Agenda and minutes

Venue: VIA REMOTE VIDEO LINK

Items
No. Item

1.

Roll Call and Virtual Meeting Explanation.

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. A roll call of Members present was taken. The Head of Regulatory Services provided a virtual meeting explanation noting that the regulations to hold committee meetings virtually will expire on 6 May 2021.

2.

Opening Prayer.

Minutes:

The Vice-Chairman read the opening prayer.

3.

To elect the Chairman of the Council.

Minutes:

Councillor Ash-Edwards nominated Councillor Margaret Belsey for Chairman of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Llewellyn-Burke.  As there were no other nominations, Councillor Margaret Belsey was confirmed as Chairman of the Council for 2021/22.

 

In accepting her new role, the Chairman thanked fellow Councillors and noted that it was a privilege and honour to be elected. She acknowledged that the Council has maintained a high level of service for residents of Mid Sussex during the pandemic and she looked forward to the opportunity to meet volunteers and local businesses during the course of her civic and ceremonial duties. She also thanked the outgoing Chairman for his service to the Council and personal support over the past 2 years.

           

RESOLVED

 

That Councillor M Belsey be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2021/22 Council year.

4.

To appoint the Vice-Chairman of the Council.

Minutes:

The Chairman nominated Councillor Salisbury for Vice-Chairman of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Ash-Edwards. As there were no other nominations, Councillor Salisbury was confirmed as Vice-Chairman for 2021/22.

           

RESOLVED

 

That Councillor Salisbury be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2021/22 Council year.

5.

To confirm Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 31 March 2021. pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman noted one amendment to the Cabinet Member report made by Councillor Hillier which has been actioned online. As there were no further comments, the Chairman took Members to a vote to agree the minutes, which were agreed.

 

             

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March as amended were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

6.

Chairman's Announcements.

Minutes:

The Chairman confirmed that at the June Council meeting she will announce the charity which she will be supporting over the coming year, noting that there is a wide variety of worthwhile charities to consider.

 

 

7.

To note the Members appointed to the Cabinet and for the Leader to appoint those Members.

Minutes:

The Leader confirmed that the appointments to Cabinet remain the same as in 2020 and thanked the Cabinet Members for their continued work, and the support they provide to his position as Leader.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation to note the appointments and this was noted with 42 in favour, 1 against and 6 abstentions.

           

RESOLVED

 

That Council noted the following appointments:

 

Deputy Leader – Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke

Cabinet Member for Economic Growth – Councillor Stephen Hillier

Cabinet Member for Customer Services – Councillor Ruth De Mierre

Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery – Councillor John Belsey

Cabinet Member for Community – Councillor Norman Webster

Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning – Councillor Andrew MacNaughton

8.

To receive the report of the Monitoring Officer: Political Balance Section 15 Local Government and Housing Act 1989; The Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. pdf icon PDF 125 KB

Minutes:

Council received the report of the Monitoring Officer, setting out the political balance of the Council for the 2021/22 year and the recommended allocation of seats to committees.  The Solicitor to the Council noted there is one vacancy in Copthorne and Worth Ward and this is reflected in 2 vacant positions on committees.

 

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations contained in the report which were agreed with 46 in favour.

 

RESOLVED

 

Council agreed that for the year 2021/22:

 

i. The Scrutiny Committees each comprise of 15 members, consisting of 9 Conservative, 4 Liberal Democrat, 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 1 from the Independent Councillors on the Scrutiny Committee of Leader Finance and Performance and on the Scrutiny Committee for Housing Planning and Economic Growth and a vacancy on the Scrutiny Committee for Community Customer Services and Service Delivery.

 

ii. Two Planning Committees each comprise 12 members, consisting of 8 Conservative on each of the 2 committees, 3 Liberal Democrat on each of the 2 committees, 1 from the Independent Councillors for the Planning Committee and 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group for the District Planning Committee;

 

iii. The Licensing Committee comprises 15 members, consisting of 10 Conservative, 3 Liberal Democrat, 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 1 from the Independent Councillors;

 

iv. The Standards Committee comprises 6 Council members consisting of 4 Conservative (other than the Leader), 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 4 representatives of town/parish councils.

 

v. The Audit Committee comprises 7 members consisting of 4 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 from the Green and Burgess Hill Independent Group and 1 vacancy.

