Agenda and minutes

Venue: QE2 Room, Shoreham Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea

Contact: Chris Cadman-Dando
Democratic Services Officer
01903 221364  Email  chris.cadman-dando@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

c/85/21-22

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Flower, Cowen and Wilkinson

c/86/21-22

Declarations of interest

Members and officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda. Declarations should also be made at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

 

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest

c/87/21-22

Questions from the public

To receive any questions from members of the public addressed to Members of the Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11. There is up to 5 minutes for each question, one supplementary question may be asked arising from the original question.

 

Questions must relate to any matter the Council has power or which affects the District except no questions may be asked on

 

a)    A specific planning or licensing application

b)    A specific staffing appointment or appeal or Standards determination

 

Public question time will last up to 30 minute; questions will be taken in order of receipt. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 19 July at 12 noon.

 

Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Minutes:

A member of the public asked the following question:

 

In 2019 an announcement was made concerning a tranche of money allocated to the regeneration and improvement of Millfield Estate in North Cokeham and this was welcomed by Councillor Albury at that time.

 

Why was this money then reallocated to Eastergate? What plans are now in place to carry out the deferred Millfield improvements?

 

The Cabinet Member explained that Funding was earmarked for capital improvement works to Millfield Estate in the Capital Improvement Works Programme 2017 - 2019.

 

For clarity, the Council does not have Eastergate Estate within its social housing stock. It may be that the resident meant to refer to Fishersgate Estate. Notwithstanding, It is not correct that these funds were reallocated to any other estate. Following the tragic Grenfell fire incident and subsequent guidance on fire safety obligations of social landlords, the Capital Improvement Works Programme was refocused on fire safety measures. A number of projects were put on hold, including the proposed works to Millfield Estate.

 

A revised programme of works for Millfield Estate was the Capital Improvement Works programme for the current financial year. The works had been designed based on a visit to the estate by Officers, Councillor Mansfield and I (Councillor Albury) last year, and subsequent meetings with residents of the estate. 

 

The Chairman read out a question on behalf of a member of the public as follows:

 

According to Imperial College London, the air quality throughout Shoreham-by-Sea exceeds WHO levels meaning all residents, including children, are exposed to dangerous air pollution. What is the councils plan to bring air quality within internationally recognised safe levels?

 

The Cabinet Member told the meeting that the Council declared an Air Quality Management Area in Shoreham in 2005 and since then has been working in partnership with West Sussex County Council, Sussex Air and other agencies to implement a number of measures to improve air quality in the District. The authorities had successfully worked in collaboration with neighbouring authorities to bid for additional funding from DEFRA to deliver an education programme with schools and develop air quality emissions mitigation planning guidance. Currently the Council were continuing to work with WSCC on a county wide electric vehicle charging strategy for the provision and roll out of charge points across West Sussex including Adur. Work was currently underway to provide a car club and the erection of anti-idling signs at traffic hotspots. The Council is in the process of producing a revised Air Quality Action Plan which will set out further measures to tackle air pollution.

 

The Chairman read out a question on behalf of a member of the public as follows:

 

There are hardly any trees in Shoreham which provide a sanctuary for wildlife, soak up CO2, produce oxygen and provide shade. What are the councils plans to increase tree cover in Shoreham?

 

The Cabinet Member told the meeting that the authority planted native trees wherever possible verge planting schemes were the responsibility of West Sussex  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/87/21-22

c/88/21-22

Confirmation of Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 19 May 2022, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Minutes:

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting of the 19 May 2022 be approved as the correct record

c/89/21-22

Announcements by the Chairman, Leader of the Council, Executive Members and / or Head of Paid Service

Minutes:

The Chairman made the following announcements

 

The biggest event has been the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. As someone who is from Lancing I was honoured to be part of Adur's Beacon lighting on Lancing Beach. Even better, with Adur's own town crier, Bob Smytherman and our MP Tim Loughton, made a tour of many of the street parties across Adur. We were welcomed everywhere as we arrived with ice creams, ice-lollies and sweets. Everyone joined in with the singing of "God Save the Queen".

 

I have continued with the theme of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, cutting the ribbons on trees planted as part of the Queens Green Canopy.

 

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will highlight 70 unique and irreplaceable Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.

 

The tree planting season starts again in October and I invite everyone to plant a tree for the jubilee.

 

The Leader of the Council announced that the Executive was being renamed as a Cabinet and told the Council of changes to the names of the Cabinet Members to better reflect the work that the Cabinet Members undertook: Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing, Cabinet Member for Adur Homes and Customer Services, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

 

The Cabinet Member for Adur Homes and Customer Services updated Members on Cecil Norris House receiving a commendation for the Sussex Heritage Trust awards.

