a) Question from Councillor Sam Jenkins to the Leader of the Council
“Over four sessions during the last few weeks, Councillors received the opportunity to undertake Carbon Literacy training. This training was designed to equip Councillors with a better understanding of what needs to be done to tackle climate change. One of the sessions addressed ‘turning points’ that Runnymede could experience at a local level if emissions continue to rise, such as increased flooding, drought, lack of access to food, water and vital resources and even civil unrest. Meanwhile it was announced in May that scientists now believe the Earth’s temperature will exceed 1.5C by 2027, before Runnymede’s intended Net Zero target of 2030. Given all of this, does the Leader of the Council agree with me that Runnymede should declare a Climate Emergency as soon as possible?”
b) Question from Councillor Robert King to the Leader of the Council
“What forward planning is taking place for greater levels of support this winter time as residents, already impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, will again be struggling to keep the lights on, keep cupboards full and keep a roof over their heads?”
c) Question from Councillor Rhys Davies to the Leader of the Council
“Will the Leader apologise to residents who were impacted by the grounds maintenance chaos, with parks and public spaces left in a mess and is he any closer to knowing how much of residents money his administration has wasted on the purchase of incorrect equipment for the service?”
d) Question from Councillor Abby King to the Leader of the Council
“A number of small businesses have written to myself and my group colleagues looking for workshop and production space in the Borough, which is both affordable and meets their needs so they can grow as firms. As the council owns a large portfolio of office space, a significant proportion of which is vacant, is the Leader developing a strategy to convert existing estates to provide affordable workshop and production spaces needed for these local engines of growth?”
e) Question from Councillor Eliza Kettle to the Leader of the Council
“The footpath which runs from Bagshot Road to Blays Lane, next to Englefield Green Cemetery, despite repeated efforts by my colleague Cllr Abby King to lobby Surrey County Council continues to be left unkept, untidy and overgrown. Will the Leader join myself and other Englefield Green Councillors in asking Surrey to take action to clean up and cut back the overgrown path to help our residents have a clean and safe route home?”
f) Question from Councillor Nick Prescot to the Leader of the Council
“The progress of the sale of Barbara Clark House has been long and slow. Whilst the sale of the land has been completed; there is no date for the redevelopment of the land by PA housing.
Whilst I understand there is the section 47 element to be completed along with the arrangements of the S106, this is a needed capital receipt for RBC and I would like the Leader to give the council a firm timeline to complete the regeneration of urgently needed affordable Housing for the residents of Englefield Green.”
Minutes:
a) Councillor Sam Jenkins asked the Leader of the Council the following question:
“Over four sessions during the last few weeks, Councillors received the opportunity to undertake Carbon Literacy training. This training was designed to equip Councillors with a better understanding of what needs to be done to tackle climate change. One of the sessions addressed ‘turning points’ that Runnymede could experience at a local level if emissions continue to rise, such as increased flooding, drought, lack of access to food, water and vital resources and even civil unrest. Meanwhile it was announced in May that scientists now believe the Earth’s temperature will exceed 1.5C by 2027, before Runnymede’s intended Net Zero target of 2030. Given all of this, does the Leader of the Council agree with me that Runnymede should declare a Climate Emergency as soon as possible?”
The Leader responded in the following terms:
“I too attended the Council’s Carbon Literacy training and understand the very sincere intent with which your question is asked. I would note though that the situation we are facing in regard to our environment is not new. We have debated this item a number of times. As has been said on those occasions, we favour action and results, rather than rhetoric and soundbites.
Runnymede has been working on reducing our carbon footprint and being more sustainable for a number of years. In our Corporate Business Plan approved last year we incorporated a climate change strategy setting out our ambitions to become a net zero council by 2030 and support the transition to becoming a net-zero borough by 2050.
We have more than 6 staff focussed on supporting this strategy which is more resource than any other Surrey district or borough that I am aware of.
Rather than obsessing on an almost Canute-ean desire to make a declaration, what we are and should be doing is demonstrating to our residents real action and a plan to deliver more. There are numerous examples of councils who have declared a climate emergency and yet have not delivered on their net zero commitments. ??