 

9.

To receive and note the nominations to the following Committees for 2021-22. (To be Tabled) pdf icon PDF 192 KB

Audit Committee

Licensing Committee

Licensing Sub-Committee A

Scrutiny Committee for Housing, Planning and Economic Growth

Scrutiny Committee for Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery

Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Finance and Performance

District Planning Committee

Planning Committee

Standards Committee

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman moved the item drawing Member’s attention to the tabled report detailing the nominations for committees for the year 2021/22.

 

As there were no questions, the Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation to note the nominations. This was noted with 45 in favour.

 

RESOLVED

 

The appointment of Members to Committees as set out below were noted:

 

AuditCommittee(7 Members)

 

Anne Boutrup

Mike Pulfer

Matthew Cornish

Lin Stockwell

Rachel Cromie

Vacancy

Simon Hicks

 

 

Licensing Committee (15 Members)

 

Graham Allen

Anthea Lea

Rachel Cromie

Gary Marsh

John Dabell

Samantha Smith

Lee Gibbs

Neville Walker

Ian Gibson

Roger Webb

Janice Henwood

Norman Webster

Jim Knight

Vacancy

Clive Laband

 

 

LicensingSub CommitteeA (5 Members)

 

Graham Allen

Anthea Lea

Janice Henwood

Gary Marsh

Jim Knight

 

 

ScrutinyCommitteefor Housing, Planning and Economic Growth(15Members)

 

Richard Bates

Clive Laband

Margaret Belsey

Gary Marsh

Paul Brown

Julie Mockford

Emma Coe-Gunnell White

Adam Peacock

Philip Coote

Chris Phillips

Robert Eggleston

Neville Walker

Sue Hatton

Roger Webb

Janice Henwood

 

 

ScrutinyCommitteefor Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery(15 Members)

 

Liz Bennett

Anthea Lea

Anne Boutrup

Julie Mockford

Roger Cartwright

Mike Pulfer

Peter Chapman

Samantha Smith

Rod Clarke

Alexander Sparasci

Benedict Dempsey

Dick Sweatman

Sandy Ellis

Vacancy

Tofojjul Hussain

 

 

ScrutinyCommitteefor Leader, Finance and Performance (15Members)

 

Alison Bennett

Rodney Jackson

Heidi Brunsdon

Jim Knight

Phillip Coote

Andrew Lea

Rachel Cromie

Mike Pulfer

Anne Eves

Lin Stockwell

Ian Gibson

Colin Trumble

Simon Hicks

Rex Whittaker

Janice Henwood

 

 

District Planning Committee(12Members)

 

Richard Bates

Adam Peacock

John Dabell

Robert Salisbury

Anne Eves

Dick Sweatman

Sue Hatton

Colin Trumble

Rodney Jackson

Roger Webb

Clive Laband

Rex Whittaker

 

Planning Committee (12Members)

 

Roger Cartwright

Andrew MacNaughton

Emma Coe-Gunnell White

Gary Marsh

Phillip Coote

Chris Phillips

John Dabell

Mike Pulfer

Robert Eggleston

Dick Sweatman

Sue Hatton

Neville Walker

 

Standards Committee (6 MSDCMembers)

 

Alison Bennett

Rod  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Council Meetings in 2021/22 in the light of the COVID Pandemic. pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman moved the item seeking agreement on the programme of meetings for 2021/22.  The Solicitor to the Council noted that the report refers to a court case on the ability for Council’s to hold virtual meetings after 6 May 2021. The outcome of that case determines that there is no general power to hold virtual meetings and so further work and discussion with Group Leaders will be needed regarding in-person meetings going forward.

 

Discussion was held on the timings of meetings. A number of Members were unwilling to support the programme presented at the meeting as they felt the earlier start to meetings poses a disadvantage to those who work or have childcare responsibilities. There was a preference by some Members for some meetings to revert to a 7pm start time. It was noted that Members are asked to approve a draft programme at this stage and with the move to in-person meetings there is opportunity for further discussion with Group Members to reach a position that is most convenient.

 

As there were no further questions, the Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation contained in the report which was agreed 33 in favour 15 against.

 

RESOLVED

 

Council approved the calendar of meetings for 2021/22 subject to further work and discussion with Group Leaders.