Decisions

Guildford Joint Committee:

(i)            AGREED the introduction of a one-way system on the north section of Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, in a southerly direction.

(ii)           AGREED to promote a traffic regulation order for the introduction of a one-way system on the north section of Bishopsmead Parade, as shown on the plan below.

Reasons for recommendations:

Currently, drivers can access Bishopsmead Parade from the three existing entries and exits. Due to the slight bend in Ockham Road South and boundary vegetation, visibility is poor for motorists exiting Bishopsmead Parade at the north section. This creates a hazard for motorists at this location and may result in future incidents.

Guildford Joint Committee:

(i)            AGREED a 20 mph speed limit is implemented on Gardner Road, Markenfield Road, Nettles Terrace, Dapdune Road, Park Road, Drummond Road, George Road, Artillery Terrace, Artillery Road, Stoke Fields, Stoke Grove and Church Road to support safer walking and cycling along the “Guildford College Link+” route and throughout the adjoining neighbourhood of residential roads.

(ii)           AGREED in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 an order will be advertised for the 20 mph speed limit, and the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member for Guildford Southwest will consider the responses before proceeding.

Reasons for recommendations:

The proposed lower 20 mph speed limit on Markenfield Road, Nettles Terrace and Dapdune Road will contribute to easier and safer walking, scooting and cycling on the new “Guildford College Link+” route between Guildford rail station and Guildford College. Providing a 20 mph speed limit on these roads and throughout the adjoining neighbourhood of residential roads will ensure consistency of speed limit and will contribute to easier and safer walking throughout the residential area.

The Guildford Joint Committee:

Town Centre Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)

(i)         AGREED having considered the comments made during the formal notice period, the proposals for the north part of Area C are not progressed.

(ii)        AGREED having considered the comments made during the formal notice period, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is made under the relevant parts of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to implement the amended controls as originally advertised, including an extension to the operational hours of the parking bays and single yellow lines in Areas A, B and D to Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 9pm.

(iii)       if (ii) is agreed, AGREED implementation takes place as and when parking behaviours return to a more normal state following the COVID 19 pandemic. If the order is to be made, this must be done within 2 years of the start of the original public consultation (20 September 2019). The need to introduce the proposals and implementation date to be determined by the Parking Manager in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair and 2 delegate members.

Other Locations

(iv)       AGREED having considered the comments made during the formal notice period, Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are made under the relevant parts of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to implement new and amended parking controls to the existing as shown in ANNEXE 1.

(v)        AGREED having considered the comments made during the formal notice period, those in 2.16 are not progressed at this time.

Are members in support of these recommendations? If you do not support them please say or put a comment in the chat. If there are no objections I will assume that the recommendations are agreed.

Reasons for recommendations:

To assist with safety, access, traffic movements, increase the availability of space and its prioritisation for various user-groups in various localities, and to make local improvements.

The Joint Committee (Guildford)

(i)            AGREED the membership of the working groups and appointments to outside bodies, as detailed at paragraphs 2.1 to 2.8.

Reason for recommendation:

Good governance practice requires that the Committee reviews membership arrangements regularly to ensure that representation on the committee, task groups and partnerships is fair and provides the best outcomes for the interests of Guildford borough residents.

Guildford Joint Committee:

(i)            NOTED the overview of the plans and locations of bays to undertake the Electric Vehicle Charging Point trials funded by the Enterprise M3 (EM3) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and led by Surrey County Council (SCC) in Guildford.

(ii)           AGREED that the project sponsor, in consultation with the parking strategy and implementation team manager, the chairman/vice chairman of this committee and the appropriate county councillor can modify the layout and location of the bays prior to a traffic regulation order (TRO) being advertised.

(iii)          AUTHORISED advertisement of all necessary TROs across the selected sites in the Borough of Guildford, as and when required, in order to allow the bays to be introduced and agree that if no objections are maintained, the orders are made.

