Councillors and committees

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames. TW18 1XB

Contact: Gregory Yeoman, Partnership Committee Officer  Room 357, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 1XB

Items
No. Item

Spelthorne leisure centre pdf icon PDF 72 KB

A record of the representation by residents about the Spelthorne leisure centre consultation is included as an Annex to the minutes.

Open Forum questions pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Questions and responses from the informal open forum session are attached as an Annex to the minutes.

17/18

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    • Share this item

    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    No apologies were received.

     

    The Chairman welcomed Cllr Beardsmore to the committee.

18/18

MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 115 KB

    • Share this item

    To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting on 19 March 2018 as a correct record.

     

    Minutes:

    The minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2018 were approved as a correct record.

     

19/18

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    • Share this item

    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:

    No declarations of interest were received.

20/18

DECISION TRACKER (FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 258 KB

    • Share this item

    To review any outstanding decisions from the Joint Committee.

     

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Are Highways Officer

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    Resolved:

    The Chairman said that he would follow-up with Cabinet members regarding bus services around the south of Heathrow, and would report at the next meeting.

    The Area Highways Officer agreed to update the petitioner regarding the feasibility study and other progress on the Wraysbury Road/Staines Lammas pedestrian crossing, and would include the divisional and ward members.

    The Area Highways Officer stated that initial work had begun on the drainage survey in Charlton Village and that it was planned to be completed within the current financial year. Cllr Attewell’s requests for the work to be prioritised were noted.

    The Area Highways Officer agreed to check with the Highway Maintenance Engineer regarding the timing of the gulley works at Crooked Billet.

     

21/18

PETITIONS & PETITION RESPONSES pdf icon PDF 99 KB

    • Share this item

    To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 14.1.  Notice must 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 or Spelthorne Borough Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: One petition was received from Mr Christopher Doe asking for Walton Bridge to be cleaned before 2019/20.

     

    The Petition wording and officer response were included in the agenda pack.

    Mr Doe did not attend the meeting and there was no discussion.

22/18

WRITTEN MEMBER QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 85 KB

    • Share this item

    To receive any written questions from members under Standing Order 13.  The deadline for members’ questions is 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    One question was received from Cllr Beardsmore, who asked about traffic monitoring at Sunbury Cross.

     

    The wording of the question and the officer response were included in the agenda pack.

     

    The Area Highways Manager confirmed that any data collected by the survey would not become available to Surrey County Council as it had been bought and paid for by a third party.

    Cllr Griffiths stated that any concerns about traffic monitoring activity should initially be addressed to divisional members.

23/18

WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 107 KB

    • Share this item

    To answer any questions from residents or businesses within Spelthorne borough area in accordance with Standing Order 14.2.  Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Partnership Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: Three written questions were received.

    A copy of the questions and officer responses were included in the agenda and supplementary agenda packs.

     

    Neither Mr McLuskey nor Mr Hirsh was present at the meeting. Mr Catt had asked about extension of the 20mph limit in Thames Street, Sunbury; he commented that he was concerned about the apparent ineffectiveness of the work that had already been carried out and asked about the installation of speed bumps as a more effective way to slow down the traffic.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    Members noted the response to Mr McLuskey’s question about concerns relating to the expansion of Heathrow.

     

    Regarding Mr Hirsh’s question on the application of parking regulations in respect of new developments, it was agreed that Cllr Tim Evans and Cllr Smith-Ainsley would continue the conversation outside the committee to allow proper discussion of the technicalities involved.

     

    The idea of a blanket ban on pavement parking was discussed. The Area Highways Officer explained that the committee could issue a traffic order to implement this but it would need to go through the normal parking review process; implementation would incur costs through signage and the legal process, along with potential issues from associated displacement parking.

     

    The Area Highways Officer indicated that budgets and resources for the current financial year were already fully committed and any new work carried out during that time would mean removing allocated resources from planned work. A better option would be for the committee to consider the possible installation of speed bumps in Sunbury when it prioritises work for 2019/20 in the autumn.

24/18

FUNDING A NEW HOMELESS HOSTEL IN SPELTHORNE (FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 210 KB

    The Government is currently considering major changes to the way vulnerable clients in housing need pay for their short-term supported housing. This may result in a new ring-fenced grant issued to Surrey County Council in replacement of the client’s access to state benefits to pay for rental costs. Given that proposals, as currently published, do not address how new provision will be funded from 2020, officers wish to highlight to Spelthorne Joint Committee that Spelthorne Borough Council is actively seeking to build a hostel for local single homeless people.

