Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 218 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Surrey County Council, Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey ,RH2 8EF
Contact: Huma Younis or Sarah Quinn
Media
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: There were none. |
|
|
Minutes of Previous Meeting: 25 February 2025 and 18 March 2025
To agree the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record of the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting. |
|
|
Declarations of Interest
All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter:
(i) Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or (ii) Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting NOTES:
· Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest · As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner) · Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial. Additional documents: Minutes: There were none.
|
|
|
Procedural Matters
Additional documents: |
|
|
Members' Questions
The deadline for Member’s questions is 12pm four working days before the meeting (14 April 2025).
Additional documents: Minutes: There were none.
|
|
|
Public Questions
The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (13 April 2025).
Additional documents: Minutes: There were none.
|
|
|
Petitions
The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were none.
|
|
|
Representations received on reports to be considered in private
To consider any representations received in relation why part of the meeting relating to a report circulated in Part 2 of the agenda should be open to the public. Additional documents: Minutes: There were none.
|
|
|
Reports from Select Committees, Task Groups and other Committees of the Council
To consider any reports from Select Committees, Task Groups and any other Committees of the Council.
1. Rights of Way Improvement Plan (Communities, Environment And Highways Select Committee)
Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet received a report from the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Cabinet had provided a response to the recommendations.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan be noted. |
|
|
Decisions Taken Since the Last Cabinet Meeting
To note any delegated decisions taken by the Leader, Cabinet Members, Strategic Investment Board and Committees in Common Sub-Committee since the last meeting of the Cabinet. Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
That the decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting are noted.
Minutes: There were seven decisions for noting. The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning explained that a decision had been taken on the Brooklands College Post 16 SEN Unit which saw an expansion of provision at the College which would lead to a significant enhancement of the Post 16 offer to those with additional needs and disabilities. This was part of the wider programme of expanding the maintained specialist estate. A Cabinet Member decision had been taken earlier in the day regarding funding for the development of Hopescourt School which would generate a positive impact on outcomes for children aged 4-19 years with complex additional needs and disabilities. A further three decisions regarding funding for additional school expansion projects for children with additional needs and disabilities would be taken in May. The Leader highlighted the positive work being done at Brooklands College, which was in his local division, to support children with additional needs and disabilities.
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth explained that a decision had been taken regarding £12m of bus service improvement funding. This would improve the frequency of 15 bus services and would support the children and young person’s link card which over 15,000 people had signed up for. The Council had seen an increase in numbers since the government had increased the fare cap from £2 to £3. More young people were signing up for the discount card. The Cabinet Member announced that the Department for Transport had awarded the Council an additional £1.7m towards zero emission buses which would go to Falcon and White Bus where there would be an additional 31 electric buses on the network. This would be in addition to the 54 hydrogen buses which had been funded with Metro Bus.
RESOLVED:
That the decisions taken since the last Cabinet meeting are noted.
|
|
|
Cabinet Member of the Month
To receive an update from Councillor Kevin Deanus, Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue, and Resilience. Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet Member of the Month update be noted.
Minutes: A Cabinet Member of the Month update was provided by Kevin Deanus, Cabinet Member for Fire & Rescue and Resilience. The following key points were made:
· Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) staff delivered 6,710 Safe and Well Visits to vulnerable residents in the 2024/25 performance year, this represented a 66% improvement in the last two years. Approximately 84% of these had been delivered to the most vulnerable residents. Operational crews had also delivered777 operational risk visits, exceeding our target of 687. The Business Safety (Fire Safety) teams had completed 1650 fire safety audits, which exceeded our 1600 target. · SFRS had implemented Safety Cloud® by HAAS Alert, a digital alerting system designed to improve road safety for our crews and the public. This technology is currently running on most of our fire engines, two of our height vehicles and officer cars. · As a result of £7m of investment into our fleet, the service would be introducing nine new fire engines this year. The first two are already being used for training and by Salfords Fire Station, the next two are to head to Fordbridge and Camberley fire stations this month. Then, Painshill, Egham, Walton, Chertsey, Reigate and Dorking will welcome one each later this year. · Emergency Planning: 2025 had already seen the team lead on a number of incidents and support the planning of key events and works to local/ national infrastructure including the response to the Godstone Sinkhole and M25 closures to upgrade the M25/A3 Wisley Interchange. · Surrey County Council proudly re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in December 2024 reinforcing its enduring commitment to ensuring fair treatment for all members of the Armed Forces community. · Trading Standards: During 2024 the Trading Standards Service had started to make greater use of disruptive tactics to tackle criminality rather than only using the investigate/prosecute approach. The joint Service had been developing measures of impact of this disruptive work and