Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Anne Gowing 020 8541 9938
Media
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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 Bennison, Mr Brett-Warburton, Mr Chapman, Mr Elias, Mr Ellwood, Mr Goodwin, Mrs King, Mr MacLeod, Mrs Nichols, Mr Orrick and Mrs Ross-Tomlin.
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 October 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 16 October 2012, were submitted, confirmed and signed. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman to report. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman made the following announcements:
· Urgent item – Frances King
RESOLVED:
That Mrs Frances King may continue to be absent from meetings by reason of her ill health, if necessary until May 2013 and looks forward to welcoming her back in due course.
· Remembrance Events – it had been a successful remembrance season with Councillors getting involved in their communities and also with the service at the cathedral.
· She considered that the Olympics and HM Queen’s Diamond Jubilee had resulted in this being a fantastic year for Surrey and for public service. In particular, she mentioned her interest in the disability agenda and the recent Royal visit to Moor House School.
· The importance of the preventative agenda and community safety and working together with other organisations.
· Keith Robson from Surrey Enterprise Park was the lunchtime speaker today.
· That the Chairman’s Christmas reception had been successful and that the Members Christmas lunch was on 13 December 2012. |
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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: There were none. |
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LEADER'S STATEMENT
The Leader to make a statement.
There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader made a statement. A detailed copy of his statement is attached as Appendix A.
Members were invited to make comments and ask questions.
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SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROGRESS REPORT JULY - DECEMBER 2012
To consider the report and the matters to which the Chief Executive draws attention. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader introduced the Surrey County Council Progress Report – June - December 2012, the seventh of the Chief Executive’s six monthly reports to Members and welcomed the latest report and its findings. He was pleased to report the continued strong progress.
The report had been discussed with the Chief Executive at a recent Members’ seminar where the debate had focused on the number of extraordinary events and challenges over the last six months, including the significant task of running a safe and successful Olympics and Paralympics. The report also highlighted a wide range of stories and examples across the council.
Members made the following key points:
· A request for the Leader’s plans on the future economic prospects for Surrey. · That the report illustrated the strength of SCC staff and the political leadership and the scrutiny process. · That the County Council was effective and worked hard for its residents. · The importance of investing in early intervention and prevention in Adult Social Care, which could save money in the long term. · That 61% of residents felt that they could not influence council decisions. · The roll out of Broadband would shortly begin in earnest and therefore increased use of video links should reduce the need for business travel across the county. · The importance of strengthening SCC’s capacity and capability to innovate.
After the debate, it was:
RESOLVED:
(1) That the report of the Chief Executive be noted.
(2) That the staff of the Council be thanked for the progress made during the last six months.
(3) That the support for the direction of travel be confirmed.
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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 5 December 2012).
Additional documents: Minutes: Notice of 16 questions had been received. The questions and replies are attached as Appendix B.
A number of supplementary questions were asked and a summary of the main points is set out below:
(Q1) Mrs Watson said that there was no room for complacency as she considered was demonstrated in the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning’s response and asked her to comment further. The Cabinet Member disagreed and said that the key driver to school improvement were Headteachers and holding them to account. She quoted statistics from the recent OFSTED inspection outcomes of maintained schools inspected between 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012 and highlighted nationally accredited Surrey schools such as Esher High, George Abbot and South Farnham Schools.
(Q2) Mr Forster requested that the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment ensured that the correct signs and legal processes outlined in his answer were available for the next parking reviews, to be considered at local committees in June. This was agreed.
(Q4) Mrs White requested that the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, who agreed, that the presentation of the Peer Review of partnership arrangements in Children, Schools and Families was circulated to all Members.
(Q8) Mr Kington said that the response had not addressed the issue of additional funding and asked the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment whether he would agree to use part of the £0.5m underspend in the Environment and Infrastructure Directorate to fund his request. The Cabinet Member declined to give this undertaking but agreed to bring this issue to the attention of highways officers and then respond with a timescale for the work, outside the meeting.
(Also, Q8) Mr Mallett asked the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment about the legality of zigzag lines outside schools that no longer existed and whether he could authorise their removal. The Cabinet Member agreed to provide the legal details for him. He also informed him that officers from the parking team were in the process of visiting all Surrey schools and changes would be made after consultation locally.
(Q9) Mr Colin Taylor asked the Chairman of the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee for clarification on the timescale for a review of the democratic structures and was advised that it could take place during the first year of the new Administration.
(Q10) Mr Butcher asked the Leader of the Council whether he would welcome an investigation into Members being informed of matters relating to their division. The Leader confirmed that the Cabinet had already agreed a process for communications with Members and cited the work of the Public Value Review and the work being taking forward on the theme – Think Councillor, Think Resident.
(Also Q10) Mrs Frost sympathised with Mr Butcher and welcomed the work being done to improve communications with Members. Mr Lake made reference to a protocol concerning Members visiting in other Member divisions.
(Q11) Mrs Watson asked the Leader of the Council for assurance that all options would be considered before ... view the full minutes text for item 102/12 |
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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 10 December 2012).
