Agenda and minutes

Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board - Thursday, 8 December 2016 10.30 am

Venue: Ashcombe, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2DN

Contact: Huma Younis or Sharmina Ullah 

Items
No. Item

1/16

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

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    To note any apologies for absence.

     

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Richard Wilson.

2/16

MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 19 October 2016 pdf icon PDF 149 KB

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    To agree the previous minutes as a true record of the meeting.

    Minutes:

    A Member commented on the previous minutes from Thursday 19 October and referred to page 4, paragraph 13 indicating that the risk management authority should be referenced and the application of ‘impedance’ was incorrect terminology. The Chairman noted the concern and advised the paragraph was indeed satisfactory which was supported by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Flooding.

     

    The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record.

     

3/16

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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    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.

     

    Minutes:

    There were no declarations of interests made.

4/16

QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

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    To receive any questions or petitions.

     

    Notes:

     

    ·         The deadline for Member’s questions is 12:00pm four working days before the meeting (2 December 2016)

    ·         The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (1 December 2016)

    ·         The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.

    Minutes:

    There were no questions or petitions received.

5/16

RESPONSES FROM THE CABINET TO ISSUES REFERRED BY THE BOARD pdf icon PDF 83 KB

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    A response from the Cabinet meeting of 18 October 2016 regarding the Winter Maintenance cost saving recommendations is attached.

    Minutes:

    Key Points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. A Member queried the responses regarding the Winter Maintenance saving cost recommendation, part a. and b., raising the question whether information around the Thermal Mapping proposal was available and when Members be notified of the compensating savings proposals.

     

    1. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Flooding indicated that this matter would be discussed on 21 December 2016 and the information would be available at the next Board meeting which will be held on 12 January 2017.

     

    The Cabinet Member also wanted Members to note that there was no truth in reports that roads starting with the letters D and E roads had been missed from the street lighting programme. The Board were advised that these roads were still in the process of being assessed and had not been scheduled in the programme as of yet.

     

    Actions:

     

    EP8- For the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding to provide the board with details on the County’s decision regarding thermal mapping proposals.

     

6/16

RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 9 KB

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    The board is asked to monitor progress on the implementation of recommendations from the previous meeting and to review it forward work programme.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Key Points raised during the discussion:

     

    The Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Flooding informed the Board that the Road Safety Improvements on Bridge Street, Guildford would be discussed at the LEP Board in January 2017.

     

    The Board noted and agreed with the proposed Recommendations Tracker and Forward Work Programme.

     

7/16

UPDATES FROM MEMBER REFERENCE GROUPS AND TASK GROUPS

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    To receive a verbal update from the Board’s Task and Member Reference Groups.

    Minutes:

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Chairman indicated the Basingstoke Canal was listed on today’s agenda and advised that an update would be shared at item 11.

     

    1. It was noted that the Countryside Management Member Reference Group would meet in January 2017, following the Board meeting on 12 January.

     

    1. In the Mr Wilson’s absence, the Customer Service Excellence Member Reference Group reported that Highways and Transport were continuing to address the partial compliances identified during the last assessment, the Champions network was gathering information on how their areas of service were utilising feedback and benchmarking data. In addition work was ongoing to ensure recruitment and induction processes were embedded. A new customer service course for Highways and Transport staff was being developed using real examples to demonstrate good and bad behaviour. The course would be delivered by volunteers across the service and roll out will commence in the New Year.

     

    1. Following input from the MRG, a new weekly Highways bulletin has been launched and the service would welcome feedback from Members. The Customer Service Excellence MRG had also visited the Contact Centre and received an update on how they were working with Highways to deliver improvements for customers.

     

    1. The Chairman commended Councillor Richard Wilson for his continuous hard work.

     

    1. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Flooding suggested to the Board that the Finance Sub group, Highways MRG, Local Transport Review MRG and the Waste Local Plan MRG organise a meeting, post 15 January 2017 to ensure everyone understands what the financial situation is.

     

    1. In terms of the Finance Sub-Group, the Chairman reported that the Sub-Group did not prepare any recommendations in their last meeting, however requested Officers to provide a list of areas of possible savings for Environment and Planning and Highways and Transport with weightings attached to each area of saving. The Board noted that the Finance Sub-Group would potentially meet in January 2017, when the financial situation would be clearer.

     

    1. It was noted that the Highways for the Future Member Reference Group had not recently met, however looked forward to working with Lucy Monie, the new head of Highways and Transport.