The priority at Runnymede is to get on with making things happen.
We have:
· Transitioned the meals at home service to an electric fleet, saving 7 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
· Installed solar panels on two of our day centres.
· Delivered a high EPC rated transformative regeneration scheme in the heart of Egham
· Planted 2,250 trees in the last four years
· Supported local, corporate and national activity through the Great Big Green week
· Adopted a new procurement strategy that rewards climate friendly approaches
· Secured grants to fund renewable energy installation in residents’ private homes
· Begun investing £13 million in upgrading our social housing
I am not aware of any instance where declaring a set form of words has delivered more than the achievements of this Council. I am proud of the work we are doing and thank councillors and officers for their continued focus, support and hard work on this important area.”
Councillor Jenkins asked whether the Leader encouraged members who attended the carbon literacy training to undertake the two pledges that attendees were asked to, and to submit the requisite form back to the trainer? The Leader said that he did and would ensure that his own form was returned over the summer.
Councillor Mullens asked whether the Leader personally felt that there was a ‘climate emergency’? The Leader referred Councillor Mullens to his previous remarks, adding that concerns about the planet’s climate were not new and had been part of scientific discourse since the 1980s.
Councillor Gillham sought confirmation on whether the Council would lose external funding in the event of it not declaring a ‘climate emergency’? The Leader said that he was not aware of any current central government funding that required a ‘climate emergency’ declaration to access it.
b) Councillor Robert King asked the Leader of the Council the following question:
“What forward planning is taking place for greater levels of support this winter time as residents, already impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, will again be struggling to keep the lights on, keep cupboards full and keep a roof over their heads?”
The Leader responded in the following terms:
“Vulnerable households across Runnymede will be able to access the household support fund to help them with essentials over the coming months as the country continues to face cost of living pressures.
While winter will bring additional pressures, we remain vigilant to changing pressures on households. The UK remains subject to international market volatility. Russia pulling out of the Ukrainian grain deal and threatening shipping has already caused wheat prices to rise steeply. This may undermine efforts to reduce inflation, putting further cost pressures on food prices, feeding into core inflation which just this week had been showing a positive downward trend.
In respect of the support being provided, Runnymede Borough Council has been allocated £326,504 to support families who have been adversely impacted and those households in the most need. As the fund will be distributed in four tranches, the scheme will change to meet the seasonal demand for fuel during the colder winter months and where possible adapt to changing needs.
In addition, officers from Community Services have met with Surrey County Council recently to discuss possible collaboration in supporting residents in relation to fuel poverty, although further information on this from County is required to understand how we can provide support through partnership.
We will also be considering what measures we can directly support within our own estate should we experience a particularly harsh winter or see another volatile increase in energy prices, such as the use of Council owned buildings as warm hubs.
I encourage any resident who is struggling to contact the Council for support and advice.”
Councillor R. King asked whether the Leader felt that the Government’s support schemes had failed, given that there had been a 20% take up rate? The Leader said that he was unable to comment on the success or failure of national policies, adding that Runnymede had provided support to its residents, such as the scheme for residents of park homes.
Councillor A. King asked what the Council planned to do to help families put food on their tables over the winter? The Leader noted that there was exceptional pressure on food prices due to international influences. He added that whilst the Council was not able to address this issue, it would continue to support local foodbanks as much as possible.
c) Question from Councillor Rhys Davies to the Leader of the Council
As Councillor Davies was not present at the meeting, the Council was advised that he would need to resubmit his question for the next ordinary meeting, should he wish for it to be answered.
d) Councillor Abby King asked the Leader of the Council the following question:
“A number of small businesses have written to myself and my group colleagues looking for workshop and production space in the Borough, which is both affordable and meets their needs so they can grow as firms. As the council owns a large portfolio of office space, a significant proportion of which is vacant, is the Leader developing a strategy to convert existing estates to provide affordable workshop and production spaces needed for these local engines of growth?”
