Agenda and minutes

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The minutes of the meeting held on 12 November were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

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Kate Wilson, Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance introduced the report which provided information about the Council’s performance for the second quarter of 2018/19 from July to September 2018. The report also updated on progress with the Council’s flagship activities, identified in the 2018/19 Corporate Plan.  The Cabinet was asked to note the performance and progress with flagship activities.

The Business Unit Leader noted that the report had been presented to the Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Resources and Economic Growth on 14 November 2018.  The performance for the second quarter has been very good overall.  No indicators were red and most services were performing at or close to target levels. Where service targets had not been fully met appropriate action was being taken. The Business Unit Leader advised that improvements had been made in the processing of new benefit claims and changes of circumstances.  The Members were updated on the purchase of temporary housing, the retention of the “Lexcel” accreditation by the Legal Team and the Green Flag award for St John’s Park, Burgess Hill.

The Cabinet Member for Community stated that work was still ongoing with the CCTV cameras.  He noted the work of the Wellbeing team which saved expenditure in other government areas and that the disabled facilities grant scheme was helping a significant number of people to remain in their own homes. 

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services complimented the legal team on the accreditation.  She noted the appointment of two new customer services officers and the increased number of enquiries that the customer services team had processed.

The Cabinet Member for Service Delivery welcomed the report and he noted that a third Green Flag award may be received.  He commented that works on The Triangle were nearing completion and then improvements at The Dolphin would follow.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning noted the work of the Private Tenancy Negotiation and Sustainment Officer on the new initiative of assisting households in the private rented sector.  He advised Members that the properties for temporary housing had been carefully selected and some should be ready for occupation in February.

The Leader noted that the public sector has been through some challenging times and the report reflected well on the officers.  There were no red and only a few amber indicators and he noted the robust work of the Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Resources and Economic Growth in reviewing the report.

The Leader noted that no more Members wished to speak so took them to the recommendation contained in the report, which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Cabinet noted the Council’s performance and progress with flagship activities in the second quarter of the 2018/19.

Peter Stuart, Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report which seeks the approval for Mid Sussex District Council to join the West Sussex Business Rate Pool Pilot.  The bid by all authorities in West Sussex to become a pilot in the 75% Business Rate Retention scheme for 2019/2020 was successful and the increased funds retained would fund a project to provide a full fibre internet spine.  The spine was crucial, particularly for rural areas.

The Head of Corporate Resources commented there was some increased risk with the pool which starts on 1^st April.  There was no “no detriment” clause but risk mitigation should ensure that the pilot would not be worse off than the individual authorities would have been in aggregate in the 50% scheme.

Simon Hughes, Head of Digital and Customer Services advised Members that the pool would enable investment in a fibre spine across the West Sussex area.  This, in turn, would facilitate quicker roll out of full fibre and 5G technologies.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth supported the bid to join the 2019/20 pilot and stated that this would stimulate market investment to improve infrastructure in the local area.   With an increase in flexible working and reliance on IT networks he noted that fibre optics can generate more growth.  An advantage of this project was that other local authorities were not undertaking similar schemes. Local businesses would see this as a direct benefit of the business rates they pay.

The Cabinet Member for Community was also supportive of the report and queried whether the project would link with East Grinstead and the smaller villages.   The Head of Digital and Customer Services confirmed the fibre optic spine would be a scaffold from which a whole range of connections could be made. The spine would run throughout rural West Sussex.

The Leader thanked the Head of Digital and Customer Services and his team their work on the project to date and bringing it forward quickly to help connect businesses and households. 

The Leader then moved to the recommendation which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Cabinet agree that Mid Sussex District Council joins the West Sussex Business Rate Pool pilot.

None.

The Leader proposed that the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt item on the agenda and this was seconded by the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery. This was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act.

The meeting went into closed session at 4.27pm.

The Leader brought the meeting back into open session at 4.29pm on the completion of the exempt business.