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 Mrs Angell, Mrs Barton, Mrs Coleman, Mr Gosling, Mr Gulati, Mrs Hicks, Ms Le Gal, Mrs Mountain, Mr Young and Mrs Young. |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 6 May 2014.
(Note: the Minutes, including the appendices, will be laid on the table half an hour before the start of the meeting).
Additional documents: Minutes: Subject to amending the typo in item no: 31/14 – Members’ Questions, Q1, the minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 6 May 2014 were submitted, confirmed and signed. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman to report.
A list of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2014 is included with the agenda papers. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman made the following announcements:
(1) He drew Members’ attention to the list of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2014, included in the agenda and said that he had written to each Surrey recipient, who had gained the honour for services to Surrey.
(2) The passing of Mr Tom Phelps-Penry, former County Councillor for Walton. Members stood in silent tribute.
(3) He welcomed Liz Mills, who will be joining Democratic Services as Lead Manager in August, to her first County Council meeting.
(4) Chairman’s Receptions – he informed Members that he had hosted two receptions recently, both at Painshill Park. The first one on 2 July to thank all volunteer and community organisations who work closely with the County Council and secondly, on 14 July, a reception hosted with the Lord Lieutenant, to thank all those people who helped during last winter’s flooding crisis.
(5) The lunchtime speaker was Andrew Wates OBE DL – the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Surrey
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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.
[Note: Prior to the next item, the Leader of the Council made a personal statement, in relation to the Council’s decision on Members’ Allowances, made at the last County Council meeting in May. He informed Members that both he, and the Deputy Leader, had made a personal decision to accept only the level of allowance, for their positions, recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel.] |
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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 copy of his statement is attached as Appendix A.
Members were invited to make comments and ask questions. They made the following points:
· Following on from Surrey’s policy to keep every library open, he was asked if he would apply a similar policy to Surrey’s fire stations. · Whether the Project Horizon initiative for Highways would be at some risk, unless the Council received additional Government funding for flooding Recovery work. · The expansion of schools to accommodate the increase in school places required was welcomed, however, it was considered essential that highways officers were involved at the planning stage to ensure safe access to schools. · Consideration should be given to updating Surrey libraries to ensure that they became more community hubs. · The value of Members’ Allocations, with a request that they would not be reduced further in future years.
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Surrey County Council Progress Report: January - June 2014
To consider the report and the matters to which the Chief Executive draws attention. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader presented the Surrey County Council Progress Report – January - June 2014, the tenth of the Chief Executive’s six monthly reports to Members.
Three Members made the following comments:
· That the regular six monthly report from the Chief Executive was a valuable document that clearly set out the achievements and work of the County Council’s Members and officers. · Case studies were highlighted, in particular, the joint work that the Fire and Rescue Service had undertaken with the Adult Social Care Service to reduce the risk of older residents from fire and also the partnership working between the person who had joined the Council on secondment from the Department for Works and Pensions to work on the Family Support Programme. · The work undertaken with communities and partners across the county in response to the persistent flooding, demonstrated the ‘one team’ approach.
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 9 July 2014).
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) Mr Witham said that he would be submitting his views and also those of his residents to Guildford Borough Council and he urged other Guildford County Councillors to do the same.
Other Guildford Members made points about school place planning and roads. The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning was also asked whether he could persuade Guildford Local Committee to have an additional meeting to discuss the Borough Council’s draft local plan so that there would be a co-ordinated response from this committee. The Cabinet Member said that it was not within his remit to instruct local committees to do this. Also, the dates for the arrangements were yet to be defined and therefore he suggested that Members met with officers to discuss their views and that he would take further questions outside the meeting.
(Q2) Mr Jenkins considered that his question regarding the production of a detailed timeline for flood defence and alleviation work had not been answered and he also asked the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding Recovery why officers and Members from affected authorities were trying to raise £120m when the Prime Minister had previously said ‘money was no object’. The Cabinet Member referred to funding which Oxfordshire CC had recently received and said that Surrey had not yet received any funding for the River Thames scheme. He confirmed that the mulit-agency plan to raise £120m would be difficult and was still being discussed.
