Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

The Chairman expressed sympathy to all families suffering in Ukraine. The Leader of the Council made a statement of support for the Ukrainian people, acknowledging that the rest of the world has been inspired by the courage shown by them during this time of aggression. He stated his intention to write to the Ambassador to express solidarity and to write to the Prime Minister to urge the Government to do all it can to support Ukraine. The three Group Leaders echoed the statements of solidarity with Ukraine and urged the Government to do all it can in terms of economic sanctions and humanitarian aid.

The following question was received from Mr Kenward and was read by the Chairman in his absence.

With the NHS likely to be vacating Clair Hall soon and the Steering Group findings not expected to be known until September. What plans have council made to facilitate the venues return to use in line with the Court Order of the 13th of January 2020 which states, ‘nothing shall prejudice the use of Clair Hall as a vaccination centre or require it to be opened contrary to law.’ Do members regret allowing the wrecking amendments made to the motion tabled by the Lib Dems on the 29th of September 2021 which if adopted would’ve catered for this very scenario?

The following response was provided by the Leader, Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards:

Thank you for your question. 

Since December 2020 there has been a meanwhile use in operation with the NHS using Clair Hall. Today the Council has announced it had extended a licence for the NHS to use the Clair Hall site in Haywards Heath as a Covid-19 vaccination centre.

The NHS has been vaccinating local residents against Covid-19 at the Clair Hall site since December 2020 and has delivered an incredible 194,000 jabs so far. The new licence will run until February 2024 and will allow NHS to continue delivering this important service. 

I’m really pleased to see the licence extension will enable the NHS to provide additional primary care services alongside vaccinations to support the community’s health needs. 

Also, I would like to highlight that the use of Clair Hall as a vaccination centre is a temporary measure and Mid Sussex District Council is continuing to explore all the options for providing modern new sustainable community facilities on the site for the benefit `of local residents. The Council has agreed an evidence-based approach to look at how this could be delivered on the Clair Hall site and this work should be unaffected by the extension of the licence. 

The following question was received from Ms Wilcock:

Please advise why, although it has been announced nationally and Mid Sussex District Council have been formally notified that Clair Hall is now officially on the Theatres Trust At Risk Register, (a statutory body) there has been no mention of this material fact in any Council report or statement.

The following response was provided by the Leader, Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards:

Thank you for your question. This allows me to clarify some of the issues around the status of the Clair Hall. How the Theatres Trust communicate is a matter for them. The Council wasn’t informed or consulted  by the Theatres Trust on their decision to list Clair Hall and it was surprised. The Council wrote to the Trust to clarify the status of the hall as a community facility, and that we were surprised to see it added to the list. 

In particular, it was very disappointing to see that factually incorrect information has been put in the public domain by the Theatres Trust  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 26 January 2022 were agreed as a correct record of the meeting.

Councillor Eggleston declared an interest regarding the first amendment proposed to item 9 – Corporate Plan and Budget 2022/23 as it relates to Burgess Hill and he is Leader of Burgess Hill Town Council.

The Chairman agreed to take an urgent item which was tabled at the meeting. A decision by the Council was required in the next week and well before the next Council meeting.

PROCUREMENT OF AN EXTERNAL AUDITOR

Councillor Pulfer moved the item as Chairman of the Audit Committee and it was seconded by Councillor Cromie.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation as contained in the report which was agreed with a clear majority.

RESOLVED

The Council agreed to:

Join in the nationwide PSAA procurement for an external auditor with the contract starting 1st April 2023 and running to 2028.

The Chairman spoke of her attendance at recent events, as detailed on the website noting particularly the opening of Marne Court by Clarion Housing.

Councillor Ash-Edwards nominated Councillor John Belsey as Deputy Leader of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Webster.

The Leader noted that there would be consequential changes to portfolios which will be circulated shortly to all Members, and that it was his intention to return the Cabinet number to 7 Cabinet Members at the Annual Council in May 2022.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the appointment which was agreed with a clear majority.

RESOLVED

That Councillor John Belsey be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the remainder of the 2021/22 Council year.