The Leader responded in the following terms:
“I think this is an excellent suggestion that you have brought forward. Unfortunately, (specifically in the context of this inquiry) whilst the Council’s investment portfolio does contain industrial units, all our industrial parks are currently fully let and income producing. As things stand the only available office space to rent is Pine Trees, which is not suitable for work production units due to the building design.
Even though we are currently unable to support local business directly by providing a location for their workshops, we absolutely want to encourage and grow the local economy. The Council’s Economic Development team can assist businesses in finding commercial spaces which meet their needs and I would ask that the businesses in question contact the Business Runnymede team and also their local Chamber of Commerce. Both of these organisations would be well placed to help identify potentially suitable sites.
I would add that the Council is also investing in a Business Growth and Innovation Service which will be providing free mentoring, coaching and financial support to small businesses which have potential to grow. The service is funded from the Shared Prosperity Fund and will start in Autumn 2023. I would also recommend all local businesses which are either starting out or looking to expand to engage with the new service.
Separately, whilst it is possible in principle to investigate whether vacant garages can be repurposed for business use, to do so would require capital investment which will be difficult to come by, particularly whilst we await a response from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities following their recent CIPFA review of the Council’s finances.”
Councillor Ringham asked whether the Council was able to encourage the Addlestone Chamber of Commerce to take a more active role in the local business community? The Leader said that he was aware of Addlestone councillors’ efforts to reactivate the Addlestone Chamber of Commerce, but felt that the success of such organisations was dependent on engagement from local businesses. The Leader noted that the Egham Chamber of Commerce was very active.
e) Councillor Eliza Kettle asked the Leader of the Council the following question:
“The footpath which runs from Bagshot Road to Blays Lane, next to Englefield Green Cemetery, despite repeated efforts by my colleague Cllr Abby King to lobby Surrey County Council continues to be left unkept, untidy and overgrown. Will the Leader join myself and other Englefield Green Councillors in asking Surrey to take action to clean up and cut back the overgrown path to help our residents have a clean and safe route home?”
The Leader responded in the following terms:
“Having checked with the Surrey County Councillor for this area, I can confirm these works are listed to be done and the County highways team are looking to cut back the vegetation including around the lamp columns to improve the light quality.
Surrey County Councillor Marisa Heath met the highways officer for the area last month to walk the footpath and put it on the works list alongside the other works which need to be done across the Borough.
On issues such as this I would encourage all Councillors to contact the Surrey County Councillor responsible for the area to ensure the swiftest response possible.”
Councillor A. King asked whether the Leader was able to share the response that he had received from Surrey County Council with Englefield Green Councillors? The Leader confirmed that he was able to do so.
f) Councillor Nick Prescot asked the Leader of the Council the following question:
“The progress of the sale of Barbara Clark House has been long and slow. Whilst the sale of the land has been completed; there is no date for the redevelopment of the land by PA housing.
Whilst I understand there is the section 73 element to be completed along with the arrangements of the S106, this is a needed capital receipt for RBC and I would like the Leader to give the council a firm timeline to complete the regeneration of urgently needed affordable Housing for the residents of Englefield Green.”
The Leader responded in the following terms:
“As you will appreciate, there are two parties to this transaction. As we do not have the ability to compel action on the part of the prospective buyer, we are unable to commit to a firm timeline for completion.
As things stand, the Section 106 agreement sits with PA Housing’s solicitors for comment. As soon as they have responded and there are no outstanding issues from a legal viewpoint that affect this sale, this transaction will complete. Verbal discussions with PA Housing have confirmed that they have a contractor ready to implement the planning permission and commence the build when the transaction completes. We will ask for a timeline for the development as soon as we have completed the legal process.”
Councillor A. King asked whether, where there were issues with housing associations, the Council should be holding them to account? The Leader agreed that it was important for housing providers to treat residents fairly.
Councillor Berardi asked whether the Council could encourage PA Housing to allow residents to create temporary community gardens on any disused land that it held, as had happened in some other local authority areas? The Leader stated that this was an innovative suggestion and that he would discuss it with PA Housing, notwithstanding the fact that there was currently no timeline for completion of the transaction.