This week, the Reigate and Banstead council held two meetings: the Executive on Thursday, 20 June 2024, and the Partner, Shareholder and Trustee Executive Sub-Committee on the same day.

Executive Meeting

The Executive meeting on Thursday was significant, focusing on the annual review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the adoption of the A23 Great Street Design Code.

1. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Annual Review:

   • The Executive reviewed the progress of the council's second CIL Strategic Infrastructure Programme (SIP) for 2023-2027. The SIP is a five-year plan that outlines how the council will allocate funds collected from developers to support local infrastructure projects.
   • The review highlighted that 17 projects have received funding since the start of SIP two, with one project fully completed. The council is using these funds to support sustainable development in the borough.
   • Councillor Michalowski, the portfolio holder for place, planning, and regulatory services, emphasized the importance of the SIP in providing certainty to infrastructure providers, developers, and local communities while maintaining flexibility through annual reviews.

2. A23 Great Street Design Code:

   • The Executive adopted the A23 Great Street Design Code as a supplementary planning document (SPD). This design code, developed with support from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, sets out guidelines for development along the A23 corridor between Redhill and Horley.
   • The design code aims to improve pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, enhance access to open spaces, identify development opportunities, and raise the quality of design in the area.
   • The adoption of this SPD aligns with the government's push for local authorities to develop design codes that reflect local character and design preferences, as mandated by the National Planning Policy Framework¹.

Partner, Shareholder and Trustee Executive Sub-Committee Meeting

The Partner, Shareholder and Trustee Executive Sub-Committee also met on Thursday. The meeting focused on administrative matters, including the election of the chair and vice-chair for the 2024-2025 municipal year.

1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair:

   • Chair: Councillor Lewanski was elected as the chair of the sub-committee.
   • Vice Chair: Councillor Michalowski was elected as the vice-chair.

2. Administrative Procedures:

   • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting held on 21 March 2024 were approved.
   • Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest were made.
   • Change of Meeting Date: The next sub-committee meeting was rescheduled to 18 July 2024 due to the upcoming general election on 4 July 2024.

Implications

The review and progress of the CIL SIP highlight the council's commitment to using developer contributions to support sustainable development and infrastructure improvements. The annual review process ensures that the council can adapt to changing project needs and funding requirements.

The adoption of the A23 Great Street Design Code as an SPD is a significant step towards enhancing the quality of development along a key corridor in the borough. This design code will provide clear guidelines for developers and help the council achieve its goals of improving infrastructure and design quality.

The administrative decisions made during the Partner, Shareholder and Trustee Executive Sub-Committee meeting ensure that the sub-committee is well-organized and prepared for the upcoming municipal year. The election of Councillor Lewanski and Councillor Michalowski to leadership roles will provide continuity and stability in the sub-committee's operations.

Overall, this week's meetings focused on strategic planning and administrative organization, setting the stage for continued progress in infrastructure development and governance in the coming year.

This week, the Reigate and Banstead council held two meetings: the Audit Committee on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 13 June 2024.

Audit Committee Meeting

The Audit Committee meeting on Wednesday was significant, focusing on the election of key positions for the 2024-2025 municipal year and addressing administrative changes due to the upcoming general election.

1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair:

   • Chair: Councillor Essex was elected as the Chair. The nomination was proposed and seconded without opposition.
   • Vice Chair: Councillor Green was elected as the Vice Chair, following a similar nomination and seconding process.

2. Pre-Election Period Guidance:

   • The newly elected Chair, Councillor Essex, reminded members of the importance of adhering to guidelines issued by the monitoring officer during the pre-election period. This guidance is crucial to maintain political impartiality and ensure that council meetings are not perceived as platforms for election campaigning.

3. Administrative Procedures:

   • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were confirmed as a correct record.
   • Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Councillor Buteroni, with Councillor Fairhurst attending as his substitute.
   • Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest were made.
   • Change of Meeting Date: Due to the demands of the pre-election period, the committee agreed to move the July meeting from the 3rd to the 10th.

The election of Councillor Essex and Councillor Green to these leadership roles is pivotal for the committee's oversight of financial and governance matters. Their leadership will be essential in ensuring the council's financial integrity and compliance with regulations.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting took place on Thursday, but the notes and transcript from this meeting have not yet been summarised or provided.

Implications

The election of new leadership within the Audit Committee sets the stage for a year focused on maintaining financial oversight and governance standards. Councillor Essex and Councillor Green will play crucial roles in overseeing the council's financial practices and ensuring transparency and accountability.

The pre-election period guidance underscores the importance of maintaining political neutrality and ensuring that council operations are not influenced by electioneering. This is particularly relevant as the council navigates the heightened sensitivity of the pre-election period.

The change in the July meeting date reflects the council's adaptability and commitment to managing its responsibilities effectively, even during busy periods such as the run-up to a general election.

Overall, this week's meetings were centered on establishing leadership and ensuring that the council's operations remain transparent and impartial during the pre-election period. The decisions made will influence the council's approach to financial governance and its adherence to ethical standards in the coming year.

This week, the Reigate and Banstead council held two meetings: the Standards Committee on Tuesday, 04 June 2024, and the Planning Committee on Wednesday, 05 June 2024.

Standards Committee Meeting

The Standards Committee meeting focused on the election of key positions for the 2024-2025 municipal year.

