Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

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 Louise Murphy declared a personal interest as a non-Executive Director of Worthing Homes. 

 

Councillor Noel Atkins declared a personal interest as an elected member of West Sussex County Council.

 

Councillor Paul High declared an interest in item 9 as he was appointed to the Worthing Public Realm Board and the Community Infrastructure Levy Board as a West Sussex County Councillor.

To approve the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Tuesday 26 May 2020, copies of which have been previously circulated. A copy is available to view at

https://democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=158&MId=242&Ver=4

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2020 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Mayor.

 

To receive any questions from members of the public addressed to Member 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 Borough, except no questions may be asked in relation to 

 

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 minutes; questions will be taken in the order of receipt.

 

The deadline for submission of questions is Friday 10 July 2020 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

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

 

Mr Ian Davey, a resident of Worthing asked;

 

At the June Joint Strategic Committee meeting I asked if the council would consider reallocating road space to create outdoor seating areas to help small independent cafes and restaurants reopen with safe social distancing. Since then Montague Street (west)  has been subject to a partial road closure. Could Cllr Humphreys please say what the council's intentions are for the closed off section, and that immediately to the west, to help people and the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants take advantage of the reductions in traffic.

 

The Leader of Worthing Borough Council replied that Following the Joint Strategic Committee in June, and in response to the easing of lockdown, the Councils undertook an audit of Worthing town centre to identify key pinch points (or those areas where social distancing couldn’t be maintained). Since then a number of roads, including Montague Street West, had been closed to support social distancing but equally to support business.

 

In the last couple of weeks, the Government had announced the new Pavement Licencing scheme which allowed retailers, specifically cafes, restaurants and bars, to safely trade outside. The Council was actively encouraging businesses to make contact via the Licencing team to express an interest in gaining a licence. The final legislation would confirm these licences on 20th July but the Council wished to be proactive and were asking businesses to highlight their interest ahead of time. We hope a number of businesses located in Montague Street West will take advantage of this opportunity and trade outside for the summer period.

 

Mr Davey asked a supplementary question regarding the messaging displayed on signage blocking entry to areas within the town centre, requesting that it be made clearer to convey that businesses were open for business. In addition, he also suggested the replacement of barriers with planters and no motor vehicle entry signs.

 

The Leader of Worthing Borough Council responded by highlighting the Council’s work on the Public Realm Scheme, covered in the Leaders Report later on the agenda, which would improve the look and feel of the town centre. The Leader advised that the Council was looking to expedite some of the expenditure to fund a number of long term initiatives, including some of those highlighted by the questioner.

 

To consider a report and associated petition attached as item 5.

A petition was received by the proper officer on the 21st June 2020 from Ms Emma Cameron which contained 1029 signatures. 

 

Ms Cameron attended the meeting and presented her petition which proposed the designation of a number of green areas around Worthing for rewilding.

 

The Leader of the Council proposed the following motion in response to the petition which was seconded by Councillor Kevin Jenkins;

 

‘The Council welcomes the petition. We reaffirm our commitment to map Council owned land for opportunities for community growing projects for rewilding and tree planting and to report on progress in December, as part of the Chief Executive’s six monthly progress update report to both the Joint Strategic Committee and Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee’.   

 

An amendment to the Leader’s motion was proposed by Councillor Helen Silman, seconded by Councillor Sally Smith, but not supported by Council. 

 

Members thanked Ms Cameron for presenting her petition, advising that progress was being made and that the Council was committed to doing this and increasing biodiversity.

 

The Leader’s proposed response to the petition was approved unanimously. 

 

Resolved

 

That Worthing Borough Council welcomed the petition, reaffirming its commitment to map Council owned land for opportunities for community growing projects for rewilding and tree planting and to report on progress in December, as part of the Chief Executive’s six monthly progress update report to both the Joint Strategic Committee and Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee’.

The Mayor informed the Council of the volunteering work that he had been doing throughout the lockdown period, whilst acknowledging the great work of local charities and volunteers.

 

He also wished to place on record his thanks to the Council Staff and Volunteers who had helped to clean the beach following a surge of visitors to the Town after the lifting of Covid 19 restrictions.

 

The Mayor highlighted some of the events he had attended, in person and virtually, since the last Council meeting, advising that his programme of charity events would hopefully commence in October with the rearranged inaugural dinner. 

