Agenda, decisions and minutes

To take any questions from members of the Public.

No questions had been submitted or were asked by 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.

No declarations were made in items on the agenda.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 19 March 2020 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of the Community and Wellbeing Committee held on 19 March 2020 were a true record and authorised the Chairman to sign them.

This report asks the committee to agree the next 10 year Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30, which builds on the successes and knowledge gained from the original 10 yr plan 2010-20.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Recommended that the Council adopts the Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30, as currently drafted and agrees that this Council should support the working group to work in partnership with locally based organisations and individuals to implement and develop the plan.

The Committee received a report asking it to agree the next 10 year Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30.

The following points were considered:

a)            Biodiversity net-gain. The Committee noted that it was anticipated that the upcoming Environment Bill would mandate a requirement for biodiversity net-gain during the delivery of housing and infrastructure developments.

b)            Engagement with schools. Following a question from a Member, the Committee was informed that the Council’s Countryside Officers engaged with local schools regarding relevant wildlife and countryside projects.

c)            Integration with Operational Services. The Committee noted that the integration of the Council’s Countryside Management Team with the Operational Services Division had been highly successful and produced a number of joined-up working opportunities.

d)            Reed bed for Chamber Mead, Hogsmill LNR. Following a question from a Member, the Committee was informed that a proposed reed bed in the Chamber Mead area of the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve was a joint project in conjunction with the South East River Trust, who would be leading on the identification and access to grant funding to enable it.

 Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed the Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30, as currently drafted and agreed that this Council should support the working group to work in partnership with locally based organisations and individuals to implement and develop the plan.

This report informs the Committee of the Council’s revenue budget targets presented to the Strategy & Resources Committee.  The report seeks guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s service estimates for 2021/22.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      To defer consideration of the revenue budget targets report to the Committee’s next meeting.

The Committee received a report informing it of the Council’s revenue budget targets presented to the Strategy & Resources Committee.  The report sought guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s service estimates for 2021/22.

The following matter was considered:

a)            Budget savings options. The Committee requested that further information regarding the budget savings options presented by the report be provided prior to the Committee coming to a decision upon them. The Committee considered that consideration of this matter should be deferred until its meeting in January 2021.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved:

(1)          To defer consideration of the revenue budget targets report to the Committee’s meeting in January 2021.

This report seeks agreement to the Council’s response to a request from the Surrey High Sheriff to increase the Council’s financial support to the High Sheriff Youth Awards in 2020/21.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      To maintain the Council’s financial contribution to the High Sheriff’s Youth Award as £500 in 2020/21.

The Committee received a report seeking agreement to the Council’s response to a request from the Surrey High Sheriff to increase the Council’s financial support to the High Sheriff Youth Awards in 2020/21.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Awards received from High Sheriff Youth Awards scheme for projects in the Borough. The Committee noted that in the last 4 years only one project within the Borough had received funds from the High Sheriff Youth Award scheme and that the award granted had represented only 0.6% of the total awards made that year.

b)            Review of number of applications made to the High Sheriff Youth Awards scheme. The Committee considered that given the low number of awards made to projects within the Borough within the past four years, information detailing the number of applications made by projects in the Borough should be produced and used to inform the response to the request from the Surrey High Sheriff.

c)            Level of contribution. In light of the small number of awards made to projects within the Borough, The Committee considered that the Council’s financial contribution to High Sheriff’s Youth Award in 2020/21 should not be increased from its current level of £500.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved:

(1)      To maintain the Council’s financial contribution to the High Sheriff’s Youth Award as £500 in 2020/21.

The report provides an update on the Clinical Commissioning Groups’ (CCGs) decision following the Improving Healthcare Together 2020-2030 public consultation.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Had considered the outcome of the CCGs Improving Healthcare Together 2020-2030 consultation, and

(2)      Noted that the London Borough of Merton are requesting a review of the decision.

The Committee received a report providing an update on the Clinical Commissioning Groups’ (CCGs) decision following the Improving Healthcare Together 2020-2030 public consultation.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 8 Members voting for, 1 Member voting against and the Chair not voting that the Committee:

(1)      Had considered the outcome of the CCGs Improving Healthcare Together 2020-2030 consultation, and

(2)      Noted that the London Borough of Merton are requesting a review of the decision.