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/25/21-22

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Carson Albury and Rob Wilkinson.

C/26/21-22

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 made.

C/27/21-22

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 26 Ocrober 2021 at 12 noon.

 

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

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that he had received 2 public questions in advance of the meeting.

 

Question 1 from Mr Andrew Harvey to the Executive Member for Regeneration

 

A new community group, Adur Communities Together (ACT), made up of a number of local interest groups, held a public meeting on Monday October 13th, which was attended by 167 local residents and watched on YouTube by over 400 more. Given the level of concern expressed at the meeting, and across the wider community, that our already struggling infrastructure will be overwhelmed by the accumulated proposed developments, will the council undertake a comprehensive review of their planning policies, including a focus on the effect of the developments as a whole rather than as individual projects.

 

The Executive Member for Regeneration replied that in preparing the Adur Local Plan, adopted in 2017, the Council had engaged with infrastructure providers such as West Sussex County Council, Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and statutory undertakers like Southern Water and the Environment Agency to assess the cumulative impact of all proposed developments.  The need for infrastructure improvements to mitigate the impact of new development was then collated into a document called the Infrastructure Delivery Plan which identified the requirement for development contributions to improve local roads, schools and health facilities (secured through s106 legal agreements). 

 

As required by the Local Plan Inspector, we have to review the Plan 5 years after adoption and the Council has started this process.  This will involve reviewing the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, looking at any opportunities to meet our future housing needs (the adopted Plan identified a 3,000 dwelling shortfall) and assess what further infrastructure improvements are required to mitigate the impact of any new development.

 

It should be noted that the planning process only requires new development to mitigate the impact of the development itself and cannot require existing infrastructure deficiencies to be resolved.

 

Question 2 from Christine Gunter to the Leader of the Council

 

Could the Council inform the residents of Adur when they are going to restore local democracy by again allowing members of the public to attend all Council Meetings.

 

Whilst I appreciate that these are challenging and unpredictable times, I believe Covid safe procedures could be followed to allow this to happen.

 

This is particularly important because in the very near future a number of planning applications for large developments will be coming before the Adur Planning Committee.

 

If passed these developments will severely impact on the lives of local residents so it is absolutely vital that we should be able to attend meetings to hear the debate and the decisions that are made.

 

The Leader replied that during the pandemic, it had been necessary to restrict the size of the public gallery at the Council’s meetings in order for participants to be socially distanced. To enable full transparency in relation to decision making, the Council’s meetings had been live streamed during this period.   Whilst not the same as in person meetings, many people had appreciated the fact  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/27/21-22

C/28/21-22

Confirmation of Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 22 July 2021, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Minutes:

Resolved, that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2021 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

C/29/21-22

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

Minutes:

The Chairman placed on record the Council’s condolences for the sad passing of Dave Simmons whose funeral was held on 7 October. The Chairman paid tribute and thanked Cllr Joss Loader for assisting him on the day.

 

The Chairman updated the Council on the civic engagements and charity events that he had attended since the last meeting of Full Council in July and those upcoming.

 

There were no announcements from the Leader or the Interim Chief Executive.

 

The Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing highlighted the work associated with HealthyAW and wished to place on record his thanks to the team for helping to get the community back up and running.

 

The Executive Member for the Environment highlighted that Climate Action AW would be taking place between the 1st and 12th November to coincide with the COP26 conference showcasing the Council’s work towards a sustainable future and the collective approach being taken by the Council, businesses and the local community.

 

The Executive Member for the Environment also highlighted that the Council had been awarded 2 green flags, one for Lancing Ring Nature Reserve and the other for Shoreham Beach. 

