Agenda and minutes

Venue: Harper Hall, Shoreham Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea

Contact: Chris Cadman-Dando
Democratic Services Officer
01903 221364  Email  chris.cadman-dando@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Note: Meeting Adjourned 

Items
No. Item

c/49/21-22

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Dave Collins and Sharon Sluman

c/50/21-22

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/51/21-22

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 22 February at 12 noon.

 

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

Minutes:

 

The following question had been received in advance of the meeting.

 

Question submitted by to the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing

 

The Adur & Worthing Community Food Network includes a number of organisations who work with and support local people who would otherwise go hungry.

 

We are very grateful for the time, funds and resources from Adur & Worthing Council, which we could not have done without. We also appreciate their proactive approach and willingness to work with us.

 

However, demand for food is rising and many of our organisations are now operating at capacity. We are currently supporting over 3,500 of our neighbours with nearly 10,000 food parcels and 1,600 pre-prepared meals every quarter.

 

We would like cross-party support to work on a long-term, community-led action plan to address the causes of and the solutions to food insecurity, alongside food acquisition and distribution so that we can better support our community.

 

We would ask that the Council: 

 

Confirms its cross-party, continued support, both practical and financial, for the Community Food Network.

 

Further we ask for a cross-party financial commitment to fully fund a community-directed long-term Food Action plan that will address both the causes of, and the solutions to, food insecurity in our community.

 

Response:

 

The Executive Member responded that the Councils’ had been working in partnership with the food groups since April 2020, during the first national lockdown to share information and resources, with the Councils providing significant emergency resources, including money, space, and assistance to ensure those in need, received food and other help.

 

The Councils continued to play a key role with the AW Food Network to help and enable this group with its ambitions, focusing on how partners could address food needs now, supporting groups with Covid funding resources and officer time.  The Council had also been working alongside other partners and many of its generous businesses and volunteers who had continued to help and support people, with food, financial contributions, skills and volunteering hours.

 

The approach needed to be more than alleviating the immediate need for food, connecting to the wider support and advice available to help and enable people to manage their situation: their money, housing, benefits entitlement, access to employment etc. The Councils had directed £195,000 of the COMF funding directly to food groups (Contain Outbreak Management Fund) to address food and these broader issues over the last year. The Councils had also used and mobilised resources to help ensure early help and prevention work was provided, through the Proactive project, employment coaches, money advice, temporary housing, and street outreach.

 

The Councils were keen to work on a more long term approach with food partners to tackle the long-term drivers of food need and insecurity and to support more sustainable food supply issues that helped share food resources and tackle food waste in ways that address food insecurity in its community.

 

The Councils’ fully recognised and supported the need to work cross party and as part of a coalition of community-directed, multi-agency partners.  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/51/21-22

c/52/21-22

Confirmation of Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council on 16 December 2021, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Minutes:

Resolved, that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2021 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

c/53/21-22

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

Minutes:

The Chairman made the following announcements:

 

Civic Engagements

 

On 14th January I attended and opened the new Gym and spin studio in Southwick Leisure Centre for Southdown’s Leisure.  The facilities were absolutely excellent and I even got some pull ups wearing the civic regalia.

 

The Chairman thanked Cllr Ann Bridges who lead the Holocaust Memorial Day event on 27 January in Buckingham Park. Cllr Bridges laid a Wreath and read the Holocaust Statement by the Memorial Tree and all those who turned up for this sombre event.

 

The Chairman passed on his thanks to Cllr Andy McGregor, who on 5th February, kindly attended on the Chairman’s behalf, the High Sheriff of West Sussex Virtual Prayer Breakfast meeting. Cllr McGregor reported that it was an incredibly moving event.

 

The Chairman advised that he would be opening, with Tim Loughton MP, a defibrillator outside of the Beer Engine in Southwick Square.  Some time ago a constituent approached him at a street surgery following the collapse of Christian Erikson at the Euros.  She urged the Chairman as a ward councillor to organise accessible AED devices for the Square.  Following discussions with Colin Warner at the Beer Engine and the Southwick Traders Association, Colin Warner took the bull by its horns and managed to secure funds for not one but two devices.  The one at the Beer Engines was installed and confirmation was being awaited for the second to be installed on the old Focus building in the Square.  The Chairman and the MP were figuratively opening the device as they hoped that would never be needed although someone had contacted 999 and was given the code, thankfully it was not required!

