Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday, 25 July 2023 2.00 pm

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

Contact: Huma Younis or Sarah Quinn  Email: huma.younis@surreycc.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

109/23

Apologies for Absence

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    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Apologies were recived from Jordan Beech.

    Minutes:

    Apologies were recived from Jordan Beech.

110/23

Minutes of Previous Meeting: 27 June 2023 pdf icon PDF 405 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.

     

111/23

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:

    There were none.

112/23

Procedural Matters

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    Additional documents:

112/231

Members' Questions

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    The deadline for Member’s questions is 12pm four working days before the meeting (19 July 2023).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were none.

    Minutes:

    There were none.

113/23

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 274 KB

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    The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (18 July 2023).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    There were three public questions. The questions and responses were published in a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Minutes:

    There were three public questions. The questions and responses were published in a supplement to the agenda.

     

    With regards to her public question Jenny Desoutter thanked the Cabinet Member for the response but stated that the climate change delivery plan does not directly address biodiversity loss and the Land Management plan was still not in place. She asked that with biodiversity being lost every single day why was the council not acting now to recognise the biodiversity emergency and taking a holistic view of biodiversity before any operations took place. The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that the climate change delivery plan was ultimately about reaching net zero but there was a chapter in there about natural environment. Many of the officers work with biodiversity in their minds and the council would be taking responsibility for the local nature recovery strategy which would help better understand habitats.

     

    John Oliver could not attend the meeting but Jenny Desoutter asked a question on his behalf which was how much of the £120.75 environment budget from the council tax related solely to countryside services and if other services viewed as ‘desirable’ could have their budgets diverted to the countryside service. The Leader agreed to send Mr Oliver a written reply on the breakdown of the £120.75 but argued that the services viewed as desirable by Mr Oliver including arts were very important to residents and supported health and wellbeing.

     

114/23

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.

115/23

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.

116/23

Reports from Select Committees , Task Groups, Local Committees and other Committees of the Council pdf icon PDF 265 KB

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

     

    A.    Report Of The Adult Learning And Skills Task Group

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the task group report be noted and recommendations considered.

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Vice-Chairman of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee who stated that it was important to try and understand where the council was with adult learning and skills in Surrey and what was being provided by the various providers and at what cost. It was also important to try and understand the split between the community and economic side. The location of adult learning and skills hubs needed to be explored to make them easily accessible. The Cabinet Member for Education and Learning thanked the Select Committee for its report stating that the skills arena had moved forward quite significantly since the report of the Select Committee was written. It would have been positive if the task group had done a little more work around the opportunities and pathways into employment for some of our vulnerable groups, such as care leavers and those with additional needs and disabilities. The Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth stated that quite a period of time had passed since the initial evidence gathering period and the council had increased its work around education and skills. The Cabinet agenda had two skills based items on it and there was now a local skills improvement plan in place. It was agreed that Select Committee involvement was welcomed.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the task group report be noted and recommendations considered.

     

117/23

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 Cabinet Member for Education and Learning explained that statutory notices had been published thereby bringing into effect the formal commencement of the proposal to expand Woodfield School onto a Specialist Satellite site at Carrington School from September 2023. The site was part of the SEND capital programme. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families stated that funding from the mental health investment fund had been used to help children and vulnerable adults.

     

     

    RESOLVED:

     

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

     

118/23

Cabinet Member of the Month pdf icon PDF 393 KB

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    To receive an update from Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health provided the Cabinet with an update on the work he and the services he supports had been undertaking. The following key points were raised:

     

    ·         The Cabinet Member stated that there was pressure on the council and the NHS to get people out of hospital to enable people to get into hospital. Discharge from hospital had been reactive and therefore work needed to be undertaken with partners to reduce the need for hospitalisation in the first place and create a more consistent approach. IMPOWER were commissioned by Surrey County Council to support discharge and flow in East Surrey and Royal Surrey acute hospitals through winter and spring (November 22 - May 23). The work had produced positive results improving outcomes for patients and had given a much better understanding for staff and the people in and around the area of how the system should work.

    ·         A Transformation Programme was underway to identify the opportunity for implementing the corporate SCC customer operating model to the Adult Social Care [ASC] directorate. The programme is currently in the discovery phase, the aim of which is to investigate and analyse the landscape of existing entry points to ASC services and undertake a demand management analysis of all ASC entry points, identifying who uses them, when, why and how, including associated pain points from a service delivery perspective and from a service user perspective.

    ·         A thanks was given to public health colleagues and recognition was given to all the preventative work they were undertaking in challenging circumstances. Thanks was given to colleagues on all the work they do.

       

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

     

119/23

THE CARE AND SUPPORT COMMISSIONING STRATEGY FOR EXTRA CARE HOUSING pdf icon PDF 397 KB

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    This report seeks approval of the Care and Support Commissioning Strategy.

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

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approves the Care and Support Commissioning Strategy for Extra Care Housing at Surrey County Council owned sites.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    Tackling health inequality and empowering our communities are two of the Council’s four strategic priorities. It is essential that the care and support provided by ASC enables us to deliver our Community Vision for 2030 and promotes the independence of the individual in all scenarios. We know that getting older and living longer is something we should all look forward to. However, living a healthy life and living well for yourself, including staying in your own home, can be more difficult for some people. Our Living Well in Later Life Commissioning Strategy for Older People – Living Well in Later Life – 2021-2030 is our plan to help support older people in Surrey to make this happen. It shows how we will help residents to have more choice and control over the care and support they need, when and where they need it.

