Agenda and minutes

Council - Tuesday, 13 November 2018 10.00 am

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DN. View directions

Contact: Joss Butler  020 8541 9702

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78/18

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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    The Chairman to report apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Apologies for absence were received from Bill Chapman, Matt Furniss, Richard Hampson, Edward Hawkins, Julie Iles and Rachael I Lake.

     

79/18

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 166 KB

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    To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9 October 2018.

     

    (Note: the Minutes, including the appendices, will be laid on the table half an hour before the start of the meeting).

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 9 October 2018 were submitted, confirmed and signed.

80/18

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.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Chairman advised that he did not require Members to declare any significant personal interests that already appeared on their Registers of Interest. There were no declarations.

     

81/18

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

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    Recent Visits

     

    Royal British Legion Poppy launch: Held at Surrey University, to distribute the first poppies in Surrey. The Lord Lieutenant presented the first Surrey Poppy to 100 year old veteran Ron Pearce.

     

    British Empire Medals: The Lord Lieutenant presented British Empire Medals to eight Surrey residents in recognition of meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown at Loseley House.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Chairman:

     

    ·        Thanked the Members for attending Richard Wilson’s funeral on 6 November 2018. 

    ·        Thanked those who attended the Act of Remembrance service on 9 November 2018. 

    ·        Informed Members that they would be receiving an invitation to submit a nomination for a volunteer who had made an outstanding contribution to their local area. Members were asked to nominate at least one individual each.

     

     

82/18

LEADER'S STATEMENT pdf icon PDF 307 KB

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    The Leader to make a statement.

     

    There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions and/or make comments.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Leader made a detailed statement. A copy of the statement is attached as Appendix 1.

     

    Members raised the following topics:

     

    ·        Thanked the Leader for his leadership and service to the Council during his time as Leader of the Council.

    ·        Highlighted that the next Leader would bring the opportunity for a new era and new ways of working. 

    ·        Tthat they felt positive about the future.

    ·        That it takes bravery and commitment to be the Leader of the Council.

    ·        Wished the Leader a happy retirement.

    ·        That the Leader’s successor faced an extreme challenge and that the Council would require strong leadership.

    ·        That the Leader received a CBE in 2017 for services to local government and charity.

    ·        Highlighted the importance of flood prevention in the County.

83/18

MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME pdf icon PDF 90 KB

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    1.     The Leader of the Council or the appropriate Member of the Cabinet or the Chairman of a Committee to answer any questions on any matter relating to the powers and duties of the County Council, or which affects the county.

     

    2.     Cabinet Member Briefings on their portfolios

     

    There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions.

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Notice of seven questions had been received. The questions and replies were published in a supplementary agenda on 12 November 2018.

     

    A number of supplementary questions were asked and a summary of the main points is set out below:

     

    (Q1) Mr Robert Evans highlighted that Central Government had announced that an additional £42m would be allocated to repair potholes in the country and asked the Leader of the Council to confirm how much of this would be used in Surrey. 

     

    Cllr Essex asked for details of the Council’s contact with parliament to request fairer funding on Surrey’s roads. 

     

    The Leader confirmed that the Council would be receiving an additional £7.4m to repair potholes on Surrey’s roads. He further highlighted that he had written to Central Government numerous times to make Surrey’s case for fairer funding.

     

    (Q2) Mr Will Forster asked the Cabinet Member for Children if she would write to borough and district councils who had not yet taken action to take young care leavers out of council tax to promote and support the scheme. The Cabinet Member noted the schemes benefits to those transitioning to adulthood and confirmed that she was happy to take the request forward. The Cabinet Member went on to ask Members of the Council who also had responsibilities with borough and district councils to support the scheme in their council meetings.

     

    (Q3) Mrs Hazel Watson asked the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport if he was aware of the wider issues relating to parking displacement due to the car parking changes implemented in the countryside estate.The Cabinet Member noted these concerns and highlighted that there was a process to follow for any concern of parking displacement. He asked that Members contact him direct to outline issues relating to car parking as they can be passed on the appropriate officer.

     

    (Q4) Mrs Barbara Thomson asked the Cabinet Lead Member for People what role local and joint committees had to support the efforts outlined in the response. The Cabinet Member highlighted the key roles of local and joint committees as well as other partners, which included the Community Safety Partnership and the Health and Wellbeing Board.It was further noted that Surrey Police would be providing seminars for front line workers to highlight ongoing work to prevent serious and organised crime.

