Councillors and committees

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DN

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

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No. Item

159/18

Apologies for Absence

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    Minutes:

    An apology was received from Mr Jeff Harris.

     

160/18

Minutes of Previous Meeting: 25 September 2018

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    Minutes:

    The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

161/18

Declarations of Interest

162/18

Procedural Matters

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162/181

Members' Questions pdf icon PDF 59 KB

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    Decision:

    There were two questions from Members.  These and the responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Minutes:

    There were two questions from Members.  These and the responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Mrs Hazel Watson further asked if the Cabinet had considered giving or selling the Council’s countryside estate to another organisation that has the necessary funding to protect the estate for the future.  The Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport responded that the Council had a 50 year contract from 2002 with Surrey Wildlife Trust.  Part of that contract was to make it zero cost to the Council but that didn’t happen.  Selling whilst already under contract would be very difficult legally.  He also stated that there was a consultation online on a wildlife review for the next 25 years and urged all to have their say by completing the consultation.

     

    Mr Jonathan Essex also asked a supplementary question and requested that the strategy documents for the online consultations be published separately to the consultation as they were difficult to find when embedded in the consultation itself.  He also asked which children’s centres were to close.  The Leader responded that the consultation was seeking views regarding the children’s centres and that a decision would not be made until January when those views had been considered.  The Cabinet Member for Children further explained how the online consultation was set up and that information on the children centre proposals was there.

163/18

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 60 KB

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    Decision:

    There was one public question.  This and the response was published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

    Minutes:

    There was one public question.  This and the response was published as a supplement to the agenda.

     

164/18

Petitions

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    Minutes:

    There were no petitions.

165/18

Representations received on reports to be considered in private

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    Minutes:

    No representations were received.

166/18

Reports from Select Committees , Task Groups, Local Committees and other Committees of the Council

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    Minutes:

    There were none.

167/18

Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member Decisions/ Investment Board Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting pdf icon PDF 102 KB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the decision taken by the Cabinet Member since the last meeting be noted.

     

    Reason for Decision:

     

    To inform the Cabinet of decisions taken by the Leader / Cabinet Members and Investment Board under delegated authority.

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the decisions taken by the Leader / Cabinet Members / Investment Board since the last meeting be noted.

     

    Reason for Decision:

     

    To inform the Cabinet of decisions taken by the Leader / Cabinet Members and Investment Board under delegated authority.

168/18

New Policy and Action Plan for Single Use Plastics pdf icon PDF 256 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That the new policy be approved and the short-term action plan be noted.

    2.    That further work was being undertaken with all districts and boroughs to develop a joint Surrey strategy and a long-term county-wide action plan that will support Surrey to become a Single Use Plastics (SUP) free county in line with national policy was noted.

    3.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Highways, Transport and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to approve the joint strategy and the long-term action plan once finalised in March 2019.

    Reason for Decision:

     

    A motion was passed on 20 March 2018 calling to make the Council a single-use-plastic-free authority. The introduction of the SUP policy is one of the primary steps required to deliver the motion. It also supports the Council’s new draft vision for Surrey in 2030 to enable residents to “live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities”.

     

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment Select Committee]

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport introduced the report and presented the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Policy for approval.

     

    The SUP policy:

     

    ·         provided a framework for reducing and working towards zero avoidable SUP use across the Council’s estate;

    ·         encouraged proactive partnership working with key stakeholders such as districts and boroughs, businesses, schools, communities, partners and beyond in order to find positive solutions to reducing plastic pollution county-wide; and

    ·         sets out the activities to deliver this within Surrey County Council in the short-term action plan.

    He also explained that work undertaken with districts and boroughs would take place via the Surrey Waste Partnership.