    A key component of Our Living Well in Later Life Strategy are our plans to deliver Accommodation with Care and Support: Extra Care Housing, which will provide Surrey’s residents with suitable accommodation with care and support, where they can access the right health and social care at the right time in the right place. 

    Extra Care Housing is a housing with care model, with a separation in responsibilities between the operators of each setting and the dedicated providers commissioned to deliver care and support to each setting’s residents. For the settings which will be delivered through the Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy, while the operators will be regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and deliver high quality housing management in line with the Council’s lease, the care providers will be regulated by the Care Quality Commission and separately commissioned through Adult Social Care contracts. In Annex 1 we provide a diagram which demonstrates the relationship between the different partner organisation involved in the delivery of Extra Care Housing.

    The Care and Support Commissioning Strategy for Extra Care Housing sets out the Council’s approach to securing high quality, sustainable support through CQC-regulated care providers, and will ensure that future residents in the new settings ‘live their best lives’.

     

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

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health who stated that it was essential that the care and support provided by adult social care enabled the council to deliver its Community Vision for 2030 and promote the independence of the individual in all scenarios. In July 2019 Cabinet endorsed the Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy. A major programme within the strategy is the delivery of 725 units of affordable Extra Care Housing for older people by 2030. Since then the council have plans in place to deliver circa 370 units across six sites in Surrey. The Care and Support Commissioning Strategy for Extra Care Housing sets out the Council’s approach to securing high quality, sustainable support through CQC-regulated care providers, and will ensure that future residents in the new settings ‘live their best lives’. The dedicated on-site care providers will support Extra Care Housing residents with personal care and other support for people to remain independent.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approves the Care and Support Commissioning Strategy for Extra Care Housing at Surrey County Council owned sites.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    Tackling health inequality and empowering our communities are two of the Council’s four strategic priorities. It is essential that the care and support provided by ASC enables us to deliver our Community Vision for 2030 and promotes the independence of the individual in all scenarios. We know that getting older and living longer is something we should all look forward to. However, living a healthy life and living well for yourself, including staying in your own home, can be more difficult for some people. Our Living Well in Later Life Commissioning Strategy for Older People – Living Well in Later Life – 2021-2030 is our plan to help support older people in Surrey to make this happen. It shows how we will help residents to have more choice and control over the care and support they need, when and where they need it.

    A key component of Our Living Well in Later Life Strategy are our plans to deliver Accommodation with Care and Support: Extra Care Housing, which will provide Surrey’s residents with suitable accommodation with care and support, where they can access the right health and social care at the right time in the right place. 

    Extra Care Housing is a housing with care model, with a separation in responsibilities between the operators of each setting and the dedicated providers commissioned to deliver care and support to each setting’s residents. For the settings which will be delivered through the Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy, while the operators will be regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and deliver high quality housing management in line with the Council’s lease, the care providers will be regulated by the Care Quality Commission and separately commissioned through Adult Social Care contracts. In Annex 1 we provide a diagram which demonstrates the relationship between the different partner organisation involved in the delivery of Extra Care Housing.

    The Care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119/23

120/23

EXTRA CARE HOUSING - PHASE 2 DELIVERY pdf icon PDF 371 KB

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    This report sets out Surrey County Council’s proposed delivery approach for three sites proposed for Extra Care Housing and will form Phase 2 of the delivery programme.

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

     

    N.B There is a Part 2 report at Item 20.

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet grants approval to proceed with the design and construction of Extra Care Housing at three identified Council-owned sites in Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede and Tandridge within the capital funding envelope set out in the Part 2 report. The sites are as follows:

     

    ·         Former Orchard Court Care Home, East Grinstead Road, Lingfield, RH7 6ET 

    ·         Former Birchlands Care Home, Barley Mow Road, Englefield Green, Egham, TW20 0NP

    ·         Colebrook, Noke Drive, Redhill, RH1 1PT 

     

    2.    That Cabinet approves external delivery of affordable Extra Care Housing at the three sites through a tender for a strategic development and housing management partner(s) as the preferred option. This will be in the form of a design, build, fund and operate (DBFO) model.

     

    3.    That Cabinet grants delegated authority for contract award to the following Council officers:

     

    ·         Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director for Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet Member for Property and Waste.

    ·         Executive Director for Adult Social Care in consultation with Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

    ·         Director, Land and Property.

     

    4.    That Cabinet notes that a separate procurement process will be conducted to identify onsite support and care provision to avoid long-term support and care provision being tied into the development and housing management contract. 

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The development of Extra Care Housing on the three sites set out in this report will represent an important contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to expand affordable Extra Care Housing provision by 2030.

     

    Tendering for a strategic development and housing management partner(s) to take forwards the development of Extra Care Housing on the sites is consistent with previous decisions made by Cabinet. In October 2019, July 2020, October 2020 and July 2022 Cabinet agreed to identify a strategic partner(s) for the development and housing management of Extra Care Housing at the former Pond Meadow School, the former Brockhurst Care Home, the former Pinehurst Care Home, Cuddington (formerly known as Salisbury Road), Lakeside and Bentley sites through tendering processes.

     

    There are multiple benefits for the Council from developing Extra Care Housing on the sites. These include:

     

    • Accessing economies of scale from delivering Extra Care Housing across more settings, which is likely to lead to a more commercially favourable response for the Council.
    • Fulfilling significant resident demand for affordable specialist accommodation in the districts.
    • Limiting the capital investment required by the Council and in doing so limiting the costs of borrowing within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.
    • The new Extra Care Housing settings will house residents from existing affordable housing as well as residential care settings, which will free up availability of affordable housing within the local districts and boroughs.

