Purpose of the item:To agree the
minutes of the previous meeting of the Communities, Environment and
Highways Select Committee as a true and accurate record of
proceedings.
The minutes of the Communities,
Environment and Highways Select Committee held on 14 June 2022 were
formally agreed as a true and accurate record of the
meetings.
Purpose of the item:To receive any
questions or petitions.
The
public retain their right to submit questions for written response,
with such answers recorded in the minutes of the meeting;
questioners may participate in meetings to ask a supplementary
question. Petitioners may address the Committee on their petition
for up to three minutes. Guidance will be made available to any
member of the public wishing to speak at a meeting.
Notes:
1.The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm
four working days before the meeting (30 September
2022).
2.The deadline for public questions is seven days
before the meeting(29 September 2022)
3.The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the
meeting, and no petitions have been received.
Purpose of the
report:To seek Community, Environment
and Highways Select Committee’s comments on the Skills Plan
for Surrey in advance of Cabinet considering it at their meeting on
25 October 2022.
Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member
for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth
Michael Coughlin, Executive
Director of Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth
Jack
Kennedy, Head of Economy and Growth
The Cabinet Member for
Transport, Infrastructure and Growth summarised the role of skills
development in securing economic and inclusion outcomes,aligning with Surrey County Council’s (SCC)
strategic focus on ‘Growing a sustainable economy from
which everyone can benefit’ and underlying principle of
‘no-one left behind’.
Key
points raised during the discussion:
The Chairman asked
how the success of this ambitious agenda would be assessed and
would there be the capacity to amend the strategy if required. The
Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth confirmed
the Skills Plan, which would be shared with the Communities,
Environment and Highways Select Committee, would include measures
against each objective adding that the document would continually
be updated to reflect changing skill requirements going forward.
The Executive Director of Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth noted
longer term difficulties, particularly where the Council was not
the direct deliverer of programmes and noted three strategic aims
over the longer term: the number of people accessing opportunities;
the levels of qualifications and skills improving; and ensuring
that businesses remain within Surrey and are able to recruit from
within the County due to an increase in residents entering
employment. The Chairman requested that the Communities,
Environment and Highways Select Committee see a copy of the Cabinet
paper. Action - Cabinet Member for Transport and Growth/
Executive Director of Partnerships, Prosperity and
Growth
A Member asked if
basic skills for those that had missed a formal education would be
included in the plan. The Cabinet Member for Transport,
Infrastructure and Growth confirmed that basic skills would be
addressed through the lifelong learning element via Surrey’s
maintained schools with this offer being extended to academy
schools.
A Member queried how
future skill requirements could be predicted. The Cabinet Member
for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth explained that input
regarding future skills from business leaders and companies would
be reflected in the future Skills Plan. The Executive Director of
Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth added that businesses and
education providers were brought together through the Surrey Skills
Forum enabling direct conversations around short and long-term
requirements.
A Member, in
referring to paragraph 9 of the report, queried how residents
facing barriers could enter and progress through the skills and
employment system in practice. The Executive Director of
Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth reiterated the focus of SCC to
convene and facilitate contact between education providers,
businesses and residents with a view to simplifying navigation of
the scheme.
A Member said that
there was a lack of guidance for young people not planning to go to
university. The Executive Director of Partnerships, Prosperity and
Growth explained that the Skills Plan paper addressed the gap
– caused by the predilection of young people going to
university –with discussions taking place with both Local
Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) around an enhanced career service to
provide the alternative guidance required.
Purpose of the
report:To provide the Communities,
Environment and Highways Select Committee with an update as
requested following the Committee’s previous meeting (14 June
2022) on a County Deal for Surrey. This report will address the
topics raised during that session by providing further details and
clarifications for the committee to review.
Michael Coughlin, Executive
Director of Prosperity, Partnerships and Growth
Key
points raised during the discussion:
The Leader of the
Council introduced the report, outlining the new government’s
approach to County Deals and an expectation that the proposal would
remain unchanged –Surrey County Council would continue to
pursue a Tier 2 deal.
The Vice Chairman
sought clarification on the draft core proposals included in the
paper, particularly in terms of the Lead Climate Change Authority
which is not currently in existence and asked how this would relate
to other work within borough and district councils’
responsibilities. The Leader of the Council explained that the
Cabinet Member for the Environment would cover the Surrey Council
Climate Change strategy in the following agenda item, however one
aspect of the County Deal was to gain more control locally and
discussions were ongoing with districts, boroughs and parish
councils to decide how to maximise these opportunities.
