Agenda and minutes
Venue: VIA REMOTE VIDEO LINK
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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. |
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Opening Prayer. Minutes: The Vice-Chairman read the opening prayer. |
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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. |
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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. |
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To confirm Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 31 March 2021. 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.
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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.
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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 |
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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.
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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)
Licensing Committee (15 Members)
LicensingSub CommitteeA (5 Members)
ScrutinyCommitteefor Housing, Planning and Economic Growth(15Members)
ScrutinyCommitteefor Community, Customer Services and Service Delivery(15 Members)
ScrutinyCommitteefor Leader, Finance and Performance (15Members)
District Planning Committee(12Members)
Planning Committee (12Members)
Standards Committee (6 MSDCMembers)
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Council Meetings in 2021/22 in the light of the COVID Pandemic. 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.
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