Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies from Councillors Mandy Buxton, Jude Harvey and Debs Stainforth were received by the Chairman.

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.

Councillor Catherine Arnold declared an interest as the Chair of Adur Voluntary Action.

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 12 noon on 11 December 2023.

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

There were no questions from the public.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19^th October 2023, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved, that the minutes of the meeting held on the 19th October 2023 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman informed the Council about a number of meetings and events that he had been to since the October Council meeting. These included:-

• Attending the Adur & Worthing Business Awards;
• Attending the Shoreham and Lancing Remembrance Events;
• Meeting with the Leader and the Deputy Liaison Naval Officer to receive the artefacts from the now decommissioned HMS Shoreham;
• Attending the High Sheriff of West Sussex’s Judges Service held at Chichester Cathedral; and
• Meeting with Honorary Alderman Brian Boggis to present his certificate.

The Council was also reminded about the Chairman’s Christmas Carol Service which was due to be held on Saturday 16th December at 7.30pm.    

The Leader announced that he laid a wreath on behalf of Adur District Council at the Southwick Remembrance event. 

In addition, he also wished to place on record the Council’s thanks to the Councils’ Officers and Councillor Emma Evans for all their work with the Light up Shoreham event. He also thanked all the councillors who came along to take down the lights following the event. 

The Cabinet Member for Adur Homes and Customer Services advised the Council that a decision regarding works at Albion Street had been published on the 13th December. The Council had awarded a contract to Cheesmur Building Contractors for the completion of the 49 flats.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing welcomed the recent visit from Stuart Andrews MP,  who came to look at the work on Pro Active and TellJo.   

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration updated the Council in relation to the lost planning appeal in regards to the former Howard Kent Site. The Cabinet Member also updated the Council in relation to the Western Harbour Arm Place Making Study and Infrastructure Providers Forum.   

There were no announcements from the Head of Paid Service.

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 7A, 7B and 7C. 

Full reports are available on the website as listed below:

7(A)                 Adur Licensing Committee - 11th September 2023

Licensing Act 2003 - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy 

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Paul Mansfield, introduced the recommendations from the Committee, which were seconded by Councillor Kevin Boram and unanimously supported by the Council. 

Resolved: that the Council approved the adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy. 

7(B)                 Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 30th November 2023

Review of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme  

The Chairman of the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Joss Loader, introduced the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Carol Albury. 

Members wished to register their disappointment that Southern Water had refused a request from the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee to attend a meeting in early 2024. Councillor Joss Loader advised that she would be writing to the CEO of Southern Water to express the Committee’s disappointment. 

Following a vote, the recommendation was unanimously supported. 

Resolved: that Adur District Council noted the changes made to the JOSC Work Programme since it was agreed by both Councils in April 2023.

7(C)                 Adur Joint Strategic Sub-Committee - 7th December 2023

Council Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25

The Leader and Chairman of the Adur Joint Strategic Sub-Committee, Councillor Neil Parkin, introduced the recommendation from the Sub-Committee meeting, which was seconded by Councillor Angus Dunn and following a vote, was unanimously supported. 

Resolved: that the Council agreed that the Council Tax Support scheme for Adur District Council in respect of working age customers for 2024/25 should 

a)            Be based upon the scheme for 2023/24 with no restrictions; and 

b)            Not be further altered with any other changes beyond necessary technical amendments required to keep the scheme consistent with the national rules in respect of Housing Benefit. 

To receive a report from the Leader as item 8. The report contains decisions taken by the Cabinet Members, the Joint Strategic Committee and the Adur Joint Strategic Sub-Committee since the last Full Council meeting.  

There will be up to 15 minutes for Cabinet Members to make any statements on the report. There will also be up to 15 minutes for Cabinet Members to respond to questions on the report. These questions will not be the same as any to be asked under Item 9.  

The Leader of the Council presented his report on decisions taken by the Cabinet since the last meeting of the Council, which were detailed in Item 8.

Questions were raised in relation to the virement of right to buy receipts to support new Emergency & Temporary Accommodation in Lancing, the Southwick Estate Acquisition Programme, Eskan Court Refurbishment, Buckingham Park Funding Release, Carbon Emissions and Budget Engagement Insights.   

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 12 noon on 11 December 2023. 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

Cllr Carol O’Neal asked the following question:

On 23rd November councillors were invited to a presentation at Shoreham Port. Port CEO Tom Willis outlined achievements and the vision for the future of the port. He also explained the obstacles and difficulties experienced in realising his ideal of running the port sustainably with its expanded small fishing facility and ambitious and innovative technology projects. In what ways will the council be able to support and promote this vision?

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Strategic Planning thanked all those Councillors who attended the recent presentation at the Port.

The Council was already very supportive of the ambitions at the Port. The Cabinet Member described the current working relationship between the organisations as excellent and we’re keen to continue the positive engagement.

The Port’s recent bid for a hydrogen powered tour boat was supported by the Council, and we were working closely with the Port on the Sussex Bay project with them as key founding partners.  The Council had also been exploring opportunities for a 5G network at sea with them, to support maritime uses and environmental research and monitoring.  Sussex Bay would aim to provide the Port with opportunities to showcase their work at forthcoming major events in 2024.  Adur Council participated in the Port’s Sustainability Week last year, and would do so again in 2024.

The Council was happy to provide letters of support and endorsement for a range of projects at the Port and this included the fishing facility as part of the Port’s wider plans around decarbonisation. This was extremely exciting and further details about the collaborative working around this would be shared in the new year. 

In addition, the Council was keen to continue to engage with the Port to ensure we’re listening and responding to the views of the Port, and it’s businesses, whilst we’re happy to endorse and further publicise via our social media channels. 

Cllr Gabe Crisp asked the following question

There have been ongoing issues with the boiler at Wadurs. Residents have been writing to me (and Cllr Evans) regarding the water temperature and the unpleasant experience of using the changing facilities and the showers. Can Cllr Evans please clarify the current situation, with a bit of historical context, so we can understand how we got here? Is Cllr Evans aware of the use of ASHP combined with a solar array at the Salt Ayre Leisure Centre scheme in Lancashire, highlighted in the LGA Sustainability webinar on Monday 6th Dec?

The Cabinet Member for the Environment & Leisure was pleased to advise that the repair work was started on 4th December and had been completed on time and to budget. The cost of this work would be funded 50/50 with South Downs Leisure. 

It was noted that there was some outstanding redecoration required as a result of this work which would be completed asap.

Cllr Jeremy Gardner asked the following question

The Council Leader in a news release of 30  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/46/23-24

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Catherine Arnold, detailed as item 10.

Council received a motion on notice proposed by Councillor Catherine Arnold and seconded by Councillor Sharon Sluman.

In accordance with the constitution, the motion was debated and then referred to the Adur Joint Strategic Sub-Committee for consideration and determination.