    Decision:

    The Spelthorne Joint Committee:

    (i) Noted that funding arrangements for short term supported housing, including those for homeless people, are due to change from 2020/21, with current expectations that Surrey County Council will receive an annual grant to distribute to the eleven boroughs and districts.

    (ii) Noted that Spelthorne Borough Council are actively seeking to build a hostel for single homeless people with a connection to Spelthorne.

    (iii) Agreed that, based on the evidence provided, the provision of a new homeless hostel in Spelthorne is required.

    (iv) Agreed that, subject to a final decision by HM Government on the method of revenue funding from 2020/21, and subject to receiving detail on the conditions which will be attached to that grant funding, that the proposed new hostel in Spelthorne is prioritised for revenue funding.

     

    Reasons for recommendations:

    The above recommendations are sought in order to progress plans for a single person’s homeless hostel. The Government are currently finalising their position on

    funding arrangements from 2020, but given the timescales for Spelthorne Borough Council to design and build the hostel, an early indication of support from Joint Committee is sought, with a commitment to prioritise revenue funding for the scheme once arrangements are finalised.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: David Birley, Housing Strategy Officer, Spelthorne Borough Council

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    The Officer gave an overview of the situation regarding the review by Government of how rental payments are made for or by individuals in short-term supported housing and the possibility of a ring-fenced grant being issued to Surrey County Council. He confirmed that the proposed new hostel to be built by Spelthorne Borough Council would be situated at Fordbridge roundabout, with opening expected in approximately 18 months.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    The Officer responded to some specific questions relating to trends in the statistics included in his report, and the number and costs of residential units in the hostel.

    The Chairman recognised the County Council’s responsibilities towards the wellbeing of residents but stated that the Joint Committee was a sensible forum for looking at the homeless hostel plan in its early stages and ensure that both authorities were kept informed of progress.

     

    It was generally agreed that accommodation in this new hostel should be limited to Spelthorne residents. The Officer recognised the costs of providing C4 accommodation (Houses in Multiple Occupation for three to six people) and explained that this project was a step towards increasing the borough’s self-sufficiency in regard to homeless provision and a move away from reliance on private landlords to provide C4 accommodation that proves unpopular with neighbours.

     

    Resolved:

    The Spelthorne Joint Committee:

    (i) Noted that funding arrangements for short term supported housing, including those for homeless people, are due to change from 2020/21, with current expectations that Surrey County Council will receive an annual grant to distribute to the eleven boroughs and districts.

    (ii) Noted that Spelthorne Borough Council are actively seeking to build a hostel for single homeless people with a connection to Spelthorne.

    (iii) Agreed that, based on the evidence provided, the provision of a new homeless hostel in Spelthorne is required.

    (iv) Agreed that, subject to a final decision by HM Government on the method of revenue funding from 2020/21, and subject to receiving detail on the conditions which will be attached to that grant funding, that the proposed new hostel in Spelthorne is prioritised for revenue funding.

25/18

SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE (FOR DECISION)

    • Share this item

    The purpose of the presentation is to outline some of the practical effects of cuts and service re-organisations on vulnerable people in Spelthorne. Case studies will be utilised to identify some of the gaps and how they impact on individuals. Proposals will be given for a collaborative approach going forwards in order to help improve options available to assist residents of the borough.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Deborah Ashman and Karen Sinclair, Joint Group Heads, Community Wellbeing, Spelthorne Borough Council

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    The officers gave a presentation describing cuts in services for vulnerable people, how these have affected the community and how Community Wellbeing is addressing the situation. The presentation included two case studies that highlighted problems of numerous agencies being involved in an uncoordinated way and reductions in services meaning that the closest clinics and help centres are too far away to be of practical value.

     

    Cuts to services may impact Spelthorne’s work indirectly (eg the closure of sexual health clinics, reduction in housing floating support, or a reduction in local CAMHS provision), directly (eg Continuing uncertainty around funding for Meals on Wheels, Community Centres, Home Improvement Agencies etc), or through a reduction in the County’s own services (eg through reduced levels of staffing).

     

    The officers sought to make members aware of the situation and to support a more collaborative approach through for example transparency, long-term planning, adequate notice of service changes to allow suitable planning, and suitable monitoring of the effects gaps in service provision have on individual households.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    Members thanked the officers for their presentation and the work their team carries out in difficult circumstances. It was hard to say how many individuals would come under the scrutiny of the Community Wellbeing team because they are not rough sleepers but ‘sofa surfers’ who often stay at one address for a short period of time before moving on. As Spelthorne is on the fringes of London a number of individuals make their way here and increase the numbers of Spelthorne residents, adding to the problem of establishing how many cases originate from within the borough.