Additional documents: Minutes: There were two local Member statements:
· Mr Young in relation to Highways issues in his local area of Cranleigh and Ewhurst. · Mr Gimson in relation to a fatal accident on A31 (Hogs Back) close to the villages of Puttenham and Wanborough in his division. (Appendix C) |
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ORIGINAL MOTIONS
(i) Mr David Hodge (Warlingham) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows: Following the recent Ofsted Inspection of SCC's arrangements for the protection of children, this Council:
1. Congratulates the Children’s Service on the result of the inspection that children at risk of harm in Surrey are responded to quickly and effectively;
2. Welcomes this result against the backdrop of a tougher inspection regime and an increased level of public concern regarding the safety of vulnerable children;
3. Recognises the Service’s good strategic leadership and the hard work of its staff, as acknowledged by the inspection; especially in the context of the ever- rising demands placed upon it;
4. Celebrates the many valued aspects of the Service which impressed the inspectors, particularly in the context of the difficulty of recruiting qualified and experienced social workers;
5. Accepts the need for a continued focus on improved partnership working, both internally and externally, and
6. Urges Members to support the Service by working with it to establish “early-help” for children and communities in Surrey where prevention would be better than cure.
(ii) Mr Stephen Cooksey (Dorking and the Holmwoods) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows: This Council notes that: i) reducing speed limits on roads where appropriate reduces the number and severity of road traffic accidents and ii) only three 20mph speed limit schemes have been implemented in Surrey since May 2006 Council requests the Cabinet to amend the Council’s speed limit policy to make it easier for local committees to introduce 20mph limits, using terminal and repeater signs (rather than physical traffic calming measures), where evidence says they are required and they are supported by local residents.
(iii) Mr Peter Lambell (Reigate Central) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows: This Council recognises the importance of providing respite care for families with disabled children to support them in carrying out their caring role. Council requests that: i) the document “Shorts Breaks Statement for parents and carers of disabled children and young people in Surrey, October 2012” be amended to include clear eligibility criteria to clarify which families are entitled to different forms of respite care and ii) that information provided by Surrey County Council for parents about the availability of respite care services for disabled children, whether provided by the County Council or external providers, is more accessible and comprehensive and iii) geographical coverage of residential respite care should, as far as is reasonable, be equitable to minimise journey times for children and parents. Council calls on the Cabinet to provide respite care for more Surrey families of disabled children and to review its policy that “no child under 10 years of age should be accessing residential short break provision except in exceptional circumstances.”
(iv) Mrs Fiona White (Guildford West) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows: The UK Living Wage is an hourly rate, reviewed annually, that is calculated nationally (except for London, where the GLA sets a London Living Wage) by the Centre for ... view the full agenda text for item 104/12 Additional documents: Minutes: ITEM 9(i)
Under Standing Order 12.3, the Council agreed to debate this motion.
Under Standing Order 12.1, Mrs Mary Angell moved the motion which was:
‘Following the recent Ofsted Inspection of SCC's arrangements for the protection of children, this Council:
1. Congratulates the Children’s Service on the result of the inspection that children at risk of harm in Surrey are responded to quickly and effectively;
2. Welcomes this result against the backdrop of a tougher inspection regime and an increased level of public concern regarding the safety of vulnerable children;
3. Recognises the Service’s good strategic leadership and the hard work of its staff, as acknowledged by the inspection; especially in the context of the ever- rising demands placed upon it;
4. Celebrates the many valued aspects of the Service which impressed the inspectors, particularly in the context of the difficulty of recruiting qualified and experienced social workers;
5. Accepts the need for a continued focus on improved partnership working, both internally and externally, and
6. Urges Members to support the Service by working with it to establish “early-help” for children and communities in Surrey where prevention would be better than cure.’
Mrs Angell began by saying that a brand new methodology had been used by Ofsted and to date four authorities had been inspected under this tougher regime – Surrey had been judged as ‘adequate’ and the other three, ‘inadequate’. She said that the Inspectors had highlighted many good points but acknowledged that there was more work to be done. However, Surrey County Council already had an action plan in place for all the areas identified for improvements and the actions would be completed within three months.
She also referred to the large number of referrals from the Police that had been received by the contact centre. Finally, she said that Ofsted had highlighted a number of strengths, in particular, that Children were safe in Surrey and that the Council showed a real understanding of their needs. Overall, she was proud of the staff that worked in these challenging areas and commended the motion to Members.
The motion was formally seconded by Mr David Hodge.
