Agenda and minutes

In order for the meeting to be socially distanced, the Group Leaders agreed in advance of the meeting that attendance would be reduced to a politically balanced quorate.

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 Hazel Thorpe declared an interest in Item 11 as a sponsor of the NSPCC.

To approve the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 21^st May 2021, 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=1507&Ver=4

Resolved that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 21 May 2021 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 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 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 16 July 2021 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

The Mayor advised that 3 questions had been received in advance of the meeting.

1.    The Mayor read out a question on behalf of Mr James MacMillan, a Worthing Resident 

Since the inception of the assisted bin collection scheme, what has been the take up year on year, how is this service promoted to the community and how is the system controlled to ensure there are no false claims?

The Leader replied that since the inception of the assisted bin collection scheme, the Council had 2,805 residents on the assisted collection list which was approximately 3.4% of homes.  The Council had an assisted collection sign up point on its website: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/assisted-collections/ which could be completed by either the residents themselves or via a relative/friend. 

Each application was checked to ensure that it met the criteria as set out in the Household Waste Collection Policy.

In order to ensure that there were no false claims, each resident was required to fill in an online application form detailing their need for an assisted collection.

Each application was assessed on a case by case basis. None of the applications were automatically granted, this was so that the Council could assess and ensure that all criteria were met in order to have an assisted collection status.  If the Council felt it necessary, it would make contact with the applicant to again ensure the criteria was met or to gather further information.

If all of the criteria were met and the application was successful, the resident was added to the assisted collection list. Assisted collections were continuously monitored by way of periodic checks and through crew feedback.

2.    Question submitted to the Leader of the Council by Mr Rod Thick on behalf of Transition Town Worthing

In 2013 Worthing Borough Council was unanimous in supporting a motion from Cllr John Rogers asking West Sussex County Council to take a wide range of measures “to actively encourage even more cycling by residents and visitors”.

The County Council’s claim to “take the provision of cycle routes seriously” has proved an empty promise; in practice “as and when resources allow” has meant that cycling is never prioritised; and 8 years later the £161,000 of Section 106 money that is allocated to cycling has not been used to the benefit of the community and sits in the bank losing value to inflation.

Transition Town Worthing’s Transport Group has actively supported the Waves Ahead Conference on transport, the Adur & Worthing Cycling and Walking Action Group, the public consultation on the Adur & Worthing Local Walking & Cycling Infrastructure Plan LCWIP, the Climate Conference and the Climate Assembly.

All of these initiatives have shown public support for measures to encourage active travel; and urgent action is needed on climate, health, and air pollution. How will Worthing Borough Council turn that support and that need for urgency, into action?

The Leader replied that the Council was committed to working in partnership with a number of organisations to deliver sustainable travel interventions. The Council was  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/16/21-22

The Mayor placed on record the Council’s condolences to Councillor Steve Wills and his

family following the loss of his mother, as well as remembering Sam McCarthy-Fox who had been a long serving member of staff at Worthing Theatres and Museum.

The Mayor informed the council that it had been his honour to be the Armed Forces Champion for the Borough. He highlighted the work and cooperation with a number of organisations around the County supporting both serving and former armed forces personnel.

The Mayor highlighted the need to strengthen and renew the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant in Worthing and mentioned that an A&W Armed Forces Strategy Document, which would be incorporated into the council’s policies and procedures, was currently being produced and would be available for members to view in the near future.

The Mayor informed the Council that he was looking forward to undertaking normal civic duties following the lifting of Covid restrictions.  He had attended the reopening of Highdown Gardens; the opening of the sales office at Columbia House, where he cut the ribbon; celebrated Sussex Day by reading the Sussex Charter around the Town; conducted his first Town Hall tour and also attended the Commemoration Service for the Battle of the Boar’s Head in Beach House Park.

The Mayor notified Council that planning for the unveiling of the Blue Plaque for Past Mayor Ellen Chapman was well underway and would take place in October, details for which would follow in due course.

