Decisions

That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for 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.

The Local Committee (Tandridge) agreed that

(i)    The scheme proposals as presented within Appendix A should proceed to detailed design and implementation incorporating some minor changes resulting from the public consultation described in section 2.

(ii)   Proceeding with the scheme will be subject to the successful conclusion of the lease of part of a Burstow School playing field to the parish council to create an off-street parking facility upon which the highway scheme will depend. 

(iii)  Authorise the advertisement of the relevant notices in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed traffic restrictions, traffic calming and formal crossings, and subject to no objections being upheld, that the orders be made.

(iv)  Authorise delegation of authority to the Highway Engagement & Commissioning Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the relevant local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposals

REASON FOR DECISION:

The proposed highway measures would help to reduce risk of collisions and improve the highway infrastructure to encourage more walking, cycling and push scooting to school and to the shops and services in the centre of Smallfield. The proposals would also help reduce congestion and driver frustration on Wheelers Lane and Redehall Road in the centre of Smallfield.

The Local Committee (Tandridge) agreed that:

(i)            the proposed changes to on-street parking restrictions in Tandridge as described in annex 1 and shown in the drawings in annex 2 are approved.

(ii)           if necessary, minor adjustments can be made to the proposed changes by the parking project & enforcement team leader in consultation with the chairman/vice-chairman and relevant county councillor prior to formal advertisement and statutory consultation.

(iii)         the intention of the county council to make orders, under the relevant parts of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to make the proposed amendments to the waiting and on street parking restrictions in Tandridge is advertised and that if no objections are maintained, the orders are made.

(iv)         if there are unresolved objections, they will be dealt with in accordance with the county council’s scheme of delegation by the parking & traffic enforcement manager, in consultation with the chairman/vice chairman of this committee and the appropriate county councillor, after which the orders will be made.

(v)          the parking team is authorised to carry out a consolidation of the traffic regulation orders, once these latest amendments have been made, and to carry out consolidations in future when necessary.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Changes to the highway network, the built environment and society mean that parking behaviour changes and consequently it is necessary for a highway authority to carry out regular reviews of waiting and parking restrictions on the highway network. The changes to parking controls and restrictions will make a positive impact towards:-

·           Road safety

·           Access for emergency vehicles

·           Access for refuse vehicles

·           Easing traffic congestion

·           Controlling parking

·           Improving parking amenity

There were no apologies.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet agree the inclusion of the Mental Health Programme within the scope of the Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy. 

2.    That Cabinet note the resources required to progress the Programme’s requirements as part of the dedicated Transformation Support Unit funded Accommodation with Care and Support Programme Team.

3.    That Cabinet approve in principle the site set out in Part 2 of this report to include supported independent living provision subject to further work to confirm the feasibility of developing the accommodation on the site, and if appropriate a further Cabinet decision to seek approval of the business case for allocation of financial resources in Surrey County Council’s capital programme.

Reason for Decisions:

Tackling health inequality and empowering our communities are two 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 misuse, unemployment, poor physical health, that create and/or worsen health inequality. The mental health system in Surrey is under great stress and is struggling to manage the demands made upon it.

The mental health AwCS programme will contribute to tackling health inequality and empowering our communities by making sure no one is left behind. It will enable a strong focus on prevention and addressing services gaps, alongside improving outcomes for people with mental health needs. It will achieve this by focusing on three specific areas: a place to call home, support to recover, and short-term support.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Adults and Health Select Committee)

RESOLVED:

The Cabinet Member for Property introduced a Part 2 report containing information which was exempt from Access to Information requirements by virtue of paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including commercially sensitive information to the bidding companies).

See Exempt Minute [E-20-21]

Reason for Decisions:

See Exempt Minute [E-20-21]

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

RESOLVED:

1.         That Cabinet approve the recommendation to fund project CF104 Normandy Community Shop and Café Limited – Normandy Community Shop and Café, for the full amount requested £518,354.

2.         That Cabinet agree the further following conditions in awarding this funding:

a.      That the project demonstrates a commitment to local skills, vocational training, volunteering and employment opportunities linked to the enterprise, including support for employment opportunities so the widest cross-section of residents can benefit from this project.

b.      That the project demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices in the operation of the shop and café premises, and that Surrey County Council, through its Greener Futures team, should provide support and advice.

Reason for Decisions:

The recommendations will enable expenditure from the Your Fund Surrey to be awarded to the Normandy Community Shop and café project. This application has been the subject of a rigorous assessment process by officers, as set out in the body of this report.  Officers consider the project to meet the aims and published criteria of the fund and to satisfy the requirements to award funding.

