Agenda and draft minutes

The Mayor received apologies for absence from Councillors Barrett, Mercer, Mulholland, Sparkes, Walker and Wells.

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 both the Annual and Extraordinary Council Meetings held on Tuesday 21st May 2024, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved that the minutes of the Extraordinary and Annual Meetings held on 21 May 2024 be approved as correct records and that they be signed by the Mayor.

To elect the Leader of the Council for a term not exceeding four years; the person elected will serve as Leader for the remainder of their term of office as Councillor.

It was proposed by Councillor Samuel Theodoridi and seconded by Councillor Lysanne Skinnerthat Councillor Sophie Cox be elected Leader of the Council. 

Following a vote, the Council unanimously approved the proposal. 

Resolved that Councillor Sophie Cox be the Leader of the Council for the period of her term of office as Councillor; namely to the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2028.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader addressed the Council, confirming that she would retain responsibility for  Young People, Communities and the Climate Crisis alongside her responsibilities as Leader of the Council. 

Councillor Rita Garner would become the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing.

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 18th July 2024 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

1.    Question submitted by Lionel Harman, a Worthing Resident, to the Leader

I attended the special meeting of Worthing borough council on the 21st of May at 6:00 PM to discuss the reinstatement off the mayoral robes, and was hopeful that the motion brought to the council on the 18 th July 2023, to desist with the use of ceremonial robes in all public engagements had finally been reversed.

However, the last-minute motion to replace the robes using synthetic products instead of fur has yet again stalled the reintroduction of the Robes. When will this Council learn and start listening to the people?

I have set up a GO FUND me page to raise the money needed to replace the robes without affecting the public purse, will all Councillors commit to supporting this initiative demonstrating to the people of Worthing and the surrounding areas that this bad decision is finally abandoned and reversed, and councillor’s donate to the fund as a way of compensating for the

Residents that are passionate about our heritage and traditions?

The Leader replied that she was aware that some residents felt very strongly about his issue and that a commitment had been made to bring back the Mayoral Robes minus the fur.

This wasn’t one of the Council’s top priorities but work was underway to involve Northbrook College in a design project for the delivery of appropriate robes for the Mayor to wear.

The Leader was happy to meet with Mr Harman to discuss the issue further.

2.   Question submitted by Rod Thick, a Worthing Resident (on behalf of Transition Town Worthing Transport Group), to the Leader

Transport is one of the largest emitters of carbon. What plans do the Council have to reduce these emissions to net zero in the Worthing area by 2030?

Mr Thick was unable to attend the meeting, therefore, the Mayor read out his question and requested that the Leader provide a written response to the question. The response can be seen below:-

Worthing Borough Council had set a target to be a carbon neutral council by 2030 and one of the biggest carbon emitters that the Council was directly responsible for was the waste vehicle fleet, which was predominantly still diesel with some electric.

Work was currently underway on a fleet strategy to decarbonise the fleet which would contribute towards, along with the heat network, the Council leading the way in becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and a net zero borough by 2045. The Council would be confirming in more detail its fleet strategy at the Joint Strategic Committee meeting in October.

The Council's control/ influence around transport emissions was limited, and whilst the Council was looking at the work it could do within its direct control - the Council also wanted to work with other stakeholders (bus companies and other fleet operators), West Sussex County Council as the highways authority and national organisations to collectively decarbonise transport.

3.      Question submitted by Rebecca (on behalf of Parents for Peace  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/18/24-25

The Mayor informed Council that he had attended the following events since the Annual Council Meeting:- 

1. HMS Hood memorial event
2. Capital kids cricket at Arundel castle cricket club
3. Worthing veterans Event for D Day 80th anniversary
4. Durrington festival
5. RNLI memorial service
6. Worthing schools legacy games
7. Meeting the Lord Lieutenant Lady Emma Barnard
8. Northbrook end of year show
9. Worthing Community Awards
10. Worthing festival and women’s hub event
11. Armed force Day event accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant
12. Battle of Boars ahead Memorial
13. Srebrenica Memorial Day
14. Care for veterans summer fayre
15. Broadwater carnival and Worthing fire station open day.

The Mayor invited all Councillors to his first dinner charity fundraising event on 13th August at Efes Restaurant in Clifton Road. 

The Leader, Cabinet Members and Chief Executive made no announcements.

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

An urgent report was considered by the Council regarding a proposed change of date to the Full Council meeting scheduled in October (from the 22nd October to the 15th October). 

The General Election in July 2024 had caused a delay to the LGA Conference originally scheduled for the first week of July. The new dates for the conference clashed with the October Council meeting and a request had been received to change the date of Full Council to foster Council Leadership representation at the LGA Conference. 

The recommendation in the report was proposed by Councillor Sophie Cox, seconded by Councillor Kevin Jenkins and unanimously supported following a vote.

Resolved: that Council approved a change to the date of the Worthing Borough Council meeting from Tuesday 22 October 2024 to Tuesday 15 October 2024.

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached items as 9A, 9B(i), 9B(ii), 9C(i) and 9C(ii). 

Reports are available on the website as listed below:

Council had, before it, recommendations from the Joint Audit & Governance Committee, the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Joint Strategic Committee.

Extracts of these minutes had been circulated as items 9A, 9B(i), 9B(ii), 9C(i) and 9C(ii).