     

    Mr Jonathan Essex thanked the Cabinet for the work done so far and the commitment made.  He also paid tribute to the officer who was working on this and that she was spreading the work through the Orbis Partnership.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That the new policy be approved and the short-term action plan be noted.
    2. That further work was being undertaken with all districts and boroughs to develop a joint Surrey strategy and a long-term county-wide action plan that will support Surrey to become a Single Use Plastics (SUP) free county in line with national policy was noted.
    3. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Highways, Transport and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to approve the joint strategy and the long-term action plan once finalised in March 2019.

    Reason for Decision:

     

    A motion was passed on 20 March 2018 calling to make the Council a single-use-plastic-free authority. The introduction of the SUP policy is one of the primary steps required to deliver the motion. It also supports the Council’s new draft vision for Surrey in 2030 to enable residents to “live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities”.

169/18

Monthly Budget Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 160 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That the Council’s overall revenue and capital budget positions as at 31 August 2018 be noted.

     

    2.    That the management realignment within Highways, Transport & Environment directorate be noted.

     

    3.    That the Economic Growth’s request to draw down £71,000 from the carry forward agreed from 2017/18 be approved.

     

    4.    That the IT and Digital’s request to reprofile £1.8m capital expenditure into future years be approved.

     

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    This report is presented to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval and action as necessary.

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Corporate Overview Select Committee]

     

    Minutes:

    The Leader introduced the report that set out the Council’s financial position as at 31 August 2018, the end of period five.  The forecast revenue position was balanced which, in a large part, was due to the Council’s efforts to achieve £19m of its £40m in-year cost reduction programme.  He also reported that the Medium Term Financial Plan savings and the capital programme were on track. By reaching a balanced forecast position at this stage, the Council had made enough cost reductions to balance the overspends and cost pressures arising in this year.  By achieving the remaining £21m of in-year cost reductions, this would remove the need to draw any money from Council reserves.

     

    He went on to say that there was a need to keep up this work to deliver improvements and that it was vital to do so as this would enhance the Council’s financial resilience and put it in a better position to face the challenges.  It would also help to deal with the funding uncertainties and service pressures faced in future years and ensure Surrey’s residents have sustainable local services.

     

    Other Cabinet Members were given the opportunity to highlight key points and issues from their portfolios.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That the Council’s overall revenue and capital budget positions as at 31 August 2018 be noted.

     

    2.    That the management realignment within Highways, Transport & Environment directorate be noted.

     

    3.    That the Economic Growth’s request to draw down £71,000 from the carry forward agreed from 2017/18 be approved.

     

    4.    That the IT and Digital’s request to reprofile £1.8m capital expenditure into future years be approved.

     

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    This report is presented to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval and action as necessary.

170/18

Organisation Strategy, Preliminary Financial Strategy, Transformation Programme, and 'Our People' Strategy pdf icon PDF 130 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    Cabinet RECOMMEND that Council:

     

    1.    Approve the Surrey County Council Organisation Strategy 2019 – 2023 which sets out how the Council would work with residents and partners to contribute to the achievement of the Community Vision for Surrey in 2030. It sets out priority areas the Council would focus on over the next four years.

    2.    Approve the Preliminary Financial Strategy (PFS) 2019 – 2024 that sets out a draft balanced budget for 2019/20, without the use of reserves, subject to the outcome of consultation, engagement and equality impact assessments.

    3.    Approve the Transformation Programme subject to the outcome of consultation, engagement and equality impact assessments. The programme would be delivered through six delivery themes: Service Transformation, Partnership & Integration, New Ways of Working, Commissioning, Investment & Income and Technology & Digital Innovation.

    4.     Approve the ‘Our People 2021’ strategy, which was the Council’s plan for the current and future workforce and sets out how the Council would develop its capacity and capability to contribute to the Community Vision for Surrey in 2030, achieve its priority strategic outcomes for residents, ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the Council, drive wholesale transformational change over the next few years and create a high performance culture.

    5.    To note the planned engagement and consultation activity related to the savings proposals contained within the PFS and Transformation Programme. These had been initiated under the formerly agreed delegated authority of senior officers.