Councillor Ash-Edwards moved the item, noting that the intention is to improve the financial position in relation to the deficit and bring it back into balance as soon as possible. In response to a question on the reasons for (and governance of) the efficiency specific reserve he noted that such reserves are to allow the Council to invest in service improvement and efficiencies, quite often on an invest-to-save basis and therefore they need to be pump-primed.

The item was seconded by Councillor J Belsey. The Chairman took Members to the recommendations as contained in the report which were agreed with a clear majority.

RESOLVED

Council agreed:

(i)         That the use of the JE/Redundancy Specific Reserve be amended as detailed in paragraph 26 of the Cabinet report;

(ii)        That £200,000 be transferred to the Efficiency Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 27 of the Cabinet report;

(iii)       that £11,193 grant income relating to New Burdens LA Data Sharing Programme and the Housing Benefit Award Accuracy Initiative be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 28 of the Cabinet report;

(iv)       that £63,409 grant income relating to Self Isolation Administration costs be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 29 of the Cabinet report;

(v)        that £100,500 grant income relating to Discretionary Self Isolation be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 30 of the Cabinet report;

(vi)       that £25,000 grant income relating to Rough Sleeping RSI 4 be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 31 of the Cabinet report;

(vii)      that £100,100 grant income relating to New Burdens 4 Restart and Additional Restrictions Covid-19 be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 32 of the Cabinet report;

(viii)     that £18,600 grant income relating to New Burdens 5 Post Payment Assurance, Reconciliation and Debt Recovery be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 33 of the Cabinet report;

(ix)       that £59,093 grant income relating to Covid-19 Test and Trace Contain Management Outbreak Fund (COMF) be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 34 of the Cabinet report;

(x)        that £70,000 grant income relating to Economic Recovery Fund be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 35 of the Cabinet report;

(xi)       the variations to the Capital Programme contained in paragraph 44 of the Cabinet report in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3.

The Leader moved the item thanking the Scrutiny Committee who considered it in detail in January with cross party support. He confirmed that it is a delivery focused Budget centred on residents’ priorities as the Council recovers from the impact of the pandemic. He acknowledged that there is a continuing need to bring the budget back into balance whilst delivering front line services. The Council will continue to support Leisure Centres whilst working to phase out the subsidies as soon as possible. He also noted that the Budget keeps Council Tax at the third lowest in Sussex and in April the Council will begin to administer £150 Council Tax Rebate to lowest income families.

The Leader highlighted a number of commitments being brought forward, including 3000 households taking part in a pilot for food waste collection and the new Sustainable Economic Strategy to set the Council on a path to Net Zero. It is also a critical year for delivering an ambitious parks and open spaces programme and the master planning for the Centre for Outdoor Sports, the biggest investment in sports for a generation. Other commitments include new modern facilities at Clair Hall, playground improvements, the continuation of the Full Fibre project to support small businesses, residents and the local economy, and the acquisition of temporary accommodation and increased homelessness intervention officers to support those who need it. The item was seconded by the Deputy Leader.

A number of Members commended the budget, noting that it is a Budget and Corporate Plan for the District as a whole. It was acknowledged that it is unusual to have a budget that relies on the use of reserves and concern was raised over the projection to use reserves in 2025/26. It was noted that in the past the Council had good management of reserves for just this circumstance which has enabled it to be in a position to respond in an agile way throughout the pandemic, however attention should be given to reducing the draw on reserves as soon as possible. The Leader confirmed that the position is improving gradually and is closely under review by the Cabinet. Use of the reserves does support the capital programme and it is important to ensure they are replenished to a healthy level.

A number of Members commented on the aspirational nature of the Corporate Plan and Budget, noting that it provides significant support to the local economy in terms of full fibre provision and support for an increase in local employment as well as increased green space provision which is crucial to wellbeing.

A Member raised concern over the events that have happened since the figures were compiled for the budget at the end of 2021, noting that there is a provision for inflation at 2% but evidence that Unions will demand more than this. An increase in fuel charges and cost of food may also impair the ability of people to pay the expected amount of Council Tax. In response to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.