The Mayor thanked all those who had donated to his sponsored Worthing Ward Walk, in support of the mayoral charities, which he would be undertaking on Saturday 24 July.

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

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

There were no urgent items raised under the urgency provisions.

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached items as 7A, 7B and 7C. Items 7D(i) to 7D(v) will be published following the JSC meeting on the 13th July.

Full reports are available on the website as listed below:

Council had, before it, recommendations from the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Joint Senior Staff Committee and the Joint Strategic Committee.

Extracts of these minutes had been circulated as items 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D(i) to 7D(v).

Item 7A           Joint Strategic Committee - 8 June 2021 

Worthing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

The Leader roposed the recommendation from the Joint Strategic meeting held on 8 June 2021. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Kevin Jenkins and following a vote it was unanimously:

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council approved the adoption of the revised draft CIL Charging Schedule for implementation on 1st August 2021.

Item 7B           Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 10 June 2021

Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2020/21

A Member of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Louise Murphy, proposed the recommendation from the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 10 June 2021. 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Karen Harman.

During debate, a Member raised concerns about the quality of the scrutiny function and encouraged Councillors to engage with good scrutiny. 

Following a vote (For 7, Against 5, Abstentions 0) it was

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council approved the JOSC Work Programme 2020/21.

* The Interim Chief Executive left the meeting prior to the consideration of Item 7C.  

Item 7C           Joint Senior Staff Committee - 7 July 2021

Benchmark salary review and proposed recruitment process for the post of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service

The Chairman of the Joint Senior Staff Committee proposed the recommendation from the Joint Senior Staff Committee meeting held on 7 July 2021. 

During debate of the item, Members considered both the timing of the proposal as well as the proposed level of increase to the salary of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service in comparison with those paid by other local authorities and in other sectors.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Kevin Jenkins and on a vote (For 7, Against 5, Abstentions 0) it was

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council approved that an increase be applied to the salary of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, being a range from £134,000 rising to £155,000

* The Interim Chief Executive rejoined the meeting prior to the consideration of Item 7D(i). 

Item 7D(i)       Joint Strategic Committee - 13 July 2021

Financial Performance 2020/21 - Revenue outturn

The Leader proposed the recommendations from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 13 July 2021. 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Kevin Jenkins and on a vote (For 8, Against 0, Abstentions 4) it was:

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council

(a)        NOTED the overall final outturn for 2020/21;

(b)        APPROVED the net appropriations to General Fund Reserves in the year as detailed in section 6 of the report totalling: Adur District Council £5,326,227, Worthing Borough Council £8,700,773;

(c)        AGREED the net carry over of revenue budget to 2021/22 funded from reserves as detailed  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/19/21-22

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(an updated version of the report will be published after the JSC meeting on 13 July 2021 to include decisions taken at that 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 7 and 8 have been previously circulated and can be viewed here 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 8.

Questions were received in relation to homelessness, the Sussex Bay project, Brooklands Park, Montague Place, Southern Water and the strategic plan for Worthing Theatres and Museum.

To receive a report from the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, attached as item 9.

Before the Council was a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 9.

The report before members sought approval of the Pay Policy Statement 2020/21, which was a statutory requirement under Section 38 (1) of the Localism Act 2011.

The Pay Policy Statement was proposed by Councillor Daniel Humphreys, seconded by Councillor Kevin Jenkins and, following a vote (For 8, Against 4, Abstentions 0), it was

Resolved: that Worthing Borough Council approved the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21.

* The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8.45pm and it was reconvened at 9.00pm.

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 July at 12 noon.

Questions should 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 10 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 were 30 minutes allowed for questions with 5 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 Coxhill, Howard, Murphy, S Smith and Thorpe.

First rotation:

Question 1 from Councillor Margaret Howard to the Executive Member for Resources

Worthing Council has lent substantial sums of money to key partners, including South Downs Leisure and the Theatre Trust to keep them afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst we agree with the Council supporting the two Trusts we believe that the Council and the Trusts should be more transparent with taxpayers money and there should be readily available reports on the amounts and the planned use for those funds.

