Agenda and minutes
PDF 220 KBVenue: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8EF
Contact: Amelia Christopher Email: amelia.christopher@surreycc.gov.uk
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ELECTION OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR
The Chief Executive, as County Returning Officer, formally to report the election of a new County Councillor: Dennis Booth for the Horsleys division at the by-election held on 19 October 2023.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chief Executive formally reported that Dennis Booth was duly elected as the new County Councillor for the Horsleys division following the by-election held on 19 October 2023.
The Chair welcomed the new Member and offered him support.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Chair to report apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from John Beckett, Liz Bowes, Nick Darby, John Furey, Angela Goodwin, David Harmer, Trefor Hogg (remote), Riasat Khan, Rachael Lake, David Lewis (Camberley West) (remote), Carla Morson, Fiona White.
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 October 2023.
Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 10 October 2023 were submitted, confirmed and signed.
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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.
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CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
I am very sorry to report the sorrowful death of former Chairman of Surrey County Council, Baroness Susan Thomas of Walliswood OBE DL, in Chichester last month.
Wife of the late David, Susan was a loving mother and grandmother, Liberal Democrat, campaigner and passionate gardener.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
Act of Remembrance It was an honour to host and join the procession as Surrey County Council marked Act of Remembrance last month. For the first time, we held the service in the reception area at Woodhatch Place due to the inclement British weather.
I had great pleasure in welcoming the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, the High Sheriff of Surrey, members of the Royal British Legion, Surrey's currently serving and retired military, Deputy Leader Cllr Denise Turner Stewart, Deputy Chief Executive Leigh Whitehouse and Chief Fire Officer Dan Quin.
We all joined together to pay respects to all those who fought in the two World Wars to defend our freedoms and protect our way of life, as well as those who have fought in many conflicts since. It was also great to see how many staff joined us wearing red poppies in respect as a symbol of remembrance, hope for a peaceful future and to commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in war.
Chair’s Theme As you know, my theme for my term of office is ‘Celebrating Diverse Communities’. This month I have been visiting charities that support members of diverse communities across the county to learn more about what they do; listen to their needs; learning about the barriers facing those they support; and to determine how I and Surrey County Council can help champion their work. I look forward to reporting in the new year the charities I have visited and the outcomes of those visits.
Volunteers’ Reception – Call for Nominations Nominations for the Chair’s annual Volunteers’ Reception are starting to arrive; many thanks indeed to those of you who have submitted your nominations.
I am, however, yet to receive nominations from most of you. I know that you all have incredible people serving your communities who making a significant difference to the residents in your divisions. I would love to receive at least one nomination from each of you – although the more nominations the merrier!
Please do not be discouraged from nominating by my diversity theme. My office would love to hear from anyone in your patch that is doing great work for others and who deserves to be recognised and celebrated. Please submit all nominations by 20 December. Thank you.
Social Media Drop-in Our Communications & Engagement team is holding a social media drop-in session!
Please come and meet officers from the Communications & Engagement team to discuss one-to-one, how you can use social media in your roles as Members.
This will be an informal drop-in session to provide the opportunity for you to ask about any queries or concerns you may have relating to social ... view the full agenda text for item 77/23 Additional documents: Minutes: Edward Hawkins joined the meeting at 10.04 am.
The Chair:
· Informed Members of the deaths of a former Chairman of Surrey County Council, Baroness Susan Thomas of Walliswood OBE DL, and Maureen Furey - wife of Councillor John Furey - whose funeral would be taking place on 13 December; and led the Council in a moment of reflection. · Encouraged Members to submit their nominations by 20 December for the Chair’s annual Volunteers' Reception. · Highlighted the social media drop-in session for Members with the Communications and Engagement team. · Noted that the rest of his announcements could be found in the agenda.
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The Leader to make a statement.
There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions and/or make comments.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council made a detailed statement. A copy of the statement is attached as Appendix A.
