Decisions

RESOLVED:

1. That the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions for the year be noted.

Reason for Decision:

This report is to comply with the agreed policy of providing a monthly budget monitoring report to Cabinet for approval of any necessary actions.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1.    That approval for the sites listed in Annex 1 to be used for Extra Care Housing accommodation is given in principle. Business cases will be presented to Cabinet to confirm final approval for the development of these sites for Extra Care Housing.

2.    That approval is given in principle to the programme on the basis that approval is subject to satisfying all surveys, site investigations, planning, environmental and legal reports.

Reason for Decision:

The proposal delivers and supports the Adult Social Care’s (ASC) Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy to deliver accommodation with care and support by 2030 that will enable people to access the right health and social care at the right time in the right place, with appropriate housing for residents that helps them to remain independent, achieve their potential and ensures nobody is left behind.

The design and nature of extra care settings means that in the vast majority of cases people should be able to live there throughout their elderly life and will not need to go into residential and nursing care homes when their care needs increase. 

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1. That Capital funding of £3m (Excl. VAT) for associated activities across eight sites to develop the 415 units of Extra Care Housing to the point of achieving planning approval while enabling market delivery engagement to be determined in preparation for full capital Cabinet approval at the next stage be approved.

2. That the sites listed in the Part 2 report, to be used for Extra Care Housing accommodation be approved in principle. Business cases will be presented to Cabinet to confirm final approval for the development of these sites for Extra Care Housing.

3. That approval be given to procure the appropriate supply chain partners to enable delivery of all services and works associated with the above recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

4. With regard to procurement of supply chain partners, it be agreed that, within the +/-5% budgetary tolerance level, the Executive Director Resources and Director of Land & Property are authorised to award such contracts in consultation with the Leader.

Reason for Decision:

In addition to the eight sites identified, the development of Extra Care Housing set out in this paper along with the five previously approved sites will realise the Council’s strategic objective to expand affordable Extra Care Housing provision by 2030.

Capital funding of £3m is requested to undertake all preliminary design and associated surveys and investigations to demonstrate the viability of the new growth Extra Care Housing sites, seek pre-Application planning advice and undertake detailed cost planning, procure contractors and secure planning approval.  Contractors will be engaged in early works to design out risk and ensure buildability and deliverability and once appointed to complete the detailed designs. 

Following feasibility work further cabinet approval will be sought for the delivery of these sites and capital investment needed as set out the business cases for each site. 

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources andPerformance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

See Minute 43/21

Reason for Decision:

See Minute 43/21

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1. That £2.2m is allocated (excluding VAT) for the delivery of a children’s home on part of the Former Adult Learning Centre (ALC) site in Dorking from the designated capital pipeline budge for Care Leaver Accommodation and Children’s Homes.
2. That £30m is allocated (excluding VAT) from the designated Care Leaver Accommodation and Children’s Home pipeline budget for the delivery of a programme of 150 beds for care leaver accommodation at a target cost of approximately £200k per bed (development cost). This provision will be across a number of sites, the locations of which are to be approved by the Service and under consultation with the local Member with delegated authority for individual schemes within overall budget constraints being given to the Executive Director for Children, Young People and Families, in consultation with the Executive Director for Resources, Cabinet Member for Resources and Corporate Support, Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families.

3. That approval be given to procure the appropriate supply chain partners to enable delivery of all services and works associated with the above recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

4. With regard to procurement of supply chain partners, it be agreed that, within the +/-5% budgetary tolerance level, the Executive Director Resources and Director of Land & Property are authorised to award such contracts in consultation with the Leader.

Reason for Decision:

• The proposal will provide a third new family sized children’s home in an area of identified need.
• The proposed delivery method for care leaver accommodation offers an opportunity to maximise the development of existing Surrey County Council (SCC) freehold assets and potentially release assets for repurposing.
• The delivery model will reduce the Council’s overall revenue expenditure for care leaver accommodation.
• The delivery of care leaver accommodation will make a positive difference to the lives of young adults in care and provide access to local facilities.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Surrey Infrastructure Prioritisation Framework be approved.

2.    That further engagement with key stakeholders, including the Districts and Boroughs to review the assessed schemes to develop a prioritised list of projects be approved.

3.    It be agreed that individual schemes are submitted to cabinet seeking approval for implementation when the Outline Business Case has been developed and funding identified as necessary.

