Minutes:
The Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader noted that Budget Management had already been discussed during the meeting and therefore there was nothing further to report at this time.
A Member sought clarification on the Deputy Leader’s response provided after the Council meeting on 3 November with regards to the energy generated by PV panels at Bridge Road Depot in 2021. He noted that the new work Ricardo has been instructed to do focusses on carbon as opposed to Co2 and asked what is the reason for the new focus on carbon, considering that it is Co2 and Co2 equivalent gasses emitted into the atmosphere which causes global warming.
The Deputy Leader noted that the work carried out by Ricardo relates to the Sustainability Working Group and a written answer will be provided by the relevant Cabinet Member for that work if appropriate.
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Council will receive £70k grant funding to support independent retailers making improvements to their premises. Officers are finalising the details and publicity and Members are encouraged to promote it. If Members know of other businesses that may require funding outside of this particular programme he encouraged them to contact the Council as Officers can direct them to the most appropriate options.
He also noted that work is progressing on ‘Opportunity Mid Sussex’, the branding around an online brochure to attract investment to the District.
Cabinet Member for Customer Services
The Cabinet Member noted that the Council and software platform TellJO have won a national technology award for the support they provide for vulnerable residents. She also confirmed that a 50% relief on business rates will continue next year and process for those applications is being put into place.
The Cabinet Member noted the success of the Applauds Awards and reiterated congratulations to the winners. She also noted that Mid Sussex Matters has been delivered to all residents, and over 500 families have signed up to the Secret Santa mission which is part of the Welcome Back fund to encourage people to the highstreets.
In terms of the digital roll out, the Cabinet Member confirmed that the first two phases have been completed on time and on budget and digging has commenced on the first part of the rural connectivity programme between Ardingly and Haywards Heath. A digital workshop is planned for Members in February 2022.
A Member made a request for the Council to use social media to encourage people to sign up to the broadband voucher programme to receive a sum of money from the Government towards extra fast broadband, for those in rural areas who may not immediately benefit from the Council’s digital programme. The Cabinet Member agreed to investigate this further.
Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery
With regards to fly tipping, the Cabinet Member confirmed that training and briefings have taken place for Officers and the Council is now able to issue fixed penalties where there is sufficient evidence to do so, including following up on retrospective incidents in the past 6 months where there is sufficient evidence. A workshop to provide more information is planned for Members in the new year. He agreed to provide a written response to Members regarding the penalty amounts.
He noted that since reopening in July, the leisure centres are performing ahead of budget through to September and as of October the income recovery is at 68% of pre pandemic levels, in line with national trends. However, the impact of rising energy costs and the latest Covid variant is yet to be determined and work will take place to understand what impact these will have on the financial recovery in the coming weeks. He agreed to provide a written response to a query on the types of sport that is increasing or is it a 68% increase across the entire offering.
Regarding playgrounds, the Cabinet Member confirmed that work at St Andrews playground in Burgess Hill and the Turners Hill recreation ground is underway, with an aim to be concluded in early 2022. Designs can be seen on the Council’s website, along with a pump track in Bolney. The re-consultation on the Forest Field’s play area will be launched soon.
Local cycling infrastructure plan engagements have begun in East Grinstead and it is hoped that it will shortly begin in Haywards Heath too. He has recently attended meetings with East Grinstead Town Council working group and East Grinstead Cycle forum as well as looking at potential improvements around the area and is pleased to see this phase of work commencing.
Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member noted that the Legal department has recently been successfully assessed by the independent Lexcel Assessor in November.
Sussex Resilience Forum and other partners have worked throughout covid and may get increased demand over Christmas. He has passed on elected Members good wishes to them as it is because of their efforts that our residents are kept safe during emergency situations. In terms of ongoing pandemic support in the community he confirmed that the Sussex Community Hub is still running from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm at the weekend and bank holidays. In East Grinstead the emergency action group have provided valuable services, with similar groups run in Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath. Along with the Mid Sussex Partnership Board and other partners such as Mid Sussex Voluntary Action, the Council is always ready to help wherever possible.
He highlighted the importance of remembering those who find the festive season difficult, noting that the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource full of information to help those who may need it.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
The Cabinet Member highlighted that the health and safety of rough sleepers is always a concern but especially during winter. The housing team has been working hard to support Turning Tides in identifying and housing individuals, alongside Brighton Housing Trust. In 2018 there were 10 rough sleepers in the District reducing to 8 in 2019 and 3 in 2020 as a result of the ‘Everyone in’ initiative. As of November 2021 there has been 4 people accepting accommodation and 6 people left rough sleeping. The Council does enquire if they are ex-military to see if additional support can come from the RBL and SSAFA. Contact with the rough sleepers will be maintained throughout the winter. As a result of a Member question, the Cabinet Member agreed to investigate the various routes that people may take before it results in rough sleeping to understand possible causes. He also noted the importance of supporting local charities as donations are vital in enabling them to support those in need.
Regarding the District Plan, he confirmed that the Inspector’s modifications to the District Planning document were received at the end of November and consultation has started running from 29 November until 24 January. All information from the consultation process goes to the Inspector to help form his final report.
With regards to the Northern Arc, in November the Bellway Home reserved matters application was put in for the development east of the A273 which includes 247 homes plus the extension to Bedelands. He agreed to pass a Member’s comment to Planning Officers regarding the potential for Bellway Homes to be encouraged to future proof their homes with electric car charging points ahead of the requirement for all new homes to have one in April 2022.
In the area of Hassocks he highlighted that Network Rail will be putting in a pedestrian tunnel between Friars Oak development and Ockley Lane development. Therefore, it may be advisable to avoid travelling by train between 19 and 27 February. He acknowledged that there has been debate on the access for this work and noted that there is currently legislation sitting with Secretary of State which affects the access. It has been decided to use Mid Sussex Land and consultation with residents is ongoing.
The Cabinet Member highlighted the concept of water neutrality noting that areas of Horsham have Ramshorn snails which require a lot of water. Due to the number of developments in the area the water levels go down, harming the snails. Developers must work to reduce water usage to 90 litres per head per day or be restricted on the number of developments that can take place. In response to a Member question, he noted that it was not possible to enforce a policy restricting households to 110 litres of water per person, but it is a standard that the building industry accept as a target for water consumption
He drew attention to Center Parcs, as they made a statement in London to the financial institutions to say they were confident that the site off junction 10 of the M23 is likely to go ahead. The Council has little knowledge of what is planned as Members have been not approached. Two senior officers met with Centre Parcs agents to establish their plans but as of today there have been no pre-applications or applications.