Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 July 2019.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 July 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R. Feeney.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

To consider any urgent business.

None.

To consider any questions received from members of the public under Council Procedure Rule 2.14.

One question was received and answered in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.14 and the Order Paper circulated at the meeting.

The details were as follows:

Note: For more information on responses to Council questions please see this page on the Council’s website:

https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13401

To consider any questions received from members of the public under Council Procedure Rule 2.15.

Six questions were asked and responses given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.15 and the Order Paper circulated at the meeting. The details were as follows:

Note: For more information on responses to Council questions please see this page on the Council’s website:

https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13400

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Council’s Executive.

The Council received recommendations arising from the meeting of the Executive held on 19 September 2019 in relation to the Capital Investment Strategy 2019/20 and the Adoption of the Reigate and Banstead Development Management Plan (2019-2027). It was noted that these recommendations had been set out via an addendum to the agenda.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            the Recommendation from the Executive meeting held on 19 September 2019 (Minute 41) concerning the Capital Investment Strategy 2019/20 be adopted.

(ii)          the Recommendations from the Executive meeting held on 19 September 2019 (Minute 42) concerning Adoption of the Reigate and Banstead Development Management Plan (2019-2027) be adopted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive, Chairmen of Committees or the Head of Paid Service.

None.

Councillor S. McKenna will move and Councillor J. Essex will second the attached Motion concerning Wildlife Friendly Public Spaces.

Councillor S. McKenna moved and Councillor J. Essex seconded a Motion, concerning Wildlife Friendly Public Spaces.

The Council was informed that in the opinion of the Mayor the Motion, set out at item 9 on the agenda, was convenient and conducive to the conduct of the business. It was also noted that:

-       The Motion would be dealt with in accordance with a procedure note that had been prepared and circulated to all Members (prior to the meeting) in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.17.3.

-       On conclusion of the discussion the Motion would be referred to the Executive for consideration. 

A range of issues were highlighted, including a Motion that was considered by Surrey County Council in July 2019 concerning the management of verges for the benefit of wildlife. This included options for the production of a Pollinator Action Plan, as well as a range of other measures such as reducing the use of glyphosate weed killer and less frequent verge cutting to allow seeding to occur. During the discussion various matters were considered, including:

-       The importance of biodiversity.

-       Work that had already been undertaken by Officers to explore options for wildlife friendly public spaces, and the resources required to fund any additional works.

-       Actions that had already been implemented. For example, the cut and collect regimes on Wray Common and Petridge Wood Common.   

-       Action being taken by other local authorities, including Lewes District Council. 

-       Information from the Plantlife Good Verge Management Guide.

-       The importance of resident engagement and the need for different options for rural and suburban areas. For example, in relation to the schedule for grass cutting on roadside verges.

-       Options for wild seeding verges which would not affect sight lines or neighbouring properties.

-       The Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy which incorporated the role of pollinators. 

-       Options for using a more environmentally friendly alternative to glyphosate, although it was highlighted that any alternative would require an increase in the spraying schedule and therefore increase cost.

-       Concerns about the use of guerrilla seed bombing techniques. 

There was support for planting more verge trees, where appropriate, across the borough while various issues were raised in relation to Reigate Heath. 

RESOLVED that it be noted that the Motion on Wildlife Friendly Public Spaces, set out at item 9 on the agenda, be referred to the Executive for consideration.

Councillor R. Ritter will move and Councillor H. Brown will second the attached Motion concerning Declaring a Climate Emergency.

Councillor R. Ritter moved and Councillor H. Brown seconded a Motion, concerning Declaring a Climate Emergency.

The Council was informed that in the opinion of the Mayor the Motion, set out at item 10 on the agenda, was convenient and conducive to the conduct of the business. It was also noted that:

-       The Motion would be dealt with in accordance with a procedure note that had been prepared and circulated to all Members (prior to the meeting) in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.17.3.

-       On conclusion of the discussion the Motion would be referred to the Executive for consideration.

A range of issues were highlighted, including a Motion in relation to Climate Change that was considered by Council in February 2019. It was noted that this had been referred to the Executive in March 2019 and that the Council’s draft Corporate Plan 2020-2025 had been updated to include a new cross cutting commitment, covering environmental sustainability. During the discussion various matters were considered, including: 

-       A Motion that was passed in relation to Climate Change by Surrey County Council in July 2019. 

-       The fact that the impacts of climate change were both global in scope and unprecedented in scale.

-       The urgent need to reduce waste and emissions, the importance of using natural resources more efficiently and the need to review plans in relation to carbon management.

-       The action being taken by other local authorities, including those who had declared a Climate Emergency. 

-       The work that had already been undertaken by Officers, drawing on external expertise, to develop a detailed Environmental Sustainability Strategy. It was noted that this would consider the Council’s own activities and how greater support could be provided to allow residents and businesses to do more. It was noted that a cross-party Member Working Group would be established to support work in this area.            

-       The need to provide all Members with appropriate learning and development opportunities to ensure a better understanding of the subject.

-       The resources required to fund local action, including both revenue and capital costs.

-       The importance of resident engagement, including input from young people, and the need to promote local community initiatives.

-       Options for increasing the number of charging points for electric cars across the borough.

-       Concerns about oil drilling at the Horse Hill site near Horley. 

The impact of environmental pressure group Extinction Rebellion was also highlighted. It was noted that this was a socio-political movement who had used civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance to protest against climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse.

RESOLVED that it be noted that the Motion on Declaring a Climate Emergency, set out at item 10 on the agenda, be referred to the Executive for consideration.

To receive any announcements by the Leader of the Council.

None.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor reported on the success of Heritage Open Day. It was noted that this event, held at the Town Hall, Reigate on 21 September, had raised money for the Mayor’s chosen charities.  

The Mayor informed Council that a Quiz Night would take place on Friday 29 November at Banstead Community Hall and concluded by highlighting that a Christmas Carol Service would take place on Sunday 15 December.