Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 437 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Surrey County Council, Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey ,RH2 8EF
Contact: Huma Younis or Andre Ferreira Email: huma.younis@surreycc.gov.uk
Media
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Apologies for Absence
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no apologies. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting: 31 January 2023
Additional documents: Decision: These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.
Minutes: These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.
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Declarations of Interest
Additional documents: Minutes: There were none. |
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Procedural Matters
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Additional documents: Minutes: There was one member question. The question and response was published in a supplement to the agenda.
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Additional documents: Minutes: There were four public questions. The questions and responses were published in a supplement to the agenda.
James King thanked the council for the road works undertaken at the weekend and the response provided by the Cabinet Member. He further asked if the council was able to give a timeline on when UK Power Networks would have completed their part of the work and if possible, if other councillors and the local community could be kept informed of any progress. The Cabinet Member for Highways and Community Resilience explained that the council did not have the ability to refuse the emergency works on the highways but always negotiated with the utility companies to ensure high quality repairs were not dug up immediately.
In response to her main question, Jenny Desoutter asked the Cabinet Member how the operation at Sheepleas SSSI had been supervised and if the risk assessments undertaken were fit for purpose. The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that the decision to remove the trees at Sheepleas had not been taken lightly and had been supported by a number of partners including Natural England, Surrey Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission and local ecological groups. The Cabinet Member explained that the council’s ambition was to plant trees and not take them down. Every tree was checked before being removed and the council ultimately had a public safety responsibility. The council had been informed that the dormice boxes were empty. When the one box had been found, the council referred itself to the rural police. The council would be reviewing the situation and would be holding workshops with relevant parties to understand what is being seen in the countryside.
In regards to his main question, Robert Whitcombe explained that Fetcham Residents Association (FRA) had missed the communications regarding the LCWIP consultation because of the death of their Chairman last year. The association welcomed the further consultation offered when specific cycling and walking infrastructure proposals were taken through feasibility and design stages. It was explained that shortly after the July 2022 Consultation on the Mole Valley LCWIP there had been two developments significant to the LCWIP and the extent that it served Fetcham. First, following sheet-piling work by Network Rail to strengthen an embankment alongside an important Footpath (16) linking Fetcham and Leatherhead and second, SES Water had generously agreed to a new combined footpath-cycleway across its land in Fetcham, which would by-pass the current footpath and provide a safer route with less impact on a Priority Habitat. The FRA recognised the LCWIP as a key planning tool to guide long term investment and asked the council that this new footpath-cycleway is factored into the "Final" Mole Valley LCWIP before sign off. The Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth stated that FRA could submit any information they wanted as part of the LCWIP consultation prior to it going out to public consultation in the summer. The Cabinet Member also agreed to a follow up meeting with the FRA, Clare Curran and ... view the full minutes text for item 29/23 |
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Petitions
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Representations received on reports to be considered in private
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Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
That the three Select Committee reports be noted and recommendations considered.
Minutes: The Chairman of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee attended the meeting to present the reports from his Select Committee. The Chairman of the Select Committee thanked the Cabinet Member for her response to the Select Committee’s report on the Surrey strategy for accommodation, housing and homes and asked how the relationship with the district and boroughs was developing as part of the development of the strategy. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families thanked the Select Committee for its steer on the strategy and explained that the majority of district and boroughs were looking forward to working with the county council.
The Chairman of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee thanked the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety for her response to the Select Committee report on delivering in partnerships. The Chairman of the Select Committee stated that a critical element of the success of this initiative would be the active involvement of the NHS in all forms. The Chairman welcomed an update report back to the Select Committee in December. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety thanked the Select Committee for its report and agreed that work had been agreed and shaped with health partners. She welcomed returning to the Select Committee in December.
RESOLVED:
That the three Select Committee reports be noted and recommendations considered.
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Additional documents: Decision: The decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting were considered.
RESOLVED:
That the decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting be noted.
Minutes: The decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting were considered.
RESOLVED:
That the decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting be noted.
