Decisions

The Planning Committee considered a recommendation for an Enforcement Notice for the unauthorised Change Of Use from retail, with ancillary storage to residential use by creating 3 one bedroom flats.

Note 1:  The Planning Officer updated the Committee on changes to recommendation (i) within the report. The recommendation would read as follows:

(i)            Issue an Enforcement Notice in respect of the above land requiring of the remedy of the breach of planning control to be achieved through the cessation of the C3 residential use and restoration of the building known as the workshop to ancillary A1 retail storage within (4) months of the Enforcement Notice taking effect. Restoration works required to the workshop include but are not limited to:-

                       I.               to reinstate the original workshop, including the external appearance and reducing the height of the roof back to the measurements  2.71m within three months

                     II.               to regularise the stairway to the first floor;

Councillor Boote, Ward Councillor spoke in support of the Enforcement Notice, mentioning that the development was out of character with the rest of the street scene.

            RESOLVED

            That formal enforcement proceedings be authorised.

The Executive considered the Performance and Financial Monitoring Information (Green Book) April and May 2019.  Members discussed fly tipping and the use of mobile CCTV units.  It was noted that the Council had first refusal on four mobile CCTV units which were shared with the Police.  Councillor Davis, Portfolio Holder for Waste and Recycling, advised that the units were deployed on a knowledge basis and that Officers could inform Members of their locations outside of the meeting.  Following a question regarding possible technical issues with the units, Councillor Davis undertook to investigate.  The Chairman added that it would be useful for Officers to send a note to Members setting out the process for suggesting potential locations for the units.

Regarding temporary accommodation on page 8 of the Green Book, Officers confirmed that the figures were correct.  It was explained that where there was no figure against temporary accommodation, it was due to no-one leaving temporary accommodation in that month and so there was no figure to base the average.  The Chairman requested that Officers looked to review the way the figures were reported in future Green Books.

Members also discussed street cleaning and the number of empty properties brought back into use.

RESOLVED

That the Performance and Financial Monitoring Information, April and May 2019, be received.

The Executive received a quarterly monitoring report on the progress of projects in the interest of financial prudence and to ensure open and transparent corporate governance.  The Chairman commented that some of the projects had been on the monitoring report for a considerable length of time and encouraged Officers to try to resolve outstanding issues so that projects could be removed from future quarterly reports.

Members discussed the projects which were associated with Freedom Leisure and the Leisure Centre.  The Executive noted that the Council had chosen to invest in the Leisure Centre under its Health and Well Being agenda, providing a huge benefit to the Borough.  The Executive was informed that asset management was the Council’s responsibility and that the Council’s investment had enabled the service, which was run by Freedom Leisure, to grow over the last five years.  Councillor Kemp, Portfolio Holder for Leisure Centre and Pool in the Park, advised that the flumes were expected to be open in July for the summer holidays and that promotional work would be undertaken.

Regarding Project No. 10206 on page 25 of the report, the Chairman undertook to provide an update on the Play Strategy and the additional works at Willow Way park.

Regarding Project No. 10221 on page 26 of the report, the Chairman undertook to provide an update on the Private Finance Initiative at Kingsmoor Park following questions raised at the Executive concerning width and adoption of roads.

Members also discussed Horsell Village Hall, Celebrate Woking 2018-19, Best Bar None 2018 and Woking Park Tennis Court Improvements.

RESOLVEd

That the report be received.

Reason:   To monitor the position of active projects on SharePoint.

The Executive received the annual report on Risk Management and Business Continuity.  The Executive heard that Councillor Davis, Portfolio Holder for Information Community Technology, had previously reviewed the contingency measures in place regarding the Alternative Premises Plan.  It was explained that the Plan would enable the Council to relocate to the Leisure Centre in the event of the Civic Offices being destroyed or inaccessible.  Councillor Davis stated that he was satisfied that the ICT provision was in place to ensure the continuation of the Council’s most critical services.  The Executive was informed that Corporate Management Group was currently reviewing the Council’s Business Continuity arrangements and was considering possible rehearsals which could be undertaken to test procedures.

RESOLVEd

That the report be noted and that Risk Management and Business Continuity arrangements will be reviewed and updated in the coming months to ensure that the implementation of both disciplines is sufficient to match the needs of the Council.

Reason:   The continuous development of Risk Management and Business Continuity is essential to ensure effective management and planning within the Council.

The Executive received a report on Treasury Management performance for 2018-19 in accordance with the Council’s policy on Treasury Management.  Discussion ensued on the Council’s borrowing and its use of 50 year annuity loans.  Councillor Azad, Portfolio Holder for Financial Services, explained that long term borrowing was appropriate for the vast majority of the Council’s capital spend, for example property and land acquisitions, as such assets tended to have 50 year lives.  The Executive noted that short term borrowing was used for items such as ICT expenditure.  It was highlighted that the Council’s average interest rate for borrowing had been impacted by the level of short term borrowing, however there had been a move towards locking in long term borrowing at favourable rates during 2018/19.

Following a question regarding Victoria Square, Officers advised that the financial model would be re-run in the coming months.  The Executive was informed that Officers tracked the rates of borrowing in relation to Victoria Square and the average rate was 2.52% which compared favourably to the parameters within which the scheme was modelled.

The Executive welcomed the report and noted the Council’s net assets.

RESOLVED

That the annual report on Treasury Management performance for 2018/19 be received, and the compliance with the Council’s approved arrangements be noted.

Reason:   To receive the annual report on Treasury Management performance for 2018/19 in accordance with the Council’s policy on Treasury Management.