     

    Cllr Harvey commented that Spelthorne has an active investment strategy that contributes towards filling the funding gaps and providing the resources to tackle the issues raised.

     

    In response to comments about similar messages of lack of funds being heard from teams at Surrey’s Adult Social Care and Children’s Centres, and Spelthorne’s relative performance against other boroughs and districts in terms of receipt of support, the Chairman asked the Health and Wellbeing Strategic Group to be the main lead on this and to look into the comparative levels of funding.

     

    Cllr Mooney asked about data on teenage pregnancy rates. The officers explained that Public Health hold that information, along with various other statistics that Community Wellbeing makes use of. The Chairman asked to be updated on current teenage pregnancy rates, which he believed were falling.

     

    Resolved:

    It was agreed that information about future meetings of the Health and Wellbeing group would be circulated to the members. Cllr Griffiths expressed an interest in shadowing the officers to get a more detailed idea of the day to day issues covered.

     

     

26/18

HIGHWAYS UPDATE (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 239 KB

    • Share this item

    To receive an update from the Highways Area Team Manager (North East).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    The Joint Committee (Spelthorne):

    (i)    Authorised the Area Highway Manager to undertake any necessary statutory procedures to implement the Spelthorne School scheme, including the advertising of a legal notice for a new Zebra Crossing if this were to be the preferred option (paragraph 2.2.3 and refers);

    (ii)  Authorised the Area Highway Manager to advertise an appropriate legal order for a new 20mph limit in Laytons Lane, Peregrine Road and Falcon Way, Sunbury, and further to consider any representations in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member, and if there are no significant objections to make the legal order for the implementation of a new 20mph limit (paragraph 2.2.3 refers); 

    (iii)Approved the new bus stop clearway as detailed in paragraph 2.9.1 and Annex C.

    (iv)Authorised the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.

     

    Reasons for recommendations:

    The Spelthorne School feasibility study is now complete. Officers need the necessary authorisation to work with the Divisional Member to implement the scheme.

    The 20mph Zone signs in Laytons Lane have no legal backing. Measured traffic speeds would allow for implementation of a 20mph limit in accordance with Surrey County Council’s policy for setting speed limits.  Funding has been made available by the Divisional Member to implement a new 20mph limit.

    A new bus stop clearway is needed in Woodthorpe Road to prevent obstruction of a new bus stop.

    Committee is asked to provide the necessary authorisation to deliver its programmes of work in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Member without the need to revert to the Committee as a whole.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    The Area Highways Manager’s report summarised progress to date with the Joint Committee’s programme of Highways works in the 2019/19 financial year.

     

    In response to a request for an update on Staines town centre SCOOT the Area Highways Manager explained that surveys of the sensors had been completed and had identified some problems that needed fixing and he was expecting final validation of the system in September. IT and staffing issues that had delayed the review had been resolved, and local members had been kept informed of the situation and revised schedule. There may be some pressure on the allocated £30,000 but the Area Highways Manager would do his best to keep the spend within that limit.

     

    The Area Highways Manager reminded Divisional members that they each have £7500 to spend on local highway maintenance projects and he encouraged them to submit their proposals as soon as possible. Details of the other allowances of £5000 made available to members would be circulated by Cllr Griffiths.

     

    Resolved:

    The Joint Committee (Spelthorne):

    (i)    Authorised the Area Highway Manager to undertake any necessary statutory procedures to implement the Spelthorne School scheme, including the advertising of a legal notice for a new Zebra Crossing if this were to be the preferred option (paragraph 2.2.3 and refers);

    (ii)   Authorised the Area Highway Manager to advertise an appropriate legal order for a new 20mph limit in Laytons Lane, Peregrine Road and Falcon Way, Sunbury, and further to consider any representations in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member, and if there are no significant objections to make the legal order for the implementation of a new 20mph limit (paragraph 2.2.3 refers); 

    (iii)  Approved the new bus stop clearway as detailed in paragraph 2.9.1 and Annex C.

    (iv) Authorised the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.

     

    Reasons for recommendations:

    The Spelthorne School feasibility study is now complete. Officers need the necessary authorisation to work with the Divisional Member to implement the scheme.

