Decisions

The Executive RESOLVED that the Council’s response to Surrey County Council consultations, as set out in the agenda report, as amended, be agreed.

To consider a response to Woking Borough Council’s Site Allocations Local Plan Document consultation.

The Executive RESOLVED that

(i)              the letter at Annex 1 of the agenda report be agreed as the Council’s formal response to the Woking Site Allocations Development Plan Document; and

(ii)             that the matters raised through Surrey Heath’s response be addressed through ongoing Duty to Cooperate between Surrey Heath and Woking Councils.

The Executive RESOLVED to note the Treasury Management Mid-year Report 2018/19.

To receive a report on the Council’s finances at 30 September 2018.

The Executive RESOLVED to note the Council’s finances at 30 September 2018.

To set the Council Tax base for 2019/20 and review the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

The Executive RESOLVED

(i)              to note the calculations of the tax base in Annexes A to F summarised below:

(ii)             to note that the changes to Council Tax discounts made by Executive on 7 January 2014 under the freedoms given in the Local Government Finance Act 2012 and relevant statutory instruments remain unchanged for 2019/20;

(iii)            that £19,943.44 be given to Parishes in 2019/20 to offset the effect on the tax base of the Local Council Tax Support scheme; and

(iv)           that the final setting of the Tax Base be delegated to the Executive Head of Finance.

The Executive RECOMMENDED to Full Council that

(i)              the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for Surrey Heath, approved by Council on 22 January 2013, remains unchanged for 2019/20;

(ii)             the Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Policy remains unchanged for 2019/20;

(iii)            from 1st April 2019 young people who have left care (care leavers) will receive a full reduction from Council Tax until their 25th birthday;

(iv)           authority be delegated to the Executive Head of Finance to make minor changes to the Local Council Tax Support scheme so as to ensure that where applicable to income calculation it remains in line with Housing Benefit / Universal Credit changes introduced by legislation; and

(v)            incomes and applicable amounts and non-dependant deductions are uprated in line with the percentages and amounts supplied by DWP and DCLG, and applied to Housing Benefit claims.

The National Air Quality Plan for Nitrogen Dioxide sets out how the Government will ensure that compliance with air quality limits is achieved in the shortest time possible. A key part of the Plan is a requirement on some local authorities to undertake feasibility studies to explore a range of measures to improve air quality. Surrey Heath Borough Council; Guildford Borough Council; and Rushmoor Borough Councils  have been directed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to submit a feasibility study for reducing the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide along the Blackwater Valley (A331) Road in the shortest time possible. The study has been completed and the report seeks Executive approval of the Outline Business Case prior to submission to Defra.

The Executive RESOLVED that

(i)          the Outline Business Case (OBC) to date and the preferred option of a 50mph speed limit on a section of the A331, as set out in the OBC annexed to the agenda report, be endorsed; and

(ii)         the Executive Head of Community, in consultation with the Environment & Health Portfolio Holder, be authorised to

a)    make any minor amendments to the Outline Business Case;

b)    submit the Outline Business Case to the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) at The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) by the 31 December 2018; and

c)     submit the Full Business Case to the Joint Air Quality Unit.

To receive an update on the Economic Development Strategy.

The Executive RESOLVED to note the annual Economic Development update.

To receive the notes of Executive Working Group meetings which have taken place in the previous 6 months.