Agenda item

To receive a briefing from Executive Members of the Place Portfolio areas of work: Economic Prosperity, Place, Planning and Regulatory Services Neighbourhood Services, Greenspaces and Environmental Sustainability and to consider any issues that arise.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee note the briefings.

The Committee received briefings from the Place Portfolio Holders overseeing the following areas of the Council’s services – Economic Prosperity, Place Delivery, Planning and Regulatory Services, Neighbourhood Operations, Greenspaces, and Environmental Sustainability.

The presentations from each of the Executive Members / Portfolio Holders were published on the Council’s website as part of the Committee’s agenda pack which can be viewed here:

Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 14th March, 2024, 7.30 pm | Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (moderngov.co.uk)

Members were invited to ask questions on the Economic Prosperity presentation. In response, the following clarifications were provided:

The Economic Prosperity Team

It was confirmed that the Economic Prosperity team had been in existence for a little over ten years: the business start-up rate in the borough over 10 years ago was lower than the county average, now it was the highest in the county.

Economic Prosperity Team success

It was confirmed that economic growth lag and reporting took time and that there were counterfactuals. For several years the Council’s five-year survey showed a business survival rate better than that of the county and better than that of the south-east, so there were some indicators to support the success of the Economic Prosperity Team. There was also a high start-up business growth rate. Feedback was received from sources such as the Council’s grants programme, which from the last review in 2021, showed that beneficiaries reported that approximately 143 jobs had been created, equating to a cost of approximately £2,500 per job created. The Council received a great deal of positive feedback from the business community, who value the services provided to them and believe that it helps them in their survival and growth.

Networking and events

It was confirmed that most of the events attended by the Economic Prosperity team were events for local businesses. Engagement with external stakeholders was usually in relation to discussing a “soft landing”, providing information on local amenities such as schools, transport, and medical facilities.

It was confirmed that members of the team would be attending the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) as part of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, working with other local authorities in the area, Gatwick Airport, and other commercial organisations, to promote the local area as a vibrant economic area and to demonstrate partnership activity. Objectives had been discussed within the team to make the most of the opportunity to attend this event.

The Managing Director confirmed that work was underway to undertake more collaborative work with neighbouring boroughs to establish East Surrey as a good place to invest.

The Head of Economic Prosperity confirmed that the Council fostered good relationships with the Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, and the Federation of Small businesses, who were all aware of the support offered by the team, which promoted awareness to the wider audience of businesses, as well as the information provided on the Council’s website and through advocates.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan

The Head of Economic Prosperity explained that all local authorities had been awarded funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The borough received an award of £1million subject to submitting an investment plan. The £1million covered a three-year period and the investment plan consisted of 22 separate projects. Close to the end of the second year, the Council has been delivering 10 of those 22 projects and approximately 75% of the money for Years 1 and 2 had been spent, with the vast majority of the funding coming into year 3, when 12 programmes would come on stream. The Council was optimistic that all the funding would be utilised within the timescales set; funding criteria clearly stated that any funding not utilised by the end of year 3 would need to be returned to the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities. The Chair requested that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan be shared with the Committee.

Working with large employers and small employers

The Head of Economic Prosperity explained that work currently underway to support businesses to maintain a local presence, employ local workers, build stronger relationships with local education and skills providers and support apprentice schemes, was particularly aimed at larger employers, as smaller employers usually carried out this work themselves. Difficulties for businesses in recruiting employees with relevant skills was being addressed by involvement in the skills agenda, and involvement in helping to understand how the Local Skills Improvement Plan and the Local Skills Improvement Fund are used locally, and by working with schools and Further Education establishments to try and make sure that people leave those institutions with the skills required by local employers.

Relationship with Surrey County Council

The Head of Economic Prosperity confirmed that he had recently met with the Economic Development team at Surrey County Council (SCC), to explore ways of working together more effectively. SCC were developing a website, scheduled to launch on the 1^st April 2024, which would host functions like a growth hub and a careers hub. There was an interest in understanding how all boroughs and districts within Surrey could help populate the website and work together more effectively. This was a two-way relationship that had been ongoing for some time and would develop even further with the transfer of responsibilities.

Links with Environmental Sustainability

It was confirmed that much of the work carried out was to support existing businesses, with a focus on environmental messages. The team was also working with East Surrey College, who were developing a whole raft of provision to help in the green economy.

Apprenticeships

It was confirmed that the Council helps employers with apprenticeships, through signposting, making introductions, and supporting employers through the process, as well as promoting apprenticeships when engaging with businesses looking to employ new staff.