Reason for Decision:

The recommendations will enable the development and delivery of an Infrastructure Plan that includes schemes that meet a wide range of outcomes as well as demonstrate deliverability and affordability. The long list of schemes that have already been identified following discussions with officers from Surrey’s district and borough councils since late 2019 will be assessed using the Prioritisation Framework and will lead to the creation of a prioritised shortlist of schemes. Further feasibility work undertaken can then be undertaken to produce an Outline Business Case (OBC) for each scheme. Subject to a positive OBC and the identification of funding schemes will then be reported back on an individual basis to Cabinet seeking approval to implement as necessary.

The process is intended to remain ongoing with new schemes added to the long list as they are identified, and a continuous programme of schemes developed taking them from concept through to delivery.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

See Minute 41/21

Reason for Decision:

See Minute 41/21

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1. That £2.025m of capital funding from existing pipeline allocations to complete the Woodhatch masterplan feasibility study and develop the scheme up to submission of the planning application be approved.

2. That £500,000 of capital funding from existing pipeline allocations for preconstruction services from a preferred contractor to provide cost, buildability, logistics and programming advice for the development as a whole and to inform the feasibility study be approved.

3. That £300,000 from the Feasibility Fund be approved to progress feasibility work for key worker housing and explore opportunities for further services provision.

4. That requests to release further pipeline capital funding to enable critical early works orders are approved and proposed through the monthly budget monitoring reports to Cabinet. Further approval(s) will be required for subsequent stages of the design and main contract works. This will require additional capital programme funds and will be brought to Cabinet for approval.

5. That approval be given to procure the appropriate supply chain partners to enable delivery of all services and works associated with the above recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

6. With regard to procurement of supply chain partners, it be agreed that, within the +/-5% budgetary tolerance level, the Executive Director Resources and Director of Land & Property are authorised to award such contracts in consultation with the Leader.

Reason for Decision:

By approving this recommendation Surrey County Council will:

·         Reduce its future maintenance liability and replace the existing Reigate Priory School site, which is no longer fit for purpose, with a brand new 600-place junior school.

·         Make an essential contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to expand affordable Extra Care Housing provision by 2030.

·         Support the 2020-2025 Reigate and Banstead Housing Delivery Strategy to secure the delivery of homes that can be afforded by local people and which provide a wider choice of tenure, type and size of housing.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1. That £2.5m (excl. VAT) of capital funding from the pipeline allocation be agreed for the Corporate Asset Capital Programme Spend for:

·         Feasibility fees up to detailed planning applications for both developments, and

·         The remaining activities relating to delivery/development of the replacement Bookham Youth and Community Centre.

2. It be noted that the Strategic Investment Board will make any future decisions required in respect to the residential development on Site 1.

3. That approval be given to procure the appropriate supply chain partners to enable delivery of all services and works associated with the above recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

4. With regard to procurement of supply chain partners, it be agreed that, within the +/-5% budgetary tolerance level, the Executive Director Resources and Director of Land & Property are authorised to award such contracts in consultation with the Leader.

Reason for Decision:

• The proposals will provide a modern, flexible, and accessible multi-use space to meet local community requirements, including Early Years provision and also accommodation designed for the provision of youth work by an external provider
• The space will enable the use by other external operators providing and promoting active and healthy lifestyles
• Releasing an existing asset for other uses and delivers the Asset and Place Strategy
• Delivers the Greener Future agenda through efficient construction
• Capital receipt from residential sales providing capital investment into Council-owned asset
• Reduces reactive maintenance costs by providing a new modern and compliant facility
• The scheme will deliver much needed residential accommodation
• The proposal will improve the quality of resident’s lives and community provisions within Bookham

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

See Minute 47/21

Reason for Decision:

See Minute 47/21

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet make the following recommendations to the Council on 16 March 2021.

1.    That Cabinet recommends that Council endorse the Annual Report of the Strategic Investment Board.

Reason for Decision:

To inform the Council about the activities of the Strategic Investment Board.

The Strategic Investment Board has been established in accordance with best practice governance to ensure effective oversight and alignment with the strategic objectives and values of the Council.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1. That the significant demands, issues, concerns and performance associated with the mental health system in Surrey, particularly arising from the additional pressures created by Covid-19, and the impact this is having on Surrey residents be noted.

