Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote Meeting Via Zoom

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

Items
No. Item

c/37/20-21

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Robin Monk

c/38/20-21

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/39/20-21

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 15 December at 12 noon.

 

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

Minutes:

There were no questions from the public

c/40/20-21

Confirmation of Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 29 October 2020, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Minutes:

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2020 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

c/41/20-21

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

Minutes:

The Chairman made the following announcement:

 

Earlier this month I attended and spoke a few words at the funeral of Councillor Pat Beresford who passed away in November. As well as inspiring many other Councillors, Pat was an inspiration to me when I first became a Councillor two decades ago. . Pat showed a burning passion for the work of the Council and a level of expertise to which I could only aspire. I am sure I speak for everyone here, officers and Councillors alike, when I say that Councillor Pat Beresford will be greatly missed.

 

During the second lockdown I have along with our MP Tim Loughton plus other Adur & Worthing Councillors, been busy distributing tasty meals as a treat to local hostels for the homeless. I would like to thank the Fish Factory in Worthing, Curry Mahal in Hove and O'Curniciello in Lancing for their generosity in donating meals.

 

I would like to mention the three of the Council's Waste and Cleansing Operatives, Wayne Slender, Guy Olliver and Colin Wigham who whilst emptying green bins in Hammy Way, Shoreham, they turned the corner to find that an 89 year old lady had fallen in the middle of the road. They stayed with her for an hour and covered her with their jackets until the ambulance arrived.

 

On the same day, Adur & Worthing waste operatives Nigel Dunnbar and Steve Nash were working in Ophir Road Worthing where a lady was found on the ground of her driveway beside her bins. They looked after her and got her back in her house and warmed up until the ambulance came.

I would like to mention :

That the Councils’ Digital Team have been shortlisted for App of the Year. One of their recent applications the Commercial Waste system went live last year and helped make efficiencies in the service. It was a 12 week project that saw James Coleman, Jay Redman, Scott Parson and Sarah Boniface work closely together with Matt Marchant, Shirely Ely and Environmental Services to transform the existing system.

The competition run by Netcall, the supplier of our low code Platform required an interview and detailed explanation of the system. I think I can safely speak for us all in wishing them good Luck in their efforts.

I would like to offer my congratulations to those Adur and Worthing Council volunteers who were recently recognised by the High Sheriff of West Sussex with a Special Recognition Award for volunteering and helping out in the community during the Covid-19 crisis. The Special Recognition Award was launched in the summer in appreciation of the individuals who’ve provided exceptional service for others.

 

This is the last Full Council meeting which will be attended by our Monitoring Officer, Susan Sale. After nineteen years of service to Adur & Worthing Councils Susan will be moving to an even bigger role at Oxford City Council. Susan has always impressed me by being completely reliable, by actively listening and by giving serious thought to every  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/41/20-21

c/42/20-21

Items raised under urgency provisions

To consider any items the Chairman has agreed are urgent

Minutes:

There were no items raised under urgency provisions

c/43/20-21

Recommendations from the Executive and Committees to Council pdf icon PDF 31 KB

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

 

 

Executive/Committee

Date

Item

7a

Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee

26.11.20

Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2020/21  

7b

Joint Strategic Committee

01.12.20

Towards a sustainable financial position - Budget update

 

7c

Joint Strategic Committee

01.12.20

Investing in our Places - Capital Programme 2021/22 to 2023/24

 

7d

Joint Strategic Committee

01.12.20

Council Tax Support Schemes for 2021/22

 

7e

Joint Strategic Committee

01.12.20

WorkspacesAW - Designing a new model of working following Covid 19

 

7f

Joint Strategic Committee

01.12.20

Carbon Neutral 2030 - Developing opportunities for solar

 

7g

Joint Strategic Committee

01.12.20

Extending natural habitat restoration: acquisition of Pad Farm

 

7h

Joint Governance Sub-Committee

10.12.20

Appointment of Independent Persons for Standards Purposes

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a) Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2020/21 

 

The Chairman of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee introduced the recommendation to the Council. The Council debated the matter and and a vote it was,

 

Resolved: that Adur District Council note the changes made to the JOSC Work Programme since it was agreed by the Councils in July 2020. 

 

b) Towards a sustainable financial position - Budget update

 

The Leader introduced the Report to the Council and moved the recommendation which was seconded and on a vote it was

 

Resolved: that Adur and Worthing Councils approve the use of capital resources to fund savings proposals as set out in the capital flexibilities schedule in Appendix 4 of the accompanying report

 

c) Investing in our Places - Capital Programme 2021/22 to 2023/24

 

The Leader introduced the item to the Council and proposed the motion which was seconded

 

On a vote the recommendations were approved

 

Resolved: that the full programme detailed at Appendices 5 and 6 of the accompanying report be approved

 

d) Council Tax Support Schemes for 2021/22

 

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

 

Resolved: that the Council Tax Support scheme for Adur District Council in respect of working age customers for 2021/22 Should be based upon the scheme for 2020/21 with no restrictions; and no other changes should be made beyond necessary technical amendments required to keep the scheme consistent with the national rules in respect of Housing Benefit.

 

e) WorkspacesAW - Designing a new model of working following Covid 19

 

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the council and moved the recommendation which was seconded.

 

Members debated the recommendation as put and on a vote the recommendations were approved

 

Resolved: that Adur and Worthing Councils approve a capital budget of £2,335,720, on an invest to save basis, as set out in section 7.5 of the accompanying report;

 

f) Carbon Neutral 2030 - Developing opportunities for solar

 

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the council and moved the recommendation which was seconded.