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Cabinet Member of the Month
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.
Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Children and Families introduced her update report. The following key points were made:
sufficiency strategy of providing Surrey homes for Surrey children. Currently 51% of children in foster care, excluding those living with Council foster carers from their own kinship network, are placed with Independent Fostering Agency carers. Investment totalling £2.7m had been approved to bring fostering allowances and skills payments more in line with competitors and to reward and incentivise areas of fostering that are more complex or difficult to recruit to.
RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.
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DELIVERING IN PARTNERSHIP: TOWNS - THE NEXT PHASE
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet supports and endorse the strategic approach of delivering in partnership in towns, to address key priorities for residents, communities, partners, and the County Council.
2. That Cabinet approves the prioritised towns, identified through assessment against key socio-economic and health criteria, as set out at paragraph 20.
Reasons for Decisions:
As set out in the report, a number of communities and places in Surrey experience significant challenges with e.g. health inequalities, worklessness, skills, aging populations, child poverty, homelessness and housing, despite the general perception of the county as comfortable and prosperous. Partners across the county have set out high ambitions, supported by strategic plans, to address these. Experience has shown that the complex nature of many of the ‘wicked issues’ requires a multi-agency, highly collaborative approach. The approach being recommended, which reflects the learning from work to date, will drive practical delivery, beyond strategic intent, through convening, galvanising and empowering partners to work together to deliver, at an optimum spatial level (e.g. towns), supported, guided and overseen by elected representatives.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)
Minutes: The report was introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety who explained that the report set out the work and approach to deliver essential services for residents in Surrey towns. Multi agency service delivery would take place at a local town level and would be based on the council and partners priorities. The town's approach would enable the council to target resources and efforts at the people and neighbourhoods in Surrey that were most at risk of being left behind. The council would be working with partners to reduce health inequalities, improve life expectancy, improve equality of opportunity and enable access to services. The work being undertaken would focus on the priority groups that had been agreed by partners in the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet supports and endorse the strategic approach of delivering in partnership in towns, to address key priorities for residents, communities, partners, and the County Council.
2. That Cabinet approves the prioritised towns, identified through assessment against key socio-economic and health criteria, as set out at paragraph 20.
Reasons for Decisions:
As set out in the report, a number of communities and places in Surrey experience significant challenges with e.g. health inequalities, worklessness, skills, aging populations, child poverty, homelessness and housing, despite the general perception of the county as comfortable and prosperous. Partners across the county have set out high ambitions, supported by strategic plans, to address these. Experience has shown that the complex nature of many of the ‘wicked issues’ requires a multi-agency, highly collaborative approach. The approach being recommended, which reflects the learning from work to date, will drive practical delivery, beyond strategic intent, through convening, galvanising and empowering partners to work together to deliver, at an optimum spatial level (e.g. towns), supported, guided and overseen by elected representatives.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)
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A HOUSING, ACCOMMODATION AND HOMES STRATEGY FOR SURREY
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet endorses the benefit of and approach taken to initiating and developing a county-wide strategy for Housing, Accommodation and Homes,
2. That Cabinet adopts the strategy and encourages others to do likewise in a spirit of collective endeavour to address the evidenced housing crisis in Surrey.
3. That Cabinet Delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Housing and Executive Director for Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth to make any necessary final amendments to the strategy following a period of public consultation. Reasons for Decisions:
The baseline assessment undertaken as part of the work of developing a strategy makes clear the challenges in housing, accommodation, and homes in Surrey, with advisors describing the situation as a crisis. While recognising the sovereign responsibilities and service responsibilities for Housing and Planning of other organisations, the strategy sets out a ‘Call to Government’ and a ‘Call to Action’ to which everyone involved in housing in Surrey is encouraged to contribute. (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 Children and Families who started by thanking everyone who had contributed to the development of the housing, accommodation and homes strategy including registered social landlords across the county, Homes England representatives, colleagues from health and importantly district and borough housing and planning officers. The production of the strategy was supported by Inner Circle Consulting and special thanks was given to Michael Coughlin who was lead officer for the strategy. The Cabinet Member stressed that access to good housing was a basic human right and the baseline assessment demonstrated that Surrey did have a multidimensional and complex housing crisis which would only be addressed through taking a different approach together in partnership. It was explained that both Tandridge District Council and Mole Valley District Council had indicated that they did not want to be partners in the strategy.
