-
Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY. Please enter the building through the Contact Centre entrance via the seafront.
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
None received.
Declaration of Interests
Minutes:
Councillor
Item
Interest
Roark
4 – Response to Council Motion Re: Hastings United Football Club Proposal
Personal – Son plays youth football locally
Minutes of Last Meeting PDF 120 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd April 2023 be approved as a true record.
Response to council motion re: Hastings United Football Club proposal PDF 213 KB
Decision:
1. That Cabinet note the history of the proposed scheme as set out in the report, the latest position and that for the reasons set out, agree that the scheme as proposed in November 2018, was and is not viable to be recommended to council.
2. That Cabinet note that no alternative provision for the football club infrastructure has been identified to date.
3. That HUFC be offered continued support to improve the condition of the playing pitch(s) and the stand and ensuring that they meet their maintenance and repair obligations under the existing lease.Minutes:
The Chief Executive presented a report outlining the history of the proposed scheme and the latest position, as requested by a motion passed at Full Council on 15th December 2022.
In conclusion, for the reasons outlined in the report, there is no viable scheme that can be recommended at this time. The council remains committed to working with all those involve with Hastings United Football Club.
Councillor Turner was present and asked what was being done to force the owners of the football club to maintain the ground and facilities?
Councillor Carr was present and asked why the report took so long to prepare and why weren’t Hastings United consulted as part of the preparations for the report?
The Chief Executive responded that the club have a full repairing lease on the Pilot Field site. The council owns and leases many sites across the Borough and does not have the capacity to inspect all of these on a regular basis. The FA manages the suitability of football playing fields and East Sussex County Council is responsible for ensuring the facilities at the Pilot Field meet required safety standards.Councillor Barnett said the council will continue to support sport in Hastings and will seek external investment to improve local sport facilities. The council will look at sustainable ways to support Hastings United going forward.
Councillor Willis proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Cannan.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. That Cabinet note the history of the proposed scheme as set out in the report, the latest position and that for the reasons set out, agree that the scheme as proposed in November 2018, was and is not viable to be recommended to council.
2. That Cabinet note that no alternative provision for the football club infrastructure has been identified to date.
3. That HUFC be offered continued support to improve the condition of the playing pitch(s) and the stand and ensuring that they meet their maintenance and repair obligations under the existing lease.
Reasons:
A report setting out the current situation with Hastings United Football Club and reporting whether or not the scheme is viable to recommend to Council and to set out what alternative provision is available to allow HUFC to remain in Hastings was requested by a motion passed at Full Council on 15 December 2022.
Revision of Financial Assistance Policy PDF 159 KB
Additional documents:
- Draft Finacial Assistance Policy Final 15.03.23 , item 5. PDF 202 KB
- ESCC Major Adaptation Process , item 5. PDF 2 MB
- Summary HBC DFG Procedure Flowchart May 2023 , item 5. PDF 363 KB
Decision:
To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, or her nominee in consultation with the lead member for Planning, Governance and Community Safety, undertake the updates outlined in the appended Financial Assistance Policy, to enable the proposed new discretionary funding options to be implemented.
That Cabinet note the Financial Assistance Policy will continue to be reviewed and updated when needed.
To delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive, or her nominee, in consultation with the lead member for Planning, Governance and Community Safety, that the staffing within the Housing Renewal Team increases the level of In-House Occupational Therapists by seconding another Occupational Therapist to the team funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant. This will increase the number of occupational therapy staff to four, who will be specifically focused of the Hastings and St Leonards area and based at Hastings Borough Council. This is a budget growth item of between £40,836 - £52,896 per year and will be fully funded by the Disabled Facilities Grant.Minutes:
The Housing Renewal Manager presented a report to update the current Financial Assistance Policy (2019-2023). The purpose being to improve and enhance the assistance offered via the Disabled Facilities Grant to eligible residents in Hastings and St Leonards.
The Financial Assistance Policy is due for review and there has been a specific focus on Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) as this is the only grant support the council can offer at this time. The criteria and eligibility for DFG, and the types of work that can be covered, are specified in legislation and grants are administered through a joint approach between East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care and Hastings Borough Council.
The review is an opportunity to make sure that grants are getting out to people who need them. The council has some discretion on the use of DFG, within defined criteria. The review of the existing policy has been informed by the latest guidance, practices at other district and borough councils and officer experience.
Councillor Rogers proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Barnett.
RESOLVED:
To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, or her nominee in consultation with the lead member for Planning, Governance and Community Safety, undertake the updates outlined in the appended Financial Assistance Policy, to enable the proposed new discretionary funding options to be implemented.
That Cabinet note the Financial Assistance Policy will continue to be reviewed and updated when needed.
To delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive, or her nominee, in consultation with the lead member for Planning, Governance and Community Safety, that the staffing within the Housing Renewal Team increases the level of In-House Occupational Therapists by seconding another Occupational Therapist to the team funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant. This will increase the number of occupational therapy staff to four, who will be specifically focused of the Hastings and St Leonards area and based at Hastings Borough Council. This is a budget growth item of between £40,836 - £52,896 per year and will be fully funded by the Disabled Facilities Grant.
Reasons:
The purpose being to improve and enhance the assistance offered via the Disabled Facilities Grant to eligible residents in Hastings and St Leonards.
Internal Audit Arrangements 2023-24 PDF 204 KB
Decision:
1) Cabinet approves that the Orbis partnership is procured to provide the management of the Internal Audit Services for the 2023/24 Financial year with immediate effect and delegated decision to Chief Legal Officer to enter into agreement on behalf of Hastings Borough Council.
2) Cabinet approves that a service review of the Internal Audit Team is undertaken with a subsequent report to be brought back to Cabinet with recommendations for new arrangements to be in place by 1st April 2024.Minutes:
The Chief Finance Officer presented a report to consider interim arrangements for Internal Audit Services at Hastings Borough Council in 2023-24.
These arrangements will allow the council to gain from the expertise within the Orbis Partnership particularly in relation to areas that can be difficult to audit.
Councillor Willis proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Evans.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1) Cabinet approves that the Orbis partnership is procured to provide the management of the Internal Audit Services for the 2023/24 Financial year with immediate effect and delegated decision to Chief Legal Officer to enter into agreement on behalf of Hastings Borough Council.
2) Cabinet approves that a service review of the Internal Audit Team is undertaken with a subsequent report to be brought back to Cabinet with recommendations for new arrangements to be in place by 1st April 2024.
Reasons:
1. Following the retirement of the long-standing Chief Auditor in April 2023 from Hastings Borough Council, the Internal Audit team will now undergo a service review.
2. Given the key role that Internal Audit plays in providing independent, objective assurance advice that adds value to, and improves an organisations operation, it is imperative that a fully resourced and experienced Audit team is in place for the 2023-24 financial year.
3. However, the timescales for looking at the longer-term options will mean that the team will be under resourced for a period of time that is considered unacceptable given the current risks to the organisation and therefore an interim solution is required with immediate effect.
4. Therefore, on an initial interim basis for the 2023-24 financial year it is recommended that Hastings Borough Council enters into an agreement with the Orbis Partnership (which currently includes East Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and Horsham District Council) to provide Internal Audit Services for Hastings Borough Council.
5. The two current members of the Internal Audit team will continue to provide the ‘local’ service whilst being supervised and overseen by the Orbis Partnership management Team. This will then allow a service review to be completed and future option analysis to be developed and agreed.
6. The partnership will act as an advisor to the Council and provide the necessary experience and supervision required for this financial year whilst also assisting with the implementation plan for the agreed changes highlighted in the Value for Money Audit report 2020-21. The report was presented by the Councils External Auditors Grant Thornton at Audit Committee on 12th January 2023 and made a number of recommendations.
7. The transfer of the management of the Internal Audit Services to Orbis will allow the service to improve resilience, give the Council access to further audit specialisms and allow the service to be benchmarked from specialists the Council could not afford in operating alone for this financial year.
8. As part of the Councils ongoing commitment to training staff and Councillors, Orbis will also provide in house training for the Audit Committee, Councillors and Senior ... view the full minutes text for item 6.Cabinet Appointments to Committees, Working Groups and Partnerships PDF 116 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
1. To appoint councillors to cabinet committees, working groups, partnerships and representative bodies for the 2023/24 municipal year as set out in Appendix A and;
2. To appoint the Chair and Vice Chair of Charity Committee as listed in Appendix AMinutes:
The Chief Legal Officer presented a report to consider the nominations received and to make appointments to cabinet committees, working groups and partnerships.
Further nominations were received at the meeting:· Councillor Edwards to be appointed to the Member Training and Development Group
· Councillor Foster to be appointed to the Personnel Consultative Group
· Councillor Beaney to be appointed to the Combe Haven Community Interest Company
· Councillor Hilton to be appointed to the Hastings Week Committee
The Chief Legal Officer stated that Councillor John Cannan was nominated to the Chair of the Charity Committee and Councillor Judy Rogers was nominated as Vice Chair of the Charity Committee.
Councillor Barnett proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Rogers.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To appoint councillors to cabinet committees, working groups, partnerships and representative bodies for the 2023/24 municipal year as set out in Appendix A and;
2. To appoint the Chair and Vice Chair of Charity Committee as listed in Appendix A
Reasons:
Councillors are required to serve on the committees, working groups, partnerships and representative bodies to which Cabinet appoints. Chairs and Vice Chairs are required for the committees that report to Cabinet.
(The Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.15pm)
Appointments to Cabinet Committees, Working Groups and Partnerships PDF 123 KB
-
My council
Contact
Got a question about democratic services?
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.