Agenda
PDF 215 KBVenue: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8EF
Contact: Amelia Christopher Email: amelia.christopher@surreycc.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Chair to report apologies for absence. Additional documents: |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4 February 2025.
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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: |
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CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome Good morning everyone, and welcome to today’s Council meeting. The past few weeks have been exceptionally busy, with numerous visits across the council and a variety of civic ceremonies taking place throughout our districts and boroughs. February and early March have truly been a vibrant and engaging period for us all.
Chair’s Visits
Chinese Association of Woking: I was delighted to join the 2025 Chinese New Year Celebration in Woking town centre, on Saturday 8 February. There were two performances, and I had the honour of addressing the residents of Woking at the start of both. Citizenship Ceremonies: I have recently become more active in the county's Citizenship Ceremonies, delivering dignitary speeches and presenting certificates. I thoroughly enjoy these events and would like to thank Vice-Chair Tim Hall and past chair Helyn Clack for also serving as dignitaries. Thank you both. Stand With Ukraine: On 24 February, I stood with our community in a ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. It was a moving event where we paid heartfelt respect and sympathy to those who have suffered unimaginable loss and suffering. Surrey Youth Voice: Last year, I contributed to the Unheard Voices Project. With the project concluding, I visited Chief Executive Officer Cate Newnes-Smith to hear insights from children and young people about feeling included in their communities. We discussed raising awareness across Surrey about the importance of welcoming children and families with disabilities. Our work to foster change in our communities will continue. Knaphill Care: It was a joy to attend an afternoon of music for Knaphill Care clients. Listening to their stories and thanking those who tirelessly help others in greater need within the county was a pleasure. Surrey Armed Forces: This year's Covenant Conference, hosted by The Soldier Academy Pirbright, was an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the partnership between Surrey's armed forces and civilian communities.
Chair’s Events
Community Champions Reception: Invitations have been sent to all worthy award winners. All invited guests must RSVP to the Chair’s Office via the online link by 28 February. Please remind your nominees if they have not yet replied – thank you.
As always – thank you! I would like to extend my gratitude to all our Members. It is an uncertain time for our residents, and we must continue to support them to the highest possible standard and continue committing to improving our community. Additional documents: |
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LEADER'S STATEMENT
The Leader to make a statement.
There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions and/or make comments.
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DEVOLUTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
That Council:
(Note: report to follow)
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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 Councillors David Lewis (Camberley West) and Mark Sugden (Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott) continue to be absent from Council meetings by reason of ill health.
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APPOINTMENT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER
To appoint the Council’s Monitoring Officer.
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SELECT COMMITTEES' REPORT TO COUNCIL
For Members to note the headline activity of the Council’s overview and scrutiny function in the period October 2024 to February 2025.
For Members to endorse the Executive Scrutiny Protocol at Annex 1 for adoption by the Council in line with statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny.
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ANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL - MEMBER DEVELOPMENT
This report provides an annual overview of the council’s approach to member development, to provide assurance that the current approach is effective and equitable.
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REVISED FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
The Financial Regulations provide the framework of control, responsibility and accountability for the proper administration of the Council's financial affairs. The Council’s current processes and procedures are reflected within the Financial Regulations.
The Financial Regulations are part of the Constitution. Any changes to the Financial Regulations require Council to approve any amendments.
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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT STANDING ORDERS
The current Procurement and Contract Standing Orders (PCSOs) require updating to reflect the impending legislative changes and improve the overall effectiveness of the PCSOs.
The PCSOs are part of the Constitution. Any changes to the PCSOs require Council to approve any amendments.
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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 12 March 2025).
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.
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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 17 March 2025).
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ORIGINAL MOTIONS
Item 15 (i)
Eber Kington (Ewell Court, Auriol & Cuddington) to move under standing order 11 asfollows:
This Council recognises that:
Community Asset Transfer is a legal power, established by the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003, which allows local authorities such as Surrey County Council (SCC) to set up of the community ownership and management of publicly owned land and buildings at less than full market value where they can demonstrate that doing so will result in local improvements to social, economic or environmental well-being.
Most local authorities have experience of Community Asset Transfer and nearly 75% of councils are now estimated to be actively engaged in the transfer of assets to communities.
The aim of Community Asset Transfer is community empowerment – to ensure that land and buildings are retained or transformed and operated for public benefit through community asset ownership and management.
The adoption of a Community Asset Transfer Policy by SCC, and its use and application, will add to the Council’s options for the disposal of assets, including land, and show a commitment to the preservation of important community sites for generations to come.
This Council resolves to call upon the Cabinet as a priority to:
I. Develop and adopt a Community Asset Transfer Policy.
II. Actively review its assets for potential Community Asset Transfer arrangements.
III. Widely publicise the Community Asset Transfer Policy to encourage application from Surrey’s communities.
Item 15 (ii)
Catherine Powell (Farnham North) to move under standing order 11 asfollows:
This Council recognises that:
If Local Government Reorganisation is to work for all residents it must acknowledge the communities that residents themselves recognise, and decision-making structures must ensure that decisions are made at the most local level by locally elected representatives and key stakeholder representatives, wherever possible.
It is not Surrey County Council’s place to determine what those local structures might be, as that will be a decision for the newly formed Unitary Authorities. It is important that options, are set out clearly and unambiguously to assist the work of those charged with creating new democratic decision-making structures in Unitary areas. These options must include structures that are working well in Surrey now, as well as those that operated in the past.
This Council resolves to call upon the Leader and Cabinet to:
I. Include, as part of the Interim Plan to the Secretary of State in March, an annex or section on options for local community-based governance and decision making that stresses the importance of truly local community empowerment.
II. The options within the annex must include but not be limited to:
a. Town and Parish Councils b. New Local Committees (comprising all Unitary councillors representing communities within previous borough/district boundaries or smaller areas as appropriate) c. Community Area Partnerships d. Any structures involving local elected representatives associated with the current SCC Delivering in Partnership Strategy (Towns and Villages).
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Under Standing Order 12.6 for Council to note the feedback from the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee on the referred Council motion.
(Note: report to follow)
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Under Standing Order 12.6 for Council to note what was resolved by the Audit and Governance Committee having considered the referred Council motion.
(Note: report to follow)
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REPORT OF THE CABINET
To receive the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25 February 2025. Additional documents: |
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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 17 March 2025.
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