 

Members debated the recommendation as put and on a vote the recommendations were approved

 

Resolved: that Adur District Council create an invest-to-save budget within the HRA Investment Programme of £100,000 for carbon reduction schemes funded through borrowing which could be released on the submission of a business case to the Executive Member of Resources.

 

g) Extending natural habitat restoration: acquisition of Pad Farm

 

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the council and moved the recommendation which was seconded.

 

Members debated the recommendation as put and on a vote the recommendations were approved

 

Resolved: that Adur District Council approve the purchase of Pad Farm at an overall cost of £324,000 (comprising a purchase price of £290,000 and up to £34,000 to cover the cost of acquisition including surveys, legal fees and stamp duty) funded by prudential borrowing;

 

h) Recruitment and Appointment of Independent Persons

 

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee introduced  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/43/20-21

c/44/20-21

Designation of the Monitoring Officer pdf icon PDF 125 KB

To consider a report by the Director of Digital, sustainability and Resources, copy attached as item 8

Minutes:

Before the Committee was a report by the Director of Digital, Sustainability or Resources, a copy of which had been circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 8

 

A Member proposed the recommendations within the report which were seconded and an a vote it was

 

Resolved: The Council designated Maria Memoli as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 11th January 2021.

c/45/20-21

Report of the Leader on decisions taken by the Executive pdf icon PDF 157 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:

Before the Committee was a report by the Director of Communities, a copy of which had been circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 9.

 

The Executive made announcements concerning their portfolios and answered questions about litter and dog fouling enforcement.

c/46/20-21

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 15 December 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:

There were no questions under Council Procedure Rule 12

c/47/20-21

Motions on Notice 1 pdf icon PDF 130 KB

To consider a report by the Director for Resources, copy attached as item 11

Minutes:

Before the Council was a Motion received from Councillor Lavinia O’Connor and seconded by Councillor Debs Stainforth which is as follows

 

This council notes

 

• The recent LGA report showing that 11.2 per cent of the 5 to 15 population has a mental health condition – up from 9.6 per cent in 2004 – with referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) having increased by around 26 per cent in 5 years

 

• The LGA report suggesting factors contributing to this rise in prevalence include increasing levels of poverty among children and young people; the growth in Special Education Needs; rising levels of family dysfunction possibly associated with pressures on housing, employment and other societal factors; and pressures on young people which contribute to anxiety including social media and an increasingly academic and examinations-oriented curriculum.

 

• Children’s mental health remains significantly underfunded compared with either children’s physical health or adults’ mental health. A CQC report suggests that in recent years there has been a marked reduction in funding for children and young people’s mental health services.

 

• That according to the recent LGA report, children are being driven into NHS services that treat mental illness because the system and funding prioritise treatment rather than the early support and preventative services that help children have mentally healthy childhoods.

 

• The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition developed a policy and practice manifesto to improve children and young people’s mental health and emphasised the need to develop innovative preventative policies and practices that reduce inequalities in mental health support and improve emotional literacy.

 

• The Mental Health Foundation has recently recognised the need to identify communities and individuals at greatest risk, develop coproduction with communities, and develop local programmes that promote improved mental health literacy within communities and to enable access to peer support and self-management.

 

• Evidence compiled by the Children’s Commissioner, the Education Policy Institute and others on levels of unmet need that is compelling. Beyond underfunding, three key systemic challenges are the complexity and fragmentation of the system contributing to a lack of clear national direction, the capacity of those delivering mental health support, reflecting both staff shortages in key professions such as educational psychology and the reduced capacity of staff in universal services such as schools or health visiting, and finally the lack of focus on early intervention.

 

This council agrees 

 

• That to turn this around needs concerted and coordinated action at a national level to shift away from treating children once they are diagnosed with a mental illness towards helping them and their families cope with challenges before they escalate.

 

• To join the LGA in their call for the Government to provide long-term investment in essential early support and prevention services so councils can help more children to avoid reaching crisis point in the first place

• Specifically, this council will write to the government as a matter of urgency to request that they 

 

o Set clear targets for the whole system  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/47/20-21

c/48/20-21

Motions on Notice 2 pdf icon PDF 125 KB

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 12

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Before the Council was a Motion received from Councillor Debs Stainforth and seconded by Councillor Catherine Arnold which is as follows

 

This Council declares a Poverty Emergency Covid-19 has hit us hard. We will feel the recession and after-shocks for some time. The July 2020 Council report, “And then .…” Bouncing back in post pandemic Adur and Worthing; stated this clearly.

 

We note this Council’s outstanding work, often in solidarity with the community, to support local people during the pandemic.

 

The Council commit to treating poverty in Adur as an emergency and will lead the development of a Poverty Emergency Strategy, with partners and the Community, which will address both the local causes, and the wide ranging impacts of poverty.

 

As part of this strategy we commit to establishing a Poverty Reduction Advisory Group. This independent group will advise the council on policy and practice related to local poverty reduction and prevention. The key principles guiding the Advisory Group’s work will be:

 

? Ensuring equal opportunities for involvement between community leaders and other stakeholders. This should include the “Hear My Voice” initiative - Adur and Worthing Poverty Truth Commission.

 

? Developing a constructive conversation on poverty prevention between residents of the Borough and the Council/partner agencies.

 

? Using data, analysis and evaluation to agree priorities and drive work more widely across the Council and with partner agencies.

 

? Draw on best practice in poverty reduction initiatives around the UK to influence poverty reduction policy and practice in the Adur District.

 

? Develop interventions to address the multiple causes of poverty in the Adur District and reduce their impact.

 

? Adopt a de-stigmatising and educational approach, acknowledging the broad demographic facing poverty since the pandemic.

 

The motion was proposed and seconded and it was

 

Resolved: that the motion be noted by Council and referred without debate to the Joint Strategic Committee