Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

Question from Mr Kenward – presented in his absence.

A recent Freedom of Information request revealed that there is a substantial amount of Section 106 money that was gained as a result of the property developments on Perrymount Road in Haywards Heath that is still unused and remains available. These contributions are to support community and social infrastructure. Will any of this money along with the existing money that was originally set aside for Clair Hall in 2019 that hopefully still remains unused be allocated to any successful community group looking to refurbish and re-open the venue.

The following response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits

S106 monies have indeed been secured from the development along Perrymount Road for a whole range of infrastructure. £68,038 was secured for ‘Clair Hall or replacement building.’

This money is still available for the Clair Hall site. 

Question from Mr Lewis

Following approval of the SA13 south of folders Lane development by MSDC. Planning committee I would like to ask that if the Chair, as others on the committee, SHOULD be impartial and make decisions based on clear planning guidelines and not any other potential risk such as legal challenge, why did the chair deem it appropriate to direct members towards approval by strongly directing them that if it was rejected it would leave the council open to possible appeal with all the costs associated with that in effect pressurising members to vote one way based on his personal view??

The following response was provided by Monitoring Officer

The Council has no role to consider questions on decisions which it has made in its various regulatory roles, as it cannot change a decision once it is made. The question which has been raised does, however seek clarity on the role of Chairman - particularly in the Council's regulatory committees- which, in the interests of transparency, should be addressed.

Planning Committee has a regulatory role which it must carry out within tightly defined statutory, policy and established legal principles. The role of the Chairman is to ensure debate on an item which is before the committee remains relevant to the matters which are properly within the scope of the committee to consider. This can include chairing the debate and providing summary or concluding remarks before a vote.

The Chairman will also seek advice for the committee from officers (in addition to that set out in the report), and at appropriate points during the debate, again to ensure that the committee is considering those matters which are relevant to the decision being made.

It is entirely proper that a committee is made aware of the potential consequences of a decision which it is to make, and this is an approach which has been approved by the Courts. The relevant planning considerations are set out in the officer’s report and in the advice those officers give at the committee. The purpose of the committee is to determine the weight to be given  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Russell declared an interest in Motion B as she is the West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills.

Councillor Gibson declared an interest regarding Agenda item 11 as he is a West Sussex County Councillor.

None.

The Chairman highlighted recent engagements and announced that collection boxes are available for Members to take and distribute in support of his chosen charity Winston’s Wish. He also confirmed plans for a Civic Service to be held in December 2023.

Councillor Eggleston moved the item noting that despite experiencing inflationary pressures to the budget, the Council has benefited from a significant increase in treasury management income due to an increase in interest rates.

The item was seconded by Councillor Bennett.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation as set out in the report which was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

That Council approves that the balance of interest (including additional Dividend income) totalling £715,000 is transferred to the General Reserve and set aside to support the forecast budget gap in 2024/25.

Councillor Cornish moved the item, which was seconded by Councillor Wood.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation as set out in the report which was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council noted the contents of the report.

The Council received the Leader’s update. In response to a question on initiatives to support local traders in Burgess Hill, he noted that the most significant steps taken are recent activities to encourage that the redevelopment of the Martlet’s Shopping Centre is brought forward by New River Retail before the current planning permission expires.

The Council received the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications update during which she agreed to circulate details of the Council’s current work as signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits update. In response to questions on Clair Hall she agreed to consider the request for suitable parking provision and confirmed that the Clair Hall site remains an asset of Mid Sussex District Council.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Customer Services update.  In response to a question related to the East Grinstead Sports Council he confirmed that a positive meeting had taken place with discussions around the ambitions for the site. The Cabinet Member also responded to a number of questions related to the maintenance of parks, paths and playgrounds, acknowledging that the new contract for maintenance of these areas will bring many benefits in the long term. He confirmed that a report setting out the plan for the next 10 years re investment across park areas will be brought to a Cabinet meeting in October. In response to specific queries over the state of maintenance at several parks and paths in Burgess Hill, the Cabinet Member agreed to provide a written response.

He also responded to a question related to the food waste trial, confirming that there is a need to consider recent Government announcements, the outcome of the detail associated with the implementation of the Environment Act and assessment by West Sussex County Council before the trial could be considered for expansion to a   District wide scheme. Regarding comments around an increase in the number of people becoming homeless, he acknowledged the variety of factors affecting this including mortgage repossession, the cost of living and increased pressure on temporary accommodation.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy and Housing update during which he agreed to provide a link to the work carried out by Beam (an organisation supporting people in danger of becoming homeless) in the next Member Information Bulletin.

