Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

Question from Dr Ian Gibson

The District Plan Inspector was critical of the Council for its failure to provide adequate guidance to neighbourhood plans...on the amounts of housing development they should aim to accommodate.  He also said Future plans, both neighbourhood plans and the Site Allocations Plan, must take account of the numbers of new homes expected in each settlement.

The proposed methodology for the SHELAA does not set any housing targets for individual settlements or provide any role for Neighbourhood Plans in the site selection process.

Will the Council ask the Scrutiny Committee to reconsider this approach and involve Neighbourhood Plan communities?

Response from Cllr. Andrew MacNaughton, Cabinet Member for Community, Housing & Planning

Thank you for your question Dr. Gibson, because this provides me with an opportunity to reiterate what officers have already explained to you.

The District Plan does in fact set out the housing requirement for individual settlements in Policy DP6: Settlement Hierarchy. I can also confirm that the Inspector, in his Report into the Examination of the District Plan, acknowledged (in Para 33) that this “is a sound and helpful approach that has been evolved in consultation with parishes and neighbourhoods”. 

You are confusing the role of the District Plan with that of the SHELAA. It is the role of the District Plan to provide housing targets which it does in DP6.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) advises that the purpose of a SHELAA is to inform local planning authorities of the land available in their area. The sites identified in the SHELAA are the palette of potential housing and employment sites which are then subject to further assessment.

There are a number of stages the Council must go through in the Site Selection process. Stage 1 is to assess the sites against the District Plan strategy based on 2 criteria: connectivity to settlements and the size of the proposed site in relation to the existing housing requirement for each settlement, as set out in DP6. At its meeting on 25 September 2018 the Scrutiny Committee considered the outcome of the Stage 1 Assessment. A report outlining Stage 2 of the process will be considered by Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 21 November 2018.

I can therefore assure you that the Council is satisfied that it has followed government policy and guidance in establishing its methodology. As you will know from your attendance at various meetings I am satisfied that the development of the criteria and the approach has involved Neighbourhood Plan communities. Furthermore the policies of Neighbourhood Plans will be considered in the Stage 2 assessment. Therefore, there is no need for the Scrutiny Committee to reconsider the approach.

Supplementary question from Dr Gibson

My question arose from a vigorous debate by Parish Councils at a recent MSALC meeting. 19 of the 24 Town and Parish Councils in Mid Sussex have made, or drafted Neighbourhood Plans.  The preparation of those plans has involved many thousands of unpaid hours from residents committed to their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 26 September 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In relation to the Leader’s Report at item 9, Councillor Bradbury declared an interest as a West Sussex County Councillor and part of the Sussex Learning Trust.

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The Chairman provided an update on the Chairman’s charity fundraising concert, which raised funds for Sullivan’s Heroes.  Tickets for the concert were sold out and he thanked the Democratic Services Officers involved in the organisation of the concert.  He also drew Members attention to the Chairman’s Civic Service on Sunday 9 December at St Leonard’s Church followed by refreshments at The Crown, Turners Hill.

Councillor Walker proposed the report as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee for Community, Housing and Planning, noting that the amendments have been considered by the Committee on 4 July 2018.  The report was seconded by Councillor Webster who advised that the Citizens Advice Bureau had been added to the list of consultees and that the policy had to be reviewed within three years or as appropriate following the adoption of the statement of Principles Policy in 2015.

As there were no questions, the Chairman took Members to the recommendation, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council agreed to:

Approve the policy for Gambling at Appendix 1 for implementation on the 31st January 2019.

The Deputy Leader introduced the report which proposed the acquisition of another commercial property in the south of the district to generate income.  The purchase price was greater than the amount detailed in the report and following proper advice and completion of due diligence it was a good investment.

The report was seconded the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance who supported the use of Council Reserves to maintain a steady and reliable income stream over the forth coming years.

In response to a Member’s question, the Deputy Leader noted that the property had a lease with good covenants and the Council could consider other options for this freehold property beyond the existing tenant of the property.

In response to a Member’s question on generated income, the Deputy Leader noted he could not comment as it was commercially sensitive information but this information had been included in the Exempt part of the Cabinet report.

As there were no further questions, the Chairman took Members to the recommendation, which was agreed unanimously.

