Venue: 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: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Jordan Beech, Nick Darby, Will Forster, Angela Goodwin, Marisa Heath, Riasat Khan, David Lewis (Camberley West), Scott Lewis, Cameron McIntosh, Penny Rivers, Mark Sugden (remote), Fiona White.
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 July 2024.
Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 9 July 2024 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
Welcome I hope you all had an enjoyable summer and welcome to today’s meeting.
Chief Executive I would like to begin this morning by extending a huge welcome to our new Chief Executive, Terence Herbert. Terence – welcome, we are absolutely delighted to have you here with us today.
Supporting local charities and residents Throughout the summer and early autumn, I continued to support Surrey charities and organisations that do such vital work to support some of the most vulnerable Surrey residents. To name but a few: Kingswood Shetlands, which offers unique animal experiences through animal assisted therapy; Farm Place, a housing centre that supports young people and is run by the Amber Foundation; and I hosted a ‘family fun day’ here at Woodhatch Place for those supported by the Surrey National Autistic Society. It was a wonderful day for the children, young people and their families with games, art and crafts and even a visit from a friendly snake, an owl, a bearded dragon and a hedgehog! Much fun was certainly had by all.
These really are extraordinary charities who do incredible work. I do highly recommend that those of you who are unfamiliar with any of these groups check them out and see if there is any way in which you could support them or connect them with your residents who might benefit from their services.
Act of Remembrance As you are aware, I will be hosting Surrey County Council’s annual Act of Remembrance in the Memorial Garden at Woodhatch Place on Monday 11 November at 10.45am-11.15am. Our country is forever in the debt of those extraordinarily brave men and women who fought for our freedoms, often paying the ultimate price. I do hope that all of you who can, will join me, members of Surrey Royal British Legion, currently serving members of the military plus VIPs of Surrey on 11 November to show our everlasting gratitude and pay our deepest respects. We will remember them.
Community Champions Reception You will have received my request for your nominations for my ‘Community Champions Reception’ which will be held next spring. Historically, this reception has been held exclusively for volunteers of Surrey, however this time I am opening it up to all residents of Surrey who significantly contribute to your community, either in a voluntary or paid-for capacity. If they have made a positive contribution to our county, I want to hear about them! Please send in your nominations in by 31 December. We know that fantastic work is done in our communities by our wonderful residents and they deserve to be recognised and thanked.
If you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact my office, chairs.office@surreycc.gov.uk
Thank you very much and I greatly look forward to receiving your nominations.
As always – thank you! Finally, thank you as always to staff and Members for all that you do for Surrey. You make an immeasurable difference to our residents - particularly our most vulnerable. Thank you. ... view the full agenda text for item 65/24 Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair:
· Welcomed the Council’s new Chief Executive, Terence Herbert. · Noted the sad news of the passing of former County Councillor for Farnham South between 2016-21, Wyatt Ramsdale and led Council in a moment of reflection. · Noted the recent service to remember the fiftieth anniversary of the Guildford pub bombings. · Noted that his full 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: Rebecca Paul arrived at 10.10 am.
The Leader of the Council made a detailed statement. A copy of the statement is attached as Appendix A.