 

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition announced that Cllr Jude Harvey would replace Cllr Dan Flower on the Licensing Committee.

c/90/21-22

Items raised under urgency provisions

To consider any items the Chairman has agreed are urgent

Minutes:

There were no urgent items

c/91/21-22

Recommendations from the Executive and Committees to Council pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached items as 7A – 7E.  Full reports are available on the website as listed below:

 

 

Executive/Committee

Date

Item

7A

Joint Governance Committee

31.05.2022

Joint Governance Committee Appointments: Parish Councillors

7B

Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee

9 June 2022

Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2021/22

7C

Joint Strategic Committee

5 July 2022

Financial Performance 2021/22 - Revenue Outturn

7D

Joint Strategic Committee

5 July 2022

Financial Performance 2021/22 - Capital & Projects Outturn

7E

Joint Strategic Committee

5 July 2022

Developing a revenue budget for 2023/24 against a backdrop of high inflation

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7(a) Joint Governance Committee – 31 May 2022

 

Joint Governance Committee Appointments: Parish Councillors

 

 

The Chairman introduced the recommendations to the Council which was seconded and on a vote unanimously approved.

 

Resolved:

 

i)               That Cllr Mike Mendoza be appointed as a co-opted member of the Joint Governance Committee for 2022/23 as a representative of Lancing Parish Council;

ii)              That Cllr John Salisbury be appointed as a co-opted member of the Joint Governance Committee for 2022/23 as a representative of Sompting Parish Council;

 

 

7(b) Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 9 June 2022

 

Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2021/22

 

The Chairman of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded, debated and on a vote unanimously approved.

 

Resolved: That the annual report for 2021/22 be approved

 

 

7(c) Joint Strategic Committee - 5 July 2022

 

Financial Performance 2021/22 - Revenue Outturn

 

The Leader introduced the recommendations to the Council which was seconded, debated and on a vote unanimously approved.

 

Resolved:

 

i)               That the overall final outturn for 2021/22 be noted

ii)              that the net appropriations from General Fund Reserves in the year, as detailed in section 6 of the report, totalling: Adur District Council £2,050,390 be approved

 

 

7(d) Joint Strategic Committee - 5 July 2022

 

Financial Performance 2021/22 - Capital & Projects Outturn

 

The Leader introduced the recommendations to the Council which was seconded and debated. The council discussed use of development land, piling on the harbour arm and cycle Outes.  on a vote unanimously approved. Members

 

Resolved: that

 

i)               the overall capital final outturn for 2021/22 be noted;

ii)              the net carry over of General Fund Capital underspends for Adur District Council as detailed in paragraphs 5.3 of the report be approved;

iii)             the financing of the Adur District Council 2020/21 Capital Investment Programme, including the use of capital receipts as set out in paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 of the report; and

iv)             the carry forward of Council resources underspends to fund budget pressures as detailed in paragraph 4.2.2. and summarised in paragraph 5.6 of the report be approved

 

 

7(e) Joint Strategic Committee – 5 July 2022

 

Developing a revenue budget for 2023/24 against a backdrop of high inflation

 

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the Council Which was seconded and debated, upon a vote it was

 

Resolved:

 

i)               Adur District Council approve the Budget Strategy for 2022/23 as outlined in Section 9 of the report

c/92/21-22

Report of the Leader on decisions taken by the Executive pdf icon PDF 98 KB

To receive a report from the Leader. The report contains executive decisions since the last Council meeting.

 

There is up to 15 minutes for Executive Members to make any statements on the report.

 

There is up to 15 minutes for Executive Members to respond to questions on the report; these questions will not be the same as any asked under ‘Members Questions under Council Procedure Rule 12’    

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources gave a precis of decisions taken since the last Council Meeting.

 

A Member asked if there were concerns about the comf fund not rolling onto the next budget year. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources explained that the decision was made to go forward on the matter and there was no doubt that the money would be spent.

 

A Member made a statement about temporary accommodation in South Street Lancing and was told that there would be additional temporary accommodation in Albion Street.

 

A Member asked about the proactive interventions to support low income residents and the supply of information pertaining to this information. Members were told that the information would be forthcoming.

c/93/21-22

Members question time under Council Procedure Rule 12

Members question time will last up to 30 minutes, questions will be taken in order of receipt, in rotation from each political group on the Council. The deadline for submission of questions is Tuesday 19 July at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

 

Questions received can be asked of the following:

 

a)        The Chairman

b)        A Member of the Executive

c)        The Chairman of any Committee

d)        The Councils representative on any outside body

 

Questions cannot be asked on the following

 

a)        A specific planning or licensing application

b)        A specific staffing appointment, appeal or Standards determination

Minutes:

A Member asked the following question:

 

Your portfolio encompasses waste. Please can you update the meeting on the progress of the food waste collection scheme, following the recent pilot? The Cabinet Member told the Council that the commercial food waste scheme was piloted last summer and was popular with customers. With regards to residential collection the Councils had received funding to run a feasibility study. Results were being waited upon and the results would be shared with everyone.

 

A Member asked the following question:

 

Highways liaison - How does ADC work with WSCC and Highways England on road safety schemes? There have been a number of serious collisions on many roads in Adur over recent weeks. How does ADC as a whole and individual ward councillors most effectively engage with road safety issues and the relevant authorities to reduce the incidence, frequency and severity of harmful accidents in our area? The issue was more relevant for West Sussex County Council. During the Planning process ward councillors had the opportunity to raise concerns regarding highways matters, parking excess cars etc. The Councils worked with the Fire Service through the Joint Action Group which included a number of other bodies and authorities. Members worked with groups such as Shoreham by-cycle and overall there was a collaborative approach although ultimate authority rested with West Sussex.