     

    This is consistent with our ASC vision for development of Extra Care Housing, which has been clearly communicated through market and stakeholder engagement.

     

    The other option available is for the Council to directly deliver the Extra Care Housing scheme at the sites. This would involve the Council committing significant capital expenditure and be responsible for  ...  view the full decision text for item 120/23

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health who explained that the report being presented set out Surrey County Council’s proposed delivery approach for three sites proposed for Extra Care Housing and will form Phase 2 of the delivery programme. The development of Extra Care Housing on the three sites set out in this report would represent an important contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to expand affordable Extra Care Housing provision by 2030. Tendering for a strategic development and housing management partner(s) to take forwards the development of Extra Care Housing on the sites is consistent with previous decisions made by Cabinet. The Cabinet Member for Property and Waste provided the Cabinet with an update on the design and build programme for the three identified sites. The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that she was grateful that the Former Birchlands Care Home would be used extra care housing.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet grants approval to proceed with the design and construction of Extra Care Housing at three identified Council-owned sites in Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede and Tandridge within the capital funding envelope set out in the Part 2 report. The sites are as follows:

     

    ·         Former Orchard Court Care Home, East Grinstead Road, Lingfield, RH7 6ET 

    ·         Former Birchlands Care Home, Barley Mow Road, Englefield Green, Egham, TW20 0NP

    ·         Colebrook, Noke Drive, Redhill, RH1 1PT 

     

    2.    That Cabinet approves external delivery of affordable Extra Care Housing at the three sites through a tender for a strategic development and housing management partner(s) as the preferred option. This will be in the form of a design, build, fund and operate (DBFO) model.

     

    3.    That Cabinet grants delegated authority for contract award to the following Council officers:

     

    ·         Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director for Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Cabinet Member for Property and Waste.

    ·         Executive Director for Adult Social Care in consultation with Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

    ·         Director, Land and Property.

     

    4.    That Cabinet notes that a separate procurement process will be conducted to identify onsite support and care provision to avoid long-term support and care provision being tied into the development and housing management contract. 

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The development of Extra Care Housing on the three sites set out in this report will represent an important contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to expand affordable Extra Care Housing provision by 2030.

     

    Tendering for a strategic development and housing management partner(s) to take forwards the development of Extra Care Housing on the sites is consistent with previous decisions made by Cabinet. In October 2019, July 2020, October 2020 and July 2022 Cabinet agreed to identify a strategic partner(s) for the development and housing management of Extra Care Housing at the former Pond Meadow School, the former Brockhurst Care Home, the former Pinehurst Care Home, Cuddington (formerly known as Salisbury Road), Lakeside and Bentley sites through tendering processes.

     

    There are multiple benefits for the Council from developing Extra Care Housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120/23

121/23

SURREY HOMES FOR SURREY CHILDREN: DELIVERING A REPLACEMENT CHILDREN'S HOME pdf icon PDF 617 KB

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    Agreement is sought to allocate the remaining £3.3 million from the designated Care Leaver Accommodation and Children’s Homes capital pipeline budget for the delivery of a new-build replacement four-bed and additional two-bed children’s home on the site of an existing Surrey County Council children’s home in Cobham.

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

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees to allocate the remaining £3.3m from the designated Care Leaver Accommodation and Children’s Home capital pipeline budget for the delivery of a new-build replacement four-bed and additional two-bed children’s home on the existing site of children’s home SC040631 in Cobham.  This will follow the same model as has recently been delivered in Walton and planned for delivery in Dorking.

    2.    That Cabinet confirms delegated authority to approve the details of the scheme within overall budget constraints prior to construction to the Corporate Programme Panel, in consultation with:

    ·      Executive Director – Children, Families and Lifelong Learning

    ·      Cabinet Member for Children and Families

    ·      Cabinet Member for Property & Waste

    ·      Director of Land and Property

    1. That Cabinet notes the overview of the planned capital programme to create new children’s homes and care leaver accommodation in Surrey and indicative timescales for delivery, in support of SCC’s ambition to enable every looked after child to have choice to remain in Surrey, where this is appropriate to their needs and circumstances.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    SCC, as corporate parent, is committed to enabling the best possible outcomes for Surrey’s looked after children, within the resources it has available.  Alongside this moral imperative, we also have a clear statutory duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that there is sufficient accommodation for looked after children that meets their needs and is within their local authority (LA) area (Children Act 1989, Section 22G).  Whilst SCC is already taking concrete steps to deliver this duty and enable positive outcomes, this further proposal to re-provide an existing but outdated SCC Children’s Home directly supports the delivery of our statutory Looked After Children and Care Leaver Sufficiency Strategy 2020-25, which includes the ambition to create Surrey homes for Surrey Children.

    These proposals also have wider benefits in support of Surrey’s four Organisation Strategy priorities, as set out above: growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit; tackling health inequality; enabling a greener future; and empowering communities.

