Decisions

The Executive received a report which sought approval to build a new full size 3G Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) and a new Pavilion at Woking College.  It was explained that the need for the project had arisen following the completion of the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy in 2017 which had identified the lack of suitable training and playing facilities for football in Woking.  Councillor Kemp, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, reported that the facility would be managed by Cardinals in the Community which was an organisation with experience of delivering football in the community and wider community development initiatives.  It was noted that the project costs set out in the resolve were maximum amounts and that the borrowing would be reduced if grant applications were successful.

Following a question it was confirmed that Woking Academy would be one of the clients to use the facilities.

The Executive welcomed the report and the community benefits that the project aimed to achieve.

RESOLVEd

That  (i)    the development of the Woking College 3G Football Artificial Turf Pitch and pavilion project in the sum of £2,049,330 be approved;

          (ii)   financing for the project from £772,826 of the S.106 equivalent contribution from the Moor Lane Private Finance Project, Grant Contributions, if secured, of up to £614,000 with the balance financed from borrowing up to a maximum of £1,266,000 be approved;

          (iii)  the Council enters into a lease with Woking College for the site of the 3G Football Artificial Turf Pitch and pavilion, on terms approved by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services, and to grant a sub lease to Cardinals in the Community on similar terms to administer the facility on its behalf;

          (iv)  the Council enters into a construction contract with an approved contractor for the creation and erection of the 3G Football Artificial Turf Pitch and pavilion; and

          (v)   the Council enters into all ancillary agreements and consents and takes all appropriate actions considered necessary by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services to give effect to these resolutions and the conditions set out in Planning Permission which was granted on 28 March 2017 [15/0632].

Reason:   A decision is sought to allow the Woking College 3G Football Artificial Turf Pitch project to be implemented.

The Executive considered the Performance and Financial Monitoring Information (Green Book), December 2018.  Discussion ensued on page 16 of the Green Book regarding Members and staff training.  It was noted that the Council was currently working with an external organisation to undertake a comprehensive learning and development programme for Senior Managers and Executive Members.  The Leader commented that if the training for members of the Executive proved successful and added value then it would be looked to roll-out to the Shadow Executive Members.

Following a question regarding parking income on page 18 of the Green Book, it was noted that Officers would monitor the situation closely.  Members were reminded to put out the message that the Town was open for business and that there were car parking spaces available.

RESOLVED

That the Performance and Financial Monitoring Information, December 2018, be received.

Reason:   To manage the performance of the Council.

Following consideration of an application for financial assistance from Citizens Advice Woking at the Executive on 13 December 2018, the Executive agreed that Citizens Advice Woking be asked to prepare a Business Plan setting out how it would work more effectively with the Council.  The Leader drew attention to an updated and more detailed action plan which had been tabled at the meeting.

The Leader advised that, given the significant level of support provided by the Council to Citizens Advice Woking, there was a need for oversight in order to ensure that the Council was achieving value for money.  The Leader suggested that such oversight could be achieved by an annual briefing to Members from Citizens Advice Woking or could be undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Councillor Barker commented that this would not be appropriate.

In order to allow time for Citizens Advice Woking to work with the Council in a collaborative way, the Leader stated that an update against the Business Plan would be received by the Executive at its meeting on 12 September 2019, and not at the March Executive as originally planned.

RESOLVEd

That the action plan be approved.

Reason:   To further strengthen relationships between Citizens Advice Woking and Woking Borough Council.

The Executive received a grant request from Woking Blackhawks Basketball Club towards the cost of updating its website.  Councillor Davis advised that, following research, the level of funding requested was acceptable for what the Club intended to achieve with its new website and Councillor Davis recommended that the grant be approved.

RESOLVED

That funding of up to a maximum of £7,500 be agreed from the Council’s Community Fund towards the new website costs for the Woking Blackhawks Basketball Club for 2019/20.

Reason:   To enable the Club to attract new members by improving the accessibility of its website.

The Executive received a report which set out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2019-20 and recommended to Council that the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Strategy be adopted.  It was noted that under new requirements for 2019-20 the Council was required to also approve a Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy.  Councillor Azad, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Financial Planning and Policy, explained that the new strategies provided detail on how and why the Council undertook investment decisions and provided a more comprehensive and transparent picture of the Council’s position and the link with the Council’s overall corporate plans and objectives.