     

    The 20mph Zone signs in Laytons Lane have no legal backing. Measured traffic speeds would allow for implementation of a 20mph limit in accordance with Surrey County Council’s policy for setting speed limits.  Funding has been made available by the Divisional Member to implement a new 20mph limit.

     

    A new bus stop clearway is needed in Woodthorpe Road to prevent obstruction of a new bus stop.

     

    Committee is asked to provide the necessary authorisation to deliver its programmes of work in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Member without the need to revert to the Committee as a whole.

27/18

COMMUNITY SAFETY FUNDING (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 113 KB

    • Share this item

    The Joint Committee has a delegated budget of £3000 for community safety projects in 2018/19. This report sets out the process by which this funding should be allocated to the Community Safety Partnership and/or other local community organisations that promote the safety and wellbeing of residents.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    The Joint Committee (Spelthorne) agreed that:

     

    (i)                    The committee’s delegated community safety budget of £3000 for 2018/19 be retained by the Community Partnership Team, on behalf of the Joint Committee, and that the SSSP and/or other local organisations be invited to submit proposals for funding that meet the criteria and principles set out at paragraph 2.4 of this report.

    (ii)                   Authority be delegated to the Community Safety Manager, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, to authorise the expenditure of the community safety budget in accordance with the criteria and principles stated at paragraph 2.4 of this report.

    (iii)                  The committee receives updates on the project(s) funded, the outcomes and the impact it has achieved.

     

    Reasons for recommendations:

    The report sets out a process for allocating the committee’s delegated community safety budget of £3000 to local organisations.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Gregory Yeoman, Partnerships Committee Officer

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    The Partnerships Committee Officer explained that only one project had been supported with Spelthorne’s Community Safety Funding money in 2017/18, namely the Safe Drive Stay Alive event. The Chairman and Cllr Beardsmore both stated how impressed they were with this annual event and its very engaging and thought-provoking approach to promoting road safety to young drivers and road users.

     

    The deadline for submitting applications for funding support in 2018/19 was 14 September.

     

    Resolved:

    The Joint Committee (Spelthorne) agreed that:

     

    (i)                    The committee’s delegated community safety budget of £3000 for 2018/19 be retained by the Community Partnership Team, on behalf of the Joint Committee, and that the SSSP and/or other local organisations be invited to submit proposals for funding that meet the criteria and principles set out at paragraph 2.4 of this report.

    (ii)                   Authority be delegated to the Community Safety Manager, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, to authorise the expenditure of the community safety budget in accordance with the criteria and principles stated at paragraph 2.4 of this report.

    (iii)                  The committee receives updates on the project(s) funded, the outcomes and the impact it has achieved.

28/18

REPRESENTATION ON TASK GROUPS AND EXTERNAL BODIES (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 288 KB

    • Share this item

    This report seeks the approval of Joint Committee task group members and the appointment of representatives to external bodies.

    Decision:

     

    The Joint Committee (Spelthorne) agreed:

     

    (i)                     The membership and continuation of the task groups and appointments to outside bodies, as detailed at paragraphs 2.1 to 2.9 and Annex 1, except for the appointment of the Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety which will be confirmed in September by the Council Leader.

    Reasons for recommendations:

    The report proposes joint committee task group membership for the forthcoming year to enable the provision of informed advice and recommendations to the committee. The appointment of councillors of the Joint Committee to external bodies enables the committee’s representation on and input to such bodies

     

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Gregory Yeoman, Partnerships Committee Officer

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    Member Discussion – key points:

    Cllr Harvey stated that Cllr Gething had resigned and there would therefore be a new borough member on the Spelthorne Safer Stronger Partnership board, whose name would be known in September.

     

    The Chairman asked that all task groups give an annual report to the committee, indicating the work and progress that has been achieved for residents.

     

    Resolved:

    The Joint Committee (Spelthorne) agreed to the membership and continuation of the task groups and appointments to outside bodies, as detailed at paragraphs 2.1 to 2.9 and Annex 1, except for the appointment of the Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety which will be confirmed in September by the Council Leader.

29/18

FORWARD PROGRAMME 2017/18 (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 93 KB

    • Share this item

    To review the forward programme 2018/19, indicating any further preferences for inclusion.

    Minutes:

    The Forward Plan was noted.

30/18

DATE OF NEXT MEETING (FOR INFORMATION)

    • Share this item

    To be held on Monday 23 July 2018 at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, Spelthorne Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 1XB.

     

    (6.30pm – 7pm: Informal Public Question Time)

     

     

    Minutes:

    The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 8 October 2018 at 6.30pm.