Minutes:
Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
The Deputy Leader began by advising that he will be attending a meeting of the Steering Group for the Burgess Hill Growth project to review sustainable transport and improvements to the A2300. He reported that deliverability was critical and it was important to keep the project on track for completion by 2021.
He drew Members attention to the vigorous lobbying of the Rt. Hon Sir Nicholas Soames MP to secure a temporary Post Office in the Co-op, Haywards Heath whilst the Royal Mail identifies a viable permanent location.
He welcomed the approval of the redevelopment of offices in Perrymount Road to create Haywards Park; this is part of the developer’s aspiration to bring high grade offices to Haywards Heath.
He noted that he had attended the launch of East Grinstead Jobs Club along with Councillors Sweatman, Webster and Whittaker. Churches and community organisations are supporting residents to find work and secure better employment. He noted that it is important to employ residents in the region with the potential creation of hundreds of new jobs in the area.
He confirmed that funding had been secured from the Business Rates Pool to match private funding to improve shop frontages. Specific areas have been identified, with London Road, East Grinstead being the first area to be upgraded.
The Deputy Leader concluded his report with the financial implications of the Chancellor’s budget; he advised that the two year reduction in Business Rates would mainly assist smaller businesses and independent retailers.
In response to a Member’s question on traffic management in the north of the district, the Deputy Leader noted that a key part of sustainable transport was connectivity and the reliance on private vehicles. Homes England would have to demonstrate sustainable transport in their application for the Northern Arc.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance
The Cabinet Member noted that six months into the year, the forecast revenue outturn position for 2018/19 shows the Council is performing as originally planned and financial planning for 2019/20 was underway. She noted that confirmation of the demise of the negative Revenue Support Grant has not been received, which reinforces the importance of obtaining independent reliable income streams.
She noted the additional funding announced in the Chancellor’s budget and whilst these are outside the remit of the Council they do affect the residents of Mid Sussex. She advised that the announced improvements in the overall funding guidelines may provide optimism for overall funding for local government in the next spending period. However, there could still be a shortfall in local government funding which would need to be addressed in the Council’s financial planning.
The Cabinet Member concluded by reminding Members that the Council aims to remain financially independent and the current robust position leaves the Council well placed to meet the challenges ahead.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services
The Cabinet Member noted that the Legal Team had again achieved the Lexcel quality standard, which has been held for ten years. Another Trainee Solicitor has now qualified and will work on property and planning matters.
She confirmed that the Land Charges Team have retained over 70% of the local search market and income targets continue to be met in a relatively quiet housing market.
She noted that with 2.5 weeks remaining on the Electoral Canvass the total return was currently 98% (a digital return of 65% and paper return of 35%).
The Cabinet Member concluded her report by advising Members that Mid Sussex has been selected by the Cabinet Office to participate in a Voter ID pilot in the May 2019 elections. A number of models are being piloted and Mid Sussex has been selected to trial a “technology enabled poll card model”. The Cabinet Office has rigorously tested and approved the technology to be used and the Democratic Services team is comprehensively planning for the successful delivery of the pilot here in Mid Sussex. A paper will be presented to Council in January.
In response to questions from Members, the Cabinet Member noted that the technology for the Voter ID Pilot would link into the Electoral Register and there would be no change to how postal votes are administrated. The pilot is cost neutral to the Council with all pilot expenditure to be funded by the Cabinet Office.
A robust Communications Plan is in place to ensure the public are informed of the identification required in order to vote.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery
The Cabinet Member noted that the Serco employee, recently injured in an accident, was making good progress and was being fully supported by Serco.
He noted that the trial for the British Heart Foundation has concluded with 13 tonnes of recycling in the recent phase, making an overall total collected 47 tonnes.
The Cabinet Member noted that 3.34 tonnes of rubbish was picked from the A23 in a joint exercise with Highways England, the total collected was 10 tonnes lower than last year.
He confirmed a joint bid is underway with East Grinstead Town Council to achieve a 3rd Green Flag in the district.
The Cabinet Member noted that four incidents of fly tipping resulted in the removal of 21 tonnes of rubbish, including asbestos resulting in additional costs incurred to hire specialist contractors. He thanked the Councillors who reported the fly tipping and confirmed that the Council does prosecute when evidence is found to identify those responsible. He noted that it was too early to advise if fly tipping would increase because of a recent change in commercial charges at the amenity sites.
In response to a Member’s question on the addition of cashless payments for the car parking machines, the Cabinet Member advised that contactless payments were introduced in answer to public requests and a levy of 4p per transaction is charged for those paying by phone.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member noted that the project to replace and upgrade CCTV was on target to be completed by the end of the year. An additional five cameras will be operational by April 2019 including one in Clair Park. In response to a Members question he noted that the temporary camera in St Johns Park will be linked to Sussex Police headquarters. He confirmed that he was receiving regular updates from the Police on the antisocial behaviour in Burgess Hill. The resolution needed careful management due to the personal circumstances of those involved.
He noted that the Community Safety Task and Finish Group are developing a number of projects which focus on youth and public spaces and these include safeguard training in schools to ensure consistency and compliance.
He confirmed that Sussex Police had completed a social media campaign about safe recreational spaces in response to reported antisocial behaviour in parks. Sussex Police hope to reach a wider audience and improve effectiveness of their social media campaigns by linking Parish Councils. In response to a Members question he noted that 20 Police School Officers are in place to provide counselling for pupils who were victims of bullying.
He advised that East Grinstead Town Council is trialling a scheme where venues and businesses are listed as safe places for people to go if they feel anxious or need support. If successful it could be rolled out across the district.
He noted that Remembrance Beacon funding has been awarded to seven towns and parishes and a six foot Tommy silhouette has been installed by the main doors to the Mid Sussex District Council offices.
The Cabinet Member noted several wellbeing events had been held, and he would be speaking at a South East Social Prescribing Conference later this month. He noted that the GP Wellbeing project was working successfully with local practices.
To conclude his report the Cabinet Member noted that he had met with representatives of the Citizens Advice Bureau who are launching a new client focused website with improved information. He noted the change of name to Citizens Advice in West Sussex - North South East. Last year they assisted over 41,000 people.
In response to a Members question on the CAB providing a better service and allocating more time to people, he noted that the contract ends in April 2019 and no new agreement had been reached with West Sussex County Council. He confirmed that the CAB had been trained on Universal Credit and they were signposting ex-armed forces personnel to a range of services. He noted that the CAB were holding additional sessions in other locations including Burgess Hill Library and no further changes would be made until funding had been finalised.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
The Cabinet Member advised that this year 17% of planning appeals had been allowed, which had reduced from 36% in 2017.
He advised that the Council had received a challenge to the five year land supply on a revised planning application in Horsted Keynes. The process will take six months and the Council had recruited the services of a barrister.
He noted that Clarion Housing Group has started the tendering process for three sites in Mid Sussex, and he continues to lobby for more rented units in new schemes.
The Cabinet Member noted that the Guinness Partnership are working with a contractor to obtain a fixed price for Blackwell Farm Road, a consented site, and hope to progress the scheme once executive approval is received from the Board.
With regard to alternative temporary accommodation, the Cabinet Member confirmed that a project group are progressing on the purchase of 3 units and offers have been made on more properties. Following a successful recruitment, the Temporary Accommodation Housing Management Officer will start work this month.