Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

Question from Ms J Edell

I am told that MSDC has distinguished itself by being the only district council in the South East with no up-to-date Climate action strategy, and one of a handful not to have declared a climate emergency.

In the 2.5 years since this council noted its support for the parliamentary declaration of environmental/climate emergency the IPCC report has emerged, demonstrating the need for far greater action and urgency from us all.

For the sake of clarity, accountability, and in support of its stated aim of raising community awareness of sustainability, might MSDC now consider declaring a biodiversity and climate emergency?

Response from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery

Thank you for the question. I believe this Council takes its environmental responsibilities extremely seriously and indeed has done so for many years. Back in early 2018 this Council implemented a Sustainability Strategy focused on sustainability actions for our Council, our environment and our communities and which was focused on becoming more resilient in the face of climate change and embedding sustainability in all our corporate actions. Action plans were developed at that time across many areas to promote sustainability. As examples, some of the areas of focus with targets included actions regarding improving recycling and waste collections, our greenspaces and biodiversity, improving energy efficiency of our own council campus as well as supporting businesses and homes in improving their energy efficiency.

Furthermore, in 2021 the Council committed to develop a new strategy and a cross party Member working group was set up to oversee the preparation of a new Sustainable Economy Strategy (SES). Extensive work to develop this strategy has been carried out including the appointment of consultants to provide evidence and engagement with key stakeholders including the business and local community. We are aiming for the strategy to be adopted by the Council in Spring 2022. The Member working group is also developing a new action plan which will ensure we continue to build on the work already done and to ensure that we deliver the Council’s ambitious programme of climate and sustainable development activity as we work towards net zero. More than mere words or declarations, our plan will also establish new actions to ensure the Council’s response to climate change is refreshed and up to date.

I trust this response helps demonstrate that the Council acknowledges the real importance of urgent action to mitigate climate change and to ensure a sustainable future for our District.

Ms Edell posed a supplementary question. She suggested that rather than mere words, a declaration is actually a demonstration of seriousness of intent and so why would the Council not declare the emergency that we all know is happening around us.

The Cabinet Member agreed to provide a written response but noted the aspirational aspect of the question which will be considered carefully. He also confirmed that when the Council sets targets and actions, they are ones that the Council can control.

Question from Mr M Bright.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Chairman noted that typographical errors have been corrected under items 9 and 10.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 3 November as amended were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

In relation to item 11, Councillor Eggleston declared a prejudicial interest related to Centre Parcs as he is a group company solicitor for a business that provides logistical services to Centre Parcs as a group.

None.

The Chairman spoke of her attendance at recent events, details of which are available on the Council’s website. She noted the success of the Mid Sussex Applauds Awards which took place on 21 November 2021. Thanking everyone for their nominations, she noted it was an awe-inspiring afternoon at which she met fantastic individuals and businesses who work hard to help members of the community. She also noted attendance at Remembrance Services and that the Chairman’s Civic Service will take place on 12 December at Trinity Methodist Church.

Neil Gershon, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel introduced the report, noting that the major proposal is a review of the basic allowance with an increase of £100 bringing it to £5200, as well as the continuation of the indexing of Special Responsibility Allowances. The indexing will provide a basis to consider relatives in future years in the context of other Councils in West and East Sussex.

Councillor Webster proposed the item, thanking the Panel for their work and noting from their biographies that the Panel is eminently qualified to undertake this work for the Council and the wider community. Councillor Ash-Edwards seconded the item adding his thanks also.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations as contained in the report which were agreed.

RESOLVED

The Council:

(i)         thanked the Panel for their work;

(ii)        considered the recommendations of the Panel, summarised in the report and

(iii)       agreed a scheme of allowances for the financial year 2022/2023.

Councillor Llewellyn-Burke proposed the item noting that it was a legal requirement to set a tax base each year and the method of calculation is laid down by regulation, the starting point being the Council valuation lists. The report proposes that the tax base for next year is increased by 1.62% within an estimated collection rate of 99.4%. This was seconded by Councillor Ash-Edwards.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations as contained in the report which were agreed.