    Cabinet noted:

     

    6.    That the outcomes of this activity will be brought back to Cabinet on 29 January 2019, where Cabinet would be asked to make recommendations to the Council meeting in February 2019 on the revenue & capital Budget and the council tax precept for 2019/20.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    By approving the suite of documents in the annexes to the submitted report the Cabinet was supporting a new financial and strategic direction for the Council, endorsing the priorities, key objectives and draft directorate budget envelopes for the medium term.

     

    The Organisation Strategy, Preliminary Financial Strategy, Transformation Programme and ‘Our People 2021’ strategy provided a clear sense of the Council’s direction for staff, members, residents, partner organisations and businesses. As part of the Council’s Policy Framework (as set out in the Constitution) the Corporate Strategy (called the Organisation Strategy in this report) must be approved by Council.

    Minutes:

    The Leader introduced a report that set out a suite of strategies and transformation programme which he said was probably the most important this Council had considered in light of the unprecedented pressures facing the County Council and the need to transform services. He stated that the Council was unable to control demands on services and spoke of the pressures on adult social care and the impact that has on the NHS.

    He went on to say that although full details were not yet known, yesterday’s Budget announcements about additional funding for local government for roads and social care didn’t alter the fact that the Council needed to make significant savings. Despite the number of residents needing support continued to increase, core government funding had been cut by around two hundred million pounds since 2010. The Council had found five hundred and forty million pounds of savings in that time to address this but the challenge was getting tougher. To remain financially stable and able to live within its means, the Council had to be a fundamentally different organisation. The Leader explained that the proposed strategy set out in the report was key to achieving that.

     

    The proposed strategy set out how the Council will work with residents and partners so it can provide the best possible support with the resources available. Whilst the Council worked well with districts and boroughs there was more that could be done better. The strategy would create the environment to transform the way services were delivered by being more joined up with partners, shaping services around residents and communities and better use of technology. It was an important duty of politicians to ensure that no one is left behind. This would mean taking some of the toughest decisions this Council has had to make. 


    The Leader went on to highlight consultations that had recently been launched as part of the Council’s transformation plans and to tackle its financial pressures.

    The consultations covered five areas:

    ·      children’s centres;

    ·      concessionary fares on Surrey buses;

    ·      special educational needs and disabilities;

    ·      libraries; and

    ·      community recycling centres.

     

    He said that some of the things proposed would not be popular but the Council had to look to change how things were done. He further urged residents to take the time to have their say on the consultations by going online at surreycc.gov.uk/consultations in order to help shape the services provided by the Council to residents.

    The Cabinet Lead Member for People introduced the Organisation Strategy stating that there were four strategic principles that led to ten outcomes. It was important for the Council to be realistic about what it could do and support others.  The improved outcomes would need to be measured and the results published.

     

    The Cabinet Member for Adults introduced the Preliminary Financial Strategy and spoke of the effects of reduced Government support over previous years. Whilst the Chancellor spoke of additional funding in his Budget speech the details of that would need to be received before an actual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 170/18

171/18

Surrey Asset and Place Strategy pdf icon PDF 139 KB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    The development of a long term Asset and Place Strategy and Delivery Plan to 2030, in line with district and borough local plans, which would deliver a re-modelled operational estate and long term income for the Council and to use released assets to support growth in Surrey was approved. 

    2.    That this work be led by the Council’s Asset Strategy Board.

    3.    The appointment of an Advisory Panel to support the Asset Strategy Board in its work be composed of two Councillors and up to three outside advisers including the Chairman be approved.

    4.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Economy, Growth and Commercial (in consultation with the Leader) to appoint up to two further external advisers, and to agree the Advisory Panel’s terms of reference and work programme.

    5.    To provide support to the Programme which consisted of:

    ·         a programme team to co-ordinate the strategy and delivery plan work and organise space planning workshops with partners.

    ·         high level design and feasibility studies for each scheme (at least 20)

    ·         social-economic-techno analysis (in support of the work already completed by Surrey Futures).

