Minutes:
Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader noted recent Cabinet consideration of a feasibility study on the Centre for Outdoor Sports, and the next steps involved. He has contacted a number of Burgess Hill sports clubs, ten of which have so far shown an interest and as an action plan for community engagement is developed, he looks forward to getting back to them to consider their needs. He also noted that the Centre will not be appropriate for all sport and therefore more work is taking place as part of the Playing Pitch Strategy to understand clubs’ needs over the next 10 years. Members expressed a wish for a variety of sports to be considered, including a hard surface running track, an artificial pitch in Crawley Down, improvements to pitches in Hurstpierpoint and athletics provision. The Deputy Leader noted that consultation will include a wide variety of groups and the Council will work to assist wherever possible.
The Deputy Leader also noted that submissions had been made to maintain the Green Flags in three parks in the District, with East Court being ‘mystery shopped’ this year.
He also provided an update on the food waste pilot which is on track with the actions and comms plan being finalised. The trial will commence late summer and communications will be issued to those residents involved 6-8 weeks before the trial begins. He confirmed that West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is the disposing authority and it is anticipated that the waste will go to Basingstoke whilst WSCC develop their own facility in West Sussex.
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Net Zero
The Cabinet Member noted that the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging points has begun in some car parks and first connections should go live during May this year, details of which will be shared in the Member Information Bulletin. He noted that by partnering with WSCC the Council is part of one of the largest local Government roll-outs in the UK and senior officers involved are involved with advisory work at a national level. It is also hopeful that schemes may be well-placed to attract support from the £500m fund that the Secretary of State wrote to all councils about on the 25th March. The Cabinet Member noted that WSCC are leading on work to support SMEs with guidance around the carbon agenda and in particular with how to measure their carbon footprint baselines. A local company, Adelphi, are a leader in manufacturing in the most environmentally friendly way and are supporting this work. This activity will be of great help in beginning to achieve some of the targets in the Sustainable Economic Strategy.
In relation to the Council’s work on Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) the Cabinet Member attended the first meeting of the Haywards Heath LCWIP and a forthcoming consultants’ report will establish a list of projects that will be prioritised in terms of impact to offer the most potential and benefit to residents. A workshop will be arranged shortly with stakeholders in Burgess Hill and the planning of this is being done in conjunction with the Town Council.
He noted that the Council has been successful in winning a bid for £75k to develop a full business case for Community Low Carbon Energy Hubs which are hoped will offer a way for rural campuses (schools, hospitals), neighbourhoods or villages to generate and share their own renewable energy while lowering their carbon emissions.
The Cabinet Member noted that the recovery of parking transactions continues but is still 26% down on pre-covid levels. However, Lindfield, Hassocks, Cuckfield and Crawley Down are all continuing to exhibit higher footfall figures than pre-pandemic. In response to a question from Councillor Alison Bennett he agreed to provide a written response on the footfall for Hurstpierpoint and the next steps to support the high street. He also agreed to provide a written response to Councillor Eggleston who asked for a comparison of the three towns to see how carpark usage has changed pre-pandemic, through the pandemic and to the current position.
In conclusion he noted that the 2022 Micro Business Grant Scheme will be launched at the end of April . The Council is supporting the ShopAppy initiative and the “Pop to the Shops” campaign to support local highstreets.
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Customer Services
The Cabinet Member noted that Energy Payments are beginning to be issued to the 41.5k households within the District, with discretionary funding also available to those who are eligible. Payments will be made next month to those who pay by Direct Debit and Officers are making direct contact with other residents to highlight the application process and ensure the payments reach those who need them. She also confirmed that £150 hardship grants are given to every taxpayer who received Council Tax support, and the Covid Additional Relief Fund is still open for businesses to apply.
The Cabinet Member confirmed that the latest edition of ‘Mid Sussex Matters’ has been distributed, and the Full Fibre website is due to go live shortly for local businesses to register their interest. Briefings on the Council’s digital work externally and internally are being provided to Members, who are encouraged to attend.
With regards to the threat of cyber-attacks, the Council is taking part in the LGA 360 programme, a sponsored security review. A project team is also driving forward a change to the document management system that supports the Planning department and the Planning Portal.
With reference to safeguarding, the Cabinet Member recently attended an interactive training session which is hoped to be shared with all Members in due course. She also acknowledged that the recent Scrutiny Committee agreed the Council’s Modern Slavery Statement.
The Cabinet Member provided an update on the increased membership and visits to leisure centres and confirmed that a 1 year agreement is in place from 1 April with Places Leisure to revert the financial risk for the contract back to them. The Council is working with Places Leisure on a longer position in this regard.
Cabinet Member for Community
The Cabinet Member noted that thanks to the support of WSCC and Public Health England the Council can continue to offer 9 well balanced programmes to support older and vulnerable residents whose muscle fitness and balanced has been reduced during the confines of the pandemic. He also noted that the Council’s Equality and Diversity progress report has recently been reviewed by the Scrutiny Committee and the Council has moved forward in many areas in the cross-council work despite the impact of the pandemic.
The Cabinet Member recently attended the Police and Crime Panel where the second priority of the Police and Crime Plan was considered which is the relentless disruption of serious and organised crime. The Panel also reviewed a report provided by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service regarding the police response to violence to women and girls on a national basis. He noted that the Police and Crime Commissioner was on the expert panel as part of this work.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
The Cabinet Member focussed on the work of the Development Management Team, thanking all those involved in continuing to provide services whilst adapting to working from home during the pandemic. He noted that keeping development processes effective is essential in maintaining the 5 year housing land supply and noted that 98% major applications were met within target, as well as 98% minor and 99% of all other applications. Planning permissions have been granted on only 23% of appeals brought forward, against the national average of 33%. The performance puts Mid Sussex in the top tier of national authorities.
The Cabinet Member confirmed that 315 affordable housing units have been delivered up to the end of February and over the past financial year £2.7m of Section 106 funds have been delivered, with £2.64m spent on the communities related to the sites.
With regards to the Planning Enforcement team he noted that 450 alleged breaches of planning control investigated were investigated this year along with a number of notices being issued.
With regards to training, he noted that training sessions are coming up for Planning Committee Members which will be a mixture of in-person sessions in the Council Chamber and a hybrid/live meeting on enforcement for all Members on 21June.
He concluded by highlighting new regulations on telecom masts for 5G.
A Member requested that the Cabinet Member publish the statistics for enforcement and thanked the Cabinet Member for a recent meeting held at East Grinstead Town Council with regards to housing and the impact of development on roads around the area. In response to a question around the vulnerability of school place provision and the potential to travel a distance to school, the Cabinet Member had made enquiries with WSCC and confirmed that there are no issues with Primary School places in East Grinstead, but Secondary places were an issue. He noted the concern and agreed to continue to work on those aspects.