Minutes:
The Leader began by welcoming Councillor Adams and noting apologies received from 2 Cabinet Members. He addressed the cost-of-living issues faced by residents and provided reassurance that the Council will continue to play a part in supporting local communities in the months ahead. He noted that the Council plays an important role in providing financial support to residents on lower income and those in financial difficulty. To date this year over £18m has been given in housing and council tax support schemes as well as through the exceptional hardship scheme and discretional housing payments scheme. Food banks also offer immediate support across the district and the Council is in regular contact to offer support and grants where possible. There is also a winter support guide that has been produced by the Council to signpost people to further help. The Council community connections brochure has also been updated, providing information on services for older residents.
He drew attention to three items that the Council has been active in bidding for investment for the District. The first is the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which has an allocation for Mid Sussex of £1m over three years and requires an investment plan which the Council has submitted. Highlights of the fund include employability support to young people not in employment or education, development of community hubs and the roll out of the parks and town centre investment programmes and the outcome of the submission is expected soon.
A second submission has been made for the Levelling Up Fund for Burgess Hill Town Centre to unlock the redevelopment of the Martlets, the Church Walk public realm development and the digital hub. The Council’s bid continues to score highly and an update is expected in November.
The third is in partnership with West Sussex County Council (WSCC). The Council will be making an expression of interest for investment in 2 sites (the technology park and the Martlets) to attract businesses to these two business zones. The Leader noted that recent press coverage has indicated it will have streamlined planning but noted that both sites already are mature in planning terms and so planning powers have already influenced this. Should the expression of interest be successful, more discussions will be held with the Government to develop matters further. He concluded by thanking officers who worked at pace to deliver this on time, and thanked WSCC for their support as well.
Concern was raised by a number of Members that planning processes and environmental controls will be relaxed on these two sites to the detriment of the area. The Leader noted that although the Government has signalled a desire to streamline the processes, both sites are tightly defined sites that already have planning support by the Council. Careful consideration will happen at every stage to ensure they are going in the right direction. He reiterated that it is important to seek the opportunity to accelerate delivery of projects that people want, and it will provide tax incentives for businesses relocating and provides a competitive edge to the sites.
In response to a question on the Place and Connectivity Programme, the Leader confirmed that more projects have been identified that exceed the amount of funding available and the Church Walk programme has been one of them which is why the Council is bidding for more funding.
In response to a question on overlap between the WSCC Growth Bid and the Levelling Up Fund, the Leader confirmed that the growth deal remains in place and thanked WSCC for their constructive engagement.
Discussion was also held on warm hubs and food banks and the Leader referred Members to agenda item 16 which would provide more information.