Decisions

To consider whether to agree a supplementary estimate to the budget.

The Executive was reminded that Mytchett Skate Park was a very well used and an important facility for older children and teenagers in the borough. It was reported that it was proving increasingly difficult and costly to maintain this facility and the ramps would no longer be fit for purpose beyond 2020.

The Executive considered the options presented for the refurbishment of this facility and supported the refurbishment in principle. It was, however, suggested that alternative materials such as concrete be used instead of the proposed steel ramps, which would help ameliorate the impact of noise from the Skate Park. Members therefore requested further information on costings for equipment made from such materials.

The importance of consulting with users of the facility on the materials and design of the Skate Park was noted.

RESOLVED that

(i)        the refurbishment of Mytchett Skate Park be agreed in principle;

(ii)      the use of materials which would ameliorate the impact of noise from the Skate Park be supported; and

(iii)     Officers be asked to submit a further report with details on costings for equipment made from alternative materials.

To consider the acquisition of property, to be managed by the Council,  to provide supported accommodation for those sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness.

The Executive noted Urgent Action which had been taken in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation of Functions to Officers.

RESOLVED to note the urgent action taken under the Scheme of Delegation of Functions to Officers.

To receive the notes of the Executive Working Group meetings held in the last 6 months.

The Executive was informed that the provision of a financial contribution to Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) was a requirement for all planning applications involving new residential development to mitigate the adverse recreational impacts on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA).

Members were informed that SANG capacity in the borough was becoming limited, particularly in the west of the borough. Without further provision, in the next 6 to12 months applications for new residential development were at risk of being refused due to lack of SANG capacity.

A SANG allocation criteria had been produced to help ensure that remaining SANG capacity was used efficiently and made available for those developments that are best placed to deliver the spatial strategy for the Borough. A SANG Acquisition Strategy had also been produced, identifying the main areas in the borough with potential for SANG creation to mitigate the impact of future housing development in the west of the borough on the SPA.

Members considered the SANG Acquisition Strategy and, in respect of the potential sites, it was agreed to change the reference from Pine Ridge Golf Course to Frimley Fuel Allotments, as this more accurately reflected the area concerned.

The Executive considered proposals to investigate the acquisition of land for SANG through negotiations with relevant landowners. It was also proposed to contact neighbouring authorities to identify the immediate issue this Council had with a shortage of SANG in order to ascertain if they could provide any additional SANG capacity. 

RESOLVED that

(i)        the SANG allocation criteria, as set out in Annex 1 to the agenda report, be agreed;

(ii)      authority be delegated to the Executive Head of Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning & People, to investigate the acquisition of land for SANG through negotiations with relevant landowners and to prioritise investigating potential at suitable sites, as identified in the SANG Acquisition Strategy as set out at Annex 2 to the agenda report, as amended;

(iii)     neighbouring authorities (Bracknell, Hart and Rushmoor) be contacted to highlight the immediate issue Surrey Heath has in respect of the shortage of SANG and to ask again if they can provide any SANG capacity.

Note: In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor Rodney Bates declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was a Trustee of Frimley Fuel Allotments.

To consider awarding Revenue Grants for the 2020/21 financial year.

The Executive was informed that the Council funded a number of voluntary organisations which either worked in partnership with the Council or performed functions on the Council’s behalf.

Members were reminded that, in January 2019, it had been agreed that a full review of the Revenue Grant scheme would be undertaken during the year, to review whether grants were being made at the correct levels, to the right organisations, and the value for money the revenue grants realised.  At the Executive meeting on the 11 September 2019 a revised scheme had been agreed, to be introduced from 1April 2020.

The Executive considered the grants sought by the organisations which had applied for Revenue Grants for 2020/21, the relevant supporting information concerning those organisations, and the amounts it was proposed to award.

It was noted that the proposed awards would result in an increase to the budget for 2020/21.

Members were advised that it was proposed to defer and delegate the decisions on applications from Tringhams and Camberley Central Job Club. It was also proposed to defer the application from Mustard Seed Trust for one year as the Scheme was currently closed to new referrals, and divert a further applicant, Camfest, to the Surrey Heath Lottery Fund.

Service level agreements had been introduced in 2013 to enable the Council to set out targets and outcomes to be achieved throughout the year. The agreements were used to monitor the performance of organisations throughout the year. Grant payments were only made after a successful monitoring report was received.

It was reported that the review had introduced ring fencing to 3 organisations who worked with the Council: Citizens Advice Surrey Heath, Blackwater Valley Partnership and the Basingstoke Canal Authority. 

RESOLVED that

(i)        Revenue Grants for 2020/21 be awarded to

a.    Surrey Heath Citizens Advice (CASH) – £80,000;

b.   Voluntary Support North Surrey - £30,000;

c.    Surrey Heath Age Concern - £10,000;

d.   Catalyst Support - £4,000;

e.    The Autism Trust - £10,000;

f.     The Hope Hub - £17,000;

g.   VSNS - £10,000;

h.   Basingstoke Canal Authority - £10,000;

i.     Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership - £10,000;

j.     Surrey Heath Sports Council - £3,500;

k.    Surrey Heath Arts Council - £1,500;

(ii)      the other in-kind benefits provided to organisations be noted;

(iii)     all grants be subject to Service Level Agreements;

(iv)     no Revenue Grant be awarded to Camfest in 2020/21 but the organisation be advised to apply to the Lottery Fund;

(v)      the application by Mustard Seed Autism Trust be deferred for a year;

(vi)     decisions on awarding of grants to Tringhams and Camberley Central Job Club be delegated to the Executive Head of Transformation in consultation with the Safeguarding & Support Portfolio Holder.

Note 1: In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, the following declarations were made:

(i)        Councillor Rodney Bates declared a pecuniary interest as he had been employed by Camberley Central Job Club; he also declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was a Trustee of Old Dean Community Group, which had been provided with staffing by Voluntary Support North Surrey, and declared for the record that a family member worked for Catalyst;

(ii)       Councillor Paul Deach declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was a County Council representative on Basingstoke Canal Management Board;

(iii)      It was noted for the record that Councillor Alan McClafferty declared that his wife was the chair of Trustees for Surrey Heath Age Concern.

The Executive considered the Surrey Heath Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) which had been produced in line with the requirements set out in the Localism Act 2011. The AMR monitored the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.  The purpose of the AMR was to provide details of the actions which had been taken to implement a Local Development Plan and the Local Development Scheme, to indicate the extent to which policies in the current Surrey Heath Local Plan had been achieved, and to identify any solutions and changes where targets were not being met.

Members considered the AMR and raised concerns that no additional Gypsy pitches had been provided since the adoption of the 2012 Surrey Heath Local Plan.

RESOLVED that the Surrey Heath Local Plan Authority Monitoring Report be approved for the purpose of making the document publically available at the Council offices and on the Council’s website.