Purpose

To consider a request from existing Surrey Councils to grant consent to sovereign transactions.

Decision

RESOLVED

That     (i)     consent be provided to Surrey Heath Borough Council to enter into a new joint Waste Contract with the preferred bidder in line with the provisions set out in the appendices to this report;

            (ii)    consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to implement Collection services post route optimisation in line with the provisions set out in the appendices to this report;

            (iii)    consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to dispose of an asset in Egham (1);

            (iv)   consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to dispose of an asset in Egham (2);

            (v)    consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to dispose of Land;

            (vi)   consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to enter into an agreement for a new letting in Egham (1);

            (vii)   consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to enter into an agreement for a new letting in Egham (2);

            (viii)  consent be provided to Runnymede Borough Council to enter into an agreement for Lease Renewal in Egham;

            (ix)   the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to amend the General Consent, to include a new general consent to allow leases, easements and wayleaves,that would otherwise require consent of the Shadow Executive, to be approved by the predecessor councils; and

            (x)    Authorise the Chief Finance Officer, to amendthe General Consent number 9,to cap community grants to be a maximum of the average of the last 5 years

Reasons for recommendation:

Councils have a statutory duty to arrange for the collection of household waste and keep land and highways clear of litter under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and this new contract will ensure continuity of these key statutory services for residents and administrative areas from 6 June 2027.

The collection review optimisation at Runnymede Borough Council will ensure continued delivery of reliable, safe and efficient collection services for residents.

The recommended disposals at Runnymede Borough Council ensure that the Council is holding the most appropriate assets moving into vesting day.  They also allow a review of the debt portfolio giving the opportunity to repay debt.

The letting and lease renewals at Runnymede Borough Council will ensure that rental income is maximised and units are occupied.

The additional general consent will enable predecessor councils to proceed on a daily basis whilst securing revenue income for the predecessor and for West Surrey Council.

The Executive requested a cap of community grants that can be approved under general consent to limit any potential future burden on West Surrey Council.