The Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Resources of Waverley Borough Council met on Tuesday, 18 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the Q3 Corporate Performance Report, the adoption of the Waverley Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) Priority Projects, and the Brightwells Yard and Fairground Development Projects. The committee expressed concerns over high staff turnover, persistent complaints, and missed targets in housing repairs, and called for urgent action from the Executive and Senior Management.

Q3 Corporate Performance Report 2024-24

The Performance Policy Officer introduced the Q3 Corporate Performance Report, highlighting issues such as high staff turnover and a significant number of complaints. The Chair noted discrepancies in the Section 151 Officer’s commentary and the high level of complaints in Communications and Customer Services. Councillor Zoe Barker-Lomax suggested a review of processes in departments with low complaints response rates. The committee resolved to note with concern the continuing high staff turnover, high level of complaints, and missed targets in housing repairs, requesting urgent action from the Executive and Senior Management.

Waverley LCWIP Adoption

The Sustainable Transport Projects Officer presented the report on the Waverley LCWIP, noting Surrey County Council’s rollout of the Farnham Infrastructure Plan. Councillor Andrew Laughton and others raised concerns about the consistency of the proposals with previous agreements. Councillor Andy MacLeod and Councillor John Robini called for greater consultation with Surrey County councillors and Farnham Town councillors. The committee resolved to recommend more consultation before adopting the LCWIP and criticised the lack of consultation so far.

Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) Priority Projects

The Sustainability Manager introduced the report on the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan, focusing on prioritising impactful actions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Councillor MacLeod expressed concerns about the financial implications and the risk of not receiving necessary funding. The committee resolved to welcome greater clarity in project delivery, prioritising detailed plans for decarbonising social housing.

Brightwells Yard Development

The Development Programme Manager provided an update on the Brightwells Yard Development, noting that several businesses have applied for retail units. The committee resolved to note the Executive decision.

Fairground Development Project

The Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, along with John Percy of Montagu Evans, discussed the Fairground and Weydown Development Projects. Councillor Lauren Atkins raised concerns about the risk of letting the ground floor unit and the attractiveness of housing above a supermarket unit. The committee resolved to bring a further paper before awarding a contract to any development partner.

Weydown Road Development Project

The Strategic Assets Manager confirmed that the current Community Hub is an end-of-life asset, and no alternative solution has been proposed. The committee agreed on the need for a new Community Hub on the Weydown Road Car Park.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee voted unanimously to exclude the press and public for discussions on costs and savings associated with the collaboration agreement with Guildford Borough Council and the Council’s assets and property portfolio.