Agenda and minutes

Venue: Via Remote Video Link

Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Roll Call and Virtual Meetings Explanation.

Minutes:

The Chairman carried out a roll call to establish attendance at the meeting. The Solicitor to the Council provided information on the reasons for the virtual meeting.

2.

To note Substitutes in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 - Substitutes at Meetings of Committees etc.

Minutes:

Councillor Dabell substituted for Councillor Stockwell.

3.

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Stockwell.

4.

To receive Declarations of Interests from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda.

Minutes:

None.

5.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2022. pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2022 were agreed as a correct record and electronically signed by the Chairman. 

6.

To consider any items that the Chairman agrees to take as urgent business.

Minutes:

None.

7.

Sustainable Economy Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025. pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the report, acknowledging the work of the cross-party working group and noting that the strategy brings together the Council’s economic development, sustainability and climate change work for the first time, recognising their intrinsic link.

 

The Strategy sets out how the Council will support the Government’s policy of Net Zero by 2050 and provides a clear stance on these issues based on economic growth, job creation, conservation of the environment and practical actions to achieve Net Zero. He noted that following a recent Member workshop, Officers and Members have indicated that in general they are comfortable with the strategy.

 

Judy Holmes, Assistant Chief Executive provided an introduction noting that it was unusual to have a three year strategy which is relatively short for Local Authorities. This is a deliberate decision acknowledging the fast-moving nature of this workstream and the challenging environment, requiring a need to be agile. She confirmed that the work was commissioned by this Scrutiny Committee with a working group to oversee the development. The group met 8 times, supported by external consultants Ricardos and Scott Marshall Associates. The working group also had the opportunity to comment on two drafts of the strategy. The Strategy will be subject to a review of relevance on a regular basis and there are already some amendments to make before it is published.

 

As Chairman of the working group, Councillor Pulfer reiterated the comments made by the Assistant Chief Executive and thanked all Councillors for their valuable input.

 

Discussion was held on the Vision in the document which is to be ‘a vibrant District that is attractive, resilient and innovative that balances social well-being, environmental protection and sustainable economic growth’. The Chairman acknowledged that there was general agreement with the Vision. A Member noted that it did not include reference to carbon reduction and climate change but it was acknowledged that the wording had been discussed at length by the working group who felt the wording in the document was balanced and appropriate. Discussion was also held on the infographics on p.22 and it was noted that additional statistics mentioned were included in the report and could be pulled through into the infographic if the Committee agreed. The external consultant Scott Marshall confirmed that the real-life satisfaction figure quoted was a score on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

The Assistant Chief Executive highlighted that the strategy was based on the 17 UN goals organised around three themes of People, Place and Partnership, with objectives to help deliver these. Councillor Alison Bennet proposed an amendment to Objective 8 as detailed below:

 

To commit to the development of the Mid Sussex Nature Recovery Plan to deliver Objective 8 of the Sustainable Economy Strategy and the Plan will:

1) set out how Mid Sussex District Council will allocate resources to meet the strengthened biodiversity duty contained in the Environment Act 2021

2) begin by contracting a consultant to deliver a short-term desk based natural capital mapping of Mid Sussex that will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Performance Monitoring for the Third Quarter of 2021/22. pdf icon PDF 243 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Neal Barton, Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager introduced the report noting that overall performance was generally good with 76% of indicators showing green. He noted that some services are still affected by the Pandemic and the recovery programme, including Environmental Heath, Housing Services and Revenues and Benefits. The Land Searches team are also affected by the current state of the property market.

 

The Committee discussed the data held on calls coming in via the Contact Centre. The Head of Digital and Customer Services noted that data is held on all calls received which assists in determining ways to improve how information is shared with residents. Staff turnover and sickness levels were also discussed and the Head of Digital and Customer Services confirmed that a number of measures are in place to manage staff training, support and recruitment including liaising with other Local Authorities in order to manage turnover. Measures are also in place to monitor and assist staff related to dependency leave requirements.

 

Members discussed issues with downloading large documents on the Planning Portal, and the Council’s position in relation to cyber-attacks. The Head of Digital and Customer Services noted that more information will be provided at a Digital briefing to all Members in coming weeks. Discussions were also held on the figures related to electric charging vehicles, the availability of information related to successful planning enforcement cases (further details of which will be provided in a future briefing) and how to increase the percentage of household waste being recycled. It was also requested that the word ‘cumulative’ be added to the figure related to affordable housing as it is not a quarterly figure.

 

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

 

RESOLVED

 

The Scrutiny Committee:

 

(i) Noted the Council’s performance in the third quarter of the year and identified any areas where further reporting or information is required;

 

(ii)  Advised the Cabinet of any issues that the Committee considers should be given particular consideration at the Cabinet meeting on 9th May 2022.

9.

Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10.2 due notice of which has been given.

Minutes:

None.