    (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 Children and Families who explained that the report was asking Cabinet to agree to allocate the remaining £3.3 million from the designated Care Leaver Accommodation and Children’s Homes capital pipeline budget for the delivery of a new-build replacement four-bed and additional two-bed children’s home on the site of an existing Surrey County Council children’s home in Cobham. The council was committed to enabling the best possible outcomes for Surrey’s looked after children and a new home directly supported the delivery of the statutory Looked After Children and Care Leaver Sufficiency Strategy 2020-25. The proposals in the report were supported by the Cabinet and the quality of the new homes being built was recognised. Although there was some pressure on the capital programme, the Leader recognised the importance of this work.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees to allocate the remaining £3.3m from the designated Care Leaver Accommodation and Children’s Home capital pipeline budget for the delivery of a new-build replacement four-bed and additional two-bed children’s home on the existing site of children’s home SC040631 in Cobham.  This will follow the same model as has recently been delivered in Walton and planned for delivery in Dorking.

    2.    That Cabinet confirms delegated authority to approve the details of the scheme within overall budget constraints prior to construction to the Corporate Programme Panel, in consultation with:

    ·      Executive Director – Children, Families and Lifelong Learning

    ·      Cabinet Member for Children and Families

    ·      Cabinet Member for Property & Waste

    ·      Director of Land and Property

    1. That Cabinet notes the overview of the planned capital programme to create new children’s homes and care leaver accommodation in Surrey and indicative timescales for delivery, in support of SCC’s ambition to enable every looked after child to have choice to remain in Surrey, where this is appropriate to their needs and circumstances.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    SCC, as corporate parent, is committed to enabling the best possible outcomes for Surrey’s looked after children, within the resources it has available.  Alongside this moral imperative, we also have a clear statutory duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that there is sufficient accommodation for looked after children that meets their needs and is within their local authority (LA) area (Children Act 1989, Section 22G).  Whilst SCC is already taking concrete steps to deliver this duty and enable positive outcomes, this further proposal to re-provide an existing but outdated SCC Children’s Home directly supports the delivery of our statutory Looked After Children and Care Leaver Sufficiency Strategy 2020-25, which includes the ambition to create Surrey homes for Surrey Children.

    These proposals also have wider benefits in support of Surrey’s four Organisation Strategy priorities, as set out above: growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit; tackling health inequality; enabling a greener future; and empowering communities.

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

     

122/23

FREEDOM TO TRAVEL STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 372 KB

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    Freedom to Travel is a new pipeline transformation programme to design and deliver a new model of travel assistance services for Surrey. Cabinet is being asked to endorse a long-term strategy that accompanies the report, which sets out a positive vision for travel assistance and a clear delivery plan. As the delivery plan progresses, Cabinet will be asked to make further decisions on some specific projects at subsequent meetings.

     

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

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet endorses the Freedom to Travel Strategy and approach to delivery.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    “By 2030, all Surrey residents requiring travel assistance will have the freedom to travel to access opportunities that make their lives better so no-one is left behind.”

    In order to achieve this vision, a number of significant changes will need to be made in behaviours and expectations and a wider range of transport options be made available to our residents.

    A review and change of approach to procurement, commissioning transport and travel, as well as collaborative partner working will offer better value for money, competition and choices within Surrey.

    Commissioned transport comprises most of the costs for travel assistance services for SCC. These costs have continued to increase and will continue to do so in line with demand if no action is taken. These increasing demands are not financially sustainable long-term.

    The strategic challenges and opportunities facing travel assistance services means there is a strong case for rethinking and redesigning the way we plan, commission and deliver travel assistance. The current model is unsustainable financially and environmentally.

    The Freedom to Travel Strategy has been developed to address these challenges and enable the vision.

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

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Leader who explained that the Freedom to Travel Strategy would re-think how the council delivered its transport services and would bring together a number of difference transport strategies. The council spent around £70m a year on transport which included the home to school travel assistance service and travel assistance to service users of Adult Social Care. These services are under significant financial pressure due to a combination of economic factors, such as the highest inflation experienced by the UK in decades, and rising demand for services. Freedom to Travel aims to respond to these challenges and opportunities with a positive vision for the future of travel assistance services. It aims to simultaneously deliver on objectives to ensure that no-one that requires support to travel is left behind, while also contributing to financial efficiencies needed to make sure these services are sustainable.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet endorses the Freedom to Travel Strategy and approach to delivery.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    “By 2030, all Surrey residents requiring travel assistance will have the freedom to travel to access opportunities that make their lives better so no-one is left behind.”

    In order to achieve this vision, a number of significant changes will need to be made in behaviours and expectations and a wider range of transport options be made available to our residents.

    A review and change of approach to procurement, commissioning transport and travel, as well as collaborative partner working will offer better value for money, competition and choices within Surrey.

    Commissioned transport comprises most of the costs for travel assistance services for SCC. These costs have continued to increase and will continue to do so in line with demand if no action is taken. These increasing demands are not financially sustainable long-term.

    The strategic challenges and opportunities facing travel assistance services means there is a strong case for rethinking and redesigning the way we plan, commission and deliver travel assistance. The current model is unsustainable financially and environmentally.

    The Freedom to Travel Strategy has been developed to address these challenges and enable the vision.

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

123/23

GREEN FINANCE STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 341 KB

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    This report seeks Cabinet approval for the approach set out in the Green Finance Strategy which builds on and develops the Initial Finance Strategy, produced in 2021.

     

    (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 the updated approach and investment principles, that support the delivery of the Council’s 2030 and 2050 net zero targets, as set out in the Green Finance Strategy.

    2.    That Cabinet agrees the recommended approach option for the delivery of the Council’s 2030 net zero target, including exploring and developing additional finance mechanisms to offset potential future costs.

