Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Anne Gowing 020 8541 9938
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Chairman to report apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Mr Agarwal, Mr Butcher, Mr Cooper, Mrs Curran, Mrs Coleman, Mr Cosser, Mrs Frost, Mr Fuller, Mr Hall, Mr MacLeod, Dr Povey, Mrs Saliagopoulos and Mr Walsh. |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 December 2012.
(Note: the Minutes, including the appendices, will be laid on the table half an hour before the start of the meeting).
Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 11 December 2012, were submitted, confirmed and signed.
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman to report.
A list of Her Majesty’s the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2013 is included within the agenda papers. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman made the following announcements:
(i) Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year Honours List. A list was included within the agenda.
(ii) The passing of Mrs Frances King, County Councillor for Earlswood and Reigate South. Also, the passing of one other ex-Member – Mrs M J Marshall (Biddy) – former County Councillor for Woodham and New Haw. Members stood in silent tribute.
(iii) Related Party Disclosures – she reminded Members to complete their forms and return them to Finance by the deadline in March.
(iv) She said that she had attended a number of events, and highlighted the Arts exhibition held at County Hall on 31 January 2013 by women in prison.
(v) Finally, she reminded Members that Sir Richard Stilgoe was today’s lunchtime speaker and he would be talking about the effect of music on young adults with disabilities and the work of Orpheus. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
NOTES:
· Each Member must declare any interest that is disclosable under the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, unless it is already listed for that Member in the Council’s Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · 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). · If the interest has not yet been disclosed in that Register, the Member must, as well as disclosing it at the meeting, notify the Monitoring Officer of it within 28 days. · If a Member has a disclosable interest, the Member must not vote or speak on the agenda item in which it arises, or do anything to influence other Members in regard to that item.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Audit and Governance Committee had met prior to this meeting and granted all County Councillors dispensation to enable them to participate in and vote at the Council budget meeting. This was specifically in relation to Members paying council tax in Surrey and this resulting in a potential disclosable pecuniary interest. |
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To approve: · the level of the council tax precept for 2013/14; and · the revised treasury management strategy, including the borrowing and operation limits (prudential indicators) for 2013-18, the policy for the provision of the repayment of debt (minimum revenue provision (MRP)), and the treasury management policy.
The report of the meeting of the Cabinet to be held on 5 February 2013 will be circulated separately after that meeting.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman said that the papers for this item were included in the agenda, together with the revised pages 21 and 22 (Appendix A) and the Addendum (Appendix B) emailed to Members and tabled today. A typo in Annex 1, Appendix B5 on the Moody’s FSR figure for Bank / Building Society was amended from ‘C’ to ‘C-‘.
On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, Standing Order 18 was suspended to allow the minority group leaders five minutes each for speeches on the Budget proposals.
The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet on the Revenue and Capital Budget 2013/14 to 2017/18, the Council Tax Requirement and the Treasury Management Strategy and made a statement in support of the proposed budget. A copy of the Leader’s statement is attached as Appendix C.
The Chief Finance Officer presented her report to Council. A copy of her statement is attached as Appendix D.
Each of the Minority Group Leaders (Mrs Watson and Mr Harrison) spoke on the budget proposals. Copies of Mrs Watson and Mr Harrison’s speeches are attached as Appendices E and F respectively.
Key points made in the debate were:
· A request for the Leader to set out what measures the County Council was taking to reduce the cost of living for residents and whether it would off-set the council tax increase. · An offer to arrange a Member’s seminar on Finance to explain the differences between cash balances and reserves. · Confirmation that no surplus cash was floating around the organisation. · Other options for savings could include reducing paying for external legal advice and /or reducing the number of policy staff. · The electorate would have an opportunity to make their support, or not, for the budget known at the ballot box in May. · The importance of considering the overall budget when going forward and setting the budget - that two-thirds of the budget was demand led in Adults and Children’s Services. · Residents could register for the Switch and Save Scheme – these savings could be off-set against the council tax increase. · That the Chief Finance Officer had confirmed that the Council’s budget was robust and sustainable. However, Members were mindful of the risks and issues ahead that would need to be dealt with. · Surrey County Council had been nominated for Council of the Year. · A reference to the Budget Public Survey which set out the views of Surrey residents. · Disputing whether residents had been listened to – some residents earnings were just over the threshold for help with their bills. · Reference to the increasing number of older people who would require care and whether the £42m savings for next year’s Adult Social Care budget were achievable. · The Government had cut Surrey’s Grant by £20m so the Council had to set aside resources to deal with this. · The modest rise in council tax was necessary. · Members and officers would need to work hard to achieve more savings in future years. · Properties may become difficult to let if the superfast ... view the full minutes text for item 5/13 |
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MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME
The Leader of the Council or the appropriate Member of the Cabinet or the Chairman of a Committee to answer any questions on any matter relating to the powers and duties of the County Council, or which affects the county.
(Note: Notice of questions in respect of the above item on the agenda must be given in writing, preferably by e-mail, to Anne Gowing in Democratic Services by 12 noon on Wednesday 6 February 2013).