Members raised the following topics:
· Introduced himself as the new Liberal Democrats’ Group Leader and noted that his group would be a constructive opposition offering alternatives, working to tackle external and internal challenges. · Thanked his predecessor, both a Member and now a Member of Parliament who recognised the challenges faced by the Council and local government. · Noted that change was needed nationally to enable counties like Surrey to continue to support its residents, his group would lobby for that change and noted the difficult task ahead by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer having inherited significant public sector debt and underfunded public infrastructure. · Noted that Surrey has the power to influence the lives of over one million people, yet devolved powers without funding was a concern. · Welcomed the new Chief Executive, new Executive Director - Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships and new Section 151 Officer. · Had been educated and lived in Surrey for most of his life and from personal experience, noted that adult health and social care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) management and the Council’s treatment of parents, carers and children were highly important. · Noted his roles as a leader at a town council and borough council governing jointly with other political parties, providing assurance that he would work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for residents. · Noted the desire for the improvement of the working relationship between the Council and the borough and district councils. · Sought greater resident engagement and understanding of the work of local government which should be close to the communities it serves. · Stressed the need for robust and viable statutory services to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’. · The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated that the funding per person from central government to councils was 46% lower in 2024/25 than it was in 2010. · Noted the viscous cycle requiring a huge effort to break regarding the financial strains, less spending on prevention and early intervention, and increasing demand on statutory services; last year’s budget task group called on the Council to intervene early and prevent escalating need. · Noted that her rejected budget amendment focused on supporting charities providing such services and addressing inequalities, valuing the third sector was critical to the outcome to residents. · Noted the concerns about the capital budget, cost and focus of the borrowing, and affordability of Your Fund Surrey, had queried whether that should have been targeted on areas of deprivation and to SEND schools. · Highlighted the silos in the Council, joined up teams were needed concerning Children’s Services and Adult Social Care, asked for a review of the request to have complex caseworkers. · Queried whether Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) was a good use of public money, asked for the better use of community transport systems to be reconsidered providing varied services, reducing carbon emissions and building rural communities. · Called for the ... view the full minutes text for item 66/24 |
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APPROVAL OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR ABSENCE PDF 122 KB
The purpose of this report is to request that the County Council considers whether to agree that County Councillor David Lewis (Camberley West) be absent from Council meetings by reason of ill health.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair introduced the report.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor David Lewis (Camberley West) may continue to be absent from meetings until February 2025 by reason of ill health. The Council looks forward to welcoming him back in due course.
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SELECT COMMITTEES' REPORT TO COUNCIL PDF 205 KB
For Members to note the headline activity of the Council’s overview and scrutiny function in the period July 2024 to September 2024 asking questions of Scrutiny Chairs as necessary.
Additional documents: Minutes:
The Additional Needs and Disabilities: parent/carer experience Task Group Lead, noted that the Task Group heard examples of bad experiences faced but also the difference good administration and high-quality education makes. The Local Government Association (LGA) was advocating for the national change needed to develop a sustainable SEND system. The Task Group focused on the changes and improvements needed in Surrey as set out in the report. Welcomed the extra investment by the Council and work of the End-to-End team but progress was slow, therefore welcomed the Leader’s suggestion for a session for all Members. Noted the need to empathise, increase knowledge of neurodiversity and the changing impacts on children, increase co-production, and the need to build in mediation, and commended the work of the Learners' Single Point of Access (L-SPA).Thanked Task Group members and the Committee’s Scrutiny Officer.
The Digital Business and Insights (DB&I): Lessons Learned Task Group Lead,noted his thanks to Democratic Services officers, the independent expert, officers and witnesses, the Cabinet Member and Task Group members. Commended the post-implementation review report on SAP to Unit 4 transition. The goal of the Task Group was to review the DB&I programme and to identify tangible deliverables to be used to make improvements to future programme and project delivery, producing realistic recommendations. The review did not seek to find someone to blame, nor did it find anyone, several factors contributed to the delays and overspend. All involved worked hard to deliver the complex programme, which was operational, yet issues remained which were being addressed by the MySurrey Stabilisation Board. The Internal Audit reports would assist in the process and the select committee would review progress.
Members made the following comments:
· Stressed that the work of the select committees was essential to the Council’s good governance. Noted the constructive use of the select committee pre-meetings, yet the reports were received with short notice. · The Chair of the Resources and Performance Select Committee commended the work of the Task Group on DB&I and Task Group Lead. Noted that the implementation did not go completely wrong, it was a complex system. The report sought to produce a template to follow for future purchases of IT and data systems; the progress of MySurrey would continue to be reviewed. · The Chair of the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture (CFLLC) Select Committee endorsed the findings of the Task Group on parent/carer experience and thanked the Task Group Lead. She noted that ... view the full minutes text for item 68/24 |
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APPOINTMENT OF THE SECTION 151 OFFICER PDF 142 KB
To appoint the Council’s Section 151 Officer.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader as Chairman of the People, Performance and Development Committee introduced the report. He thanked the Director - People and Change, and her team for running a robust process, he thanked the interim Section 151 Officer for her work particularly around next year’s budget. He noted that Andy Brown was experienced in local government having worked at other local authorities and his start date was confirmed as 14 October 2024.