     

    1. The Waste Local Plan Member Reference Group spokesperson stated that the MRG had met twice previously and informed the Board that responses from the November Consultation were being collated and would be reviewed in a meeting following on from the Board meeting today.

     

    1. The Board were informed the Surrey Waste Partnership Future Member Reference Group have met three times and have had discussions around recycling credits and the direction of travel for the service. It was highlighted that four District and Borough authorities had moved towards a co-ownership approach, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath, Elmbridge and Woking and the MRG were anticipating the core functions of SCC to be incorporated into the contract.

     

    1. The Chairman informed Members the new waste collection contractor for the co-ownership would be Amey and that it was an open invitation for other Boroughs and Districts to get involved and join.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7/16

8/16

CIVIL PARKING ENFORCEMENT (Agency Agreements) 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 84 KB

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    Purpose of the report:  Scrutiny of Services

     

    To review the summary of audit findings and Management Action Plan produced as a result of an internal audit review of Civil Enforcement (Agency Agreements).

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses:

    Richard Bolton, Local Highway Services Group Manager

    David Curl, Parking Strategy & Implementation Team Manager

    Tim Semken, Lead Auditor

    Simon White, Audit Performance Manager

     

    Declarations of interest:

     

    None

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Local Highway Services Group Manager introduced the report and informed the Board that Surrey County Council (SCC) have been responsible for parking enforcement since 2004 however the contracts in place were due to expire in 2018. SCC was originally operating at a loss of £1M but from 2011/12 were operating at no loss. There have been concerns around parking enforcement but arrangements with agents have worked well. 

     

    1. Due to concerns highlighted by Members regarding issues with enforcement, audit have provided the report which has been presented to the Board today.

     

    1. Officers indicated that they had met with Reigate and Banstead officers which led to positive discussions and outcomes, Officers advised that further details from this meeting could be provided at a future date.

     

    1. The Chairman advised the Board that reports received from audit should be reviewed with the approach that Members are satisfied the report has not overlooked or missed anything key. The Chairman further advised that Members should be confident the Management Action Plan (MAP) has addressed these concerns.

     

    1. In terms of the Management Action Plan, it was noted that the Audit and Governance Committee had raised concerns and gave the opinion the Plan should be stronger.

     

    1. A Member queried whether the report only assessed and concentrated on Reigate and Banstead or if concerns had been presented in relation to all other Borough and Districts. The Officer advised that as well as Reigate and Banstead, other authorities such as Elmbridge and Guildford were audited. The Local Highway Services Group Manager was confident that information presented from the agents was accurate.

     

    1. Reference was made to one of the key findings of the audit report which stated that annual returns of all Boroughs and Districts were subject to audit verification before it was submitted to SCC. Officers were asked how this fits alongside the current contractual agreement which covers the period 2013-2018 and whether authorities could demand this as this had not been enforced or met with. Members were assured Officers had the ability to make sure this was complied with and going forward would devise a mechanism to ensure it would be carried out.

     

    1. Following the discussion above the Member raised the concern that contractual requirements should be monitored, the Officer indicated that it was an agency agreement and not a formal contractual agreement.

     

    1. There was a discussion around fixed apportionments and whether there was any conclusion to reviewing this. The Officer explained this was a complex area and to ensure SCC break even on the deficits produced this will be raised with the Surrey Treasurers’ Group in identifying a consistent approach for future arrangements across the County.

     

    1. A Member suggested that it would be beneficial to have information illustrating good practice and behavioural patterns across the County to allow Members to see  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8/16

9/16

COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY PROGRESS REPORT pdf icon PDF 143 KB

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    Purpose of the report:  Policy Development and Review

     

    This report provides an update and overview of the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) across the eleven planning authorities in Surrey and the outcomes to date.

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Witnesses

    Paul Druce, Infrastructure Agreements & CIL Manager

     

    Declarations of interest:

    None

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Infrastructure Agreements and CIL Manager introduced the report and provided further updates since the report was published, highlighting that Waverley Borough Council was currently working on their charging schedule and were hoping to publish it very shortly. Furthermore the Board were informed that SCC have recently made 31 applications for CIL funding for a variety of projects to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council with a view to the projects being included in their five year Strategic Infrastructure Plan.  

     

    1. A Member raised concern with the five contributions restriction in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation 122 once CIL was adopted and asked for more information regarding this. The Officer explained this complex area, informing Members s106 requests could still be sought to support development if the infrastructure or project had not previously sought five s106 contributions. It was further stated that this restriction was causing significant difficulties for authorities such as the County Council and that local plan site allocations helped the County plan for S106 contributions on strategic sites as a result of the on site requirements of such large sites.   