The application is recommended for a full award of funding as the project has been formulated in response to a demonstrated community need which is extensively supported both in advocacy and financially by residents. It will provide the widest possible community benefit directly through using the shop and café but also in relation to the opportunities provided, such as training and employment.

The recommendation in the report will contribute towards the Surrey County Council’s (SCCs) priority areas of growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit; tackling health inequality; enabling a greener future through using renewable energy and trading of local produce; and enabling communities through investing in a meaningful and lasting way in the Normandy community.

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

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet note the 2022/23 Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2026/27, including progress to date in setting out spending pressures and efficiencies, as set out in Annex A.
2. That Cabinet note the provisional budget gap of £19.5m for 2022/23 and the next steps required to close the gap.
3. That Cabinet note the proposed Capital Programme for 2022/23 to 2026/27 of £1.9bn set out in Section 6 and Annex B.
4. That Cabinet note the Executive Summary of Resident Engagement set out in Section 9 and Annex C.

Reason for Decisions:

In January 2022, Cabinet will be asked to recommend a Final Budget for 2022/23 to full Council for approval in February. The draft budget sets out proposals to direct available resources to support the achievement of the Council’s corporate priorities in the refreshed Organisation Strategy, giving Cabinet the opportunity to comment on the proposals and next steps.

The draft budget also provides an update on the continuing transformational changes and the ‘Twin Track’ approach which are required to ensure that the Council can continue prioritising outcomes for residents, while managing growing demand for services and safeguarding future financial resilience and sustainability.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet note the Council’s forecast revenue and capital budget positions.

2.    That Cabinet approve the Empty Homes Proposals outlined in Paragraph 11 of the report.

Reason for Decisions:

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 Cabinet agree the overall strategic intent and key principles that will underpin the development of a five-year modernisation plan for libraries across the county.

2.    That Cabinet note that once this overall approach has been agreed, individual detailed business cases will subsequently be developed and brought forward for agreement as the programme is progressed. These will be based upon service analysis and prioritise key locations based on need and opportunity.

Reason for Decisions:

The Cabinet’s agreement of these principles and an overall countywide framework for the modernisation of library properties will pave the way for specific individual library business cases to then be developed and formally brought forward for approval as required. It is essential these principles and parameters are agreed first, in order to ensure the overall countywide programme can meet the agreed vision for libraries, is affordable, and can be successfully delivered.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet endorse the strategic response to child poverty.

2.    That Cabinet acknowledge a new poverty working group of officers across all services responsible for consolidating this strategic framework, and scoping the costs and benefits of undertaking new interventions within this framework for consideration by Cabinet.

3.    That Cabinet agree to continue its leadership of putting a response to poverty at the heart of the refresh of the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Reasons for Decisions:

A strategic response to child poverty will ensure that SCC stays true to its principle of ‘no one left behind’ and deliver a number of benefits to Surrey residents.  A more aligned strategy around support services will ensure cross-cutting understanding of personal circumstances; more tailored advice and support, more effective signposting between services and community offerings, effective targeting of hardship funds for families, and new projects to mitigate and impact the root causes of poverty in the county.

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

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approve the proposals set out in Annex 3, that:

1.     The Council implement the Department for Education’s (DfE) recommended Minimum Per Pupil Level in full.

2.     The Schools Forum’s formula recommendations for schools and early years funding be approved.

3.      The transfer of £3.6m (0.5%) from the schools block DSG to the High Needs DSG (subject to approval by Schools Forum on 7 December 2021) and carry forward of any unspent amount in to 2023/24 for the same purpose, be approved, subject to any agreement needed from the Department for Education.

4.     Authority be delegated to the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Learning to approve amendments to the funding rates in the schools and early years formulae as appropriate following receipt of the DSG settlement and DfE pupil data in December 2021. This is to ensure that total allocations to schools under this formula remain affordable within the council’s DSG settlement.

5.     The changes to funding arrangements for state maintained special schools proposed by the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, following consultation with and agreed by Surrey’s state maintained special schools, be implemented from September 2022.

Reasons for Decisions:

To comply with DfE regulations requiring formal council approval of the local funding formula for Surrey’s early years settings, primary and secondary schools.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That the statutory Gatwick airport northern runway consultation response attached at Annex 1 is approved by Cabinet.