Additional documents: Minutes: Notice of one question has been received. The question and reply is attached as Appendix G.
Mr Frost said that since he had submitted his question, the Leader of the Council had offered to discuss his query outside the meeting and that he had taken up this offer.
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STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS
Any Member may make a statement at the meeting on a local issue of current or future concern.
(Note: Notice of statements must be given in writing, preferably by e-mail, to Anne Gowing in Democratic Services by 12 noon on Monday 11 February 2013).
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no local Members statements. |
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REPORT OF THE CABINET
To receive the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18 December 2012 and 5 February 2013 and to agree one recommendation in respect of the Surrey Minerals and Waste Plans – Adoption of the Aggregates Recycling Joint Development Plan Document.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader presented the reports of the Cabinet meetings held on 18 December 2012 and 5 February 2013.
(1) Statements / Updates from Cabinet Members
· The Cabinet Member for Change and Efficiency introduced her statement in relation to the Surrey Switch and Save Scheme which had been included in the agenda. She informed Members that 3760 residents had now signed up.
· The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health made a statement about the death of Mrs Gloria Foster, a Banstead resident. Copies of the statement were made available at the meeting and is attached as Appendix H to the minutes.
(2) Recommendations on Policy Framework Documents
A Surrey Minerals and Waste Plans – Adoption of the Aggregates Recycling Joint Development Plan Document
The Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment informed Members that the report had been considered by Cabinet at its 18 December 2012 meeting and that the Surrey Minerals and Waste Aggregates Recycling Joint Development Plan Document (incorporating the main modifications recommended by the Inspector and additional modifications and minor amendments) require formal County Council approval.
Members had an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the Plan.
MrBeardsmore expressed concern about the ambiguity of the phasing on page 17, Annex 3 and requested a note from Legal Services after the meeting.
The recommendation was put to the vote with 44 Members voting for and 3 Members voting against the recommendation. There were 11 absentions.
Therefore it was:
RESOLVED:
That the Surrey Minerals and Waste Aggregates Recycling Joint Development Plan Document (incorporating the main modifications recommended by the Inspector and additional modifications and minor amendments) as attached as Annex 2, to the Cabinet (18 December 2012) report, be adopted.
(3) Reports for Information / Discussion
The following reports were received and noted:
· Children, Schools and Families Directorate Annual Report for 2011 – 2012 · Quarterly Report on Decisions taken under Special Urgency Arrangements: 1 October – 31 December 2012
RESOLVED:
That the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18 December 2012 and 5 February 2013 be adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.55pm and resumed at 2.15pm, with all those present who had been in attendance in the morning session except for Mr Brett-Warburton, Mr Ellwood, Ms Heath, Mrs Hicks, Mr Lake, Mrs Moseley, Mrs Nichols, Mrs Ross-Tomlin, Mr Colin Taylor and Mr Witham. |
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Surrey County Council and East Sussex County Council Partnership - Shared Services
To consider and agree whether to accept the delegation of a function from East Sussex County Council, under which Surrey County Council will provide transactional support and IT hosting services to East Sussex County Council under a partnership agreement between the two Councils.
Additional documents: Minutes: This report was introduced by the Leader of the Council.
RESOLVED:
That the establishment of a partnership agreement between Surrey County Council and East Sussex County Council, under which Surrey County Council would provide transactional support and IT hosting services to East Sussex County Council be approved. |
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Election of Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen
To appoint the Vice-Chairman of Reigate and Banstead Local Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
(i) That Mrs Ross-Tomlin be appointed Vice-Chairman of Reigate and Banstead Local Committee for the remainder of the council year 2012/13.
(ii) That Mr Pitt be appointed Vice-Chairman of Surrey Heath Local Committee for the remainder of the council year 2012/13. |
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Criminal Records Checks for Members
Following changes to the legislative framework, to agree a policy in relation to criminal records checks for Members.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council commended the report to Members and the recommendations were put to the vote, with 45 Members voting for and 1 Member voting against them. There was one abstention.
Therefore, it was:
RESOLVED:
1. That the Constitution be amended to make it clear that the following positions which are appointed by the Council will be subject to a valid enhanced criminal records check:
o Leader of the Council o Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council o Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Adult Social Care, Children and Families and Education Select Committees
2. All Members be encouraged to undertake an enhanced criminal records check as part of their role as a Corporate Parent.
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Member Conduct Report
To note the decisions of the Member Conduct Panel. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the two reports from the Member Conduct Panel be noted. |
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Minutes of the Meetings of Cabinet
Any matters within the minutes of the Cabinet’s meetings, and not otherwise brought to the Council’s attention in the Cabinet’s report, may be the subject of questions and statements by Members upon notice being given to the Democratic Services Lead Manager by 12 noon on Monday 11 February 2013.
Additional documents: Minutes: No notification had been received from Members wishing to raise a question or make a statement on any of the matters in the minutes, by the deadline.
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