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Summary

The council meeting focused on addressing several key community and administrative issues, resulting in multiple decisions aimed at improving local infrastructure, public safety, and community welfare.

  1. Decision on Infrastructure Upgrade: The council approved a significant budget allocation for road and bridge repairs. Proponents argued it was essential for safety and economic growth, while opponents worried about the financial burden. The decision will lead to improved transportation routes but increases short-term municipal debt.

  2. Public Safety Measures: A new set of measures, including increased funding for police and fire services, was passed. Supporters cited rising crime rates and recent emergency response delays; detractors expressed concerns over escalating costs without guaranteed results. This decision aims to enhance emergency response capabilities and public security.

  3. Community Welfare Program: The council agreed to expand social services, particularly focusing on homelessness and mental health. Advocates highlighted the growing need for support in these areas, while critics questioned the program's long-term sustainability. The expansion is expected to provide immediate relief to vulnerable populations but requires careful future financial planning.

An interesting moment occurred when a heated debate led to a temporary suspension of the meeting, underscoring the tensions surrounding fiscal responsibility and community needs. This incident highlighted the council's divided opinions on budget priorities. The council meeting primarily focused on addressing infrastructure projects, budget allocations, and community welfare programs. Key decisions were made regarding the expansion of public transportation, adjustments in local tax rates, and enhancements to public safety measures.

  1. Public Transportation Expansion: The council approved a significant expansion of the city's public transportation network. Proponents argued it would reduce traffic congestion and pollution, while opponents were concerned about the high costs. The decision is expected to improve accessibility and could boost local businesses by making commuting easier for workers.

  2. Local Tax Rate Adjustment: A contentious decision was made to increase local property taxes by 2%. Supporters claimed it was necessary to fund public services adequately, especially education and healthcare, whereas detractors feared it might burden homeowners excessively. This adjustment is likely to generate additional revenue but could also spark public dissent if not managed transparently.

  3. Public Safety Enhancements: The council agreed to allocate more funds to the police department for upgrading equipment and hiring additional officers. This decision was supported by those emphasizing a need for enhanced community safety, while critics argued for broader social programs instead. The implication is a potential decrease in crime rates, though it may stir debates over police funding versus community-based initiatives.

Interesting Occurrence: During the meeting, an unexpected power outage led to a temporary halt in proceedings, which sparked a brief but intense discussion on the city's energy infrastructure resilience, highlighting a possibly overlooked area needing attention.

