Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday, 26 May 2020 2.00 pm

Venue: REMOTE

Contact: Vicky Hibbert or Angela Guest  020 8541 9075 Email: angela.guest@surreycc.gov.uk

Note: Please note that due to the Covid-19 situation this meeting will take place remotely 

Media

Items
No. Item

68/20

Apologies for Absence

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    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

     

    The Leader announced that Mr Mike Goodman had stood down from the Cabinet after serving seven years.  He thanked Mr Goodman for his enormous contribution and the work he had undertaken on the Environment Strategy and Tree Strategy.  Mrs Natalie Bramhall was to take on the slightly amended portfolio and all portfolio details could be found on the Council’s website.

     

    He also introduced and welcomed two new deputy Members, Miss Marisa Heath and Mrs Becky Rush, to the Cabinet.

69/20

Minutes of Previous Meeting: 28 April 2020 pdf icon PDF 98 KB

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    To approve the Minutes of the virtual meeting held on 28 April 2020.

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    The minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2020 were approved as a correct record.

     

    Minutes:

    The minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2020 were approved as a correct record.

     

70/20

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:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

     

71/20

Members' Questions

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    The deadline for Member’s questions is 12pm four working days before the meeting (19 April 2020).

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

72/20

Public Questions

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    The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (19 April 2020).

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

     

73/20

Petitions

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

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

     

74/20

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:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

     

75/20

Reports from Select Committees , Task Groups, Local Committees and other Committees of the Council pdf icon PDF 107 KB

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    To consider any reports received.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There was one report from Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee in relation to Item 9 - PRU Capital Strategy.  The report was considered with that item.

     

76/20

Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member/ Strategic Investment Board Decisions Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting

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    To note any delegated decisions taken by the Leader, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members and Strategic Investment Board since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There were none.

     

77/20

Cabinet Member Updates pdf icon PDF 59 KB

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    This item will include updates from Cabinet Members for noting.  Briefing notes will be sent as a supplement to the agenda or be contained within the minutes of the meeting.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Leader of the Council explained that the Council was starting to move forward with unlocking restrictions and that some services were re-opening such as the community recycling centres; details of materials taken and opening times were available on the Council’s website.  He spoke of the work being undertaken with businesses and borough & district councils with regards to putting in extra lanes for cycles and walking.  He went on to speak of the excellent response from Surrey Heartlands and Surrey Fire & Rescue in dealing with issues and for helping the most vulnerable residents.  He explained that the pandemic was not over yet and urged all to follow Government guidelines.

     

    The Leader explained that this monthly agenda item was to receive an update from a Cabinet Member to highlight some of the work undertaken under their portfolio.

     

    The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning presented a portfolio update that detailed some of the work that had been undertaken to support our children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families throughout the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic.  The update was published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning portfolio update was noted.

     

     

78/20

Covid-19 Update pdf icon PDF 150 KB

    This paper is being presented under the General Exception Standing Order as it has not been possible to give 28 days’ notice of decisions to be taken.

     

    Further to the report to Cabinet on 28 April 2020, this report will set out (i) an overview of how the Council is responding as an employer to the Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy; (ii) updated forecasts and modelling from Public Health on the impact of COVID-19; (iii) an overview of the approach to testing in Surrey as well as an update around the government’s approach to track and trace and implementation locally; (iv) updated financial impact of COVID-19 on the Council and (iv) an update on the Council’s response to supporting vulnerable residents who are being shielded.

     

    [Where necessary a waiver for call-in will be sought from the relevant Select Committee Chairman.]

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the following were noted:

     

    1. the latest public health situation with regard to COVID-19 and the latest information regarding the government’s Test and Trace programme,

     

    1. the support being provided to the council’s most vulnerable residents and the plans to ensure that this continued into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,

     

    1. the updated assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on Surrey County Council’s short and medium-term financial position, and

     

    1. the council’s response as an employer to support staff and to ensure appropriate guidance was followed to ensure safety in the workplace.

     

    Reason for decision:

     

    The county and council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to response activity, attention is turning to the re-starting, restoration and recovery of services and day-to-day life, as lockdown measures are eased nationally.

     

    The recommendations set out in this report ensure Cabinet are appraised of the work going on across the council to protect, sustain and support our residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.

     

    [Where necessary a waiver for call-in will be sought from the relevant Select Committee Chairman.]

     

    Minutes:

    The Leader introduced a report that set out the latest Public Health information about COVID-19, an update on the strategic and sensitive issues arising from the extensive response work and initial recovery planning going on across Surrey as the national and local situation developed rapidly.  He pointed out that there were some good infographics on the Council’s website that showed the scale of the work undertaken.  There had been good partnership working with borough and district councils as well as the voluntary, community and faith sector.  He thanked businesses and residents that responded to the callout for personal protective equipment  with 1,500 offers of help and over 100,000 pieces donated.  He recognised the health implications to staff of the lockdown and encouraged them to take advantage of the support available online.

     

    The Leader went on to say that Surrey was one of 11 authorities that were working together to submit a local outbreak control plan to Government by the end of June 2020.  There would also be a public facing local outbreak engagement board set up to engage with residents and borough councils as a forum for communication.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the following were noted:

     

    1. the latest public health situation with regard to COVID-19 and the latest information regarding the government’s Test and Trace programme,

     

    1. the support being provided to the council’s most vulnerable residents and the plans to ensure that this continued into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,

     

    1. the updated assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on Surrey County Council’s short and medium-term financial position, and

     

    1. the council’s response as an employer to support staff and to ensure appropriate guidance was followed to ensure safety in the workplace.

     

    Reason for decision:

     

    The county and council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to response activity, attention is turning to the re-starting, restoration and recovery of services and day-to-day life, as lockdown measures are eased nationally.

