Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

None.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 27 February 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Andrew Lea, Councillor Bradbury, Councillor Bennett, Councillor Barrett-Miles, Councillor Heidi Brunsdon and Councillor Jones declared a personal interest in any items related to West Sussex County Council as they are Councillors for that Authority.

None.

The Chairman noted that this was the last Council meeting of the current administration and his last as Chairman. For those Members who would not be standing again, he wished them well.  He announced that it had been an honour and privilege to serve as Chairman of the Council for the past 2 years and he thanked the Democratic Services team for their support.

The Leader of the Council gave a vote of thanks from all Members, and presented the Chairman with gifts, noting that he had served as Chairman at the highest order in a proper and robust manner.

The Solicitor to the Council drew Members attention to the tabled amendments to the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

Councillor Walker moved this item subject to the revisions tabled, noting that it had twice been considered by the Scrutiny Committee for Community, Housing and Planning twice and subjected to public consultation. Councillor MacNaughton seconded the item.

With reference to the Council’s Duty to Cooperate, a Member sought assurance that proper consultation was carried out with Crawley Borough Council. It was confirmed that consultation did take place and also extended to the Member of Parliament for the area and the Local Ward Member.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation contained in the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council agreed to:

(i)         Adopt the proposed revised Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) in accordance with legislation, and delegates responsibility to the Divisional Leader for Planning and Economy to ensure that the adopted SCI is placed on the website, and stakeholders are notified accordingly.

Councillor Thomas-Atkin moved this item, highlighting that the Statement includes a scale for apprenticeships. She confirmed that the Council’s apprenticeship programme was well established, with more roles created in the past year. Councillor Ash-Edwards seconded the item.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation contained in the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council agreed the Pay Policy at Appendix A, to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act.

Councillor John Belsey moved the item as Chairman of the Audit Committee, drawing Members attention to key indicators contained in section 2 of the Treasury Management Statement. He noted that the Audit Committee scrutinised the reports both at the mid-year point and at year end including reviewing rates of interest, and all aspects of investments. As such he confirmed that the Council is in sound financial health with a significant investment portfolio and low debt. Councillor Llewellyn-Burke seconded the item. 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations contained in the report, which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council agreed:

(ii)        the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) for 2019/20 and the following two years, including the additions to specified investments listed above;

(iii)       the Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (MRP) as contained in Sections 4 and 2.3 respectively of the report;

(iv)       the Prudential Indicators contained within this report.

Councillor John Belsey moved the item as Chairman of the Audit Committee noting that this is the first year the Council has produced a Capital Strategy. He highlighted that the Corporate Plan has in the past included a Strategy designed to guide such investment but this good practice has now been formalised through a revision to the CIPFA Prudential Code. The Capital Strategy therefore fulfils the requirements of this Code. 

Councillor Llewellyn-Burke seconded the item and thanked Members of the Audit Committee for its scrutiny.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation contained in the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council approved the Capital Strategy 2019/20.

Councillor Webster moved the item, noting that the interview panel were impressed by the calibre of the applications. This was seconded by Councillor Llewellyn-Burke.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation contained in the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council agreed to appoint Neil Gershon, Jane Henry and Jane Rothwell to the Independent Remuneration Panel for terms of 4 years from 1 July 2019, following the recommendations of the Appointments Panel.

Councillor Bradbury moved the item as Chairman of the Standards Committee. He thanked the committee (which includes District, Town and Independent Members) and noted that the committee has worked robustly over the past year. Councillor Jones seconded the item, noting that the committee continues to promote high standards.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation contained in the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council noted the report.

Councillor Ellis moved the item as Chairman of the Working Group and thanked Members and Officers who worked together to understand the training needs of Members. She noted the development of the Learning Pool as an on-line training facility, and thanked Officers for redesigning the ‘Becoming a Councillor’ information. She also encouraged new and returning Members to support the progress made in reducing the amount of papers produced, by opting for the on-line options available. Councillor Binks seconded the report.  

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation to note the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council noted the report.