    ·         commercial financial modelling expertise to develop funding strategies for each scheme and validate future income streams.

    ·         legal support to advise on delivery models.

     

    To RECOMMEND that Council:

     

    6.    Approve a programme budget of up to £500,000 to enable the development of the strategy and the financial validation, as transformation expenditure to be funded from capital receipts flexibility. This figure includes a previous decision by Council to allocate £275k. 

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    This hugely ambitious plan for change needs extensive technical support and engagement with partners to develop a strategy and plan that is deliverable and has the support of partners. The technical work needs to be completed before we are able to have confidence that the outcomes in the strategy are deliverable.

     

    This report seeks to secure an approval from Cabinet to draw down resources to help deliver complex technical modelling, feasibility and design studies, legal and programme support.

     

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Highways and Growth Select Committee]

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Lead Member for Place introduced this report that sought approval to develop a Surrey Asset and Place Strategy with a delivery plan to 2030 which would be presented to Cabinet in April 2019. He explained how the Council was looking to remodel, reuse and to review place and assets to make the best use of resources. There were 40 projects underway with districts and boroughs to which he thanked them for the hard work done to date. He went on to say that £500k was needed to pay for expertise to develop and support the strategy.

    This report was brought alongside the report on the agenda proposing the Council’s Organisation Strategy, Preliminary Financial Strategy, People Strategy and Transformation Programme (i.e. the Council’s new integrated strategic and financial framework).The development of the Asset and Place Strategy formed part of the Council’s Transformation agenda to deliver the new Community Vision for Surrey in 2030.

     

    Members spoke of the many streams that needed to be brought together and joined up and stressed the importance of no one being left behind.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That the development of a long term Asset and Place Strategy and Delivery Plan to 2030, in line with district and borough local plans, which would deliver a re-modelled operational estate and long term income for the Council and to use released assets to support growth in Surrey was approved. 
    2. That this work be led by the Council’s Asset Strategy Board.
    3. That the appointment of an Advisory Panel to support the Asset Strategy Board in its work be composed of two Councillors and up to three outside advisers including the Chairman be approved.
    4. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Economy, Growth and Commercial (in consultation with the Leader) to appoint up to two further external advisers, and to agree the Advisory Panel’s terms of reference and work programme.

    5.    That support be provided to the Programme that consisted of:

    ·         a programme team to co-ordinate the strategy and delivery plan work and organise space planning workshops with partners.

    ·         high level design and feasibility studies for each scheme (at least 20)

    ·         social-economic-techno analysis (in support of the work already completed by Surrey Futures).

    ·         commercial financial modelling expertise to develop funding strategies for each scheme and validate future income streams.

    ·         legal support to advise on delivery models.

     

    To RECOMMEND that Council:

     

    1. Approve a programme budget of up to £500,000 to enable the development of the strategy and the financial validation, as transformation expenditure to be funded from capital receipts flexibility. This figure includes a previous decision by Council to allocate £275k. 

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    This hugely ambitious plan for change needed extensive technical support and engagement with partners to develop a strategy and plan that was deliverable and has the support of partners. The technical work needed to be completed beforehand to ensure confidence that the outcomes in the strategy were deliverable.

     

    This report sought to secure an approval from Cabinet to draw down resources to help deliver complex technical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 171/18

172/18

Surrey Schools and Early Years Funding 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 201 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That appeals be lodged with the Secretary of State to overturn the decisions of the Schools Forum and:

     

    a)    permit the transfer of 0.5% of the Schools Block (£3.1m) to support High Needs Special Education Needs & Disability (SEND)

    b)    enable the council to introduce a control mechanism on maintained schools’ excessive balances to support High Needs SEND. 

     

    2.    That to ensure the sustainability of the additional SEN funding factor provided to mainstream schools with high numbers of SEND pupils, the threshold for funding be increased and thereby targeted to fewer schools. This recommendation was in the context of increased funding for Low Prior Attainment provided by the National Funding Formula. 

