Agenda, decisions and minutes

To take any questions from members of the Public.

No questions were received from members of the public.

No questions were received from members of the public.

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

Declarations of Interest

The following matters were raised in relation to Items of business to be discussed at the meeting:

Councillor Christine Cleveland, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Christine Cleveland declared that she is an allotment holder.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Christine Cleveland, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Christine Cleveland declared that she is one of the allocated Councillors for Age Concern, Epsom & Ewell.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Guy Robbins, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Guy Robbins declared that he is one of the allocated Councillors for Age Concern Epsom and Ewell.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Julie Morris, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Julie Morris declared that she is an allotment holder.

The following declarations were made in respect of items on the agenda.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Christine Cleveland, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Christine Cleveland declared that she is an allotment holder.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Christine Cleveland, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Christine Cleveland declared that she is one of the allocated Councillors for Age Concern, Epsom & Ewell.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Guy Robbins, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Guy Robbins declared that he is one of the allocated Councillors for Age Concern Epsom and Ewell.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Julie Morris, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Julie Morris declared that she is an allotment holder.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 5 October 2021(attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Community and Wellbeing Committee held on 5 October 2021 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Community and Wellbeing Committee held on 5 October 2021 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

This report considers the continued future support of voluntary organisations and sets out the proposed funding arrangements for 2022-2023.

The Committee resolved unanimously to:

(1)      Approve the proposed support for voluntary organisations in 2022-2023 as detailed in Appendix 1 to this report.

The Committee received a report on the continued future support of voluntary organisations and setting out the proposed funding arrangements for 2022-2023.

The Head of Housing and Regeneration introduced the report.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Increase in parking fees: two separate line items (Volunteer Parking Subsidy and Staff Parking Subsidy) have now been consolidated under a single item, which appears to reflect a large increase (30%), which is not in fact the case.

b)            Limited Increase in Financial Support: the Council is conscious of its own financial pressures and needs to have a balanced budget.  Regarding the sustainability of the voluntary sector organisations, the Council is assisting these organisations to access other areas of funding such as the National Lottery, in order to maximise the funding opportunities available.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved unanimously to:

(1)      Approve the proposed support for voluntary organisations in 2022-2023 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

This report recommends fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2022.

The Committee resolved to:

(1)       Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to vary fees and charges for items generating income under £1,000 per annum and/or for one-off services or items;

And, subject to the approval of Council:

(2)      Agree the fees and charges for 2022/23 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee received a report recommending fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2022.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Allotment Forum: the Forum will be reintroduced and a report in this regard will be brought to the next meeting.

b)            Increase in discretionary fees and charges of 3%: this figure was set by the Strategy & Resource Committee as a guideline; however it is up to Officers to assess current market conditions.

c)            Private Sector Housing Charge: in respect of multiple houses with multiple occupants it was clarified that the Council is not permitted to make a profit on this item, but may merely cover its costs.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved to:

(1)          Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to vary fees and charges for items generating income under £1,000 per annum and/or for one-off services or items;

And, subject to the approval of Council:

(2)          Agree the fees and charges for 2022/23 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

This report sets out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Community & Wellbeing services in 2022/23.

The Committee resolved to:

(1)      Recommend the 2022/23 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2022.

(2)      Support the three new initiatives in section 6 of the report;

(3)      Note that the supported initiatives from section 6 of the report will only be progressed if a funding option can be identified during the year, in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and budget virement policy.

The Committee received a report setting out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Community & Wellbeing services in 2022/23.

The following items were considered by the Committee:

a)            New Initiatives: it was confirmed that the funding of the new initiatives set out in paragraph 6.1 of the report, was indicated for one year only.  These initiatives had been requested by Members.  If these initiatives are agreed, funding will be sought. 

Following consideration, the Committee resolved to:

(1)      Recommend the 2022/23 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2022.

(2)      Support the three new initiatives in section 6 of the report;

(3)      Note that the supported initiatives from section 6 will only be progressed if a funding option can be identified during the year, in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and budget virement policy.

This report summarises the proposed 2022/23 capital programme and a provisional programme for 2023/24 to 2026/27. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2022.

The Committee resolved to:

(1)      submit the capital programme for 2022/23 as identified in section 3 of this report to the Council for approval on 15 February 2022;

(2)      note the provisional list of schemes for the capital programme for 2023/24 to 2026/27;

(3)      note that schemes subject to external funding from Disabled Facilities Grants only proceed once funding has been received.

The Committee received a report summarising the proposed 2022/23 capital programme and a provisional programme for 2023/24 to 2026/27. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2022.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Availability of resources internally to deliver project: should staffing levels not remain constant, taken with a high level of underspend, additional resources would have to be considered to extend service delivery of the scheme.

b)            Maintenance of Bourne Hall: a significant backlog in terms of this item has built up over several years, to the extent that a large amount of money is required to bring Bourne Hall up to standard.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved to:

(1)      submit the capital programme for 2022/23 as identified in section 3 of this report to the Council for approval on 15 February 2022;

(2)      note the provisional list of schemes for the capital programme for 2023/24 to 2026/27;

(3)      note that schemes subject to external funding from Disabled Facilities Grants only proceed once funding has been received.