Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
Decision Maker: Corporate Governance and Standards Committee
Made at meeting: 27/07/2023 - Corporate Governance and Standards Committee
Decision published: 20/09/2023
Effective from: 27/07/2023
Decision:
The Committee noted that the audit of the 2020-21 accounts was nearing completion and the Council’s external auditors intended to issue an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, which the Chief Finance Officer would re-certify in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 immediately after the Committee meeting. The auditors had issued an Audit Findings report, which was appended to the committee report, together with a management action plan.
There were some adjustments to the primary statements required as a result of the audit and these, along with details of the actions taken, were highlighted in the audit findings report. There were also some minor changes that were not individually significant enough to warrant separate disclosure in the findings report.
The 2020-21 Auditors Annual Report would be reported, together with the 2021-22 Auditors Annual report, to the Committee at a future meeting.
The Chairman of the Committee was required to issue a letter of representation on behalf of the Council to the auditors to provide assurance over the management framework operating at the Council and the disclosures in the accounts. A copy of the proposed letter was attached as Appendix 2 to the report.
The Committee’s attention was drawn to the Action Plan in the Audit Findings Report and the management responses, and to the various adjustments made to the accounts since the first draft of the accounts were published.
During the debate, the Committee made the following comments:
· Concern over the likelihood of the Council having made decisions with significant financial implications based on unaudited financial information.
· In view of the Council’s current financial position, the Council’s focus and priority should be on putting in place a sustainable Medium Term Financial Plan, rather than any retrospective investigation into the merits or otherwise of the Future Guildford project.
· The Council should be asking itself whether it was on track to deliver the anticipated annual revenue savings of up to £10.2 million from the Future Guildford transformation programme.
· Request that future Audit Findings Reports provide an alternative to the colour-coded assessments to assist those with colour blindness.
· In response to concerns, the Interim Joint Executive Head of Finance gave assurance that the Council’s financial systems were sufficiently robust.
· In response to a request for clarification as to when the 2021-22 audited accounts would be presented to the Committee, the Interim Joint Executive Head of Finance confirmed that the 2022-23 accounts officer were nearing closure, and work would shortly focus on 2021-22 accounts to make sure that all the issues that had been raised in the Audit Findings Report for the 2020-21 accounts and the work on the 2022-23 accounts were addressed.
Having considered the report, the Committee
RESOLVED:
(1) That Grant Thornton’s Audit Findings report attached as Appendix 1 to the Committee report, and the management responses provided in the action plan (as set out in Appendix A to Appendix 1 to that report) be noted.
(2) That the letter of representation, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved, and that the Chairman of the meeting be authorised to sign the letter on the Council’s behalf.
Reason:
To allow the external auditor to issue his opinion on the 2020-21 accounts.
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Action: |
Officer to action: |
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To bring the joint 2020-21 and 2021-22 value for money report to the next meeting of this Committee. |
Paul Cuttle, Grant Thornton (external auditors) |
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To provide in future Audit Findings Reports an alternative to the colour-coded assessments to assist those with colour blindness. |
Paul Cuttle, Grant Thornton (external auditors) |
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Planning Development
Decision published: 20/09/2023
Effective from: 08/08/2023
Decision:
Instruction of expert witness re:
Appeal
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: John Busher
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Communications and Customer Services
Decision published: 15/09/2023
Effective from: 15/09/2023
Decision:
We have found a cheaper alternative to our
current social media management tool, that also allows us more
users to involve CSC in our social media responses. Our current
provider does not have the functionality we need to be able to
offer customer service on social media. This new provider enables
us to do that at a cheaper cost.
Lead officer: Nicola Haymes
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Assets and Property
Decision published: 14/09/2023
Effective from: 14/09/2023
Decision:
To procure the services of a valuer to carry
out the valuation of 4 The Royals Eastgate Court High Street
Guildford. The lessee of the property has served a s42 notice under
the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 to
claim an extended lease term for the property.
Wards affected: Stoke;
Lead officer: Marieke van der Reijden
Decision Maker: Joint Strategic Director - Place
Decision published: 14/09/2023
Effective from: 13/09/2023
Decision:
To enter into the Deed of Amendment and
Reinstatement to the Housing Infrastructure Fund Grant
Determination Agreement (Forward Funding) dated 29th July 2020
between Guildford Borough Council (the Grant Recipient) and Homes
England as amended by a deed of amendment dated 10 February 2022
and 29 March 2022 made between the same parties (“the
Original Funding Agreement”) for the purposes of providing or
facilitating the delivery of infrastructure and housing and related
outcomes.