The Leader encouraged council’s who did not support the strategy to embrace the strategy for the benefit of Surrey residents. The Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Families stated that she was also the Lead Member for housing at Spelthorne Borough Council. The local council supported the strategy and the positive impacts it would have on local residents. Members agreed that the strategy would help the council in achieving its net zero ambitions and would be welcomed by businesses who recognised housing as critical to economic growth.
Jonathan Essex welcomed the strategy and welcomed the focus on key worker housing. It was queried if key worker housing could be delivered via the councils vacant sites such as the Dormers and Park Hall care homes and what the next steps would be in bringing forward key worker housing and care leaver accommodation. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families agreed to take the feedback from the Member back to the team that would be responsible for delivering the strategy. The Leader explained that the county council was in discussions with a local council about the use of one of the properties mentioned by the member for key worker housing. Unfortunately this local council had not endorsed the strategy.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet endorses the benefit of and approach taken to initiating and developing a county-wide strategy for Housing, Accommodation and Homes,
2. That Cabinet adopts the strategy and encourages others to do likewise in a spirit of collective endeavour to address the evidenced housing crisis in Surrey.
3. That Cabinet Delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Housing and Executive Director for Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth to make any necessary final amendments to the strategy following a period of public consultation. Reasons for Decisions:
The baseline assessment undertaken as part of the work of developing a strategy makes clear the challenges in housing, accommodation, and homes in Surrey, with advisors describing the situation as a crisis. While recognising the sovereign responsibilities and service responsibilities for Housing and Planning of other organisations, the strategy sets out a ‘Call to Government’ and a ‘Call ... view the full minutes text for item 36/23 |
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SEND CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2023/24 DELIVERY
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet agrees the use of £100.2m of the total approved SEND Capital budget of £202m for 2022/23 to 2027/28 against twenty SEND Capital Programme projects with confirmed viable schemes, locations, and costs. These are part of the four capital strategies previously approved by Cabinet between 2019-2022.
2. That Cabinet approves procurement of the supply chain for the delivery of all associated services required, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.
3. That Cabinet agrees that the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, and the Director of Land and Property are authorised to award contracts, up to +10% of the budgetary tolerance level for individual projects and within the overall £202m funding envelope for 2022/23 to 2027/28 that has already been agreed. Reasons for Decisions: · Investing in the Capital Programme’s 2023/24 delivery tranche will generate a positive impact on outcomes for children with complex special educational needs and disabilities, as well as improving the Council’s financial sustainability. · The committed expansion projects are business critical to ensure Surrey County Council (the Council) discharges its statutory duties under Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999, Sections 13 and 14 of the Education Act 1996 and Part 27 Section 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014. · The confirmed budgets against each of the 20 projects in the Capital Programme’s 2023/24 delivery tranche are above the current threshold for £1m. Cabinet’s delegated authority is required to enable the Cabinet Members for Property and Waste, Education and Lifelong Learning and Finance and Resources to approve contracts and allocate resources from the approved Capital budget for the programme to individual projects following Capital Programme Panel (CPP) approval of business cases. · To that end, agreement is sought to use defined resources to enable project progression against the Procurement Forward Plan, so that contracts can be awarded in time to facilitate target delivery timescales for 2023 and 2024. (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 Education and Learning who explained that the report was seeking Cabinet approval for the use of £100m for future SEND capital funding as set out in the medium term financial strategy. This represented capital investment for 20 projects with viable schemes, established locations and confirmed costs. The project would create in the region of 700 additional state maintained specialist school places in Surrey with delivery from September 2023 onwards. This would mean that Surrey children with additional needs and disabilities who need to go to specialist schools can be educated closer to home and rooted in their own communities. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources explained that when looking at the cost of the project over its lifetime the annual cost of the scheme would be under £2500 per pupil. The report was welcomed by Members. The positive work being undertaken between the SEND team and the land and property team was recognised.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet agrees the use of £100.2m of the total approved SEND Capital budget of £202m for 2022/23 to 2027/28 against twenty SEND Capital Programme projects with confirmed viable schemes, locations, and costs. These are part of the four capital strategies previously approved by Cabinet between 2019-2022.