C/30/21-22

Items raised under urgency provisions

To consider any items the Chairman has agreed are urgent

Minutes:

The Chairman announced that there were no urgent items

C/31/21-22

Recommendations from the Executive and Committees to Council pdf icon PDF 32 KB

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

 

 

Executive/Committee

Date

Item

7a

Joint Governance Committee

29.07.21

Joint Governance Committee Appointments: Parish Councillors

7b

Joint Strategic Committee

07.10.21

Towards a Safer Adur and Worthing- Introducing the Adur and Worthing Safer Communities Partnership Strategy (2021-2024)

7c

Joint Senior Staff Committee

08.10.21

Appointment of the Chief Executive for Adur District and Worthing Borough Councils

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7a)                   Joint Governance Committee - 29 July 2021

 

Joint Governance Committee Appointments: Parish Councillors

 

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee, Cllr Andy McGregor, presented and proposed the recommendation from the Joint Governance Committee meeting held on 29 July 2021.

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ann Bridges and on a vote it was unanimously supported.

 

Resolved,

 

That Adur District Council approved the nomination from Lancing Parish Council of the appointment of Cllr Mike Mendoza as a co-opted Member of the Joint Governance Committee for 20 21/22.

 

7b)                               Joint Strategic Committee - 7 October 2021

 

Towards a Safer Adur and Worthing- Introducing the Adur and Worthing Safer Communities Partnership Strategy (2021-2024)

 

The Leader presented and proposed the recommendation from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 7 October 2021.

 

A Member highlighted that section 4.12 of the report talked about the under reported Domestic Violence crime. In Adur, Domestic Abuse crimes made up 20% of all crimes and increased by 1%, yet the number of reported incidents increased by 5%. The strategy talks about embedding the duties of local authorities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2000. Can we seek assurances and evidence of this partnership work under these obligations, which are; really good access to accommodation and housing; access to justice; investment in training and early intervention within schools and relationship and sex education discussions. We also need to work to understand the reasons for the gap between 1% recorded and the 5% number of reported by way of a regular update from Cllr Boram and Sophie Whitehouse please.      

 

The Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing responded that whilst creating this strategy, the Councils had looked at a lot of data, collated by many organisations including the probation service and the police which were used to help to identify the areas of focus. In regards to the Domestic Abuse statistics, Cllr Boram agreed to provide a written response. These matters required a wide range of agencies to come together, which is why the partnership was so important.    

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Angus Dunn and on a vote it was unanimously supported.

 

Resolved,

 

That Adur District Council approved and endorsed the strategy.

 

 

* Dr Catherine Howe left the meeting prior to consideration of item 7c.

 

 

 

7c)                   Joint Senior Staff Committee          - 8 October 2021

 

Appointment of the Chief Executive for Adur District and Worthing Borough

Councils

 

The Chairman of the Joint Senior Staff Committee, Cllr Neil Parkin, presented and proposed the recommendation from the Joint Senior Staff Committee meeting held on 8 October 2021.

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Angus Dunn and on a vote it was unanimously supported.

 

Resolved, That Adur District Council approved the appointment of Dr Catherine Howe as the Chief Executive of Adur and Worthing Councils on the following terms and conditions:-

 

      i.        The JNC (Joint Negotiating Committee) conditions of service for Chief

Executives will apply;

     ii.        The salary will be £134,000 plus Returning Officer fees;

    iii.        The appointed person shall be  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/31/21-22

C/32/21-22

Report of the Leader on decisions taken by the Executive pdf icon PDF 106 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 report before members set out the decisions made by the Executive since the last meeting of Council.

 

Questions were received in relation to the 1st Quarter Revenue Monitoring report 2021/22, Sustainability Checklists, the Health & Wellbeing Strategy, the Network Refresh Project and the Apprenticeship Levy.

C/33/21-22

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 26 October 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:

Question from Councillor Sharon Sluman for the Executive Member for Regeneration

 

Since ADCs major project for carbon offsetting of district heat network didn’t gain its grant funding and this being noted as a major component of Adur’s drive for carbon neutrality through heating of its own buildings as well as those planned for the harbour arm, will the council have to adjust its carbon reduction target or have they identified other carbon reduction projects to replace this or will they considering borrowing for this project, bringing us into line with Worthing Council that has just agreed to support their heat network to the whopping tune of £1.275m loan funding?

