Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

No questions received.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 7 December 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 36 Members voted in favour, with 4 abstentions.

Councillor Hillier declared an interest as a West Sussex County Councillor in relation to items mentioned in his Cabinet Member Report.

Councillor Gibson declared an interest as a West Sussex County Councillor in relation to his question during the Cabinet Member’s Report.

None.

The Chairman noted that recent engagements were listed on the Council’s website.

Councillor Webster moved the item. It was seconded by Councillor Ash-Edwards.

Councillor Brown proposed the following amendment to recommendation 6 (h):

‘To ask the Head of Democratic Services and Elections to investigate the suitability of Lindfield Rural Parish Office as a polling station for polling district GCB and hence relocate this polling station to a location that does not require Full Council’s approval.’

This was seconded by Councillor Eves. Debate was held on the amendment. The Chairman took Members to a vote on the amendment, which was not carried, with 12  voting in favour, 22 against and 6 abstentions.

Further debate was held on the suitability of 2 other locations.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations as set out in the report which were approved with 35 in favour 3 against and 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED

The Council agreed:

The polling places for all polling districts be defined as the entire District Council ward in which the polling district is situated, with the following exceptions:

a)         Polling Place for Polling Districts BA and (BB) in Ashurst Wood & East Grinstead South Ward be designated Chequer Mead Arts Centre, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead;

b)         Polling Place for Polling Districts BCA and (BCD) in East Grinstead Herontye Ward be designated Chequer Mead Arts Centre, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead;

c)         Polling Place for Polling District BCB and (BCC) in East Grinstead Herontye Ward be designated Chequer Mead Arts Centre, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead;

d)         Polling Place for Polling District BEC in East Grinstead Town Ward be designated East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead;

e)         Polling Place for Polling District BFA in East Grinstead Imberhorne Ward be designated Trinity Methodist Church, Lingfield Road, East Grinstead;

f)          Polling Place for Polling Districts BFB and (BFC, BFD, BFE) in East Grinstead Imberhorne Ward be designated Trinity Methodist Church, Lingfield Road, East Grinstead;

g)         Polling Place for Polling District EDB in Ardingly, Balcombe & Turners Hill Ward be designated Queens Hall, High Street, Cuckfield;

h)         Polling Place for Polling District GCB in Lindfield Rural & High Weald Ward be designated Lindfield Evangelical Free Church, Chaloner Road, Lindfield;

i)          Polling Place for Polling District HAB in Haywards Heath Franklands Ward be designated Haywards Heath Baptist Church, Sussex Road, Haywards Heath;

j)          Polling Place for Polling District HEA in Haywards Heath North Ward be designated Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath;

k)         Polling Place for Polling District HEB in Haywards Heath North Ward be designated Dolphin Leisure Centre, Pasture Hill Road, Haywards Heath;

l)          Polling Place for Polling District IC in Lindfield Ward be designated Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath;

m)        Polling Place for Polling District KEB in Burgess Hill Dunstall Ward be designated St. Edward The Confessor Church, Royal George Road, Burgess Hill;

Councillor Webster moved the item noting it is a requirement by law for the Council to establish a panel of at least 3 Independent Panel Members. This was seconded by Councillor Ash-Edwards.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations as set out in the report, which were approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council:

(i)         agreed the proposed approach to appoint the new Independent Remuneration Panel and;

(ii)        agreed to appoint a panel of three Members (being the Leader, Cabinet Member for Community and the Leader of the largest minority party) to interview candidates and recommend three persons to form the new Independent Remuneration Panel for a 4-year term commencing 1 July 2023.

The Council received the Leader’s update.  In response to questions on the Levelling Up Fund bids, he confirmed that the Council continues to work with New River REIT to explore alternative options and a summit to progress plan B will be held with key partners (including Burgess Hill Town Council), with invitations to be issued shortly. In terms of submitting bids for funding in general, he acknowledged the costs involved, noting that over time, the benefits of the millions of pounds of investment brought in outweighs the amount spent on preparing bids. 

In response to a question on the retail study which is an underpinning document of the District Plan, he noted that the point of retail studies is that they inform decisions on planning proposals as they come forward. The Council is not a developer of shopping, but as the Planning Authority, it needs to be able to respond to what the market is able to bring forward and will be informed by that, and he is happy to consider proposals from Members.

The Council received the Deputy Leader’s update.  In response to questions he confirmed that the food waste is currently being transported outside of the District as agreed by West Sussex County Council (WSCC). Discussions continue with WSCC as the Waste Disposal Authority regarding the potential to build a digester within the county. The carbon footprint of transporting the waste will be considered with SERCO and WSCC to see how it can be improved. A waste composition analysis will be undertaken over coming months with further details to be shared with Members in due course.

In response to a query regarding the availability of dog waste bins for the Copthorne area he agreed to discuss separately with the Member outside of the meeting.

In response to a question on the Centre for Outdoor Sport, the Cabinet Member has met with many local sports clubs and stakeholders. The task is to balance the aspirations and needs with the funds available. An update will be provided to Members when as work is progressed.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Net Zero’s update. In response to questions regarding the Burgess Hill Growth Programme he provided clarification of the roles of the Local Economic Partnership Board, the Growth Board and the Local Member Steering Group, including when they would next meet. He acknowledged that the works have had a significant impact on local residents and that WSCC are aware of the need to improve communications. Regarding the phase 2 consultation process he confirmed that the Steering Group (in conjunction with Burgess Hill Town Council and other interested parties) had made comment on what they felt were the priorities which will be considered by the Growth Board and a consultation will begin once Purdah has concluded. In terms of the next phase of works affecting St Andrews residents, he will ensure appropriate communications reach the shop and business owners in the area and would follow up with the Ward Member outside of this meeting.

In response to a question related to the County Council’s review of Growth Plans he acknowledged that the content of the programme has been through this Council’s process and planning.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Community’s update.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Parking’s update.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Planning’s update. In response to Member’s questions, he acknowledged the need for Surrey and West Sussex County Councils to agree a technical solution to  junction  overcapacity in Felbridge and agreed to provide further details  directly to the Member outside of the meeting. He clarified the location and detail of a new Affordable Housing Scheme in Felbridge, which the Council has entered into in partnership with Rentplus UK and confirmed that the next Scrutiny Committee for Planning, Economic Growth and Net Zero will include a report on the responses to the updated District Plan.

The Council received the Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services’ update.

The following question was received from Councillor Eggleston:

Please could the Leader of the Council confirm the amounts spent on consultancy fees in respect of the preparation and submission of

(a)        The 2021 Levelling Up fund bid,

(b)        The 2022 Levelling Up fund bid, and

(c)        The bid to create two investment zones in Burgess Hill.

The Leader provided the following response:

This Council works tirelessly to take all opportunities to bid for monies to support the District and we have a good track record of doing so in recent years. In terms of specifics, I can report that the Council spent the following on consultant’s support:

a.         The 2021 Levelling Up fund bid - £11,050

b.         The 2022 Levelling Up fund bid - £9,066.84

c.         The bid to create two investment zones in Burgess Hill – MSDC collaborated with WSCC over this bid as the County was the lead authority. Consultancy fees were procured by and paid for by WSCC. 

Councillor Eggleston asked a supplementary question to clarify if Burgess Hill Town Council will be a key partner included in the Summit referred to in the recent press release.  The Leader reiterated comments made earlier in the meeting that Burgess Hill Town Council will be part of that meeting.