Agenda and minutes

To approve for signature the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 May 2022.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 26 May 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adamson, Mrs Bramhall, Bray, Brunt, James King, Michalowski and Torra.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The Head of Paid Service made a declaration of interest in Agenda Item 8 (Recommendations for decision).

To consider any urgent business.

There was no urgent business to be taken by the meeting.

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

A question was asked by Mr Christopher Whinney about electric vehicle charging points. A response was given by Councillor Lewanski, the Executive Member for Corporate Policy and Resources, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.14.

Note: For more information on the response to Council questions, please see the following page on the Council’s website:

https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13260

To receive and consider a Petition regarding the conduct of Crispin Blunt MP.

The lead petitioner, Mr Laurie Calverley, introduced the petition making the following points:

·       The petition had received 419 online signatories in addition to 88 in-person.

·       It was a response to comments made by Crispin Blunt MP on BBC Radio4 and BBC Question Time that in most homes and businesses many have not stuck to lockdown rules.

·       This was in stark contrast to available evidence with as few as 3% of the population not complying at the outset of the pandemic which only rose to 12% prior to lockdown restrictions being lifted.

·       The comments made by Crispin Blunt MP had caused anger. The petitioner had lost his father in June 2020 having not been able to see him for several months. Many vulnerable people had died alone. Thankfully it had been possible to hold a funeral for his father but only with a handful of people in attendance. It was appreciated that this was not a unique scenario. This was shared not to gain sympathy but to demonstrate the level of compliance.

·       The petitioner had been involved in the Borough’s mutual aid initiative which had provided support to residents throughout the pandemic. He was aware of the extent of support provided by the Council.

·       It was thought that Public Health messaging would be undermined by the comments made by Crispin Blunt MP potentially undermining future compliance.

·       The petition sought to provide an opportunity to thank residents for their compliance with lockdown restriction, to show that the comments made were not representative as well as highlighting that they were potentially damaging in the face of rising Covid numbers.

Councillor Schofield, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance & Governance, provided the Portfolio Holder’s response to the petition. It was thought that Crispin Blunt MP should have chosen his words more carefully and expressed regret in the statement provided to the Council and published as part of the Agenda for the meeting. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council had already publicly declared its thanks and respect to residents for all they had done during the pandemic. It was being recommended that the Head of Paid Service release a full press statement describing the contribution of residents through the pandemic. Additionally, that the Council write and publish a letter to Crispin Blunt MP condemning his remarks.

The petition was then debated. Councillor Stevens stated:

·       Crispin Blunt MP had made other inappropriate public comments (for example, in defence of Imran Ahmad Khan).

·       It would have been advisable for Crispin Blunt MP to have looked at his constituency to have gained a more informed view about compliance with lockdown regulations.

Councillor Chandler added:

·       The response from Council staff during the pandemic had been exemplary. This included those who took on frontline roles to check on vulnerable residents.

·       Those who had followed lockdown restrictions were extremely cross at the pattern of behaviour in Downing Street and at the suggestion most people may not have kept absolutely to the rules.

·       Residents of the Borough deserved better in their public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

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

Fifteen questions with notice were received from Members of the Council. Following the publication of the addendum to the agenda, the question from Councillor Buttironi was withdrawn. Two questions were additional, and Councillor Torra was not present to ask her question. Oral responses were therefore received at the meeting to the first 11 questions with written responses provided to questions 12 to 14 in accordance with Procedure Rule 2.15.8.

Note: For more information on the response to Council questions, please see the following page on the Council’s website:

https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13260

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Council’s Executive, committees and sub-committees for decision, including:

Employment Committee meeting held on 19 July 2022 (reconvened)

·       Minute 11 – Senior Management scoping/benchmarking and recommendations to Council (including 151 Officer appointment) (to follow)

The Head of Paid Service left the meeting having already declared her interest in the item.

At the invitation of the Mayor, Councillor Lewanski, in his capacity as the Chair of the Employment Committee, introduced the recommendations arising from the meeting held on 19 July 2022 as reflected in the minute provided in the Agenda pack.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Employment Committee from its meeting on 19 July 2022 (Minute 11/to adopt the changes to the Head of Paid Service terms and conditions), be adopted.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Employment Committee from its meeting on 19 July 2022 (Minutes 11/that Pat Main be appointed to the Section 151 statutory role on a permanent basis), 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.

A statement was made by Councillor Neame, the Executive Member for Housing & Support, regarding affordable housing.

Concern was expressed about misinformation being distributed which was undermining the work of the Council. Housing targets for both private and affordable housing had been exceeded. This achievement had been supported by the Council’s £8m investment and a £1.6m Homes England grant into 32 affordable rental homes in Redhill. Additionally, the Council had built 25 properties in the north of the Borough which would provide a mix of market sales, help to buy and shared ownership properties.

Work was continuing with four self-contained bungalows which would be completed shortly, partnership working with the YMCA to deliver a multiple occupancy home in Horley and an agreement to provide a large fund to assist Raven Housing to build net zero-carbon social housing.

A proposal for a further £4m of funding would be brought to the Executive in September 2022 which it was intended would be used to ensure homeless families and singles could be housed within the Borough to retain their local networks.

To receive any announcements by the Leader of the Council.

Apologies had been received from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Brunt with Councillor Schofield, the Deputy Leader of the Council, deputising. Councillor Schofield had no announcements. 

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor noted the many events he had attended since taking up his role in May 2022. The enjoyment from meeting many residents and being shown how they Be The Difference were specifically noted. Encouragement was given to the Members of Council to get involved in Mayoral events, especially those held in their Wards.

Special thanks were given to all those who had contributed to the success of the events held to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. Green Spaces, Environmental Health, Street Cleansing and Roads were specifically mentioned along with The Harlequin, the Communications Team and the Mayor’s Office.

All the entrants to the Volunteer Awards were congratulated with the difficulty of choosing a shortlist highlighted. The awards ceremony was to be held on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at the Harlequin Theatre.

It was noted that one of the Mayor’s chosen charities, the Include Choir had been recognised for its work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Several forthcoming events were noted:

·       9 – 18 September 2022: Heritage Open Day (including Reigate Town Hall opening to the public on Saturday 10 September 2022).

·       Sunday 18 September: Run Reigate. The Mayor asked to be contacted by anyone interested in participating and raising funds for his charities (Include Choir and East Surrey Hospital’s charity, SASH).

·       Sunday 17 December 2022: the Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert at Holy Trinity Church, Redhill.

·       Saturday 28 January 2023: a traditional Burns Night supper.

·       Saturday 13 May 2023: the Dress to Impress Mayoral Ball.