Councillors and committees

Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

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

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152/23

Apologies for Absence

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    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Natalie Bramhall.

     

    Paul Deach joined the meeting virtually.

153/23

Minutes of Previous Meeting: 26 September 2023 pdf icon PDF 148 KB

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    Decision:

    These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

     

    Minutes:

    These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

     

154/23

Declarations of Interest

155/23

Procedural Matters

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155/231

Members' Questions

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    Minutes:

    There were none.

156/23

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 133 KB

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    Decision:

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

     

    Minutes:

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

     

    Anna Sutherland asked a supplementary which was if the council was excluding opinions of family and the child in the legally binding sections of an EHCP as a means to force parents to accept a substandard  EHCP or to take the council to tribunal. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong Learning explained that all EHCPs were quality assured by an independent team and the council was of the view that plans being produced were generally of a good standard. If parents are not happy with the contents of a plan then they had a right to appeal to the independent tribunal service.

157/23

Petitions

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    There were none.

158/23

Representations received on reports to be considered in private

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    There were none.

159/23

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

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    Minutes:

    There were none.

160/23

Leader / Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member/ Strategic Investment Board Decisions Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting pdf icon PDF 80 KB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

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

     

    Minutes:

    There was one decision for noting.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

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

     

161/23

Cabinet Member of the Month pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

     

    Minutes:

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

     

    ·         Surrey had been recognised as the highest performing county in England for Eco Schools. The 88 Schools in Surrey have Green Flag status – the highest accreditation in the scheme. The pupil-led scheme is the largest education programme in the world which helps sustainability become an integral part of school life.

    ·         LoCASE funding: this was an EU grant which has been a success in Surrey with 229 organisations receiving funding of just under £2m in grants.

    ·         Crest Awards: guests at these awards had commented that Surrey businesses were leading when it came to being innovative and doing things around sustainability which enhances economic standing and supports us with the climate change agenda.

    ·         Funding was currently available via the Rural England Prosperity Fund and the A3 EV Grant. The council was undertaking work to support rural businesses and farming as they tie in to the net zero agenda. In September a session was held with farmers to talk about the environmental grants available to them and to try and support them in their work.

    ·         The work being undertaken was ensuring ‘nobody is left behind’ whether it is decarbonising homes, working to reduce fuel bills, creating ‘warm hubs’ or tackling flooding and extreme heat. The work being undertaken around the environment was welcomed by the Cabinet.

    ·         The Leader stated that a leaflet sign posting essential services provided by the council would be posted out to residents in the coming weeks.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.

     

162/23

SURREY CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 217 KB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approve the Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The impacts of climate change are already being felt across Surrey and will worsen in the coming years. The Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy “Surrey Adapt” sets out Surrey’s collective approach to avoiding, reducing and adapting to these increasing risks. This includes planning for and adapting to: floods; droughts and water insecurity; heatwaves and prolonged changes in temperature extremes; wildfires; and other potential knock-on impacts of climate change on human health, disease burden, impacts on infrastructure and the natural environment.

    (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 Environment who explained that the Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy had been developed with partners, and helps Surrey County Council and those partners to manage climate impacts and risks in a more efficient and coordinated manner. The proposed strategy set out a vison and 9 priority programmes that will support the council’s ability to manage the climate risks that we are already facing. The strategy also includes a set of underlying principles guiding how Surrey will approach adaptation and resilience in a changing climate alongside partners. It was noted that the Strategy proposes a goal of adapting to a world 2°C warmer and preparing for scenarios up to +4°C by 2050. This is in despite of 1.5°C being the focus in the main climate change strategy which still remains a target.

    Catherine Baart spoke on the item and asked if an interim goal of 1.5°C could be set ahead of 2050. The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that a footnote would be added to the Strategy explaining that the 1.5°C target remained and that a 2°C had been included to ensure work could be developed around a more realistic target.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet approve the Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The impacts of climate change are already being felt across Surrey and will worsen in the coming years. The Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy “Surrey Adapt” sets out Surrey’s collective approach to avoiding, reducing and adapting to these increasing risks. This includes planning for and adapting to: floods; droughts and water insecurity; heatwaves and prolonged changes in temperature extremes; wildfires; and other potential knock-on impacts of climate change on human health, disease burden, impacts on infrastructure and the natural environment.

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

     

     

163/23

LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP (LEP) INTEGRATION pdf icon PDF 314 KB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That Cabinet welcome the announcement from government regarding the transition of LEP responsibilities; that will provide a single economic vision and enable the Surrey-wide provision of business support and economic growth activities and services.