    Reasons for Decisions:

    • In the eighteen months since the Climate Change Delivery Plan and the Initial Finance Strategy were published in November 2021, rapidly changing and increasing costs along with learnings from the delivery of capital decarbonisation schemes on the Council’s estate, has meant that the Finance Strategy requires updating. This paper, and the accompanying Green Finance Strategy, sets out the updated approach for approval.

     

    • Officers in Greener Futures and Finance with support from Land and Property have been further developing the 2030 finance model, which was originally produced by consultants, in order to gain a more robust understanding of the capital costs required to achieve the 2030 target, as well as the potential to offset these costs through energy savings and income generation. Given the increase in costs, four future approach options have been developed. The recommendation to Cabinet is to adopt the 4th option.

     

    • It should be noted that all options will require the Council to invest money up front in advance of income being generated. Net zero is a significant cost to the council with all options, but the approach is to off set this and aim for cost neutrality over the longer term by generating income through renewables and reducing costs of energy.

     

    1. The Council abandons the 2030 net zero target.
    2. The Council only installs decarbonisation measures which have a strong return on investment (such as solar) to reduce capex, accepting that this will increase the cost to the Council for carbon offsets from 2030 onwards. The minimum projected offset costs for this option (to 2050) amount to at least £14m, calculated at a rate of £95t/CO2, however by 2030 this rate may be much higher. This option is therefore not recommended as the financial risk is considered too great and the efficiencies resulting from investment in the more costly decarbonisation measures would not be achieved.
    3. The Council builds all the projected increased costs of achieving the 2030 target into the Medium Term Financial Plan, and income is seen as a bonus. This is the approach taken by other Local Authorities however by not pursuing and prioritising investment in renewables, which would generate income, this would lead to a budget pressure.
    4. The Council continues with the current approach to achieving the 2030 target, which includes being open and transparent with costings and balancing the delivery of high cost and quick pay back measures. This approach includes the development of finance income generation mechanisms, mainly renewables, with the purpose of generating a return on investment to offset any future potential cost increases to the Council, or to be used for other Greener Futures priorities.  ...  view the full decision text for item 123/23

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Environment explained that the report set out the updated approach and investment principles that support the delivery of the Council’s 2030 and 2050 net zero targets, as set out in the Green Finance Strategy. Officers in Greener Futures and Finance with support from Land and Property had been further developing the 2030 finance model, which was originally produced by consultants, in order to gain a more robust understanding of the capital costs required to achieve the 2030 target. Given the increase in costs, four future approach options had been developed. Work around achieving net zero carbon targets would constantly be reviewed as new policies and targets are introduced. With regards to the expansion of the ULEZ, the Leader stated that the council supported improving air quality but did not support the negative impacts the charge would have upon Surrey residents and businesses.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet agrees the updated approach and investment principles, that support the delivery of the Council’s 2030 and 2050 net zero targets, as set out in the Green Finance Strategy.

    2.    That Cabinet agrees the recommended approach option for the delivery of the Council’s 2030 net zero target, including exploring and developing additional finance mechanisms to offset potential future costs.

    Reasons for Decisions:

    • In the eighteen months since the Climate Change Delivery Plan and the Initial Finance Strategy were published in November 2021, rapidly changing and increasing costs along with learnings from the delivery of capital decarbonisation schemes on the Council’s estate, has meant that the Finance Strategy requires updating. This paper, and the accompanying Green Finance Strategy, sets out the updated approach for approval.

     

    • Officers in Greener Futures and Finance with support from Land and Property have been further developing the 2030 finance model, which was originally produced by consultants, in order to gain a more robust understanding of the capital costs required to achieve the 2030 target, as well as the potential to offset these costs through energy savings and income generation. Given the increase in costs, four future approach options have been developed. The recommendation to Cabinet is to adopt the 4th option.

     

    • It should be noted that all options will require the Council to invest money up front in advance of income being generated. Net zero is a significant cost to the council with all options, but the approach is to off set this and aim for cost neutrality over the longer term by generating income through renewables and reducing costs of energy.

     

    1. The Council abandons the 2030 net zero target.
    2. The Council only installs decarbonisation measures which have a strong return on investment (such as solar) to reduce capex, accepting that this will increase the cost to the Council for carbon offsets from 2030 onwards. The minimum projected offset costs for this option (to 2050) amount to at least £14m, calculated at a rate of £95t/CO2, however by 2030 this rate may be much higher. This option is therefore not recommended as the financial risk is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123/23

124/23

PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT - SURREY CAREERS HUB pdf icon PDF 432 KB

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    This report sets out the significant progress made since the March Cabinet report on ‘Pathways to Employment: Supporting Surrey Residents’ Skills Development and Employability’ and provides details of the agreement reached with the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) for this council to create and deliver a single Careers Hub aligned to the Surrey geography starting in September 2023. 

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

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the updated plan for the Council to deliver a Surrey Careers Hub on behalf of the Careers and Enterprise Company from September 2023. This work aligns with the Surrey Skills Plan and priorities of the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

     

    2.    That Cabinet notes the proposals for funding and longer-term resourcing of the programme.

     

    3.    That Cabinet agrees the proposals for monitoring and evaluation of the Careers Hub through a number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including delegation of oversight on progress to the Portfolio Holders for Education & Learning and for Transport, Infrastructure & Growth, with the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Select Committee also having a scrutiny role.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    Currently, there are two Careers Hubs that operate in Surrey managed by each of the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). By SCC taking over the functions of the Careers Hub across a Surrey-wide geography it will allow the council to deliver activity that is better aligned with its four strategic priorities, whilst also delivering greater impact for young people, residents and businesses.

