Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Frank Jeffrey, Head of Democratic Services  on 01483 743012 or email  frank.jeffrey@woking.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Hussain and Councillor Jordan.

2.

Declarations of Interest. pdf icon PDF 49 KB

(i)           To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

(ii)         In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Chief Executive, Julie Fisher, declares a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which she is a Council-appointed director. The companies are listed in the attached schedule. The interests are such that Mrs Fisher may advise on those items.

(iii)        In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources, Kevin Foster declares a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which he is a Council-appointed director. The companies are listed in the attached schedule. The interests are such that Mr Foster may advise on those items.

(iv)        In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Strategic Director - Communities, Louise Strongitharm, declares a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which she is a Council-appointed director. The companies are listed in the attached schedule. The interests are such that Mrs Strongitharm may advise on those items.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Chief Executive, Julie Fisher, declared a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which she was a Council-appointed director.  The companies were listed in an attached schedule.  The interests were such that Mrs Fisher could advise on those items.

In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources, Kevin Foster declared a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which he was a Council-appointed director.  The companies were listed in an attached schedule.  The interests were such that Mr Foster could advise on those items.

In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Strategic Director - Communities, Louise Strongitharm, declared a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which she was a Council-appointed director.  The companies were listed in an attached schedule.  The interests were such that Mrs Strongitharm could advise on those items.

 

3.

Urgent Business.

To consider any business which the Chairman rules may be dealt with under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No items of Urgent Business were considered.

4.

Mayor's Announcements.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor reported that, following his election as Mayor on 18 May 2023, he had attended his first engagement on the weekend at Christ Church to see the work of the Turning Point Trust.  The Trust supported vulnerable families and children living in Kibera in Kenya.

The Mayor referred to forthcoming engagements including the American Armed Forces Day at Brookwood Cemetery on 28 May, a dinner at the Chobham Golf Club and the funeral of Paul Russell, former Chief Executive of Woking Borough Council.

5.

Leader of the Council's Statement.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader, Councillor Barker, made a statement on her approach for the forthcoming year and advised that the Executive for 2023/24 would comprise Councillor Forster as Deputy Leader, and Councillors Graves, Johnson, Lyons, Nicholson and Roberts.

Councillor Davis, Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Aziz, Leader of the Labour Group, and Councillor Boote, Leader of the Independent Group, were given the opportunity to respond to Councillor Barker’s statement.

6.

Announcements by the Leader of the Council and/or the Chief Executive.

In accordance with revised Standing Orders, the Council to receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council (or their nominated spokesperson) and/or the Chief Executive.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No announcements were received.

7.

Political Balance of the Council 2023/24 WBC23-022. pdf icon PDF 63 KB

To receive a report on the Political Balance of the Council.  The report will be published in due course.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Formal notices had been received which had the effect of dividing the Council into political groups. The composition of the Council was as follows:

Liberal Democrat        20

Conservative               4

Labour                         3

Independent                3

In addition, notification had been received of the Members to act as Group Leader and Deputy Group Leader of each political group as follows:-

                                    Group Leader                        Deputy Group Leader

Liberal Democrat      Councillor Barker                    Councillor Forster

Conservative             Councillor Davies                   Councillor Brown

Labour                        Councillor T Aziz                    Councillor Javaid

Independent              Councillor A Boote                  Councillor D Jordan

RESOLVED

That the report be received.

8.

Selection Panel WBC23-021. pdf icon PDF 97 KB

To receive the minutes of the Selection Panel held on Tuesday, 16 May 2023 and agree the recommendations contained therein.  The minutes will be published in due course.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report which set out the recommendations from Selection Panel which had met on 16 May 2023.

RESOLVED

That (i)     the proportions for each Committee and Sub-Committee be settled as follows:

Committee                               Lib Dem     Con       Lab      Ind

Appeals (3)                                      2            0            1          0

Licensing (10)                                  7            1            1          1

Overview and Scrutiny (10)             6            2            1          1

Planning (10)                                   7            1            1          1

Standards and Audit (6)                  4            1            0          1

Committee                               Lib Dem     Con       Lab      Ind

Licensing Sub-Cttee A (3)             2          1          0        0

Licensing Sub-Cttee B (3)             2          0          1        0

Taxi Licensing Sub-Cttee (6)         4          1          1        0

Standards Panel (4)                    3          0          0        1

          (ii)   the HIF Housing Outputs Panel be disbanded;

          (iii)  the membership of the Military Covenant Advisory Panel be increased by 1, creating a Panel of 7 Members;