(iv)         AGREED that if there are unresolved objections, they will be dealt with in accordance with the county council’s scheme of delegation by the parking strategy and implementation team manager, in consultation with the chairman/vice chairman of this committee and the appropriate Divisional member, with the addition also of the SCC Transport Strategy Project Manager.

Reasons for recommendations:

The committee is asked to agree the recommendations to enable the progression of the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Trials as per the business case that was approved and funded by the EM3 LEP.

This will be a standing item, until further notice, to cover any approvals needed to adopt relevant pieces of new guidance, legislation, etc. that has come through from Government in response to the Covid 19 pandemic.. It will also include the need to adopt temporary revisions to the Council’s policies, procedures and practices.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the latest public health situation nationally and in Surrey with regard to COVID-19 and the latest information regarding the government’s Test and Trace programme be noted.

2.    That the financial support being provided to social care providers and Care Homes be noted.

3.    That the support being provided to local businesses through a range of grants, guidance and signposting be noted.

4.    That the activity underway across the county to restore and restart services, activities and the economy, as national lockdown measures were eased be noted.

5.    That a contribution of £200,000 to the Community Foundation Surrey Coronavirus Support Fund was approved to provide additional financial support to the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector, match-funded where possible. 

Reason for decision:

The county and council continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to response activity, attention is turning to the re-starting, restoration and recovery of services and day-to-day life, as lockdown measures are eased nationally.

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

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

The current Waste PFI contract with Suez provides for the treatment and disposal of all local authority collected waste arising within the county. This contract expires in September 2024, and Surrey County Council (SCC) needs to commission new service arrangements. The desired outcomes from the Waste Commissioning Strategy will shape those new arrangements.

It is recommended that Cabinet approves the development of a Waste Commissioning Strategy, proposed outcomes, programme, and review of the variable elements of the funding mechanism for the Surrey Environment Partnership and Waste Collection Authorities.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the development of a Waste Commissioning Strategy be approved;

2.    That the proposed outcomes for the Waste Commissioning Strategy be approved, to:

a)    Meet Surrey County Council’s Waste Disposal Authority (WDA) statutory duties.

b)    Maximise the financial sustainability of waste management in Surrey.

c)    Reduce the carbon impact of waste collection and disposal.

d)    Maximise the integration of waste management in the county.

3.    That the programme proposed for the development of the strategy and re-procurement of the waste disposal contract be approved; and

4.    That the review of the variable elements of the funding mechanism through which the county council funds the Surrey Environment Partnership and the Waste Collection Authorities, within this programme, be approved.

Reason for decision:

The development of a Waste Commissioning Strategy as set out will enable the Council to fulfil its statutory obligations as a Waste Disposal Authority more effectively and will set a framework in which to work with partners and districts and boroughs in achieving a more efficient and financially sustainable approach to the management of waste in the county.  Further, it will enable the Council to properly assess and identify ways of achieving the carbon reduction targets set out in the Council’s recently adopted Climate Change Strategy.

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

RESOLVED:

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

Reason for decision:

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

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

In May 2018 the Leader and Chief Executive commissioned the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to undertake a review of the council’s finances and finance function.

In response to the review a finance improvement programme was developed to address the issues raised.  The plan was approved by Cabinet in September 2018 and this report provides an update and recommends closure of the programme.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the closure of Finance Improvement Programme be approved.

2.      That the continued focus of the Finance Service on improvements (both people and process), learning from others and a culture of no complacency was endorsed.

3.      That the importance of the organisation’s continued focus on its financial discipline was recognised and the further development of the Finance Academy to continue to address and develop financial management capabilities across the organisation was endorsed.

4.      That the progress made on the Digital, Business & Insights programme and recognises the importance of this programme in the further work required to improve financial processes and data insights was noted.

5.      That thanks be extended to the members of the External Assurance Panel, recognising the importance of their involvement, honest feedback, experience and expertise throughout the programme was agreed.

Reason for decision:

The collective commitment to stabilising the financial position of the Council was demonstrated when the finance improvement plan was supported by the Cabinet in September 2018.  Since then a new medium-term financial strategy has been developed, aligned to the Community Vision for Surrey and a balanced budget has been set for consecutive years that does not rely on the use of reserves. 

