Agenda and minutes

Councillor de Mierre declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 as she produces marketing material for The Orchards.

Apologies none as all Members were present.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

None.

Elaine Clarke, Community Facilities Project Officer introduced the report to seek approval for a number of proposals relating to a development at the Council’s Ansty Recreation Ground. The report sought the allocation of £100,000 to enable the delivery of a £1.4m project of a new combined Village Hall, Sports Pavilion and Social Club. She highlighted that the project will be delivered in three phases. 

The officer noted that to date the Parish Council, Cricket Club and Social Club has raised over £700k.  The project funding has a shortfall of £100k and the report asks for this to be provided from Council Reserves.

The report detailed the four leases which would permit the use of the current village hall site as a car park, lease the new development and car park to Ansty Village Centre Trust, grant a lease on the groundsman’s store to Ansty Cricket Club and re-grant a lease with amended right of way to Ansty Cricket Club to provide access rights over the Recreation Ground to the Club’s extension. 

The officer noted an amendment to paragraph 8 of the report, it should have read:  ‘’AVHT was awarded a Facility Grant of £17,440 in 2009 towards the costs of re-providing the Village Hall.  AVCT was awarded a Facility Grant of £127,000 toward the project on 30 May 2013 (£16,959 ring-fenced for Stage 2) and a further £214,402 on 29 October 2019, funded through the release S106 contributions.’’

The Leader confirmed that the robust project had taken a while to reach this stage and the aspiration of the Ansty Village Centre Trust was sound.  The project would be beneficial to the District and would provide for the growth of sports facilities including sport for women. 

The Cabinet Member for Community noted the current use of the facilities and that this would increase in the future.  The development will increase the value of the facility to the wider community of Mid Sussex.  He congratulated the Trust.

Several Cabinet Members asked for an assurance that  this would be the final payment from Council Reserves to complete the project and asked what contingencies the Trust had if there was an overspend or delay in construction.

The Officer highlighted the need for the project to commence on site and that construction must be completed by September 2020. She advised Cabinet that Heads of Terms had already been agreed and the legal paperwork should be signed so the Trust can start development in January 2020.  The project had contingencies for unexpected costs and they were reasonable for a project of this scale. 

Peter Stuart, Head of Corporate Resources confirmed that the Trust had been informed in meetings that no more Council Reserves would be awarded to them, and they are satisfied with that arrangement.

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 resolved to:

    (i)        recommend to Council the grant of £100,000 to the Ansty  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Peter Stuart, the Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member for Community highlighted the good work with disabled facilities grants and noted that the Council worked in partnership with other District and Borough Councils so grants are provided fairly and equally across West Sussex, using the same parameters for implementation.  He acknowledged the success of Basepoint in Haywards Heath. The report indicated the good financial management of the Council.

The Deputy Leader confirmed the Council’s sound financial position and noted the variations on capital projects which were well explained in the report and will be addressed.  With regard to the modernisation of the Council Chamber, she advised that the Council should exercise caution when spending tax payers’ money.  The Deputy Leader also noted the ongoing work to maintain the leisure centres to a high standard.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services welcomed the performance of Basepoint. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning highlighted spending on temporary accommodation. This was despite the Council’s far sighted work to purchase its own temporary accommodation.

The Deputy Leader noted that the cleansing on the A23 had not been completed as a road closure was required for the safety of the workforce. Agreement by Highways England was required for this and was often difficult to achieve.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth asked for more details on the Anscombe Wood Regeneration project so local residents could be updated.

The Assistant Chief Executive advised that the Council was working with their own contractors and the developers to identify what work is required.

RESOLVED

Cabinet resolved torecommend to Council for approval:

(i)            that £75,000 be transferred to Specific Reserve from General Reserve to cover the cost of Gatwick Studies as detailed in paragraph 21;

(ii)        that £90,000 One Public Estate government grant income in respect of

Burgess Hill Station Quarter Project be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 22;

(iii)       that £17,484 grant income relating to Local Authority EU Exit preparation Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 23;

(iv)       that £24,737 grant income relating to Individual Electoral registration (IER) in 2019/20 be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 24;

(v)        that £9,225 grant income relating to new Burdens Business Rates be

transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 25;

(vi)       that ££68,762 to meet the costs arising from St. Francis, Haywards Heath – Anscombe Wood Regeneration be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 26;

(vii)      the variations to the Capital Programme contained in paragraph 36 in

accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3.

To note:

(viii)     the remainder of the report.

Peter Stuart, the Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report.

The Leader supported the report and its recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning welcomed the report and the importance of vibrant town centres. 

The Deputy Leader highlighted that The Orchards is a complicated asset to own and the Council needs to try and maximise the potential income and provide an asset for the local community in a very challenging retail environment.  She confirmed that professional advice is essential.

The Cabinet Member for Community reminded Members that the centre was bought as a long term investment.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth supported the report and noted the good planning in the town centres, especially Burgess Hill. He welcomed the Masterplan for Haywards Heath.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the proposed use of the Reserves to develop options for the centre.

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 resolved to:

    (i)        note the use of the Orchards Specific Reserve to secure the appropriate

resources and external expertise to progress viability work, in order to create

options to modernise and improve the centre public realm and also develop a

detailed leisure proposal.

   (ii)        agree to delegate budgetary responsibility to procure necessary architects and consultants, instructing via the Scape Framework, to the Head of Corporate Resources.

 (iii)      note that a further report will be presented to Cabinet in due course to set out

progress and make detailed recommendations for construction works.