          (iv)  the proportions for each Group be settled as follows:

Working Groups Under the Remit of Council

Working Group

Lib Dem

Con

Lab

Ind

Appointments Panel (5)

3

1

1

0

Corporate Governance WG (3)

2

1

0

0

Freedom of the Borough WG (6)

5

0

0

1

Military Covenant Adv. Panel (7)

4

1

1

1

Sheerwater Regen. Delivery and Oversight Board (7)

4

1

1

1

 

Working Groups Under the Remit of the Executive

Working Group

Lib Dem

Con

Lab

Ind

Greener Woking WG (8)

5

2

1

0

Joint Infrastructure WG (7)

4

1

1

1

Leisure Partnership Board (5)

4

1

0

0

Local Dev. Framework WG (7)

4

1

1

1

Neighbourhood CIL WG (6)

3

1

1

1

Safer Woking Partnership (4)

3

0

0

1

UK Shared Prosperity Fund (2)

2

0

0

0

Woking Wellbeing Group (4)

3

0

0

1

 

Working Groups Under the Remit of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Working Group

Lib Dem

Con

Lab

Ind

Economic Development WG (7)

5

1

1

0

Finance WG (7)

4

1

1

1

HIF WG (7)

5

1

0

1

Housing Working Group (7)

4

1

1

1

 

          (v)   the proportions for each appointment be settled as follows:

 

 

Lib Dem

Con

Lab

Ind

Ashford & St Peters Hospital NHS Trust (3 years to 2025)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

Basingstoke Canal Jt Management Cttee (1 year)

2 reps

1

1

 

 

2 subs

1

 

 

1

Countryside Partnership Board.  Sub appointed to the Local Liaison Group (1 year)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

1 sub

 

1

 

 

Fairoaks Airport Consultative Cttee (1 year).

1 rep

1

 

 

 

1 sub

1

 

 

 

Farnborough Airport Consultative Cttee (1 year).

1 rep

1

 

 

 

1 sub

1

 

 

 

Friends of Woking Palace (1 year)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

Maybury Centre Trust (4 years to 2026 and 2027 respectively)

2 reps

1 (2026)

 

1 (2027)

 

Nat. Parking Adjud. Service Jt Cttee (2 years to 2025)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

1 sub

1

 

 

 

Police & Crime Panel (1 year)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

ShopMobility (1 year)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

1 sub

 

 

 

1

SE Employers (1 year)

1 rep

1

 

 

 

1 sub

 

1

 

 

Sport Woking (1 year)

2 reps

1  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Constitution of Committees 2023/24 WBC23-023. pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To approve the membership of Committees for 2023/24.  The report will be published in due course.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it a document setting out the proposed memberships of the Committees for the coming year.

         RESOLVED

         That Membership of the Committees for 2023/24, as set out below, be agreed.

Appeals Committee

Cllr Aziz                  Cllr Caulfield

Cllr Morley

Licensing Committee

Cllr Caulfield           Cllr Martin

Cllr Hussain            Cllr Morley

Cllr Javaid              Cllr Rice

Cllr Jordan             Cllr Spenser

Cllr Leach               Cllr Sullivan

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Akberali           Cllr Kirby

Cllr Brown              Cllr Leach

Cllr Caulfield           Cllr Morley

Cllr Davis               Cllr Rice

Cllr Javaid              Cllr Sullivan

Planning Committee

Cllr Aziz                  Cllr Martin

Cllr Cosnahan        Cllr Morales

Cllr Dorsett             Cllr Mukherjee

Cllr Greentree        Cllr Oades

Cllr Jordan             Cllr Spenser

Standards and Audit Committee

Cllr Akberali           Cllr Cosnahan

Cllr Brown              Cllr Greentree

Cllr Caulfield           Cllr Oades

Mrs C Storey, Independent Co-Opted Member

 

10.

Appointments to Working Groups 2023/24 WBC23-024. pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To consider the membership of Working Groups for 2023/24.  The report will be published in due course.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it a document setting out the proposed memberships of the Working Groups under the remit of Council for the coming year.

         RESOLVED

         That membership of the Working Groups for 2023/24, as set out below, be agreed.