     

    (Q6) Mrs Hazel Watson asked the Cabinet Lead Member for Place to confirm the location of the 14 sites outlined in the question response.The Cabinet Member informed the Member that details of the 14 sites could be found in the relevant Cabinet papers.

     

    (Q7) Mr Robert Evans asked the Cabinet Member for Corporate Supportif awarding contracts based on their value for money was in line with the Council’s ethos and principles relating to Fairtrade. He further asked for confirmation on whether the products provided by Commercial Services were Fairtrade. The Cabinet Member noted the Members comments relating to value for money contracts and agreed to provide a response to the query relating to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83/18

84/18

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

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    Any Member may make a statement at the meeting on a local issue of current or future concern.

     

    (Note:  Notice of statements must be given in writing, preferably by e-mail, to Democratic Services by 12 noon on 12 November 2018).

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

     There were none.

85/18

ORIGINAL MOTIONS pdf icon PDF 46 KB

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    Amendment to the original motion standing in the name of Mr David Hodge item 8(i).

     

    Amendment proposed by Mr Chris Botten.  

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Item 8(i)

     

    Under Standing Order 12.3 the Council agreed to debate this motion.

    Under Standing Order 12.1 Mr David Hodge moved the motion, which was:

     

    The Surrey Youth Cabinet forms an important voice, representing the interests of young people across Surrey. 

     

    SCC’s Cabinet met recently, and we agreed a number of areas where we will work in greater partnership going forward, which I believe will add real benefit to this Council and how we will provide services to young people in future.

     

    I seek the Council’s endorsement that we should invite the Surrey Youth Cabinet to hold formal elections to elect a young person as the Youth Mayor for Surrey for a 12 month period.

     

    Mr Hodge made the following points:

     

    ·        Highlighted the need for more representatives of young people on the Council.

    ·        That this was an opportunity for the Council to engage further with young people and show that it wants young people to be more involved with politics and the civil service. 

    ·        Recognised that details of funding and the agreed process would need to be assessed by officers and the appropriate select committee.

    ·        That he expects the first elections to be held in May 2019.

     

    The motion was formally seconded by Mr McIntosh who made the following points:

     

    ·        That he fully supported the motion and felt it was a fantastic idea.

    ·        The London Borough of Croydon had great success in the area.

    ·        That it would bring more opportunities for young people.

    ·        That the motion would be a force for good in the Council and that more young people were needed in local politics.

     

    Mr Botten withdrew an amendment to the original motion in his name which was previously circulated in the supplementary agenda.

     

    Nine Members made the following points:

     

    ·        Showed support for more young people in local politics.

    ·        Informed Members that the Surrey Youth Cabinet supported the motion.

    ·        That many young people felt the biggest issues were around mental health and knife crime.

    ·        That this motion would encourage Members to better identify with young people.

    ·        Hoped that the motion would provide wider political engagement with young people.

    ·        That all Council decisions should consider their impact on young people.

    ·        That they were very impressed with the Youth Parliament.

    ·        Young people can be very open and honest when consulted.

     

    The Chairman asked Mr Hodge, as proposer of the original motion, to conclude

    the debate. He stated:

     

    ·        That this was a unique opportunity to work with the Youth Cabinet.

    ·        Young people faced new and different problems which needed to be represented.

    ·        Members needed to be confident that they could work with the Youth Cabinet.

     

    The motion was put to a vote and received unanimous support.

     

    Therefore it was RESOLVED that:

     

    The Council should invite the Surrey Youth Cabinet to hold formal elections to elect a young person as the Youth Mayor for Surrey for a 12 month period.

