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 Monday 9 December 2024).
Minutes:
George Potter noted that in November, the Cabinet decided not to proceed with the proposed London Road walking and cycling scheme in Guildford. He commented on the governance around how the decision was made and noted the very brief consideration by the Cabinet of the referral from the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee.
Jonathan Hulley noted Your Fund Surrey’s four-year anniversary and highlighted two recipients of the Small Community Projects Fund. Firstly, Lyne community near Chertsey had benefited from a new community pavilion on the village green. Secondly, White Lodge Centre near Saint Peter's Hospital delivered services and support to children and adults for a range of disabilities, funding helped deliver improvements to their pathways. He thanked the Council’s Community Investment team for its work in allocating the funding.
Trefor Hogg stressed that vacant and abandoned retail properties damaged communities and local economies, there were many small businesses or community organisations that would want to rent such properties if the rent was affordable. He welcomed the Rental Auctions Regulations which came into law on 2 December 2024.
Buddhi Weerasinghe highlighted Spelthorne Litter Pickers, a group of over 1,000 residents who work to keep the community green and clean; they received The King's Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. He urged Members to honour their contributions and encourage others to join them in building a lasting, cleaner and greener earth for all.
Joanne Sexton noted that
residents in 2021 raised concerns about the safety of Feltham Road.
She had arranged a meeting with residents, officers and Surrey
Police where the road’s history of collision and serious
injuries were acknowledged, it was agreed that action needed to be
taken to protect residents. She commended the officers for their
work in developing a scheme which would improve safety and the
quality of the life of residents.
Catherine Powell read out a statement on behalf of a head teacher at a local school, whereby since Unit4/MySurrey’s introduction Surrey schools faced issues and changes created additional work for them. She highlighted the slow or non-existent response from Surrey payroll when issues surfaced. Schools were forced to sign up to the system without consultation, she had requested compensation or removal of the Service Level agreement Charge until the system runs properly.
The Leader
asked the Monitoring Officer to review Standing Order 9.1 of the
Constitution regarding Member statements being put without the
right of reply which was unfair when there are allegations or
comments about Members. The Monitoring Officer urged Members to be
mindful of their comments made about others, to abide by the Code
of Conduct and Nolan Principles; Members could raise Points of
Order.
A Member raised a
Point of Order under Standing Order 9.1 noting that it clearly
stated that Member statements must be on a matter that the Council
has powers, the statements made by Members above were in line with
that. The Member also noted that a review of the Standing Orders
was needed around the Chair’s ability to control the
meeting.