Purpose

To agree General Consents to Surrey’s existing District Councils and County Council under the upcoming Direction made under Section 24 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2027.

Decision

Resolved

That     (i)     the General Consent to West Surrey’s District and Borough Councils (excluding Spelthorne Borough Council and Woking Borough Council) and Surrey County Council under the Direction made under Section 24 of the Local Government Public Involvement in Health Act 20027 in Annex 2 of the report be approved;

            (ii)    it be noted that the Leader, Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the Interim Chief Finance Officer, will exercise their authority to grant consent in respect of any transaction where the decision is urgent and any delay incurred in taking the decision would seriously prejudice the relevant Council’s, the Shadow Authority’s or the public’s interest, to the extent that it is appropriate to take the decision before the next meeting of the Shadow Executive;

            (iii)    subject to approval of recommendation (i) above, the Monitoring Officer be authorised to update the West Surrey Shadow Authority Constitution to include the General Consent within the Financial Procedure Rules in Part 4-7;

            (iv)   the Interim Head of Paid Service’s intention, to write to all Chief Executives of the West Surrey councils (other than Spelthorne Borough Council and Woking Borough Council) and Surrey County Council to remind them of their responsibilities in respect of the s24 Direction, be noted; and

            (v)    a monthly report be received on items that are subject to the s24 Direction, but do not need separate approval under the approved General Consent.