Decisions

These were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

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

Apologies were received from Paul Deach.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet ratify the completion and outcome of the procurement process (Procurement Report attached as Appendix 1).

2.    See Exempt Minute E-13-24

3.    See Exempt Minute E-13-24

4.    See Exempt Minute E-13-24

5.    That Cabinet delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children, Families & Lifelong Learning in consultation with the Leader and the Lead Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning to enter into the contract following the detailed contract discussions.

Reasons for Decisions:

See Exempt Minute E-13-24

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the customer transformation ambition and approach, and the in principle £11.3m investment requirement over four years.

2.       That Cabinet approves the use of financial revenue reserves of £3.5m (included in the £11.3m request) to support the 2024/25 activity. Further draw down of funding will be released in phases from 2025/26 onwards, following appropriate evidence of benefit realisation in the updated business case and approval of the Executive Director, Customer, Digital and Change in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member.

3.    That Cabinet approves the Dynamic Customer Operating model (D-COM) and its delivery as an essential countywide priority to ensure customer outcomes and experiences are improved.

4.    That Cabinet notes the inter-relationships of the transformation programme with cultural and digital change, the data strategy, service specific improvements, Core Function Redesign and the Towns and Villages/Team Around the Community programmes.

5.    That Cabinet delegates authority to the Executive Director, Customer, Digital and Change, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member to refine the Dynamic Operating Model as it evolves over time, responding to changing needs.

Reasons for Decisions:

The Council is determined to improve the customer experience in line with our mission and organisational priorities. This will be achieved through the design and implementation of a new Customer Service Operating Model, supported by systems, processes and ways of working that will provide a seamless customer journey, build customer trust, confidence, and satisfaction; reduce cost and maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy that has been amended following feedback from public consultation, and with reference to updated guidance from central government as part of their “Plan for Drivers”.

2.    That Cabinet approves the County Council’s more flexible approach to implementing new 20 mph Speed Limits.

Reasons for Decisions:

A new Surrey RoadSafe Partnership Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy, incorporating a new 20mph policy, based on best practice is crucial to reducing road death and injury throughout Surrey.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet notes the Council’s forecast revenue budget and capital budget positions for the year.

2.    That Cabinet notes the additional grant funding secured by Public Health and Communities & Prevention services in the Adults, Wellbeing & Health Partnerships Directorate as set out in paragraphs 6, which will be allocated to the AWHP Directorate to spend in line with the grant conditions.

3.    That Cabinet approves the re-phased capital budget of £313.4m for 2024/25.

Reasons for Decisions:

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

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

RESOLVED:

1.    Approves the details of the letting of the building to [E-12-24] as outlined in this Part 2 report.

2.    Delegates authority to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Director of Land and Property to conclude best value terms and complete all associated legal documentation.

3.    Notes the Financial implications recorded in this report.

4.       Formally declares the asset surplus to operational service requirements, and upon completion of the letting, to hold the asset for Investment purposes pending any future Cabinet or Strategic Investment Board decisions on its future.  

Reasons for Decisions:

A letting of the entire building now provides an opportunity for the Council to not only mitigate its void holding costs, but to secure a long-term rental income stream enabling the asset to be held as an investment property, pending any future decisions of the Council.

The proposed tenant is a significant provider of services supporting Surrey communities.

Consort House has remained largely vacant since late 2022, other than the current temporary occupation by library services for storage and a short term click and collect service. The Council has incurred void holding costs on the building and has a rental liability for some related car parking. Marketing of the building, on either a freehold or leasehold basis, has been pursued against the background of a very depressed office market over the past 2 years.

There have been no recent commercial proposals received for the freehold interest that would be recommended to Cabinet.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the details of the letting of Consort House as outlined in the Part 2 report.

2.    That Cabinet delegates authority to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Director of Land and Property to conclude best value terms and complete all associated legal documentation.

3.    That Cabinet notes the Financial and Value for Money implications recorded in this Part 2 report.

4.    That Cabinet formally declares the asset surplus to operational service requirements, and upon completion of the letting, to hold the asset for Investment purposes pending any future Cabinet or Strategic Investment Board decisions on its future.

Reasons for Decisions:

A letting of the entire building now provides an opportunity for the Council to not only mitigate its void holding costs, but to secure a long-term rental income stream enabling the asset to be held as an investment property, pending any future decisions of the Council.

The proposed tenant is a significant provider of services supporting Surrey communities.

Consort House has remained largely vacant since late 2022, other than the current temporary occupation by library services for storage and a short term click and collect service. The Council has incurred void holding costs on the building and has a rental liability for some related car parking. Marketing of the building, on either a freehold or leasehold basis, has been pursued against the background of a very depressed office market over the past 2 years.

