Agenda item

A.        HAYWARDS HEATH COLLEGE

 

Proposed by:               Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards

Seconded by:              Cllr Jim Knight

 

That Full Council:

 

·         Expresses its support for the substantial work undertaken by MSDC in partnership with WSCC, the LEP and the Government, with the support of Rt. Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP, to deliver the opening of sixth form provision at the Harlands Road site in Haywards Heath.

·         Welcomes the appointment of the Chichester College Group to run the new Haywards Heath College.

·         Fully supports the bid to be made by Chichester College Group to the LEP for £1m of capital funding to match fund contributions made by CCG and Government towards the fit out of the building, and urges the LEP to consider this bid positively.

 

 

B.        ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Proposed by:               Cllr Andrew Lea

Seconded by:              Cllr John Belsey

 

That Full Council notes and supports the declaration by Parliament on 1 May 2019 of an environment and climate change emergency and the intention of Parliament of 12 June 2019 to legislate for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  Mid Sussex District Council recognises the responsibility that it has to protect our own environment and tackle climate change.

 

Therefore, Full Council:

 

·         Commits to continue to actively seek ways to protect the environment and help to tackle climate change.

·         Reaffirms its support for its Sustainability Strategy, progress against which is monitored by the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

·         Agrees to re-establish the Sustainability & Climate Change Panel with 8 Members, to provide advice to the Cabinet Member for Environment & Service Delivery on these issues.

·         Requests that the Cabinet Member and Officers investigate the feasibility and implications of introducing food waste collection in Mid Sussex and report to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

·         Expresses support for the West Sussex Climate Pledge which has been launched by West Sussex County Council.

 

Full Council also notes, supports, and will build on the significant actions MSDC has already taken:

 

·         Reducing residual waste and increasing recycling, including the trial of kerbside collection of textiles and small electrical equipment and expanding garden waste collection.

·         Installing energy efficiency measures at MSDC’s offices, including the installation of PV panels.

·         Working to reduce the use of single use plastics. 

·         Signing up over 50 cafes, restaurants and businesses to the national Refill scheme to make free water available and reduce single-use plastics.

·         Installation of electric vehicle charging points in MSDC car parks, with up to 26 further points approved by Cabinet in April 2019.

·         Provision for electric vehicle charging points in the Northern Arc development.

·         Securing Green Flag awards at Beech Hurst Gardens and St John’s Park, with an application made for a Green Flag award at East Court & Ashplats Wood.

·         Investment in 2019-20 to improve facilities for residents in key parks.

·         Negotiating the transfer from Homes England of at least 75 hectares of parks and open spaces to the Council to manage.

·         Progressing plans for cycle routes between Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and Hassocks whilst looking to support cycle initiatives across Mid Sussex

·         Adopting District Plan policies on pollution, biodiversity, sustainable design and renewable energy

·         Supporting residents with energy efficiency and affordable warmth projects.

·         Working with partners to improve air quality at key traffic spots such as the Stonepound Crossroads and London Road, East Grinstead.

 

 

C.        BURGESS HILL GROWTH PROGRAMME

 

Proposed by:               Cllr Judy Llewellyn-Burke

Seconded by:              Cllr Emma Coe-Gunnell White

 

 

That Full Council notes that:

 

·         The Burgess Hill Growth Programme is one of the largest strategic growth programmes in southern England and is being planned holistically to combine homes, infrastructure, community facilities, green spaces, full fibre connectivity and new employment locations.

·         The Council has secured over £61m of public investment into highways, sustainable transport, full fibre connectivity and other infrastructure to support the growth of Burgess Hill.

·         The Council has negotiated the transfer of at least 75 hectares of parks and open space and land and funding for the Centre for Community Sports from Homes England.

·         New River Retail is seeking to regenerate The Martlets Shopping Centre to create a modern, 21^st century town centre including a mix of retail, restaurant, leisure and residential uses as well as a modern replacement library.

 

Therefore, and without prejudice to the Council’s position as planning authority, Full Council:

 

·         Reaffirms its full support for the Burgess Hill Growth Programme.

·         Welcomes the investment Homes England has made in the Northern Arc and supports the District Plan policies that underpin it.

·         Welcomes New River Retail’s continued commitment to Burgess Hill and its support for the regeneration of the town centre.

 

The Chairman drew Members attention to the tabled paper which contained details of proposed amendments to the Motions. He confirmed that a vote would be held on each amendment and on the main motion put forward.

 

MOTION A - HAYWARDS HEATH COLLEGE

 

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards who confirmed that the Chichester College Group has been appointed as the provider for the site, with a new Principal appointed and a provisional opening date of September 2020. He urged Members to agree the Motion which included support for a bid made by the Chichester College Group to the LEP for £1m of capital funding to match fund contributions made by the CCG and Government towards the fit out of the building. This was seconded by Councillor Knight who noted the benefits that the College will have to future students and parents both in a reduction of travel time and cost and an increase in learning opportunities. The Motion was supported by Members who welcomed the reopening of the College.