(Q3) Mrs White asked the Leader of the Council what arrangements had been made to discuss funding for the Junior Citizen Scheme with the office of the Police and crime Commissioner and could she be advised of the outcome. The Leader confirmed that it would be discussed as part of the regular meetings that both he and the Chief Executive had with the Police and Crime Commissioner.
(Q4) Mrs Watson requested assurance that funding cuts would not be made to the Highways budget and this was confirmed by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding Recovery. Mr Essex asked for clarification on Value for Money and was advised to speak to the Cabinet Member outside the meeting.
(Q6) Mr Orrick confirmed that he would like to accept the Leader of the Council’s offer for updates on the setting up of networks. He also asked the Leader what authorisation did the County Council have to set up these Boards and was assured that proper processes were in place which could be scrutinised by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
(Q7) Mr Beardsmore questioned the response and referred to the Council motion from 16 July 2013 meeting when the Council had agreed to oppose any proposals that would reduce Heathrow’s role as a hub airport. The Leader of the Council confirmed that, since 2008, the County ... view the full minutes text for item 48/14 |
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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 14 July 2014).
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no statements from Members. |
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ORIGINAL MOTIONS
ITEM 9(i)
Mrs Clare Curran (Bookham and Fetcham West) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:
‘Council notes: · this Administration’s commitment to economic stimulation which has helped significantly in reducing the number of NEETS in the county with Surrey now down to the lowest level nationally and;
· the great success in exceeding the target of 500 apprentices in just ten months which has led to the recently-launched drive to create a further 170 new apprenticeships for this County’s young people. Therefore, this Council thanks: · our Skills Centres and all their staff who perform the vital role of filling a gap in post-16 provision and support young people towards full participation by focussing on preparing them for employment opportunities; · the County’s young people and apprentices who so enthusiastically embrace programmes such as the Ready for Work Re-engagement Programme, and; · Surrey’s business community and other partners who have been so supportive in giving Surrey’s youth an opportunity in the workplace.’
ITEM 9(ii)
Mr Ian Beardsmore (Sunbury Common and Ashford Common) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:
‘This Council welcomes the recently announced additional funding allocation from the Pothole Repair Fund and the Weather Repair Fund totalling £9.2m.
This Council notes that the Government allocated a greater share of funding to a number of model councils that were able to demonstrate best practice in highway maintenance. These councils have invested in new technology and initiatives.
This Council agrees that Surrey County Council will:
(i) learn from best practice of other Councils to improve the speed and quality of pothole repair in Surrey
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(ii) review the way in which the County Council bids for funding from Government so that Surrey receives its fair share of funding in future.’
Additional documents: Minutes: Item 9(i)
Under Standing Order 12.3, the Council agreed to debate this motion.
Under Standing Order 12.1, Mrs Clare Curran moved the motion which was:
‘Council notes: · this Administration’s commitment to economic stimulation which has helped significantly in reducing the number of NEETS in the county with Surrey now down to the lowest level nationally and;
· the great success in exceeding the target of 500 apprentices in just ten months which has led to the recently-launched drive to create a further 170 new apprenticeships for this County’s young people. Therefore, this Council thanks: · our Skills Centres and all their staff who perform the vital role of filling a gap in post-16 provision and support young people towards full participation by focussing on preparing them for employment opportunities; · the County’s young people and apprentices who so enthusiastically embrace programmes such as the Ready for Work Re-engagement Programme, and; · Surrey’s business community and other partners who have been so supportive in giving Surrey’s youth an opportunity in the workplace.’
Mrs Curran made the following points:
· That all Members joined her in congratulating those staff who had worked hard in achieving both the reduction in the number of NEETS in the county and also exceeding the Council’s target of 500 apprentices in ten months. · Initiatives such as the Ready to Work Re-engagement Programme and meaningful work placements were commended. · The importance of networks. · That, through the Local Committees, the Youth Service was embarking on re-commissioning its services for the next five years and she urged Members to ensure that the needs of the young people in their divisions were understood. · The statutory duty of the Early Years Service to ensure all young children were ‘school ready’. · The Family Support Programme. · The need to improve careers advice for all young people, starting in Year 9. · That the service was working closely with LEPS and also the proposal for a University Technical college would broaden opportunities for young people. · All these initiatives would help ensure that the County Council provided young people with the opportunities to enable them to have a good start in life.
