Minutes:
Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader noted that leases continue to be signed for the Orchards Shopping Centre and reminded Members that Burgess Hill Model Railway at Fairfield Recreation may be back operating soon as well. She noted that the Watermill Inn at Worlds End has been listed as an Asset of Community Value and the Council has worked with the Worlds End Residents Association on a number of projects including park improvements and improvements to Wivelsfield Station.
Regarding transport infrastructure she noted that approximately £20m has been invested to encourage a modal shift to get people using cycling and walking across Burgess Hill. More information on the sustainable transport policy and linked topics can be found on Burgeshill.net.
In response to a Member’s query, the Deputy Leader agreed to provide a written response on whether the pathways (as part of the connectivity programme) will be open in time for school holidays, and asked that Members contact her directly if there is a particular pathway of concern.
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
The Cabinet Member noted the following headline facts in relation to the local economy and impact of Covid on the ongoing recovery:
• 2,855 Mid Sussex residents were claiming out of work benefits in May which was a monthly decrease of 10% to fall below 3,000 for the first time since April last year. It should be noted that pre-Covid it averaged below 1,000 for many years.
• At 3.2% of working age residents Mid Sussex has one of the lowest claimant count rates in the country, and the lowest in West Sussex.
• Despite recent falls, the number of furloughed workers in Mid Sussex remains high at 7,800 in April, accounting for 11% of eligible employments and this does match the national and regional rates. The number of furloughed workers can be expected to fall as the scheme winds down between 1st July and 30th September but with a feared associated rise in redundancies.
He noted that work has been continuing to help the local business community access appropriate Covid support funding and work continues on a new marketing and promotion strategy that will help promote the District to inward investors and bring more jobs into Mid Sussex
He concluded by noting that the Council is working in partnership with other West Sussex Districts and Boroughs on various business support and training schemes for those businesses that apply.
In response to a Member’s query on the Welcome Back Fund regarding the criteria to ensure fair allocation, he asked that the Member send their query by email and he will respond in writing. He also noted a Member’s request that the Council works with Town and Parish Councils to help them develop their own individual economic development and marketing strategies.
Cabinet Member for Customer Services
The Cabinet Member noted that the option to apply for Restart grants end at midnight tonight. She noted that the Council was one of only 13 Authorities to receive an extra £1.27m grant funding from the Government. The Council has also been chosen as part of the Governments Debt Advice pilot and has seen the second biggest uptake of this nationally after Bristol. Partnering with Department of Work and Pensions, the Council has also set up 2 community outreach job centre hubs in Bentswood and Burgess Hill which go live on 1 and 2 July.
She confirmed that Mid Sussex Matters magazine will land with residents from 5 July and the Comms team is promoting a number of initiatives including one in conjunction with Mid Sussex Voluntary Action and Balfour Beatty to seek out digital champions to help people become more capable in that area.
She also confirmed that the digital infrastructure work has been signed off in Burgess Hill and the route through Haywards Heath to Crawley is 88% complete, with testing to be carried out before it is aimed to be ready in September.
The Cabinet Member concluded by noting that the District had a 97% response rating to the Census according to the Office of National Statistics. She also encouraged all Members to refer to the Learning Pool for updated information on safeguarding and county lines awareness.
Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery
The Cabinet Member noted that leisure centres have reopened in a staged way since 12 April and feedback has been positive, showing confidence in Places Leisure’s management of the centres. Indications show strong membership sales and work is continuing for the centres to be fully open from 19 July if restrictions are lifted. It is also hoped that the Cuckfield paddling pool will reopen shortly after recent refurbishment work. He confirmed that the situation regarding playground equipment cleaning and positioning will be reviewed in light of the easing of restrictions.
A number of Members thanked Officers and the staff of the Leisure Centres for their work to ensure a successful reopening. The Cabinet Member acknowledged differing Member’s perspectives on the need to pre-book sessions at the centres and agreed to pass the comments on to Places Leisure.
Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Council has launched a public engagement and consultation process on future of the Clair Hall site. Over coming months through dialogue with a wide range of people, the Council will identify how the site can continue to contribute to the local community in a way that is sustainable and good for the community.
He noted that the Hall has been recently used for the vaccination programme and the Council is committed to support this service as it rolls into the next year. The long-term future of the site needs to be considered and all views are welcome. The public can participate through an online engagement hub as well as through several online and physical events which will be organised if restrictions allow. An independent group of representative organisations from a broad spectrum of the community will be formed to ensure all voices are heard. Feedback will be reported to Cabinet prior to any decisions being taken before the end of the year. In response to Member’s queries on subsidies for performing arts and whether the site could remain open, he noted that nothing has been ruled out at this stage and any suggestion will be looked at provided it is submitted with Gunning principles in mind.