Agenda and minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive any questions from members of the public.

Questions should be submitted by noon on Friday 1 July 2022 to Democratic Services, democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk  

(Note: Public Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

There were no questions from the public.

To consider any items the Chairman of the meeting considers to be urgent.

There were no urgent items raised.

To consider a report from the Chief Executive, a copy is attached as item 4.

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, presented by the Leader, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 4.

Following the May 2022 local elections a Labour administration was formed to lead Worthing Borough Council. The administration sought to form a Council that delivers change and further improves the lives of all who live and work in Worthing.

The report set out the ambitions of the administration, including actions started in the first 100 days, as well as ambitions for the medium and longer term. Additional reports enabling the delivery of specific ambitions would be prepared and brought to members for agreement at later meetings, as and when required.

The plans identified for delivery in 2022 to 2023 would be resourced through existing budgets, with the exception being some additional community engagement work. The report therefore included a recommendation for the release of £76,500 from reserves to resource this activity.

The plans described in the report were helping to shape and would be delivered through the new joint delivery plan currently being developed with Adur District Council.

Members welcomed the report and thanked the Officers for their work.   

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Carl Walker, seconded by Councillor Helen Silman and unanimously supported.    

Decision

The Joint Strategic Sub-Committee:-

1.1        Noted and approved the plans for change and delivery set out in the report;      and

1.2       approved the release of £76,500 from the capacity issues reserves to resource additional activities supporting community engagement, inclusion and participation.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decision will be 5.00pm on the 15th July 2022.

To consider a report from the Interim Director for Communities, a copy is attached as item 5.

Before the Committee was a report by the Interim Director for Communities, presented by the Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 5.

Worthing Borough Council was committed to ensuring that public spaces were safe, vibrant and welcoming places to live, work and visit. Achieving this was a careful balance of using legislative tools and powers, balanced with a supportive approach to those who need it to live safely and well.

Tackling anti-social behaviour was a key part of this approach and was a priority under the Safer Communities 3 year strategic plan as endorsed by the Joint Strategic Committee in October 2021.

In August 2016, Worthing Borough Council introduced three Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) as a key tool to prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour. All three orders were extended for a further three years in August 2019 and needed to be reviewed before they expired on 21 August 2022.

In order to extend or vary a PSPO, the Councils must be satisfied that the behaviours and activities addressed in the Order had or would have a detrimental impact on the community. There was then a requirement to consult with key stakeholders and community representatives on the proposals.

From March 1st 2022 to April 12th 2022, Worthing Borough Council undertook public consultation to extend the PSPO for public place drinking for a further 3 years until 21st August 2025. This proposal was supported by key stakeholders and 92% of consultation respondents and therefore, was recommended for extension.

During the same period, Worthing Borough Council consulted on the variation and extension of the PSPO to address unauthorised camping to cover Goring Greensward only. Again this was supported by partners and 86% of respondents and therefore, was recommended for approval.

An amendment to the recommendation regarding PSPO 1 to include ‘a request for….’ was proposed by Councillor Vicki Wells, seconded by Councillor Martin McCabe and unanimously supported.

The recommendations, as amended, were proposed by Councillor Martin McCabe, seconded by Councillor Vicki Wells and unanimously supported. 

Decision

The Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing):-

1)    approved the extension of PSPO 1 (Public Place Drinking) in its current form for a further three years until 21 August 2025 and requested that a detailed report on their use be submitted to the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee in 12 months;

2)    agreed to allow PSPO 2 (Begging in Worthing Town centre) to expire on 21 August 2022 without being extended;

3)    approved the variation of PSPO 3 (Unauthorised Camping) to cover the Goring Greensward only for a further three years until 21 August 2025;

4)    requested that the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviews all Worthing Borough Council PSPOs on an annual basis.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decision will be 5.00pm on the 15th July 2022.

To consider a report from the Director for the Economy, a copy is attached as item 6.

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for the Economy, presented by the Cabinet Member for Resources, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 6.

The report advised Members of the Town Centre Initiative’s (TCI) proposal to ballot businesses located within the existing Worthing Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), with a view to extending the term of the BID for a further five years.

Members were asked to consider how to best use this opportunity to strengthen partnership working between the TCI and the Council. It was recommended that Members ensure both parties work collaboratively, in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation, to align resources and activities that support shared priorities and to communicate the work of BID partners in a way that enhances their reputation and that of the Town.

It was also noted that the Business Improvement District would provide an annual report to the Council.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor John Turley, seconded by Councillor Rita Garner and unanimously supported.

Decision

The Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing):-

1.    agreed to support the proposal for a fourth term of the Worthing Town Centre BID for a period of five years to commence on 1st April 2023, and approved the BID levy proposed by the TCI of 1.25%

2.    delegated authority to the Director for the Economy to:-

a.    receive the regulatory Notice to Renew the BID from the TCI; to agree any minor amendments to the renewal BID proposals and to work with Civica to hold the renewal ballot;

b.    finalise the terms of, and enter into, the BID Agreement between the TCI and the Council, and to incorporate into that Agreement the recommendations at paragraph 6.5  in the report; and

3.    acknowledged the JOSC Working Group’s response to its review of the Worthing Business Improvement District in 2022 and the Working Group’s input into the recommendations contained in this report.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decision will be 5.00pm on the 15th July 2022.

To consider a report from the Interim Director for Communities, a copy is attached as item 7.

Before the Committee was a report by the Interim Director for Communities, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 7.

The report set out a motion (attached as Appendix 1) referred from the meeting of Worthing Borough Council on the 5th April 2022.

Members of the Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing) were asked to consider and determine the Motion. Members could either support the motion and ask for further work to be carried out in this regard, or, members could reject the motion.

Councillor Wells presented the motion to the Sub-Committee which sought a plan to employ safe and environmentally friendly alternatives and phase out the use of glyphosate and other synthetic herbicides and pesticides in all parks, public green spaces and hard standing areas within the next 18 months.

It was noted that there were a growing number of non-chemical alternatives to glyphosate that had been adopted by other local authorities including Hackney, Glastonbury and Hammersmith and Fulham. The alternatives trialled and adopted included Hot Foam Systems, Acetic Acid Solutions and Electric Control Systems. In addition, more traditional methods, including mulching and hand weeding were also effective in reducing weeds. 

Members were informed that a Health & Safety task force had been established to look at the Council’s safe use of hazardous substances. As part of this work, officers were conducting an audit of items used by the Council.

It was proposed by Councillor McCabe that the motion be supported. This was seconded by Councillor Taylor and unanimously supported.       

Decision

The Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (Worthing) supported the motion and determined that a plan be worked on and reported back to the Sub-Committee for its consideration.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decision will be 5.00pm on the 15th July 2022.