Agenda item

To receive and consider recommendations from the Executive and the Standards and Audit Committee.

The Mayor reported that it was intended to deal with the recommendation in respect of Land Management – Westfield Avenue (Woking Football Club) under Part I of the agenda.  In the event any Members wished to discuss any elements deemed confidential, the discussion would be deferred to Part II of the agenda, press and public excluded.  Furthermore, the Council was advised that the recommendation from the Standards and Audit Committee would be dealt with under agenda item 8, Statement of Accounts 2017/18.

Councillor D J Bittleston moved and Councillor A Azad seconded the reception and adoption of the report and recommendations from the meetings of the Executive held on 28 June and 12 July 2018.

executive – 28 June 2018

NOTICE OF MOTION – CLLR A-M BARKER – TACKLING PLASTICS

Councillor Mrs Hunwicks spoke to the notice of motion submitted to Council by Councillor Barker in April 2018 and considered by the Executive in June.  The actions taken by the Council in recent months to reduce the use of single use plastics both at the Civic Offices and elsewhere in the Borough were noted and it was recommended that the motion should not be supported as the action sought had already been taken.  Councillor Barker noted the position and welcomed the changes adopted by the Council.

RESOLVED

That the Motion be not supported as the action sought by it was already being taken.

executive – 14 July 2018

LAND MANAGEMENT – WESTFIELD AVENUE (WOKING FOOTBALL CLUB)

The Mayor noted that a supplementary report on the Land Management proposals for Westfield Avenue (Woking Football Club) had been tabled following the decision by the Leader of the Council to take the matter under Part I of the agenda, and allowed the Members a few minutes to read the report.  The Members welcomed the opportunity to debate the proposals in public, noting that residents would be fully engaged from this early stage onwards.

Councillor Bittleston introduced the report which set out proposals for the construction of a new stadium for Woking Football Club on its existing ground.  The new ground would have 10,000 seats and the facilities required to meet the English Football League standards.  The cost of the construction was anticipated to be £10m, to be funded from new residential development of 992 units to be constructed at the Kingfield Road site.  Land at Egley Road would also be acquired by the Council to site the David Lloyd facility currently at Kingfield together with additional residential accommodation.

It was noted that the proposed developments were subject to planning approval being gained, a planning application for which would be drawn up following the support of the Council that the scheme was viable.  The report concluded that the proposed development was viable and that the Council should confirm its agreement to the finding and agree the purchase of the Egley Road land subject to planning approval of the Kingfield Road and Egley Road developments.

The proposals were welcomed by the Council, with attention drawn to the extensive role played by the Football Club in the community and the need for new housing provision.  It was further noted that the proposals would not affect the Green Belt.  A number of questions were raised in regard to the residential developments, including around the proportion of affordable housing, infrastructure development, the height of the developments and the size of the units.  However, it was noted that the development would be subject to planning approval and would be considered by the Planning Committee in due course.  It was further noted that the Council had a good track record of ensuring that the infrastructure was in place for large developments.

In accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the recommendations were recorded.

In favour:                   Councillors Mrs H Addison, S Ashall, A Azad, T Aziz,               D Bittleston, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman, G Chrystie,          G Cundy, K Davis, I Eastwood, D Harlow, Mrs B Hunwicks,     S Hussain, C Kemp, L Lyons, N Martin, R Mohammed,           M I Raja, C Rana and M Whitehand.

                                   TOTAL in favour – 22

Against:                      Councillors A-M Barker, D Hughes and L Morales.

                                   TOTAL against – 3

Present not voting:     Councillor M Ali.

TOTAL present and not voting – 1

The recommendations were therefore carried by 22 votes to 3 votes. 

RESOLVED

That the recommendations to Council set out in the Executive’s confidential minute be agreed.