     

    1. That Cabinet approve the adoption and application of the proposed principles that will guide the council’s approach to the integration of LEP functions, as set out in paragraph 12.

     

    1. That Cabinet approve the approach outlined for the LEP integration process and engagement with key partners and stakeholders.

     

    1. That Cabinet delegate authority to the Executive Director responsible for Economic Growth to lead the negotiation and integration process, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member.

     

    1. That Cabinet receive a further report on the integration of LEP functions before 1 April 2024.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    To bring the significant strategic decision of the government and its consequent implications and opportunities to the attention of Cabinet and to ensure a smooth and effective approach to the transfer and integration of LEP functions for Surrey into the County Council.

     

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

     

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth introduced the report explaining that the government had announced changes to how economic growth functions would be delivered in local areas on 4 August 2023. From 1 April 2024, the Government would cease providing funding to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the functions previously held by LEPs will transfer to Upper Tier Local Authorities. In Surrey, this meant the functions of Coast to Capital LEP and Enterprise M3 LEP would transfer to the County Council and delivery of economic activity will be undertaken on a single Surrey footprint. The report set out the key implications to the council and proposes a set of principles to guide the approach for not only LEP integration, but also how to deliver improved outcomes effectively for local businesses and residents. The Council was already well placed to take on these additional functions from local enterprise partnerships and would deliver a number of functions of behalf of the government departments including growth hub and the careers hub.

     

    The Leader commented that having two LEPs across the county meant there had not been a single lense on Surrey’s footprint. The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth commented that there would be a festival of skills taking place on 23 November at Sandown Park Racecourse with over 15000 children coming to meet businesses and education providers to start thinking about career pathways.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That Cabinet welcome the announcement from government regarding the transition of LEP responsibilities; that will provide a single economic vision and enable the Surrey-wide provision of business support and economic growth activities and services.

     

    1. That Cabinet approve the adoption and application of the proposed principles that will guide the council’s approach to the integration of LEP functions, as set out in paragraph 12.

     

    1. That Cabinet approve the approach outlined for the LEP integration process and engagement with key partners and stakeholders.

     

    1. That Cabinet delegate authority to the Executive Director responsible for Economic Growth to lead the negotiation and integration process, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member.

     

    1. That Cabinet receive a further report on the integration of LEP functions before 1 April 2024.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    To bring the significant strategic decision of the government and its consequent implications and opportunities to the attention of Cabinet and to ensure a smooth and effective approach to the transfer and integration of LEP functions for Surrey into the County Council.

     

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

     

     

164/23

CONVERGENT SCREEN TECHNOLOGIES AND PERFORMANCE IN REALTIME (COSTAR): DRIVING INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY IN THE UK'S SCREEN AND PERFORMANCE INDUSTRIES - CAPITAL FUNDING APPROVAL pdf icon PDF 304 KB

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    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That Cabinet note the significant economic and social benefits of the CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space as set out in the report, achieved through the County Council’s proposed capital contribution,

     

    1. That Cabinet approve the transfer of £3.3m from the CoSTAR pipeline to capital budget for a £3m contribution to the construction of the CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space and a SCC held contingency of £0.3m.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space proposed to be co-funded by the County Council will directly contribute to achieving the Council’s strategic priority of Growing a Sustainable Economy from which everyone can benefit through the economic outcomes it will deliver for Surrey. These include: c300 jobs created over 6 years with a 10-year NPV net GVA contribution of £29.6m (including construction jobs) to Surrey’s economy; 200 businesses assisted including incorporating 10 new start-ups; 10 relocating businesses and 180 businesses supported through the CoSTAR programme. These outcomes have been agreed with Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and will be monitored through a benefits realisation project management process (see Risk Management Section below).

     

    Other social and non-financial benefits arising from CoSTAR include practical application of immersive technologies in service provision that will enable wider participation, especially for hard-to-reach groups, which aligns with the Council’s underlying principle of No One Left Behind. For example, the potential to expand the libraries’ service ongoing work to bring Virtual Reality into Surrey’s libraries from Autumn 2023. CoSTAR will also contribute to Surrey’s Skills Plan objectives, for example, enabling collaboration between skills providers, businesses, and anchor institutions and leveraging createch skills development through the Local Skills Improvement Fund and Skills Bootcamp funding opportunities.