Mrs Fiona White tabled an amendment at the meeting (formally seconded by Mrs Watson) which was:
‘Insert the following new 1 and 2 after “...for the protection of children, this Council:”
1. Notes that Ofsted judged the overall effectiveness of Surrey County Council’s arrangements to be “Adequate”,
2. Aspires to improve the service as soon as possible to attain a rating of “Good” as a first step to progressing to “Outstanding”,
Renumber existing paragraphs 1 – 6 so that the Motion as amended reads:
Following the recent Ofsted Inspection of SCC's arrangements for the protection of children, this Council:
1. Notes that Ofsted judged the overall effectiveness of Surrey County Council’s arrangements to be “Adequate”,
2. Aspires to improve the service as soon as possible to attain a rating of “Good” as a first step to progressing to “Outstanding”,
3. Congratulates the Children’s ... view the full minutes text for item 104/12 |
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REPORT OF THE CABINET
To receive the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 October and 27 November 2012 and to agree two recommendations in respect of:
(i) School Organisation Plan 2012 – 2021
(ii) Supporting the economy through Investment in Transport and Infrastructure Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader presented the reports of the Cabinet’s meetings held on 23 October and 27 November 2012.
(1) Statements / Updates from Cabinet Members
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care introduced his statement in relation to the Adult Social Care Local Account which had been included in the agenda. He thanked Adult Social Care staff.
(2) Recommendations on Policy Framework Documents
A School Organisation Plan 2012 – 2021
Members had an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the Plan. It was considered very comprehensive and was well received.
The Cabinet Member for Children and Learning reminded Members that they had all received a copy of the Plan. She also said that the Chairman of the Education Select Committee had requested that all local committees considered the Plan at their local meetings and advise officers of any refinements or changes required. She thanked officers from the School Commissioning Team for their work. She also agreed to respond to Mrs White outside the meeting in relation to her question on whether the effects of major developments close to but outside the county boundary had been addressed in the Plan.
RESOLVED:
That the School Organisation Plan 2012- 2021 be approved.
B Supporting the Economy through Investment in Transport and Infrastructure 2012 – 2019
The Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment due attention to the new funding and financing sources from the Government and how the County Council bid for it. He also said that the County Council had also been successful in attracting £20m of funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and that as schemes go forward, there would be input from the local and select committees.
Members commented on the schemes in their divisions.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the revised list of Surrey County Council Major Schemes, as laid out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the submitted report, be endorsed. (2) That the choice of Major Schemes to be progressed in any given year to be taken by the Strategic Director Environment and Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment. (3) That the “New Homes Bonus” funding be used to provide for that proportion of the preparatory work relating to the schemes, which is not recoverable from capital funding. The estimated cost of this for the 2012-15 period is c. £1.2m. (4) That the Cabinet be provided with a high-level update on the Major Schemes programme every 2 years, except where significant developments require immediate referral. (5) That support continues to be given to Highways Agency (HA) and National Rail (NR) schemes in Surrey as detailed in their programmes, in Annexes 3 and 4 of the submitted report. (6) That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment to approve changes to the list of schemes where these are individually valued at less than £5 million.
(3) Reports for Information / Discussion
The following reports were received and ... view the full minutes text for item 105/12 |
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APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PERSON
(a) To appoint the Independent Person for Surrey County Council
(b) To consider the interim report of the Independent Remuneration Panel Additional documents: Minutes: The Vice-Chairman of the Council introduced the report, which was in two parts:
(a) The Recruitment of the Independent Person
This report summarised the outcome of the recruitment process and recommended the following appointment.
RESOLVED:
That Professor Michael Joy OBE be appointed as the Independent Person for Surrey County Council for a period of four years, ending on 11 December 2016
(b) The Interim Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel
Mr Harrison (in the absence of Mr Frost) proposed an amendment to the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel which was to propose that a sentence is added at the end of the current recommendation as follows:
‘Travel expenses should be based on those applicable to Members as laid down in the Guide to Members’ Allowances and Expenses applicable at the time the expense is incurred.’ Members agreed the amendment. Therefore, it was: RESOLVED: (1) That the Independent Person be paid travel expenses only in relation to their work with the Member Conduct Panel, but that this position be reviewed after one year once the workload and responsibility of the role has been established.
(2) Travel expenses should be based on those applicable to Members as laid down in the Guide to Members’ Allowances and Expenses applicable at the time the expense is incurred.
The Leader of the Council proposed a further amendment to recommendation (1) – to insert £1000 pro-rata so that recommendation (1) now reads: ‘That the Independent Person be paid £1000 pro-rata and travel expenses in relation to their work with the Member Conduct Panel, but that this position be reviewed after one year once the workload and responsibility of the role has been established.’ The majority of Members voted for the amendment but three Members voted against it. Therefore, it was: RESOLVED: (1) That the Independent Person be paid £1000 pro-rata and travel expenses in relation to their work with the Member Conduct Panel, but that this position be reviewed after one year once the workload and responsibility of the role has been established. (2) Travel expenses should be based on those applicable to Members as laid down in the Guide to Members’ Allowances and Expenses applicable at the time the expense is incurred.
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AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEME OF DELEGATION - FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
The Leader has agreed a changes to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. In accordance with Articles 5.02 and 6.04(d)(ii) of the Council’s Constitution, the changes made by the Leader are being reported to Council.
Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the amendment to the Scheme of Delegation in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service agreed by the Leader 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 10 December 2012.
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. |