Motion A – Active Travel

Proposed by:  Councillor M Cornish

Seconded by: Councillor A Eves

This Council,

Recognising, as declared in its Net Zero Carbon Emissions Report prepared for Council by Ricardo in September 2022, that vehicular transport accounts for 36% of all carbon emissions in this district;

Noting that 46% of short trips in towns and cities should be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2025 (Active Travel England 2023-2025);

Having declared, in Objective 6 of its Sustainable Economic Strategy, that it will “promote sustainable travel options and initiatives, including green travel plans, to businesses, schools and residents;”

Recognising that modal shift is essential to reduce carbon emissions and to ease congestion and air pollution, and that people are far more likely to use bicycles if cyclists are as far as possible separated from main roads, making walking, wheeling and cycling an attractive choice for everyday trips;

Noting that a multifunctional network to facilitate active travel between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill is included in the Site Allocations - Development Plan Document under section SA37: “The Council continues to support the delivery of a dedicated multifunctional network, within the lifetime of this plan and will work with key stakeholders to ensure opportunities to deliver the scheme are prioritised and maximised”.

Recalling the report commissioned by MSDC: BH-HH Greenways Options Appraisal by CJ Founds: https://burgesshill.net/images/msdc-pnc-options-appraisal-report-v04.pdf  and noting that, of the 16 routes identified, 12 were found to be unfeasible, and the remaining four depended on agreement with a private landowner through which part of the route may have to pass;

Noting that a secondary school is being built between the two towns for 900 pupils and 70 staff, with cycling/walking access available from the south but not from Haywards Heath;

Recalling that a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) study, ref 05136 by PJA,  was signed off on 7th March 2023;

1.    Asks MSDC’s Leader to write to WSCC to urge them to work with developers, as part of the District Plan review, to identify on-site and financial contributions to deliver active travel routes between towns, and connecting towns to villages;

2.    Asks MSDC’s Leader to report back to MSDC Full Council on the response from WSCC;

3.    Commits to participate in the forthcoming WSCC Active Travel Strategy Consultation taking account of the foregoing studies.

4.    Urges Members and residents to contribute to the eight-week WSCC Active Travel Strategy Consultation.

5.    Encourages landowners to engage with Highways Authority and Planning Authority to make land available to deliver sustainable travel opportunities, such as the routes between Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

Motion B – Support for West Sussex Care Leavers

Proposed by:  Councillor J Russell

Seconded by: Councillor J Belsey

The Care Leavers service in West Sussex supports young people to exit care successfully as they move towards independence, and operates under a clear legislative framework provided by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

The most recent Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Motion A – Active Travel

Councillor Cornish proposed the motion, setting out many positive benefits of prioritising the movement of people using sustainable transport modes. This was seconded by Councillor Eves who noted that supporting the delivery of a multi-function route is referenced in the District Plan under policy DP7.

Members debated the motion. Discussion was held on a variety of areas including the need for a cycle route between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, the need to accommodate those walking, and equestrian routes, a link through to Gatwick, and the need to balance any changes with those travelling by car so unintended traffic issues are not created. Members broadly supported the motion and acknowledged that the Highways Authority at West Sussex County Council was the delivering authority for active travel.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the motion as set out in the agenda which was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

This Council,

Recognising, as declared in its Net Zero Carbon Emissions Report prepared for Council by Ricardo in September 2022, that vehicular transport accounts for 36% of all carbon emissions in this district;

Noting that 46% of short trips in towns and cities should be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2025 (Active Travel England 2023-2025);

Having declared, in Objective 6 of its Sustainable Economic Strategy, that it will “promote sustainable travel options and initiatives, including green travel plans, to businesses, schools and residents;”

Recognising that modal shift is essential to reduce carbon emissions and to ease congestion and air pollution, and that people are far more likely to use bicycles if cyclists are as far as possible separated from main roads, making walking, wheeling and cycling an attractive choice for everyday trips;

Noting that a multifunctional network to facilitate active travel between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill is included in the Site Allocations - Development Plan Document under section SA37: “The Council continues to support the delivery of a dedicated multifunctional network, within the lifetime of this plan and will work with key stakeholders to ensure opportunities to deliver the scheme are prioritised and maximised”.

Recalling the report commissioned by MSDC: BH-HH Greenways Options Appraisal by CJ Founds: https://burgesshill.net/images/msdc-pnc-options-appraisal-report-v04.pdf  and noting that, of the 16 routes identified, 12 were found to be unfeasible, and the remaining four depended on agreement with a private landowner through which part of the route may have to pass;

Noting that a secondary school is being built between the two towns for 900 pupils and 70 staff, with cycling/walking access available from the south but not from Haywards Heath;

Recalling that a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) study, ref 05136 by PJA,  was signed off on 7th March 2023;

1.       Asks MSDC’s Leader to write to WSCC to urge them to work with developers, as part of the District Plan review, to identify on-site and financial contributions to deliver active travel routes between towns, and connecting towns to villages;

2.       Asks MSDC’s Leader to report back to MSDC Full Council on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

None.