Agenda and draft minutes

The Mayor received apologies for absence from Councillors Helen Abrahams, Daniel Humphreys and Claire Hunt.

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 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 

1. A specific planning or licensing application
2. 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 Thursday 16 May 2024. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk  

There were no questions from the public.

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Kevin Jenkins, detailed as item.

Members had a motion before them proposed by Councillor Kevin Jenkins and seconded by Councillor Richard Nowak. 

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Beccy Cooper and seconded by Councillor Rita Garner. 

The Worthing Labour Group has been listening for the past 12 months to all our communities including other members of this Council.  We recognise that there remains widely differing views about the wearing of the Mayoral Robes.  We are conscious however that having listened, we also acknowledge that in this day and age, it is no longer appropriate or acceptable to many to wear real fur and I therefore propose the following amendment to the motion before us:- 

Part 1 - Subject to Part 2 of this motion and sourcing an alternative Mayoral Robe without real fur that use of the Mayoral Robes be reinstated and that these should be worn by the Town’s Mayor at their discretion at all public engagements and especially those of significant calendar note in Worthing. 

Part 2 - That a separate work stream is implemented and that it is tasked to consider the opportunity to secure the position of an alternative Mayoral gown that does not contain animal fur or other like products that may cause any incumbent Mayor not to utilise them. 

* The meeting was adjourned at 18.15 and reconvened at 18.35.

Following debate and a vote, the amendment was supported.

The substantive motion as amended was then debated. 

The Council, in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, was required to determine Part 1 of the Motion and refer Part 2 to the Leader of Worthing Borough Council for determination. 

Following a vote, it was agreed that 

Decision:

The Council resolved, that subject to Part 2 of this motion and the sourcing of an alternative Mayoral Robe without real fur, that use of the Mayoral Robes be reinstated and that these should be worn by the Town’s Mayor at their discretion at all public engagements and especially those of significant calendar note in Worthing.

The Council referred Part 2 of the motion to the Leader of Worthing Borough Council for determination - That a separate work stream be implemented and that it is tasked to consider the opportunity to secure the position of an alternative Mayoral gown that does not contain animal fur or other like products that may cause any incumbent Mayor not to utilise them.

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

There were no urgent items raised under urgency provisions.