Agenda and draft minutes

The Mayor used his discretion to enable the Leader to make the following announcements:-

The Leader advised Council that Councillor Caroline Baxter would fill the Labour vacancy on the Licensing & Control Committee with immediate effect.

The Leader also announced that the Council had received a number of public questions in advance of the meeting in regard to the Community Catalyst tender. The Leader confirmed that this was a two stage tender process and that the Council had listened carefully to the feedback received to date. Due to there being a limited amount of time during public question time, an additional meeting had been arranged at 5.30pm on 5th March 2025 to continue this conversation with interested residents and community groups.

There were no apologies for absence. 

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 Special and Full Council Meetings held on Tuesday 17th December 2024, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved that the minutes of both the Ordinary and Special meetings of Full Council held on 17th December 2024 be approved as correct records and that they be signed by the Mayor.

To receive any questions from members of the public addressed to Members of the Cabinet 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 12 noon on 20th February 2025. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Question from Russ Cochran, a Worthing Resident

I understand this council has been dealing with issues such as the cost of living and cohesion. by commissioning a delivery partner that will support projects such as tackling the cost of living to extend the impact and so more people could benefit, and it has also sought to launch a community fund to enable people to develop solutions to practical needs in the spring.

So, in more detail, what way does this council feel it can continue to be a council for the community in future moving forward by both tackling and delivering on many more community issues, other than the aforementioned one. and, if there have already been any areas that have already been identified to improve things for the community where it can improve on how best to tackle any issues whilst the council develops each these solutions when attempting to meet its aims and targets to be a council for the community, by this I mean for the borough as a whole

The Leader thanked the resident for their question.

Worthing Borough Council was committed to being a council for the community, meaning it didn’t need to always provide services but work alongside residents, businesses, and community groups to tackle issues together. Sometimes this meant working with communities and at other times it was taking decisions on behalf of our communities.

Examples of how the Council was supporting the community included the cost of living support work, the launching of a new community fund to help people create their own local projects to tackle cost of living challenges. The Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Funds enabled residents to access funding for projects to support their local community.

As an example in the ward of Northbrook, in the past few months, this Council for the Community has:

§  Advocated for residents on the West Durrington estate to extract from developers a delivery plan for a community park which will start in the next few months;

§  Got the same developers to commit to the construction of a new community centre and run a community engagement exercise to hear what residents want to happen in the building;

§  Opened a new playground in the north sector;

§  Granted planning permission for a new construction trades centre at Northbrook College

The Councils had set up neighbourhood teams to work closely with residents in their local areas. These teams listen to concerns, help solve problems, and connect people with the right support.

Question from Constantine de Goguel, a Worthing resident

The council leader describes claims that the May 2025 County elections have been cancelled as 'misinformation' and that the elections have just been postponed. Could she please tell me when these elections or equivalent will be held?

The Leader replied that the postponement of the County elections was part of the government's Devolution Priority Programme, as outlined in the English Devolution White Paper published in December. In a statement earlier this month, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/57/24-25

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached items as 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

            Reports are available on the website as listed below: 

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

Extracts of these minutes had been circulated as items 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

Item 5A           Joint Audit & Governance Committee - 29 January 2025

Asset Disposal Uplift, a recommendation from the Joint Strategic Committee

The Chair of the Joint Audit & Governance Committee (JAGC) introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded by Councillor John Turley and supported following a vote (In Favour 32, Against 0, Abstentions 5).

Resolved,

The Council approved the proposed constitutional amendment as recommended by the Joint Strategic Committee.

Item 5B           Worthing Cabinet -  4 February 2025

Budget Estimates 2025/26 and setting of the 2025/26 Council Tax

The Mayor advised that the recommendations from Worthing Cabinet would be considered under Item 8 on the agenda.

Item 5C           Worthing Cabinet -  4 February 2025

Investing in our Places - Capital Programme 2024/26 to 2027/28

The Mayor advised that the recommendations from Worthing Cabinet would be considered under Item 8 on the agenda.

Item 5D           Joint Strategic Committee - 6 February 2025

Joint Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2025/26 to 2027/28, Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council

The Leader introduced the recommendation to the Council which was seconded by Councillor John Turley and supported following a vote (In Favour 25, Against 0, Abstentions 12).

Resolved, The Council approved the Prudential Indicators and Limits, and MRP Statements.

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 12 noon on 20th February 2025. 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 Chair 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

First rotation:

Question 1 from Cllr Kevin Jenkins to the Leader

Devolution, Sussex has been placed on the priority scheme for devolution, unitary authorities and an elected mayor. You as this council's leader have been involved along with the other District and Borough council leaders in direct consultations with the leader of West Sussex County Council as to what model should be recommended for West Sussex / Sussex as a whole, a West Sussex unitary of 900,000 or a West Sussex unitary of 700,000 population to be set out in the submission to be sent to government and required by the 21st March.

Can you please advise us as to which model you have recommended that you believe will best support Worthing, being part of a West Sussex unitary or being part of a greater Brighton unitary authority?

The Leader replied, a couple of points to make about this question, firstly it is too early to talk about a ‘recommended’ model for Worthing right now.