 

The amendment was proposed by Councillor Bates and seconded by Councillor Dempsey in order to ensure that a wide range of courses were provided by Chichester College Group. Members queried the wording of the amendment as it implied that the site is the only 6th form college in the District, when there is provision in East Grinstead. It was also noted that it was not the Council’s remit to set school curriculum.

 

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the amendment which was lost with 12 Members in favour of the amendment and 32 against.

 

The Chairman then took Members to the substantive motion which was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council:

 

•           Expresses its support for the substantial work undertaken by MSDC in partnership with WSCC, the LEP and the Government, with the support of Rt. Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP, to deliver the opening of sixth form provision at the Harlands Road site in Haywards Heath.

•           Welcomes the appointment of the Chichester College Group to run the new Haywards Heath College.

•           Fully supports the bid to be made by Chichester College Group to the LEP for £1m of capital funding to match fund contributions made by CCG and Government towards the fit out of the building, and urges the LEP to consider this bid positively.

 

 

MOTION B - ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

 

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Andrew Lea who recognised the Council’s responsibility to tackle climate change and protect the environment. This was seconded by Councillor John Belsey.

 

Members discussed the provisions that the Council has in place to ensure sustainability in new developments and a range of related matters which included how the planning framework could be used to support sustainability.

 

The first amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor Cornish and seconded by Councillor Henwood to create a modal shift of journeys by cycle in Mid Sussex from 1% to 5% of all travel by the end of 2022. A Member noted that there were a limited number of resources available to the Council to help increase the target. However it was acknowledged that the delivery of better cycle routes ultimately falls within the remit of West Sussex County Council and although the Council can push for improvements, it may be unwise to commit to such a high percentage increase before further work is done on practical issues.

 

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the first amendment which was lost with 18 Members in favour of the amendment and 27 against.

 

The second amendment, for the Council to declare its own climate change emergency with a 10 year timetable to resolve was proposed by Councillor Hicks. He noted that the timetable fits well with West Sussex County Council’s target to have zero waste to landfill by 2031. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Henwood.

 

Members discussed the timetable in comparison to the Government’s target of 2050 and whilst the principle of the amendment was supported by some Members, it was considered prudent to use the Sustainability and Climate Change Panel to carry out further investigation into how progress.

 

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the second amendment which was lost with 17 Members in favour of the amendment and 30 against.

 

The third amendment to the Motion which sets out three commitments was proposed by Councillor Dempsey and seconded by Councillor Bates.

 

Members discussed the extent to which the Council was already committed to protect and enhance biodiversity.

 

A recorded vote was requested by more than 5 Members of the Council. The Chairman took Members to a vote on the third amendment which was lost with 18 Members in favour of the amendment and 29 against.

 

 

	For	Against	Abstain		For	Against	Abstain
Allen,  G.	ü			Henwood,  J.	ü
Ash-Edwards,  J.		ü		Hicks,  S.	ü
Bates,  R.	ü			Hillier,  S.		ü
Belsey,  J.		ü		Hussain,  T.	ü
Belsey,  M.		ü		Jackson,  R.	ü
Bennett,  A.	ü			Knight,  J.		ü
Bennett,  L.		ü		Laband,  C.		ü
Boutrup, A		ü		Lea,  Andrew		ü
Brown,  P.	ü			Lea,  Anthea		ü
Budgen,  P.		ü		Llewellyn-Burke, J.		ü
Cartwright,  R.	ü			MacNaughton,  A.		ü
Chapman,  P.	ü			Marsh,  G.		ü
Clarke,  R.		ü		Mockford,  J.		ü
Coe-Gunnell White,  E.		ü		Phillips,  C.	ü
Coote,  P.		ü		Pulfer, M.		ü
Cornish,  M.	ü			Smith,  S.		ü
Dabell,  J.		ü		Sparasci, A.	ü
de Mierre,  R.		ü		Sweatman,  D.		ü
Dempsey,  B.	ü			Trumble,  C.		ü
Eggleston,  R.	ü			Walker,  N.		ü
Ellis,  S.		ü		Webb,  R		ü
Gibbs,  L.	ü			Webster,  N.		ü
Gibson,  I.	ü			Whittaker,  R.		ü
Hatton,  S.	ü

 

Prior to voting on the substantive motion, the original proposer, Councillor Andrew Lea drew Members attention to the concluding paragraphs of the Council’s Sustainability Strategy which highlights both the strengths and areas where more work is required. He acknowledged that an action plan is in place, with regular reports on progress being provided to the Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Chairman then took Members to the substantive Motion which was agreed with 44 in favour and 3 abstaining.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council notes and supports the declaration by Parliament on 1 May 2019 of an environment and climate change emergency and the intention of Parliament of 12 June 2019 to legislate for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  Mid Sussex District Council recognises the responsibility that it has to protect our own environment and tackle climate change.

 

Therefore, Full Council:

 

•           Commits to continue to actively seek ways to protect the environment and help to tackle climate change.

•           Reaffirms its support for its Sustainability Strategy, progress against which is monitored by the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

•           Agrees to re-establish the Sustainability & Climate Change Panel with 8 Members, to provide advice to the Cabinet Member for Environment & Service Delivery on these issues.