Item 9A                       Joint Audit & Governance Committee - 28 May 2024

Joint Audit & Governance Committee Appointments: Parish Councillors

The Chair of the Joint Governance Committee, Cllr Hermitage, proposed the recommendations from the meeting held on 28 May 2024. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Cathy Glynn-Davies and unanimously supported by the Council:

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council approved the appointment of Cllr Liz Haywood as a Co-opted Member (from Lancing Parish Council) of the Joint Audit & Governance Committee for 2024/25 and the appointment of Cllr Tim Hicks as a Co-opted Member (from Sompting Parish Council) of the Joint Audit & Governance Committee for 2024/25.

Item 9B(i)       Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 15 July 2024

New JOSC Work Programme for 2024/25

In the absence of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, JOSC member, Cllr Hermitage, proposed the recommendation from the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 July 2024.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Samuel Theodoridi and unanimously supported by the Council.

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council approved the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2024/25.

Item 9B(ii)      Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 15 July 2024

JOSC Annual Report for 2023/24

In the absence of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, JOSC member, Cllr Hermitage, proposed the recommendation from the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 July 2024.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Jon Roser and unanimously supported by the Council.

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council approved the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2023/24.

Item 9C(i)       Joint Strategic Committee - 17 July 2024

Financial Performance 2023/24 - Capital and Projects Outturn

The Leader proposed the recommendations from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 17 July 2024.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor John Turley and following debate and a vote, was supported by the Council.

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council

1.    Noted the overall capital final outturn for 2023/24;

2.    Agreed the net carry over of General Fund Capital underspends for Worthing Borough Council as detailed in paragraph 5.11;

3.    Approved the financing of the Worthing Borough Council 2023/24 Capital Investment Programme, including the use of capital receipts as set out in paragraphs 5.8, 5.9 and 5.10;

4.    Approved the carry forward of Council resources underspends to fund budget pressures as detailed paragraph 4.5.2 and reviewed in 5.13 with a summary in paragraph 5.14.

Item 9C(ii)      Joint Strategic Committee - 17 July 2024

Strategic Property Investment Fund

The Leader proposed the recommendations from the Joint Strategic Committee meeting held on 17 July 2024.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor John Turley and supported following a vote.

Resolved: That Worthing Borough Council agreed to adopt the Commercial Property Investment Strategy the Budget Strategy for 2023/24 outlined in Section 9 of the report.

To receive a report from the Leader as item 10. The report contains decisions taken by the Cabinet, Cabinet Members, the Joint Strategic Committee and the Worthing Joint Strategic Sub-Committee since the last Council meeting.  

There will be up to 15 minutes for Cabinet Members to make any statements on the report. There will also be up to 15 minutes for Cabinet Members to respond to questions on the report. These questions will not be the same as any to be asked under Item 12.

The Leader of the Council presented their report on decisions taken by the Cabinet since the last meeting of the Council, which were detailed in Item 10.

Questions were received in relation to a food waste collection service, the Q3 to Q4 overspend, the Local Nature Strategy and the ending of the JSC Sub-Committee pilot scheme.

To receive a report from the Assistant Director for People & Change, attached as item 11.

Before the Council was a report by the Director for Sustainability and Resources, which was circulated to all members and is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 11.

The Leader proposed the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor John Turley. 

Cllr Kevin Jenkins proposed the following amendment - to change reference to Adur District Council in Appendix 1 and replace it with Worthing Borough Council. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Rita Garner. 

Following a vote, the recommendation as amended was unanimously supported.

Resolved, that the Council noted and approved the amended Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

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 18th July 2024 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Questions can be asked of the following:

a)    The Mayor

b)    A Member of the Cabinet

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 12 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 5rotations 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 Davey, Hunt, Jenkins and Schan.

First rotation: 

Question 1 from Councillor Kevin Jenkins to the Cabinet Member for Safety, Equalities and Inclusion

Unauthorised camping, incursions by Travellers of any background, on Council owned land. We all recognise that this can in some quarters be a highly contentious issue for the community. You recently met with your Adur councillor colleagues and senior officers to review your joint approach. So for clarity for the settled community and particularly my community in Goring, can you please set out how as a Council you will respond to each incursion and what facilities you will make available. 

The Cabinet Member replied that Adur and Worthing Councils ensured that the process when travellers arrived on land was managed effectively, liaised with Member leads and ward Members and allocated resources as necessary resulting from encampments, including providing basic amenities, including bins and, where appropriate, access to toilet facilities.

The organisation also ensured the reporting and intelligence were shared and actioned appropriately, addressed any reports of fly tipping and cleaned up sites after groups had left and implemented target hardening to prevent future access to sites. It coordinated with West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, and other partners and provided updates through social media and web pages.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) acted as the lead authority, managing statutory processes including welfare and safeguarding. They carried out the following:

• Visited the encampment within one working day of notification.
• Conducted health and welfare enquiries of the occupants.
• Provided clear advice on expected conduct while on site.
• Initiated and managed the legal process and court liaison.

WSCC can issue a Notice of Direction under S77 CJPOA 1994 if no health and welfare concerns were identified and could commence legal action if the Notice of Direction was ignored. They worked with Sussex Police to enforce court orders. They also managed the West Sussex travellers Transit Site at Westhampnett, Chichester, which provided temporary accommodation for travellers. They also led external communications, including updates on the WSCC website, engaged with the Friends and Families of Travellers and Gypsies Group and other stakeholders.

Sussex Police had enforcement and legal powers. They Led in using police and enforcement powers where necessary. They liaised with the Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Group to promote equality and tackle hate crime. They assessed each site, considering behaviour, anti-social behaviour (ASB), and nuisance issues. They worked in conjunction  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/25/24-25