2. That Cabinet approves procurement of the supply chain for the delivery of all associated services required, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.
3. That Cabinet agrees that the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, and the Director of Land and Property are authorised to award contracts, up to +10% of the budgetary tolerance level for individual projects and within the overall £202m funding envelope for 2022/23 to 2027/28 that has already been agreed. Reasons for Decisions: · Investing in the Capital Programme’s 2023/24 delivery tranche will generate a positive impact on outcomes for children with complex special educational needs and disabilities, as well as improving the Council’s financial sustainability. · The committed expansion projects are business critical to ensure Surrey County Council (the Council) discharges its statutory duties under Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999, Sections 13 and 14 of the Education Act 1996 and Part 27 Section 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014. · The confirmed budgets against each of the 20 projects in the Capital Programme’s 2023/24 delivery tranche are above the current threshold for £1m. Cabinet’s delegated authority is required to enable the Cabinet Members for Property and Waste, Education and Lifelong Learning and Finance and Resources to approve contracts and allocate resources from the approved Capital budget for the programme to individual projects following Capital Programme Panel (CPP) approval of business cases. · To that end, agreement is sought to use defined resources to enable project progression against the Procurement Forward Plan, so that contracts can be awarded in time to facilitate target delivery timescales for 2023 and 2024. (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)
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Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet endorses the focus on local recruitment, skills development and career support for all ages and notes that this programme of work aligns with the planned Lifetime of Learning Strategy as well as the Surrey Skills Plan.
2. That Cabinet endorses the approach for SCC to further explore taking on new responsibilities related to schools-focused careers advice and guidance in line with recognition of the need to operate on a Surrey County geography, subject to the appropriate funding being in place.
3. That Cabinet notes that the approach will be enhanced by ‘all-age’ interventions where appropriate to reflect the challenges around recruitment and the data on economic inactivity, subject to a transformation funding business case. Reasons for Decisions:
Currently, employment, skills and careers activity is delivered through a number of organisations, in a complex skills landscape. The County Council taking greater ownership of this agenda through a stronger lead and co-ordinating role, and in some cases responsibility for direct delivery, will allow us to ensure that services, support, and activity has better alignment with our strategic priorities, whilst also delivering greater impact and improved outcomes for residents and businesses. This would enable more and better targeted support to be provided for those individuals who need it the most, as well as addressing the barriers to economic growth which are being encountered by Surrey’s employers, who are keen to be more involved in designing and delivering local solutions. (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) Minutes: The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth who explained that the report set out a programme of work that follows on from, and supplements the recently launched Surrey Skills Plan and the upcoming Lifetime of Learning education strategy and includes additional key operational activity that will support the ambitions of both these documents as well as delivering on multiple outcomes across educational equity, economic growth and opportunity for all. The Cabinet Member for Education and Learning welcomed the report and highlighted the model for delivery which included greater engagement of employers in designing and delivering employment and skills activity in schools and through a range of events.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet endorses the focus on local recruitment, skills development and career support for all ages and notes that this programme of work aligns with the planned Lifetime of Learning Strategy as well as the Surrey Skills Plan.
2. That Cabinet endorses the approach for SCC to further explore taking on new responsibilities related to schools-focused careers advice and guidance in line with recognition of the need to operate on a Surrey County geography, subject to the appropriate funding being in place.
