Councillors and committees

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Wrecclesham Community Centre, Greenfield Road, Farnham GU9 8TJ

Contact: David North, Community Partnership & Committee Officer  Surrey County Council, The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR

Items
No. Item

35/14

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Decision:

    Apologies were received from: Mr B Adams, Mr R Knowles, Ms De Le Gal, Ms J Potts.

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from: Mr B Adams, Mr R Knowles, Ms De Le Gal, Ms J Potts.

36/14

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 52 KB

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    To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

    Decision:

    The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2014 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

    Minutes:

    The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2014 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

37/14

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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    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:

    None were received.

38/14

PETITIONS pdf icon PDF 50 KB

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    To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting. Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

     

    ·         Dr Antonia Creak: an on-line petition has been submitted (and achieved the requisite number of signatures) requesting the replacement of  the zebra crossing on Ewhurst Road, Cranleigh (near New Park Road and St Nicolas Avenue) with a pelican crossing (traffic lights) or a School Crossing Patrol.

    ·         Mr Alan Hale on behalf of residents and businesses in the Fisher Lane area of Chiddingfold: the petition requests that urgent action be taken to provide the locality with a good fast workable broadband service, either by improving the existing infrastructure or by installing fibre optic cable to the area.

    ·         Chiddingfold Road Traffic Group: the petition seeks the installation of Average Speed Cameras on the main road through the village.

    Minutes:

    Petitions were presented as follows:

     

    (i)         Mr M Creak presented an online petition requesting the replacement of the zebra crossing on Ewhurst Road, Cranleigh (near the junctions with New park Road and St Nicolas Avenue) with a pelican crossing (traffic lights) or a school crossing patrol.  Attention was drawn to a number of “near misses” which had been experienced by pedestrians when on the crossing and it was suggested that, while parental education as to the rules relating to zebra crossings might be helpful, either of the two solutions proposed by the petitioners would offer greater clarity to all users at this location.

     

                The Chairman indicated that a response would be reported to the Committee at its meeting on 12 December 2014; in the meantime the Area Team Manager (Local Highways Services) would ensure that the matter is included in the relevant Local Task Group’s discussion on priorities for 2015/16.

     

    (ii)        A petition had been received from Mr Hale on behalf of residents and businesses in the Fisher Lane and Pickhurst Road area of Chiddingfold: the petition requested that urgent action be taken to provide the locality with a good, fast, workable broadband service, either by improving the existing infrastructure or by installing fibre optic cable in the area.

     

                A response was tabled (Annex 1) and it was agreed that a report would be presented to update the Committee at its meeting on 12 December 2014.

     

    (iii)       Ms W Lockwood presented a petition on behalf of the Chiddingfold Road Traffic Group requesting the installation of average speed cameras on the A283 through the village.  The petitioners drew the Committee’s attention to the risk to residents’ health arising from the high levels of vehicle noise recorded, especially at night, and to the extent of non-compliance with the 30mph speed limit in place.  Recognising that neither Surrey Police nor a Community Speed Watch are in a position to undertake intensive enforcement, it was hoped that the County Council would take note of the effective use elsewhere of the new breed of average speed cameras and consider their introduction here.

     

                The Chairman indicated that a response would be reported to the Committee at its meeting on 12 December 2014; in the meantime the Area Team Manager (Local Highways Services) would ensure that the matter is included in the relevant Local Task Group’s discussion on priorities for 2015/16.

     

39/14

FORMAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 27 KB

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    To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Waverley Borough area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

     

    Minutes:

    The text of a public question received from Mr D Beaman and of the response tabled are attached at Annex 2.

     

    By way of supplementary comment, Mr Beaman asked the Committee to note that the reported average speed (32mph) exceeded the 30mph speed limit on Upper Hale Road.  Officers’ attention was drawn to the condition of the kerbing outside 67 Upper Hale Road.

40/14

MEMBER QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 24 KB

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    To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47.

    Minutes:

    The text of a member question from Mr P Martin and of the response tabled are attached at Annex 3.

41/14

ANNUAL REPORT ON THE SAFER WAVERLEY PARTNERSHIP (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) pdf icon PDF 47 KB

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    To note and offer comment on the Partnership’s Annual Report 2013-14 and its plans for future activity.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Note the contents of the annual report of the Safer Waverley Partnership in

    the year 2013-14 and the updated Partnership Plan 2014-17.

     

    (ii)        Request that its comments on the work of the Partnership be noted.

     

    (iii)       Bear the priorities of the Partnership in mind when making decisions on

    funding.