In his final report of the current administration, the Leader noted that even as elections approach, the Council continues to be forward focused, taking forward key projects, with a strong message to tell in terms of achievements and determination to deliver on the behalf of residents.  He also thanked the Member Development Working Group for the progress made, and looks forward to it continuing.

He noted that work is continuing at a strategic level with his recent attendance at the Coast to Capital Board meeting, the Transport for South East Forum and Board meeting, his chairing of the recent meeting of the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB) and the Joint Committee of the LEP. As GBEB Chair he also attended and opened the Coastal West Sussex business event and will be co-hosting the ‘IMEX’ Futureproofing the City Region event at the Amex Stadium.

He has also attended the opening of two projects which have come about as part of this strategic work; the opening of the Adur Tidal Walls at Shoreham and the Hub in Burgess Hill which all play a part in securing growth in the District and region.  He noted that investment from Government is the only way to make a real difference to residents and the Council has established itself as a key player at the heart of strategic bodies.

In conclusion the Leader also noted the progress made over the past year on the project to bring the 6th Form College site back into use for residents of Mid Sussex and that the Council is committed to bringing it forward as soon as possible with the continued support of the Rt. Hon. Sir Nicholas Soames MP.  He also noted the impending visit to the Council by Margot James MP, the Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

The Deputy Leader noted the District has a strong, resilient and vibrant economy and that over the past year the Council has taken steps to continue to unlock further potential. The Economic Development Strategy sets out work that the Council will do over the coming years and a strong start has been made in delivering on these commitments. The recent Open4Business event was also well received by all those attending.

He noted that the Council continues to make progress on acquisition and disposal projects. Bold decisions have been made in its strategy to acquire assets to both generate income and invest money in the District to support town centres and the economy. He thanked Officers who have supported his portfolio and thanked Members for their engagement throughout.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

The Cabinet Member noted that work is beginning on establishing a simple and effective Council Tax Support Scheme. She also noted that the Council’s performance figures for December 2018 to February 2019 will shortly be presented to the relevant Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet and reflect the best performance to date.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services

The Cabinet Member thanked the Leader and commented that it has been a privilege to hold the Portfolio for Customer Service. She commended the Officers ability to adapt to the ever changing requirements of residents and the high standards that are maintained. This can be evidenced by the Council’s Customer Services Awards where the vast majority of the recipients of these awards were proposed by customers and highlight the range of excellent work staff have done to ensure they meet and exceed customer expectations.

The Cabinet Member reflected on key achievements over the past year, in particular the launch of the new Mid Sussex District Council website and the re-branding of Mid Sussex Matters, both of which provide vital tools in passing information to residents.

Other achievements include the Annual Canvas which saw outstanding levels of returns with a significant increase of residents wishing to complete on-line, generating savings for the Council in terms of postage and staff time. The Elections team have supported towns and villages in their Neighbourhood plans on previous polling days, and are now working with the Communications team on the Voter ID pilot for local elections on 2 May. The Legal Team have also achieved the Lexcel quality standard meaning it has now been held for the last 10 years.

In conclusion the Cabinet Member noted that Councillors have also witnessed changes over the past term, including the roll out of Office 365, the access of training via the Learning Pool and meeting papers now being accessible through the  Mod.Gov app. She thanked the Member Services team and the Member Development Working Group for their work in these areas.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery

The Cabinet Member announced that as part of the Council work with West  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

None.

At the conclusion of the official agenda, the Chairman invited the Leader to speak regarding a personal announcement. The Leader confirmed that it was his intention to stand down as Leader of the Council and to not stand as Councillor at the elections on 2 May 2019. In a speech to all Members he reflected on the significant achievement of the Council during the last three administrations and he thanked all Members and Officers for their support. The Deputy Leader responded, thanking him for his excellent leadership, good spirit and friendship. This was expressed further in speeches by Councillor Jones, Councillor Walker, the Chairman and Councillor Knight who spoke as Mayor of Haywards Heath, thanking him on behalf of Haywards Heath Town Councillors.