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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Town Hall, Queens Square, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1QR
Contact: Michael Courts on 01424 451764 email mcourts@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 December 2015 PDF 87 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 December 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
Poole
Cabinet, 1 February 2016
43 – Motion to Cabinet regarding a Planning review
Personal – she is Director of Sea Change
Sabetian
Cabinet, 4 January 2016
37 - Proposed Designated Cycle Route in Alexandra Park
Personal – he is a member of the Cyclist Touring Club (CTC)
Westley
Cabinet, 1 February 2016
44 – Taxi Licensing Update
Prejudicial – her husband is a taxi driver
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council announced that the University of Brighton was currently undertaking a review of its campus in Hastings. The review will consider a number of options, including the closure of the campus. The newly-appointed Vice Chancellor of the university had advised the Local Strategic Partnership that a report would be published in February, with a decision expected in March.
Councillor Chowney highlighted that the university campus was a crucial part of the regeneration of the town and a significant amount of public funds had been invested in the campus facilities.
Although the review process did not include a public consultation, the council, MP and a range of partners from across the business sector and local community had expressed their support for the campus remaining in Hastings. Councillor Chowney thanked all these partners for their efforts so far. The council and its partners would continue to strongly resist any proposal to close the campus.
Questions from Members of the Public Under Rule 11
(a) Members of the public under Rule 11
(b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
A written question had been received from Mr C Hurrell regarding Ecclesbourne Glen. Councillor Chowney, the Leader of the Council, answered the question. Copies of the question and reply were circulated at the meeting.
Questions from Councillors Under Rule 12
Minutes:
No written questions had been received.
Questions to the Leader, Deputy Leader or other Lead Members were asked and answered in accordance with Rule 12.1 as follows:-
Questioner and Councillor
Subject
Reply Given By Councillor
Atkins
Social Lettings Agency the social lettings agency is currently behind its target for the number of privately rented properties participating in the scheme. How will the lead member ensure these targets are met, to prevent any additional costs being passed on to council tax payers?
Councillor Forward explained that the scheme was a two year pilot project and the team had proactively engaged with a range of landlords throughout. Interest in the initiative was now growing, although in some cases there had been an unavoidable delay in the transfer of privately rented properties to the scheme. Councillor Forward invited Councillor Atkins to schedule a separate meeting with her, so she could update him fully on progress.
Forward
Rogers
Source BMX Skate Park is there an update on when the new Source BMX and Skate Park will be opening to the public?
Councillor Poole replied that the Source would open to the public on 13 February 2016. She added that she was proud of the council’s support for an innovative local business, which would transform a previously neglected area of the seafront and become a significant cultural resource. The new facility was already receiving positive coverage in the media and attracting attention from riders who compete at an international level.
Poole
Charlesworth
Hastings Fishery will the Leader of the Council encourage a debate on the impact of fishing quotas on Hastings fishery, before a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union (EU)?
Councillor Chowney responded that the Hastings fishery had received support from the EU-funded Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) project. This had included £1 million worth of investment in projects related to the fishery, including improved equipment and materials. Funding opportunities from the FLAG 2 project were currently being explored. He added that the fishery had been adversely impacted by the UK government’s interpretation of fishing quotas for vessels under 10 meters. Councillor Chowney continued that the fishery remained an essential part of the town’s identity and tourist offer, but it was not necessary to debate it in relation to the EU referendum.
Chowney
Scott
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) budget reductions given the reductions to ESCC services, many of which support vulnerable groups, does this council fully understand the impact of funding reductions to the Seaview project?