     

    1. Following on from the discussion above, Members requested whether the CIL Adoption progress in Surrey table on page 37 of the report could in future indicate which Boroughs and Districts allow s106 contributions from the developer.  

     

    1. There was a discussion around whether it was possible to make revisions to Regulation 123 lists and the Officer indicated that this was possible but a short public consultation was required. The Infrastructure Agreements & CIL Manager advised that Elmbridge Borough Council had recently undertaken such an exercise.  

     

    Mike Bennison left the meeting at 11:35am  

     

    1. A Member referred to SANGS (suitable alternative natural green spaces) and requested the Officer elaborate on the impact money directed to infrastructure has on this. The Officer advised the inclusion of SANGS significantly reduced monies available for other infrastructure due to its high cost and would encourage the allocation of CIL monies to be reconsidered in order to avoid such implications. It was explained that the large amount of money allocated to SANGS was required in order to generate the housing, as was being done in Surrey Heath. But this has an impact on education and highways infrastructure which in turn is not being funded from CIL.   

     

    6. The officer was asked on what grounds an application could be rejected by Local Authorities for where CIL should be spent. Members noted that Education was being excluded from a number of CIL and s106 lists, but the widely held view was that it should be covered by CIL, especially as it was a statutory responsibility for the County to cover the costs and provide school places.  

     

    1. A Member highlighted how the previous regime did not affect Education in the same way as CIL whereas now the new regime has increasingly stripped them of resources. The Board noted the suggestion to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9/16

11/16

BASINGSTOKE CANAL UPDATE REPORT pdf icon PDF 126 KB

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    To update members on progress and make a recommendation on the preferred option for the future management of the Basingstoke Canal.

    Minutes:

    Due to officer availability the Chairman agreed to consider this item before the Superfast Broadband item (Item 10).

     

    Witnesses

    Ian Boast, Assistant Director for Environment

    Lisa Creaye-Griffin,Countryside Group Manager

     

    Declarations of interest:

    None

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Countryside Group Manager introduced the report by way of a PowerPoint presentation, this outlined the historical context, the canal’s characteristics, the canal’s risks, the financial implications and the future management options.

     

    1. A Member made reference to the length of the canal, informing the Board that it is 37 miles long and of that, 32 miles is owned by SCC and HCC, therefore who had ownership of the remaining 5 miles. Officers clarified that the remaining 5 miles were out of use and were being built across.

     

    1. A Member asked why borrowing money at low rates was not being taken advantage of and applied to invest in the Canal. Officers explained borrowing money would effectively generate revenue costs which was not an option.

     

    1. The Chairman expressed the view that the status quo option was not sustainable in the long term and that other possibilities would need to be explored and looked at broadly, going forward.

     

    1. In terms of income generation opportunities, a Member indicated that the canal could potentially self-fund through this. Officers advised the Board that there was a business plan in place, in particular around improving the camp site at the Canal Centre site. Furthermore, Members noted that Officers were meeting with Knight Frank to discuss possible opportunities going forward.

     

    1. The Chairman informed the Board that further information would be circulated to the Board after the Task Group meets in January 2017.

     

    Recommendations:

     

    The Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board agreed to:

     

    1. Support ongoing collaboration with Hampshire County Council in the development of a business case around the preferred option.

     

    1. Support further discussion and consultation with Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee together with other key stakeholders as part of that ongoing work.

     

    1. Hold a Task Group meeting in early 2017 to report the outcome of the market viability assessment.

     

    Actions:

     

    None

     

10/16

UPDATE ON THE SUPERFAST SURREY PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 96 KB

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    To providean update to the Scrutiny Board on the status of the Superfast Surrey Programme.

     

    Minutes:

    Witnesses

    Graham Cooke, Project Manager Superfast Surrey Programme

    Cllr Peter Martin, Deputy Leader

     

    Declarations of interest:

    None

     

    Key points raised during the discussion:

     

    1. The Chairman agreed for the meeting to be taken into part 2.

     

     

    RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

     

    1. Officers were commended for their work and service around the Superfast Surrey Programme, which has been recognised throughout the County.

     

     

    Recommendations:

     

    The Board noted the update on the Superfast Surrey Programme.

     

    Actions:

     

    None.

     

12/16

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 12 JANUARY 2017

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    The next meeting of the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board will be held on Thursday 12 January at 10:30am in the Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston Upon Thames.

    Minutes:

    The next meeting of the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board will be held on Thursday 12 January at 10.30am in the Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames.