Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

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

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

Councillor Steve Waight declared an interest as an elected member of West Sussex County Council.

Councillor Paul High declared an interest as an elected member of West Sussex County Council.

Councillor Elizabeth Sparkes declared an interest as an elected member of West Sussex County Council.

Councillor Sean McDonald declared an interest as an elected member of West Sussex County Council and as Chairman of a Task and Finish Group on the Covid-19 pop-up cycle lanes.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins declared an interest as an Education Consultant to West Sussex County Council in relation to school governance and school travel plans.

Councillor Charles James declared an interest as a trustee of South Downs Leisure.

Councillor Val Turner declared an interest as a trustee of South Downs Leisure.

To approve the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 14 July 2020, copies of which have been previously circulated. A copy is available to view at http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/meetings-and-decisions/committees/worthing/council/

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 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 specific planning or licensing application

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 16 October 2020 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk 

Director for Communities:

Catherine Howe  

Adur & Worthing Councils,

Town Hall, Chapel Road,

Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1HA

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

1.         Question submitted from Shelley McCabe, a Worthing Resident   

For the Executive Member for Health & Well-being:

Worthing Borough Council has committed to more pop-up cycle lanes. See page 9 of the ‘And Then... Bouncing back in post pandemic Adur and Worthing’ document.

Can you tell me where you will put these new pop-up cycle lanes, given the unpopularity of the current scheme?

The Leader replied that West Sussex County Council were the Highways Authority and as such had responsibility for any cycling infrastructure on the public highway.

It was a normal process for any new cycle routes to be consulted on widely, and for the designs to be developed over time with input from local stakeholders and residents. However, the ‘pop-up cycle’ routes installed by the County Council during the summer were designed at speed and installed with considerably less consultation than would normally be the case, in order that the county council could meet the very tight timeframes attached to the Government’s funding stream (the Emergency Active Travel Fund).

This fund intended to help people that do not normally cycle to feel safe enough to cycle on the roads following on from the government advice to avoid using public transport because of Covid. The pop-up routes were intended to help mitigate the increases in congestion that were inevitable. They also aimed to help people use active means of travel to support their health and wellbeing, and to help reduce carbon emissions associated with transport.

Adur & Worthing Councils were committed to making cycling and walking safer and easier. The councils had developed a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan having consulted widely with local communities at the end of 2019. This set out a high level map of potential routes where cycle routes could be installed.

Any proposed future cycle routes delivered by the County Council were likely to be explored based on routes identified in the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan. The council would work with the County to try to ensure that appropriate levels of consultation were always undertaken, and that the consultation process informed the design of and any implementation of future cycle routes.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1.10, Councillor Martin McCabe moved that the matter raised by the question be referred to the Executive. The motion was seconded by Councillor Bob Smytherman but not supported following a vote.

2.         Question submitted from Susie Pepper-Smith, a Worthing Resident

Worthing saw a record number safely protest in our town this summer to say Black Lives Matter, which was reflected in many cities and towns across our country, across the world. Many local councils passed motions showing support recognising that the status quo must change.

Many Worthing residents tuned into our councils meeting  3 months ago to see what progress could be made here, and sat patiently through many hours of other business as Black Lives Matter was at the bottom of the agenda.  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/38/20-21

The Mayor announced that unfortunately the Mayoral charity fundraising had not been going well due to the restrictions however, the GoFundMe page the Mayor and Mayoress had set up for the Blue Plaque for Ellen Chapman had reached its target. The order for the plaque had been placed and it was hoped that it would be put at the entrance of the Town Hall early next year. The Mayor took the opportunity to publicly thank everyone who contributed, and made a special mention to the Councils friends in Richebourg, after speaking to Jérôme Demulier the Mayor of Richebourg had kindly donated £565.

The Mayor highlighted the importance of working together during difficult times and the need to support one another whatever our personal beliefs or political ambitions. The information regarding what people needed to do to beat the Covid-19 pandemic was clear - Hands-Face-Space.

The Mayor was grateful for all the regular updates received from the officers both in the Borough and from West Sussex County Council and thanked them for all they had done during the year. He implored community leaders to engage with the public so they remained safe, not as had been done in recent weeks, using the public health crisis for political gain. 

The Mayor also provided an overview of the engagements and activities he had taken part in during the summer months.

The Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services shared some good news in relation to Green Flags and paid tribute to the Parks and Foreshore staff and ‘friends of’ groups for Beach House Park, Marine Gardens, Field Place and Highdown all scoring gold.

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

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 7A(i) & (ii) and 7B.

Full reports are available on the website as listed below: 

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

Extracts of these minutes had been circulated as items 7A(i) & (ii) and 7B.

Item 7A(i)        Joint Governance Committee - 30 July 2020

Worthing Borough Council Petition Scheme

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee presented the recommendation from the Joint Governance Committee meeting held on 30 July 2020.   

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Beccy Cooper.

The motion was unanimously supported on a vote.

Resolved

That the Council approved an amendment to paragraph 6.2 of the Petition Scheme to include the following

Following the debate by Councillors, the Petition Organiser will be given a further opportunity to address the Council and shall have a maximum of 3 minutes to make a closing statement.

Item 7A(ii)       Joint Governance Committee - 30 July 2020

Joint Governance Committee Appointments: Parish Councillors

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee presented the recommendation from the Joint Governance Committee meeting held on 30 July 2020.