Appointments Panel

Cllr Aziz              Cllr Forster

Cllr Barker            Cllr Roberts

Cllr Davis

Corporate Governance Working Group

Cllr Caulfield         Cllr Greentree

Cllr Davis

Freedom of the Borough Working Group

Cllr Boote               Cllr Leach

Cllr Forster             Cllr Lyons

Cllr Johnson           Cllr Sullivan

Military Covenant Advisory Panel

Cllr Boote              Cllr Raja

Cllr Cosnahan        Cllr Spenser

Cllr Hussain          Cllr Sullivan

Cllr Martin

Sheerwater Regeneration Delivery and Oversight Panel

Cllr Boote                 Cllr Johnson

Cllr Dorsett               Cllr Lyons

Cllr Forster                Cllr Sullivan

Cllr Javaid

 

11.

Appointments to Ad Hoc Bodies and Ex Officio Positions 2023/24 WBC23-025. pdf icon PDF 201 KB

To consider the nominations to Ad Hoc Bodies and Ex-Officio Positions for 2023/24.  The report will be published in due course.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council was asked to agree the appointments to Ad Hoc Bodies and to receive the list of Ex Officio appointments. In respect of the appointments available through the Surrey Leaders’ Group, the Council noted that three nominations had been received.

RESOLVED

That (i)    appointments to Ad Hoc Bodies as set out below be agreed;

Ashford & St Peters Hospital NHS Trust (1 rep, 3 years to 2025)

Cllr Nicholson (2025)

Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Cttee (2 reps, 1 year plus 2 subs, 1 year)

Cllr Davis

Cllr Leach

(Cllr Jordan)

(Cllr Mukherjee)

Countryside Partnership Board (1 rep, 1 year plus 1 sub, 1 year).  Substitute appointed to the Local Liaison Group.

Cllr Graves

(Cllr Davis)

Fairoaks Airport Consultative Cttee (1 rep, 1 year plus 1 sub, 1 year). 

Cllr Morley

(Cllr Sullivan)

Farnborough Airport Consultative Cttee (1 rep, 1 year plus 1 sub, 1 year)

Cllr Barker

(Cllr Sullivan)

Friends of Woking Palace (1 rep, 1 year)

Cllr Barker

Maybury Centre (2 reps, four years to 2026 and 2023 respectively)

Cllr Graves (2026)

Cllr Aziz  (2027)

National Parking Adjudications Service Joint Cttee (1 rep, 2 years, plus 1 sub, 2 years to 2023)

Cllr Barker (2025)

(Cllr Roberts) (2025)

Police and Crime Panel (1 rep, 1 year)

Cllr Nicholson

ShopMobility (1 rep, 1 year plus 1 sub, 1 year)

Cllr Barker

(Cllr Jordan)

South East Employers (1 rep, 1 year plus 1 sub, 1 year)

Cllr Barker

(Cllr Davis)

Sport Woking (formerly Woking Sports Council) (2 reps, 1 year)

Cllr Aziz

Cllr Martin

Surrey County Playing Fields Association (1 rep, 1 year)

Cllr Nicholson

Sutton Green Village Hall Management Cttee (2 reps, 1 year, 1 to be local Ward Cllr, 1 to be a Member of WBC)

Cllr Davis

Cllr Rice

Woking Access Group (2 reps, 1 year)

Cllr Barker

Cllr Javaid

Woking Community Transport (2 observers, 1 year)

Cllr Rice

Cllr Aziz

Woking People of Faith (1 rep, 5 years to 2026)

Cllr Morales (2026)

Woking Youth Council (2 reps, 1 year plus 1 substitute, 1 year)

Cllr Brown

Cllr Leach

(Cllr Akberali)

          (ii)   the schedule of Ex Officio appointments as set out below be noted

Allotments Consultation Group

Deputy Mayor to act as judge at the Annual Allotments Competition.

Asset Management – Lead Member

Portfolio Holder for Asset Management.

Children & Young People – Lead Member

Portfolio Holder for Cultural and Community Development.

Elected Member Development – Lead Member

Appropriate Portfolio Holder.

Elections Panel

Group Leaders and Deputy Group Leaders and Independent Co-Opted Member.

Joint Cttee for Oversight of Delivery of Surrey Public Authority Services

Leader of the Council or their nominee.

Ostensible Authority Standing Panel

Leader of the Council and two nominees.

Resident Engagement – Lead Member

Appropriate Portfolio Holder.

Safeguarding – Lead Member

Appropriate Portfolio Holder.

Selection Panel

Group Leaders and Deputy Group Leaders.

Shareholder Advisory Group

Members of the Executive & Independent Co-Opted Member.  Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee invited to attend as an observer.

Sheerwater Regeneration – Lead Member

Appropriate Portfolio Holder.

Surrey Climate Change  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.