 RESOLVED

Council agrees:

That £2.7m of the purchase price is financed from Capital Receipts Reserve (£1.1m) and General Reserve (£1.6m).

The Leader noted that Partnership working continued to be an important part of promoting sustainable growth in the region.

He noted that the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB) will agree their strategy and vision for the next five years at the meeting in January.  Arun District Council has expressed a desire to join the Board which could strengthen its position within the Coast 2 Coast Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

He noted that Gatwick Diamond has their AGM this week.  They represent the northern Districts and Boroughs within the LEP and together they promote major growth opportunities across the region.  He advised that at the last Board meeting he had highlighted that he was the only District and Borough representative on the Board.

He confirmed that significant progress had been made with the progression of the 6th Form College provision and the deadline for formal expressions of interest in running the site was 9 November 2019. 

The Leader concluded his report with the recent announcement by Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) of their wish to increase capacity by using the reserve runway. In response to Members questions, although no further details had been shared at present, he advised that many stakeholders support growth at Gatwick as part of planned investment in the region.  The Chief Executive and Leader will be meeting with GAL this week to discuss the Masterplan and they will ask how Mid Sussex will be served in the consultation, and how Mid Sussex would benefit from expansion.  He confirmed that the upgrading of the M23 to a smart motorway was in progress.  He also advised that the LEP was working with GAL to improve the railway stations and the flow of passengers.

In response to a Member’s query regarding the effectiveness of the range of organisations serving the local community, the Leader noted that the LEP is the representative of choice to liaise with the Government.  The GBEB and Gatwick Diamond are part of the partnership and the work of the LEP has developed strong links with Homes England. 

He noted a Members concern regarding the impact of the planned three month road closure at Borde Hill Lane for the construction of a roundabout, and will liaise with Offices involved.

A Member thanked the Leader for his participation at a recent meeting in East Grinstead which was well attended.  The Leader responded that Councillors must take every opportunity to engage with local residents.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

The Deputy Leader began by advising that he will be attending a meeting of the Steering Group for the Burgess Hill Growth project to review sustainable transport and improvements to the A2300.  He reported that deliverability was critical and it was important to keep the project on track for completion by 2021.

He drew Members attention to the vigorous lobbying of the Rt. Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP to secure a temporary Post Office in the Co-op, Haywards Heath whilst the Royal Mail identifies a viable permanent location.

He welcomed the approval of the redevelopment of offices in Perrymount Road to create Haywards Park; this is part of the developer’s aspiration to bring high grade offices to Haywards Heath.

He noted that he had attended the launch of East Grinstead Jobs Club along with Councillors Sweatman, Webster and Whittaker.  Churches and community organisations are supporting residents to find work and secure better employment.  He noted that it is important to employ residents in the region with the potential creation of hundreds of new jobs in the area.

He confirmed that funding had been secured from the Business Rates Pool to match private funding to improve shop frontages.  Specific areas have been identified, with London Road, East Grinstead being the first area to be upgraded. 

The Deputy Leader concluded his report with the financial implications of the Chancellor’s budget; he advised that the two year reduction in Business Rates would mainly assist smaller businesses and independent retailers.

In response to a Member’s question on traffic management in the north of the district, the Deputy Leader noted that a key part of sustainable transport was connectivity and the reliance on private vehicles.  Homes England would have to demonstrate sustainable transport in their application for the Northern Arc.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

The Cabinet Member noted that six months into the year, the forecast revenue outturn position for 2018/19 shows the Council is performing as originally planned and financial planning for 2019/20 was underway.  She noted that confirmation of the demise of the negative Revenue Support Grant has not been received, which reinforces the importance of obtaining independent reliable income streams.

She noted the additional funding announced in the Chancellor’s budget and whilst these are outside the remit of the Council they do affect the residents of Mid Sussex.  She advised that the announced improvements in the overall funding guidelines may provide optimism for overall funding for local government in the next spending period.  However, there could still be a shortfall in local government funding which would need to be addressed in the Council’s financial planning.

The Cabinet Member concluded by reminding Members that the Council aims to remain financially independent and the current robust position leaves the Council well placed to meet the challenges ahead.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services

The Cabinet Member noted that the Legal Team had again achieved the Lexcel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

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