 

The Chairman commended Cllr Tania Edwards who had started a drive to raise £4000 to install 3 AEDs in the Southlands District.  He asked all members to wish her well in her endeavours.  This is carried on from the excellent work that Cllr Loader undertook during her time as Adur DC Chairman.

 

The Chairman mentioned Her Majesty the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.  He said that he was an unashamed Royalist and that it was simply awe inspiring how with such dignity and grace she had remained head of state for 70 years – the longest serving British Monarch!  Whilst the world had changed almost unrecognisably during her reign she has remained dignified and a truly recognisable head of state that is respected the world over.  The Chairman hoped everyone could enjoy this year and celebrate Her Majesty’s truly monumental achievement and mark the occasion.

 

Charity Event

 

The Chairman highlighted the Chairman's Charity Golf Day which would be held on 1st April to raise funds for Esteem, his chosen charity and he hoped that members would support this event.

 

There were no announcements from the Leader, Executive Member or the Chief Executive.

c/54/21-22

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/55/21-22

Recommendations from the Executive and Committees to Council pdf icon PDF 46 KB

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

 

 

Executive/Committee

Date

Item

A

Licensing Committee

17 January 2022

ADC - LC/6/21-22 Gambling Act 2005 Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

 

B

Joint Governance Committee

25 January 2022

JGC/042/21-22 Appointment of External Auditor

 

C

Adur Executive

1 February 2022

A EX/5/21-22 Budget Estimates 2022/23 and setting of the 2022/23 Council Tax

 

This item will be taken in conjunction with item 9, located elsewhere in the agenda

 

D

Joint Strategic Committee

8 February 2022

JSC/086/21-22 Joint Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2022/23 to 2024/25, Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7(a)                  Licensing Committee - 17 January 2022

 

Gambling Act 2005 Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

 

The Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee introduced the recommendation to the Council.

 

Members were invited to review the draft Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy in relation to the Gambling Act 2005, and to endorse its recommendations and adopt an updated policy on 24 February 2022.

 

 

Resolved, That the Council adopt the attached Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy.

 

 

7(b)                 Joint Governance Committee -  25 January 2022

 

Appointment of External Auditor

 

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

 

The contract for external audit was due to come to an end in 2023 and the external auditor for the audit of the Councils’ accounts for 2023/24 had to be appointed before the end of December 2022. The report set out the approach to procuring a replacement supplier for the audit of the 2023/24 accounts and sought approval to use Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) to procure a new supplier.

 

Resolved, That the Council opt in to the Appointing Person arrangements made by the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) for the appointment of external auditors for the five years from 1st April 2023.

 

7(c)                  Adur Executive - 1 February 2022

 

Budget Estimates 2022/23 and setting of 2022/23 Council Tax

 

The Chairman informed the Council that the recommendations from the Adur Executive would be considered under Item 9 on the agenda.

 

7(d)                 Joint Strategic Committee - 8 February 2022

 

Joint Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2022/23 to 2024/25, Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council

 

The Leader presented the recommendation from the Joint Strategic Committee held on 8 February 2021.

 

The report asked Members to approve and adopt the contents of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2022/23 to 2024/25 for Adur and Worthing Councils, as required by regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003.  

 

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

 

 

 

 

c/56/21-22

Council Tax Support Scheme - Additional discretionary discounts pdf icon PDF 66 KB

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

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council introduced the recommendation to the Council which were seconded and on a vote it was,

 

Resolved, That the Council approve an additional discretionary discount of up to £150.00 per household for working age claimants with the principles detailed in paragraph 4.3.

c/57/21-22

Report of the Leader on decisions taken by the Executive pdf icon PDF 107 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 Leader of the Council presented his report on decisions taken by the Executive since the last Ordinary meeting of the Council, which were detailed in Item 11.

 

A question was received in relation to proactive interventions to support low income residents. It was asked whether the executive member supported this and whether it would be a good tool to identify people in need. Members were told that yes it was a worthwhile piece of software and would help use data to be proactive rather than reactive.