Peer to peer mentoring network for small businesses

It was confirmed that this mentoring network was RB Inspire; although the Council did not have a direct responsibility for RB Inspire, as a local authority it did support that work. The Head of Economic Prosperity was a director of the not-for-profit organisation, the Council hosted the meetings, and the objectives of RB Inspire aligned with the Council's objectives in terms of providing business support. It was confirmed that RB Inspire did not incur a cost for the Council; costs such as Eventbrite hosting and email address costs were covered by sponsorship.

In addition to RB Inspire, in the coming year, the Council would launch a 12-month peer to peer business leadership programme for 25 business leaders within the borough, to provide mentoring. This service would be available for 25 business leaders within the borough, whose businesses had growth potential and were in the growth phase.

Councillor Michalowski, Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning, and Regulatory Services gave an overview of the Council’s work in Place Delivery.

The Portfolio Holder invited Members to ask questions on the presentation. In response, the following clarifications were provided:

Retail units at Wheatley Court

A Member requested an update on the empty retail units at Wheatley Court. As this was part of the Commercial Assets portfolio, a written response would be requested.

Affordable housing

The Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning, and Regulatory Services confirmed that providing affordable housing was a priority. Although there had been a slowing of pace in the construction industry, the Portfolio Holder was confident that the target of providing 1,500 affordable homes in the five-year period would be achieved.

Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy for Merstham Rec

It was confirmed that the figure of £750k secured through a bid to the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy in the report pack was a typographical error; the figure was £787k.

Development Strategy

The Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning, and Regulatory Services confirmed that the Council was in the early stages of reviewing the development framework, considering ways to work with other Council service areas, considering Council-owned sites and Corporate objectives to consider the best way to utilise these sites for the benefit of residents.

Westvale Park

It was confirmed that a breach on a number of Section 186 obligations by the Consortium had occurred. A notice to stop building further private market homes was obtained in October 2023, and the terms of a deed of variation to the Section 186 agreement which would revise the timetable for delivery of infrastructure, was being finalised. A £16.5million bond had been secured which would enable the Council to take over delivery of the infrastructure if the Consortium failed to deliver.

It was confirmed that the developer had commenced work on the infrastructure at Westvale and at a quicker pace than previously. The Council met with the developers fortnightly to ensure obligations were met.

Replacement pitch at Battlebridge

It was confirmed that one of the conditions of the development of Merstham Rec was to create a new playing pitch at Battlebridge. Unfortunately, work had been delayed, due to poor weather, but the contractors were ready to commence work. A Member requested details on the location and plan for the new playing pitch.

EV charging points

A visiting Member requested information on the EV charging points which had been installed in Central car park Horley and in Banstead which were not yet operational. A written response would be provided.

Gatwick Airport

A Member asked for the latest submission to the Planning Inspectorate, due on 12 March 2024, to be shared with all Members.

Councillor Michalowski, Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning and Regulatory Services gave an overview of the Council’s work in Planning and Regulatory Services.

The Portfolio Holder invited Members to ask questions on the presentation. In response, the following clarifications were provided:

Publication of names and addresses of those commenting on planning applications

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that, as agreed at the last Full Council meeting, a review would be completed by late summer 2024 on the publication of names and addresses of those commenting on planning applications.

Councillor Avery, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services gave an overview of the Council’s work in this area.

The Portfolio Holder invited Members to ask questions on the presentation. In response, the following clarifications were provided:

Responsibility for EV charging points

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services confirmed that there was a joint responsibility for EV chargers involving Environmental Sustainability, Place, Property, and Car park services and that a project group was in place.

It was also confirmed that the Council would aim to provide EV charging points in every car park but there was not currently a specific target.

Waste recycling

It was confirmed that waste recycling rates fluctuated depending on the waste provided by households. There were 5,500 homes still to have the full recycling service rolled out.

Councillor Moses, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability gave an overview of the Council’s work in this area.

The Portfolio Holder invited Members to ask questions on the presentation. In response, the following clarifications were provided:

Greenspaces management plans

The Portfolio holder agreed to contact officers to provide the Greenspaces management plans.

Allotments budget

A Member asked for information on the plans for the unspent £54k budget for allotments. A written response would be provided.

Installation of wooden posts on boundaries

A Member noted that wooden boundary posts had been installed in several greenspaces and enquired whether this was a borough wide strategy. A written response would be provided. The Member also requested that ward Councillors be consulted before these posts were installed in their wards.

Grass verge cutting

It was confirmed that the Council worked closely with Surrey County Council to manage the way that this service had been delivered in the last year, since responsibility had transferred to Surrey County Council. Officers agreed to request notice of where and when Surrey County Council would be carrying out grass verge cutting in the borough.

RESOLVED that Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

Noted the Place Portfolio Holders’ briefings.

At this point, as the time was nearing 10.30pm, the Committee agreed to continue the meeting until all business was concluded.