The Chairman, in
reference to paragraph 23, voiced concerns at the inadvertent tone
of the sentence ‘the power to compel partners to
cooperate’. The Leader of the Council agreed to change the
wording to ‘the power to encourage partners to
cooperate’. Action – Executive Director of
Partnerships, Prosperity and Growth.
A Member sought
reassurances that current policies implemented by the last
Secretary of State would remain relevant. The Leader of the Council
said that no changes were expected in terms of the
government’s policy in relation to devolution and there
remained a commitment from the current Secretary of State with the
paper going to the House of Lords unamended and passing through
parliament following the Select Committee stage on 20 October
2022.
Resolved:
The
Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee:
The Select Committee
appreciates this further update following its June 2022 meeting at
which substantive recommendations were made and subsequently
accepted by Cabinet.
Cameron McIntosh returned to
join the meeting at 11.58
Purpose of the
report:To assess the progress of Surrey
in meeting its net-zero carbon targets for the county and to assess
the progress of local authorities in Surrey, including Surrey
County Council, in meeting organisational net zero targets, in
accordance with the Greener Futures Climate Change Delivery Plan
(2021 – 2025).
Katie Stewart, Executive
Director of Environment, Transport and Infrastructure
Caroline McKenzie, Director of
Environment
Katie Sargent, Environment
Group Commissioning Manager
The Cabinet Member for
Environment introduced the report highlighting the insulation of
homes and the installation of renewables in homes as priorities,
reiterating that whilst there were areas that needed further
progress, the value of collaborative working prior to the paper
going to Cabinet in November was clear.
The Deputy Cabinet Member for
Environment explained that recent work with the communications team
was intended to optimise the message going out to residents to
reinforce the greener futures message and maximise behaviour
change.
Key
points raised during the discussion:
The Vice Chairman, in
reference to the lack of national funding for transport issues
noted in paragraph 11, was concerned about the new government
having a lack of enthusiasm for greener futures agenda. The Cabinet
Member for the Environment said that the aim was for the agenda to
continue locally, regardless of national reprioritisation, and the
focus was for the Council to remain at the forefront of the agenda
by lobbying for alternative sources of funding and ensuring
resources were available to bid for funding
opportunities.
A Member, in
reference to the Cabinet Member for Environment’s comment
around alternate sources of funding noted that the same was said a
year ago and reiterated that action was required. The Environment
Group Commissioning Manager explained that progress was being made
with the implementation of different finance mechanisms and added
that as an example, the development of a power purchase agreement
to enable rental roof style schemes with schools could be
replicated for use on commercial, industrial and agricultural
buildings to generate income and help fund decarbonisation measures
going forward.
A Member was
concerned at the time taken to bring information forward to the
Greener Futures Reference Group on these finance options. The
Director of Environment whilst noting the concern, explained the
complexity of the mechanisms and the need gather evidence and build
on trust to encourage private sector finance.
A Member queried how
the format of the report could be adjusted to reflect that despite
reductions being achieved, emissions were rising faster than the
trajectory the county needs to stay on track to meet its net zero
ambitions. The Cabinet Member for Environment committed to add a
record of this information to future reports. Action- Cabinet
Member for Environment
A Member queried when
the next base data update could be expected. The Environment Group
Commissioning Manager confirmed that data was released
annually.
A Member requested an
update regarding the progress of delivery in respect of the Light
emitting diode (LED) streetlight replacement programme and the roll
out of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargepoints pilot project, particularly given the
risk and concerns over the lack of capacity of third-party
providers to deliver some objectives. The Executive Director of
Environment, Transport and Infrastructure confirmed that the LED
streetlighting programme was on track ...
view the full minutes text for item 40/22
·
To inform the Committee of the intention to remove the out-of-date
Surrey Council Council Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Policy for
byways open to all traffic (“BOATs”) on Public Rights
of Way
·
To give the committee the opportunity to provide comment and views
on a new BOATs policy which sets out how the Council will manage
BOATs in the future including the use of TROs, ahead of
consideration by the Council’s Cabinet to adopt it in
November 2022
Katie Stewart, Executive Director of Environment,
Transport and Infrastructure
Caroline McKenzie, Director of
Environment
Daniel Williams, Lead
Countryside Access Officer
Key
points raised during the discussion:
The Chairman asked
what the practical consequences were of changes being introduced
due to the new policy. The Cabinet Member for Environment explained
that taking action around issues on a particular byway would be
easier to take forward. The Director for Environment added that
although most residents would not notice the changes, as the policy
only affects a proportion of the county where BOATs are
inexistence, those affected would find the process much simpler and
easier to navigate.