RESOLVED:
Appointed Andy Brown as the Section 151 Officer of Surrey County Council, with a start date of 14 October 2024; the interim Section 151 Officer to continue until then.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE PDF 126 KB
For Council to note the work undertaken by the Committee during the period May 2023 to May 2024. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee introduced the report and noted the key sections included. He noted that the committee was concerned with assuring itself that the Council's policies were being implemented and that appropriate systems were in place to provide adequate controls over the Council resources and assets, stressed that those arrangements were not the committee’s responsibility. Summarised the work undertaken by the committee over the year, key areas were: risk management, counter fraud, the Annual Governance Statement, internal audit, deep dives into various service areas, the external audit plan and value for money arrangements, ethical standards and the Members’ Code of Conduct. He thanked committee members and officers for their work. The committee operated apolitically which was crucial to its effectiveness.
RESOLVED:
Noted the work undertaken by the Audit and Governance Committee during the period May 2023 to May 2024.
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AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION PDF 170 KB
Surrey County Council has a Constitution which is agreed by Members and sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures to be followed to ensure that they are efficient, transparent and accountable to the residents of Surrey. It is the Council’s responsibility to approve changes to the Council’s Constitution. Amendments to Executive functions are the responsibility of the Leader and are brought to Council to note. This report sets out proposed changes to: These changes are brought to Council for formal approval in accordance with Articles 4.09, 5.02 and 13.01(a) of the Council’s Constitution.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair noted the proposed changes to Parts 3, 5 and 6 of the Constitution.
The Chairman of the Surrey Pension Fund Committee noted that the Council was both an employer and the administrative authority of the Surrey Pension Fund. Whilst the Council was the largest employer, it was one of over 300 employers in the fund. He noted that the changes recognised the Council’s dual role and potential conflicts of interest, it recognised the statutory role of the Senior LGPS Officer and made officer delegations.
RESOLVED:
1. Approved the amendments to Part 3 - Section 2 and Section 3 Parts 3A and 3B and Part 5(02) in relation to improvements to the governance of the Surrey Pension Fund, as set out in Annex 2 of this report. 2. Approved the consequential amendments to Part 3 – Section 2 (the terms of reference of the PPDC) as set out in paragraph 10 of this report. 3. Approved the amendments to Part 6(02) of the Constitution (Arrangements for dealing with Member Conduct) as set out in Annex 3 of this report.
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MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME PDF 694 KB
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 2 October 2024).
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:
Notice of forty-three questions had been received. The questions and replies were published in the first supplementary agenda on 7 October 2024 (updated response to Q4 is contained in the second supplementary agenda published on 8 October 2024).
A number of supplementary questions were asked and a summary of the main points is set out below:
(Q1) Robert Evans OBE asked whether the Cabinet Member agreed that he should have been more specific in his question as he was referring to Brent Council's trial of placing skips in hotspots to encourage residents to deposit their rubbish rather than fly-tip. He noted the Council’s responsibility for collecting fly-tipped items.
The Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure noted that the borough and district councils were the waste collection authorities, and the Council was a waste disposal authority. She noted that Reigate and Banstead Borough Council had previously put skips out in certain areas to collect waste in that way, she noted that twin-hatted Members may wish to follow up the suggestion.
(Q2) Eber Kington asked whether the Leader agreed that the suggestion in the last paragraph that Members might need training workshops implied that the problem lay with Member’s ignorance rather than the quality of the data they received. He asked whether he would arrange for the performance team to fact check the claims made by Civic Watcher.
