Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman used his discretion to enable the Leader to announce a change to the membership of the Licensing Committee. 

The Leader proposed that Councillor Mandy Buxton be appointed as the Chairman of the Licensing Committee. 

The proposals were seconded by Councillor Emma Evans and unanimously supported.

Councillors Paul Mansfield and Rob Wilkinson.

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 12 noon on 19 February 2024. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk 

A year after its consultation around the creating of safer travel options along the A259, we welcome West Sussex County Council's release of its consultation report. However, given the urgency around the extensive redevelopment of the Western Harbour Arm, we are concerned at the timescales suggested and the restrictive approach to funding that WSCC seems to be taking. There seems to be a lack of urgency, which concerns us given the imminent arrival of thousands of new residents to Brighton Road. How is Adur District Council responding to WSCC’s report, and what is being done to ensure that this much needed provision, supported by two thirds of local people, is brought about as soon as possible?

The Cabinet Member replied that the delay in publishing the results of the consultation exercise was very unfortunate.  Certainly the District Council had been pushing West Sussex County Council (WSCC) for the results to be released last summer particularly as the Council is very aware of the local community’s concern about the lack of supporting infrastructure for the new development.

It is recognised, however, that more detailed design work is required on the route and that   this was necessary to make any successful bid for external funding. The Council would work closely with WSCC to ensure the next stage of design work happened quickly and at the same time, the Council would approach external funding partners to ensure it had a robust business case to present.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 14 December 2023, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved, that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th December 2023 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, 6B, 6C and 6D.  Full reports are available on the website as listed below:

6(a)      Second Homes & Long Term Empty Property Premium: Council Tax

The Deputy Leader introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded by Councillor Kevin Boram and was unanimously supported following a vote.

Resolved,

That Adur District Council approved,

1.    That from 1 April 2024 to continue to levy the maximum level of premium for empty properties as follows noting the change for empty homes after 1 year:- 

·         Premium of 100% for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (Empty Homes Premium) after 1 years up to 5 years of becoming empty; 

·         Premium of 200% for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (Empty Homes Premium) between 5 years and up to 10 years; and 

·         Premium of 300% for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (Empty Homes Premium) for 10 years or more.

2.    From 1 April 2025, the application of a premium for second homes (Second Homes Premium) of 100% for all dwellings that are no persons’ sole or main residence and which is substantially furnished.

3.    (Exceptions to premiums) that mindful of the current consultation by government which recommends exceptions in certain circumstances, to the second homes premium to be charged, and subject to the outcome of that consultation, the Section 151 Officer being given delegated authority to implement this Council’s policy on premiums in line with statute and any following guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

4.    No changes to existing Council Tax Discounts. 

6(b)     Adur Cabinet - 1 February 2024

Budget Estimates 2024/25 and setting of the 2024/25 Council Tax 

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

6(c)      Adur Cabinet - 1 February 2024

Investing in our Places - Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2026/27

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

6(d)     Joint Strategic Committee - 8 February 2024

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

The Deputy Leader introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded by Councillor Kevin Boram and was unanimously supported following a vote.

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

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 19 February 2024. 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 Gabe Crisp asked the following question

What more can be done to compel Southern Water to come to committee to face questioning by Adur and Worthing Members?

The JOSC Chair replied that a press release had been published. The JOSC Chairs had written to the Chief Executive of Southern Water, asking him to reconsider. A response had been received, advising that Southern Water would not be able to attend a meeting of JOSC. They advised that there were 46 Unitary, Borough and District Councils within their area and it was not logistically possible to attend them all.

The JOSC Chairs have arranged a meeting with the Chief Executive of Adur & Worthing Councils to discuss what we can do collaboratively. The outcome of this meeting will be reported to JOSC on the 7th March where future actions will be considered.   

Cllr Joss Loader asked the following question

The UK is now officially in recession and it's tough for businesses.  Rent reviews have been mentioned to me by concerned business owners.  Please confirm what is proposed for council-owned property. 

