Agenda item

The Mayor informed Council that he had attended a number of events since the October Council Meeting, including:-

Remembrance Sunday;

1.    A meeting hosted by the High Sherif in Worthing to meet with community groups;

2.    I have attended some wonderful Carol services at local Schools, the Salvation Army Carol Service and the St Barnabas ‘light up a life’ service;

3.    Earlier today I attended a memorial event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Lancaster that crashed on Worthing Beach on 17 The December 1944.

Leader:-

1.    Thanked the Council’s engineers and maintenance teams as well as the contractors who had worked in extremely challenging circumstances on the pier to enable its reopening on the 4th December;

2.    Highlighted that ongoing investigative and planning work was taking place in relation to structures on Worthing Seafront, the outcomes of which would be shared once this activity was complete;

3.    That a White Paper regarding devolution proposals had been published on the 16th December 2024;

4.    Informed Council that Cllr Andy Whight was stepping down from the Planning Committee with immediate effect and was to be replaced by Cllr Dale Overton. The Leader thanked Cllr Whight for all of his work as Chair of the Planning Committee. In addition, Cllr Rosey Whorlow would replace Cllr Dom Ford on the Labour membership of the committee.

Decisions,

1.    The Leader proposed that Cllr Helen Abrahams be appointed as the Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Andy Whight seconded the proposal and following a vote, the motion was unanimously supported.

2.    The Leader proposed that Cllr Samuel Theodoridi be appointed the Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Andy Whight seconded the proposal and following a vote, the motion was unanimously supported.

3.    Advised Council that Cllr Dom Ford and Cllr Tom Ellum would fill the Labour vacancies on the Joint Audit & Governance Committee membership.

4.    Advised Council that Cllr Caroline Baxter would fill the Labour vacancies on the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Worthing Overview & Scrutiny Committee.   

The Cabinet Member for Resources, updated the Council regarding the submission of a request to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for exceptional financial support. Worthing Borough Council was not the only Council in this position, as 1 in 4 Councils had told the LGA that they expected to be asking for help from the government in the next 2 years.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment made the following announcements:-

1.    That refurbishment work on the Rotunda by Windsor Lawns was due to begin in the new year, transforming the venue into a new facility where local fishers could compare and sell their fresh fish.

2.    The annual classifications for Worthing’s 3 designated bathing waters were published by DEFRA at the end of November. The classifications were disappointing, with the newly designated beach at Beach House being designated as poor, whilst Heene and the new site at Goring Gap were both classified as satisfactory. Investigations would determine the source of bacteria and pollution to ultimately improve the classifications moving forward. 

 The Cabinet Member for Regeneration made the following announcements:-

1.    Montague Gardens - the Council had spoken to local businesses to ensure that they were aware that works would be starting in the spring and that a number of contractors who the Council expected would express an interest in the tender for work;

2.    Worthing Integrated Care Centre and Car Park - the project had reached practical completion and the car park was now open. It was anticipated that Health Services would be moving in in a matter of weeks;

3.    Union Place - a report would be considered by the Joint Strategic Committee in early 2025 following detailed negotiations with Roffey Homes and the Council expected works to commence onsite shortly afterwards.

4.    Teville Gate - HEMIKO were using half of the site in the interim as their base for the major works that were ongoing and progressing well. Homes England have completed the initial ground investigations and appointed technical consultants who will lead on the design and engagement work. Members were assured that although there was no visible activity onsite, important preparation work was continuing;  

5.    Heat Network - HEMIKO were making good progress to connect more buildings with the network reducing emissions for each connected Council building by 75% which is expected to be 300 tonnes of carbon in phase 1, increasing to 3000 tonnes once all other buildings were connected. HEMIKO was actively engaging with commercial buildings and developers to deliver low carbon heat to more and more buildings, helping the Council to deliver on its 2045 area wide net zero target. The Heat Network Concession Model was also a UK first;

6.    Bereavement Services - the Council’s new memorial garden was under construction and the Worthing Highcrem pilot (also a world first) with a technical report expected this month. A bid had been submitted to PSDS round 4 for low carbon cremators but with the total project value in excess of £2.5m, the Council will need to do a full assessment once we know if we are successful. A major review of bereavement services has been undertaken and a detailed plan and business case will follow in the new year. 

The Chief Executive made no announcements.

The Mayor used his discretion to allow the Opposition Group Leader to make the following announcements:-

1.    Notified the Council that Councillor Luke Houghton would replace Councillor Richard Nowak on the Licensing & Control Committee.