The Leader suggested that the Member attends one of the select committee meetings to ask questions there.
(Q3) Jonathan Essex noted that the data showed that there was a large increase in the number of Looked After Children and Care Leavers who are accommodated in semi-independent accommodation. However, more 16 and 17 year olds were in that type of accommodation compared to five years ago, he asked whether semi-independent accommodation was the best place for them to live and if not what more could be done. Asked whether Looked After Children and Care Leavers, and their former foster carers could be asked those questions.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learningnoted that it was difficult to equate those figures to the individual stories of those children. She noted that the service and the relevant teams tried hard in every case to find a home that meets that child's needs, which might be semi-independent living. She noted that some Care Leavers were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children where supported accommodation was the right solution.
(Q4) Catherine Baart welcomed the table provided of the twenty-nine schools. She asked which of the remaining twenty schools of the original forty-nine schools awaited their road safety improvements that were identified in 2021, and asked how much clearing the backlog would cost.
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth would provide a list of the remaining schools. He noted that £3 million would be used as part of the project, to finish this financial year. Discussions were needed about future years and he was looking at identifying capital funding to continue the scheme. ... view the full minutes text for item 72/24 |
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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 7 October 2024).
Additional documents: Minutes: Chris Townsend noted that Ashtead Youth Centre was run and managed well by the Friends of Ashtead Youth Club charity. There was a youthclub, and other organisations and charities used the centre and the money from them helped maintain it. However, the buildings housing such youth centres across Surrey were being taken back by the Council’s Land and Property team. When the communication was given by the relevant Council staff they did not know how it would happen and that caused concern to those running the service and the users of youth centres. There was no consultation with those organisations. He noted that the Leader agreed to put a halt to the situation to find out what centres were open and what the centres were doing.
Catherine Powell provided examplesof one week's emails on SEND in her division, in one case an autistic child in a mainstream secondary school attended without an EHCP and no to assess was upheld, she queried whether anyone reviewed the information from the school. In another case a child with autism spectrum disorder hyperactivity in a mainstream primary school had an EHCP which identified specialist provisions, had been suspended and consultation with three specialist schools had been unsuccessful. In another case there was a tribunal concerning a child in nursery and the EHCP for specialist provision was accepted but the matter remained with thetribunal team and the child would miss the first term of school. She noted that there were many other cases and called for all to work together to break down the silos.
Joanne Sexton shared a message from a resident about the vital role of Ashford Youth Club.Post-Covid-19 it had been a lifeline opening during the day, offering a safe space for anxious families and helping children thrive. There was a community garden, and free youth programmes funded from renting the building. The resident was concerned about the club's future and uncertainty whether families would have to pay for activities, they felt left out of the decision-making process.The youth club’s hours would be limited as it was told that adolescent services needed the building, some financial support would be provided to cover the loss. She understood that the current arrangement set out in the youth work strategy had changed and asked how the future of such essential programmes would be safeguarded.
Nick Harrison and Victor Lewanski left the meeting at 12.35 pm.
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ORIGINAL MOTIONS
Item 13 (i) Steven McCormick (Epsom Town & Downs) to move under standing order 11 asfollows: This Council notes that:
Home delivery via motorcycles and pedal cycles from takeaway outlets is becoming increasing popular. It responds to customer demand, adds to the local economy and provides employment opportunities for delivery drivers. However, like some other changes of shopping behaviour and consumer preferences, it can also raise unexpected, and sometimes unwanted consequences.
Currently, in too many areas of Surrey, high streets and shopping centres are facing a need for parking spaces by delivery drivers and, too often, that is leading to inconsiderate, dangerous and illegal parking on the pavement to the detriment and safety of pedestrians and shoppers and, currently, there is no agreed response from SCC.
