Agenda

(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 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.

(iii)      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.

(iv)      In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Head of Transformation, Digital and Customer, Adam Walther, 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 Walther may advise on those items.

To approve the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 28 September and 12 October 2023, as published. 

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

To receive questions from Members of the Public of which due notice has been given.

To deal with written questions submitted by Members of the Council.  Copies of the questions and of the draft replies (which are subject to amendment by the Leader of the Council) will be published shortly before the meeting.

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

To receive and consider recommendations from the Executive.

To deal with any motions received from Members of the Council in accordance with Standing Orders.

This motion proposes that Woking Borough Council resolves that the Leader of the Council writes to:-

1.       Jonathan Lord MP, requesting him:

a.       To make urgent representations asking for banning single-use vapes on behalf of Woking schools, parents, and residents.

b.       To expedite the conclusion and actions of the public consultation, bearing in mind the consequences of the EU proposing a ban in 2026 and France rolling out a ban in December 2023 and the risk as those markets close, disposable vapes will flood into the UK.

c.       Provide schools funding to install detection devices to improve the discovery of illegal substances instead of schools having to fund out of their hard-pressed budgets.

d.       Probit possession of vapes on school premises with appropriate violation measures.

2.       Surrey Trading Standards to request they:

a.       Carry out regular test purchases, seize products, and issue fixed penalty notices when a business breaches the law.

b.       Address the shortage of qualified trading standard officers required to prosecute those retailers selling to underage customers.

c.       Implement mandatory age-of-sale signage on vaping products.

d.       Implement sanctions for breaching these rules, the same as penalties handed out under tobacco display regulations.

e.       Publish how many test purchases have been conducted by trading standards followed by successful prosecutions.

f.       The other area that needs tackling is internet sales of illegal vapes and those containing THC and Spice, which will need coordinated action between the police and trading standards.