RESOLVED

Council agreed:

1.         (a)  Pursuant to the Head of Corporate Resources' report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003, the amounts calculated by Mid Sussex District Council as its tax base for the whole area for the year 2022/23 shall be 63,230.6 and for each parish area for the year 2022/23 shall be:

Budget Management 2021/22 Progress Report April to September 2021

Councillor Llewellyn-Burke proposed the item noting that the forecast revenue outturn position for 2021/22 at the end of September shows a projected net overspend of £311,000 against the original budget. The unbudgeted leisure costs and leisure sports consultancy costs will be met from the leisure covid support specific reserve. Separately a claim has also been submitted to the income compensation scheme and it is estimated that the Council will receive £377,000.  The Deputy Leader outlined the recommendations noting that overall the revised capital revenue projects stands at £12.8m; projects which make a positive contribution to living and working in Mid Sussex.  The item was seconded by Councillor Ash-Edwards

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations as contained in the report which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council approved:

(i)         That £500,000 be transferred to the Job Evaluation / Redundancy Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 29 of the Cabinet report;

(ii)        the variations to the Capital Programme contained in paragraph 42 of the Cabinet report in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3.

Introduction of Flexible Season Tickets and Review of Pay and Display Parking Charges

Councillor Hillier proposed the item noting the need to facilitate amendments to season ticket charging as the current offering is not suitable in the post covid environment. He acknowledged this is one of several recommendations from the Parking Strategy Working Group along with a need to set a base level for pay and display charges, which have not been increased for 10 years.

Several Members sought to consider differential charging based on individual towns and car parks. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the concerns raised regarding Burgess Hill and noted that it could be considered by the Scrutiny Committee at a later stage. He reiterated that it is not yet possible to determine the full effects of Covid on people’s shopping behaviour and the proposed increase was of an acceptable level to not adversely affect shopping habits.

A Member raised concern over the loss of spaces for shoppers in favour of season ticket holders, and the cost in relation to the railway carpark. The subject of digital improvements to parking was discussed and it was noted that it is an aspiration of the Council to improve the digital platform. It was acknowledged that car parks are there for the primary purpose of supporting the local economy and it is important to invest in them. The current proposals will allow revenue to be generated to progress this investment further. Work Place Parking Levy was also discussed although it may be more suited to larger cities. The Council has monitoring data available to address any issues that may come up regarding the number of spaces available, and it is not expected for the season tickets to impact shoppers parking.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that the proposed changes are subject to a statutory consultation which was clarified as being 21 days and will include the public and key partners.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Leader noted last month the District had the 2nd highest rate of Covid in country. Although there are now signs of numbers reducing, the numbers remain high and a level of caution is required within the community. He encouraged people to take up booster jabs when called forward and reiterated thanks to everyone involved in the vaccination programme in the District. He noted that the Prime Minister had within the last hour announced further Covid safety measures and the Council will fully review and implement as required.

The Leader confirmed that a formal response has been provided by the Council to the Gatwick Airport consultation on their Northern Runway Project. The main elements of the response are that the Council is not satisfied there is sufficient robust evidence to justify the need for the Northern Runway Project, or to demonstrate that the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project have been properly assessed and can be satisfactorily mitigated.

He announced that a new age manufacturer of super-computer technology capable of helping the world’s most challenging problems is going to be based in the District, which is positive news for the local economy. A Consortium led by University of Sussex scientists has been given a grant from the Government to develop a fully scalable quantum computer. Universal Quantum is establishing a laboratory in Haywards Heath and the Council has been working with them to secure the investment. It is a positive sign of the ambition the Council has for the District and the work being done to attract cutting edge companies to the area. Universal Quantum’s goal is to recruit 100 people at its new premises such as electronic engineers, physicists and operations experts and the Leader looks forward to it being a huge success bringing investments to the area as it generates more demand for associated businesses.

The Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader noted that Budget Management had already been discussed during the meeting and therefore there was nothing further to report at this time.

A Member sought clarification on the Deputy Leader’s response provided after the Council meeting on 3 November with regards to the energy generated by PV panels at Bridge Road Depot in 2021. He noted that the new work Ricardo has been instructed to do focusses on carbon as opposed to Co2 and asked what is the reason for the new focus on carbon, considering that it is Co2 and Co2 equivalent gasses emitted into the atmosphere which causes global warming.