     

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

     

    Minutes:

    The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth introduced the report explaining that Cabinet approval was required for a one-off £3m capital contribution to a successful CoSTAR (Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in Realtime) National Lab grant application. The CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space proposed to be co-funded by the County Council and Royal Holloway University of London would directly contribute to achieving the Council’s strategic priority of Growing a Sustainable Economy from which everyone can benefit through the economic outcomes it will deliver for Surrey. These include: c300 jobs created over 6 years with a 10-year NPV net GVA contribution of £29.6m (including construction jobs) to Surrey’s economy; 200 businesses assisted including incorporating 10 new start-ups; 10 relocating businesses and 180 businesses supported through the CoSTAR programme. CoSTAR was the Government’s flagship Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) infrastructure funding programme for the UK’s screen and performance industries.

     

    The report was welcomed by the Cabinet and the support being given to creative industries in Surrey.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1. That Cabinet note the significant economic and social benefits of the CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space as set out in the report, achieved through the County Council’s proposed capital contribution,

     

    1. That Cabinet approve the transfer of £3.3m from the CoSTAR pipeline to capital budget for a £3m contribution to the construction of the CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space and a SCC held contingency of £0.3m.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The CoSTAR Satellite Studio and Incubator Space proposed to be co-funded by the County Council will directly contribute to achieving the Council’s strategic priority of Growing a Sustainable Economy from which everyone can benefit through the economic outcomes it will deliver for Surrey. These include: c300 jobs created over 6 years with a 10-year NPV net GVA contribution of £29.6m (including construction jobs) to Surrey’s economy; 200 businesses assisted including incorporating 10 new start-ups; 10 relocating businesses and 180 businesses supported through the CoSTAR programme. These outcomes have been agreed with Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and will be monitored through a benefits realisation project management process (see Risk Management Section below).

     

    Other social and non-financial benefits arising from CoSTAR include practical application of immersive technologies in service provision that will enable wider participation, especially for hard-to-reach groups, which aligns with the Council’s underlying principle of No One Left Behind. For example, the potential to expand the libraries’ service ongoing work to bring Virtual Reality into Surrey’s libraries from Autumn 2023. CoSTAR will also contribute to Surrey’s Skills Plan objectives, for example, enabling collaboration between skills providers, businesses, and anchor institutions and leveraging createch skills development through the Local Skills Improvement Fund and Skills Bootcamp funding opportunities.

     

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

     

165/23

2023/24 MONTH 5 (AUGUST) FINANCIAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 249 KB

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    Decision:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year, including the application of the full contingency budget.

    2.    That Cabinet approves the funding of £9.2m additional investments from earmarked reserves.

    3.    That Cabinet approves the use of the Council’s allocation of the new Adult Social Care Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund – Workforce Fund as set out in paragraphs 12  - 15.

    4.    That Cabinet approves the re-set of the capital programme budget.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

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

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

     

    Minutes:

    The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources who provided the Cabinet with an update on the County Council’s 2023/24 financial position, for revenue and capital budgets, as at 31st August 2023 (M5) and the expected outlook for the remainder of the financial year. With regards to the Revenue budget, at Month 5 the Council was forecasting an overspend of £0.9m against the 2023/24 revenue budget. In recent months Cabinet had approved £9.2m of additional investment, targeting improvement in service delivery in some specific areas which are facing sustained pressure and changing demands. Cabinet was asked to approve the use of £9.2m of the Council’s Budget Equalisation Reserve to fund the identified improvement areas, reinstating the contingency budget to £20m. In recognition of the significant pressures being forecast, specifically in relation to the ongoing high inflationary environment and pressures relating to the cost of children’s social care placements, Cabinet was asked to approve the use of the £20m contingency budget to mitigate the overall forecast overspend position.

     

    With regards to Capital budget, a re-set of the capital budget was undertaken in August to ensure that the budget reflects spend profiles more accurately, taking into account known delays, additional in-year approvals and reflecting the current supplier market and wider economic conditions impacting on programme delivery. The revised budget is £268.4m. This is an overall net reduction of £58.1m compared to the M4 budget. The Leader explained that councils were facing significant financial challenges and the government would be lobbied for additional funding.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year, including the application of the full contingency budget.

    2.    That Cabinet approves the funding of £9.2m additional investments from earmarked reserves.

    3.    That Cabinet approves the use of the Council’s allocation of the new Adult Social Care Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund – Workforce Fund as set out in paragraphs 12  - 15.

    4.    That Cabinet approves the re-set of the capital programme budget.

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

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

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

     

166/23

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

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    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.

     

167/23

PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS

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    Minutes:

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