Minutes:
The Leader reported that the proposals submitted by East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey County Councils to the Government outlining a case for devolution of specific functions and budgets to the three counties had not been accepted. Further work would be required to move the proposals forward. The Government would be looking for accelerated housing levels in excess of those already committed. The Government would also need to convince local authorities that they would deliver on their promises.
The Leader updated the Council in relation to the EM3 Joint Leaders Board and indicated that there would shortly be new round of bids. Kate Dean, a property consultant, and a former member of EM3, had highlighted issues about planning for town centres for the next 10 years to accommodate the requirements of new types of customers. There was a need to apply this work to the Camberley Town Centre.
The Leader also referred to the recent sad death of Councillor Robert Watts, the Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council.