Members raised the following topics:
· Congratulated the Leader on receiving the Leader of the Year award and for leading the way as the Chair of the County Councils Network in flagging to Government the inadequate local government funding. · Noted that limiting the funding for non-statutory services had led to the increase in the need for statutory services’ use and cost, exemplified by the Cabinet’s release of the £20 million risk contingency. · Welcomed the increase in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) places in Surrey with nearly £230 million allocated over the next five years, but noted concerns in the programme’s delivery. · Noted that due to the Government’s formula the Council received inadequate funding for highways, the draft capital budget outlined that the Council would need £300 million in borrowing over the next five years. · Asked whether there was a plan to close the Your Fund Surrey (YFS) scheme with a stop to large applications and reduction of the budget. · Highlighted that people were being left behind and the voluntary sector had to fill the gaps in early intervention, short breaks and respite, with waiting lists growing or services closed. · Noted the increase in safeguarding activity in the draft budget, more children were presenting at a later stage to social services with greater need. · Questioned whether the Council had the right balance of revenue choices in the draft budget concerning No One Left Behind, noting the investment in capital budget of new SEND provision, children’s homes, extra care housing. · Noted that to prevent escalating need, stressed that it was no longer a choice to not provide early intervention for vulnerable children and young people, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Speech and Language Therapy assessments were needed. · Regarding the Ofsted inspection on SEND services, the inspectors found the allocation of additional funding and other measures were not yet making a real difference, the Council needed to make improvements more quickly so it does not leave SEND children behind. · Noted the disastrous implementation of the new IT system from June 2023, having been delayed from its launch date of December 2021, asked whether the Leader was sorry that there was a £10 million overspend. · Noted that the draft budget contained £55 million in efficiencies but with a further £13.5 million savings to find, asked whether the Council would need to target more service reductions to balance its finances. · Noted concern in three of the proposed efficiencies: review of older people in-house services, stopping the fire cadet service, cuts to grants to the voluntary sector; leading to a disproportionate effect on vulnerable people. · Asked the Leader to explain how he felt the changes around the County Deal and the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) would benefit residents. · Noted that the Local Government Association was inviting contributions to a Local Government White Paper and asked what the Leader had in mind for the next stage of local government ... view the full minutes text for item 78/23 |
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CHANGES TO CABINET PORTFOLIOS AND APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES
Council is asked to note the Leader's changes to Cabinet Portfolios.
Council is asked to agree the appointment of Keith Witham as a Select Committee Task Group Lead for the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee, replacing Steve Bax.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader introduced the report noting that the minor changes to the Cabinet Portfolios reflected the number of transformation improvement programmes underway and the changes to the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT); Steve Bax had become a Deputy Cabinet Member.
RESOLVED:
1. Noted the changes to Cabinet appointments and Portfolios set out in Annex 1 and 2 to this report. 2. Appointed Keith Witham as a Select Committee Task Group Lead for the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee, replacing Steve Bax, for the remainder of the 2023/24 Council Year.
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MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME
1. The Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader 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 Democratic Services by 12 noon on Wednesday 6 December 2023).
2. Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member Briefings on their portfolios.
These will be circulated by email to all Members prior to the County Council meeting, together with the Members’ questions and responses.
There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions.
Additional documents: Minutes: Questions:
Notice of twenty-four questions had been received. The questions and replies were published in the supplementary agenda (item 8) on 11 December 2023.
A number of supplementary questions were asked and a summary of the main points is set out below:
(Q1) Robert Evans OBE hoped that the Cabinet Member was aware that there were other buildings in Surrey with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) such as Frimley Park Hospital, three more schools highlighted by the BBC on 21 October, Harlequin Theatre and Cinema in Redhill and Reigate Police Station. He asked why those buildings were not included, even if not the direct responsibility of the Council it should be concerned. He asked what the plans were for the Leatherhead and Walton-on-Thames Fire Stations which contained RAAC.
The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure noted that Frimley Park Hospital, Reigate Police Station and those three schools were not the Council’s responsibility; yet the Council had offered help to Reigate Police Station which was relocating part of its service to Reigate Fire Station. She was aware of the RAAC in Harlequin Theatre and Cinema and in Redhill Library. Desktop surveys and visual inspections of all the Council’s properties had been undertaken, intrusive investigations were underway. RAAC had worked well for several decades, it was the Government that called for investigations to be carried out. It was expected that Redhill Library would reopen in January. She noted that those two fire stations were operational and management plans had been developed.
(Q3) Joanne Sexton asked whether the Council had considered that the number of visits undertaken in the permit areas was disproportionate compared to the visits to the borough in general. Regarding access routes to resident parking zones C, E, H and Fairfield Avenue, it appeared that NSL focused on permit areas neglecting other hotspots. In permit areas there was no observation time so NSL could issue tickets immediately. She asked what the total dwell time was in each of those areas by NSL’s civil enforcement officers.
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth explained that permit areas had limited parking availability so it was appropriate to prioritise those areas. He asked Members to inform NSL or the Council’s parking team about any hotspots. He noted that Members would receive updated monthly statistics. The Council had exceeded the numbers of employees on its behalf who were issuing more Fixed Penalty Notices then before.