There are a number of different factors and data sets that we need to work through before we move towards a recommended model. There is also the engagement and participation work to do with the public, with local businesses and stakeholders and I am not set on a particular direction until there is evidence behind a potential preferred option.

Greater Brighton or West Sussex are certainly not our only options and believe we need to explore all potential footprints as part of the consultation.

To confirm also that the submission due to the Government in March is an update on the work that is currently being done - this will not be a submission of options or footprints at this stage. This will be done in September following full consultation 

Question 2 from Cllr Ian Davey to the Leader

The question was withdrawn.

Question 3 from Councillor Richard Nowak to the Leader

Would you please provide your best guesstimate as to the financial contribution voluntary,  community and social enterprise organisations make to the Worthing economy each year and the money spent by Worthing Borough Council each year on Community Works?

The Leader replied that she could not provide an estimate of the financial contribution that the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations made to the Worthing economy each year; however, the Council valued the organisations that provide such fantastic support to our communities.

In terms of the 2024/25 Worthing Borough Council budget for the VCSE infrastructure support Worthing Borough Council spent £31,340 on the contract while Adur District Council provides the same amount for this VCSE infrastructure support.

Question 4 from Councillor Ian Davey to the Cabinet Member for Resources

Worthing BC is asking for Exceptional Financial Support of around £2m for 2025-26, with financing costs of £180k. This we understand will involve borrowing. More borrowing may be necessary in subsequent years as Worthing BC is absorbed into a larger Unitary Authority. Could the Cabinet Member for resources please say what he anticipates will happen  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/59/24-25

The Council is asked to suspend Council Procedure Rules for consideration and determination of item 8 on the agenda, where they conflict with the Budget Procedure Rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the Budget Procedure Rules.

The Council was asked to suspend Council Procedure rules where they conflicted with the budget procedure rules in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the budget procedure rules.

Having been proposed by the Leader, seconded by Councillor Vicki Wells, the Council unanimously agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rules for the consideration of Item 8 on the agenda.

* The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 11.44 am and reconvened it at 11.58 am

To consider and set the Council Tax for 2025/26.

A separate budget pack, produced by the Director for Sustainability & Resources, is attached as item 8, and the recommendations from the Cabinet, at item 5B and 5C, will also be considered as part of this item.

The Mayor introduced the item explaining that items 5B and 5C, recommendations from the Cabinet, would be considered as part of this discussion with the full proposed recommendation being contained in the papers circulated with the agenda.

As required by the Regulations there would be a recorded vote on any amendments to the proposed budget together with a final vote on the substantive motion.

The Mayor clarified that the item would be dealt with under the budget procedure rules and therefore, ordinary rules of debate did not apply.

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council to address the Chamber. 

The Leader of the Council introduced the budget and setting of the council tax to members and a copy of the Leaders budget speech is appended to these minutes as Appendix A.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor John Turley.

The Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council, Councillor Kevin Jenkins, addressed the Council and proposed an amendment to the budget.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Sparkes.

The Leader of the Worthing Community Independents Group on the Council, Councillor Carl Walker, addressed the Council and proposed two amendments to the budget.

The proposed amendments were seconded by Councillor Claire Hunt.

The Leader of the Green Party Group on the Council, Councillor Claire Hunt, addressed the Council and proposed an amendment to the budget.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ian Davey.

Councillor Jenkins proposed the following Motion without notice under Council Procedure Rule 15.1 (d):- That the Leader of the Council look again at the CIL allocation for Worthing at the Joint Officer / Member Board.

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

Members in the Chamber debated the proposed budget.

In accordance with Budget Procedure Rules, all Group Leaders who had proposed amendments were given a right of reply and the Leader of the Council was given the final right of reply.

The Mayor put the Conservative amendment to the Council for a vote. A recorded vote was taken, the results of which, are set out below:-

For (10): Councillors  Harris, Houghton, Humphreys, James, Jenkins, Mercer, Morgan, Nowak, Sparkes & Taylor

Against (21): Councillors Abraham, Barrett, Baxter, Bozkurt, Choudhury, Chowdhury, Cox, Ellum, Ford, Garner, Glynn-Davies, Hermitage, Overton, Roser, Skinner, Smith, Theodoridi, Turley, Wells, Whight & Whorlow

Abstentions (6): Councillor Atkins, Davey, Howard, Hunt, Schan and Walker.

The Mayor announced that the amendment was not supported.

The Mayor put the Worthing Community Independents first amendment to the Council for a vote. A recorded vote was taken, the results of which, are set out below:-

For (13): Councillors  Davey, Howard, Humphreys, Hunt, James, Jenkins, Mercer, Morgan, Nowak, Schan, Sparkes, Taylor and Walker.

Against (21): Councillors Abraham, Barrett, Baxter, Bozkurt, Choudhury, Chowdhury, Cox, Ellum, Ford, Garner, Glynn-Davies, Hermitage, Overton, Roser, Skinner, Smith, Theodoridi, Turley, Wells, Whight & Whorlow

Abstentions (3): Councillor Atkins, Harris and Houghton.

The Mayor announced that the amendment was not supported.

The Mayor put the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/61/24-25

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

There were no urgent items raised under the urgency provisions.