 

A question was put in relation to proactive interventions to support low income residents.  It was asked if there was a timeline for the universal credit dataset being added. The Council was told that the information was unknown and it was likely that this was because it was an extremely complicated data set

 

c/58/21-22

Designation of Monitoring Officer pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To consider a report by the Head of Paid Service, copy attached as item 12

Minutes:

Before the Council was a report by the Head of Paid Service, a copy of which was circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 12.

 

The purpose of the report was to formally designate the Council’s Monitoring Officer. The recommendation was proposed and seconded and on a vote, it was

 

Resolved that the Council designated Geoff Wild as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 25th February 2022.

c/59/21-22

Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To consider a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, copy attached as item 13

Minutes:

Before the Council was a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, a copy of which was circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 13.

 

The report sought members approval of the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22, which is a statutory requirement under Section 38 (1) of the Localism Act 2011. The statement will be updated on an annual basis.

 

Resolved that the Council approved the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

c/60/21-22

Schedule of Meetings 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 58 KB

To receive from the Proper Officer, the Interim 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 14.

 

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

Minutes:

Before the Council was a report by the Proper Officer, the Interim Director for Communites,  a copy of which was circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 14

 

Before the Council, was the schedule of meetings of the Council and joint meetings for 2022/23.

 

Council was invited to formally approve the dates for its Meetings during this period whilst noting the proposed dates for other committees.

 

The Schedule of Meetings for 2022/23 was proposed, seconded and unanimously supported.

 

 

Resolved That Adur District Council approve the Schedule of Meetings for 2022/23.

c/61/21-22

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 22 February 2022 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:

There were no questions.

c/62/21-22

Suspension of Council Procedure Rules

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.

Minutes:

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.

 

Having been proposed and seconded the Council unanimously agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rules for the consideration of Item 9 on the agenda.

 

c/63/21-22

Council Tax 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider and set the Council Tax for 2022/23.

 

A separate budget pack, produced by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, shall be circulated as item 9, and the recommendation from the Executive, at item 7C, will also be considered as part of this item.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

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 thanked officers, members, businesses and residents of Adur and NHS workers during a difficult year;

·       The Leader noted the goodbye to the previous Chief Executive and welcomed the new one;

·       There were Global Challenges including war in Ukraine and the Covid Pandemic. The Leader also noted the cost of living pressures on businesses and families;

·       The Leader stated that the economy was recovering siting an increase in the number of people in work, an increase in the rates of pay and there was a decrease in the number of people claiming out of work benefits;

·       Adur’s economy was stronger due to plans put in place to protect families and businesses;

·       The Council sought to support economic growth, job security and helping residents where needed, the Conservatives had a track record of success;

·       The opposition’s amendments accounted for a tiny percentage of the total budget and did not show a vision;

·       The importance of housing remained central to plans for the district, especially for Adur Homes tenants;

·       Care for the planet remained central, prosperity and security were only possible with sustainability;

 

Investing and delivering high quality public services

 

·       The budget presented a number of savings that, where possible, were offset by income, service modernisation and the use of digital technology;

·       The proposed increase of 1.99% will ensure the authority was able to resource plans for investment, this amounted to 12p a week per household;

 

Protecting Jobs and Creating Opportunity

 

·       Investment of over 1.7m would be made into the regeneration budget;

·       During the previous year Covid grants had been distributed to 2058 applications sharing over £19.5m of cash support;

·       The development of the Good Work Programme that assisting people back into work whilst also helping to address wider wellbeing issues such as mental health, domestic violence vulnerable housing and addiction;

·       A Youth hub had been opened with Worthing focussing on helping young people secure employment opportunities;

·       Work had gone on to support local markets;

·       A project called Fabric had been established offering community, charity and small business space;

·       There was continued development of the Citizen Wifi programme;

·       There were proposed public realm improvements for Southwick Square.

 

Building New Homes and Improving Housing

 

·       A priority was to improve quality and quantity of housing provision;

·       The first social housing to be built in Adur for 30 years was completed in Cecil Norris House which replace a 1970’s block of retirement flats;

·       A further 100 new affordable homes were planned including 55 new homes in Albion Street which had changed from 30% affordable to 100% affordable;

·       Adur homes was a key priority and there were plans for a significant programme of  fire safety works, external works programmes to a number of blocks, a rolling programme of home improvement works and works to support tenants with disabilities. There was a further new homes programme which panned a number  ...  view the full minutes text for item c/63/21-22