There have been no recent commercial proposals received for the freehold interest that would be recommended to Cabinet.

(The decisions in this item can be called- in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves capital funding of [E-11-24]allocated within the School Capital Maintenance Budget for the Capital Maintenance Programme 2024/25 to provide a safe building which currently has no fire breaks between the floors and which the Fire Officer has requested to ensure no enforcement notice is issued deeming the buildings to be unsafe for occupation at The Winston Churchill School.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommendations in this report:

• Provide a safe learning and working environment in keeping with the existing school design, ensuring the building has the required compartmentation to contain any fire risk.

• Reduce the risk to life of pupils, staff, and other stakeholders.

• Reduce the risk of extensive collateral damage in the event of a fire.

• Ensure that the Fire Officer does not issue an enforcement notice and the insurance broker is willing to provide cover for the building.

• Make an essential contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to empower communities, in line with the 2030 Community Vision to ensure everyone benefits from education, skills and employment that help them to succeed in life. 

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves capital funding allocated within the School Capital Maintenance Budget for the Capital Maintenance Programme 2024/25 to provide a safe building which currently has no fire breaks between the floors and which the Fire Officer has requested to ensure no enforcement notice is issued deeming the buildings to be unsafe for occupation at The Winston Churchill School. The capital funding required to develop the new facilities is commercially sensitive at this time and is set out in the Part 2 report.

2.    That Cabinet approves procurement of appropriate supply chain partners to deliver the design, build and installation of the new structures in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

3.    That Cabinet agrees to delegate to the Executive Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Director of Land and Property to award such contracts, up to +/-10% of the budgetary tolerance level and any other legal documentation required to facilitate the approvals within this report.

4.    That Cabinet authorises Legal Services to seal any awarded contracts where required.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommendations in this report:

• Provide a safe learning and working environment in keeping with the existing school design, ensuring the building has the required compartmentation to contain any fire risk.

• Reduce the risk to life of pupils, staff, and other stakeholders.

• Reduce the risk of extensive collateral damage in the event of a fire.

• Ensure that the Fire Officer does not issue an enforcement notice and the insurance broker is willing to provide cover for the building.

• Make an essential contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to empower communities, in line with the 2030 Community Vision to ensure everyone benefits from education, skills and employment that help them to succeed in life. 

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

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member of the Month report is noted.

The Cabinet Member APPROVED the proposed Fair Access Protocol for 2024/25.

The Cabinet Member:

1.    Formally declared the asset surplus to operational requirements (in consultation with The Leader and Deputy Leader).

2.    Approved the sale of The Cottage (Old Swains Farm), Small Hills Road, Leigh, Reigate, RH2 8RQ to the party, at the price and subject to the conditions, noted in the Part 2 report. The sale is conditional upon the simultaneous surrender of the headlease held over the asset by HGR which has been agreed by the HGR Board.

3.    Approved the HGR premium for the surrender of its interest from the gross receipt and notes there is debt aligned to this asset, with both parties bearing their own costs and appointments of their own professional team.

4.    Delegated authority to the Section 151 officer in consultation with the Director of Land and Property to finalise the transaction and enter into all associated legal agreements.

The Cabinet Member APPROVED the funding of the full amount requested of £114,000 comprised of:

a.      £114,000 of capital funding towards the development of the community hub building to be paid in staged payments, on evidence of spend.

b.      5% of which, to be held by SCC until final evidence of income, expenditure, and completion provided.

Walton Leigh is an 88 place state maintained Special School for young people aged 11 to 19 with severe and complex learning difficulties. Managed by the Land and Property Team, this initiative focuses on renovating an existing building and providing a storage space extension and a new build garden room to incorporate the following facilities, contributing to an increased pupil numbers from 88 to 92 starting from September 2024

The key objectives of this project are:

• Timely Completion: Ensure the project is completed within the specified timeframe to achieve completion during the school closure period (summer holiday).
• Budget Adherence: Manage costs effectively, adhering to the allocated budget without compromising the quality and safety standards of the project.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain high construction and safety standards throughout the project, guaranteeing a durable and reliable school facility

Procurement for this project follows Surrey County Council (SCC) Procurement & Contract Standing Orders and the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The procurement strategy has been developed to secure a contractor through a single-stage competitive tendering process, ensuring compliance and achieving the best value for money.

This redevelopment is critical for enhancing the operational efficiency of school, providing a future-proof facility that supports the community's safety and well-being of the children. The project aligns with SCC's vision for a resilient and sustainable infrastructure that meets the needs of Surrey residents now and into the future

This proposal has been approved by the Capital Programme Panel through an outline business case.

It was AGREED to award the contract for the Redevelopment of Walton Leigh School Fowlers Building Contractors.