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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Town Hall, Queen's Square, Priory Meadow, Hastings, TN34 1QR
Contact: Michael Courts on 01424 451764 email mcourts@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 July 2015 and the extraordinary Council meeting held on 23 September 2015 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
The following Councillors declared their interest in the minutes indicated:
Councillor
Committee
Minute
Interest
Cartwright
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of the GMB union
Chowney
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of a trade union
Clarke
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he has been a member of a trade union
Davies
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of Unite and the National Union of Teachers
Fitzgerald
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of Unison
Hodges
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of Unite
Roberts
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of a trade union
Scott
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of a trade union
Street
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of a trade union
Turner
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of a trade union
Wincott
Full Council, 21 October 2015
14 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – he is a member of a trade union
In relation to minute number 14, it was noted that all members of the Labour group are, or have been, a member of a Trade Union.
Questions from Councillors under Rule 12
(a) Members of the public under Rule 11
(b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
Questions to the Leader, Deputy Leader and other Lead Members were asked and answered in accordance with rule 12.1 as follows: -
Questioner and Councillor
Subject
Reply Given By Councillor
Atkins
Quarterly Targets for Social Lettings Agency at a recent Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting members were advised that quarterly performance monitoring information would not be made available for the social lettings agency pilot. However, appendix 3 of the report to Cabinet states that this information would be made available? Were Cabinet members misled on this matter?
Councillor Forward replied that Cabinet members were not misled on this matter and that the social lettings agency pilot is subject to regular review. A target figure for the number of properties the council intended to acquire by the end of the pilot had been set. The council had recently received additional enquiries from landlords looking to participate in the scheme, and efforts would continue to generate interest in the initiative. Indeed, the social lettings agency would be the subject of a news item for Radio Sussex. Councillor Forward agreed to schedule a meeting with Councillor Atkins and the relevant officers to discuss this matter further.
Forward
Street
Hastings Country Park there has been lots of coverage in the media about the clearance of gorse at Hastings Country Park. Will the lead member explain what is going on at the country park and why?
Councillor Davies explained that the clearance of gorse was part of the council’s Higher Level Countryside Stewardship Agreement for Hastings Country Park. The council had taken advice on measures to create a more diverse coastal habitat. Following concerns raised by the local community, the council’s contractor had moved away from burning the gorse to chipping the plants and recycling them in the country park. Councillor Turner had previously identified some health and safety issues with the works, which have since been addressed.
Davies
Lee
Visitor numbers at the White Rock Theatre the target for visitor to numbers to the White Rock Theatre was not increased this year. Will the lead member confirm how the council plans to increase visitor numbers to the theatre?
Councillor Chowney responded that these activities were the responsibility of the contractor who operated the theatre on behalf of the council. The council did not receive an increase in revenue if visitor numbers to the theatre increased. In the long term, the council was considering options for the wider regeneration of the White Rock area. This may include the creation of a new entertainment venue with improved facilities.
Chowney
Charlesworth
Regeneration of White Rock and Summerfields will the lead member provide an assurance that all existing users of the land at White Rock and Summerfields will be consulted on any future plans for the regeneration of the area?
Councillor Chowney confirmed that any specific plans for the regeneration of this area would be subject to a thorough public consultation, which would include all existing users of the sites affected. A working group of stakeholders had been ... view the full minutes text for item 13.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Chowney to move, seconded by Councillor Forward: -
“As a major employer in the local area, this council welcomes the positive benefits that arise from the relationship that we have with recognised trade unions, and seeks to encourage trade union membership in its own workforce, as well as promoting the benefits of trade union membership in the town as a whole. However, the council notes that the Trade Union Bill 2015 and associated secondary legislation, if enacted, would:
· Allow agency labour to be used to substitute for striking workers (currently outlawed);
· Introduce very high thresholds for industrial ballots, with an extra threshold in certain public services, without doing anything to improve the ability of workers to participate in ballots;
· Severely restrict the right to picket and peacefully protest, including organising campaigns through social media;
· Potentially reduce trade union facility time and withdraw check off union contributions in the council and other employers in Hastings;
· Require union members to ‘contract in’ to their union’s Political Fund every 5 years.
This council believes that the relationship between employers and their employees in Hastings through their collective representatives would be damaged by the above proposals and calls on the government to scrap the Trade Union Bill and all associated secondary legislation.
We instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stating the council’s opposition to the Bill and requesting that government scrap the proposed legislation.”
Minutes:
Councillor Chowney proposed approval of a motion, as set out in the resolution below, which was seconded by Councillor Forward.
RESOLVED (by 21 votes for, to 6 against) that as a major employer in the local area, this council welcomes the positive benefits that arise from the relationship that we have with recognised trade unions, and seeks to encourage trade union membership in its own workforce, as well as promoting the benefits of trade union membership in the town as a whole. However, the council notes that the Trade Union Bill 2015 and associated secondary legislation, if enacted, would:
· Allow agency labour to be used to substitute for striking workers (currently outlawed);
· Introduce very high thresholds for industrial ballots, with an extra threshold in certain public services, without doing anything to improve the ability of workers to participate in ballots;
· Severely restrict the right to picket and peacefully protest, including organising campaigns through social media;
· Potentially reduce trade union facility time and withdraw check off union contributions in the council and other employers in Hastings;
· Require union members to ‘contract in’ to their union’s Political Fund every 5 years.
This council believes that the relationship between employers and their employees in Hastings through their collective representatives would be damaged by the above proposals and calls on the government to scrap the Trade Union Bill and all associated secondary legislation.
We instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stating the council’s opposition to the Bill and requesting that government scrap the proposed legislation.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Cooke to move:-
“Hastings Borough Council:
1. Welcomes “The Bee Cause” initiative promoted by Friends of the Earth, and supports the principles contained within it of:
a) Creating a bee-friendly habitat or installing bee hotels
b) Passing a motion or adopting policy to protect bees
c) Adopting planning policy to protect or create habitat
d) Reviewing pesticide use
e) Encouraging businesses and community groups to take action for bees
2. Welcomes the Government’s publication of The National Pollinator Strategy as a major step forward in raising the profile of this important issue
3. Commits to using both its influence and its direct action, wherever reasonably practical, to create, protect, and encourage bee-friendly environments, starting its renewed commitment by preparing and creating a new, pollinator-friendly flower bed in the Alexandra Park this year”
Minutes:
Councillor Cooke proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Lee, as follows:-
“Hastings Borough Council:
1. Welcomes “The Bee Cause” initiative promoted by Friends of the Earth, and supports the principles contained within it of:
a) Creating a bee-friendly habitat or installing bee hotels
b) Passing a motion or adopting policy to protect bees
c) Adopting planning policy to protect or create habitat
d) Reviewing pesticide use
e) Encouraging businesses and community groups to take action for bees
2. Welcomes the government’s publication of The National Pollinator Strategy as a major step forward in raising the profile of this important issue
3. Commits to using both its influence and its direct action, wherever reasonably practical, to create, protect, and encourage bee-friendly environments, starting its renewed commitment by preparing and creating a new, pollinator-friendly flower bed in the Alexandra Park this year”
Councillor Howard proposed an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Roberts, as follows: -
“4. Condemns the government for overruling the EU ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, which are known to be a major cause of bee deaths, and calls on them to reinstate the ban when it’s reviewed in December”
The amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that: -
Hastings Borough Council:
1. Welcomes “The Bee Cause” initiative promoted by Friends of the Earth, and supports the principles contained within it of:
a) Creating a bee-friendly habitat or installing bee hotels
b) Passing a motion or adopting policy to protect bees
c) Adopting planning policy to protect or create habitat
d) Reviewing pesticide use
e) Encouraging businesses and community groups to take action for bees
2. Welcomes the government’s publication of The National Pollinator Strategy as a major step forward in raising the profile of this important issue
3. Commits to using both its influence and its direct action, wherever reasonably practical, to create, protect, and encourage bee-friendly environments, starting its renewed commitment by preparing and creating a new, pollinator-friendly flower bed in the Alexandra Park this year
4. Condemns the government for overruling the EU ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, which are known to be a major cause of bee deaths, and calls on them to reinstate the ban when it’s reviewed in December
Membership of Committees
To give effect to any request received from a political group for a change in their representation on committee(s)
Minutes:
Councillor Chowney proposed a motion in respect of the membership of committees, as set out in the resolution below.
RESOLVED that the council adopt the following arrangements for the membership of committees:
1) Councillor Terri Dowling be appointed to Museums Committee, in place of Councillor Charman
Councillor Atkins proposed a motion in respect of the membership of committees, as set out in the resolution below.
RESOLVED that the council adopt the following arrangements for the membership of committees:
1) That Councillor Clarke be appointed to the vacant seat on Museums Committee
Councillor Atkins also announced that Councillor Charlesworth had resigned from the Hastings Open Bowls Tournament Committee, as she was no longer able to access the bowls pavilion.
Amendments to the council's constitution PDF 105 KB
(Report of the Chief Legal Officer)
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - General Changes , item 17. PDF 48 KB
- Appendix 2 - Part 7 of The Council's Constitution , item 17. PDF 48 KB
- Appendix 3 - Part 8 of The Council's Constitution , item 17. PDF 171 KB
- Appendix 4 - Officer Employment Rules , item 17. PDF 41 KB
Minutes:
The report of the Chief Legal officer on amendments to the council’s constitution was submitted. The council’s constitution was the basis for its corporate governance, and it was necessary to update and improve the document on an ongoing basis. Under rule 13.3, the recommendations contained in the report were approved without being called for discussion.
RESOLVED that:
1) Council approve the changes to the council’s constitution as set out in appendix 1 of the Chief Legal Officer’s report;
2) Council approve the changes to part 7 of the council’s constitution as set out in appendix 2 of the Chief Legal Officer’s report;
3) Council approve the changes to part 8 of the council’s constitution as set out in appendix 3 of the Chief Legal Officer’s report, and;
4) Council approve the changes to part 4 of the constitution, officer employment procedure rules provision for the proposed procedures of the Head of Paid Service, the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Finance Officer in appendix 4
The reason for this decision was:
The council’s constitution is the basis for the council’s corporate governance. It is necessary to amend and improve the documents on an ongoing basis.
Reports of Committees PDF 61 KB
(a) To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of any items considered while the public were excluded by the relevant committee because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of “exempt” information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 referred to in the minutes of the relevant committee
(b) To receive and consider the recommendations and any decisions of the following committees: -
Minute No.
Subject
Cabinet Member / Chair
CABINET – 7 September 2015
14
Devolution Prospectus for Three Counties South (3SC)
Chowney
Notes:
(1) The Mayor will call over the minutes and members will rise and indicate those items, which they wish to have discussed
(2) No discussion shall take place at this stage upon any part II minute covered by the resolution at 8 (a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred until item 9 on this agenda.
Minutes:
The Mayor called over the minute set out in the agenda; however, the item was not reserved for discussion. Therefore, as minute 14 of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 September 2015 did not relate to a matter for Council decision, the recommendations were received.
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