    3.    That the transition to the National Funding Formula (NFF) progresses at a steady rate from 72.5% to approximately 85% of NFF values in 2019/20. This facilitates a move to 100% by 2020/21 when the full NFF funding is available.

    4.    That the council implement the Minimum Per Pupil Level (MPPL) in full. However, should the appeal to the Secretary of State to transfer £3.1m to High Needs be approved, the full MPPL should be reduced by approximately £31 per pupil to ensure all schools contribute. (The Schools Forum supported the full MPPL but refused the £3.1m transfer.)

    5.    That the following formula recommendations from the Schools Forum be approved:

    Schools Formula Funding

    a)    The minimum funding guarantee (MFG) for schools should be set at zero

    b)    All minor formula changes involving facilitating the transition towards the National Funding Formula are implemented. (E.g. notional SEN funding)

    c)    £0.3m from the surplus on the de-delegated primary schools’ contingency should be distributed to primary schools reflecting the origin of the funds.

     

    Early Years Funding

    d)    The SEN Inclusion Fund to provide additional funding to providers for 3-4 year olds with SEND should be set at £1.4m

    e)    Funding for individual Early Years providers should be at rates which are commensurate with the levels of Direct Schools Grant (DSG) funding, currently estimated at:

    ·         £4.65/ hour for three and four year olds (£4.60 in 2018/19);

    ·         £5.88 / hour for two year olds (unchanged); and

    ·         £2.77 / hour additional deprivation funding (based on eligibility for the early years pupil premium on economic grounds (unchanged)

    f)     That 2.5% of formula funding is allocated as a deprivation supplement for children meeting the Department for Education criteria for the early years pupil premium.

    g)    Funding for free meals provision in maintained and academy nurseries should remain unchanged.

     

    6.    That authority is delegated to the Director of Education, Lifelong Learning & Culture in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning to approve amendments to the schools and early years formulae as appropriate following receipt of the DSG settlement and DfE pupil data in December 2018. This was to ensure that total allocations to schools under this formula remain affordable within the Council’s DSG settlement.

    7.    That the Leader write to the Secretary of State and lobby the Local Government Association with regards to applying  ...  view the full decision text for item 172/18

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning introduced a report that set out how the funding of all Surrey schools (including academies) and the free entitlement to early years nursery provision were funded from the Council’s Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). Each local authority was required to consult on and maintain local formula arrangements to allocate the DSG.  The report also set out the recommended funding formula for Surrey schools in 2019/20 and, following a joint consultation with Early Years providers, also proposed the principles to be adopted in the funding of early years in 2019/20.

     

    She also explained that this year, increasing pressures in providing for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) had necessitated requests for support from the Schools block which were not supported by the Schools Forum and the Cabinet was asked to consider an appeal to the Secretary of State.

     

    Mr Chris Botten addressed the Cabinet and requested that additional steps be taken to minimise the impact of the proposals on vulnerable schools. He himself was Chair of Governors at two schools and one of which was a 1 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) infant school that could not afford the proposed £31 per child. He requested that a risk analysis be undertaken on small schools in Surrey to check the affordability of the proposals. He also thought that the Secretary of State would be more likely agree the proposed appeal if mitigation measures had been put in place for those vulnerable schools. Mr Botten also requested that assessment be made when looking at a schools built up reserves in that it may be for a particular reason e.g. Ofsted inspection.

     

    The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning responded by explaining that there were expert officers that understood schools budgets and would look at this on a school by school basis. The budget pressures faced by schools was understood. She also explained that the Department for Education (DfE) would be paying the increase in pension costs and details of that were expected in January 2019. It was recognised that schools had contributed £32m over the last five years to High Needs, however, the Council was in a difficult situation and needed to make an appeal. If agreement was given to transfer the £3.1m from schools budgets then the ceiling would be lowered on the top gainers of the additional £11m going to schools as this would not be distributed equally to everyone. The Council would continue to monitor and support schools.  With regard to the clawback of excessive balances, only excessive balance beyond the 20% of the budget from 31 March 2019 and 15% thereafter would be clawed back in line with DfE guidance. There was also a set of criteria to ensure that the proposals did not have a destabilising effect on schools, particularly small schools and those with high numbers of children with high needs. Mr Botten was reassured by this response from the Cabinet Member.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That appeals be lodged with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172/18

173/18

Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy pdf icon PDF 96 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the updated Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy, including the Forward Programme be approved.