 

The Leader of the Council wished to reiterate the thanks to the community, fellow Councillors and Council Staff for all of their work. The case had been made to the government that the Council would need assistance. The Leader welcomed the reassurances provided in relation to funding but acknowledged that further clarity was required to enable the Council to plan effectively for 2021/22 and beyond.

 

There were also announcements form the Executive Members for Customer Services, Digital & Environmental Services and Regeneration. The Executive Members wished to place on record their thanks to staff and volunteers for all of the work and paid special tribute to Turning Tides who had been awarded the Queen’s Award. The Executive Member for Customer Services wished to underline Turning Tide’s incredible work with the homeless during lockdown and congratulated the team.

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

There were no urgent items.

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached items as 8A(i), 8B(i) & (ii) and 8C(i) to (iv). 

 

Full reports are available on the website as listed below:

 

	Executive /  Committee	Date	Item
A	Joint Strategic Committee	9 June 2020	i) JSC/005/20-21 Chief Executive’s use of Urgency Powers during the Covid-19 Global Pandemic
B	Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee	25 June 2020	i) Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2019/20   ii) Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Work Programme
C	Joint Strategic Committee	7 July 2020	i) Financial Performance 2019/20 - Revenue Outturn   ii) Financial Performance 2019/20 - Capital and Projects Outturn   iii) Impact of Covid 19 on the Council’s finances - Update on current financial performance and developing a revenue budget for 2021/22   iv) Becoming financially sustainable - Capital Strategy 2021/24

 

Council had, before it, recommendations from the Joint Strategic Committee.

 

Extracts of these minutes had been circulated as items 8A(i), 8B(i) & (ii) and 8C(i) to (iv).

 

Item 8A(i)        Joint Strategic Committee  - 9 June 2020

 

Chief Executive’s use of Urgency Powers during the Covid-19 Global Pandemic

 

The Leader of the Council presented the recommendation from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 9 June 2020.   

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Sparkes.

 

The substantive motion was supported on a vote:

 

For 35, Against 0, Abstentions 2

 

Resolved

 

That the Council noted and endorsed the decision to increase the Treasury Management limits.

 

 

Item 8B(i)        Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 25 June 2020

 

Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2020/21

 

The Chairman of the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee presented a recommendation from the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 25 June 2020.

 

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Clive Walker.

 

A Member highlighted the quality of debate during meetings of the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee over the past year.

 

On a vote: For 34, Against 0, Abstentions 3

 

 

Resolved

 

That the Council approved the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2020/21, as amended.

 

 

Item 8B(ii)       Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 25 June 2020

 

Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2019/20    

 

The Chairman of the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee presented a recommendation from the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 25 June 2020.

 

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Richard Nowak.

 

On a vote: For 35, Against 0, Abstentions 2

 

Resolved

 

That Worthing Borough Council approved the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2019/20.

 

 

Item 8C(i)        Joint Strategic Committee - 7 July 2020

 

Financial Performance 2019/20 - Revenue Outturn

 

The Leader of the Council presented the recommendation from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 7 July 2020.   

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Sparkes.

 

During debate on the item, Members considered the level of return from the investment portfolio, the loss of income from Car Parks and the risks associated with commercial investments.    

 

The substantive motion was supported on a vote:

 

For 24, Against 10, Abstentions 3

 

Resolved

 

That the Council

 

(a) noted the overall final outturn for 2019/20;

 

(b) approved the net appropriations to General Fund Reserves in the year as detailed in paragraph 6.2 totalling: Adur District Council £1,072,315, Worthing Borough Council £905,486; 

 

(c) agreed the net carry over of revenue budget to 2020/21 funded from reserves as detailed in appendix 6: Adur District Council £80,700, Worthing Borough Council £157,500.

 

 

Item 8C(ii)       Joint Strategic Committee - 7 July 2020

 

Financial Performance 2019/20 - Capital and Projects Outturn

 

The Leader of the Council presented the recommendation from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 7 July 2020.    

 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Sparkes.

 

Members debated the status of major projects, including the timescales for their completion and their importance  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/25/20-21

To receive a report from the Leader as item 9. The report contains decisions taken by the Executive, Executive Members and the Joint Strategic Committee since the last Council meeting (an updated version of this report will be published after the JSC meeting on 7 July 2020 to include decisions taken at this meeting).  

