Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received for Councillor Barry Mear and Councillor Debs Stainforth

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.

There were no declarations of interest

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 16 February at 12 noon.

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

There were no questions from the public

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 17 December 2020, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2021 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcement:

I had a very important engagement on Wednesday 27th January, Holocaust Memoral Day. Unlike previous years, due to Covid restrictions on gatherings, there was no public ceremony at the Holocaust Memoral Tree in Buckingham Park: just me alone, laying a wreath and reading out the Adur’s Holocaust Statement. I am going to read the last verse as a reminder:

We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance

by holding an annual UK Holocaust Memorial Day. We

condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and

racism. We value a free, tolerant, and democratic society.

As we are in lockdown I have had no other official engagements. As I have been doing since last March, I have continued to deliver medicines to people throughout Adur who are stuck at home. Also, I have been volunteering at the Lancing Vaccination Centre - everyone comments about how well organised this is. Some people have turned up nervous but left happy and relieved.

When you are invited for vaccination please accept that invitation so we can all get back to normal. Not least so I can hug my first two grandsons who were both born during this difficult time.

The Leader announced that Cllr Andy McGregor be appointed to the Joint Governance Committee and on a vote Cllr McGregor was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee

The Executive Member for customer services updated the Council on decisions made since the last Council meeting.

To consider any items the Chairman has agreed are urgent

There were no urgent items

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

a)                                 Scheme of Delegation to Officers

Before the Council was a recommendation from the Joint Governance Committee that took place on the 26 January 2021.

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee introduced the recommendation to the Council. On a vote the Council

Resolved: that the proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be adopted as part of the Constitution to Adur District Council.

b)                     Budget Estimates 2021/22 and setting of the Council Tax

This item was considered as part of the Council Tax item on the agenda

c)                     Joint Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment

Strategy 2021/22 to 2023/24, Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council

The Leader of introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded, voted upon and approved.

Resolved: the Prudential Indicators and Limits, and MRP Statements be approved and adopted

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’    

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 report before members set out the decisions made by the Executive since the last meeting of Council.

A Member asked questions in relation to the renovation and access to outside spaces The Executive Members for Wellbeing and Environment answered the questions and updated the Councils on the plans within the Wellbeing portfolio and the explained that there would be an increased investment in parks and open spaces

A Member asked a question about Work on flood defense and the Executive Member for the Environment told the Council that he would get back to the member after the meeting as the information required would need to be obtained from the Environment Agency.

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 16 February 2021 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

There were no questions

To receive from the Proper Officer, the Director for Communities, the schedule of meetings for the Council and other meetings in the next Municipal Year. A copy of the schedule is attached as item 10.

The Council is invited to formally approve the dates for its meetings and to note the proposed meeting dates for Committees.

Before the Council was the schedule of meetings for 2021/22. The Council was asked to formally approve the schedule. The schedule was proposed, seconded and approved

Resolved: that the schedule of meetings for 2021/22 for Adur District Council be approved

The Council is asked to suspend Council Procedure rules where they conflict with the budget procedure rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the budget procedure rules.

The Council was asked to suspend Council Procedure rules where they conflicted with the budget procedure rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the budget procedure rules.

Resolved: that the Council procedure rules be suspended where they conflicted with the budget procedure rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the budget procedure rules

To consider and set the Council Tax for 2020/21. The recommendation from the Executive is detailed at item 7b is considered as part of this item.

Section 9 of this pack will be distributed separately after publication of the agenda

Please note that members will be asked to suspend normal council procedure rules for this item. Use of the Council’s budget procedure rules are followed for this item https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/media/media,151697,en.pdf

The Leader of the Council introduced the budget and setting of the council tax to members and made the following speech which is summarised as follows:

·       The Leader noted the recent Covid pandemic and thanked Public sector workers and the residents and businesses of Adur for pulling together and helping one and other during difficult and uncertain times

·       The Leader thanked the Chief Executive and Staff for their tireless work in supporting the community during the pandemic;

·       The effects of the pandemic would be felt for some time to come;

·       The Administration had responded to the pandemic with boldness and speed;

·       The Council had been nominated for two national awards in the previous year;

·       The budget before members was about delivering quality public services and helping those in need today as well as ensuring prosperity tomorrow;

·       Members were told that the Leader worked tirelessly to ensure there was a focus on economic growth and long term prosperity;

·       The Executive were determined to make the most of each opportunity to help the authority build back better following the pandemic. This would include more investment, jobs, training and opportunities to learn;

·       The Authorities finances were sound and public services well prepared;

·       Help had been received from the Government in such forms as the furlough scheme, benefit increases and helping businesses stay afloat through grants;

·       Housing remained central for the Administration and the budget included plans to improve and increase the housing stock;

·       The budget sought to protect and enhance the environment to secure a better future for residents and the planet;

·       The Leader detailed programmes that would invest and deliver high quality public services, Protect jobs and create opportunity; Build new homes and improve housing; sustainability and protection of the environment and supporting communities

The Leader of the opposition introduced proposed amendments and gave a speech in response to the budget

·       The Leader of the opposition commended the work of officers of the council;

·       It was noted that the result of Covid would be felt for years to come;

·       Work with community groups and with rough sleepers was commended;

·       There was a need to provide resilience to protect from future shocks;

·       The current year was not the year to raise Council Tax;

·       The authority was plugging gaps in finance with risky ventures;

·       West Sussex County Council was a less than reliable partner, tip closures had caused an increase in fly tipping in Adur and bus services had been removed from villages

·       There had been an increase in recycling rates but there had been an additional 105 tonnes of overall waste, the target should be a reduction of all waste streams;

·       Good progress had been made on carbon neutral projects, doubt was placed upon on expenditure on buying new salts farm;

·       City Fibre was key to renewal, however it was important to recognise that digital exclusion was a problem;

·       There were obvious problems with the Adur Homes Stock, conditions were poor in some properties and often these would only be resolved with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/60/19-20