Having achieved the ambitions of the action plan and addressed the issues raised by the CIPFA report, these recommendations enable the closure of the programme and ensure a continued focus on the development of, and investment in, financial management skills across the whole organisation, to ensure that excellent financial management is at the heart of all our decision making. 

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

To consider the month end budget report and make any recommendations as appropriate.

RESOLVED:

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

2.    That the confirmed increase to the Public Health grant due to the initial Agenda for Change (AfC) uplift and the revision to the Public Health budget approved by the Executive Director – Resources be noted.

3.    That the transfer of the school surplus balance relating to Darley Dene Primary School to its successor academy of £427,554 revenue and £11,543 capital was supported.

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 Performance & Resources Select Committee]

To approve the draft SCC Lane Rental Scheme for submission to Secretary of State.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Surrey County Council undertake a consultation as prescribed in the Department for Transport Lane Rental Schemes Guidance for English Local Highway Authorities with a view to introducing a lane rental scheme. Subject to the results of that consultation having been taken into account and a scheme being considered appropriate to make a submission to the Secretary of State for an Order to bring a scheme into legal effect.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Director for Infrastructure and Delivery in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to approve the commencement of a lane rental scheme once the Secretary of State approval has been obtained.

Reason for decision:

Surrey County Councils’ Community Vision for Surrey in 2030 has an aspiration that “Journeys across the County are easier, more predictable and safer”.  A lane rental scheme will help us achieve this aspiration.  Analysis from pioneer lane rental schemes, introduced by Transport for London (2012) and Kent County Council (2013) demonstrate clear benefits from a scheme. These benefits are derived from behaviour changes by organisations undertaking works, to avoid lane rental charges, and additional control by both Authorities to coordinate works.

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

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED:

That the report received from the Communities, Environment & Highways Select Committee in relation to Item 12 - Rethinking Waste – Surrey County Council’s Waste Commissioning Strategy be noted and recommendations be considered.

.

There were none.

One petition of 1,348 signatories has been received.   It requested that the Council; a) Halt the demolition of Longmead Adult Education Centre in Redhill, b). Retain the Edwardian character of the building, and c) Develop it into a community hub.  The response to the petition was published as part of the supplementary agenda and on the petitions website.

Ms Maulucci presented the petition.

There were no public questions.

There were four Member questions, one from Mrs Kay Hammond and three from Mr Jonathan Essex. These and the responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 May were approved as a correct record.

Recommendation is for Cabinet to note the progress made delivering the improvements across children’s services , the results / feedback from recent Ofsted Monitoring Visits and inspections from the Children’s Commissioner (and his resulting recommendations to the Department for Education), the forward plan for improvement priorities for 2020 and the expected inspections this year.

RESOLVED:

1. That the revised priorities and directorate plan for the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture directorate be agreed.

2. That the overall findings and feedback from the recent quality assurance activity included in this report and the impact on frontline children’s services resulting from delivery of the Children’s Improvement Plan be noted.

3.    That a further report to come to the September 2020 meeting was agreed – to include an update on the children’s improvement programme and the next steps for the re-inspection of Surrey’s children’s services by Ofsted.

Reason for decision:

It is not yet known when the next Ofsted Monitoring Visit or full re-inspection will take place following cancellation of the 7 & 8 April 2020 visit. The ‘Annual Conversation’ with Ofsted is scheduled for 11 June 2020 when we expect to have further clarity on how the inspection programme will proceed.

The revised directorate plan has been updated to reflect the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. While significant effort and resources are working to manage and mitigate the impact of the pandemic, we are committed to delivering the vital improvement priorities also included in the directorate plan. 

As outlined in the main section of the report, the improvement programme is progressing well with Surrey’s children’s services successfully delivering the actions from the improvement plan to address Ofsted recommendations from the 2018 full inspection. There are comprehensive scrutiny arrangements already in place for 2020 with involvement from Surrey County Council (SCC) officers, Members, partner agencies, the Department for Education (DfE) and other key stakeholders.