Lead officer: Dawn Hudd
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Regeneration and Planning Policy
Decision published: 13/09/2023
Effective from: 13/09/2023
Decision:
Appointment of ERMC to provide architectural
services on the following HRA development sites:
- Land adjacent to 21-23 Dunmore
- 17 Wharf Lane Garden Land
- Land adjacent to 27 Broomfield
- 108 Georgelands Garden Land
Initial contract value of £65,063 +VAT
Wards affected: Send & Lovelace; Westborough;
Lead officer: Abi Lewis
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Regeneration and Planning Policy
Decision published: 13/09/2023
Effective from: 13/09/2023
Decision:
Appointment of PHPS to provide party wall
input on the following HRA development sites:
- Land adjacent to 21-23 Dunmore
- 17 Wharf Lane Garden Land
- Land adjacent to 27 Broomfield
- Clover Road Garages adjacent to 51-53 Clover Road
- 5-6 and 17-18 Rapley's Field
- Land to rear of Manor House Flats
- 108 Georgelands Garden Land
Initial contract value of £2,450 + VAT
Wards affected: Ash Vale; Normandy & Pirbright; Pilgrims; Send & Lovelace; Westborough; Worplesdon;
Lead officer: Abi Lewis
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Assets and Property
Decision published: 12/09/2023
Effective from: 01/09/2023
Decision:
Contract Award Details:
Contract Title: Valuation and negotiation of cable rights to
Almsgate as an easement
Route to Market: Framework agreement
Procuring Officer: Fiona Williams
Successful Company: Bruton Knowles
Contract Value: £1,000 + VAT
Contract Length: One month from completion of Direct Award
Wards affected: Shalford;
Lead officer: Marieke van der Reijden
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Housing Services
Decision published: 11/09/2023
Effective from: 11/09/2023
Decision:
GBC will be purchasing the garage at 3 Szabo
Crescent, GU3 2EL and it will then become part of HRA
stock.
Lead officer: Jamie Morgan
Decision Maker: Lead Specialist for ICT
Decision published: 08/09/2023
Effective from: 08/09/2023
Decision:
Enter into a non-exclusive contract for the
secure selling, recycling or disposal of ICT related assets
including hardware and peripherals.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: James Beach
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Environmental Services
Decision published: 08/09/2023
Effective from: 08/09/2023
Decision:
Moved 2 grass cuttings from original schedule
from June/July to September/October at GBC Cemeteries. This is to
provide longer continuation of service.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Natasha Precious
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Assets and Property
Decision published: 08/09/2023
Effective from: 21/09/2023
Decision:
To approve the grant of a Contracted- Out lease of Unit B5 at
Moorfield Point to Sheerwater Glass Limited on the following
terms:
Term: 15 Years
Use: Light industrial/warehouse with trade counter
Rent: £41,229 p.a. (payable quarterly in advance)
Rent Free: Upon lease completion, the tenant will benefit from 10
months at half rent. The tenant shall also benefit from an
additional 2 months rent free should the tenant not operate their
option to determine the lease in the 5th Year.
Rent reviews: upward only market rent review at the end of the 5th
and 10th Year
Breaks: Tenant-Only end of years 5 & 10 subject to 6 months
written notice in advance.
Assignment/Subletting: permitted of whole only subject to
AGA.
Deposit: 3 months rent plus sum equivalent to VAT
This decision is made in accordance with the Council’s
General Disposal Consent powers. This letting provides the best
consideration reasonably obtainable.
If you have any queries, then please contact Faye Gunner who will
be happy to provide further information.
Wards affected: Stoke;
Lead officer: Marieke van der Reijden
Decision Maker: Joint Executive Head: Assets and Property
Decision published: 07/09/2023
Effective from: 13/09/2023
Decision:
Car Park Refurbishment Works 2023
Various items of specialist refurbishment and repair works to 4 No.
MSCPs (Bedford Road, Castle, Farnham Road & York Road).
The works entail:
- deck coating and repairs to stairs, landings, and walkways to
various Staircores at Bedford Road, Castle and Farnham Road
following medium or high-risk slip test results.
- structural concrete repairs to corbels at York Road following
failed hammer tap tests.
- essential barrier improvement works (Armco barriers) at York Road
following poor barrier test results.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Marieke van der Reijden