Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 September 2019.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G. Adamson, R. Feeney, A. Horwood, E. Humphreys, F. Kelly, C. Neame, R. Turner and S. Walsh.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor H. Brown.

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.

None.

To receive and consider a report on a Petition regarding M25 Noise Pollution.

A report was presented to the Council arising from the Council’s Petition Scheme in relation to a petition of 605 signatures regarding M25 noise pollution.

The petition asked the Council to “coordinate with Mole Valley DC, Surrey CC, Crispin Blunt MP, Paul Beresford MP and Chris Grayling MP and [to] write to Highways England highlighting residents’ concerns about noise pollution from the M25, specifically referencing motorway resurfacing of the atypical concrete slabs installed between M25 junctions 8 and 9 and requesting additional man-made sound barriers and tree planting along this section of motorway to protect residents”.It also called “…on Reigate and Banstead [Borough] Council to consider how it can combat noise pollution from roads directly via planning policy or other powers under its control”.

In line with the Petition Scheme, details of the petition had been published on the Council’s website along with the e-signatories. The Petition Scheme provided for the Council to decide how to respond to the petition. This included the options of supporting the action requested, or not, or referring the matter to the Executive (or the Executive decision maker) for further consideration.

As provided for in the Petition Scheme the organiser of the petition, Mr G. Curry, introduced the petition. Councillor J. Essex spoke in support of the petition as did the Leader of the Council, Councillor M. Brunt. The following is a summary of the points made:  

-       The carriageway between junctions 8 to 11 was particularly prone to noise because it was constructed from concrete slaps rather than asphalt which was typically quieter. 

-       Concerns relating to increases in traffic. 

-       The advent of electric vehicles would not solve the problem, as at speeds over 35mph the noise issue was down to the sound of the wheels on the road rather than the engine.

-       More than ten “Noise Important Areas” existed between junctions 8 and 9.

-       The need to look at transport management issues more widely and not just road surfacing.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor N. Bramall responded to the points made at the meeting and confirmed that Highways England was the government company responsible for the strategic road network, including motorways. The following points were highlighted in relation to the Junction 8 to Junction 9 stretch of the M25: 

-       To address noise issues, Highways England concentrated on locations where the greatest number of people were exposed to the highest noise levels. As a result, a number of properties along this stretch of the motorway had been selected for noise insulation.  

-       Repairs to joints on concrete sections of the clockwise carriageway had recently been completed.

-       There were no plans to resurface the carriageway although Highways England had been trialling new techniques to improve concrete roads elsewhere in the south east.

-       Highways England had identified that there was limited room for further tree planting within the highway boundary.

A variety of other matters, in relation to noise and air pollution and climate change, were also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

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

Nine 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 any recommendations from the Council’s Executive, Committees and/or Sub-Committees.

None.

As set out in the Constitution, Full Council must be informed of any Executive decisions taken in the circumstances set out in Procedure Rule 3.5.8 (special urgency), together with the reasons for urgency.

Executive: 19 September 2019

Item: Loan of funds to Greensand Holdings Limited (Part Exempt)

Reason for urgency: The business opportunity that was available to Greensand Holdings Limited, for which the loan was required, was not known about five clear days in advance of the meeting. This part exempt item was therefore published in line with the Special Urgency provisions detailed in the Council’s Constitution. The time sensitive nature of the business opportunity meant that the decision could not reasonably be deferred. As set out in Procedure Rule 3.5.8 of the Constitution, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was consulted in the preparation of the report and agreed that a decision could be taken at the 19 September 2019 Executive meeting.

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the above report.

RESOLVED that the report, set out on the Order Paper, concerning special urgency decisions be noted.

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

The Leader of the Council, Councillor M. Brunt informed Council that, in line with the Council’s corporate commitment to environmental sustainability, the Mayor’s Jaguar would no longer be used. The Council was informed that this would be sold at auction and in future the Mayor would travel using one of the Council’s pool cars (a mix of hybrid and fully electric vehicles) or would self-drive (using their own vehicle) to engagements.

The Leader of the Council also provided an update in relation to the establishment of a Sustainable Working Group by the Reigate and Banstead Local Committee. It was highlighted that the Working Group would help the Council, and its many stakeholders, to address a variety of issues in relation to transport and climate change.   

Councillor R. Ritter will move and Councillor J. Essex will second the attached Motion in relation to Fairtrade.

Councillor R. Ritter moved and Councillor J. Essex seconded the following Motion, concerning Fairtrade:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.17.3 the Motion upon being moved and seconded was referred without discussion to the Executive for consideration.

RESOLVED that it be noted that the Motion on Fairtrade, set out at item 11 on the agenda, be referred to the Executive for consideration. 

A seat on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee became vacant following the resignation of the Committee seat by Councillor Neame on 8 October 2019.

Delegation 1.29 of the Officer Scheme of Delegation provides a mechanism for the appointment to vacant Committee places, with the decision made being reported to the next available Council meeting.

In line with the delegation and in consultation with Party Group Leaders Councillor Brunt, Conservative Group Leader, has nominated Councillor Sachdeva as a replacement to sit on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Neame as an additional substitute to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Council is requested to note the report.

RESOLVED that the updated Membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2019/20 Municipal Year be noted.

To receive any announcements by the Leader of the Council.

None.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor reminded Council that a General Election would take place on 12 December 2019. As a result, it was noted that the meeting of Full Council in December would be moved as it was scheduled to take place on the same day.  It was anticipated that this meeting would be rescheduled for early/mid January 2020 and it was highlighted that further information would be sent to all Members in due course.

The Mayor also informed the Council: 

-       Of the various Remembrance Sunday events taking place on Sunday 10 November 2019 and the Remembrance Day Service at 11.00am on 11 November 2019 at the Belfry, Redhill.

-       That a Quiz Night would take place on Friday 29 November 2019 at Banstead Community Hall.

-       Of Christ Central’s Christmas Carol Service that would take place on Sunday 15 December 2019 at Royal Alexandra and Albert School. 

The Mayor concluded by giving thanks to those who had donated items to the Mayor’s charities, Loveworks and Stripey Stork. It was noted that all donations had been gratefully received. Information was also provided on Stripey Stork’s Christmas campaign #SantaStork2019.