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

To approve the minutes of the Worthing Joint Strategic Sub-Committee meeting held on 5 December 2023, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved: that the minutes from the Worthing Joint Strategic Sub-Committee meeting held on 5 December 2023, be approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions from members of the public.

Questions should be submitted by noon on Thursday 1 February 2024 to  Democratic Services, democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk    

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

There were no public questions

Pre-submitted Members questions are pursuant to rule 12 of the Council & Committee Procedure Rules.

Questions should be submitted by noon on Thursday 1 February 2024 to  Democratic Services, democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk    

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

There were no members questions

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

There were no urgent items

To consider a report by the Assistant Director for People and Change, copy attached as item 6

Before the Committee was a report by the Assistant Director for People and change, 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 before members gave an update on the activities and outcomes of Big Listen and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) as part of the Council for the Community programme. It set out the key areas of learning from the two programmes and recommended principles for future participation work in Worthing. The report also proposed a participation programme for Worthing based on current levels of resourcing.

Members were told about the Big listen campaign and the large amount of feedback received. This information was about getting a real feel for what people wanted for the town and how the Council could respond to that as a partnership with our communities. As a result a young person's strategy had been developed and a number of projects were being embarked upon since.

The Deputy Leader introduced the report, Members were told that people in Worthing wanted more engagement and wanted to be more involved in decision making and the Stewardship of the town. There had been actions since the big listen to devolve some of the decision making including the awarding of CIL money. The following year the Council would need to scale up its participation infrastructure and give opportunities for people to become involved. Members were told that the Council worked better when in partnership with community groups and residents.

The Committee welcomed the report and lauded the work that had gone and were enthusiastic for the work moving forward.

Decision

1.     The development of a participation programme for 2024/25 that closes the gap between participation, decision-making, delivery and communication and which includes a range of participation methods and formats, as detailed in paragraph 3.13.1. be approved

2.     That participation resource be prioritised in developing the infrastructure we need internally to grow our participation capabilities as detailed in 3.13.2.

3.     That a Council for the Community offer for how we support participation across Worthing as detailed in paragraph 3.13.3. Be developed

The committee noted a wider need to

1.     Develop a participation multi-disciplinary team bringing together staff to better support participation, develop participatory decision making and help communities make a difference in their streets and spaces across Adur & Worthing Councils.

2.     Digital tools for people have their say and match people up to increase social action.

3.     Applied learning and development programme to enable residents, staff and partners to develop and share skills in place-based working and participation and apply them to practical challenges. This will improve the quality of how we do participation – including through improved hosting and facilitation skills and make better use of partner skills.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decisions will be 5.00pm on 16 February 2024.

To consider a report by the Director for Sustainability and Resources, copy attached as item 8

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Sustainability and 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 8.

The Worthing Joint Strategic Sub-Committee (WJSSC) had been asked to receive and consider the findings and recommendations of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) and JOSC Working Group which reviewed the Worthing Cultural Services procurement process that was undertaken in 2019.

The Working Group had considered the evidence and other information presented to it and considered that the externalisation process, including the procurement aspects, were robust and in accordance with the legal requirements of such processes. These findings were approved by JOSC at its meeting on 30 November 2023 and the report and findings are also now referred to this Sub-Committee for its consideration.

Members discussed the report and its findings and noted concerns about continuity of membership on JOSC working groups

Decision

1.     That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee be thanked for the thorough review

2.     That the report and finding of the JOSC working group be noted and that no further response on the matter be issued.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decisions will be 5.00pm on 16 February 2024.

To consider a report by the Director for Sustainability & Resources, copy attached as item 9.

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Sustainability and 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 9.

On 12th December 2023, Worthing Full Council considered a Motion on Notice received from Cllr Claire Hunt regarding “sustainable marine recovery”. The Motion called on Worthing Council to declare an urgent need for marine recovery and sustainability to realise “clean, healthy and productive seas, to meet our net zero targets and for all of the direct economic, health and wellbeing benefits it will bring”. The Motion, seconded by Cllr Sophie Cox, cabinet lead for Climate, was debated and then referred to Worthing Joint Strategic Sub Committee for consideration and determination.

The report before members set out the key features of the declaration and considers how the Sussex Bay programme initiated by Worthing Borough Council in partnership with Adur District Council demonstrated the Council’s existing clear strategic commitment to ocean recovery and how the declaration would reinforce and extend that commitment further.

Decision

1.     That the Council become a signatory to the Motion for the Ocean Declaration, joining 21 other local authorities, and registering this on the LGA Coastal SIG website

2.     That the WJSSC write to the Government, as called for in the Motion

3.     That the progress being made by the Sussex Bay programme and its ability to deliver the commitments being made through the Declaration be noted. Updates to be included in the regular Worthing Priorities updates to Committee.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decisions will be 5.00pm on 16 February 2024.

To consider a report by the Director for Place copy attached as item 7.

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Place, 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 purpose of the report was to advise members of the Sub-Committee of a dispute that had arisen in relation to the development of the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) and Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP); to propose a suitable financial resolution; and to advise on associated fees and interest payments related to the project. The report set out a clear picture of the final amounts required to complete the wider project to an agreed deadline

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration introduced the report and gave background to the decision before Members. The meeting was told that the process had taught the Cabinet about working in partnership with other bodies for the future.

A question was asked about rental income from the WICC and the Cabinet Member undertook to provide a written response to the question.

Decision

1.     That a budget virement of £1.85m from the Strategic Property Investment to settle the dispute be approved;

2.     That further budget virements from the Strategic Property Investment Fund be approved to ensure practical completion of the WICC and MCSP by May 23rd 2024  of:

a)     £250k for legal/professional fees;

b)     £721k in additional interest costs on borrowing

3.     That the Director for Place be authorised to finalise the terms of the settlement agreement and to enter into that agreement in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decisions will be 5.00pm on 16 February 2024.

To consider an exempt report by the Director for Housing and Communities, copy attached as item 12.

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Place, 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 8.

Decision

1.     The options available to the council for the development of the 23 Shelley Road only, or 23 Shelley Road and 52 Gratwicke Road as a single site be noted.

2.     That a budget virement of £654,000 from the Housing Development budget for the purchase of 52 Gratwicke Road, based on the terms and business case presented in the paper be approved.

3.     That the Director for Place be authorised to finalise the terms of the settlement agreement and to enter into that agreement in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

4.     That a virement from the Housing Development budget for an additional £138,000 to take the preferred option to a planning application be approved, reflecting the increased size of the development and application.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decisions will be 5.00pm on 16 February 2024.