The Executive noted that the Council had a principle of investing for better outcomes for Woking citizens and that investment decisions were not solely taken based on rates of return.  It was further noted that acquisitions had a strategic purpose with a direct link to Council objectives or services.

Following a question regarding reference to the YPod in the Capital Strategy Report 2019-20, Officers advised that it concerned a change of use within the building and was not a redevelopment of the site.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the Treasury Management Strategy set out in the report be approved; and

RECOMMENDED to Council

That  (ii)   the Capital and Investment Strategies for 2019/20 be approved;

          (iii)  from 2018/19 the funding of Thameswey Housing Ltd to be amended from the existing combination of loan and shares with an equivalent margin of 1.5% to loan only at 1.5% margin over the Council’s borrowing costs; and

          (iv)  the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators set out in table 1 of Section 4 of the Treasury Management Strategy and the MRP policy set out in Appendix A be approved, subject to any changes arising from consideration of the Investment Programme, revenue budgets and Revenue Support Grant Settlement.

Reason:   To determine the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20 and to recommend to Council the Capital and Investment Strategies, Treasury Management Prudential Indicators and MRP Strategy to be adopted.

To provide quarterly reports on the progress of projects in the interests of financial prudence and corporate governance.

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.  Regarding Project No. 10206 – Playground Improvements Phase 4, the Portfolio Holder advised that the final four play areas due some refurbishment work in the current year were Horsell Moor, Loop Road, Oakfield and Sutton Green.  It was noted that it was a rolling programme of improvements and that Officers were working on a new Play Strategy going forward.

Regarding Project No. 10923 – Woking Park Play Area, the Executive was advised that the project had not been closed due to ground works and flooding issues.  The Portfolio Holder commented that it was hoped that the issues would be resolved soon.

Regarding Project No. 20146 – Leisure Lagoon Modernisation, it was reported that work was ongoing on the replacement flumes and concrete repairs and it was hoped that the new flumes would be operational for Easter.

Regarding Project No. 20140 – Woking Gateway, the Executive was informed that the decision to increase the launch spend was taken by the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Portfolio Holder, as Woking Gateway provided a key opportunity to promote the Town at the MIPIM exhibition.  The Executive was advised that the initiative had been very successful as it had generated interest from the property and development industry as well as securing agreement to the Gateway site.

RESOLVEd

That the report be received.

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

The Committee received a report which referred to the Council’s aspiration to consider the deployment of a an electric vehicle Hackney Carriage fleet.  The report advised that the Council had commissioned Electric Blue’s Evolve Taxi Evaluation Project to undertake an assessment of 25 taxis, which would set out information such as how how many miles had been driven and the locations to and from.  A report would then be provided for the Licensing Authority to determine whether the project was worth further consideration, which would also be shared with the participating drivers.

Following questions by the Committee it was noted that the drivers would remain completely anonymous; there would be no cost incurred by them, with the cost to the Council being circa £7,000; there was no commitment for the Council to work with Electric Blue beyond the assessment; and all that would be required would be for Electric Blue to install a small device into the participating vehicles.  The Licensing Authority was in the process of writing to taxi drivers to seek volunteers.  Councillor Ali stated that there were a number of questions he would like to ask and agreed to pass them to Jon Herbert outside the meeting.

The Chairman stated that the report was for information and the Committee would be kept updated of any further work arising from the assessment.  It was noted that a number of local authorities were also considering the introduction of electric taxi vehicles.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report which proposed that the Licensing Authority undertake consultation on the Gambling Statement of Policy and that authority be delegated to the Legal Services Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, to consider any representations received and publish the amended Policy with minor amendments if appropriate.

Joanne McIntosh, Legal Services Manager, advised that the consultation period would be around a month and involve engagement with authorities and interested parties, leading to the revised Policy expected to be implemented in around two months’ time.  The Chairman noted that there had been a reduction in gambling machines at public houses in recent times due to customers being more likely to use mobile devices instead. 

The Committee thanked Jon Herbert, Licensing Officer, for his work on the report.

RESOLVED

That  (i)      the Licensing Authority undertakes consultation on the Gambling Statement of Policy; and

          (ii)     authority be delegated to the Legal Services Manager in consultation with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee to consider any representations and publish the Statement of Gambling Policy, with minor amendments if and where appropriate.