Minutes:
Report of the Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader confirmed that the Cabinet had recently considered the performance outturn figures for 2018/19 and that the performance figures for the first quarter of this financial year have been produced. In response to a Member’s query on the specific indicators being rated red, amber and green, she confirmed that full details will be presented to the scrutiny meeting in September, along with a number of new indicators which Members have agreed will be monitored.
She drew Member’s attention to recently published Member Information Service Bulletins which confirm the renewal of two new retail leases in the Orchards Shopping Centre; a good indicator of the retail market. She also noted the recent meeting of the Audit committee where the 2018/19 Accounts have been approved by external auditors with unqualified opinions and will be signed off by the end of the month.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
The Cabinet Member referred to the Microbusiness Grants scheme and advised that, taking the Grants already approved along with those received and now being worked upon, just over £71,000 of the £72,000 funds available had been accounted for. He reflected that this was a sign of success and a credit to how the Council had organised and publicised the scheme. He also pointed out that this year the applications had come from a much better geographical spread across the District.
Secondly he referred to the consultation with local businesses in Haywards Heath on their appetite for a BID (Business Improvement District). He reported that the consultants' work was going well and they were ahead of the target of receiving 35 questionnaires with 42 received by the end of June. Consultation was continuing through July and a report prepared during August which would be presented to Scrutiny later in the year. A similar approach may follow for Burgess Hill and East Grinstead once evaluation of this initial consultation has taken place.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services
The Cabinet Member noted that the Customer Service team continues to excel and that the Revenue & Benefits team’s accuracy in assessments is significantly reducing Local Authority Overpayment Error. This means claimants get the right benefit and the Council doesn’t get penalised by the Department of Work and Pensions for inaccurate work. She also noted that the judges for the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Performance Awards will be visiting the Council on 23 August, with winners of the competition being announced in October.
With regards to the Digital team, the updating of the Geographical Information System (GIS) has been completed which means a huge improvement and increased efficiency of the mapping system. When asked by a Member she noted that it was compatible with Parish Online. By the year end, the team will also have completed incorporating all land charges data since 1974 so the Council will have a complete digital record. This will significantly increase land search speeds. She agreed to provide a written response to confirm the back-up arrangements in place for the digital documents.
The Cabinet Member noted that the new Mid Sussex Applauds are now open and urged Members to nominate. She also confirmed that three further apprentices will be joining the Council, and those who have completed their apprenticeships have joined the staff.
With regards to information available to residents, she confirmed that Mid Sussex Matters has now been delivered and the Council is looking into making it even more inter-active and about the lives of residents going forward. The website will also be enhanced and will give details of how everyone can become more ‘sustainable’.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery
The Cabinet Member noted the recent opening of the padel tennis court at the Triangle, a sport which is suitable for all ages and has made good use of the available space on site. He also highlighted recent work with Parkinson’s UK to create a stimulating garden at Beech Hurst which opened this month, and the Green Flag Award given to East Court and Ashplats Wood Park East Grinstead recognising the excellent standards and facilities available. He thanked the previous Cabinet Member for this portfolio for his hard work in bringing these projects forward, and thanked all involved in maintaining the excellent standards of the District’ green spaces.
A discussion was held on parks and green spaces. The Cabinet Member agreed to provide a written response to issues raised about the Worlds End play area, and on the timeframe for providing litter picking equipment to local groups. He also confirmed that the Scrutiny meeting in September will be considering an open space strategy.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member noted that the Electoral Commission’s report on the Voter ID pilot for the 2019 local elections has now been published and urged Members to read it for more detail. The report indicates that Mid Sussex had amongst the highest rate of compliance and the lowest number of people refused a ballot paper. The official figures reflect that 15 people were initially refused a ballot paper and a total of 8 chose not to return. Residents were given the opportunity to discuss concerns with the Presiding Officer at each station. Discussion with the Cabinet Office also indicates that Mid Sussex delivered its communications plan at the least cost to the tax payer. Regarding a national concern on the number of EU citizens being turned away from voting, he noted that there were no issues in Mid Sussex as far as he was aware, but will provide Member’s with a written update.
He noted that the Annual Electoral Canvas is now underway, and response rates for the first week are 52% compared to 43% in the previous year and out of this, 63% have responded online which is a significant improvement.
With regard to upcoming events, he reminded Members that the Mid Sussex Play Days commences on 30 July, and thanked the Chairman for highlighting the Silver Sunday and Mid Sussex Awards.
He provided further information on the Mid Sussex Partnership meeting which discussed progress to amalgamate smaller clinical commissioning groups, and received the assessment for 2018/19 which provides an evidence base to show the priorities for the Board going forward. There are also three sub groups focusing on community safety, health and the community. In response to a Member’s query on the presence of sustainability groups at this meeting, he confirmed that the Mid Sussex Voluntary Action Group is represented and suggested any interested organisations join this Group.
In response to a Members’ query, the Cabinet Member agreed that the Strategic Intelligence Assessment was an interesting document for all Councillors to read as it sets our life in Mid Sussex and the opportunities the Council has to improve life for those who are finding things difficult. He also agreed with a Member’s comments on the excellent work of Inspector Dommett, and the hard work of the Emergency Services in general and advised Members that Chief Inspector Rosie Ross has left the District and is now working at Sussex Police Headquarters, tasked with improving the 101 reporting system.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
The Cabinet Member confirmed that all Clarion Housing tenants have been contacted and are aware they can apply to be on the Mid Sussex Housing Register. The online bidding system is going live on 1 August 2019 and regarding accessibility, Officers will be available to assist anyone who is not able to submit online. He also confirmed that Clarion tenants’ priority on the waiting list will not be lost in the transfer over.
Work is progressing on the Haywards Heath Town Centre masterplan and to support this work the Council has appointed Tibbalds. A stakeholder workshop is to be held shortly to develop the vision, objectives and guiding principles for the future of Haywards Heath.