     

    Reason for Decision:

    Inadequate transport infrastructure was identified as the biggest barrier to economic growth in the county.

    The current Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy was published in 2014. As such, information within it was dated and in need of review. It was important that Local Transport Strategies were kept up-to-date, as this ensured that the right investments were prioritised and that Members, officers and delivery partners could coordinate investment in transport infrastructure. Maintaining up-to-date strategies also meant Surrey County Council was ready to confidently bid for funding opportunities at short notice, should an opportunity arise.

    The revised strategy would support Surrey County Council’s priorities to promote sustainable economic growth and secure investment in infrastructure. The strategy would benefit Surrey residents and businesses by accommodating sustainable population growth, helping to boost the economy and limit the impact of transport and development on the environment.

    This revised strategy had been developed through joint working between officers and Members from both Surrey County Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to ensure that the Local Transport Strategy was relevant for the area.

    It has also been subject to public consultation, an Equalities Impact Assessment and an Environmental Sustainability Appraisal, and refined accordingly. The revised strategy had been approved by the Reigate & Banstead Local Committee (under delegated authority).

    This revised strategy would replace the Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy from, dated December 2014 currently adopted as part of the Surrey Transport Plan, a statutory document. The Forward Programme will replace previously published versions of the Forward Programme.

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment Select Committee]

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Lead Member for Place introduced this report which was decided with no further discussion.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the updated Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy, including the Forward Programme be approved.

     

    Reason for Decision:

    Inadequate transport infrastructure was identified as the biggest barrier to economic growth in the county.

    The current Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy was published in 2014. As such, information within it was dated and in need of review. It was important that Local Transport Strategies were kept up-to-date as this ensured that the right investments were prioritised and that Members, officers and delivery partners could coordinate investment in transport infrastructure. Maintaining up-to-date strategies also meant the Council was ready to confidently bid for funding opportunities at short notice, should an opportunity arise.

    The revised strategy would support the Council’s priorities to promote sustainable economic growth and secure investment in infrastructure. The strategy would benefit Surrey residents and businesses by accommodating sustainable population growth, helping to boost the economy and limit the impact of transport and development on the environment.

    This revised strategy had been developed through joint working between officers and Members from both Surrey County Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to ensure that the Local Transport Strategy was relevant for the area.

    It has also been subject to public consultation, an Equalities Impact Assessment and an Environmental Sustainability Appraisal, and refined accordingly. The revised strategy had been approved by the Reigate & Banstead Local Committee (under delegated authority).

    This revised strategy would replace the Reigate and Banstead Local Transport Strategy from, dated December 2014 currently adopted as part of the Surrey Transport Plan, a statutory document. The Forward Programme will replace previously published versions of the Forward Programme.

174/18

Bus Lane Enforcement pdf icon PDF 89 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.      That the Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Policy be agreed.

    2.      That authority be delegated to local or joint committees to decide if enforcement should be introduced for any existing or proposed bus lanes in their area.

    3.      That authority be delegated to the Head of Highways & Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to review and agree any future financial arrangements.

    4.      That authority be delegated to the Head of Highways & Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to enter into any new bus lane enforcement agency agreements, subject to support from the local or joint committee.

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    To ensure the Council can effectively, efficiently and consistently manage bus lane enforcement in Surrey, managing congestion for the benefit of residents and businesses.

