Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Worthing Town Hall

Contact: Neil Terry
Democratic Services Lead
01903 221073  Email: neil.terry@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Note: In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.1 

Items
No. Item

C/38/21-22

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

The Mayor advised that there were no apologies for the meeting.

 

C/39/21-22

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.

C/40/21-22

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 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 Monday 8 November 2021 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk  

 

Minutes:

The Mayor advised that 6 questions had been received in advance of the meeting.

 

They were as follows:-

 

Question 1 from Mr Conell Loggenberg, a Worthing resident

 

Which parts or provisions of the Equality Act 2010 can the public not rely on as applicable for inclusive consideration by Council or individual Members of Council to any matters of current or future functioning or processes for or by Council?

 

Cllr Daniel Humphreys replied that the very short answer was none.

 

In response to the supplementary question, Cllr Humphreys requested that the question be shared in writing (via email) and a written response would be provided.

 

Question 2 from Mr Conell Loggenberg, a Worthing resident

 

In July 2020, to the ends of Promoting Racial Equality in Worthing, I asked and suggested to Council the need for visible inclusive Commemoration of the Sacrifice made by People of Black Ethnicity in respect of the War Memorial in Steyne Gardens.

 

The Leader of the Council agreed that People of Black Ethnicity fought alongside British Soldiers in the same War, that they also made the ultimate sacrifice and that inclusive commemoration of their lives was justified.

 

The Leader of the Council stated that he would take leadership on the matter.

 

To date, close to almost 18months later, absolutely nothing has materialised.

 

Unless the Member has abandoned the commitment, can the Member confirm whether he is ACTUALLY serious, whether he has discussed this matter cross-party and who with about Permanent Public Facing Memorial Effects Equally representing the sacrifice made by People of Black Ethnicity…

 

If yes,

 

Given that the Member is stepping down as Leader of the Council;

Has the Leader assigned this task to ANYONE…who?... and how much longer do we still have to wait to see delivery on Permanent Public Facing Effects that Commemorates the Sacrifice of People of Black Ethnicity in respect of that War?

 

Cllr Daniel Humphreys replied that his recollection of the previous correspondence differed from that of Mr Loggenberg. However, he was happy to listen to ideas and discuss these moving forwards.

 

A supplementary question was asked in relation to the delivery of an inclusive commemoration.

 

Cllr Humphreys reiterated that he was happy to hear suggestions coming forward.

 

Question 3 from Kelly Hannah-Rogers, a Worthing Resident

 

Members of the public raised complaints about how racist conservative councillor Tim Wills was able to continue to serve on this council and what actions could be taken to avoid a repeat. This was pursued by the public under the councillor code of conduct adopted by Worthing Borough Council from the Local Government Association. At the last full council meeting on 19th October, we were informed by Worthing Borough Council that the investigations in this respect were ongoing and therefore could not comment on some of the questions put by the public, even though at that point Tim Wills had resigned.

 

All the sanctions which are available in the councillor code of conduct apply only to an incumbent councillor, not a councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/40/21-22

C/41/21-22

Leader of Worthing Borough Council

(A)       Resignation of Leader of the Council

 

To note the resignation of Councillor Daniel Humphreys as Leader of the Council.

 

To elect a new Leader of the Council.

 

The process is as follows:-

 

The Mayor will call for nomination(s) for a new Leader; following the seconding of the nomination(s), there will be a debate and then a vote by the Council. Council Procedure Rule 37 applies.

 

(B)       Notification of New Group Leader

 

To receive and note the Group Leader and Deputy Leader for the Conservative Group on the Council.

 

(C)       Any announcements by the new Leader of the Council

 

To receive from the new Leader of the Council, any announcements that may wish to make.      

Minutes:

(a)        Resignation of Leader of the Council

 

Council received and noted the resignation of Councillor Daniel Humphreys as Leader of the Council. 

 

The Mayor called for nominations for the position of Leader. Councillor Ed Crouch nominated Councillor Kevin Jenkins for the position and Councillor Heather Mercer seconded the nomination.

 

Resolved that Councillor Kevin Jenkins be appointed Leader of the Council for the           period to the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2022, this being the remainder          of the term of office of the newly appointed leader as a Borough Councillor. 

 

(b)        Notification of New Group Leader

 

The Mayor invited the Secretary of the Conservative Group to confirm the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council.

 

Resolved that Council note that the Leader of the Conservative Group is Councillor Kevin Jenkins and the Deputy Leader of the Group is Councillor Ed Crouch.

 

(c)        Any announcements by the new Leader of the Council

 

After paying tribute to the outgoing Leader of the Council, Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Councillor Jenkins announced that Councillor Ed Crouch would be Deputy leader of the Executive and also retain the Digital & Environmental Services portfolio.

 

Councillor Jenkins confirmed that he would retain the Regeneration portfolio as well as being Leader of the Executive and that he would update the Council on any other changes to the Executive at the December Full Council meeting. 

 

C/42/21-22

Items raised under Urgency Provisions

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

Minutes:

There were no urgent items raised under urgency provisions.