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

Surrey County Council accepts the funding award of £41.8 million for the A320 North of Woking Housing Infrastructure Fund Forward Funding scheme from the Housing Infrastructure Fund allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, subject to Surrey County Council accepting all grant conditions as set by Homes England.

The scheme be moved from pipeline to capital budget and that funds be released for further scheme development prior to receiving the Infrastructure Fund allocation.

Delegate any further decisions relating to this project to the Executive Director Environment, Transport and Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader.

RESOLVED:

1.    That an appropriate and suitable design consultancy be appointed to undertake the preliminary design work, with an estimated cost of £0.73m incurred by Surrey County Council, in advance of a full funding agreement being entered into with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

2.    That a further report be brought to Cabinet in September 2020 regarding progress with the terms and conditions of the funding agreement and to seek full approval for the scheme.

3.    That authority be given to officers to commence early discussions with landowners with respect to the acquisition of third-party land, it being understood that this may need to progress to compulsory purchase where necessary, which would be subject to both the signing of the Funding Agreement by the Council and a further Cabinet Member resolution.

Reason for decision:

The decisions recommended will enable the early work to develop the project to commence in a way that will ensure that the project has the best opportunity to meet the challenging HIF spend timetable of March 2024. It will also enable some of the currently identifiable risks to be better understood and mitigated before Cabinet are asked for a decision for SCC to give full approval for the scheme and to sign the proposed funding agreement.

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

On 1st March 2022 the Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC) published details of the ADULT SOCIAL CARE OMICRON SUPPORT FUND.  This was the final specific ASC Covid funding stream.

Surrey County Council (SCC) has received £1m of Omicron Support Fund monies.  Funding was provided so that “Local authorities have discretion to use the funding as needed locally, to support the adult social care sector, including relevant local authority staff, in its COVID-19 response, and in particular increased challenges posed by the Omicron variant”.

The funding was unringfenced and did not have to be spent within a set period.  When the funding was received, the Council was paying out the final allocations of the Infection Control and Testing Fund 3 and Recruitment & Retention Fund round 2 funding streams to ASC providers.  It was agreed therefore that Omicron Support Fund monies would be retained on the balance sheet so they could be utilised to support ASC providers in the early part of the 2022/23 financial year.

As with all previous Covid grant funding streams, the Council consulted with the Surrey Care Association to seek views on the best way to dispense the limited grant funds across Surrey’s broad ASC provider base.  Following this consultation the Adults Leadership Team determined that given this funding stream is unringfenced it would be most appropriate to invite all ASC providers to bid for funds against a set of criteria.  Providers were invited to submit applications for a funding allocation towards:

•The cost of staff sickness in April 2022.

•Hardship payments to pass onto staff members who have suffered loss of earnings due to sickness and/or the need to self-isolate.

•The cost of facilitating safe visiting in April 2022, with the option to submit a claim for the period May-June 2022 as well if funds could accommodate.

•Other cost pressures caused by the pandemic in April 2022, with the option to submit a claim for the period May-June 2022 as well if funds could accommodate.

Due to the limited value of grant funds, a decision was taken to prioritise funding for providers who provide services to residents whose care is funded by the Council.  This was made clear on the application form.

An online form was prepared to gather applications and this form was sent to providers on 20th May 2022 inviting them to apply with a deadline of 10th June 2022.

Applications were received from 165 providers, totalling £3.1m.

The following applications met the agreed criteria for financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic:

A one-off payment of £14,870.00 will be made to support the above organisations.

It was AGREED that:

The following applications met the agreed criteria for financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic:

A one-off payment of £23,000.00 will be made to support the above organisations.

Decision made:

It was agreed that SCC would distribute 75% of the Infection Control Grant funding it receives from DHSC directly onto all care homes in line with the grant conditions stipulated in the DHSC grant circular.

Reasons for Decision:

To support COVID-19 infection control in Surrey’s care homes and ensure SCC is compliant with DHSC’s grant conditions.

