Minutes:
Report of the Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader drew Member’s attention to the recent Performance Outturn report presented to the Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Finance and Performance which indicates that performance has significantly increased in comparison to the previous year. For the first time, there are no red indicators, meaning that all performance indicators are within 10% of target. This report will be presented to Cabinet on 8 July.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
The Cabinet Member commended the Leader for the robust Economic Development Strategy, as he had received positive feedback on it from outside organisations. He is currently liaising with key stakeholders and wishes to have more liaison with Towns and Parishes, encouraging Members to approach him to discuss aspirations. He recently met with the CEO of a large local employer who confirmed that their biggest challenge is recruitment and so he is actively working to promote the benefits of apprenticeships, both with schools, parents and employers. He welcomed the fact that provision for Microbusiness grants have been included in the budget and thanked the Officers involved in presenting the recent applications.
In response to a Member’s comment on ensuring sustainability is built into the villages as they expand, the Cabinet Member welcomed the opportunity to work together with Parish Councils to ensure residents have the opportunity to work locally.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services
The Cabinet Member welcomed the opportunity to be the portfolio holder in this area. She noted that the Customer Service team continues to excel. She recently spent the day shadowing the Contact Centre and was impressed with the efficiency, helpfulness and kindness shown to those making enquiries. The average call waiting time is 21 seconds compared to a target of 30 and in terms of queries resolved first time the performance is at 88% against target of 75%. She also confirmed that the Revenues and Benefits team has just been selected as a finalist in all three categories of the national Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Performance Awards.
With regards to the Council’s full fibre broadband pilot she confirmed that in February 2019 the Cabinet agreed to commence procurement once the Government releases the £2.2m to develop fibre connectivity in the district. The programme is anticipated to start this year.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery
The Cabinet Member confirmed that £26,000 funding has been secured towards community clean-ups and litter picks and all of the 16 groups who applied for funding were successful. A Member welcomed this funding and thanked SERCO and the Waste Team for their assistance in a litter picking event with St Wilfred’s School.
The Cabinet Member highlighted the Council’s strong sustainability agenda and is keen to meet with local groups and Councillors to establish what they would like to achieve. With the re-establishment of the Sustainability and Climate Change Panel he has hopes for the Council becoming the leading Authority in this area.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Play Days are being repeated this year on: 30 July at King George’s Field in East Grinstead; 31 July in Victoria Park, Haywards Heath; and on the 1 August at the Fairfield Recreation Ground in Burgess Hill. The Council is working with the Town Councils and Clarion Futures Housing to ensure these are a great success. He confirmed that attendance at these events has seen an increase of 93% on 2017, with 4658 children and adults registered at the 4 events held last year. Smaller pilot events are also being run in conjunction with Sussex Clubs for Young People and Places for People Leisure at 10 locations across Mid Sussex between 5 - 29 August.
He drew Members attention to the recent press release regarding the launch of Mid Sussex Applauds. These are a range of awards to recognise the fine people, of all ages, who contribute to the rich fabric of life in the District.
He also welcomed the success of the Mid Sussex Marathon events. This is an important initiative for health and well-being which is growing in success with each year.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
The Cabinet Member reiterated the Leaders comments that on 11 June Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal opened the rural exception site Magdalene Rise in Bolney. This comprises 6 houses and 6 flats which have been achieved through a community partnership between Bolney Parish Council, Mid Sussex District Council, Action in Rural Sussex and English Rural Housing Association. The homes will be owned and managed by the English Rural Housing Association and have been made available with affordable rents. Planning restrictions will be in place to ensure that local people with a connection to Bolney will always take priority as residents. A Rural and Community led event took place after the opening.
He noted that the Council has worked with a number of housing associations to provide affordable homes and develop rural exception sites in towns and villages across the District.
The Cabinet Member reminded Members that the East Grinstead Conservation Area Appraisal is out for public consultation, running from 17 June to 29 July with an exhibition in East Grinstead library for the duration. A public meeting will be held in the library’s community meeting room on 1 July from 5.30pm - 7.30pm and is an opportunity for Members and residents to comment.
In response to a query on the availability of funding for Community Land Trusts, the Cabinet Member confirmed that grants are available from central government and they can also bid for funding from Section 106 contributions.