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

     

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth who explained that the report set out the significant progress made since the March Cabinet report on ‘Pathways to Employment: Supporting Surrey Residents’ Skills Development and Employability’ and provides details of the agreement reached with the Careers & Enterprise Company for the council to create and deliver a single Careers Hub aligned to the Surrey geography starting in September 2023.  It was explained that there were currently two Careers Hubs that operated in Surrey managed by each of the Local Enterprise Partnerships. By Surrey county council taking over the functions of the Careers Hub across a Surrey-wide geography it would allow the council to deliver activity that is better aligned with its four strategic priorities, whilst also delivering greater impact for young people, residents and businesses. The report was welcomed by the Cabinet and the clear alignment with the council’s forthcoming Education and Lifetime of Learning Strategy, which would enable closer links with schools.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the updated plan for the Council to deliver a Surrey Careers Hub on behalf of the Careers and Enterprise Company from September 2023. This work aligns with the Surrey Skills Plan and priorities of the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

     

    2.    That Cabinet notes the proposals for funding and longer-term resourcing of the programme.

     

    3.    That Cabinet agrees the proposals for monitoring and evaluation of the Careers Hub through a number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including delegation of oversight on progress to the Portfolio Holders for Education & Learning and for Transport, Infrastructure & Growth, with the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Select Committee also having a scrutiny role.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    Currently, there are two Careers Hubs that operate in Surrey managed by each of the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). By SCC taking over the functions of the Careers Hub across a Surrey-wide geography it will allow the council to deliver activity that is better aligned with its four strategic priorities, whilst also delivering greater impact for young people, residents and businesses.

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

     

     

     

     

     

125/23

APPROVAL TO PROCURE INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT IN PRIMARY CARE (IPSPC) pdf icon PDF 748 KB

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    Surrey County Council has secured funding as one of 12 national sites to pioneer the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) model, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Cabinet approval to proceed with procuring the necessary services up to the value of the £6.3m DWP grant is requested.

     

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

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approves the procurement of constituent elements of the IPSPC offer in Surrey up to the value of the £6.3m DWP grant,

     

    2.    That Cabinet approves the delegation of subsequent contract award decisions to the Executive Director for Partnerships, Prosperity, and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The IPSPC programme has secured £6.3m in DWP grant funding for SCC. The programme activity will be funded through this DWP grant.

    Approval to procure the service using this grant will enable SCC to support up to 3,000 adults with long term conditions or disabilities into employment in Surrey.

    This procurement will particularly support the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Surrey who are expected to be the key delivery partners.

    (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 Transport, Infrastructure and Growth who stated that the council had secured funding as one of 12 national sites to pioneer the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) model, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The IPSPC programme would provide employment support to adults with long term conditions or disabilities to help them access and maintain work in the longer term and would ensure nobody was left behind. The IPSPC grant allocated to the council totalled £6.3m and would be used to procure a number of services to support access to skills development and employment.The programme would run from October 2023 to March 2025 and aims to support 2882 people to access and maintain work. It was explained that the Individual Placement and Support is a proven model of employment support for people with severe mental health issues . It had been shown to deliver superior employment and health outcomes, achieving up to twice as many job outcomes for people with severe mental illness than traditional programmes.?

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approves the procurement of constituent elements of the IPSPC offer in Surrey up to the value of the £6.3m DWP grant,

     

    2.    That Cabinet approves the delegation of subsequent contract award decisions to the Executive Director for Partnerships, Prosperity, and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The IPSPC programme has secured £6.3m in DWP grant funding for SCC. The programme activity will be funded through this DWP grant.

    Approval to procure the service using this grant will enable SCC to support up to 3,000 adults with long term conditions or disabilities into employment in Surrey.

    This procurement will particularly support the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Surrey who are expected to be the key delivery partners.

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

     

126/23

APPROVAL TO PROCURE INCREASED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (EP) AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) SERVICE CAPACITY pdf icon PDF 350 KB

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    The purpose of this report is to secure the necessary approvals and delegated authority for Educational Psychology (EP) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) capacity to be expanded at pace, enabling the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) timeliness to be improved to an acceptable level as quickly as possible. This report provides a high-level overview of the accelerated EHCP Timeliness Recovery Plan and sets out the rationale for the recommendations for approval to procure.

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

    N.B There is a Part 2 report at Item 21.

     

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet gives approval to procure additional Educational Psychology service capacity and Special Educational Needs service capacity up to the aggregate contract value of £15m over 3 years between 2023/24 and 2026/27.

    2.    That Cabinet approves the delegation of contract award decisions to the Executive Director for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    • The timely completion of Education, Health and Care needs assessments and annual reviews (collectively referred to as EHCP Timeliness throughout this report) makes an important contribution to ensuring that children and young people with additional needs and disabilities receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

     

    • The EHCP Timeliness Recovery Plan is being accelerated to address the current significant delays and approvals are required to avoid delays in procuring services and allocating funding and resources. There is an urgent need to retain existing capacity and secure additional flexible capacity in the Council’s Educational Psychology (EP) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) services to improve the timeliness of these services at pace.

     

    • Approval of the recommendations in this report will have multiple benefits, the most important being an improvement in the experience of families and outcomes of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities undergoing an EHC needs assessment or awaiting an annual review.

