Minutes:
Report of the Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader noted that the year-end performance report was discussed at Cabinet in June. It was agreed that the performance indicators will need to be reviewed to reflect the impact of the pandemic.
She noted that lease renewals continue at the Orchards Shopping Centre which is a positive indicator for the local economy, and that activity continues with the Place and Connectivity consultation which concludes on 25 June.
Discussion was held on the impact of the pandemic on funds available for the Place and Connectivity project, measurements of footfall in the town centres and the greenways in Haywards Heath.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
The Cabinet Member thanked the three Business Associations for the way their part-time administrators have reacted to the pandemic, providing a conduit between their members and the public sector. He also thanked the Council’s Officers for their work with local businesses.
He noted that parking charges ceased in March to meet the higher demand for residents parking. Charges have now resumed with the caveat that parking is still free for NHS workers. Income data should be available in July and indications show that a shortfall of approximately £1m is expected.
He confirmed that measures have been put in place to ensure the highstreets can reopen safely and thanked the Town and Parish Councils in this regard. He also noted that the Economic Strategy will be reviewed in due course to take account of the effect of the pandemic and the Council is working with local economic bodies to ensure their priorities reflect the dynamics within the District.
Discussion was held on the licence offered to McDonalds to use the car park in Burgess Hill, to assist the police in addressing the impact of cars visiting the restaurant.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Customer Services
The Cabinet Member highlighted the work being carried out by Officers to meet the increased demand for services during recent months. She noted that Mid Sussex Matters will be delivered to residents in July, the Full Fibre project is on target to commence in the summer and the Burgess Hill project is currently out to tender and includes a call for apprentices.
She agreed to look into whether virtual Committee meetings could be live-streamed on Facebook as well as YouTube.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery
The Cabinet Member confirmed that all waste collection and street cleaning services are operational and thanked Serco and ID Verde for maintaining their services during such a difficult time.
He noted that parks in the District are open, with the main town parks having increased signage to keep residents safe. Increased litter picks have been put in place. The consultation on Masterplans in four parks has resumed and work will be implemented on a phased basis as S106 funding becomes available. As the Government has confirmed that playgrounds and outdoor gyms can now reopen from 4 July the Council has begun risk assessing these, whilst awaiting further Government guidance. A communications plan will be put in place to ensure residents are informed of reopening information. He also reiterated the Leader’s comments that when other facilities such as indoor gyms and indoor play areas can reopen, they will be significantly changed due to the high costs involved.
Further discussion was held on the electric car charging points within the District.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Community.
The Cabinet Member thanked Members for their engagement in training sessions to successfully conduct virtual meetings.
He noted the increased support that has been provided to support the shielded residents within the District. He confirmed that requests to the Environmental Health services has increased and will continue to do so regarding licensing and food hygiene inspections as pubs and bars reopen.
He noted that the pandemic has impacted on the ability to deliver traditional wellbeing services with no face to face interventions, but three additional services have been introduced in the last quarter of 2019/20 regarding alcohol support, health checks and stopping smoking. VE Day celebrations were also impacted but virtual celebrations were met with positive engagement.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
The Cabinet Member confirmed that a Flexible Homeless Support Grant and New Burdens Homeless Reduction Grant received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will continue to fund the work mentioned in the reports presented to this Council meeting, along with any funds available from the recent Government provision to address homelessness.
He noted that the pandemic has had an impact on the number of social houses being built. To address Member’s concerns, he confirmed that the Council is committed to holding Developers to account in meeting their social housing provisions in any applications that come forward. He also confirmed that Officers continue to carry out the required site visits.