In light of the factors listed above, and with reference to the Transportation Development Planning Good Practice Guide this Council calls upon the Cabinet to commit to:
Item 13 (ii)
Mark Nuti (Chertsey) to move under standing order 11 asfollows:
This Council notes: Additional documents: Minutes: Item 13 (i)
Under Standing Order 12.3 the Council agreed to debate this motion.
Under Standing Order 20.3 (a) Steven McCormick moved an updated proposed alteration to the original motion standing in his own name, which had been published in the second supplementary agenda on 8 October 2024.
The updated proposed alteration to the motion was as follows (with additional words in bold/underlined and deletions crossed through):
This Council notes that:
Home delivery via motorcycles and pedal cycles from takeaway outlets is becoming increasing popular. It responds to customer demand, adds to the local economy and provides employment opportunities for delivery drivers. However, like some other changes of shopping behaviour and consumer preferences, it can also raise unexpected, and sometimes unwanted consequences.
Surrey County Council should be consulted on applications for outlets by the district planning authorities. In the case of purpose built sites Transport Development Planning have ensured that there is sufficient space for delivery drivers and are additionally mindful of the need to build in provision for mopeds and motorcycles on applications the Surrey County Council is consulted on.
In some areas of Surrey, high streets and shopping centres are facing a need for parking spaces by delivery drivers and, too often, that is leading to inconsiderate parking on and illegal driving over the pavement to the detriment and safety of pedestrians and shoppers.
In light of the factors
listed above,
I.
Write to delivery companies (Uber Eats, Deliveroo,
Just Eat, etc.) to highlight the issue of motorcycle delivery
parking on pavements and issues caused by riding on and across
pavements. |
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Under Standing Order 12.6 for Council to note the feedback from the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee on the referred Council motion title ‘Plant based meals’.
Additional documents: Minutes: The proposer of the original motion and Vice-Chair of the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee introduced the report on the outcome of the referred motion. He noted that ‘Meat-Free Mondays’ encouraged people to skip meat one day a week as it had benefits to: health, the environment, animal welfare, global food security and the economy. He noted his motivation for tabling the original motion in July 2023 was that Woking High School discussed how to get more student engagement on climate issues and came up with the idea for ‘Meat-Free Mondays’. He noted that the motion was referred to the select committee and discussed in April 2024, the response from officers was underwhelming but progress had been made with support from the Cabinet Member for Environment. He noted the motion resolution around schools having a plant-based menu one day a week; and the Service recommendations about schools defining ‘Meat-Free Mondays’, supporting schools to develop School Nutrition Action Groups and ‘peer champions’.
RESOLVED:
1. Noted the key points from the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee’s discussion of the Motion as described in this report and the work underway to address the issues raised in the motion through finalisation and implementation of A Surrey Whole System Food Strategy. 2. Noted that the strategy supports the Surrey Healthy Schools approach and has a focus on three key strands: addressing food insecurity, reducing climate impact of the local food system and supporting the local population to keep a healthy weight by enhancing the accessibility and affordability of nutritious food.
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REPORT OF THE CABINET PDF 101 KB
To receive the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 23 July 2024 and 24 September 2024. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader thanked the outgoing Executive Director - Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships, Helen Coombes for all her hard work in getting the Council prepared for the Care Quality Commission inspection.
The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet meetings held on 23 July 2024 and 24 September 2024.
Recommendations on Policy Framework Documents:
There were no reports with recommendations for Council.
Reports for Information/Discussion:
23 July 2024:
A. Customer Transformation B. A New Draft Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy and 20 Mph Speed Limit Policy C. Consort House, Redhill
D. Quarterly Report on Decisions Taken Under Special Urgency Arrangements: 3 July 2024 - 30 September 2024
RESOLVED:
1. Noted that there had been no urgent decisions since the last Cabinet report to Council. 2. Adopted the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 23 July 2024 and 24 September 2024.
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MINUTES OF CABINET MEETINGS PDF 222 KB
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 7 October 2024.
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. |