     

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Education and Learning who explained that Cabinet was being asked to approve the procurement for additional Educational Psychology service capacity and Special Educational Needs service capacity to improve Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) timeliness. It was explained that timeliness of completing assessments in 2021 was 65% of plans issued within 20 weeks and was stable until Spring term 2022 with a marginal decline. However, in the summer term 2022 timeliness began to drop more rapidly. This led to overall cumulative timeliness for plans completed during the 2022 calendar year in Surrey falling to 26%. The council was committed to supporting young people with Special Educational Needs and their families. The Cabinet Member explained that EHCPs had to be reviewed by educational psychologists and the lack of these meant a delay in plan completion. The Leader stated that the additional funding would help clear the backlog of EHCPs and the council recognised the service was not where it needed to be.

     

    The Chairman of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee spoke on the report welcoming the recommendations. The Select Committee recognised that EHCP timeliness was poor and negatively impacting young people and their families. The council was ranked 128/152 for EHCP timeliness and urgent action needed to be taken. The Select Committee endorsed additional funding but urged Cabinet to ensure additional funding came from reserves and not efficiencies from other parts of the service. The Leader confirmed additional funding would not come from efficiencies in the service.

     

    Mark Nuti left the meeting 15:30 and returned at 15:34.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet gives approval to procure additional Educational Psychology service capacity and Special Educational Needs service capacity up to the aggregate contract value of £15m over 3 years between 2023/24 and 2026/27.

    2.    That Cabinet approves the delegation of contract award decisions to the Executive Director for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    • The timely completion of Education, Health and Care needs assessments and annual reviews (collectively referred to as EHCP Timeliness throughout this report) makes an important contribution to ensuring that children and young people with additional needs and disabilities receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

     

    • The EHCP Timeliness Recovery Plan is being accelerated to address the current significant delays and approvals are required to avoid delays in procuring services and allocating funding and resources. There is an urgent need to retain existing capacity and secure additional flexible capacity in the Council’s Educational Psychology (EP) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) services to improve the timeliness of these services at pace.

     

    • Approval of the recommendations in this report will have multiple benefits, the most important being an improvement in the experience of families and outcomes of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities undergoing an EHC needs assessment or awaiting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126/23

127/23

YOUR FUND SURREY- CF265 ASHFORD COMMUNITY BUILDING pdf icon PDF 481 KB

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    This report sets out the key information on the Ashford Community Building Your Fund Surrey (YFS) application, for the consideration of 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 approves the full amount requested of £899,645, (76% of total project cost), comprised of:

     

     • Up to £899,645 of capital funding towards the construction of a community building to be paid in staged payments, on evidence of spend.

     

    • 5% of which will be retained as final payment until final evidence of income, expenditure and building control sign-off is provided.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    ·      This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment process and officers consider the project meets the aims and published criteria of the Fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

    ·      The project will provide a much-needed community building supporting one of Surrey County Council’s most deprived neighbourhoods, Stanwell. There are very few facilities currently in the area, so the new community building will enhance the neighbourhood and provide many opportunities for the residents as there has been considerable interest in using the new facility.

     

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

     

     

     

    Minutes:

    The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety introduced the report explaining that the Cabinet was being asked to approve 76% of total project cost. The application was being made by 8th Ashford Scouts, the largest scout group in Spelthorne which had been part of the community since 1945.The application was for a new purpose-built building, with a variety of different sized spaces which would appeal to a broad number of users. It will have one main hall, a kitchen, storage area and two smaller meeting rooms. The new community building would provide affordable facilities for a variety of groups and the wider community as well as meeting the current increasing demand for scouts, cubs and beavers in the area. The project would provide a much-needed community building supporting one of Surrey County Council’s most deprived neighbourhoods, Stanwell.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.         That Cabinet approves the full amount requested of £899,645, (76% of total project cost), comprised of:

     

     • Up to £899,645 of capital funding towards the construction of a community building to be paid in staged payments, on evidence of spend.

     

    • 5% of which will be retained as final payment until final evidence of income, expenditure and building control sign-off is provided.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    ·      This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment process and officers consider the project meets the aims and published criteria of the Fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

    ·      The project will provide a much-needed community building supporting one of Surrey County Council’s most deprived neighbourhoods, Stanwell. There are very few facilities currently in the area, so the new community building will enhance the neighbourhood and provide many opportunities for the residents as there has been considerable interest in using the new facility.

     

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

     

     

     

128/23

YOUR FUND SURREY- CF277 WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION pdf icon PDF 406 KB

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    This report sets out the key information on the Wildlife Aid Foundation Your Fund Surrey (YFS) application, for the consideration of 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 approves the full amount requested of £2,808,000 (21% of total project cost), comprised of:

     

     • Up to £2,808,000 of capital funding towards the development of a community hub to be paid in staged payments, on evidence of spend. The final value of funding will be contingent on Surrey County Council’s (SCC) review of a tender before entering into a funding agreement.

     

    • 5% of which will be retained as final payment until final evidence of income, expenditure and building control sign-off is provided.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    ·         This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment process and officers consider the project meets the aims and published criteria of the Fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

     

    ·         This project has the potential to have a long-lasting positive impact on the environment and wildlife in Surrey. The proposed Wildlife Centre would help redress the balance between humans and nature and play a part in preserving Surrey’s natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. The community spaces will supportcharities, schools and diverse community groups across Surrey and provide education for all about how to protect the natural environment for the future.