 

There will be up to 15 minutes for Executive Members to make any statements on the report. There will also be up to 15 minutes for Executive Members to respond to questions on the report. These questions will not be the same as any to be asked under Item 10.  

(Note: Papers relating to items under 8 and 9 have been previously circulated and can be viewed on the Council’s website)

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 9. 

 

Questions were asked regarding the Portland Road Public Realm Scheme, the timescales for implementing the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and Citizen’s Wifi. 

Members question time will last up to 30 minutes, with questions being taken in the order of receipt and in rotation from each political group on the Council. The deadline for submission of questions is Friday 10 July at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

 

Questions can be asked of the following:

a.            The Mayor

b.            A Member of the Executive

c.            The Chairman of any Committee

d.            The Council’s representative on any outside body

 

Questions cannot be asked in relation to the following:

a.            A specific planning or licensing application

b.            A specific staffing appointment, appeal or Standards determination

 

The Mayor announced that the Proper Officer had received 9 questions from Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12. He advised that one supplementary question could be asked which must arise out of the original question, or, the reply. 

 

Questions would be asked in rotation of the Groups represented in the Chamber and there was 30 minutes allowed for questions with 9 rotations of speakers possible. At the end of 30 minutes the Mayor explained that he would extend the time to conclude the current rotation of questions.

 

The Mayor announced that the following Councillors had submitted questions:

 

Councillors Carl Walker, Dawn Smith, Sally Smith, Margaret Howard and Jim Deen

 

First rotation:

 

Question from Councillor Carl Walker to the Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing

 

Lockdown left millions in the UK feeling isolated, with young people most likely to experience loneliness. What specific measures are being put in place in Worthing to alleviate both short and long-term loneliness?

 

The Executive Member replied that the Council and it’s partners did undertake work in the last 18 months around loneliness and thrive in relation to what loneliness means, it’s impact and which profiles are most affected by it with young people experiencing this most acutely.

 

During covid-19, the Council's focus had been on connecting people (over 18) with local volunteers for check-in and chats in the short term and working with local mutual aid groups to connect people to local residents where possible, knowing this could help connect people into their communities in a more effective way.  In the longer-term the Council would be seeking to develop a more participatory approach to address loneliness and also had the Social Prescribing and Wellbeing Hubs service that worked with people around health and wellbeing and loneliness.

 

Regarding young people, the Council was developing a young people’s framework through the Safer Communities Partnership, to develop a more systemic approach to health, wellbeing and safety (including connectedness). This would include a mentoring programme (year 6 pupils) and a community-led approach, which also included the work of Find it Out Plus as a service/ approach for young people around their wellbeing and mental health.

 

Councillor Carl Walker asked a supplementary question regarding specific public health planning around young people's loneliness and mental health in the event of a second lockdown in the autumn or winter.

 

The Executive Member replied that most of the issues raised fell under the remit of West Sussex County Council and their responsibilities towards children, however, the Council did work with other agencies in order to support people of all ages in the town. 

 

 

 

 

Second rotation:

 

Question from Councillor Dawn Smith to the Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing

 

Is there sufficient and adequate PPE for all front line Council staff as part of a contingency plan in place for a potential local lockdown, or second Wave of the Coronavirus?

 

The Executive Member replied that the Council currently held 1000 masks, 25 litres of sanitiser and 100's of gloves. The type of PPE was  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/27/20-21

Motion from Councillor Helen Silman - Turning Tides Award  

 

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Helen Silman, detailed as item 11.

 

Before the Committee was a report by the 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 Helen Silman and seconded by Councillor Sally Smith.

 

During debate, Members expressed support for the motion whilst acknowledging that other organisations also warranted the Council’s recognition. 

 

The motion, as proposed, was approved unanimously.

 

Resolved,

 

That Worthing Borough Council congratulates Turning Tides on being one of the 230 organisations to be awarded the 2020 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - the highest award given to organisations delivering exceptional service within their communities. The Queen’s Award offers a chance to highlight the outstanding contribution Turning Tides makes in Worthing and recognises the crucial role it has played to support vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.

Motion from Councillor Paul High - Condemning Racism  

 

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Paul High, detailed as item 12.

 

Before the Committee was a report by the 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 Paul High and seconded by Councillor Val Turner.

 

 

During consideration of this item, the live stream of the meeting was stopped before any resolution was made.