Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Johnson.

(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.

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 interests were such that Mr Foster could advise the Executive on those items.

The interest of the Head of Transformation, Digital and Customer Services, Adam Walther, was referred to in the agenda but it should be noted that Mr Walther was not present at the meeting.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 5 December 2024 as published.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 5 December 2024 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

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

There were no items of Urgent Business 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.

No written questions had been submitted under Section 3 of the Executive Procedure Rules.  The Leader highlighted that the Executive welcomed questions from members of the public and explained the submission process.  The deadline for written questions from members of the public was 12 noon, seven days before the Executive.  The next Executive would be held on 13 February 2025 so the deadline for written questions was 12 noon, 6 February 2025.

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.

Councillor Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economy, introduced the report which provided an update on the General Fund budget position following December’s Local Government Provisional Finance Settlement, the impact of the review of the Council’s overheads apportionment, and the submission of an initial request to MHCLG for the continuation of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) into 2025/26.  Since the budget update received at the December Executive, the Portfolio Holder reported that the ‘business as usual’ budget gap for 2025/26 had increased from £2.7m to £3.4m and would continue to increase for the following two years.  The Executive was advised that the budget gap increase was largely due to the Government’s unfavourable Provisional Finance Settlement and the outcome of the review of recharges following a review of the Council’s overheads.

The Executive welcomed the introduction by the Government of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme which provided local authorities with a new income stream from 2025/26.  The Scheme would require producers of packaging to pay a new charge as a contribution towards the cost of waste collection and disposal.  It was commented that although the Scheme would have a positive impact on the budget, it would be complicated to introduce from a waste management perspective.

The Executive was informed that the Leader of the Council had submitted a request to MHCLG for continuation of EFS into 2025/26 due to the Council’s unaffordable c.£2bn debt pile and borrowing costs.  A final decision on the EFS request of £82.8m for 2025/26 was anticipated in early March 2025.  It was explained that final draft budget papers were due to be considered at Executive on 13 February 2025 and Full Council on 27 February 2025, and that approval of Council Tax and EFS (if granted by MHCLG) was due to considered at Full Council on 3 March 2025.  The Council would continue to do all that it could locally to reduce its legacy debt and continue work to address the ‘business as usual’ budget deficit into 2026/27.

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.

Councillor Barker, Leader of the Council, introduced the report which provided an overview of the Government’s plans for devolution in England, accompanied by a move to unitary or all-purpose authorities in place of county and borough/district councils in areas like Surrey.  Attention was drawn to the Government’s White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, which established a new tier of local government: Strategic Authorities (SAs).  The Government was prioritising the establishment of Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) with directly elected Mayors across England, such areas with Mayors would have access to the most extensive devolution and funding.  The White Paper also included reorganisation of two-tier local government areas such as Surrey, which would see county and borough/district councils merged into unitary councils.

The Leader set out a number of points in response to the paper and invited the Executive to consider their inclusion in the resolution.  Firstly that the Executive recognised the intention of the Government to move to unitary and strategic authorities and although the Council was happy to work at pace, was of the opinion that the focus should be on getting reorganisation right rather than getting it done quickly.  The balance between efficiencies of scale and local representation was highlighted.  Secondly, the importance of involving residents and businesses in the process, as well as working with other boroughs/districts and the County Council.  Residents views on devolution and local government reorganisation were welcomed and residents were encouraged to email Councillor Barker with their thoughts.  The Leader also stressed the need to find solutions to the debt held across authorities, including Woking, before new councils could be formed.  In addition, the postponement of the County elections in May 2025 was not welcomed due to the democratic deficit.  It was commented that a new democratic mandate was required to pursue the devolution agenda.

The Executive was supportive of the proposed additions to the resolution, noting concern at the ambitious timeframe proposed, the postponement of the County elections, and acknowledging the impact on Council staff of further change and uncertainty.

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.

The Executive received a report which sought approval of the freehold sale of Egley Road Barn Site, Egley Road, Woking following an open market disposal process.  It was noted that the Executive had approved the marketing of the site at its meeting on 21 March 2024.  The Executive was advised that the recommended purchaser, following a retendering exercise, had submitted the highest financial offer on a conditional basis subject to planning, site surveys and due diligence.  The recommendation to sell the site was aligned to the Woking For All Strategy, the guiding principles of the Commercial Protocol, and a business case proforma including NPV (net present value) had been prepared.  The Executive supported the proposal to dispose of the site which would generate a capital receipt, facilitate regeneration of the site, and increase the residential provision within the Borough.

Following correspondence received from Woking Gymnastics Club, Councillor Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Asset Management, advised that the Council wrote a letter of assurance to the Club, a tenant on the site, in November 2023 outlining what the Council could do to balance all parties interests in both the management of the Egley Road site and the Kingfield site which the Club wished to develop.  The Portfolio Holder provided assurance that the decision before the Executive regarding Egley Road Barn Site did not change the position with the Club.  The Council continued to do all it could to facilitate the extension of the Club’s new site at Kingfield.

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.

The Executive received a report which sought approval of the freehold sale of Sheerwater Nursery, Blackmore Crescent, Sheerwater.  It was noted that the purchaser was considered to be a “Special Purchaser” which was defined as “a particular buyer for whom a particular asset has a special value because of advantages arising from its ownership that would not be available to other buyers in a market”.  The recommendation to sell the site was aligned to the Woking For All Strategy, the guiding principles of the Commercial Protocol, and a business case proforma including NPV (net present value) had been prepared.  The Executive supported the proposal to dispose of the site which would generate a capital receipt, facilitate the regeneration of the site, and generate new work opportunities within the Borough.

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.

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 11 and 12 in view of the nature of the proceedings that, if members of the press and public were present during these items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, to the Local Government Act 1972.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information.

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.

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.

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.