conservatively estimate this financial impact at over £2.4 million for the 24-25 year. The Department of Health and Social Care had also agreed to fund two new apprentices in Trading Standards from April 2025 as part of the funding announced linked to changes in tobacco and vapes legislation. · Coroners Service: Over the last year, the service had received over 3,000 referrals. Work was now underway to deliver a digital post-mortem service in the county. This would provide the capability for post-mortems to be carried out using a CT Scanner, reducing the number of invasive procedures required. A Member queried how SFRS defined vulnerable residents and if this was done with the adult social care team. The Cabinet Member stated that identifying those classed as vulnerable was done in partnership with adult social care and a number of other voluntary and statutory organisations. Residents could also refer themselves for a Safe and Well Visit. The tremendous amount of work being undertaken by Trading Standards was recognised. It was queried if any communications around the positive work being undertaken by Trading Standards was being shared. ... view the full minutes text for item 59/25 |
|
|
RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2025-2035
The purpose of this report is to gain Cabinet approval for the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2025-2035. As the Highway Authority for Surrey, Surrey County Council has a duty to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee) Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet approves the adoption of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 2025-2035. 2. That Cabinet delegates decisions on delivery of the ROWIP to the Executive Director for Environment, Property and Growth, in consultation with the Director for Environment and Cabinet Member for Environment, through annual implementation plans and performance indicators. Reasons for Decisions:
The ROWIP is a statutory document requiring review every 10 years. The four proposed themes in the revised ROWIP reflect feedback from the public and partners which focused on: supporting access for all; maintaining rights of way so they are safe; a desire for improved connectivity where possible and a willingness from residents and partners to work with SCC to inform how the network could be used. Feedback from the 12 week statutory consultation shows 80-90% of respondents agreed with the priorities. Delivery will be through an annual implementation plan which needs to be able to respond to changing conditions on the network and availability of funding. (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 as the Highway Authority for Surrey, Surrey County Council had a duty to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) which must be reviewed and updated every 10 years. This was a statutory document. Extensive engagement had been undertaken including an online public survey, an online survey for Parish Councils, a presentation to Surrey Association of Local Councils (SALC), an online briefing for Members and an online survey and workshop for Surrey landowners. Following extensive engagement between December 2023 and January 2025, including a 12 week statutory consultation, a new ROWIP (2025-2035) had been produced. Nearly 4,300 online responses were received from the online surveys, one of the largest responses received from any Council consultation.
The four proposed themes in the revised ROWIP reflect feedback from the public and partners which focused on: Public Rights Of Way Are For Everyone, Maintaining and Protecting the Network, Future Surrey and Communications And Partnership. Future Surrey provided an essential link to connecting improvements to rights of way with cross Council objectives such as active travel routes, safe routes to school and new community links created through development. It actively supports delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Local Transport Plans, Local Cycling and Walking Plans, One Surrey Growth and Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy.
The Cabinet Member explained that each year an Annual Report, evidencing work carried out to deliver the ROWIP would be produced. Officers were thanked for the excellent work undertaken to produce the ROWIP. Cabinet Members supported the plan and recognised the investment being put into the Rights of Way network and the high level of collaboration undertaken with partners and stakeholders to produce the ROWIP. The Deputy Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways stated that he was pleased to see that the report recognised the value and importance of enforcement. The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that it was important that local people reported any issues on Rights of Way immediately.
The Leader stated that part of the work on Local Government Reorganisation was around the establishment of Community boards. These multi agency boards would bring together partners including those from health, community safety and local government. It was envisaged that these boards would consider items such as Rights of Way and ensure they are protected, enhanced and maintained.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet approves the adoption of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 2025-2035. 2. That Cabinet delegates decisions on delivery of the ROWIP to the Executive Director for Environment, Property and Growth, in consultation with the Director for Environment and Cabinet Member for Environment, through annual implementation plans and performance indicators. Reasons for Decisions:
The ROWIP is a statutory document requiring review every 10 years. The four proposed themes in the revised ROWIP reflect feedback from the public and partners which focused on: supporting access for all; maintaining rights of way so they are safe; a desire for improved ... view the full minutes text for item 60/25 |
|
|
DISPOSAL OF FORMER CHALK PIT DEPOT, CHALK PIT LANE GREAT BOOKHAM, KT23 4HA
This report seeks approval of Cabinet to the freehold disposal of Chalk Pit Depot, Great Bookham following an open market campaign. The asset is offered with full vacant possession, and the transaction is conditional on various factors outlined in this report.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee) Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
Reasons for Decisions:
· Cabinet has previously endorsed rationalisation of the surplus estate, and the report follows an open marketing campaign of Former Chalk Pit, Great Bookham.
· Full status and funding enquiries have been made of the part outlined in the part 2 report and the transaction is recommended as supporting best value obligations.