2. That the range of multi-agency work going on and being initiated to address the situation, including through the Surrey Heartlands Mental Health Partnership and Improvement Board and Health and Wellbeing Board be approved and supported.
   
   
3. That Cabinet receive a further report on the issue of mental health outcomes, experiences and services in Surrey in July 2021.

Reason for Decision:

Tackling health inequality is one of the Council’s four strategic priorities. Poor mental health is a key factor in a range of conditions and personal situations, such as substance abuse, unemployment, poor physical health, that create and/or worsen health inequality. The mental health system in Surrey is under great stress and struggling to manage the demands made upon it. This report and its recommendations, the work to date and the work proposed are intended to support the mental health system deal with the immediate demands and pressures as well as building an effective and sustainable improvement programme. 

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Adults and Health Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1. That the progress of the SEND Transformation programme and its impact for children and young people with SEND and their families be noted.

2. That the focus and priorities for the programme for 2021-22 to embed and accelerate change be agreed.

Reason for Decision:

The Council has invested significant resources into the SEND Transformation programme, and it is important that the return on this investment makes a demonstrable difference and is targeted for maximum benefit. The programme has made great progress already in introducing the foundations of early help and targeted support for children in mainstream settings and committed a further £79m capital investment to increase specialist provision in Surrey.

Despite the continued challenges of the pandemic and new lockdown arrangements, work continues to ensure that the vital projects and pathways introduced by the programme are delivering the benefits anticipated, including additional places for children with SEND closer to home and early support without the requirement for a statutory Education, Health and Care plan. In December 2020, following a meeting to monitor work to improve the attendance of children with SEND, the Department for Education and NHS England concluded that the Council and its partners have demonstrated clear and sustained progress on SEND and that six monthly monitoring of the action plan is no longer required.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet make the following recommendations to the Council on 16 March 2021.

1. The Cabinet recommends that the County Council approves the School Organisation Plan 2020-2030.

Reason for Decision:

The School Organisation Plan is a key document used by schools and education stakeholders in considering medium and long term plans. It is necessary to review the plan to ensure that the best and most up to date information is published for use in this process to encourage collaborative and collegiate planning.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member update be noted.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Surrey County Council EDI Action Plan 2021-22 be endorsed and the new EDI Policy Statement be agreed.

Reason for Decision:

The EDI Action Plan is key to delivering the equality objectives in the Organisation Strategy 2021-26 and plays a pivotal role in supporting the council’s wider aim to tackle inequality to ensure no-one is left behind. Moving to a fairer, more compassionate and inclusive culture will inform how we develop policy, take decisions and serve residents so everyone who lives, works and studies in Surrey is supported to thrive.

The updated EDI Policy Statement will provide a clear, definitive commitment to staff and communities against which the council’s actions can be held to account in its effort to become a fairer and more inclusive organisation. It responds to feedback from staff that they want EDI to be integral to how we work and for Members and senior officers to show greater leadership on this agenda. It also recognises how EDI needs to underpin all we do to tackle inequalities facing residents.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

That both Option 1 and 2 be approved to enable Land & Property flexibility to acquire the Aperdele Rd (former Leatherhead Trinity Children’s Centre) site on either a Freehold or Leasehold basis, and capital funding to reorganise the buildings to support the provision of 60 SEND places.

OPTION 1 Freehold Acquisition of the Site

1.    Cabinet delegate approval to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the  Cabinet Member for All Age Learning, the Executive Director of Resources and the Director of Land & Property of up to [E-4-21] capital funding for the acquisition of the Aperdele Road site in Leatherhead. This includes all acquisition, fees, and reorganisation costs of [E-4-21] to support the provision of 60 SEND places. 

OPTION 2- Lease of Aperdele Rd Site

2.    Cabinet delegate approval to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Cabinet Member for All Age Learning, the Executive Director of Resources and the Director of Land & Property to enter into a 10-year lease at a maximum of [E-4-21] of the Aperdele Road site in Leatherhead, with the possibility to acquire the freehold during the lease term subject to the maximum capital figure in recommendation 1.  In addition, delegates approval to agree capital funding of [E-4-21] of reorganisation costs to support the provision of 60 SEND places. 

