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 13 February 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13 February 2020 were agreed as a true record and the Mayor was authorised to sign them.

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

The Mayor announced that he had chosen to support three charities during his mayoral year: Epsom and Ewell Community Fund, Love Me Love My Mind and Age Concern Epsom and Ewell.

The Mayor informed the Council of a number of noteworthy events in which he had participated during the past 2 months, despite the challenges posed by the current pandemic.

This report sets out the questions submitted which have been accepted under FCR 12, Part 4 Rules of Procedure, of the Constitution.

Three questions had been addressed to Committee Chairmen to which written answers had been provided and published.

Three supplementary questions were asked at the meeting and answers given by the relevant Committee Chairman.

To receive statements from the Chairs/Chairmen of the Council’s Policy Committees, briefing Members on current events and issues relating to the relevant Committee’s area of work.

Council received written statements from the Chairs of Environment and Safe Communities Committee, Community and Wellbeing Committee and Licensing and Planning Policy Committee.

This report sets out the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic following a major incident being formally declared across Surrey on 19 March 2020. 

Council received a report setting out the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic following a major incident being formally declared across Surrey on 19 March 2020. 

Councillor Eber Kington MOVED the recommendation in the report.

Upon being put the recommendation was CARRIED with a majority vote in favour.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)      Note the significant action taken by the Council and its staff in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including providing essential support to the most vulnerable in the local community and to local businesses and action to keep essential services running.

This report sets-out the financial impact of Covid-19 on the Council in the first quarter of 2020/21, and details funding sources to mitigate the impact.

Council received a report setting-out the financial impact of Covid-19 on the Council in the first quarter of 2020/21, and detailing funding sources to mitigate the impact.

Councillor Eber Kington MOVED the recommendations in the report.

Upon being put, the recommendations were CARRIED with a majority vote in favour.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)      Note the projected £2.5m deficit caused by Covid-19 in the first quarter of 2020/21;

(2)      Support the continued lobbying of Central Government for further financial support.

To develop a response to Surrey County Council’s statements on reorganising the local government structure in Surrey.

Council received a report from the Chief Legal Officer proposing the development of a response to Surrey County Council’s statements on reorganising the local government structure in Surrey.

Councillor Eber Kington MOVED the recommendation in the report.

Councillor Clive Smitheram SECONDED the recommendation in the report.

Upon being put, the recommendation was CARRIED with a majority vote in favour.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)      Agree this Council’s strategic principles on the local government structure debate for Surrey, be:

                  i.        local democratic accountability;

                ii.         devolving decision making to the lowest level commensurate with effective delivery;

               iii.        efficient and cost effective service delivery;

               iv.        a local authority’s knowledge of people and place.

(2)      Authorise the Chief Executive to start discussions with all local authorities in Surrey to consider the future structure of local government in Surrey which respect the principles set out at recommendation 11 (1) above.

This report sets out notices of motions ruled in order by the Mayor in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer.

Council received three Motions submitted under FCR 14 of Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.

Motion1: “To Thank EEBC Members Staff for Their Work During the Covid-19 Emergency.”

The Council resolved by a majority vote to consider this Motion at the meeting. In pursuance of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, Councillor Eber Kington MOVED and Councillor Peter O’Donovan SECONDED the following Motion:

“This Council wishes to place on record its thanks and appreciation to Borough Council officers for their outstanding work in meeting the challenge of the strategic shift in the deployment of staff and resources during the Covid-19 emergency.  Your work and the care shown, particularly in support of more vulnerable members of the community, has been both outstanding and inspiring.

This Council also wishes to acknowledge the vital roles paid by those Officers providing key support for services whilst working from home, and also those members of staff who have ensured that the Council’s important basic services have continued to be provided to residents during the emergency. Your contributions have been hugely appreciated and have been crucial to the work of the council over the past few weeks.

Whatever your role, our thanks to you all”

An amendment to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Debbie Monksfield and SECONDED by Councillor Rob Geleit:

The proposed amendment was as follows:

“This Council wishes to place on record its thanks and appreciation to Borough Council officers for their outstanding work in meeting the challenge of the strategic shift in the deployment of staff and resources during the Covid-19 emergency.  Your work and the care shown, particularly in support of more vulnerable members of the community, has been both outstanding and inspiring.

This Council also wishes to acknowledge the vital roles paid by those Officers providing key support for services whilst working from home, and also those members of staff who have ensured that the Council’s important basic services have continued to be provided to residents during the emergency. In addition this council will identify a scheme to reward council staff for their exceptional efforts during the emergency caused by Covid-19.

Your contributions have been hugely appreciated and have been crucial to the work of the council over the past few weeks

Whatever your role, our thanks to you all.”

Upon being put the amendment was LOST with a majority vote against it.

Following the resolution of the amendment, the substantive motion was debated and put to a vote.

Upon being put the motion was CARRIED with a majority vote for it.

Accordingly, the Council resolved:

This Council wishes to place on record its thanks and appreciation to Borough Council officers for their outstanding work in meeting the challenge of the strategic shift in the deployment of staff and resources during the Covid-19 emergency.  Your work and the care shown, particularly in support of more vulnerable members of the community, has been both outstanding and inspiring.

This Council also wishes to acknowledge the vital roles paid by those Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.