Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Opening Prayer

Minutes:

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

2.

To receive questions from members of the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 9.

Minutes:

None.

3.

To confirm Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 6 November 2019. pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 6 November 2019 were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

4.

To receive declarations of Interest from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda.

Minutes:

In relation to item 11, Councillor Smith declared a personal interest as she is a member of the Ansty Social Club.

5.

To consider any items that the Chairman of the Council agrees to take as urgent business.

Minutes:

None.

6.

Chairman's Announcements.

Minutes:

The Chairman noted the success of his Civic Service held in Hurstpierpoint on 8 December and thanked the Democratic Services Team for their role in organising. He drew Members attention to his recent engagements detailed on the Council’s website and invited Members to join him for refreshments after the Council meeting. With regards to fund raising activities, he reminded Members that there would be Christmas raffle to support his chosen charities, and that Members could also participate in the ‘Name a Star’ initiative for the Royal Marsden Hospital.

7.

Review of Members' Allowances 2020/2021. pdf icon PDF 310 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Neal Gershon, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel introduced the report, summarising the proposed changes following consultation with Councillors and Group Leaders.

 

Councillor Webster moved the item, thanking Mr Gershon and the Panel for their review and noting that the proposed changes result in a saving of £2800 per year. The item was seconded by Councillor Walker.

 

Discussion was held on the facilities available at the Council for cyclists, and the option to increase the car sharing allowance to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint. It was noted that any amendments to allowances could be put forward at the consultation phase of the next review.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations which were agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

Council:

 

(i)         thanked the Panel for their work;

(ii)        considered the recommendations of the Panel, summarised below,

(iii)       agreed a scheme of allowances for the financial year 2020/21.

8.

Changes to the Existing Council Tax Support Scheme 2020/21 and the Introduction of a Banded Income Approach. pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Knight moved the item and confirmed that the changes had been  reviewed by the Scrutiny Committee and had been subject to public consultation. The item was seconded by Councillor De Mierre who reiterated the amount of consultation undertaken by the Revenues and Benefits team with key stakeholders.

 

Discussion was held regarding ways to protect those who may be negatively affected by the proposed changes, and the minimum income floor for the self-employed. It was confirmed that Officers will be in contact with those who are self-employed to provide advise before any changes are implemented. Regarding residents facing difficulty, the Council will always look for other options to assist, and Members were encouraged to refer anyone in difficulty to the Revenues and Benefits team in order for them to pro-actively help.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations which were agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council:

 

(a) Adopts the Banded Income approach to its Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21 and other changes for people of working age as set out at Appendix B; and

 

(b) Authorises the Head of Corporate Resources in collaboration with the Customer Services Portfolio Holder to make minor textual amendments and any relevant changes required by amendments to Prescribed Regulations introduced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for 2020/21.

 

9.

Council Taxbase 2020/21. pdf icon PDF 188 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Llewellyn-Burke moved the item noting that it is a legal requirement for the Council to determine this each year and the calculation was carried out in accordance with the regulations.  Councillor Ash-Edwards seconded the item.

 

A Member noted that 40% of the tax base is in the villages and urged that value is provided back at an appropriate rate.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations which were agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council confirms:

 

(a) Pursuant to the Head of Finance's report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003, the amounts calculated by Mid Sussex District Council as its tax base for the whole area for the year 2020/21 shall be 61,711.6 and for each parish area for the year 2020/21 shall be:

 

Albourne                                                          309.2

Ansty & Staplefield                                         1,117.7

Ardingly                                                           747.3

Ashurst Wood                                                 756.8

Balcombe                                                        843.8

Bolney                                                             646.3

Burgess Hill                                                     12,205.0

Cuckfield                                                         1,681.2

East Grinstead                                                11,438.6

Fulking                                                            147.7

Hassocks                                                       3,468.6

Haywards Heath                                             12,176.2

Horsted Keynes                                              702.7

Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common                 3,083.2

Lindfield                                                           2,836.5

Lindfield Rural                                                 1,509.9

Newtimber                                                      42.8

Poynings                                                         134.4

Pyecombe                                                      130.7

Slaugham                                                        1,366.4

Turners Hill                                                      625.4

Twineham                                                       146.4

West Hoathly                                                  940.0

Worth                                                              4,654.8

10.

Programme of Meetings 2020/2021. pdf icon PDF 170 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Solicitor to the Council introduced the report to highlight three corrections which have been amended on the appendix published on-line. These are: Member Training being held on Tuesday 14 July, Licensing Committee on Tuesday 1 December and the removal of ‘2’ against the December Council listing.

 

Councillor Webster moved the item as amended, and this was seconded by Councillor Llewellyn-Burke.

 

Following discussion on the format of providing the dates to Members, the Chairman took Members to the recommendation which was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council approved the Programme detailed in Appendix 1 and as amended.

11.