The Deputy Leader noted that the work carried out by Ricardo relates to the Sustainability Working Group and a written answer will be provided by the relevant Cabinet Member for that work if appropriate.

Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Council will receive £70k grant funding to support independent retailers making improvements to their premises. Officers are finalising the details and publicity and Members are encouraged to promote it. If Members know of other businesses that may require funding outside of this particular programme he encouraged them to contact the Council as Officers can direct them to the most appropriate options. 

He also noted that work is progressing on ‘Opportunity Mid Sussex’, the branding around an online brochure to attract investment to the District.

Cabinet Member for Customer Services

The Cabinet Member noted that the Council and software platform TellJO have won a national technology award for the support they provide for vulnerable residents. She also confirmed that a 50% relief on business rates will continue next year and process for those applications is being put into place.

The Cabinet Member noted the success of the Applauds Awards and reiterated congratulations to the winners. She also noted that Mid Sussex Matters has been delivered to all residents, and over 500 families have signed up to the Secret Santa mission which is part of the Welcome Back fund to encourage people to the highstreets.

In terms of the digital roll out, the Cabinet Member confirmed that the first two phases have been completed on time and on budget and digging has commenced on the first part of the rural connectivity programme between Ardingly and Haywards Heath. A digital workshop is planned for Members in February 2022.

A Member made a request for the Council to use social media to encourage people to sign up to the broadband voucher programme to receive a sum of money from the Government towards extra fast broadband, for those in rural areas who may not immediately benefit from the Council’s digital programme. The Cabinet Member agreed to investigate this further.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery

With regards to fly tipping, the Cabinet Member confirmed that training and briefings have taken place for Officers and the Council is now able to issue fixed penalties where there is sufficient evidence to do so,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The following questions were received from Cllr Ian Gibson:

Noting that the latest Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report identifies a loss of 66 affordable housing units due to the failure to achieve policy compliant S106 Agreements, and also that the Council is currently supporting 117 households in temporary accommodation, can the following information be provided:

For each of the four S106 agreements referred to in the report which were not policy compliant:

•           The related planning application reference number

•           The number of new homes proposed in the planning application and any reduction in this number resulting from the failure to achieve a policy compliant S106 agreement.

•           The number of affordable homes that could have been achieved through a policy compliant S106 agreement.

•           The number of affordable homes actually agreed.

•           The value of any payments agreed in lieu of the provision of a lower number of affordable homes then would be policy compliant.

•           Whether free serviced land in lieu of affordable housing was sought by the Council in accordance with District Plan policy DP31 part 5.

Also, the equivalent details for any developments approved in previous years where the re-negotiation of an S106 Agreement has led to a reduction in the number of affordable homes.

The following response was provided by the Cabinet Member for the Housing and Planning.

I have provided Councillor Gibson with a chart with all the information, and I will have my answers published with the chart for any other Members.

Talking about language, Councillor Gibson talks about a loss of 66 units but it is not a loss if they were not there from the start. You then must look at the viability of the site to see if you were ever going to produce those units. Councillor Gibson also says ‘due to the failure to achieve policy compliant S106 Agreements’.  All S106 agreements are policy compliant but one has really to understand which part of the policy as there are supplementary planning documents behind policies. The question of the 66 units comes down to viability. There are three documents that support DP31, the Developer Contribution SPD, Affordable Homes SPD and Development Viability SPD, all of which are available on the website and will provide answers to some of these questions.

Viability is assessed by an Independent valuer that the Council employs. Once he/she decides a development cannot be viable with the level of S106 contributions, accommodations are made such as taking out units. They are not necessarily removed, they are deferred. Some sites may not have affordable housing, but larger developments are assessed at stages through and at the end. Some units will have then to be provided. Sometimes a financial contribution is required.

With regards to Councillor Gibson’s last question on whether free serviced land in lieu of affordable housing was sought by the Council, I can assure you it is, and the Housing team work hard to pursue this. It is vitally important that we provide affordable housing for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.