3. That Cabinet notes that the approach will be enhanced by ‘all-age’ interventions where appropriate to reflect the challenges around recruitment and the data on economic inactivity, subject to a transformation funding business case. Reasons for Decisions:
Currently, employment, skills and careers activity is delivered through a number of organisations, in a complex skills landscape. The County Council taking greater ownership of this agenda through a stronger lead and co-ordinating role, and in some cases responsibility for direct delivery, will allow us to ensure that services, support, and activity has better alignment with our strategic priorities, whilst also delivering greater impact and improved outcomes for residents and businesses. This would enable more and better targeted support to be provided for those individuals who need it the most, as well as addressing the barriers to economic growth which are being encountered by Surrey’s employers, who are keen to be more involved in designing and delivering local solutions. (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) |
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Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet considers the Ombudsman’s report and the steps that will be taken by the Service to address the findings, and 2. That Cabinet considers whether any other action should be taken. 3. That Cabinet notes that the Monitoring Officer will be bringing this report to the attention of all councillors. Reasons for Decisions:
There is a statutory requirement for the Monitoring Office to bring to Members’ attention any public report issued by the Ombudsman about the Council which identifies it is at fault and has caused injustice as a result.
Minutes: The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Education and Learning who provided the Cabinet with an update on the Ombudsman’s report. It was explained that the council had been found at fault around the provisions set out in a child’s Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The council had accepted the recommendations of the Ombudsman and would provide the family with financial compensation and a formal apology. The council would also review its procedures for arranging and monitoring the delivery of provision within an EHCP as well as reviewing the complaint handling procedures within the Children’s Directorate. The Leader stated that the Cabinet had been briefed on the details of the report and apologised to the family and child involved.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet considers the Ombudsman’s report and the steps that will be taken by the Service to address the findings, and 2. That Cabinet considers whether any other action should be taken. 3. That Cabinet notes that the Monitoring Officer will be bringing this report to the attention of all councillors. Reasons for Decisions:
There is a statutory requirement for the Monitoring Office to bring to Members’ attention any public report issued by the Ombudsman about the Council which identifies it is at fault and has caused injustice as a result.
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Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
· The Director of Land and Property in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property and Waste. · The Joint Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Integrated Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.
Reasons for Decisions:
To promote Carers wellbeing and enable them to have a break from their caring responsibility, but still be able to support the individual to live at home. To enable residents with learning disabilities and/or autism who meet the Council’s eligibility criteria for Adult Social Care (ASC) funding to have their need for overnight Short Breaks met in a modern, fit for purpose setting with all the necessary facilities and amenities. To promote the independence of Surrey residents with learning disabilities and/or autism and enable them to remain in their family homes and connected to their local community. To ensure that together with our partners we develop a range of options that improve outcomes and support for individuals and their families when offering a short break. To make an essential contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to tackle health inequality, in line with the 2030 Community Vision for Surrey.
(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 explained that there were approximately 1350 individuals who lived with family carers across the county. Nearly half of these were between the age of 20 and 30 years old. The council supported these families through various means but one of the most important was giving carers an overnight break. The council currently provided somewhere in the region of 4600 nights accommodation, which could be in one of five sites across the county. Cabinet was being asked to approve the design and construction of Short Breaks accommodation at two identified sites in Reigate and Banstead and Woking within the capital funding envelope set. This would increase the council’s Short Break offer and would provide provision to the west of the county. The Cabinet Member for Land and Property supported the proposals adding that the land and property team would be looking to start work on the Woking site this year for delivery in 2025 and the Banstead site would be coming forward soon after. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families welcomed the report and recognised the benefits it would provide to carers. The Cabinet Member stated that she had seen the plans for the buildings which were modern and fit for purpose.
RESOLVED:
· The Director of Land and Property in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property and Waste. · The Joint Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Integrated Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.