Reason for Decision:

SCC spends up to £70m/pa for SEND places in the non-maintained independent sector.  A strategy has been established to reduce the number of pupils in these placements by increasing the number of placements within SCC’s control.  This will reduce the revenue spend on non-maintained independent sector SEND places. 

A target has been set to reduce this number by 200 places in September 2021.

Acquiring the Aperdele Rd site (former Leatherhead Trinity Children’s Centre) will enable the creation of 60 SEND places for September 2021.

RESOLVED:

1. The latest public health situation with regard to Covid-19, nationally and in Surrey be noted.
2. That the actions being delivered through Surrey’s Local Outbreak Control Plan, including the vaccination roll out, and the ongoing support to vulnerable residents, including through the council’s Community Helpline and the Covid Winter Support Grant scheme be noted and endorsed.
3. That the enacting and success of surge testing in two Surrey localities, with the support and co-operation of local residents be noted.
4. That the latest impacts on Adult Social Care and Children’s, Families, Lifelong learning services be noted.
5. That the continued lobbying for prioritisation of key workers, including teachers, to have access to the vaccination programme as soon as possible be noted and endorsed.
6. That the ongoing preparation for the local elections in May 2021 and associated risks be noted and endorsed.

7. That the work and planning going on in respect of the transition into recovery from the pandemic be noted and endorsed.

8. That the use of the council’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme allocations in 2020/21 and 2021/22 be noted and endorsed.

Reason for Decision:

The county and council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis. We are simultaneously managing response activity and work with our partners to enable recovery within the county, looking ahead to a return to day-to-day life for communities following the end of national lockdown.

The recommendations set out in this report ensure Cabinet are appraised of the most recent work going on across the council to protect, sustain and support residents and communities and the economy of Surrey.

[Where necessary a waiver for call-in will be sought from the relevant Select Committee Chairman]

RESOLVED:

That the two decisions taken by officers since the last meeting be noted.

Reason for decision:

To inform the Cabinet of decisions taken by officers under delegated authority.

[This decision is subject to call-in by the relevant Select Committee Chairman dependent on the recommendation.]

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 26 January 2021 were approved as a correct record of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the delegated decisions taken since the last meeting of the Cabinet be noted.

Reason for decision:

To inform the Cabinet of decisions taken by Cabinet Members, Strategic Investment Board and the Committee in Common subcommittee under delegated authority.

RESOLVED:

That the customer experience task group report be noted and recommendations agreed.

There were none

There were none.

There were no public questions.

There were three member questions. The questions and responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

The Leader made a short announcement before the start of the formal meeting agenda. The following key points were made:

·         The Leader explained that the Prime Minister had made an announcement regarding the roadmap to lifting covid-19 restrictions. It was important that residents continue with washing hands, covering their face and maintaining social distance.

·         The vaccination programme in Surrey was progressing well and positive feedback had been received from residents. The Leader encouraged all residents to take the vaccine.

·         The council budget for 2021/22 was approved by Full Council on 09 February and would support the four key priority areas of the refreshed organisation strategy.

·         The council would ensure that organisations and residents impacted by the pandemic would be supported through the recovery phase.

·         The council tax increase for the year was also contained due to the council’s strong financial position.

There were none.

There were no apologies.

Witnesses:

Kelvin Menon - Chief Finance Officer and Treasurer, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC)

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The Chief Finance Officer and Treasurer (OPCC)introduced the report and noted that the OPCC’s budget represented 1% of the force’s total expenditure.

2.    He explained that the budget was split into two parts consisting of the OPCC’s operational budget such as the PCC’s and staffs’ salaries, office and governance costs; and the commissioning budget of £644,000 - contingent on the precept increase - which included the Community Safety Fund (CSF) and victim services and was the PCC’s statutory duty to provide. 

RESOLVED:

The Panel noted the report.

Actions/further information to be provided:

None.

Insight, Analytics, & Intelligence (IAI) Service is responding to NHS consultation:

Integrated Care: next steps to build strong and effective integrated care systems across England

• Proposal to replace the central commissioning role of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) by moving all regions in England toward the Integrated Care System (ICS) model and given designated ICSs statutory footing to hold responsibility and accountability for commissioning

Surrey County Council response to consultation.

Decision made:

It was AGREED to submit the proposed attached response to the consultation outlined above.

Reasons for Decision:

The responses to the consultation will be submitted to Government so that it can be considered in relation to any future decision on the proposal.