How are you reconciling the need to increase commercial rents, to increase revenue, with the need to support local businesses and safeguard the future of our high streets and shopping areas?

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources advised that he would gather the appropriate facts and figures and provide a written response to the question. 

Rotation Two

Cllr Gabe Crisp asked the following question 

We all value the trees we have in Adur District. We are one of the least wooded areas of the country. Only 5.5% tree cover compared to a national average of 13%.

There are local organisations working very hard to increase our number of trees and to look after and water the newly planted saplings during their first 3 years until they become established. For example More Trees Please and Tree Action. However, individuals are having to carry a minimum of 20 litres of water per week per tree because there is no local supply at Adur Rec. Lack of access to water is also the case at some of our other spaces like Buckingham Park. 

In the short term can the Tree groups access water at the public toilet blocks on e.g Adur Rec by the installation of an outside tap? 

Or can they be enabled to access the water source used by the travelling fairs and circuses, if necessary paying for the water used?

In the longer term can we ensure that ALL council owned buildings in Adur have rainwater harvesting for community benefit (and flood alleviation)?

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure replied that most Councillors would be aware of the groups of volunteers and the great work they do. Yes, watering was the issue, not the planting of the tree and it can take up to 4 years for trees to be fully established.  

The Cabinet Member advised that the Council was looking to provide some IPC boxes for the purpose along  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/55/23-24

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.

Having been proposed by Cllr Emma Evans and seconded by Cllr Kevin Boram, it was

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.

* The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7.25pm and it was reconvened at 7.52pm.

To consider and set the Council Tax for 2024/25.

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 delivered his budget speech (appended to these minutes as Appendix 1). 

Cllr Angus Dunn seconded the budget proposals. 

The Leader of the Labour group made a speech to the Council and proposed the Labour Group’s amendments. These were as follows:-

Labour amendments to the Adur Budget February 2024  

It is important for the future stability of Adur District Council finances and services to residents that the opportunity is taken to transfer an element of this year’s surplus to the reserves general fund. 

This amendments allow general fund reserves to be increased while the council also further supports the missions, described in Our Plan;  thriving people, thriving places, thriving environment, thriving economy, 

The amendments below total £43,800 and will be drawn from the £200,000 proposed to be added to general fund reserves. This investment would not affect existing reserves and still allowed an addition to reserves of more than £155,000.

It is anticipated that alongside the investment in our future outlined here that officers will seek additional funding from outside sources to extend and further develop a number of these proposals.

1.  A clean up of our town and village centres. Undertake a big green clean-up where residents have the opportunity to help our district to be clean and green.

This will include:

•  Provision of cleaning materials, litter pickers, PPE, bags for community clean-ups
•  Staff cost in devising a schedule of clean-ups
•  Pavement and bollard deep clean at centre sites in Lancing, Shoreham,   Southwick
•  Replacement of bins in Lancing, Shoreham and Southwick
•  Repainting street furniture as needed, with WSCC agreement where required

Cost: £11,000

2.  Improve marketing, signposting and a visitor trail across Adur to encourage local shopping, access to heritage and our ecotourism destinations, working towards new, attractive direction and information boards at Lancing, Shoreham, Southwick, colourful lamppost banners to improve the street scene at Lancing (in conjunction with the Parish Council). 

Officer time to establish options for trails and signage; design of boards, provision of four boards, seeking external funds for further boards,  provision of trail direction posts: £17,000

3.  Ensure the voices of local people are heard in updating Adur’s Local Plan. The

Adur Plan will frame how Adur develops in the coming years and will determine issues recognised as of importance by the local community including affordable housing provision, biodiversity and nature recovery. A consultation process more extensive than the Joint Statement of Community Involvement would ensure the perspectives and needs of different segments of the community are considered, including those of young people, women, those at work, with events across the district. 

Information campaign to increase the size of the council’s consultee database, design and print run of summary document, communication team time (5 hours), officer support and costs for two meetings: £4,000

4. Identify further solar/air source heat pumps projects (with battery storage) on

council properties, storage and local use. A feasibility survey for consideration for

inclusion in  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/57/23-24