Reasons for Decisions:
To promote Carers wellbeing and enable them to have a break from their caring responsibility, but still be able to support the individual to live at home. To enable residents with learning disabilities and/or autism who meet the Council’s eligibility criteria for Adult Social Care (ASC) funding to have their need for overnight Short Breaks met in a modern, fit for purpose setting with all the necessary facilities and amenities. To promote the independence of Surrey residents with learning disabilities and/or autism and enable them to remain in their family homes and connected to their local community. To ensure that ... view the full minutes text for item 40/23 |
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ELECTRIC TOWNS AND CITIES INITIATIVE (ETCI) A3 AIR QUALITY PROJECT
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: 1. That Cabinet approves the receipt of £11m grant funding from National Highways for the A3 air quality scheme through the Electric Towns and Cities Initiative, and proceeds with the scheme subject to the approval of a detailed business case by the Council’s Capital Programme Panel.
2. That Cabinet agrees that, if the scheme is successful and National Highways allocates further grant to the Guildford A3 scheme within the existing timeframe, the acceptance and spend of the additional grant is delegated to the Director of Highways & Transport, in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet member. Reasons for Decisions:
There is a legal duty on National Highways, as issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment, to address the NO2 levels along the A3 in Guildford. This stretch of road has been identified as one of the worst roads for air quality in the country. The County Council, with Guildford Borough Council and National Highways, has a shared interest in addressing the air quality in this area - both from a public health perspective but also in light of our net zero carbon targets as a county. Residents who are users of the footpaths/cycle paths alongside this stretch of road will benefit from reduced exposure to emissions upon completion of the initiative; as well as a secondary benefit for those who drive electric vehicles having access to additional local charge points. Residents who are employed in organisations/businesses in the local area may also benefit from the travel planning element of the initiative, whereby the opportunity to join a salary sacrifice scheme may be available to encourage the move to electric vehicles. (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 stretch of the A3 running through Guildford had been identified as a priority area foraction, having a mean annual NO2 level of more than double the legal limit. AlthoughNational Highways were the responsible highway authority for this stretch of road, SurreyCounty Council, as the relevant local highway authority, and Guildford Borough Council in itsrole as the relevant environmental health authority, had a shared interest with NationalHighways in addressing the issues. There was a legal duty on National Highways, as issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment, to address the NO2 levels along the A3 in Guildford. This stretch of road had been identified as one of the worst roads for air quality in the country. The Cabinet Member referred to the statement of intent in Annex 1 explaining that more was required than the initial project to tackle the air quality challenge.
RESOLVED: 1. That Cabinet approves the receipt of £11m grant funding from National Highways for the A3 air quality scheme through the Electric Towns and Cities Initiative, and proceeds with the scheme subject to the approval of a detailed business case by the Council’s Capital Programme Panel.
2. That Cabinet agrees that, if the scheme is successful and National Highways allocates further grant to the Guildford A3 scheme within the existing timeframe, the acceptance and spend of the additional grant is delegated to the Director of Highways & Transport, in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet member. Reasons for Decisions:
There is a legal duty on National Highways, as issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment, to address the NO2 levels along the A3 in Guildford. This stretch of road has been identified as one of the worst roads for air quality in the country. The County Council, with Guildford Borough Council and National Highways, has a shared interest in addressing the air quality in this area - both from a public health perspective but also in light of our net zero carbon targets as a county. Residents who are users of the footpaths/cycle paths alongside this stretch of road will benefit from reduced exposure to emissions upon completion of the initiative; as well as a secondary benefit for those who drive electric vehicles having access to additional local charge points. Residents who are employed in organisations/businesses in the local area may also benefit from the travel planning element of the initiative, whereby the opportunity to join a salary sacrifice scheme may be available to encourage the move to electric vehicles. (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee) |
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FUTURE BUS NETWORK REVIEW AND LOCAL BUS SERVICE INVESTMENT
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
Reasons for Decisions:
The public consultation has helped shape the bus service changes proposed in Annex B. These changes are necessary to ensure the network is financially sustainable and has responded to changed travel patterns, particularly in areas where passenger numbers are unlikely to ever recover to pre-pandemic levels. The financial review of bus services also meets the Department for Transport’s (DfT) requirement for accessing the extension of Covid bus recovery funding. The Council is committed to supporting local bus services and has increased revenue support for service delivery and capital investment to improve their operational effectiveness and efficiency. The public consultation has also helped shape our proposed investment in bus infrastructure. It demonstrated that resident support for investment in buses is high, showing that people value bus services and that targeting investment will aid patronage growth. The Council’s previous BSIP, published in 2021, set out a desire to expand our DDRT offer, learning from the successful Mole Valley Connect scheme funded from the DfT’s Rural Mobility Fund. This report sets out proposals for new DDRT schemes shaped by consultation feedback, including the need to promote new schemes and the flexibility they offer residents. All LTAs are required to review their BSIPs annually. The DfT agreed that the Council’s BSIP refresh could be undertaken once the public consultation was complete, enabling the views and suggestions of residents and stakeholders to be included in the BSIP review. This report sets out the BSIP refresh process, with a submission to date at the end of May 2023. Following the Future Bus Network Review and the consideration of consultation responses, coupled with ongoing dialogue with bus operators, the Council needs to tender the services proposed for change, along with retender of a number of contracts that were extended during the pandemic. New contracts will be awarded following a procurement process in line with the requirements ... view the full decision text for item 42/23 Minutes: The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth who started by saying that increasing sustainable travel alongside the Council’s investment in zero emission buses and minibuses would help deliver the carbon reduction targets set out in the Climate Change Delivery Plan. The Council was committed to supporting local bus services and had increased revenue support for service delivery and capital investment to improve their operational effectiveness and efficiency. Since Covid the council had been working with the bus industry to build back bus patronage. 2600 people had responded to the future bus network consultation which enabled residents to have a say on investment and infrastructure of the bus network. The Mole Valley connect service would be expanded across the county and the council would be proposing a 20 and under half price concessionary fare scheme. Members welcomed more investment being put into the service and the roll out of the on demand service which would be welcomed by residents.
The Leader explained that the Cabinet was absolutely committed to extending access to public transport alongside the active travel schemes. The council would continue to subsidise the commercial buses and the roll out on demand minibuses.
RESOLVED:
Reasons for Decisions:
The public consultation has helped shape the bus service changes proposed in Annex B. These changes are necessary to ensure the network is financially sustainable and has responded to changed travel patterns, particularly in areas where passenger numbers are unlikely to ever recover to pre-pandemic levels. The financial review of bus services also meets the Department for Transport’s (DfT) requirement for accessing the extension of Covid bus recovery funding. The Council is committed to supporting local bus services and has increased revenue support for service delivery and capital investment to improve their operational effectiveness and efficiency. The public consultation has also helped shape our proposed investment in bus ... view the full minutes text for item 42/23 |
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Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet endorses the Annual Report of the Strategic Investment Board. Reasons for Decisions:
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
Minutes: The annual report was introduced by the Leader who explained that the council had a number of investments in companies and trading companies designed to deliver income and efficiencies. The council had not invested in any commercial properties for a number of years. The Strategic Investment Board was supported by a number of senior officers and there were a number of governance arrangements in place to support any decision making around investments. The report set out the companies the council had ownership off and percentage ownership off. All companies were financially sound and contributed to the councils budget.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet endorses the Annual Report of the Strategic Investment Board. Reasons for Decisions:
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
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YOUR FUND SURREY- CF118 MASTER PARK COMMUNITY PAVILION
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet agrees to fund Master Park Pavilion Charity for the full amount requested of £1,860,000 towards the creation of the Master Park Community Pavilion.
2. That Cabinet recommends the applicant provides evidence to confirm full funding is in place before funding is released. 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 new pavilion will create a new hub in the centre of the busy town, providing opportunities and facilities for the whole community. (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 advisory panel were extremely impressed with the passion of the applicant and how they had involved the whole community of all ages in their plans from the design to the fundraising. The report was seeking £1.86 million which was 63% of the overall cost of the project. The project had wide community benefits and would provide free access to many groups who would be supporting vulnerable residents. The new pavilion would provide 225 hours of use per week for community groups. There was very high and considerable support from local residents and the divisional member for this project. The Leader expressed his support for the application stating that the funding being given was one of the largest contributions from Your Fund Surrey and was for a worthy cause. Members recognised the positive impact the project would have on the local community.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet agrees to fund Master Park Pavilion Charity for the full amount requested of £1,860,000 towards the creation of the Master Park Community Pavilion.
