a) Question from Councillor Sylvia Whyte to the Leader of the Council

“In April 2022 I asked the Leader of The Council when elected members would receive monthly Enforcement updates.  The Leader advised that “the most effective ways of reporting accurate information to Members would be looked at as soon as possible after the Election.”  Whilst I and my fellow ward councillors have received some verbal updates on some key Enforcement issues in our ward, I would like to know when we, and all elected members, will receive a complete list of those enforcement issues across the Borough.”

b) Question from Councillor Don Whyte to the Leader of the Council

“Since October 2022 most households in Runnymede will have been progressively receiving part of the Government funded £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) discount.  These households have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier. 

Those households that buy their fuel through a third party or are not on mains electricity, have as of 20th February, not yet received any of the £400 EBSS discount. This includes people who live in park homes, a houseboat or care homes. Similarly, those who don’t use mains gas or electric are entitled to a payment of £200.  

Can the Leader please explain what Runnymede Borough Council is doing or planning to do to encourage and help residents to claim their £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) discount and or their £200 Alternative Fuel Payment?”

c) Question from Councillor Steve Ringham to the Leader of the Council

“Our next council elections, in May of this year, will be the first to be held where polling station voters will be required to show valid Photo ID before they can vote. Central government’s excuse is that it is to prevent voter fraud or impersonation. However this restriction has not been extended to postal voters. Can the leader of the council tell me, with regard to Runnymede in the last 10 years, how many instances of voter fraud have been detected, investigated and prosecuted, split between postal and polling station voters, and as a percentage of all voters?”

*Clarification – I’ve asked for 10 years but any period will do depending on what data you hold

a) Councillor Sylvia Whyte asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

“In April 2022 I asked the Leader of The Council when elected members would receive monthly Enforcement updates.  The Leader advised that “the most effective ways of reporting accurate information to Members would be looked at as soon as possible after the Election.”  Whilst I and my fellow ward councillors have received some verbal updates on some key Enforcement issues in our ward, I would like to know when we, and all elected members, will receive a complete list of those enforcement issues across the Borough.”

The Leader responded in the following terms:

“I can confirm that from 1 April 2023, the Planning Enforcement team will be producing a report that will be circulated to all local members with regards to key enforcement cases in the borough. At this stage, it is expected that the list will include no more than 50 cases which will include those cases classified as medium or high priority, as set out in the Enforcement Charter as well as some significant cases that have been discussed with members for inclusion. The list and update will be circulated to all councillors on a quarterly basis.”

Councillor S Whyte asked whether members could be informed about all planning appeals, regardless of ward, in order to enable them to observe how such processes worked?  Councillor Willingale, as Chairman of the Planning Committee, agreed that this would be helpful and stated that he would take up the matter with the Corporate Head for Development Management and Building Control.

Councillor D Whyte asked whether members could be advised of the outcome of all enforcement cases, regardless of ward?  Councillor Willingale said that he would liaise with the Corporate Head for Development Management and Building Control, adding that striking a balance between enforcement activities and report writing needed to be considered.

Councillor Mullens asked whether the Leader agreed that resident involvement in the planning inquiries should be encouraged.  The Leader agreed.

b) Councillor Don Whyte asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

“Since October 2022 most households in Runnymede will have been progressively receiving part of the Government funded £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) discount.  These households have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier.

Those households that buy their fuel through a third party or are not on mains electricity, have as of 20th February, not yet received any of the £400 EBSS discount. This includes people who live in park homes, a houseboat or care homes. Similarly, those who don’t use mains gas or electric are entitled to a payment of £200.

Can the Leader please explain what Runnymede Borough Council is doing or planning to do to encourage and help residents to claim their £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) discount and or their £200 Alternative Fuel Payment?”

The Leader replied in the following terms:

“This Council is committed to supporting residents through this difficult time and administering the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme is one way in which we are doing this.  The Chief Executive and I have met regularly with our local MP, Dr Ben Spencer, and discussed this specific topic and I would like to thank Dr Spencer for the work that he has undertaken in this area.

We identified when the first announcement was made by Government last year that those households without a direct relationship with an electricity supplier would be unable to receive this support directly. Within Runnymede, this particularly affects park home residents and those in retirement homes, as well as some houseboat residents, as you have identified in your question.

Dr. Spencer raised this issue directly with Ministers who committed to establishing a method of payment with the aim of delivering this support and that local authorities would be best placed to administer the scheme, in a similar way to how covid grants were administered.

I am delighted that the scheme that was opened on Monday 27 February 2023 will allow residents to apply directly via a Gov.UK portal and that the support will not be passed on through an intermediary owner. On application, Runnymede Borough Council will make final checks on applicants and authorise payments.

At this time, I cannot confirm how many applications have been made as the scheme has only very recently gone live, but every park home resident has been contacted since Monday, and if it would be helpful we can look to provide a form of reporting on utilisation of the scheme in Runnymede.”

Councillor D Whyte asked whether there was more that the Council could do to identify hard to reach people that were entitled to payments?  The Leader agreed that awareness of, and access to, the scheme was important and welcomed a separate discussion with Councillor D Whyte and the Chief Executive on how to facilitate this.

Councillor Marshall asked whether the Leader encouraged ward councillor support, for residents of park homes, with the sourcing their own energy supplier, as opposed to paying premiums to landowners?  The Leader said that he did.

c) Councillor Steve Ringham asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

“Our next council elections, in May of this year, will be the first to be held where polling station voters will be required to show valid Photo ID before they can vote. Central government’s excuse is that it is to prevent voter fraud or impersonation. However this restriction has not been extended to postal voters. Can the leader of the council tell me, with regard to Runnymede in the last 10 years, how many instances of voter fraud have been detected, investigated and prosecuted, split between postal and polling station voters, and as a percentage of all voters?”

*Clarification – I’ve asked for 10 years but any period will do depending on what data you hold

The Leader replied in the following terms:

“I can confirm that we have had no instances of impersonation in a polling station or of fraud relating to postal votes over the past 10 years. Given Runnymede’s history, I am glad that our well respected democracy continues to thrive. However, to the central point of your question, Runnymede along with all other Local Authorities, are required to implement Photo ID requirements under the Elections Act 2022.  The Act seeks to address shocking and highly publicised instances of fraud, harassment of electors outside polling stations and demands from campaigners to electors to hand over their postal votes. This unscrupulous behaviour is something we must do our utmost to guard against and so it is sensible that we have proportionate measures in place to discourage and prevent such behaviour.

Councillor Ringham asked whether the Leader felt that the new measures were disproportionate, discriminatory and wasteful?  The Leader said that he did not agree and that the measures sought to ensure probity in the electoral system remained.  He suggested that Councillor Ringham may wish to take up this issue with the local MP, as it was a legislative matter.

Councillor Gillham asked whether the Leader agreed with the Council of Europe’s advice on requiring voter ID, in order to prevent fraud, and that it was the responsibility of elected representatives to encourage residents to register for voter identification?   The Leader agreed with Councillor Gillham’s observations.

Councillor Burton asked what activities were being undertaken to reach as many voters as possible?  The Leader said that there had been engagement through social media, printed publications, and letters sent directly to residents.