Agenda and minutes

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Catherine Arnold and Sharon Sluman

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 made.

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 Monday 20 February at 12 noon.

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

A Question had been submitted in advance of the meeting, the Member of the Public was not present to ask that question so it was read out by the Chairman

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 15 December 2023, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved, that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2022 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

To consider any items the Chairman has agreed are urgent

The Chairman announced that there were no urgent items.

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached items as 6A-E.  Full reports are available on the website as listed below:

6(a)                 Joint Audit and Governance Committee - 23.01.23

Scheme of Allowances for Adur District Council 

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee introduced the recommendation to the Committee which was, seconded and debated. Members discussed proposed amendments to the number of Special Responsibility allowances that could be claimed and the level of Special Responsibility Allowance afforded to Vice Chairs of Committees.

on a vote it was

Resolved: that Adur District Council accept the report and recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel with the following amendments 

i) That Members should continue to receive multiple SRAs in situations where they held more than one position of special responsibility 

ii) That Members who hold the position of Vice Chair on a committee should receive an allowance equal to 50% of the Chairman’s allowance.

6(b)                 Adur Cabinet -  23 February 2023

Investing in our Places - Capital Programme 2022/23 to 2025/26

This item was considered part of the budget item later in the agenda 

6(c)                 Adur Cabinet -  23 February 2023

Budget Estimates and Setting of the 2023/24 Council Tax

 This item was considered part of the budget item later in the agenda 

6(d)                 Joint Strategic Committee - 7 February 2023

Council Tax Support Fund in Respect of 2023/24

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded, debated an on a vote it was

Resolved:  that the criteria be adopted in respect of Council Tax Support Fund for 2023/24 5 should be those detailed in paragraph 4.8 and in accordance with the government guidelines, subject to an increased payment of £80 

6(e)                 Joint Strategic Committee - 7 February 2023

Joint Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2023/24 to 2025/26, Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded, debated an on a vote it was

Resolved:  that the Prudential Indicators and Limits, and MRP Statements of the report be approved. 

The Council is asked to suspend Council Procedure Rules for consideration and determination of item 9 on the agenda, where they conflict with the Budget Procedure Rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the Budget Procedure Rules.

Resolved: That the Council procedure rules be suspended for consideration and determination of item 9 on the agenda, where they conflict with the Budget Procedure Rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the Budget Procedure Rules.

To consider and set the Council Tax for 2023/24. A separate budget pack, produced by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, is attached as item 9, and the recommendations from the Cabinet, at item 6B and 6C, will also be considered as part of this item

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:

• In the previous year there had been three Primeministers and a funeral. There was a European war, the effects of which were being felt;
• The Leader thanked officers for their work including the Chief financial Officer who had prepared their last budget before retirement;
• Despite challenges Adur had achieved much in the previous year;
• The council could achieve more by both being cautious and brave;
• There were cost of living pressures that were affecting the community and the Councils were doing all it could to help those in need;
• Despite challenges the local economy was stable and unemployment rates were below south east and national averages
• The Economy was a success story and the administration got things done, listening to residents, setting clear priorities and not being afraid to make tough decisions;
• The economy was stronger because of plans put in place and because of actions taken to protect families and support businesses;
• It was opined that Margaret Thatcher once reflected that  the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. Unlike so many other local authorities  - just over the border East and West - we are financially in a good place and this is because of wise and careful management of our residents' money. We don't waste - we invest every penny of the taxpayers funds carefully;
• Unlike the opposition the the administration had a track record of success;
• IT was stated that opposition budget amendments were weak;
• The budget presented a number of savings although these were offset where possible by prudent budget management;
• Income was generated from services and investments and through service modernisation and Digital technology;
• There were further investments through the support of a new delivery manager and investments in public engagement and project management software;
• Council tax would rise by an average of 2% to ensure plans for investment and recovery could be resourced as part of the medium term financial strategy. This amounted to a 12p rise a week in Council Tax

·       The planet was ‘our home’ and we needed to take better care of it;

·       Environmental services budgets had been increased including a focus on green spaces and biodiversity. This included purchasing Adur Estuary, Pad farm and New Salts Farm to promote the return of biodiversity and to bolster natural flood defences;

·       Pad Farm Work was progressing with the EA on the restoration of the salt marsh on New Salts Farm. Plans were being developed for Adur Community Wetlands, hopefully with funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund;

·       The Adur Rivers Project was part of wider work on the creation of a local marine and estuarine reserve called Sussex Bay. It was hoped that this project would restore the kelp forest and improve local fishing stock;

·       The Council had facilitated the establishment of the Solent & Sussex Bay Research Partnership made  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/133/22-23

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 Monday 20 February 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

Rotation One

A Member asked the following question

On a call with councillors last week, the WSCC Manager responsible for EV charge point rollout admitted that Phase 1 rollout was far from perfect. Noting poor communications on the EV point locations and the TRO consultations. Are you working with officers to ensure that the suggested Adur sites are realistic for a large uptake and that we avoid inappropriate sites moving forward with unnecessary TRO’s?

The Cabinet member for the Environment acknowledged that the process had not been perfect. Members were working with officers to ensure the sites for charging points are right, and that the issues raised in the question are accounted for. It was incumbent on all members to assist in providing good locations for sites.

A Member asked the following question

How many families and individuals are currently being housed in temporary accommodation, without cooking or laundry facilities, and what is the average length of stay? Please explain why fridges and small cooking appliances are often not allowed when hotel rooms and/or Air B N Bs, often offer these routinely

The Cabinet Member gave the following figures

Number of single people in temporary accommodation: 48

Number of families in temporary accommodation: 46

Singles without cooking facilities:12

Families without cooking facilities: 3

Families without cooking facilities are when they have to be placed in B&Bs until the Councils could provide self contained accommodation, the majority wouldl be moved to self contained accommodation within 6 weeks with the occasional household over 6 weeks.

The Council did not hold the information for those without laundry facilities.

The Council was unable to advise the  average length of  stay for single people in B&B without cooking facilities as data sets generated are based on their current placement, many would move more than once and some would be in B&B as a result of being evicted previously from placements with cooking facilities and the only options remaining were for B&B type provision. The longest placement for a single person in their current accommodation without facilities is 2 years 11 months.

Hotels did not provide cooking facilities, a small fridge and the means to make a hot drink were the usual standard. The reason for this was based on room space standards i.e. is there enough space to permit cooking safely and is there sufficient detection and compartmentalisation for it to be safe in the event of a fire. Where there wasn’t sufficient space and/or detection and compartmentalisation, then insurance will often not permit the provision of cooking facilities as well as space standards / HMO licensing standards preventing provision to prevent risks associated with cooking and potential fire hazards.

Responding to a supplementary question members were told that information would be circulated in relation to the cost of providing temporary accommodation.

Rotation Two

A Member asked the following question

We have a number of positions missing from teams needed to progress our key programmes. Please can you talk us  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/134/22-23