2. That Cabinet recommends the applicant provides evidence to confirm full funding is in place before funding is released. 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 new pavilion will create a new hub in the centre of the busy town, providing opportunities and facilities for the whole community. (The decisions on this item can be called -in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee) |
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2022/23 MONTH 10 (JANUARY) FINANCIAL REPORT & 2023/24 FEES AND CHARGES REVIEW
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year, including the use of the contingency budget and the commitment to continue to develop Directorate budget recovery plans. 2. That Cabinet approves the transfer of the closing surplus revenue and capital balances of the Mead Infant School to its successor academy (revenue surplus £85,963.92 and capital surplus £3,789.76) (Paragraph 12 - 13) 3. That Cabinet notes the summary of the Fees & Charges review (paragraph 14 - 23 and Annex 2) 4. That Cabinet approves the new charges and increases to existing Fees & Charges that are more than budget setting guidance (paragraph 22 and Annex 3 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. It also outlines Cabinet requirement to approve the transfer of balanced for forced academy conversions and the Financial Regulations setting out when Cabinet approval is required for Fees and Charges price increases. (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee) Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources introduced the Month 10 finance report. At Month 10, the Council was forecasting a full year deficit of £2.4m, against the approved revenue budget, an improvement of £3.4m since Month 9. A reset of the capital budget was undertaken at the end of Month 9 which showed a slight reduction in the overall capital budget. Cabinet was being asked to approve the transfer of the closing surplus revenue and capital balances of the Mead Infant School to its successor academy and approve the new charges and increases to existing Fees & Charges. The Leader was confident the council would have a balanced budget without the use of any reserves.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year, including the use of the contingency budget and the commitment to continue to develop Directorate budget recovery plans. 2. That Cabinet approves the transfer of the closing surplus revenue and capital balances of the Mead Infant School to its successor academy (revenue surplus £85,963.92 and capital surplus £3,789.76) (Paragraph 12 - 13) 3. That Cabinet notes the summary of the Fees & Charges review (paragraph 14 - 23 and Annex 2) 4. That Cabinet approves the new charges and increases to existing Fees & Charges that are more than budget setting guidance (paragraph 22 and Annex 3 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. It also outlines Cabinet requirement to approve the transfer of balanced for forced academy conversions and the Financial Regulations setting out when Cabinet approval is required for Fees and Charges price increases. (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee) |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
Additional documents: 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.
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SEND CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2023/24 DELIVERY
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
See Minute 37/23.
Reasons for Decisions:
See Minute 37/23.
(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).
RESOLVED:
See Minute 37/23.
Reasons for Decisions:
See Minute 37/23.
(The decisions on this item can be called- in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee) |
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RE-MODELLING THE STRATEGIC SHORT BREAKS OFFER FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND/OR AUTISM
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
See Exempt Minute [E-03-23]
Reasons for Decisions:
See Exempt Minute [E-03-23]
(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).
RESOLVED:
See Exempt Minute [E-03-23]
Reasons for Decisions:
See Exempt Minute [E-03-23]
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Adults and Health Select Committee) |
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STRATEGIC INVESTMENT BOARD ANNUAL REPORT - FINANCIAL YEAR 2021/22 WITH 2022/23 MID YEAR UPDATE
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
See Minute 43/23.
Reasons for Decisions:
See Minute 43/23.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
Minutes: The Leader 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).
RESOLVED:
See Minute 43/23.
Reasons for Decisions:
See Minute 43/23.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
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PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS
Additional documents: Minutes: It was agreed that non-exempt information may be made available to the press and public, where appropriate. |