Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by councillors regarding items on the Agenda.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8 December 2015 and 11 February 2016 (attached)

The Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 8 December 2015 and 11 February 2016 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Mayor, subject to amendments notified to members prior to the meeting.

To receive such communications or deal with such business as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

Deaths of Honorary Alderman Reg Saviel and former Councillor Ken Humphries:  It was with regret that the Mayor announced the passing of Honorary Alderman Reg Saviel and former Councillor Ken Humphries and asked the Council to stand in one minutes’ silence.  Charity events:  The Mayor announced that there were still a few tickets left for his Spring Charity Ball to be held at Epsom Racecourse on 30 April 2016 and Golf Day to be held at Horton Country Park on 9 May 2016.

To answer written questions from Councillors

Note:  The deadline for questions is 5pm on Wednesday 13 April 2016 (17.00 hours on the third clear working day before the meeting).

a)            Improvements to access at Ewell West Station:  Councillor Michael Arthur asked the following written question and received the following written answer from the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Humphrey Reynolds:

Question:

At Council on 17 February 2015 I asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning Committee with regard to the special allocation of funds from central government for improvements under “Access for All”.  The response being that Head of Planning & Building Control (the then job title) would write at the appropriate person in The Department for Transport to ensure proper liaison on this issue.

I have heard little more at the Council end, but, informally, I understand that representatives of Southwest Trains, Network Rail and contractor Osbornes are proceeding with working up designs which will include two lifts connected with a horizontal walkway. This option may not be the best and not give value for money.

I have had a feedback of local opinion that different solutions giving improved access from both sides, i.e. Ewell and West Ewell may be possible and certainly be less costly.  There could be highway implications involving the County Council.

Could the Chairman say if this Council may be able to set up a Stakeholder meeting to see of all the interested parties be brought together to input local views.

Reply:

I can confirm that the Head of Planning and Building Control contacted Network Rail in early 2015 and that he was advised that the Access for All programme of works affected many stations and that Ewell West was some way down the list.  They undertook to contact him once the timing was more certain. 

He was recently further advised that the necessary authority to begin feasibility work had been given on 31 March 2016.  This set in motion the early development work.  It will initially be a process internal to Network Rail and will involve the preparation of some high-level options for consideration by the Department for Transport (DfT).  The Head of Place Development will be contacted again when the options are at a stage where they can be discussed before submission to the DfT.  He will ensure that Ward Councillors are informed and invited to meet with Network Rail’s representative/s.

Network Rail has confirmed that it is aware that the station is a listed building and that the solution needs to be appropriately designed to respect its special character.  Furthermore, Councillor Arthur may be aware that the Chairman of Ewell Village Residents’ Association recently met with a representative of Network Rail to explain some of the alternative ideas.  I cannot confirm whether they will be among the options assessed in the feasibility work.

To receive, consider and where appropriate, adopt the following recommendations from Committees.

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 5 April 2016 were received.

Upon being put, recommendation 40 E (Corporate Plan) was CARRIED without a division.

RESOLVED

That the Council

(1)          Adopt the Ambition and four Key Priorities for the Corporate Plan as set out in Annexe 1 of the report of the Chief Executive

(2)          Agree to adopt the new Corporate Plan 2016 – 2020

Upon being put, recommendation 41 F (Economic Development Strategy) was CARRIED without a division

RESOLVED

That the Economic Development Strategy be adopted

Upon being put, recommendation 42 G (Treasury Management) was CARRIED without a division

RESOLVED

That the updated Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2016/17 to 2018/19 be adopted

Upon being put, recommendation 43 H (Committee restructure) was CARRIED without a division

RESOLVED

(1)          That the Social Committee and Leisure Committee be disestablished with effect from the next Municipal Year

(2)          A new Community and Wellbeing Committee be established with effect from the next Municipal Year, comprising ten members

(3)          The terms of Reference of Committees and Panels be amended as set out in the Annexe to the report to the Strategy and Resources Committee

To note the Minutes of the Audit, Crime and Disorder and Scrutiny Committee held on 4 February 2016 (attached)

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee held on 4 February 2016 were received and noted.

In pursuance of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, Councillor Vince Romagnuolo will move and Councillor Neil Dallen will second, the following Motion:

“This Council notes that that the Prime Minister has announced the Government's intention to hold a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council unreservedly supports this referendum and encourages all residents to study the information available and participate in the debate before voting on the day”.

Note: The deadline for Notice of Motions was 5.00pm on Wednesday 6 April 2016 (17.00 hours on the eighth clear working day before the meeting)

Pursuant to FCR 79, Councillor Vince Romagnuolo MOVED and Councillor Neil Dallen SECONDED

“This Council notes that the Prime Minister has announced the Government’s intention to hold a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council unreservedly supports this referendum and encourages all residents to study the information available and participate in the debate before voting on the day”

In accordance with the advice given by the Chief Executive, the Council RESOLVED (without a division) to debate the motion.

Upon being put, the motion was CARRIED, there being 12 members for, no members against and 22 members not voting.