     

    The recommendations set out in this report ensure Cabinet are appraised of the work going on across the council to protect, sustain and support our residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.

     

79/20

Covid-19 Delegated Decisions pdf icon PDF 103 KB

80/20

Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) Capital Strategy pdf icon PDF 105 KB

    To approve the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) Capital Strategy to ensure Surrey County Council meet their duty to provide suitable premises for the purpose of discharging its responsibility to secure suitable education for those who have been excluded or are otherwise unable to access suitable education.

     

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & CultureSelect Committee]

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. The approach set out in the submitted report to provide appropriate Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provision that adhered to the statutory requirements and accommodation guidelines for alternative provision to support our ambition for children and young people was noted.

     

    1. £1m to support the relocation of the Pewley Hill PRU was approved.

     

    1. £1m to carry out a feasibility study for long term accommodation requirements and inform a business case to be considered at Cabinet in the Autumn 2020 was approved.

     

    Reason for decision:

     

    The existing PRU estate was not fit for purpose and did not meet the needs of our most vulnerable leaners. The recommendations sought to ensure that the PRU settings met the minimum Department for Education space standards, were informed by national guidance on alternative provision and were suitably located within communities to appropriately meet the needs of our vulnerable learners. 

     

    The recommendations would ensure urgent relocation of the Pewley Hill provision in the short term, (mitigating the poor condition of the current estate on the site), inform a business case to ensure that there were appropriate educational facilities in the long term, and address the wide range of pupil needs and flexibility required to manage fluctuations in pupil numbers throughout the year - including early intervention programmes to reduce exclusions. 

     

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

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning introduced a report that reported how existing Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provision within Surrey was made up of eight providers (across Primary and Secondary phase and including hospital-based provision) delivered across 14 different sites within Surrey. All providers are rated Good or Outstanding as at March 2020.  PRU was an integral part of education. The PRU estate in Surrey was no longer fit for purpose and did not meet the Department for Education minimum standards or best practice guidance for alternative provision.  The proposed capital strategy underpinned the development of a revised delivery model for the education provision for pupils attending PRUs, enabling the Local Authority to meet the current need and projected future demand of some of our most vulnerable learners.

     

    She went on to explain that the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee (CFLL&C SC) had concluded that this was a long overdue investment in the estate. 

     

    In response to a Member query about how primary and secondary age groups were to be separated in the new development the Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning stated that the CFLL&C SC had also raised this question.  She went on to explain that whilst there was no agreed plan the spaces would be designed that each year group could work separately and would be risk assessed.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That the approach set out in the submitted report to provide appropriate Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provision that adhered to the statutory requirements and accommodation guidelines for alternative provision to support our ambition for children and young people be noted.

     

    1. That £1m to support the relocation of the Pewley Hill PRU be approved.

     

    1. That £1m to carry out a feasibility study for long term accommodation requirements and inform a business case to be considered at Cabinet in the Autumn 2020 be approved.

     

    Reason for decision:

     

    The existing PRU estate was not fit for purpose and did not meet the needs of our most vulnerable leaners. The recommendations sought to ensure that the PRU settings met the minimum Department for Education space standards, were informed by national guidance on alternative provision and were suitably located within communities to appropriately meet the needs of our vulnerable learners. 

     

    The recommendations would ensure urgent relocation of the Pewley Hill provision in the short term, (mitigating the poor condition of the current estate on the site), inform a business case to ensure that there were appropriate educational facilities in the long term, and address the wide range of pupil needs and flexibility required to manage fluctuations in pupil numbers throughout the year - including early intervention programmes to reduce exclusions. 

     

81/20

2019/20 Financial Outturn Report pdf icon PDF 186 KB

    This report summarises:

    ·         the County Council’s 2019/20 financial performance for revenue and capital. It also includes the year end Treasury Management and Debt outturn. Further details on Service budgets are to be found in Annex 1.

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Performance & Resources Select Committee]

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.     That the Council’s revenue and capital financial positions for the year be noted:

    ·        £0.2m surplus against the original 2019/20 budget that will be added to the General Fund Reserve;

    ·        Contributions to reserves adding £2.8m to General Fund Reserve (inclusive of the £0.2m surplus), as set out in paragraphs 13-14;

    ·        Use of £13m capital receipts in-year to support transformation (paragraphs 11-12); and

    ·        £117.2m service capital expenditure against £126.7m budget.

     

    2.     That the Council’s newly created reserves for Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Inspection and System renewals (£1.2m) and COVID-19 Emergency Funding (£24.3m) (paragraphs 15-16) be approved.

     

    Reason for decision:

     

    Note 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 Performance & Resources Select Committee]

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Resources highlighted various aspects of this report stating that it was the third consecutive year without the need for the use of reserves and there was a small surplus at year end.  He reported that 88% of efficiency savings had been achieved over the year and a total of £200m over three years.  It was explained that COVID-19 happened after the year end but that £47m had been received for incremental rise in costs which was ongoing and being monitored.

     

    The Leader stated that it was no mean feat to achieve a balanced budget and that the council was in a good position with flexibility in choices going forward.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That the Council’s revenue and capital financial positions for the year be noted:

    ·         £0.2m surplus against the original 2019/20 budget that will be added to the General Fund Reserve;

    ·         Contributions to reserves adding £2.8m to General Fund Reserve (inclusive of the £0.2m surplus), as set out in paragraphs 13-14;

    ·         Use of £13m capital receipts in-year to support transformation (paragraphs 11-12); and

    ·         £117.2m service capital expenditure against £126.7m budget.

     

    2.    That the Council’s newly created reserves for Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Inspection and System renewals (£1.2m) and COVID-19 Emergency Funding (£24.3m) (paragraphs 15-16) be approved.

     

    Reason for decision:

     

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