     

    Reason

     

    The Local Committee wishes to receive periodic reports on the work of the Safer

    Waverley Partnership, its achievements and priorities and to consider its contribution

    to these.

     

    Minutes:

    There was a discussion about the grants awarded by the police and Crime Commissioner to projects in Waverley and the extent to which they reflect his priorities.  The Chairman explained that the Police and Crime Panel and Local Committee Chairmen shared a concern about the deployment of the Commissioner’s resources and the extent to which preventative work is supported.

     

    Commenting on the level of reported antisocial behaviour in Haslemere, Insp. T Budd (Surrey Police) noted that the neighbourhood officers in the town are very active and each of their interventions is recorded as an incident.  An increase in reported incidents of domestic abuse in Waverley is largely responsible for the raised level of violent crime and reflects in part action by Surrey Police to enhance its response.  Police forces nationally are pressing for action to ensure that people with poor mental health, whether related to domestic abuse or presenting in other circumstances, receive timely referrals to the appropriate agencies.

     

    Members were interested in the Partnership’s attempts to engage schools with Prevent and were informed that further contact had been delayed until the start of the current term.  The Chairman requested that councillors be copied into letters to schools and colleges in their division.

     

    The Committee discussed aspects of substance misuse.  The increase in recorded drug offences was a result of an improved detection rate and strengthened Police activity, e.g. in arrests and warrants.  The Committee was reassured that changes to the licensing team within Surrey Police had not had a detrimental impact in Waverley and that maintenance of effective engagement with licensed premises remains a priority for the partnership.

     

    It was reported that non-domestic burglaries involving sheds and outbuildings were decreasing following a preventative campaign.  Crimes of this type can be hard to detect when reporting is delayed or property is unmarked.  Although it was understood that Police resources needed to be effectively deployed, members felt that continued liaison between neighbourhood teams and parish councils would be productive.

     

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Note the contents of the annual report of the Safer Waverley Partnership in

    the year 2013-14 and the updated Partnership Plan 2014-17.

     

    (ii)        Request that its comments on the work of the Partnership be noted.

     

    (iii)       Bear the priorities of the Partnership in mind when making decisions on

    funding.

     

    Reason

     

    The Local Committee wishes to receive periodic reports on the work of the Safer

    Waverley Partnership, its achievements and priorities and to consider its contribution

    to these.

     

42/14

SUPPORTING PRIORITY NEIGHBOURHOODS (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) pdf icon PDF 114 KB

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    To note recent progress and relevant data and agree any actions in consequence.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Maintain support for multi-agency activity in the Commitee’s identified priority neighbourhoods.

     

    (ii)        Agree that those parts of Cranleigh East (and the adjacent part of Cranleigh West) specified in the report would benefit from further investigation and targeted local support.

     

    (iii)       Note the implications of the data described and bear these in mind when making funding decisions and monitoring services across the range of the Committee’s responsibilities.

     

    Reason

     

    The report describes progress in those neighbourhoods which the Committee has identified for support, provides evidence for the continuation of this approach and describes changes in the profile of Waverley to which the Committee may wish to respond.

     

    Minutes:

    The Committee welcomed the proposal that parts of Cranleigh, specifically the estates in the north-east quadrant of the village in Cranleigh East ward and the immediately adjacent part of Cranleigh West, should be added to its list of priority neighbourhoods.  The data in support of this was noted and local members reflected that the relative isolation experienced in Cranleigh can exacerbate problems which may be concealed by the general prosperity of much of the area.

     

    It was noted that, while support for families experiencing disadvantage had been increasingly integrated into the routine work of services, there was now little additional funding available for community development work to enhance resilience and capacity within vulnerable neighbourhoods.

     

    The concentration of vulnerable older residents in certain areas was noted as a potential focus for the Committee’s interest.  The perception that NHS dental services are not available was mentioned (with particular reference to Ockford Ridge/Aarons Hill); the matter was covered more fully at Item 9.

     

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Maintain support for multi-agency activity in the Committee’s identified priority neighbourhoods.

     

    (ii)        Agree that those parts of Cranleigh East (and the adjacent part of Cranleigh West) specified in the report would benefit from further investigation and targeted local support.

     

    (iii)       Note the implications of the data described and bear these in mind when making funding decisions and monitoring services across the range of the Committee’s responsibilities.

     

    Reason

     

    The report describes progress in those neighbourhoods which the Committee has identified for support, provides evidence for the continuation of this approach and describes changes in the profile of Waverley to which the Committee may wish to respond.

