Minutes:
The Leader, Councillor Alan McClafferty, referred to the current economic situation and the support schemes the Council had introduced, along with the support granted to local charities and partners. He encouraged Members to raise awareness with residents of the assistance they could receive from these schemes.
The Council was informed about the recent Star Chamber process, which had been undertaken to identify in-year savings. The Leader reported that the £450,000 of savings required had been exceeded. In addition, future savings had been identified.
Members were updated on recent projects and achievements, including the refurbishment of Mytchett skatepark and the letting of Town Centre units. The Leader also referred to a number of other accolades achieved in the borough, including Camberley being named the top UK town winner of UK best town for business 2022 by Enterprise Nation, the new Camberley Leisure Centre achieving finalist status in the UK Active Design of the Year award, and the High Street regeneration project being shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation award for creating better places. Frimley Lodge Park and Lightwater Country Park had also been awarded Green Flag status.
It was reported that there were currently 102 active sponsors providing homes to 130 Ukrainian guests as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. A further 91 guests were expected to arrive in the coming weeks. On behalf of the Council, the Leader thanked the residents of the borough for the generosity they had demonstrated and paid tribute to the staff that had stepped up to the challenge to facilitate the scheme.
The Leader informed the Council about enhancements to services being introduced in response to the feedback received in the 5 Year Strategy consultation. In recognition of residents’ wish to continue to make Surrey Heath even more safe, the Council would be increasing activities and working even more closely with the Police to tackle anti-social behaviour, including undertaking more joint patrols and facilitating more Joint Action Group meetings. Protecting and enhancing the environment had also been identified as a priority in the consultation. In response, a goal had been set to plant 4,000 more trees by the end of that season’s planning season; this initiative would support both the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme and Surrey County Council’s goal to see 1.2m more trees planted in Surrey. The Council would also be increasing activities to tackle and prosecute fly-tipping.