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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY
Contact: Michael Courts on 01424 451764 email mcourts@hastings.gov.uk
Note: The recording of this meeting is available to view online at www.hastings.gov.uk/my_council/cm/?video=207123459
Items No. Item Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
The following Councillors declared an interest in the minutes:
Councillor
Minute
Interest
Forward
65 – The Firs Former Football Ground
Prejudicial – she is a Trustee of the Education Futures Trust
Fitzgerald
65 – The Firs Former Football Ground
Prejudicial
The Director of Operational Services declared an interest in minute number 65.
Minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2017 PDF 80 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record
RESOLVED the Chair called over the items on the agenda, under rule 13.3 the recommendations set out in minute number 64 were agreed without being called for discussion
External Auditor Appointment PDF 107 KB
(Council Decision)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues, submitted a report which sought authorisation to opt into the national public sector scheme for the appointment of auditors.
Under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the council was required to appoint external auditors. The council could appoint external auditors either by opting into the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) scheme, or by establishing an auditor panel and carrying out its own procurement exercise.
The report recommended that the council opt into the PSAA scheme. Opting into the scheme would minimise risks to the council by ensuring that external auditors were appointed in a timely fashion, using fewer resources than the alternative arrangements.
Regulation 19 of the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015 specified that a decision to opt in to the PSAA scheme must be made by Full Council.
RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that this council opts in to the appointing person arrangements made by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) for the appointment of external auditors
The reason for this decision was:
An external auditor for the audit of accounts for 2018/2019 must be appointed before the end of 2017. The decision of Full Council is required.
The Firs Former Football Ground PDF 121 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Additional documents:
- Enc. 1 for The Firs Former Football Ground , item 65. PDF 344 KB
- Enc. 2 for The Firs Former Football Ground , item 65. PDF 849 KB
- Enc. 3 for The Firs Former Football Ground , item 65. PDF 2 MB
Minutes:
Councillors Forward and Fitzgerald, having declared a prejudicial interest in this item, left the chamber during the debate. The Director of Operational Services also left the chamber.
The Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues, presented a report which sought approval to grant a lease of the Firs Former Football Ground to the Education Futures Trust.
The site, which had not been in use as football ground since 2004, was currently occupied by the Education Futures Trust. The Trust had approached the council about extending its activities at the site.
The Trust aimed to promote education, working closely with vulnerable young people and adults across Hastings, Rye and surrounding areas. The proposal was to create a therapeutic and outdoor learning facility at The Firs site, combined with an area for community access and use. A draft business plan was appended to the Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues, report. Members noted that the Trust had engaged extensively with the local community and had received significant support for their proposals.
The report proposed granting a 25 year lease of the site to Trust, delegating authority to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the detailed Heads of Terms for any agreement.
Members welcome a proposal which would ensure the site remained available for community and charitable use, whilst securing an additional income stream for the council.
Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the recommendations to the Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues report, which was seconded by Councillor Lee.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that: -
1. Cabinet agrees to grant a lease of the Firs Former Football Ground to Education Futures Trust, and;
2. Cabinet delegates to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the authority to agree the final terms of the lease
The reason for this decision was:
The lease is a viable solution for this unused site and will ensure that it receives investment so it can serve as a multi-use and community facility for the town into the suture.
Pay Policy Statement PDF 101 KB
(Council Decision)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Director of Corporate Services and Governance submitted a report on the pay policy statement for 2017/18.
Under the Localism Act 2011, the council was required to prepare and publish a pay policy statement each financial year. The statement provided information on issues related to the pay of the council’s workforce, and complied with guidance issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The council would also look to ensure that the ratio of pay at the top to pay at the median did not exceed the national average for the public sector.
The statement required approval by Full Council prior to publication.
Councillor Cartwright proposed approval of the recommendations to the Director of Corporate Services and Governance’s report, which was seconded by Councillor Poole.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Cabinet recommends the Pay Policy to Full Council for approval
The reason for this decision was:
The Localism Act 2011 requires Hastings Borough Council to prepare and publish an annual pay policy statement. The purpose of such a statement is to provide information about council policies on a range of issues relating to the pay of its workforce, particularly its senior staff and its lowest paid employees. A Pay Policy must be prepared for each financial year and must be approved by Full Council, and published.
Minutes of the Museums Committee meeting held on 28 November 2016 PDF 73 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the Museums Committee held on 28 November 2016 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Museums Committee held on 28 November 2016 be received
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