Reason for Decisions:

The consultation response considers the potential impacts of GAL’s scheme on SCC services and Surrey residents and businesses and sets out key asks of GAL to enable the likely effects to be fully understood.

In considering airport expansion in principle, the council has been consistent in emphasising that environmental and infrastructure issues must be satisfactorily addressed. Many of the comments made within the response reiterate concerns raised at both a political and officer level during consultation in 2018 on GAL’s Airport Master Plan, which first proposed bringing the Northern Runway into routine use as one of its scenarios for future growth.

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

See Minute 214/21.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet agree to the transformation of Surrey County Council’s community children’s homes that will update the current staffing establishments, approve the specialisation of purpose for each home, implement new job descriptions and scope out the management spans of each home.
2. That Cabinet agree to the transformation of Surrey County Council’s specialist crisis provision for young people with mental health difficulties that will update the current staffing establishment, implement new job descriptions and scope out the management spans of the home.
3. That Cabinet agree to the transformation of Surrey County Council’s residential services for children with disabilities that will update the current staffing establishments to ensure continued legal compliance, implement new job descriptions,  as well as allow development of a new joint-funded crisis provision for children with autism.
4. That Cabinet note the intended funding position, which includes significant health funding contributions and that this investment will enable efficiencies by containing or saving costs on commissioning external placements, therefore having a neutral budgetary effect.

Reason for Decisions:

In order to meet the current and future needs of children who need residential care, transformation and investment in the in-house children’s homes is required. This is 

·         to ensure children receive the best care that is appropriate for their needs, close to their family and communities. 

·         to contribute to meeting the Council’s legal duty to ensure that as far as is possible and consistent with the welfare of the children concerned it has sufficient homes for looked after children in the county, now and in the future

·         to meet the Council’s legal duties to operate children’s homes of good quality

·         to develop services to meet children’s diverse and complex needs in partnership with other statutory agencies 

·         to contain increasing costs and budget pressures

Transformation will ensure the in-house homes are able to specialise in caring for the children with the highest and most complex needs, maximising the occupancy levels in each home and preventing, where appropriate, those young people going to out of county placements at additional cost to the council.  This is an important measure designed to contribute to the Council meeting its statutory sufficiency duty.

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

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommends that the County Council approves the coordinated admissions scheme that will apply to all schools for 2023.

Reasons for Decisions:

·         The coordinated admissions scheme for 2023 is essentially the same as 2022 with dates updated

·         The coordinated admissions scheme will enable the County Council to meet its statutory duties regarding school admissions

·         The coordinated admissions scheme is working well

·         The Local Authority has a statutory duty to publish its coordinated admissions scheme for 2023 by 1 January 2022

·         The proposed scheme meets the statutory requirements of the School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Coordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012 and the School Admissions Code

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approve the publication of the new Older People’s Commissioning Strategy for Surrey residents, colleagues, and partners to form part of the exciting strategic plans for Adult Social Care commissioning as outlined within Adult Social Care’s wider commissioning intentions.

2.    That Cabinet agree that the content fulfils the purpose of defining clearly, at a high level, how the Adult Social Care Directorate will, from 2021 to 2030, continue to support older people to age well and live as independently as possible in Surrey. 

3.       That Cabinet delegate the review and implementation of the more detailed action plans and Market Position Statements as set out in the 2021 – 2030 strategy to Executive Director for Adult Social Care & Integrated Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health.  Further reports and updates can and will be brought to Cabinet where appropriate to highlight implementation progress. Where a decision about whether to invest significant financial resources in a new scheme or initiative is required to deliver elements of the Strategy this will be reported to Cabinet so a specific decision about this investment can be made by Cabinet.

Reasons for Decisions:

In 2019, ASC Commissioning went through a restructure, in response to recommendations made by a Local Government Association (LGA) review, which led to a positive change in the commissioning structure for ASC in Surrey.

The newly restructured Older People’s Commissioning team has been in place since January 2020. This new strategy signals an encouraging change in our approach to what we do and how we will do it.  It outlines positive improvements for existing services the council delivers and shares our ambition and commitment to innovation, partnership working and adapting at a pace that reflects the changing demographic and society Surrey residents live and work in.

Through coproduction with a wide cross section of residents, unpaid carers, staff, stakeholders, and providers it has become clear that a strategy is required in order to clearly communicate our intentions for older residents in Surrey and their families and unpaid carers. Therefore, it is essential that Cabinet recognise and approve the content of the Strategy and agree its publication. Cabinet is asked to note that in agreeing the Strategy commissioners will be able to continue the work with stakeholders and partners to produce more detailed work plans and Market Position Statements (MPS).  These will provide the necessary detail on how we will achieve these aims, including where SCC will lead the work and where it will require partners to lead along with areas of joint working for the health and care system as a whole.