(Q4) Catherine Powell asked the Cabinet Member to share the details of the storage and transport arrangements from port to vehicle from the start of operations in February 2024, and asked who was funding the other twenty buses. She asked how he planned to learn from initial operations for the ZEBRA 2 bid, she would forward the latest research paper.
Lance Spencer noted that the saving in carbon emissions was described as 3 billion kg or 3,000 tonnes equating to only 0.04% of the total emissions and asked whether the Cabinet Member would agree that it ... view the full minutes text for item 80/23 |
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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 Democratic Services by 12 noon on Monday 11 December 2023). Additional documents: Minutes: Buddhi Weerasinghe (Lower Sunbury and Halliford) made a statement on the NetZero Sunbury and Halliford Project which aligned with Surrey’s Climate Change Strategy. A survey had been conducted to understand residents’ awareness of climate change, the most engaged respondents were aged over 65 years and 65% of respondents committed to the project. The next steps included building the capacity of local community groups to increase awareness to achieve a sustainable future. He thanked the Cabinet Member for Environment and the Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader of the Council for their support.
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ORIGINAL MOTIONS
Item 10 (i)
Paul Follows (Godalming South, Milford & Witley) to move under standing order 11 as follows:
This Council notes:
(a) poor communication with those impacted in the community, and
(b) limited actions to ensure the vulnerable or those unable to queue for water, were able to access alternative supplies.
(c) delayed environmental cleanup operations.
This Council resolves to:
a. a detailed report of the cause of the disruption to water supply and the steps taken to resolve the matter; b. a detailed report on the instances and quantity of raw sewage discharges into the river network and Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) assurances over the past four years and the investment plans to resolve this; c. that residents and businesses receive timely and full compensation for the disruption to water supply and sewage spills; d. an improved communications plan for informing the local community should a similar disruption to water supply occur again and/or raw sewage incidents; and e. a reassessment of its processes, procedures, and criteria for ensuring the vulnerable or those unable to queue are able to access alternative supplies of water in the event of a disruption.
a. reviewing the Council’s emergency response measures regarding water and sewerage infrastructure. b. reviewing how and when the Council determined the need to enter into emergency response measures.
Item 10 (ii)
Jonathan Essex (Redhill East) to move under standing order 11 as follows:
This Council ... view the full agenda text for item 82/23 Additional documents: Minutes: Item 10 (i)
Under Standing Order 12.3 the Council agreed to debate this motion.
Under Standing Order 20.3 (a) Paul Follows moved a proposed alteration to the original motion standing in his own name, which had been published in the supplementary agenda (item 10) on 11 December 2023.
The proposed alteration to the motion was as follows (with additional words in bold/underlined and deletions crossed through):
This Council notes:
· The disruption to potable water supply across large parts of the boroughs of Guildford and Waverley that commenced on Saturday 4 November, the ongoing water supply issues in Cranleigh and surrounding villages, and the repeated discharge of raw sewage into the river network;
· All efforts from across the community to support people, and in particular those who are vulnerable, in accessing alternative supplies of water during the period of disruption;
· The legitimate concerns of residents about raw sewage being regularly discharged into our river network from Sewage Treatment Works and from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and from raw sewage back flowing onto their private property and highway network;
· Concerning elements of Thames Water’s response to the disruption, including but not limited to:
(a) poor communication with those impacted in the community, and
(b) limited actions to ensure the vulnerable or those unable to queue for water, were able to access alternative supplies.
(c) delayed environmental cleanup operations.
·
The
chronic underinvestment from
This Council resolves to:
I. Ensure the Leader of the Council writes to the leadership of Thames Water, to request:
a. a detailed report of the cause of the disruption to water supply and the steps taken to resolve the matter; b. a detailed report on the instances and quantity of raw sewage discharges into the river network and Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) assurances over the past four years and the investment plans to resolve this; c. that residents and businesses receive timely and full compensation for the disruption to water supply and sewage spills; d. an improved communications plan for informing the local community should a similar disruption to water supply occur again and/or raw sewage incidents; and e. a reassessment of its processes, procedures, and criteria for ensuring the vulnerable or those unable to queue are able to access alternative supplies of water in the event of a disruption.
II. Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to commission an investigation into the most recent water supply incident and the agency response, in addition to the requirement for water companies’ to record and report raw sewage spills onto private property and the public highway through their assets.
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SELECT COMMITTEE FEEDBACK ON A REFERRED MOTION: 'VISION ZERO'
To provide feedback from the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee on the Council motion titled ‘Vision Zero’ as requested by the Council.
