The Council voted to approve the scheme for admitting students to schools in 2026. It also agreed to close the Bagshot Community Recycling Centre, and to extend the opening hours of the Camberley Community Recycling Centre. It voted to adopt the reports from the Cabinet meetings that took place on 29 October and 26 November 2024, approved a motion on climate change and net zero targets, and referred motions on inheritance tax, farming and the rural economy, and the preventative approach to children's services to the Cabinet. A motion to allow parents to attend SEND panels was also referred to the Cabinet.

Climate Change

Councillor Catherine Baart proposed a motion noting the UK's commitment to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and by 68% from 1990 levels by 2030, and calling for a report that identifies the resources needed to enable the Council to achieve net zero in line with the UK's legal commitment. Councillor Baart explained that

we are just on target for our 2030 and 2050 net zero goals, which is, of course, positive, and it's the result of hard work by officers and councillors. But we have now finished the straightforward wins, like putting LEDs in streetlights.

Councillor Marissa Heath said that she had no issues supporting the motion, and explained that work on the report had already started. She said

we have made a decision recognising the difficult place we're in with the net zero targets that we're going to bring forward our plan. So it was due in 2026. We're bringing it forward now to completely review it, to consider where our risk spots are, what we need in order to meet those targets.

The motion was carried.

Inheritance Tax, Farming, and the Rural Economy

Councillor Marissa Heath proposed a motion to inform the Treasury that the Council disagrees with proposals to reduce the Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold to £1.3 million, and called for it to be scrapped. Councillor Heath explained that:

The recent budget has had an immediate impact on farmers and rural businesses at a time when stability is important and as we seek to provide more healthy, sustainable and, where possible, local, food and look after our environment.

Councillor Fellows proposed an amendment to the motion that called for a review of the IHT policy and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to reduce tax avoidance through land banking. He explained that

Whatever the views on Brexit, leaving the common agricultural policy, leaving the single market, has made life harder and more complex for farmers.

Councillor Michelle Martin argued against the amendment, saying

Majority of farms live on an overdraft. How on earth are they going to save to pay for the inheritance tax?

The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried.

SEND Panels

Councillor Liz Townsend proposed a motion calling on the Cabinet to allow parents and children to be present at SEND panels, and for the family's case worker to automatically be invited to attend. Councillor Townsend argued that

Parents are their child's best advocates. They understand their children better than anyone. Having parents and children present ensures their voices are heard directly, providing crucial first-hand insight into their child's strengths, their challenges, and their aspirations.

Councillor Curran said that she recognised Councillor Townsend's concerns, but explained that

SEND services and operational arrangements must be conducted in accordance with the regulatory requirements of the Children and Families Act and the SEND Code of Practice, both of which are hugely prescriptive, and I doubt whether any of us here in this Chamber have the specialist and wide knowledge of that area of legislation.

The Council voted to refer the motion to the Cabinet.

Preventative Approach to Children's Services

Councillor Jonathan Essex proposed a motion to review research on the benefits of a preventative approach to children's services, and to call for funding from central government. He explained that

Budget constraints have led to our children's services work being targeted close to statue services, effective in reducing children being brought into care, but also reducing prevention and emerging need support to a wider set of families.

The motion was referred to the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning Select Committee.

Bagshot Community Recycling Centre

The Council voted to approve the Cabinet's recommendation to close the Bagshot Community Recycling Centre and extend the opening hours of the Camberley Community Recycling Centre. The Cabinet noted that the Bagshot site is small, unmodernised, and not fit for purpose, and that there was a pattern of vandalism, fly-tipping, and unlawful entry at the site.