•           Requests that the Cabinet Member and Officers investigate the feasibility and implications of introducing food waste collection in Mid Sussex and report to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

•           Expresses support for the West Sussex Climate Pledge which has been launched by West Sussex County Council.

 

Full Council also notes, supports, and will build on the significant actions MSDC has already taken:

 

•           Reducing residual waste and increasing recycling, including the trial of kerbside collection of textiles and small electrical equipment and expanding garden waste collection.

•           Installing energy efficiency measures at MSDC’s offices, including the       installation of PV panels.

•           Working to reduce the use of single use plastics. 

•           Signing up over 50 cafes, restaurants and businesses to the national Refill scheme to make free water available and reduce single-use plastics.

•           Installation of electric vehicle charging points in MSDC car parks, with up to 26 further points approved by Cabinet in April 2019.

•           Provision for electric vehicle charging points in the Northern Arc development.

•           Securing Green Flag awards at Beech Hurst Gardens and St John’s Park, with an application made for a Green Flag award at East Court & Ashplats Wood.

•           Investment in 2019-20 to improve facilities for residents in key parks.

•           Negotiating the transfer from Homes England of at least 75 hectares of parks and open spaces to the Council to manage.

•           Progressing plans for cycle routes between Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and Hassocks whilst looking to support cycle initiatives across Mid Sussex

•           Adopting District Plan policies on pollution, biodiversity, sustainable design and renewable energy

•           Supporting residents with energy efficiency and affordable warmth projects.

•           Working with partners to improve air quality at key traffic spots such as the Stonepound Crossroads and London Road, East Grinstead.

 

 

MOTION C - BURGESS HILL GROWTH PROGRAMME

 

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke and was seconded by Councillor Coe-Gunnell White.

 

An amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor Eggleston who noted that although the regeneration is welcomed, it will cause a period of unsettlement to the town centre economy and the amendment will enable a working group to manage this appropriately. This was seconded by Councillor Henwood.

 

It was noted that there is already a steering group for the Burgess Hill Growth Programme which works with the Town and Parish Councils, and there is active liaison with businesses as well. A number of Members felt that the amendment to include a ‘bridge-the-gap’ working group would be duplicating structures that are already in place.

 

A recorded vote was requested by more than 5 Members of the Council. The Chairman took Members to a vote on the amendment which was lost with 18 Members in favour of the amendment and 29 against.

 

	For	Against	Abstain		For	Against	Abstain
Allen,  G.	ü			Henwood,  J.	ü
Ash-Edwards,  J.		ü		Hicks,  S.	ü
Bates,  R.	ü			Hillier,  S.		ü
Belsey,  J.		ü		Hussain,  T.	ü
Belsey,  M.		ü		Jackson,  R.	ü
Bennett,  A.	ü			Knight,  J.		ü
Bennett,  L.		ü		Laband,  C.		ü
Boutrup, A		ü		Lea,  Andrew		ü
Brown,  P.	ü			Lea,  Anthea		ü
Budgen,  P.		ü		Llewellyn-Burke, J.		ü
Cartwright,  R.	ü			MacNaughton,  A.		ü
Chapman,  P.	ü			Marsh,  G.		ü
Clarke,  R.		ü		Mockford,  J.		ü
Coe-Gunnell White,  E.		ü		Phillips,  C.	ü
Coote,  P.		ü		Pulfer, M.		ü
Cornish,  M.	ü			Smith,  S.		ü
Dabell,  J.		ü		Sparasci, A.	ü
de Mierre,  R.		ü		Sweatman,  D.		ü
Dempsey,  B.	ü			Trumble,  C.		ü
Eggleston,  R.	ü			Walker,  N.		ü
Ellis,  S.		ü		Webb,  R		ü
Gibbs,  L.	ü			Webster,  N.		ü
Gibson,  I.	ü			Whittaker,  R.		ü
Hatton,  S.	ü

 

The Chairman then took Members to the substantive motion which was agreed with 44 in favour and 3 abstaining.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council notes that:

 

•           The Burgess Hill Growth Programme is one of the largest strategic growth programmes in southern England and is being planned holistically to combine homes, infrastructure, community facilities, green spaces, full fibre connectivity and new employment locations.

•           The Council has secured over £61m of public investment into highways, sustainable transport, full fibre connectivity and other infrastructure to support the growth of Burgess Hill.

•           The Council has negotiated the transfer of at least 75 hectares of parks and open space and land and funding for the Centre for Community Sports from Homes England.

•           New River Retail is seeking to regenerate The Martlets Shopping Centre to create a modern, 21st century town centre including a mix of retail, restaurant, leisure and residential uses as well as a modern replacement library.

 

Therefore, and without prejudice to the Council’s position as planning authority, Full Council:

 

•           Reaffirms its full support for the Burgess Hill Growth Programme.

•           Welcomes the investment Homes England has made in the Northern Arc and supports the District Plan policies that underpin it.

•           Welcomes New River Retail’s continued commitment to Burgess Hill and its support for the regeneration of the town centre.