     

    [Mr M Byham left the meeting during this item.]

     

43/14

THE PUBLIC HEALTH LANDSCAPE IN SURREY AND WAVERLEY (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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    To receive an update on the configuration of health services in Surrey and on priorities for Waverley.

    Decision:

    Resolved to note:

     

    (i)         The Clinical Commissioning Group structure in Surrey.

     

    (ii)        The role of Public Health within Surrey.

     

    (iii)       The public health priorities for Waverley.

     

    Reason

     

    It is important to take a preventative approach to health and wellbeing in order to lower the impact that ill health has on people’s lives, especially as they get older. Smoking has the biggest impact on people’s health of all risky behaviours. Through provision of evidence-based smoking cessation services, Public Health helps people to quit and improve their future health.

     

    Minutes:

    The following topics were covered in discussion:

     

    ·         There is a need for greater awareness of mental health services, more local provision and better cohesion.

    ·         Dementia should have a high profile in Waverley in view of the demographic profile; Public Health is involved with raising awareness and promoting early intervention.

    ·         Surrey Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) may have been disadvantaged by the funding formula which places less weight on the proportion of older people in the population than on overall disadvantage.  CCGs may vary in the relative emphasis given to similar themes across Surrey.

    ·         There is a challenge in providing communities with easily accessible information on health matters.  Members were referred to the Healthy Surrey website: http://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/ . Elected members could play a part in signposting residents but there is a need for very local information.

    ·         NHS dentistry is widely available: information is provided online, but it was recognised that this may not be sufficient to counter the perception of limited availability, especially when online access is limited.

    ·         The promotion of physical activity, e.g. in relation to cycling, is linked to the highways agenda, along with air quality, but requires significant cultural change.

    ·         Messages for residents and information for councillors needs to be presented in simpler language and greater clarity.

     

    Resolved to note:

     

    (i)         The Clinical Commissioning Group structure in Surrey.

     

    (ii)        The role of Public Health within Surrey.

     

    (iii)       The public health priorities for Waverley.

     

    Reason

     

    It is important to take a preventative approach to health and wellbeing in order to lower the impact that ill health has on people’s lives, especially as they get older. Smoking has the biggest impact on people’s health of all risky behaviours. Through provision of evidence-based smoking cessation services, Public Health helps people to quit and improve their future health.

     

44/14

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - EARLY HELP (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) pdf icon PDF 81 KB

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    To approve the priorities to be considered by providers, which focus on the identified needs of Waverley and the geographical neighbourhoods prioritised by the Youth Task Group; to note changes to commissioning arrangements in Surrey.

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Approve the local set of priorities (contained in Annex 1 of the report) to be considered by providers, focusing on the identified needs of Waverley and the geographical neighbourhoods prioritised by the Youth Task Group.

     

    (ii)        Note the changes to the council scheme of delegation agreed by the Cabinet on 23 September 2014 which provides increased decision making in local commissioning in relation to youth work and Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD).

     

    Reason

     

    Local Prevention has been in place across Waverley since 1 April 2012. It has contributed significantly to the reduction in young people becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).  It is therefore recommended that this Early Help commission is re-commissioned for 2015-20.  These recommendations will (i) support the Council’s policy of Creating Opportunities for Young People and (ii) support the Council’s priority to provide early help for children, young people and their families.

     

    Minutes:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Approve the local set of priorities (contained in Annex 1 of the report) to be considered by providers, focusing on the identified needs of Waverley and the geographical neighbourhoods prioritised by the Youth Task Group.

     

    (ii)        Note the changes to the council scheme of delegation agreed by the Cabinet on 23 September 2014 which provides increased decision making in local commissioning in relation to youth work and Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD).

     

    Reason

     

    Local Prevention has been in place across Waverley since 1 April 2012. It has contributed significantly to the reduction in young people becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).  It is therefore recommended that this Early Help commission is re-commissioned for 2015-20.  These recommendations will (i) support the Council’s policy of Creating Opportunities for Young People and (ii) support the Council’s priority to provide early help for children, young people and their families.

     

45/14

UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FIBRE-BASED BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IN WAVERLEY (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 54 KB

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    To receive information on the current status of the project.

    Decision:

    Resolved to note the report.

     

    Reason

     

    The Committee had requested an update on the programme.

     

    Minutes:

    The following topics were discussed:

     

    ·         It may be possible in due course to provide members with a street-level summary of broadband access provided under the Surrey contract.

