Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 February 2021.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 February 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

To receive from members, declarations of interest in relation to any items included on the agenda for this meeting, in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest raised under this heading.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from members of the public for which notice has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on Tuesday 23 February 2021.

There were none.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from Members in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on Tuesday 23 February 2021.

There were none.

81.1     The Leader and Portfolio Holders gave brief updates on current issues not reported elsewhere on the agenda:

·         The government had now published guidance on how election canvassing could be carried out safely in the run-up to the May elections, including leafletting and knocking on doors from 8 March.

·         A letter signed by all the Group Leaders at Waverley had been sent to the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick, MP on business rates and the future of council funding. The letter would be published on Waverley’s website.

·         Following the resolutions passed at the recent Council meeting, the Leader would be writing to Waverley’s MPs encouraging them to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill; and, to the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service regarding changes to emergency cover in Waverley.

·         Following approval at Full Council, the Council Size proposal would be submitted to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England shortly.

·         The council’s annual business meeting would be taking place on 3 March, at which Cathy Slack, CEO of the EM3 LEP, would be the main speaker, supported by Cllr Merryweather and the Head of Finance & Property.

·         An appeal had been lodged by UK Oil & Gas against the refusal by Surrey County Council of their planning application to undertake exploratory drilling activity near Dunsfold. Waverley would be working with the Protect Dunsfold residents’ group, and Dunsfold and Alfold parish councils to participate at the appeal as a Rule 6 party. The appeal was scheduled to begin on 27 July 2021, and last approximately 9 days.

There were no matters falling within this category.

Catesby Estates plc is seeking the Council’s agreement for a pedestrian/cycle link across Council land at Chilton Close, Alfold in order to comply with a planning requirement that the second phase of a residential development site is sustainable and reasonably linked to the settlement of Alfold.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the pedestrian/cycle link into Chilton Close be agreed and authority be delegated to the Strategic Director to approve the terms of the agreement.

RESOLVED that the pedestrian/cycle link into Chilton Close be agreed and authority delegated to the Strategic Director to approve the terms of the agreement.

[VALUE FOR MONEY & CUSTOMER SERVICE OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE]

82.1     Cllr Merryweather, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Commercial Services, presented the proposal to grant access rights over a strip of Common land at Loxwood Road, Alfold to Catesby Estates plc (Catesby) to permit access to a residential development on the adjoining land. The council had engaged specialist external advisors and valuers to get maximum value for the council in return, which would raise much needed capital to reinvest in council services and facilities.

82.2     Speaking as the Ward Member for Alfold, Cllr Deanus noted the value of the access rights to the council, but asked that the route of the proposed footpath take account of and respect the privacy of the residents living in the properties adjacent to the land, and be designed in such a way so as to prevent overlooking, or use of the path by motorbikes.

82.3     The Executive RESOLVED to agree the pedestrian/cycle link into Chilton Close, and authorised the Strategic Director to approve the terms of the agreement.