A Member asked if any
communications for residents were planned regarding this policy
change. The Cabinet Member for Environment agreed to take the
suggestion away. Action – Cabinet Member for
Environment
A Member queried if
the budget and resources would be increased as a result of the
policy changes. The Director for Environment explained that the
budget and resources had been increased slightly to absorb any
issues and the impact of the policy change would be monitored going
forward.
A Member noted that
the report did not reference any consultation with parish councils
and sought reassurance regarding their role within this
decision-making process. The Director for Environment said that a
full consultation had not been required as the change in policy
reflected a change to legislation; however consultations would
continue with each stakeholder group as required.
A Member requested
that on completion of the process, a short briefing document be
sent to the parish councils and local resident groups of the
affected areas to explain the new processes. The Cabinet Member for
Environment agreed to provide the briefing note on completion of
the process. Action – Cabinet Member for
Environment
A Member queried the
decision-making process and the opportunity for councillors’
input following the abolition of local and joint committees. The
Cabinet Member for Environment said that a paper referencing the
transfer of powers would be going to full Council.
Resolved:
The Community, Environment and Highways Select
Committee:
1.Supports the proposed policy.
2.Asks for communication plan to raise
awareness about the changes.
3.Requests for a short briefing document
for parishes to inform and support them.
Katie Stewart, Executive
Director of Environment, Transport and Infrastructure
Caroline Smith, Planning Group
Manager
Deborah Fox –
Champkins, Placemaking Group
Manager
David Milner, Create
Streets
Nicholas Boyes-Smith, Create
Streets
Key
points raised during the discussion:
The Chairman asked if
an expanded view to be expected from the Council in its input
relating to new planning applications as a consequence of this new
guidance. The Planning Group Manager reiterated that the Council
remained a consultee in respect of planning applications and did
not make the decisions. The
Transportation Development Planning Group would assess all new
planning applications against the new guidance and if from a
Highways point of view, as per the national planning policy
framework, the Council considered that an application was not well
designed, this would be made clear to a relevant borough council
for them to consider when they come to their
conclusion.
A Member asked if
small features such as parklets could be retro fitted using
Integrated Transport Scheme (ITS) allocations. The Executive
Director of Environment, Transport and Infrastructure confirmed
that the service was committed to working with Members through the
ITS and other schemes and sources to effectively bring these
measures into existing projects.
The Vice Chairman
welcomed the paper noting that coordination with borough and other
councils would be required in relation to the Design Code. The
Planning Group Manager said that design codes would be required for
all Local Authorities and the Council had successfully bid to the
Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities last year to be
a Design Code path finder to develop a web tool for this guidance.
The digital guidance currently being trialled, would allow the
districts and boroughs to use this for their own street design and
design codes.
A Member said the
Design Code would benefit from a strong. Recommendation that
utilities were not placed in roadways. David Milner Deputy
Director, Create Streets, noted the code on page 79 of the report
which states that ‘most utilities will be routed under
pavements, so paving systems must be easy to lift and reinstate
without the need for specialist contractors or materials. The
Executive Director of Environment, Transport and Infrastructure
added that this code combined with the benefits of a new lane
rental scheme to allow direct engagement with the utilities
companies at a strategic level.
A Member noted that
paragraph 26 mentioned that advice will be made available to
residents so that they can see design consideration for themselves
and asked how this would be achieved. The Planning Group Manager
confirmed that formal responses were currently available to all on
the borough and district website. The funding received to create
the Design Code web tool would develop the process to make it more
accessible and easier to understand for all involved and would be
an improvement on current accessibility of information.
A Member asked how
this policy overlaps with the Government’s Office for Place
and queried if engagement with developers had taken place. The
Planning Group ...
view the full minutes text for item 42/22
Purpose of the
report:For the
Select Committee to review the attached recommendations tracker and
forward work programme, making suggestions for additions or
amendments as appropriate.
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