    ·         The position of premises whose broadband speed falls below the required level is being analysed to identify opportunities for alternative connections which will result in higher speeds.

    ·         There was some concern about the progress made by BT in connecting properties covered by its commercial operation.  Although data on these areas are not shared, pressure is being exerted on BT to complete its commercial delivery programme in Surrey.

    ·         The foundation for the Surrey contract is the existing network and there may be some correlation between A-roads and the principal fibre ducts; clusters of significant population which experience low speeds because they are situated at a distance from these principal routes will fall under the current review and alternative solutions could be considered.  The possibility of using cabinets outside of Surrey is being investigated.

    ·         The Committee was reminded of the size and impact of the Surrey project.

     

    Resolved to note the report.

     

    Reason

     

    The Committee had requested an update on the programme.

     

46/14

HIGHWAYS UPDATE (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) pdf icon PDF 42 KB

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    To receive an update on the programme for 2014/15 and consider an application for funding under the Lengthsman scheme.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Note progress on the programme of minor highway works for 2014/15.

     

    (ii)        Agree the Lengthsman bid by Witley Parish Council (£2,000) subject to County Council officer scrutiny.

     

    Reason

     

    The Committee was asked to agree the recommendations in order to progress the programme of work for 2014/15. 

     

    Minutes:

    County Councillors were requested to allocate their Community Enhancement budgets by the end of November.

     

    Some members were concerned that the programme of capital maintenance schemes had been developed by officers without consultation with the relevant councillors.  Other members, however, felt that engineers in an operational service needed to make decisions on occasion and that the work of the local highways team was much appreciated.  The Area Team Manager explained that the programme reflected pressure from residents and complemented Project Horizon.  A further list of roads would be presented to the Committee at its next meeting and members would be notified in advance.

     

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)         Note progress on the programme of minor highway works for 2014/15.

     

    (ii)        Agree the Lengthsman bid by Witley Parish Council (£2,000) subject to County Council officer scrutiny.

     

    Reason

     

    The Committee was asked to agree the recommendations in order to progress the programme of work for 2014/15. 

     

47/14

ESTABLISHMENT OF A WAVERLEY LOCAL CYCLING PLAN TASK GROUP (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) pdf icon PDF 46 KB

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    To establish a task group and agree terms of reference.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Resolved:

     

    (i)         To establish a Waverley Local Cycling Plan Task Group.

     

    (ii)        That the Task Group’s Terms of Reference set out in Annex 1 of the report are adopted.

     

    (iii)       That the Task Group should initially develop for approval by the Local Committee a programme for producing a Local Cycle Plan for Waverley, setting out:

     

    ·         Scope and priorities

    ·         Data and information needs

    ·         Timetable for developing final recommendations to the Committee

     

    (iv)      That, subject to (iii), the Task Group should develop a draft Local Cycle

    Plan for Waverley containing details of priorities, costs and potential sources 

    of funding for agreement by the Local Committee. 

     

    Reason

     

    The Committee has indicated its intention to consider how it will develop a Local Cycling Plan.

     

    Minutes:

    Resolved:

     

    (i)         To establish a Waverley Local Cycling Plan Task Group.

     

    (ii)        That the Task Group’s Terms of Reference set out in Annex 1 of the report are adopted.

     

    (iii)       That the Task Group should initially develop for approval by the Local Committee a programme for producing a Local Cycle Plan for Waverley, setting out:

     

    ·         Scope and priorities

    ·         Data and information needs

    ·         Timetable for developing final recommendations to the Committee

     

    (iv)      That, subject to (iii), the Task Group should develop a draft Local Cycle

    Plan for Waverley containing details of priorities, costs and potential sources 

    of funding for agreement by the Local Committee. 

     

    Reason

     

    The Committee has indicated its intention to consider how it will develop a Local Cycling Plan.

     

48/14

LOCAL COMMITTEE FORWARD PROGRAMME (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 34 KB

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    To note the proposed forward programme and consider any additional items for future discussion.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)     Agree the Forward Programme 2014/15, as outlined in Annex 1 of the report

    (ii)    Agree the schedule of meetings in the year 2015/16.

    Reason

     

    Members were asked to comment on the Forward Programme so that officers can publicise the meetings and prepare the necessary reports.

     

    Minutes:

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)     Agree the Forward Programme 2014/15, as outlined in Annex 1 of the report

    (ii)    Agree the schedule of meetings in the year 2015/16.

    Reason

     

    Members were asked to comment on the Forward Programme so that officers can publicise the meetings and prepare the necessary reports.