· To enable thedisposal, Cabinet is requested to formally declare the asset surplus to operational requirements under the Surrey County Council’s (The Council) Constitution.
(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 Property, Waste and Infrastructure who explained that the recommendation was for Cabinet to approve the freehold disposal of Chalk Pit Depot, Great Bookham following an open market campaign. Cabinet had previously endorsed rationalisation of the surplus estate. The depot sits on a site extending to 0.82 hectare and was no longer needed to support operational needs having initially been used as a council highway depot. Mole Valley District Council’s Local Plan confirms allocation for development of 7 residential dwellings. A full schedule of bids was included in the part 2 report. As the Local Member for the site, the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning welcomed the disposal explaining that the site had been derelict for many years and that there was local support to see this redeveloped.
RESOLVED:
Reasons for Decisions:
· Cabinet has previously endorsed rationalisation of the surplus estate, and the report follows an open marketing campaign of Former Chalk Pit, Great Bookham.
· Full status and funding enquiries have been made of the part outlined in the part 2 report and the transaction is recommended as supporting best value obligations.
· To enable thedisposal, Cabinet is requested to formally declare the asset surplus to operational requirements under the Surrey County Council’s (The Council) Constitution.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
|
|
|
2024/25 MONTH 11 (FEBRUARY) FINANCIAL REPORT
This report provides details of the Council’s 2024/25 financial position, for revenue and capital budgets, as at 28th February (M11) and the expected outlook for the final month of the financial year. (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee) Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue budget and capital budget positions for the year. 2. That Cabinet approves the transfer of £10.66m of funding from the capital pipeline to enable the maintenance of waste infrastructure as set out in paragraph 14. 3. That Cabinet approves the Empty Homes proposal of £623k to Waverley Borough Council relating to 2022, outlined in paragraphs 9-10. Reasons for Decisions:
This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for information and for approval of any necessary actions. (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 11 report. With regards to the revenue budget at Month 11, the Council was forecasting an overspend of £15.6m against the 2024/25 revenue budget. This was an improvement of £1m on the M10 position. The final outturn report for the end of the financial year, which ended at the end of March was not available yet but all the indications show that the improvement seen at the end of February will be maintained for the end of the year. The £20m contingency still remained. An update was given on areas of forecast overspends. With regards to the CFLL Budget, the Home to School Transport costs remained the area of highest overspend, with a forecast of £5.9m, which was a further improvement of £0.3m since last month due to a continuing focus on adherence to statutory policy, maximising shared transport opportunities and the beneficial impact of blind biding on single use taxi routes as and when they come up for re-tender.
With regards to the Capital budget it was explained that the re-phased capital programme for 2024/25 was approved by Cabinet in July 2024. The current capital budget was £322.4m. Year to date expenditure at the end of February was £264.7m, and the full year forecast was £308m, which was £14.4m less than the re-phased budget, a £2.4m decrease from Month 10. The Cabinet Member highlighted two recommendations in the report. The first was a proposal to transfer funding from the approved capital pipeline to enable the maintenance of waste infrastructure and the second regarding a submission has been received from Waverley Borough Council relating to the reimbursement of the Council’s share of the additional council tax raised for specific years from implementing changes to empty homes policies.
RESOLVED:
1. That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue budget and capital budget positions for the year. 2. That Cabinet approves the transfer of £10.66m of funding from the capital pipeline to enable the maintenance of waste infrastructure as set out in paragraph 14. 3. That Cabinet approves the Empty Homes proposal of £623k to Waverley Borough Council relating to 2022, outlined in paragraphs 9-10. Reasons for Decisions:
This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for information and for approval of any necessary actions. (The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee) |
|
|
EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. Additional documents: 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.
|
|
|
DISPOSAL OF FORMER CHALK PIT DEPOT, CHALK PIT LANE GREAT BOOKHAM, KT23 4HA
This report seeks approval of Cabinet to the freehold disposal of Chalk Pit Depot, Great Bookham following an open market campaign. The asset is offered with full vacant possession, and the transaction is conditional on various factors outlined in this report.
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
See Exempt Minute E- 07-25
Reasons for Decisions:
See Exempt Minute E- 07-25
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure introduced the part 2 report and gave details of the conditional and unconditional bids that had been received. Details were given of the successful bidder and the terms and conditions of the sale.
RESOLVED:
See Exempt Minute E- 07-25
Reasons for Decisions:
See Exempt Minute E- 07-25
(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)
|
|
|
PUBLICITY FOR PART 2 ITEMS
To consider whether the item considered under Part 2 of the agenda should be made available to the Press and public. Additional documents: Minutes: It was agreed that non-exempt information may be made available to the press and public, where appropriate. |