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE that:

(i)    One County Council Member be appointed to the Safer Waverley Partnership, as detailed in the report, section 2.2.

(ii)  The County Council Member be allowed to bring update reports from the Safer Waverley Partnership, when relevant.

(iii)   Members note the terms of reference in Annex A.

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE:

(i)       To note the overview of the plans and PROPOSED locations of bays TO BE CONSULTED ON to undertake the Electric Vehicle Charging Point trials funded by the Enterprise M3 (EM3) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and led by Surrey County Council (SCC) in Waverley.

(ii)      That the project sponsor, in consultation with the parking strategy and implementation team manager, the Chairman/Vice Chairman of this committee and the appropriate county councillor can modify the layout and location of the bays prior to a traffic regulation order (TRO) being advertised.

(iii)     To authorise advertisement of all necessary TROs across the selected sites in the Borough of Waverley, as and when required, in order to allow the bays to be introduced and agree that if no objections are maintained, the orders are made.

(iv)    That if there are unresolved objections, they will be dealt with in accordance with the county council’s scheme of delegation by the parking strategy and implementation team manager, in consultation with the Chairman/Vice Chairman of this Committee and the appropriate county councillor, with the addition also of the project sponsor.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed that bus stop clearways be introduced at The Park bus stops, Church Road, Bookham, operating for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to include a 23 metre bus cage (at southbound stop) and the existing 19 metre bus cage (at northbound stop).

Reason for decision:

The above decision was made to enable the installation of bus stop clearways for The Park bus stops, Church Road, Bookham, operating for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This is to ensure that buses servicing these bus stops are able to provide passengers step-free access at all times and ensure that there is good visibility for the bus driver to see waiting passengers.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed:

i.       To note the results of the speed limit assessment undertaken.

ii.       That, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced from 60mph to 20mph in the section of Abinger Lane between Hollow Lane and a point 16m north-west of the north-west boundary of Rew Cottage; in the section of Sutton Lane between the junction with Abinger Lane and a point 67m west of the entrance to Abinger Manor; and in the entire length of Evelyn Cottages; and the speed limit be reduced from 60mph to 30mph in the section of Abinger Lane between a point 16m north-west of the northwest boundary of Rew Cottage and Raikes Lane, in accordance with the current policy;

iii.       To authorise the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed speed limit changes, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the changes, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

iv.       To authorise delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposal.

v.       To note that if the scheme has not been successful, then further engineering measures or a return to the original higher speed limit may be necessary.

Reason for Decisions

The above decisions were made to enable changes to the speed limit on Abinger Lane, Sutton Lane and Evelyn Cottages in accordance with Surrey’s speed limit policy.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed:

i.          The terms of reference for the Property Task Group and the membership of this task group as set out in Annex 1.

ii.          The terms of reference for the Parking Task Group and the membership of this task group as set out in Annex 1.

iii.          The terms of reference for the Leatherhead Major Schemes Task Group and the membership of this task group as set out in Annex 1.

iv.          The terms of reference for the Dorking Major Schemes Task Group and the membership of this task group as set out in Annex 1.

v.          The nominations to outside bodies (Community Safety Partnership) as set out in Annex 1.

Reason for decisions:

The above decisions were made update the list of representatives on Task Groups and nominations to outside bodies.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed:

i.       To note the results of the speed assessments undertaken, shown in Table 1.

ii.       That, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced from 50mph to 40mph on the A24 Deepdene Avenue, between the existing 40mph speed limit just to the south of the junction with Deepdene Drive and the North Holmwood roundabout junction, as shown in Annex 2, in accordance with the current policy;

iii.       To authorise the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed speed limit change, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

iv.       To authorise delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposal.

v.       To note that if the scheme has not been successful, then further engineering measures or a return to the original higher speed limit may be necessary.

Reason for Decisions

The above decisions were made to enable the change in the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph, on the A24 Deepdene Avenue, Dorking in accordance with Surrey County Council’s Speed Limit Policy.