(Note: report to follow)
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee introduced the report providing a summary of the motion referred from the Council meeting on 21 March 2023 to the Select Committee and highlighted the timeline of the Select Committee’s activity prior to its December meeting. The Select Committee formally considered the referred motion on 4 December 2023 alongside the draft Surrey RoadSafe Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy 2024 to 2035 and 20 mph Speed Limit Policy.
The motion’s proposer was pleased that his motion led to the Council drafting its first vision zero strategy and the refresh of its 20 mph Speed Limit Policy. He reiterated that road collision statistics and road collision deaths in Surrey had not changed over the last ten years, despite reducing elsewhere. In 2021, 24 people were killed on Surrey roads and 647 people were seriously injured. Those figures were unacceptable and the motion sought to reduce those figures eventually halving those going forward, stopping people dying on Surrey’s roads.
The motion’s seconder welcomed that the motion had been progressed but was disappointed that it had been weakened in the process. The interim target now was to halve collisions, not fatalities or life changing injuries by 2035; compared to the original proposed response in July which set an interim target for a 50% reduction in fatalities and life changing injuries by 2030. He agreed with the request for clarity concerning the level of funding and the process for local engagement and consultation as a result of the motion. He asked for a map to be produced highlighting where speed surveys and other evidence shows the likely roads below the 20 mph threshold for action, and to implement that at pace.
RESOLVED:
That Council:
1. Noted that all of the points contained within the Original Motion on Road Safety and Vision Zero tabled on 21 March 2023 have been addressed. 2. Noted that both proposer and Committee are broadly supportive of the revised strategy but that concerns remain specifically in relation to funding to meet the demand to implement more 20mph speed limits which is likely to be high, and over the process for local engagement and consultation which could prove lengthier than the existing approach and risks making 20mph more rather than less difficult to achieve. 3. Noted that the Select Committee has made recommendations to Cabinet on these issues (as set out at paragraph 10) and invited officers to report back to the Select Committee at its April public session.
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APPROVAL OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR ABSENCES
The purpose of this report is to request that the County Council considers whether to agree that County Councillor Nick Darby and County Councillor Fiona White may continue to be absent from Council meetings by reason of ill health.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair introduced the report noting the request for the Council to approve the absences of County Councillors Nick Darby and Fiona White.
RESOLVED:
That Nick Darby and Fiona White may continue to be absent from meetings until 31 March 2024 by reason of ill health. The Council looks forward to welcoming them back in due course.
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SURREY PAY POLICY STATEMENT 2023/2024
For the approval of the Surrey Pay Policy Statement for the period 2023/2024.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader introduced the report noting that this year the Council was unable to reach an agreed solution with the Trade Unions, their members were balloted but they did not achieve the necessary threshold. Therefore, the pay settlement became effective from 1 April 2023 and pay had been backdated.
RESOLVED:
That Council agreed the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/2024.
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AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
It is the Council’s responsibility to approve changes to the Council’s Constitution.
This report sets out proposed changes to Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions and Scheme of Delegation, Section 3 Part 3A (Specific Delegations to Officers). These are brought to Council for formal approval in accordance with Article 4.04(b) and Article 13.01 of the Council’s Constitution.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair introduced the report noting the proposed changes to Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions and Scheme of Delegation, Section 3 Part 3A (Specific Delegations to Officers).
RESOLVED:
1. Approved the amendments to Part 3, Section 3, Part 3A of the Constitution as set out in this report.
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REPORT OF THE CABINET
To receive the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 31 October 2023 and 28 November 2023.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet meetings held on 31 October 2023 and 28 November 2023.
Recommendations on Policy Framework Documents:
28 November 2023:
RESOLVED:
That Council approved the coordinated admissions scheme for 2025 in accordance with the requirements of the School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Coordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations and the School Admissions Code.
Reports for Information/Discussion:
31 October 2023:
B. Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy C. Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Integration D. Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in Realtime (CoSTAR): Driving Innovation and Creativity in the UK's Screen and Performance Industries - Capital Funding Approval
28 November 2023:
E. 2024/25 Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2028/29 F. Climate Change Progress Assessment 2022/23
G. Quarterly Report on Decisions Taken Under Special Urgency Arrangements: 3 October 2023 - 4 December 2023
RESOLVED:
1. Noted that there had been two urgent decisions since the last Cabinet report to Council. 2. Adopted the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 31 October 2023 and 28 November 2023.
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MINUTES OF CABINET MEETINGS
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 Democratic Services by 12 noon on Monday 11 December 2023.
(Note: to follow: Minutes, Cabinet - 28 November 2023)
Additional documents: Minutes: No notification had been received by the deadline from Members wishing to raise a question or make a statement on any matters in the minutes.
The Chair wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. |