Councillor Forward said that she was saddened by the reductions to ESCC’s services. She explained that the budget for the Seaview project had been reduced by £48,000. The project carried out very valuable work with vulnerable people with complex needs, supporting around 800 people in 2014/15. Service users were also signposted to a range of other agencies and support. Seaview relied heavily on volunteers to deliver its services. Councillor Forward had asked the manager of the Seaview project to outline the likely impact of ... view the full minutes text for item 30.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Beaney to move, seconded by Councillor Roberts that:
“This council notes:
· 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year
· The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020
· Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone
· People with a severe mental health illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK
· There is often a circular relationship between mental health and issues such as housing, employment, family problems or debt
This council believes:
· As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health
· Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including; housing, community safety and planning
· All councillors, whether members of the executive or scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis
This council resolves:
· To sign the Local Authorities Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds
· We commit to appoint an elected member as mental health champion across the council
· We will seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as lead officer for mental health
· This council will also:
o Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces
o Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community
o Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs
o Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community
o Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they needs for better mental health
o Sign up to the Time to Change pledge
Minutes:
Councillor Beaney proposed a motion, as set out in the resolution below, which was seconded by Councillor Roberts.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that this council notes:
· 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year
· The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020
· Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone
· People with a severe mental health illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK
· There is often a circular relationship between mental health and issues such as housing, employment, family problems or debt
This council believes:
· As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health
· Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including; housing, community safety and planning
· All councillors, whether members of the executive or scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis
This council resolves:
· To sign the Local Authorities Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds
· We commit to appoint an elected member as mental health champion across the council
· We will seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as lead officer for mental health
· This council will also:
o Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces
o Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community
o Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs
o Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community
o Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they needs for better mental health
o Sign up to the Time to Change pledge
Membership of Committees
To give effect to any request received from a political group for a change in their representation on committee(s)
Minutes:
Following the approval of the motion listed at minute 31, Councillor Chowney proposed that Councillor Beaney be appointed as mental health champion across the council.
RESOLVED that Councillor Sue Beaney be appointed as mental health champion
Protocol for the relationships between members and officers PDF 98 KB
(Report of the Chief Legal Officer)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chief Legal Officer submitted a report which set out amendments to the council’s constitution in respect of the protocol for relationships between members and officers. The constitution formed the basis of the council’s corporate governance, it had been necessary to refresh the protocol following the senior management restructure.
Under rule 13.3 the report was approved without being called for discussion.
RESOLVED that Full Council approve the changes to the protocol for relationships between members and officers as set out in Appendix 1 of the Chief Legal Officer’s report
The reason for this decision was:
The council’s constitution is the basis for the council’s corporate governance.
The temporary appointment of two Independent Persons PDF 98 KB
(Report of the Chief Legal Officer)
Minutes:
The Chief Legal Officer submitted a report which sought the temporary appointment of two temporary Independent Persons, in order for the Standards Committee to deal with a complaint received by the Monitoring Officer.
Under Rule 13.3 the report was approved without being called for discussion.
RESOLVED that: -
1) Sue Fellows and Jan Gray be appointed as temporary Independent Persons for the duration of the current complaint, and;
2) The Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to appoint temporary Independent Persons when Hastings Borough Council’s existing Independent Persons are both conflicted from the process
The reason for this decision was:
The Monitoring Officer has received a complaint that needs to be dealt with by Standards Committee. The Localism Act 2011 (the Act) requires that the views of the Independent Person(s) must be sought on a complaint referred for investigation before the outcome of the complaint is determined.
Both our Independent Persons have a conflict of interest and neither can be involved in the process.
Reports of Committees PDF 66 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
4 JANUARY 2016
37
Proposed Designated Cycle Route in Alexandra Park
Davies
38
Council Taxbase 2016/17
Chowney
39
Land at Summerfields, Bohemia Road
Chowney
1 FEBRUARY 2016
43
Motion to Cabinet regarding a Planning review
Forward
44(C)
Taxi Licensing Update
Davies
45(C)
Pay Policy Statement
Cartwright
(C) – Council Decision
(E) – Exempt
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 resolution 10 (a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred until item 10 on the agenda
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Mayor having called over the minutes set out in the agenda, the under mentioned minutes were reserved for discussion.
RESOLVED – under rule 13.3 that the reports and minutes of committees set out in the agenda be received. Only those items which were reserved were discussed, as follows: -
Meeting
Minute
Councillor
Cabinet, 4 January 2016
37 – Proposed Designated Cycle Route in Alexandra Park
Sabetian
Cabinet, 1 February 2016
43 – Motion to Cabinet regarding a Planning review
Atkins
Cabinet, 1 February 2016
44 (C) – Taxi Licensing Update
Davies
Cabinet, 1 February 2016
45 (C) – Pay Policy Statement
Webb
Minute number 44 of Cabinet on 1 February 2016 was a matter for Council decision. Councillor Westley, having declared a prejudicial interest in this matter, left the Council Chamber during the debate. Councillor Davies moved approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Roberts, which was agreed by 27 votes for, 1 against.
Minute number 45 of Cabinet on 1 February 2016 was a matter for Council decision. Councillor Cartwright moved approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Davies, and agreed by 28 votes for, 0 against, with 1 abstention.
No motions for reference to an Overview and Scrutiny Committee or reference back to Cabinet were approved in respect of the items reserved for discussion and they were, therefore, received.
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