     

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

     

     

    Minutes:

    The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety introduced the report explaining that the Cabinet was being asked to approve 21% of the total project cost. The Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) has been rescuing and rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, including some of Britain’s most vulnerable and endangered animals. The charity had purchased a 20-acre piece of land in Leatherhead, where they planned to create “The Wildlife Aid Centre” which would include new habitats, a visitor centre & community hub, a new wildlife hospital and a domestic vet practice. The community hub would comprise of two classroom/meeting spaces, an exhibition space/retail area and café which would be opened up to the local community.

     

    The Cabinet Member for Environment expressed her support for the project stating that the WAF was a well respected charity and the project would create a legacy for the future. The Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment also welcomed the project stating that he had visited the site and the project would contribute to the skills deficit and create work experience opportunities for Surrey residents.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.         That Cabinet approves the full amount requested of £2,808,000 (21% of total project cost), comprised of:

     

     • Up to £2,808,000 of capital funding towards the development of a community hub to be paid in staged payments, on evidence of spend. The final value of funding will be contingent on Surrey County Council’s (SCC) review of a tender before entering into a funding agreement.

     

    • 5% of which will be retained as final payment until final evidence of income, expenditure and building control sign-off is provided.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    ·         This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment process and officers consider the project meets the aims and published criteria of the Fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

     

    ·         This project has the potential to have a long-lasting positive impact on the environment and wildlife in Surrey. The proposed Wildlife Centre would help redress the balance between humans and nature and play a part in preserving Surrey’s natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. The community spaces will supportcharities, schools and diverse community groups across Surrey and provide education for all about how to protect the natural environment for the future.

     

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

     

     

129/23

2023/24 MONTH 2 (MAY) FINANCIAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 375 KB

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    This report provides details of the County Council’s 2023/24 financial position, for revenue and capital budgets, as at 31st May 2023 (M2) 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 and the need for mitigating actions to be developed to offset the projected revenue overspend.

    2.    That Cabinet approves an increase in the 2023/24 revenue budget of £5.7m, in response to the Council’s recognition of the need to accelerate the improvements in service delivery in the following specific areas:

    ·         improvement in the rates of Education Health and Care Plan timeliness,

    ·         to support initiatives to improve recruitment and retention within the childrens social work workforce, and

    ·         highways and environmental service improvements.

    This temporary increase in budget is proposed to be funded from the Council’s contingency reserves, following a review of the sufficiency of reserve levels.  Ongoing implications of these additional investments will be factored into the 2024/25 budget planning process.

    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 report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources who provided the Cabinet with an update of the County Council’s 2023/24 financial position, for revenue and capital budgets, as at 31st May 2023 (M2) and the expected outlook for the remainder of the financial year. With regards to Revenue, at M2, the Council was forecasting an overspend of £9.7m against the 2023/24 revenue budget approved by the Council in February 2023. This represented a deterioration of £3.7m since the April position. In addition £19.3m of net risks to the forecast position had been quantified. With regards to Capital, the M2 position showed a forecast spend of £307.9m against a budget of £326.4m, an underspend of £18.6m, mainly due to project slippage in Highways and Transport. It was noted that the Council was operating in a period of high inflation which was having an impact on the budget.

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year and the need for mitigating actions to be developed to offset the projected revenue overspend.

    2.    That Cabinet approves an increase in the 2023/24 revenue budget of £5.7m, in response to the Council’s recognition of the need to accelerate the improvements in service delivery in the following specific areas:

    ·         improvement in the rates of Education Health and Care Plan timeliness,

    ·         to support initiatives to improve recruitment and retention within the childrens social work workforce, and

    ·         highways and environmental service improvements.

    This temporary increase in budget is proposed to be funded from the Council’s contingency reserves, following a review of the sufficiency of reserve levels.  Ongoing implications of these additional investments will be factored into the 2024/25 budget planning process.

    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)

     

     

     

130/23

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:

    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 the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

     

    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.

     

131/23

EXTRA CARE HOUSING - PHASE 2 DELIVERY

    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 Adults and Health Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    That Cabinet approves the recommendations.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-11-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-11-23]

     

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

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health 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).

     

    The Cabinet Member read an updated recommendation. Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-11-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-11-23]

     

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

     

132/23

APPROVAL TO PROCURE INCREASED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (EP) AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) SERVICE CAPACITY

    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 Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    That Cabinet approves the recommendations.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Minute 126/23

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Minute 126/23

     

    (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 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).

     

    Cabinet approved the recommendations.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Minute 126/23

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Minute 126/23

     

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

     

     

133/23

PROPERTY TRANSACTION- ACQUISTION OF LAND IN WOKING FOR NORTH-WEST SURREY SHORT STAY SCHOOL PERMANENT SITE (ALTERNATIVE PROVISION)

    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:

    That Cabinet approves the acquisition of the land in Woking for a north-west surrey short stay school permanent site.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-12-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-12-23]

     

    (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).

     

    Cabinet approved the acquisition of the land in Woking for a north-west surrey short stay school permanent site.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-12-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-12-23]

     

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

     

134/23

DISPOSAL OF COXBRIDGE FARM, WEST STREET, FARNHAM

    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:

    That Cabinet approves the disposal of Coxbridge Farm, West Street, Farnham.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-13-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-13-23]

     

    (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).

     

    Cabinet approved the disposal of Coxbridge Farm, West Street, Farnham.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-13-23]

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    See Exempt Minute [E-13-23]

     

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

     

135/23

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.