Please note this report is provided in two parts and all commercial in confidence information is contained in Part 2.

SCC’s Cabinet approved a new delivery model for Surrey County Council’s (SCC) Countryside Estate (CE) dated 2002, as attached on the 31^st March 2020. It returned the responsibility for visitor services and access to the Council. Conservation and habitat management continues to be managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT). A new deed of variation and lease was signed with SWT on 14^th August 2020 to formalise this new delivery model.

The sawmill was part of the CE when transferred to SWT in 2002 and has been managed by SWT throughout the contract. Aside from two financial years in this 18-year period, it required funding from the estate budget to support its operation.

The sawmill does not fit within the responsibilities for either party in the new operating model. SWT have confirmed they do not want to continue with responsibility for its operation, returning their focus to core biodiversity activity, and the running of a commercial sawmill is not a core function of the Council and.

SCC committed to undertaking an options appraisal, as part of the transitional arrangements for estate property and, pending completion of the variation, to explore whether the operation could continue. The Options Appraisal concluded closure was the best option.

Decision made:

It was AGREED that:

1.               A deed of variation be negotiated and agreed between the Council and SWT to remove the sawmill from the contract begun in 2002, in accordance with clause 2.1.1, from the 31^st March 2021.

2.               To terminate the tenancy at will to occupy the site on 30^th April 2020, and agree any ongoing management costs for the site.

3.               Authority for the signing of the above letter is delegated to SCC’s Legal representatives

Resolution

The Local Committee (Tandridge):

General

(i)         NOTED that the Local Committee’s devolved highways budget for capital works in 2021/22 is £537,000.

(ii)        AGREED that the devolved capital budget for highway works be used to progress both    capital improvement schemes and capital maintenance schemes.

(iii)       NOTED that should there be any changes to the programme of highway works as set out in this report, a report will be taken to a future meeting of Tandridge Local Committee to inform members of the changes.

(iv)       AUTHORISED that the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Local Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman, be able to allocate any additional funding for schemes, in accordance with any guidance issued surrounding that funding.

Capital Improvement Schemes

(v)        AGREED that the capital improvement schemes allocation for Tandridge be used to progress the Integrated Transport Schemes programme set out in Annex 1.

(vi)       AUTHORISED that the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Local Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman, be able to vire money between the schemes agreed in Annex 1, if required.

(vii)      AGREED that the Local Committee Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Area Highway Team Manager, together with the local divisional Member are able to progress any scheme from the Integrated Transport Schemes programme, including consultation and statutory advertisement that may be required under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for completion of those schemes.  Where it is agreed that a scheme will not be progressed, this will be reported back to the next formal meeting of the Local Committee for approval.

Capital Maintenance Schemes (LSR)

(viii)     AGREED that the capital maintenance schemes allocation for Tandridge be divided equitably between County Councillors to carry out capital maintenance works in their divisions, and that the schemes to be progressed be agreed by divisional members in consultation with the Area Maintenance Engineer.

Revenue Maintenance

(ix)       NOTED that the members will continue to receive a Member Local Highways Fund (revenue) allocation of £7,500 per county member to address highway issues in their division; and

(x)        AGREED that the Member Local Highways Fund be managed by the Area Maintenance Engineer on behalf of and in consultation with members.

On 29 January 2021 the Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC) published details of the ADULT SOCIAL CARE (ASC) WORKFORCE CAPACITY FUND.

This fund is to enable local authorities to deliver measures to supplement and strengthen Adult Social Care staff capacity to ensure that safe and continuous care during this period of the pandemic.

Surrey County Council’s (SCC) funding allocation is £2m.

The key aspects of the fund are as follows:

·         The grant is for the period 16^th January 2021 – 31^st March 2021, and must be fully spent by 31^st March 2021.

·         Funding can be retained by local authorities towards their own ASC staffing costs or distributed to external providers.

·         70% of the funding is being paid to local authorities in early February.

·         The remaining 30% will be paid in March and is dependent on local authorities completing a return to DHSC setting out how the funding will be used by 12^th February.

It was agreed that SCC would distribute 75% of the fund (£1.5m) to external community care providers who have complied with the Infection Control Fund grant conditions and retain 25% of the fund (£0.5m) as a contribution to SCC’s ASC staffing costs related to responding to the pandemic in grant period.