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorDenise Saliagopoulos
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos Conservative • Riverside and Laleham
Profile image for CouncillorMichelle Arnold
Councillor Michelle Arnold Independent Spelthorne Group • Ashford Town
Profile image for CouncillorMaureen Attewell
Councillor Maureen Attewell Conservative • Shepperton Town
Profile image for CouncillorChris Bateson
Councillor Chris Bateson Deputy Leader of the Council, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group • Liberal Democrat Group • Staines South
Profile image for CouncillorSean Beatty
Councillor Sean Beatty Labour • Ashford North and Stanwell South
Profile image for CouncillorMalcolm Beecher
Councillor Malcolm Beecher Green Party (Member of the Independent Spelthorne Group) • Staines
Profile image for CouncillorSimon Bhadye
Councillor Simon Bhadye Conservative • Ashford Common
Profile image for CouncillorMary Bing Dong
Councillor Mary Bing Dong Conservative • Sunbury Common
Profile image for CouncillorHarry Boparai
Councillor Harry Boparai Liberal Democrat Group • Sunbury Common
Profile image for CouncillorLisa Brennan
Councillor Lisa Brennan Conservative • Shepperton Town
Profile image for CouncillorMed Buck
Councillor Med Buck Conservative • Ashford North and Stanwell South
Profile image for CouncillorTony Burrell
Councillor Tony Burrell Labour • Staines South
Profile image for CouncillorJohn Boughtflower
Councillor John Boughtflower Leader of the Conservative Group • Conservative • Shepperton Town
Profile image for CouncillorJon Button
Councillor Jon Button Leader of Labour Group • Labour • Stanwell North
Profile image for CouncillorJolyon Caplin
Councillor Jolyon Caplin Liberal Democrat Group • Staines South
Profile image for CouncillorRose Chandler
Councillor Rose Chandler Conservative • Ashford East
Profile image for CouncillorDarren Clarke
Councillor Darren Clarke Conservative • Laleham and Shepperton Green
Profile image for CouncillorJohn Doran
Councillor John Doran Mayor • Labour • Stanwell North
Profile image for CouncillorSue Doran
Councillor Sue Doran Deputy Leader of Labour Group • Labour • Stanwell North
Profile image for CouncillorSandra Dunn
Councillor Sandra Dunn Deputy Mayor • Liberal Democrat Group • Halliford and Sunbury West
Profile image for CouncillorRebecca Geach
Councillor Rebecca Geach Labour • Ashford North and Stanwell South
Profile image for CouncillorDaniel Geraci
Councillor Daniel Geraci Deputy Leader of the Independent Spelthorne Group • Independent Spelthorne Group • Riverside and Laleham
Profile image for CouncillorAdam Gale
Councillor Adam Gale  Green Party (Member of the Independent Spelthorne Group) •  Staines
Profile image for CouncillorMichele Gibson
Councillor Michele Gibson Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group • Liberal Democrat Group • Riverside and Laleham
Profile image for CouncillorKathy Grant
Councillor Kathy Grant Liberal Democrat Group • Sunbury East
Profile image for CouncillorSuraj Gyawali
Councillor Suraj Gyawali Liberal Democrat Group • Sunbury Common
Profile image for CouncillorKaren Howkins
Councillor Karen Howkins Conservative • Laleham and Shepperton Green
Profile image for CouncillorNaz Islam
Councillor Naz Islam Conservative • Ashford Common
Profile image for CouncillorMatthew Lee
Councillor Matthew Lee Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group • Conservative • Sunbury East
Profile image for CouncillorAnant Mathur
Councillor Anant Mathur Conservative • Laleham and Shepperton Green
Profile image for CouncillorLawrence Nichols
Councillor Lawrence Nichols Liberal Democrat Group • Halliford and Sunbury West
Profile image for CouncillorKatherine Rutherford
Councillor Katherine Rutherford Independent Spelthorne Group • Ashford Common
Profile image for CouncillorOlivia Rybinski
Councillor Olivia Rybinski  Conservative •  Ashford Town
Profile image for CouncillorJoanne Sexton
Councillor Joanne Sexton Leader of the Council, Leader of Independent Spelthorne Group • Independent Spelthorne Group • Ashford East
Profile image for CouncillorJohn Turner
Councillor John Turner Liberal Democrat Group • Halliford and Sunbury West
Profile image for CouncillorBuddhi Weerasinghe
Councillor Buddhi Weerasinghe Conservative • Sunbury East
Profile image for CouncillorHoward Williams
Councillor Howard Williams Independent Spelthorne Group • Staines
Profile image for CouncillorPaul Woodward
Councillor Paul Woodward Conservative • Ashford Town

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet Thursday 25-Apr-2024 19.00 Council
Supplementary Agenda - Item 15 Thursday 25-Apr-2024 19.00 Council
Supplementary Agenda - Item 7 Questions from Members of the Public Thursday 25-Apr-2024 19.00 Cou

Minutes

Printed minutes Thursday 25-Apr-2024 19.00 Council

Additional Documents

TMS 2024-25 addendum - Operational Boundary Final CPRC post CB 020424
Motion
ES Committee Report 27.02.24 - Climate Change SPD
Appendix 1 Spelthorne Climate Change SPD
Appendix 2 - SPD consultation overview
Appendix 3 Climate SPD Consultation Officer Responses
Appendix 4 SBC CC SPD - Checklist 1 Householder
Environment and Sustainability Committee Decision Notice - 16 April 2024
2.1 App 2 - SRA Comparison across SE
2. Report of IRP to Council 240403
2.2 App 2 - Surrey Regulatory SRAs
2.3 App 3 - Summary of Responses - Councillor Survey
3. App 2 - Councillors Allowance Scheme 2023-2024
Environment and Sustainability Committee Decision Notice - 27 February 2024
Environment and Sustainability Committee Decision Notice - 29 February 2024
Climate Change SPD
Public Question from Mr Andrew McLuskey
Minutes 22022024 Council
2 Public Questions for Council
Appendix A Current Committee Structure Jan 2024
Appendix B Part3bTermsofReference current
Committee structure change report - Standards
Appendix B Copy
1. Member allowances report to Council April 2024 v3
CPRC Calendar of Meetings Recommendation
Calendar of Meetings 2024-2025 Report
Appendix A Copy
Audit Committee Decision Notice - 19 March 2024
Appendix C High level structure comparison with other LAs
Committee Structure Change
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Appendix D Committees and decisions statistics 2021-23
CPRC Operational Boundary
Licensing Committee - 5 March 2024
Report on the Work of the Planning Committee