Recommendations from Cabinet held on 18 November 2019. pdf icon PDF 271 KB

Minutes:

Ansty Village Centre Trust

Councillor Ash-Edwards moved the item, acknowledging the significant project history to upgrade the current facility. He noted that Cabinet felt it appropriate to contribute a grant to help enable the project delivery. This was seconded by Councillor Llewellyn-Burke.

 

Members expressed thanks to the interest groups which have worked hard to progress the project.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation which was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council approves the grant of £100,000 to the Ansty Village Centre Trust funded from the General Reserve.

 

 

Budget Management 2019/20 - Half Yearly Progress Report

Councillor Llewellyn-Burke moved the item, providing context for the 7 recommendations detailed in the report. The item was seconded by Councillor Ash-Edwards.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation which was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council approve:

 

(i) that £75,000 be transferred to Specific Reserve from General Reserve to cover the cost of Gatwick Studies as detailed in paragraph 21 of the Cabinet report;

 

(ii) that £90,000 One Public Estate government grant income in respect of Burgess Hill Station Quarter Project be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 22 of the Cabinet report;

 

(iii) that £17,484 grant income relating to Local Authority EU Exit preparation Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 23 of the Cabinet report;

 

(iv) that £24,737 grant income relating to Individual Electoral registration (IER) in 2019/20 be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 24 of the Cabinet report; Council - 18 December 2019 73 Agenda Item 11

 

(v) that £9,225 grant income relating to new Burdens Business Rates be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 25 of the Cabinet report;

 

(vi) that £68,762 to meet the costs arising from St. Francis, Haywards Heath – Anscombe Wood Regeneration be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 26 of the Cabinet report;

 

(vii) the variations to the Capital Programme contained in paragraph 36 of the Cabinet report; in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3.

12.

To receive the Leader's Report.

Minutes:

The Leader thanked staff involved in the smooth running of the Parliamentary Election and congratulated the three Members of Parliament on their election in the Mid Sussex, Arundel and South Downs and Horsham constituencies. He confirmed a continued resolve to work with Members of Parliament regarding investment in the District.

 

He highlighted work to develop Service Plans and a supporting budget for 2020/21. of which will be available to Members shortly, in advance of consideration by the Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Finance and Performance, as well as Cabinet.

 

He noted the recent publication of the Commissioner’s report into Children’s Services at West Sussex County Council,.  It highlights very significant shortcomings both within Children’s Services and more generally within the Authority’s culture and practice. He also reiterated that the County Council’s financial decisions will have an impact on Mid Sussex District Council’s budgets.

 

The Leader confirmed his recent attendance at a number of meetings. He recently met with Paul Marshall, the new Leader of West Sussex County Council, and with the Bluebell Railway.

 

He concluded by wishing Members a Merry Christmas.

13.

Report of Cabinet Members, including questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10.1.

Minutes:

Report of the Deputy Leader

 

The Deputy Leader drew Members attention to the opening of Burgess Hill Library, having recently attended a preview event to showcase the services available to residents.

 

She also noted the Cabinet Member Decisions published in the Member information Bulletin regarding the renewal of two leases in the Orchards Shopping Centre.

 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

 

The Cabinet Member continues to establish strong links with the Business Associations in Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and East Grinstead. He also acknowledged the retirement of Peter Liddell of Burgess Hill Business Park Association, and he welcomed his successor, Martyn Carr.

 

He concluded by providing an update from a recently attended West Sussex County Council Towns Meeting, where national experts provided views on the changing nature of towns and town centre usage.

 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services

 

The Cabinet Member updated on training issues, ICT investment and work to support full fibre rollout.

 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery

 

The Cabinet Member confirmed that a food waste pilot is proposed for April 2020 in conjunction with West Sussex County Council, with a report being presented to both the Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet in January.

 

He updated the Council on recent meetings with Serco and IdVerde.

 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Community        

 

The Cabinet Member thanked Members who represented the Council in laying wreaths at 17 Remembrance Services in November.

 

He confirmed that to date, a total of 101 disabled facilities grants had been completed, totalling £870,000 to enable people to continue to live independently in their own homes and avoid lengthy hospital stays.

 

He also noted the 781 health and well-being interventions in the past three months, against a target of 570. Out of these, 87% reported an improvement to their health, against a target of 80%.

 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning

 

The Cabinet Member confirmed that as of 30 November 2019, the cumulative number of affordable houses delivered is 178.  He also confirmed that the Council has been successful in a bid to the Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government (MHCLG) for cold weather funding to assist rough sleepers.

 

He noted that both the Sites Allocation DPD consultation period and the Mid Sussex Design Guide consultation period closed on 20 November and Officers are working to analyse responses.

 

The Cabinet Member acknowledged a question regarding the number of houses built using renewable energy as a source of power and will provide a written response.

 

14.

Questions from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10.2

Minutes:

None.