 

The Executive Member for Regeneration replied that the Councils' Carbon Neutral Plan, adopted in 2019, set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral for the councils' own estate and fleet by 2030. Part of this target would be met by offsetting and the Plan noted this 'could comprise a variety of measures, including investment in renewables or carbon sequestration from land management'. The creation of a district heat network, whereby developers and other building owners would benefit from the carbon savings (i.e. by reporting fewer emissions from their own buildings), would mean that the carbon savings would accrue off the councils' balance sheet and therefore were not considered as 'offsets'. As such, the councils would be unable to use this as a contribution towards the 2030 target and the principle methods of offsetting remained as investment in renewable electricity generation and through sequestration.

 

The Shoreham Harbour District Heat Network was initially planned specifically to deliver renewable energy to serve the 1,000 + dwellings planned for the Western Harbour Arm.  Whilst there was an aspiration to see if it could be extended to serve Adur Homes properties the main focus was to deliver sustainable development at the Harbour.  Although the loss of grant funding was disappointing, the Council’s policies within the Local Plan and Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) still required an energy hierarchy approach with an emphasis on communal heating systems using renewable energy.  The introduction of Part L of the Building Regulations next June would also require higher standards of insulation and energy efficiency which would be mandatory for all developments.

 

Regarding the loan to deliver the Worthing Heat Network, as explained in this month's JSC papers, this was a Government-backed loan for which Worthing Borough Council was acting as a conduit. The council would 'on-loan' this funding to the eventual concessionaire who would fund, design, build, operate and maintain the heat network in the town centre. As such, there was no additional financial risk to the council. As far as other Council buildings were concerned you will be aware that Adur District Council was already in receipt of over £1m of grant funding to deliver ground source heat pumps at Shadwells Court, air source heat pumps at the Shoreham Centre and solar PV on 4 council rooftops. All new Adur Homes properties were being built with renewable energy  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/33/21-22

C/34/21-22

Approval of Adur Memorial Recreation Ground and Southwick Green’s annual accounts and annual report pdf icon PDF 280 KB

To consider a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, copy attached as item 10

Minutes:

Before the Council was a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources on pages 21-33 of the agenda pack. The report sought approval for the 2020 Annual Accounts and Annual report of Adur Recreation Ground Trust.

 

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Angus Dunn, seconded by Councillor Emma Evans and following a vote, unanimously supported.

 

Resolved, That Adur District Council, as Trustee of Adur Memorial Recreation

Ground, approved the accounts of the Trust and the annual report of the Trustees.

C/35/21-22

Notice on Motion 1 pdf icon PDF 268 KB

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

Minutes:

Before the Committee was a report by the Interim Director for Communities, which had been circulated to all members and a copy of which is attached to the signed version of these minutes.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Gabe Crisp and seconded by Councillor Robina Baine.

 

Resolved,

 

In accordance with the Constitution, the Motion was noted and immediately referred to the Joint Strategic Committee.

 

C/36/21-22

Notice on Motion 2 pdf icon PDF 248 KB

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

Minutes:

Before the Committee was a report by the Interim Director for Communities, which had been circulated to all members and a copy of which is attached to the signed version of these minutes.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Lee Cowen and seconded by Councillor Debs Stainforth.

 

Resolved,

 

In accordance with the Constitution, the Motion was noted and immediately referred to the Joint Strategic Committee.

C/37/21-22

Notice on Motion 3 pdf icon PDF 252 KB

To consider a report by the Interim Director for Communities, copy attached as item 13

Minutes:

Before the Committee was a report by the Interim Director for Communities, which had been circulated to all members and a copy of which is attached to the signed version of these minutes.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Catherine Arnold and seconded by Councillor Jeremy Gardner.

 

Resolved,

 

In accordance with the Constitution, the Motion was noted and immediately referred to the Joint Strategic Committee.