The motion was formally seconded by Dr Grant-Duff.
Seven Members spoke, making the following points:
· Support for the motion – this was a ‘good news’ story. · Promise of continued support through Members’ allocations for young people’s initiatives. · The reduction in the number of NEETS was excellent news. · Concern that the Youth Service future plans were presented with lack of clarity. · Early intervention and prevention was crucial. · Business Investment in surrey – an example of how Surrey businesses were working to supply components for aircraft was given. · Apprenticeships had been a success and were life changing opportunities for young people and Surrey’s commitment to the scheme deserved credit. · It was good news that no Looked After Child (LAC) had entered the youth justice services in the last two years. · The prospect of having a University Technical College (UTC) was a new concept of education. · An invitation for all Members, who are ... view the full minutes text for item 50/14 |
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REPORT OF THE CABINET
To receive the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 May and 24 June 2014.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 May and 24 June 2014.
(1) Statements / Updates from Cabinet Members
The Bursary Fund Report 2014 was tabled on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Children and Families (Appendix C).
(2) Reports for Information / Discussion
The following reports were received and noted:
· High Performance Leadership Development Programme · Establishment of a Property Company · Surrey’s Strategy for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children and Young People 2014 - 2017 · Quarterly report on decisions taken under Special Urgency Arrangements: 1 April – 30 June 2014
RESOLVED:
That the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 27 May and 24 June 2014 be adopted.
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Report back on Referred Motion
The Children and Education Select Committee and the Adult Social Care Select Committee considered a motion in the name of Will Forster, referred to them by County Council on 6 May 2014. Additional documents: Minutes: Mr Forster was given the opportunity to address the Council and expressed his disappointment with the outcome. He considered that he had presented a viable option to help Young Carers in Surrey. The Chairman of Children and Education Select Committee responded by drawing attention to the report of the young carers joint research group, which had been endorsed by the Children and Education Select Committee and then the Adult Social Care Select Committee. |
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Report of the Planning and Regulatory Committee
To approve the Surrey Code of Best Practice in Rights of Way Procedures, for inclusion in the Constitution. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman of Planning and Regulatory Committee presented the report and its recommendation to Council.
RESOLVED:
That the Surrey Code of Best Practice in Rights of Way Procedures, attached as Annex A to the submitted report, be approved, for inclusion in the Constitution. |
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Report of the Audit and Governance Committee
(i) To approve the Risk Management Policy Statement and Strategy, for inclusion in the Constitution.
(ii) To approve the updated Code of Corporate Governance, for inclusion in the Constitution. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee commended the report and the recommendations of his committee to Council:
RESOLVED:
1. That the Risk Management Policy Statement and Strategy, attached as Annex A to the submitted report, be approved for inclusion in the Constitution.
2. That the Code of Corporate Governance, attached as Annex B to the submitted report, be approved for inclusion in the Constitution. |
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Amendments to the Scheme of Delegation
To agree amendments to the Scheme of Delegation. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council introduced the report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the following delegation to the Chief Executive and to the Strategic Director for Business Services be approved:
Arrangements for the discharge of functions
In consultation with the Leader and with any Cabinet Member responsible for the function for which the Council is proposing to take responsibility, to agree arrangements with another local authority to discharge functions on behalf of that other authority.
2. That the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation, agreed by the Leader of the Council, as set out in the submitted report, be noted.
3. That the relevant changes to the Constitution to enable the Shareholder Board and the Coast to Capital Strategic Joint Committee to be established and become operational, as set out in Annex A and B of the submitted report be approved, and that the terms of reference of the Shareholder Board and the Coast to Capital Strategic Joint Committee be included in the County Council's Constitution.
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Minutes of the Meetings of the 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 Anne Gowing in Democratic Services by 12 noon on Monday 14 July 2014.
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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