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Keith Bickers.

The motion was unanimously supported on a vote.

Resolved

That the Council

      I.         approved the appointment of Cllr Ann Bridges, as a Co-Opted Member for Lancing Parish Council, to the Joint Governance Committee for 2020/21;

     II.         approved the appointment of Cllr Caroline Baxter, as a Co-Opted Member for Sompting Parish Council, to the Joint Governance Committee for 2020/21.

Item 7B           Joint Governance Committee - 22 September 2020

Recruitment and Appointment of Independent Persons

The Chairman of the Joint Governance Committee presented the recommendation from the Joint Governance Committee meeting held on 22 September 2020. 

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Steve Waight.

The Council debated the need for Mr Simon Norris-Jones, Independent Person for Standards, to go through a full recruitment process before his term of appointment was extended in the interests of fairness and transparency. It was suggested that as there had been no problems with his work over the last 4 years, there was no reason for him to reapply for the position. 

On a vote: For 24, Against 10, Abstentions 3

Resolved

That the Council approved the appointment of Mr Simon Norris-Jones as an Independent Person for Standards for a further term of 4 years.

To receive a report from the Leader as item 8. The report contains decisions taken by the Executive, Executive Members and the Joint Strategic Committee since the last Council 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 9. 

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 8.

Questions were asked regarding the appointment of Councillors to Outside Bodies, modelling of the Council’s Budget in the event of a second wave of Covid-19 infections and a further lockdown, the climate emergency and wider consultations in relation to fortnightly bin collections. 

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 16 October 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 8 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 Hazel Thorpe, Sally Smith, Martin McCabe, and Margaret Howard

First rotation:

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

Research shows that up to 60000 people in the UK may have been suffering from 'long covid' for more than three months, with prolonged symptoms of coronavirus and at risk of being forgotten.  Are the numbers of people with 'long covid' in Adur and Worthing being collated?

The Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing replied that the Council was aware of this issue but were not collecting these figures to date.  The Council would be reviewing this as part of its work through the Wellbeing Programme.

Councillor Smith asked a supplementary question regarding financial and practical support for those suffering long covid.

The Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing replied that residents' health was always something that was taken into account.

Question from Councillor Hazel Thorpe to the Leader

As they stand, the current proposals for reform in England (set out in the Planning White Paper) from the Wildlife Trusts view and others will not lead to a system fit for the future. Instead, these reforms could:

- increase nature’s decline;

- fail to integrate nature into people’s lives; and

- undermine the democratic process for local decision-making.

There is no suggestion in the White Paper of including nature or accessible green spaces into the new Growth or Renewal areas and there would be no change for wildlife in the Protected area, leaving things as they are - an approach which we know is already failing wildlife, and us .The need for green and open spaces are even more essential in the light of covid 19.

Can the leader reassure us that this omission will be put right and that our Council will in its consultation of the White Paper and future planning put wildlife and conservation at the heart of Community planning?

The Leader replied that a report was being taken to Worthing Planning Committee on 21 October, which formed a proposed response to the White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’ (a similar report was taken to Adur Planning Committee on 5th October). The response made clear the importance that should be given to wildlife and conservation in the proposed  new planning system as follows:

‘...the three-zone approach appears focused on built development and does not appear to facilitate or support biodiversity or actions relating  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/43/20-21

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 10.

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 report had been carried forward from the Worthing Full Council meeting held on 14 July 2020 following a failure with the livestream during consideration of the item and set out a motion received from Councillor Paul High which has been seconded by Councillor Val Turner.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Paul High and seconded by Councillor Val Turner.

During consideration of this item, Members debated the inclusion of paragraph 2. An amendment was proposed by Councillor Helen Silman and seconded by Councillor Dawn Smith but not supported.

Following a vote: For 26, Against 10, Abstentions 1

Resolved,

That Worthing Borough Council

‘reaffirms our commitment to condemning racism and working to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

We commend the words of our Prime Minister who said that “black lives matter and I totally understand the anger and the grief that is felt not just in America but around the world and in our country as well”.

We support the peaceful, safe and lawful protests that have formed the most meaningful part of the Black Lives Matter movement.

We note and confirm the work that has been conducted by Worthing Borough Council and our partners since we passed a motion condemning racism on 19 July 2016.

We reassure all people living in Worthing that they are all equally valued members of our community’.

Motion from Councillor Henna Chowdhury - Black Lives Matter 

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Henna Chowdhury, 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 Henna Chowdhury and seconded by Councillor Margaret Howard.

During consideration of this item, Members debated the structure and language of the motion, the reference to ‘Stop and Search’ in Sussex, the BLM movement and work that was already being undertaken in this area.

Following a vote:

For 14, Against 19, Abstain 3

Resolved,

That Worthing Borough Council did not support the motion.

Motion from Councillor Bob Smytherman - Planning Reform 

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Bob Smytherman, 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 Bob Smytherman and seconded by Councillor Martin McCabe.

Resolved,

In accordance with the Constitution, the Motion was noted and immediately referred to the Planning Committee.

Motion from Councillor Hazel Thorpe - Declaring a Poverty Emergency 

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Hazel Thorpe, detailed as item 13.

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 Hazel Thorpe and seconded by Councillor Carl Walker.

Resolved,

In accordance with the Constitution, the Motion was noted and immediately referred to the Joint Strategic Committee.