1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair:

   • Chair: Councillor Ashford was elected as the Chair. The nomination was proposed by Councillor Fairhurst and seconded by Councillor Colker.
   • Vice Chair: Councillor Essex was elected as the Vice Chair, with the nomination proposed by Councillor Harp and seconded by an unnamed councillor.

2. Administrative Procedures:

   • Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Councillor Hughes, and Councillor Lodge attended virtually.
   • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting held in November 2023 were approved.
   • Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest were made.
   • Any Other Business: No urgent business was received.

The election of Councillor Ashford and Councillor Essex to these leadership roles is crucial for maintaining the committee's focus on ethical governance and standards within the council. Their leadership will guide the committee in addressing any issues related to councillor conduct and ensuring adherence to the council's code of conduct.

Planning Committee Meeting

The Planning Committee meeting did not have a transcript available, so specific details on the discussions and decisions are not provided. However, the Planning Committee typically addresses applications for local developments, reviews community feedback, and makes decisions that impact local infrastructure and housing.

Implications

The election of new leadership within the Standards Committee sets the stage for a year focused on maintaining high ethical standards and accountability within the council. Councillor Ashford and Councillor Essex will play pivotal roles in overseeing the conduct of council members and ensuring that all actions align with the council's code of conduct.

The Planning Committee's decisions, although not detailed this week, are always significant as they shape the development and character of the local area. The committee's role in balancing development needs with community and environmental concerns remains a critical aspect of their work.

Overall, this week's meetings were centered on establishing leadership and continuing the council's commitment to ethical governance and thoughtful community planning. The outcomes will influence the council's operations and its approach to both internal standards and external development projects in the coming year.

This week, the Reigate and Banstead council held a Licensing and Regulatory Committee meeting on Tuesday, 28 May 2024. The meeting focused on key administrative roles and the appointment of subcommittee chairs for the upcoming municipal year.

Key Outcomes:

1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair:

   • Chair: Councillor Zillony Cooper was elected as the Chair for the 2024-2025 municipal year. This decision was made after a vote, with Councillor Cooper receiving six votes against Councillor James Baker's four.
   • Vice Chair: Councillor Bugani was elected as the Vice Chair, securing five votes compared to Councillor Baker's three.

2. Subcommittee Chairs:

   • The committee appointed five subcommittee chairs: Councillors Baker, Bugani, Sinden, Elbourn, and Newton. These roles are crucial for handling specific licensing and regulatory issues that arise throughout the year. The subcommittee chairs will lead smaller groups to ensure efficient and focused decision-making on various applications and regulatory matters.

3. Approval of Minutes:

   • The minutes from the previous Licensing and Regulatory Committee meetings held on 30 May 2023 and 19 March 2024 were approved. This step is essential for maintaining accurate records and ensuring continuity in the council's work.

4. Declarations of Interest:

   • No declarations of interest were made during the meeting, allowing for an unbiased and transparent decision-making process.

Implications:

The election of Councillor Cooper as Chair and Councillor Bugani as Vice Chair sets the tone for the committee's leadership in the coming year. Their roles will be pivotal in guiding the committee through complex licensing and regulatory issues, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the community.

The appointment of subcommittee chairs is also significant. These chairs will handle specific cases, which can range from licensing applications for local businesses to regulatory compliance issues. This structure allows for more detailed and specialized attention to each case, promoting thorough and fair evaluations.

The approval of previous meeting minutes and the absence of declarations of interest reflect the committee's commitment to transparency and accountability. These practices are fundamental to maintaining public trust and ensuring that the council's actions are well-documented and free from conflicts of interest.

Overall, this week's Licensing and Regulatory Committee meeting was focused on establishing leadership and organizational structure for the upcoming year. The decisions made will help streamline the committee's operations and ensure that it can effectively address the various licensing and regulatory challenges that will arise.

This week, the Reigate and Banstead council held a significant Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, which centered on reviewing multiple planning applications. The decisions made during this meeting are crucial as they directly impact community structure and local development.

The committee addressed several key applications:

1. Banstead Cricket and Sports Club Pavilion: The application was denied due to concerns about its impact on the Green Belt. The decision was based on the development's scale and its potential to affect the openness of the area. This refusal highlights a recurring theme of balancing development needs against environmental preservation, a topic we've discussed in previous contexts.

2. Land to the Rear of 60 to 64 Shelvers Way: This proposed residential development was also refused. The committee sided with community feedback that raised issues about increased density, traffic, and loss of green space. This decision underscores the council's responsiveness to community concerns and its cautious approach towards overdevelopment.

3. Land to the Rear of 59 and 61 Nork Way: The refusal here was due to the potential cramped nature of the development and its impact on the local neighborhood's character. Traffic and local amenities' impact were also considerations. This reflects the council's commitment to maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of community spaces.

4. East Surrey Hospital Developments: In contrast to the refusals, the committee approved modifications at East Surrey Hospital, including new parking facilities and modular buildings. Despite some procedural frustrations due to the retrospective nature of the application, the approval was deemed necessary to support the hospital's expansion and increased patient capacity. This decision illustrates the council's pragmatic approach when it comes to essential public services.

The discussions during the meeting were robust, reflecting the committee's dedication to thorough consideration of how developments integrate into the broader community and environmental framework. The decisions made provide insights into the council's strategic priorities—preserving community character and green spaces while also accommodating necessary public service expansions.