Minutes

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors in items on this agenda.

The Minutes of the Council held on 15 October 2015 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Mayor

The Mayor referenced the terrible events in Paris and informed the Council that he had sent a message of condolence.  The Mayor also reported with sadness the recent death of much respected former County Councillor Richard Rothwell.

Finally the Mayor invited Members to join him for carol singing in the Ashley Centre on 19 December 2015

a)            Meetings in relation to the provision of Christmas Lights: Councillor Alexander Clarke asked the following question and received the following written answer from the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, Councillor Neil Dallen

Question:

Were there any meetings held as to the placement/design of Christmas Lights in the town? How much has been spent on Christmas Decorations each year for the last decade? And where did that money come from?

Reply:

a)            Yes there were meetings.

b)            Very little Council money has been spent over the last decade.

c)            Individual RA Councillors, Ward RA committees and local businesses have raised most of the required funding along with some contributions from County Councillor allowances.

d)            Thanks are due to Resident Association Councillors for taking the initiative with Christmas decorations and helping to support the local businesses.

b)            Government Announcement in relation to Right to Buy:  Councillor Guy Robbins asked the following question and received the following written answer from the Chairman of the Social Committee, Councillor Jean Steer:

Question:

Can I ask the chairman of the Social committee how this Council is clarifying, and reacting to, the Government’s decision that tenants of Housing Associations will now have to offer Right to Buy and how this might affect the provision of rented housing in Epsom and Ewell?

Reply:

I thank Councillor Robbins for his question.  The extension of the Right To Buy to Housing Association properties will inevitably reduce the already scarce supply of social rented properties in the borough. The main provider of social housing in the Borough, Rosebery Housing Association, have assessed the potential impact and suggest that it may be less keenly felt in this Borough than elsewhere in the Country. However, over the last few years we have seen the number of housing association properties fall sharply as the pace of new developments has slowed. We also find that existing social homes become available for re-letting significantly less often than would be expected when looking at local and National re-let rates, which further exacerbates the pressures we face.

In 2012/13 we had 174 properties available for social rent by people in housing need whilst so far this year only 27 such properties have been made available: however we are expecting a further 79 new build homes by the end of this financial year, 69 of which will be rented. The buoyant private rented sector is also out of the reach of many people in housing need who cannot afford the high market rents in the borough, commentators tell us that private rents have risen by 38% in the past five years and are expected to increase by a further 40% in the coming five years. Officers in Housing Services are developing new initiatives to try to secure access to the private rented sector to off-set the lack of affordable housing for rent.

In response to this imbalance between supply and demand, we are working with local Housing Associations and the private  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The recommendations arising from the Special meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee held immediately preceding the Council meeting and the recommendation arising from the meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 17 November 2015 were received.

Upon being put the MOTION (adoption of Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2016/17) was CARRIED without a division.

RESOLVED

that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2016/17 be approved and adopted

Upon being put the MOTION (Calendar of Meetings 2016/17) was CARRIED without a division.

RESOLVED

that the Calendar of Meetings for 2016/17 be approved and adopted

The Council considered a report by the Head of Venues and Facilities arising from the recommendations of the Social Committee following the recent service review undertaken by the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee.

In moving the recommendations set out in the report, the Chairman of the Social Committee stated that she was committed to social activities for all ages – not just for the elderly or retired.  She considered that it was important that the Council provided Social Centres which complemented services provided by the Leisure Developments Team and the voluntary sector even though it did not have a statutory obligation to do so.  In fact, the Longmead Centre had recently won an award for its services.  The Chairman went on to state that she was supportive of the amalgamation of the two Social Centres. The Longmead Centre was capable of accommodating an increase in members but would need refurbishment and rebranding.  It was accessible by public transport and serviced by Routecall.

It was MOVED by Councillor Tina Mountain and SECONDED by Councillor Alexander Clarke that:

“the decision regarding the future of the Wells social community Centre be deferred until a full consultation be carried out with the residents of the Wells Estate”

Upon the MOTION being put, it was LOST, there being 6 Members in favour and the majority against

It was thereupon MOVED by Councillor Neil Dallen and SECONDED by Councillor Clive Woodbridge that:

“This Council

(1)          Recognises that, faced with a funding shortfall of around £2.5 million by 2019/2020, due to central government cuts, the most efficient use of council funds is to amalgamate all Social Centre provision into one Centre in Sefton Road, which is to be known as the Epsom Centre;

(2)          Further recognises that the current subsidy of £362 per member at the Wells Centre is not sustainable and agrees to review the cost of this provision as part of the move to one centre, with a view to increasing value for money while enhancing the range of services provided;

(3)          As part of the move to one centre, commits to provide up to £70,000 from any capital sum derived from any disposal of the Wells Centre to support development of the Epsom Centre, in order to deliver improved service provision;

(4)          Noting that the Wells Centre currently has community use, based on current hiring levels, agrees that on-going provision for a community facility should form part of any disposal of the Wells Centre;

And that should Members decide in favour of 1 to 4 above, this Council agrees to:

(5)          Investigate disposal of the Wells Centre, which is to be carried out either by:

a)            Raising the required finance to develop the site into housing to be managed by a company set up there to do; or

b)            Selling to a developer and thereby realising a capital receipt;

and in both cases with a view towards making ongoing provision for a community facility, subject to officer evaluation and advice  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 November 2015 were received and noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 1 December 2015 were received and noted.

Pursuant to FCR 79, Councillor Alex Clarke MOVED and Councillor Neil Dallen SECONDED:

“That this Council offers its  thanks to, and support for, all the members of the armed forces who will not be home with their families this Christmas be they near or far;  and acknowledges that whilst  it is hard at any time of year, at Christmas it will be especially so.”

In accordance with the advice given by the Chief Executive, the Council RESOLVED (unanimously) to debate the motion.

Upon being put, it was RESOLVED (unanimously)

That this Council offers its  thanks to, and support for, all the members of the armed forces who will not be home with their families this Christmas be they near or far;  and acknowledges that whilst  it is hard at any time of year, at Christmas it will be especially so