     

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment Select Committee]

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Lead Member for Place introduced a report which sought approval for the expansion of bus lane enforcement following the success of a pilot scheme approved by Cabinet in October 2017. It also proposed enabling local or joint committees to decide if any bus lanes in their area would benefit from enforcement.

     

    Several Members discussed additional powers held by London boroughs on other highway enforcements such as box junctions and whether the Council could seek these powers from the Secretary of State. It was acknowledged that further thought would be needed as there would be a capital cost for such enforcement.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.      That the Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Policy be agreed.

    2.      That authority be delegated to local or joint committees to decide if enforcement should be introduced for any existing or proposed bus lanes in their area.

    3.      That authority be delegated to the Head of Highways & Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to review and agree any future financial arrangements.

    4.      That authority be delegated to the Head of Highways & Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to enter into any new bus lane enforcement agency agreements, subject to support from the local or joint committee.

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    To ensure the Council can effectively, efficiently and consistently manage bus lane enforcement in Surrey, managing congestion for the benefit of residents and businesses.

175/18

Creation of a New 2FE Primary Free School In North West Horley pdf icon PDF 117 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the provision of a new two form entry primary school set out in Part 2 of the submitted report [Exempt Minutes E-20-18 and E-21-18], the business case for the provision of an additional 2 Forms of Entry worth of primary and 52 nursery places in Horley be approved.

     

    Reason for Decision:

     

    The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places, relative to demand.

     

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children’s Select Committee]

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning introduced this report that sought approval of the Business Case for the building of a new two Form of Entry (420 places) primary school, plus 52 place nursery as part of the Westvale Park housing development, thereby supporting delivery against basic need requirements in the Horley area.  This was good news for Horley as there was a growing demand in the area and it fitted in with the Horley Master Plan.

     

    Several Members cited this as a good example of partnership working whereby infrastructure was planned along with the provision of additional housing.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the provision of a new two form entry primary school set out in Part 2 of the submitted report [Exempt Minutes E-20-18 and E-21-18], the business case for the provision of an additional 2 Forms of Entry worth of primary and 52 nursery places in Horley be approved.

     

    Reason for Decision:

     

    The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places, relative to demand.

176/18

Conversion of Street Lights to LED pdf icon PDF 128 KB

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That the conversion of street lights to LED be approved.
    2. That authority be delegated to the Head of Highways and Transport in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance, Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to complete the negotiation of the contractual variation and authorise the execution of a Deed of Variation to the Street Lighting PFI contract.
    3. That officers send the business case to Coast to Capital, EM3 and Local Enterprise Partnerships in order to seek funding opportunities for the LED conversion.

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    Energy price inflation was increasing at a significant rate (5%-14% per annum) and to ensure lights were operational when needed, there was little opportunity for the Council to control or reduce its energy costs.

     

    LED technology in street lighting had matured significantly in recent years while the costs had reduced. Many Highway Authorities had either embarked on an LED conversion programme or were in the process of planning to commence one within the next 2-3 years.

     

    Converting to LED would reduce energy consumption by 60% delivering £2 million per year energy savings at today’s prices as well as reducing carbon impact by 6200 tonnes.

     

    In addition to converting to LED street lighting and upgrading the Central Management System, officers would be able to explore additional innovations now being used or being developed for use with street lighting such as:

    ·         Providing real-time traffic movement data to help understand and ease congestion

    ·         Adjust lighting levels of traffic routes to suit actual traffic levels which would lead to additional energy savings

    ·         Environmental sensors to detect and monitor air quality

    The potential for these innovations may be in direct relation to street lighting (e.g. dimming in response to traffic levels) or in providing a communications network for other areas of the Council (and extending to partners in District and Borough Councils) to connect equipment to improve the services and outcomes they deliver. 

     

    Furthermore, these innovations may present grant funding opportunities through central Government departments and the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) which would reduce the borrowing requirement for the Council.

     

    The PFI contract allowed for changes to the specification and service.  Following Cabinet approval in January 2018, a Change Notice had been issued under the contract and subject to this approval, officers will finalise the contractual documents and execute a Deed of Variation.