 

A Member asked the following question

 

Foreshore management - does your portfolio encompass the Adur Estuary SSSI? If so can you explain how ADC works with all stakeholders to maintain the SSSI? Recently it has been designated as 75% degraded and deteriorating. There is a lot of illegal activity in the SSSI, including industrial and commercial bait digging (not just the permitted 100 worms/1 litre/1 kg for personal use) plus damage to the salt marsh by recreational users unaware that they are harming ground nesting and roosting birds. The Cabinet Member told the Council that the Land that the Council directly manages borders right onto the SSSI location. The Council does receive reports of bait diggers / Cockle Pickers and worked closely with Sussex Police, Food Standards Agency, Natural England and the Border Police in response to those complaints. Natural England have placed enforcement notices in relation to damage to the saltmarsh and take the lead on enforcement matters in this regard.

 

A Member asked the following question:

 

Your portfolio encompasses emergency and contingency planning. Can you tell us what contingencies were put in place to manage the recent extreme heat across the Adur District? From the recent experience what lessons have been learnt for future extreme weather events?  The Cabinet Member stated that Adur District Council was a member of the Sussex Resilience Forum (SRF) which was a Local Resilience Forum (LRF) which was a partnership of all local authorities who work together to prepare and respond to emergency situations and warnings. The SRF had an Adverse Weather Plan that includes heatwave. A Heatwave Plan for England was also in place and issued by the UK  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/93/21-22

c/94/21-22

Motion on Notice 1 pdf icon PDF 60 KB

To consider a Motion on Notice, copy attached as item 10

Minutes:

Before the Council was a Motion submitted by Cllr Mandy Buxton seconded by Councillor Kevin Boram. The motion was titled ‘Delivering Cost of Living Support.

 

Cllr Buxton introduced the motion which was seconded and debated. Members debated the context of the motion with majority of members agreeing with the motion however, some members disagreed with references to actions being carried out by Central Government.

 

On a vote, it was

 

Resolved: that

 

This council is concerned about the cost of living is having on the residents of Adur and notes that domestic electricity and gas prices are predicted to rise by almost 50% this year. Increased energy costs will impact prices of many other products and services. This Council notes that HM Government has recently announced a bold £15 billion package targeted to the most vulnerable households to alleviate the impact of energy prices. In addition, it continues to deliver the Levelling Up initiative to provide opportunities for all, both locally and nationally. Within Adur this Council continues to deliver key services through the Proactive project to identify and target those most vulnerable and at risk.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1. Request that the Chair writes to the Prime Minister to request that he delivers all the Brexit promises to deliver additional savings to all households and to assist in the delivery of the Levelling Up initiative.

 

2. Recommend that the Executive works closely with HM Government and West Sussex County Council to deliver Adur’s share of the £500m Household Support Fund on a timely basis.

 

3. Continue to support the Proactive project to identify and help those most in need or at greatest risk of hardship to ensure they are fully aware of the help and assistance that is available and to ensure they receive that assistance.

 

 

c/95/21-22

Motion on Notice 2 pdf icon PDF 58 KB

To consider a Motion on Notice, copy attached as item 11

Minutes:

Before the Committee was a Motion submitted by Councillor Arnold and seconded by Councillor Shinn. The motion before members concerned the Adur and Worthing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

 

The Motion was proposed, seconded and debated. Members discussed the Local Local Cycling and Walking infrastructure plan and lauded the outcomes of the plan. On a vote it was

 

Resolved: that This council reaffirms its support for the Adur and Worthing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and its preface from council leader Neil Parkin: “It’s clear that our residents and visitors to the district would cycle and walk more with improved routes. This plan provides us with a fantastic foundation to create the network of the future”.

 

The plan defines our vision: “To create a place where walking and cycling becomes the preferred way of moving around Adur”. Walking and cycling reduce congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and the adverse links between motorised road transport and health. Increased walking and cycling leads to important health gains which benefit the community, the NHS and the wider health care system. 

 

We note the increase in cycling numbers facilitated by the temporary Upper Shoreham Road cycle lane, showing the potential of a higher quality permanent cycle lane in improving the lives of school students, families and individuals. We welcome progress in plans for a toucan crossing for walkers and cyclists on Steyning Road by the Red Lion and planning for the long-term aim of a cycle lane on or by the A259 from Shoreham to Portslade.

 

This council strongly supports the development of a walking and cycling network with Upper Shoreham Road and the A259 as primary cycle routes as identified in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

 

 

c/96/21-22

Motion on Notice 3 pdf icon PDF 249 KB

To consider a Motion on Notice, copy attached as item 12

Minutes:

Before the Council was a motion submitted by Councillor Dan Flower and seconded by Councillor Sharon Sluman.

 

In accordance with the constitution the Motion was proposed, seconded and referred to the Joint Governance Committee without debate

 

Resolved: that the motion be submitted to the Joint Governance Committee