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

See Minute 222/21.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet endorse the Annual Report of the Strategic Investment Board (Annex A).

Reasons for Decisions:

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:

That the Cabinet Member of the Month report be noted.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the decision taken by officers since the last meeting be noted.

Reason for decision:

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

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:

1.    That the recommendations from the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee be noted.

2.    That the report of the Adults and Health Select Committee be noted.

There were none.

There were none.

There was one public question. The question and response was published as a supplement to the agenda.

There were 5 member questions. The questions and responses were published as a supplement to the agenda.

There were none.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approve in principle the site set out in Part 2 of this report to include supported independent living provision subject to further work to confirm the feasibility of developing the accommodation on the site, and if appropriate a further Cabinet decision to seek approval of the business case for allocation of financial resources in Surrey County Council’s (SCC) capital programme.

2.    That Cabinet support the inclusion of Supported Independent Living units at future community hubs if appropriate a further Cabinet decision to seek approval of the business case for allocation of financial resources in SCC’s capital programme.

Reasons for Decisions:

The one site set out in this paper would deliver circa 12 units of supported independent living accommodation.

• Six units will be allocated for individuals with mental health needs.
• Six units will be allocated for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism.

The site falls within areas of need identified for the provision of supported independent living units.

The one site is close to local amenities and public transport as set out in the site criteria requirement. This will ensure that residents can retain the independence and staff can easily access the site.

In addition to managing increased demand, the Supported Independent Living Programme for people with mental health needs is also an enabler to achieving efficiencies within Adult Social Care’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which are reliant on the availability of appropriate accommodation for existing clients.  

Through identifying further opportunities in the development of community hubs we will be able create additional supported independent living capacity that will lead to improved outcomes for residents.

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

The Local Committee (Elmbridge):

(i)      Delegated authority to the Engagement and Commissioning Team Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Divisional Member and residents of New Road Esher, to agree a scheme of traffic calming for New Road, to include a reduction in speed limit to 20mph, and to undertake any necessary legal procedures for the implementation of the agreed scheme, and to facilitate implementation of the scheme at the expense of the residents of New Road (paragraphs 2.1 to 2.3 and Annex A refer);

(ii)      Delegated authority to the Engagement and Commissioning Team Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Divisional Member and local stakeholders, to agree the extent of a new 20mph limit for Oxshott Village centre, and subject to funding being identified for implementation promote the necessary legal order for the new limit, and implement the scheme (paragraphs 2.4 to 2.6 and Annex B refer);

(iii)     Authorised the Engagement and Commissioning Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.

Reasons for recommendations:

New Road, Esher, is a privately owned and maintained road, which has a full Public Highway right.  This means that while the residents, who are also the owners of this road, are responsible for the upkeep and any improvements to the road, only Surrey County Council as Highway Authority can approve changes that require a traffic regulation order to be made.

Traffic survey results from Oxshott indicate that a 20mph limit may be feasible in the centre of the village with signs alone – without any supporting engineering measures.  Authorisation is sought to move forwards with this in consultation with relevant members and local stakeholders.

The Education and Lifelong Learning Service is responding to a consultation on the way in which local authorities are funded for their statutory school improvement responsibilities for maintained schools. The main change proposed is that the DfE will cease to pay School Improvement Monitoring and Brokering grant to local authorities for these responsibilities. Instead local authorities would be allowed to deduct the cost of these functions from the budgets of maintained schools, subject to the agreement of Schools Forum or of the Secretary of State. This means that the cost would either be borne by maintained schools or (if approval cannot be obtained for this) by the local authority, rather than by the DfE.

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.

The Cabinet report of  24 November 2020 (Accelerating the introduction of ultra-low / zero emissions buses and community transport vehicles into Surrey), made the two resolutions as set out above.

Now agreement has been secured from the Capital Programme Panel (11 January 2022), the Cabinet resolution requires that the final delegated decision be taken, including moving the required capital funding from the capital pipeline to the capital budget so that the programme can moved forward.

This is a record of that delegated decision.

Decision made:

It was AGREED that:

1.    That the Surrey Ultra-Low and Zero Emission Community Transport Scheme be approved, including moving the required capital funding of £6.26m from the Capital Pipeline to the capital budget so that the programme can moved forward.