Agenda and decisions

(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 Head of Transformation, Digital and Customer Services, 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 meeting of the Executive held on 5 December 2024 as published.

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

To deal with any written questions submitted under Section 3 of the Executive Procedure Rules.  Copies of the questions and draft replies will be published shortly before the meeting.

Reporting Person – Stephen Fitzgerald

RESOLVED

That the budget update and submission of an initial request to MHCLG for the continuation of Exceptional Financial Support into 2025/26 be noted.

Reason:   The decision keeps Members informed of the Council’s latest budget position, ahead of final budget papers being brought back to Executive and Full Council in February and March 2025.

Reporting Person – Richard Carr

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the report be noted;

          (ii)   the Executive recognises the Government intention to move to unitary and strategic authorities;

          (iii)  the Executive will work with other boroughs/districts, the County Council and local people and businesses to achieve the local government structure that best works for everyone in the local area;

          (iv)  the Executive is happy to work at pace, but believes the focus must be on getting this right not getting it done quickly;

          (v)   the Executive believes solutions are needed to the debt held across authorities, including Woking, before new councils can be formed; and

          (vi)  the Executive believes postponement of May elections to the County Council would not be helpful to the process and these elections should go ahead as planned.

Reason:   To enable the Executive to begin to consider the implications of the White Paper published in December.

Reporting Person – Kevin Foster

RESOLVED

That  (i)    following a competitive open market disposal process, the site be sold freehold to the recommended bidder; and

          (ii)   authority be delegated to the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to take all necessary steps to effect the decision in i.

Reason:   To secure the proposed regeneration of Egley Road Barn Site and to realise the capital value as part of the current managed site disposal process.

Reporting Person – Kevin Foster

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the site be sold freehold to the recommended purchaser; and

          (ii)   authority be delegated to the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to take all necessary steps to implement the decision in resolve i above.

Reason:   To realise the capital value as part of the current managed site disposal process of a site which is non income producing and is surplus to the Council’s current investment and operational property needs.

Reporting Person – Kevin Foster

RESOLVED

That the commercially sensitive information, in support of the recommendation to dispose under Part I of the agenda, be noted.

Reason:   To enable the anticipated freehold sale to proceed and to secure the regeneration of the site through external investment and to realise the capital value for reinvestment and to secure its redevelopment.

Reporting Person – Kevin Foster

RESOLVED

That the commercially sensitive information, in support of the recommendation to dispose under Part I of the agenda, be noted.

Reason:   To enable the anticipated freehold sale to proceed and to realise the capital value for reinvestment from a surplus non income producing property.