Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman read the opening prayer.

Councillor Ash-Edwards nominated Councillor Trumble for Chairman of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Llewellyn-Burke.  As there were no other nominations, this was agreed unanimously.

Councillor Ash-Edwards and Councillor Trumble thanked the outgoing Chairman for his service to the Council over the past 2 years.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Trumble be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2019/20 Council year.

Councillor Trumble nominated Councillor Margaret Belsey for Vice-Chairman of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Marsh. As there were no other nominations, this was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Margaret Belsey be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2019/20 Council year.

The Returning Officer reported as to the persons elected as District Councillors for the District of Mid Sussex on 2nd May 2019.

RESOLVED

That the report be received.

The Chairman welcomed all new Members and returning Members and thanked them for electing him as Chairman. He noted that his focus will be on ensuring that the business of Council is carried out effectively and efficiently and to ensure that all Councillors have the opportunity to hold the Cabinet to account, in the interests of the community. He noted that conventions are in place to ensure that this is possible. He also reminded Members of the dress code for Council meetings, which requires gentlemen to wear collars and jackets, though he wished to relax the convention that gentleman must wear a tie. He also asked that Members refrain from wearing political badges in the Chamber.

The Chairman invited all Members to join him for refreshments after this meeting, and confirmed that his nominated charity will be announced at the next Council meeting in June.

Councillor Marsh nominated Councillor Ash-Edwards as Leader of the Council.  This was seconded by Councillor Bradbury. There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Ash-Edwards be elected Leader of the Council for four years.

The Leader thanked the Council for the confidence placed in him. He noted that whilst the recent election delivered a different composition for the Council, the way forward remained clear. He congratulated both re-elected and new Members and acknowledged that it is a privilege to serve the community and district. He confirmed that his role is to deliver the manifesto commitments made to the residents of Mid Sussex and as one of youngest Leaders in the Country, who has grown up in the District he is committed to working hard on behalf of residents.

In order to reflect the challenges anticipated over the next year, the Leader named Councillor Llewellyn-Burke as Deputy Leader and the five Cabinet Members. He announced that details of portfolio responsibilities would be shared after this meeting. 

            Deputy Leader of the Council – Councillor Llewellyn-Burke

            Cabinet Member for Community – Councillor Webster

            Cabinet Member for Customer Services – Councillor de Mierre

            Cabinet Member for Economic Growth – Councillor Hillier

            Cabinet Member for Environment & Service Delivery – Councillor John Belsey

            Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning – Councillor MacNaughton

RESOLVED

That Councillor Llewellyn-Burke be appointed as the Deputy Leader and that the Cabinet appointments for 2019/20 be noted.

Council received the report of the Monitoring Officer, setting out the political balance of the Council for the 2019/20 year and the recommended allocation of seats to committees.  It was noted that the political leaders have had the opportunity to review the details in advance.

RESOLVED

That the report be received and agreed.

For the year 2019/20:

i.          The three Scrutiny Committees each comprise of 15 members,  consisting of  9 Conservative, 4 Liberal Democrat, 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 1 from the Independent Councillors;

ii.          Two Planning Committees each comprise 12 members, consisting of 8 Conservative on each of the 2 committees,  3 Liberal Democrat on each of the 2 committees, 1 from the Independent Councillors for the Planning Committee and 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group for the District Planning Committee;

iii.         The Licensing Committee comprises 15 members, consisting of 10 Conservative, 3 Liberal Democrat, 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 1 from the Independent Councillors;

iv.        The Standards Committee comprises 6 Council members consisting of 4 Conservative (other than the Leader), 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 4 representatives of town/parish councils.

v.         The Audit Committee comprises 7 members consisting of 4 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 1 from the Independent Councillors.

Audit Committee

Licensing Committee

Licensing Sub-Committee A

Scrutiny Committee for Housing, Planning and Economic Growth

Scrutiny Committee for Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery

Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Finance and Performance

District Planning Committee

Planning Committee

Standards Committee

The Chairman introduced the report and referred Members to the tabled nominations to committees.

As there were no questions, the Chairman took Members to the recommendations in the report which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That the appointment of Members to Committees as set out below be noted:

AuditCommittee(7 Members)

Licensing Committee (15 Members)

LicensingSub CommitteeA (5 Members)

ScrutinyCommitteefor Housing and Planning and Economic Growth (15Members)

ScrutinyCommitteefor Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery(15 Members)

ScrutinyCommitteefor Leader, Finance and Performance (15Members)

District Planning Committee(12Members)

Planning Committee(12Members)

Standards Committee (6 MSDCMembers)

The Chairman introduced the report and referred Members to the tabled nominations to committees.

The Solicitor to the Council introduced the report. In response to a query on the date of the Licensing Committee in February 2020, he confirmed that the correct date will be confirmed following the meeting and an updated programme circulated.

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

RESOLVED

That the Revised Programme of Meetings for 2019/20 (with the February amendment) be approved.