86/18

ORGANISATION STRATEGY, PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL STRATEGY, TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME, AND 'OUR PEOPLE' STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 140 KB

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    This report sets out how the Council plans to contribute towards achieving the outcomes in the Community Vision for Surrey in 2030 (Community Vision for Surrey) over the medium term, which is covered across four strategic documents that are annexed to this report. Surrey County Council’s Organisation Strategy (Annex 1) sets out how the Council will work with residents and partners and direct our resources to where they will have the most impact. The Preliminary Financial Strategy (Annex 2 and Appendix 1) and Transformation Programme (Annex 3) will not only secure the Council’s financial sustainability but will also reform the function, form and focus of the organisation. ‘Our People 2021’ (Annex 4) is our plan for the Council’s current and future workforce and sets out how we will develop our capacity and capability to contribute to the Community Vision for Surrey, achieve our priority strategic outcomes for residents, ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the Council, drive wholesale transformational change and create a high performance culture.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Leader of the Council introduced the report and provided Members with a brief summary of each strategy. He stated that the County Council faced huge financial challenge and that, although support had been received from residents, there were still cuts to funding. The strategies set out the transformation that was required to meet new challenges as well as showing how the Council would work with residents. It was noted that each strategy had been approved by Cabinet on 30 October 2018.

     

    Members made the following comments:

     

    • The strategies added depth to the Vision for Surrey.
    • Changes needed to be made to continue proving services to residents.
    • Felt that, in order to support the transformation, all parties should be represented on the Cabinet.
    • Highlighted that the consultation with residents and partners was not yet over.
    • Highlighted that there were no drop-in sessions in Farnham and that residents had to travel long distances to give their views.
    • Asked that evidence be provided to reassure Members on the benefits of the changes outlined in the strategies.
    • That the Council was dominated by cuts and a better partnership was needed with Central Government.
    • Members needed to be better involved with the scrutiny of the transformation.
    • Raised concern that the detail would not match the Council’s actions.
    • Felt that the strategies were premature and that Members required more detail to make a decision.
    • Plans were in place for the Corporate Overview Select Committee Budget Sub-Group to scrutinise the budget in November 2018.
    • Raised concern with the budget reductions in the Children’s Service.
    • The Council needed to put previous issues behind it to face new challenges.
    • That Members had the opportunity to request further detail when attending Member seminars.
    • A culture change was needed in the Council.
    • Highlighted that only 4% of the organisation’s workforce were under the age of 25.
    • That a firm political opposition had a role to play in decision making.
    • Partner organisations had limited resource to support the Council.
    • Highlighted the benefit of further robust scrutiny.
    • Thanked residents for completing the consultations.
    • The Council needed to look at how to deliver services differently.
    • It was hopeful that Members were looking at the budget earlier than usual.
    • That the consultations would be taken forward in an open and transparent way.
    • That more Members should sign up to receive training on scrutiny.

     

    Recommendation A

     

    55 Members voted for, 11 against and 2 abstentions.

     

    Recommendation B

     

    48 Members voted for, 17 against and 3 abstentions.

     

    Recommendation C

     

    49 Members voted for, 14 against and 6 abstentions.

     

    Recommendation D

     

    53 Members voted for, 12 against and 4 abstentions.

     

    Recommendation E

     

    Unanimous.

     

    Recommendation F

     

    Unanimous.

     

    Therefore it was RESOLVED:

     

    The Council:

     

    a)     Approved the Surrey County Council Organisation Strategy 2019 – 2023 (Annex 1), which sets out how the council will work with residents and partners to contribute to the achievement of the Community Vision for Surrey in 2030. It sets out priority areas the Council will focus on over the next four years.

    b)     Approved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86/18

87/18

REPORT FROM THE PLANNING AND REGULATORY COMMITTEE ON REFERRED MOTION pdf icon PDF 80 KB

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    To note a report from the Planning and Regulatory Committee on the motion referred to it by Council on 9 October 2018.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Members noted the report.

     

88/18

REPORT OF THE CABINET pdf icon PDF 94 KB

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    To receive the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 30 October 2018 and to agree one recommendations in respect of:

     

    A.     Surrey Asset and Place Strategy

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 30 October 2018.

     

    Reports for Information/ Discussion

     

    A.     Surrey Asset And Place Strategy

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    a.     That a programme budget of up to £500,000 be approved to enable the development of the strategy and the financial validation, as transformation expenditure to be funded from capital receipts flexibility. This figure includes a previous decision by Council to allocate £275k. 

    b.     That the report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 30 October 2018 be adopted.

89/18

MINUTES OF CABINET MEETING pdf icon PDF 132 KB

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    Any matters within the minutes of the Cabinet’s meetings, and not otherwise brought to the Council’s attention in the Cabinet’s report, may be the subject of questions and statements by Members upon notice being given to Democratic Services by 12 noon on 12 November 2018. 

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    No notification had been received by the deadline from Members wishing to raise a question or make a statement on any matters in the minutes.