Agenda and minutes
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Denis Fuller, Graham Ellwood, Colin Taylor and Michael Sydney. Richard Walsh, Lynne Hack and Hazel Watson substituted respectively. |
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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: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest. · Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register. · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest. Minutes: There were no declarations of interests. However it was noted that Steve Cosser, John Orrick, Chris Norman and Michael Bennison’s wife were all members of the National Trust. It was also noted that Mrs Angela Fraser was a member of the CPRE. |
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SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL MAGNA CARTA 800TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
On 23 October, Surrey County Council's Cabinet made a decision in relation to support for the National Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Celebrations. The Communities Select Committee will be meeting to consider the call-in of this decision. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest: None.
Witnesses:
Cllr Hugh Meares, Vice Chair of Corporate Management - Runnymede and one of RBC's representatives on the Magna Carta Committee Paul Turrel, Chief Executive – Runnymede Mario Leo, Head of Governance – Runnymede Sarah Walsh, Project Officer – Runnymede Andrew Telford, Campaign to Protect Rural England Nic Durston, National Trust Mrs Lynne Bates, Lead petitioner Yvonna Lay, County Councillor Runnymede Mel Few, County Councillor Runnymede Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Community Services & the 2012 Games Susie Kemp, Assistant Chief Executive – Surrey County Council Peter Milton, Head of Cultural Services – Surrey County Council David Stempfer, Major Schemes Manager – Surrey County Council
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Chairman began by giving a brief explanation of the Call In procedure for the benefit of members of the public who were not familiar with detailed Council processes.
2. The Chairman explained that he had submitted the Call In in consultation with the Vice Chairman and that the detail was in the papers that had been published in advance of the meeting. The Chairman stated that the Call In did not relate to the celebration of the Magna Carta as they fully supported this. He went on to say that it was in response to concerns expressed by individuals and organisations about:
· the visitor centre and in particular the business case which it was felt lacked detail; and that
· the benefits to Surrey more widely had not been clearly stated.
3. The meeting was then opened up to the witnesses to speak and put their case. Runnymede Borough Council were invited to speak first.
4. It was explained that the main objectives of this project related to creating a legacy for Surrey for many decades to come, improving the local economy, as well as providing increased recreational opportunities.
5. The Committee were informed that the creation of the visitor centre would provide a focal point for one of the most important events in English history. A feasibility study had been commissioned and following a tender evaluation exercise, preferred bidders had been selected. The Borough was in discussions with the County Council about governance arrangements.
6. The Chairman then opened up the meeting for questions from members of the Select Committee.
The Business Plan, Project Costs and Liability
7. The robustness of the business plan was questioned by the Committee. It was noted that the plans had been considered by the Borough Council as a Part 2 confidential item which meant that members of the public were excluded from hearing the business plan proposals.
8. The Committee questioned whether the sustainability of the tourism trade in the years following the Magna Carta anniversary had been factored into the business case. They also questioned who would bear the financial risk if there was a shortfall in projected income from tourism.
9. Mr Andrew Telford suggested that the County Council had not been made aware that any income generated could not be used ... view the full minutes text for item 52/12 |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 10am on 21 November 2012. Minutes: The Committee noted that the next meeting of the Committee would take place on 21 November 2012.
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