cabinet Member for Business Services and the Leader of the Council be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal delivers and supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Ashtead area.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: This Part 2 report contained the financial and value for money information which related to item 12.
Mr Townsend, Local Member for Ashtead also spoke on this item, the part 2 annex relating to the Greville Primary School. He informed Cabinet that the expansion of this school would be considered by the Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee on 25 March 2015 and requested assurance that if further mitigating factors came to light, that there would be funding available for them.
RESOLVED:
1. That the business case for the project to expand The Greville Primary School by 210 places, at a total estimated cost, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.
2. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to 10% of the total value may be agreed by the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, the Cabinet Member for Business Services and the Leader of the Council be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal delivers and supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Ashtead area.
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Manby Lodge Infant School, Weybridge
This is a part 2 annex relating to item 13.
Exempt: Not for publication under 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 either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Decision: 1. That the business case for the project to expand Manby Lodge Infant School by 90 places, at a total estimated cost, as set out in the submitted report, be approved. However, it was agreed that officers would consider a redesign of the building so see whether increased numbers of children could be accommodated at this school.
2. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to 10% of the total value may be agreed by the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, the Cabinet Member for Business Services and the Leader of the Council be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal delivers and supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Weybridge area.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by either the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee or the Children and Education Select Committee]
Minutes: The Cabinet Member for School and Learning commended this Part 2 report, which contained the financial and value for money information relating to item 13.
Following a discussion about the proposed design and whether the option of increasing the schools size further could be achieved by putting the playground on the roof of the new building, it was agreed to amend recommendation (1) to ask officers to investigate this proposal.
RESOLVED:
1. That the business case for the project to expand Manby Lodge Infant School by 90 places, at a total estimated cost, as set out in the submitted report, be approved. However, it was agreed that officers would consider a redesign of the building so see whether increased numbers of children could be accommodated at this school
2. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to 10% of the total value may be agreed by the Strategic Director for Business Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, the Cabinet Member for Business Services and the Leader of the Council be approved.
Reasons for Decisions:
The proposal delivers and supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Weybridge area.
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Property Transactions
Property Acquisition
Exempt: Not for publication under 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 Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]
Decision: 1. That equity investment and a long-term loan to the County Council’s wholly owned property company, for the amount stated in the submitted report be agreed 2. That Legal Services be authorised to agree appropriate contractual arrangements for the provision of financing on behalf of the Council, with funds to be released upon the completion of appropriate due-diligence in relation to the property acquisition. 3. That the County Council’s wholly owned property company be authorised to acquire the long leasehold interest on a property on the Nursling Industrial Estate, Southampton for a purchase cost, including associated costs, as set out in the submitted report. Reasons for Decisions: The provision of financing to the Council’s property company to facilitate the proposed investment acquisition is in accordance with the Council’s Investment Strategy. The investment will deliver an ongoing income to the Council, enhancing financial resilience in the longer term.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]
Minutes: Acquisition of a long leasehold interest of warehouse premises in Southampton The Investment Strategy agreed by Cabinet in July 2013 was developed in response to the requirement for the Council to maintain its financial resilience in the longer term. In facilitation of the strategy, Cabinet approved the business case for the creation of a Property Company and associated subsidiaries in May 2014 in order to achieve a balanced property portfolio to generate an income to the council. The Cabinet Member for Business Services highlighted the key points of this acquisition by the Councils property company and commended the recommendations to Cabinet.
The Cabinet Member for Public Health and the Health and Wellbeing Board requested that his vote against the acquisition was recorded.
RESOLVED: 1. That equity investment and a long-term loan to the County Council’s wholly owned property company, for the amount stated in the submitted report be agreed 2. That Legal Services be authorised to agree appropriate contractual arrangements for the provision of financing on behalf of the Council, with funds to be released upon the completion of appropriate due-diligence in relation to the property acquisition. 3. That the County Council’s wholly owned property company be authorised to acquire the long leasehold interest on a property on the Nursling Industrial Estate, Southampton for a purchase cost, including associated costs, as set out in the submitted report.
Reasons for Decisions: The provision of financing to the Council’s property company to facilitate the proposed investment acquisition is in accordance with the Council’s Investment Strategy. The investment will deliver an ongoing income to the Council, enhancing financial resilience in the longer term.
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PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS
To consider whether the item considered under Part 2 of the agenda should be made available to the Press and public. Additional documents: Minutes: That non-exempt information relating to items considered in Part 2 of the meeting may be made available to the press and public, if appropriate.
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