     

    [The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment Select Committee]

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Place introduced this report that detailed the benefits and costs of investing approximately £19.9 million over three years to convert the council’s 89,000 street lights to Light Emitting Diode (LED).

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That the conversion of street lights to LED be approved.
    2. That authority be delegated to the Head of Highways and Transport in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance, Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to complete the negotiation of the contractual variation and authorise the execution of a Deed of Variation to the Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract.
    3. That officers send the business case to Coast to Capital, EM3 and Local Enterprise Partnerships in order to seek funding opportunities for the LED conversion.

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    Energy price inflation was increasing at a significant rate (5%-14% per annum) and to ensure lights were operational when needed, there was little opportunity for the Council to control or reduce its energy costs.

     

    LED technology in street lighting had matured significantly in recent years while the costs had reduced. Many Highway Authorities had either embarked on an LED conversion programme or were in the process of planning to commence one within the next two to three years.

     

    Converting to LED would reduce energy consumption by 60% delivering £2 million per year energy savings at today’s prices as well as reducing carbon impact by 6200 tonnes.

     

    In addition to converting to LED street lighting and upgrading the Central Management System, officers would be able to explore additional innovations now being used or being developed for use with street lighting such as:

    ·         Providing real-time traffic movement data to help understand and ease congestion

    ·         Adjust lighting levels of traffic routes to suit actual traffic levels which would lead to additional energy savings

    ·         Environmental sensors to detect and monitor air quality

    The potential for these innovations may be in direct relation to street lighting (e.g. dimming in response to traffic levels) or in providing a communications network for other areas of the Council (and extending to partners in district and borough councils) to connect equipment to improve the services and outcomes they deliver. 

     

    Furthermore, these innovations may present grant funding opportunities through central Government departments and the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) which would reduce the borrowing requirement for the Council.

     

    The PFI contract allowed for changes to the specification and service.  Following Cabinet approval in January 2018, a Change Notice had been issued under the contract and subject to this approval, officers will finalise the contractual documents and execute a Deed of Variation.

177/18

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

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    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.

     

178/18

Creation of a New 2FE Primary Free School In North West Horley

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the project to provide a new two form entry primary school providing 420 new places, plus a 52 place nursery, at a total cost of [Exempt Minute E-20-18].

 

2.    That the arrangements by which a variation of up to [Exempt Minute E-21-18] of the total value may be agreed by the Executive Director for Economy, Growth & Commercial and Executive Director for Children, Families, Learning and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, the Cabinet Lead Member for Place and the Leader of the Council be approved.

 

3.    That authority to approve the award of contracts for works be delegated to the Interim Chief Property Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, Head of Procurement and Section 151 Officer when a competitive tender is procured through the new Orbis Construction Framework.

Reason for Decisions:

 

The proposal delivered and supported the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide necessary school places to meet the needs of the population in Reigate and Banstead Borough.

 

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children’s Select Committee]

Minutes:

Members considered a Part 2 report that 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 commercially sensitive information to the bidding companies).

 

RESOLVED:

 

  1. That the project to provide a new two form entry primary school providing 420 new places, plus a 52 place nursery, at a total cost of [Exempt Minute E-20-18].

 

  1. That the arrangements by which a variation of up to [Exempt Minute E-21-18] of the total value may be agreed by the Executive Director for Economy, Growth & Commercial and Executive Director for Children, Families, Learning and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, the Cabinet Lead Member for Place and the Leader of the Council be approved.

 

  1. That authority to approve the award of contracts for works be delegated to the Interim Chief Property Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, Head of Procurement and Section 151 Officer when a competitive tender is procured through the new Orbis Construction Framework.

Reason for Decisions:

 

The proposal delivered and supported the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide necessary school places to meet the needs of the population in Reigate and Banstead Borough.

 

179/18

PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS

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    Additional documents:

    Decision:

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

    Minutes:

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