Could the Executive Member for Resources please explain what money has been loaned or granted by Worthing Council to the two Trusts, which is over and above that granted by the Government, and what have the Trusts told WBC are their plans for the use of these funds?

The Leader replied that the pandemic had hit South Downs Leisure Trust (SDLT), Worthing Theatres and the Museum Trust (WTM) hard and the Council had sought to provide support where it could, but this support had not included the provision of loans.

The Council paid the annual contract sum for WTM as per the contractual agreement and in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance on the support to public sector suppliers. WTM also received some additional funding from the Arts Council. No other financial payments by the Council had been made to WTM.

The Council had paid additional grant funding to SDLT. This was approved by the Joint Strategic Committee on 8th September 2020 which detailed the amount of support that the Trust would receive for the remainder of 2020/21 and 2021/22.  It was important to note that in the absence of the opportunity to generate income through the normal channels, SDLT used the majority of its reserve fund.

The additional agreed support package amounted to £594,000 in 2020/21 and £198,000 in 2021/22 which was funded through Covid 19 government grants.

The Council had also successfully applied to the National Leisure Recovery Fund for additional financial support of £200,000 to offset the costs incurred. These funds had been carried forward to the current year and were available to fund any reopening costs.

Question 2 from Councillor Hazel Thorpe to the Leader

Many of us, since covid have found it harder to get around due to lack of exercise. Recently I have been made aware of a severe lack of thought and resources  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/22/21-22

The Mayor advised of a change to the order of the agenda. Item 12 would be taken ahead of item 11.  

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

Members had a motion before them proposed by Councillor Sean McDonald and seconded by Councillor Dan Coxhill. 

The motion was debated and on a vote (For 7, Against 5, Abstentions 0) it was

Resolved:

"In recent weeks and months local residents and council taxpayers in Worthing and across Sussex had been inconvenienced by a number of unauthorised encampments on public land. Such incursions had resulted in considerable and unjustifiable expense for clearing up sites and making repairs to public property. Worthing Borough Council and Sussex Police had reacted quickly in each case and were to be applauded for their efforts. However their legal powers to deal with these cases in a more timely manner were currently limited.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that is being taken through Parliament by the Home Secretary included changes to the law that would make such acts of trespass a criminal offence and give police powers to seize vehicles for example to help pay for the damage and mess caused, which otherwise fell on the law-abiding local taxpayers who were fed up of this abuse.

Residents could be assured that this council would continue to play it's part in seeking to deter these types of unauthorised encampments and by supporting communities where this disruption did occur.   

This council fully supported this new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and applauded The Home Secretary for bringing the Bill forward."

* At 9.49pm, Councillor Rebecca Cooper left the meeting and Cllr Sally Smith joined the meeting.

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

Members had a motion before them proposed by Councillor Sally Smith and seconded by Councillor Daniel Humphreys. 

The motion was debated and on a vote it was unanimously

Resolved:

This Council recognised that violence against women and girls could include, or be linked to, domestic abuse. This was often a hidden crime  unreported to the police and although both men and women were affected, incidence and severity were much greater for women. Domestic and family violence could affect well being  and developmental growth of children and teenagers both in the short and long term.

The Coronavirus pandemic had further caused what one worker described as ‘an epidemic beneath a pandemic ’The charity Refuge reported that in the year between February 2020 and March 2021 72% of calls to their helpline were from women who said they were experiencing violence and abuse, and nearly a fifth said their abuser had threatened to kill them. Tragically, statistics showed that more female homicide victims were killed by a partner or ex-partner than by strangers.

It was imperative we learnt from and acted on the weaknesses in our systems and structures the pandemic had so starkly exposed. The Council had a well developed network of support via the Wellbeing team, links with the Police, the  Housing needs team plus connection  with Worth, West Sussex specialist services and the Women’s accommodation support officer. This Council together with all parts of society should play their part in tackling domestic violence'.