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Agenda 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:
Apologies for absence received from Councillor Hilton.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 130 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meetings held on 8th and 15th February 2023 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Item
Interest
Councillor Webb
Full Council – 312. Motion
Personal – Is an East Sussex County Councillor
Councillor Marlow-Eastwood
Full Council – 312 & 313. Motion
Personal – Is an East Sussex County Councillor and works in a school
Councillor Batsford
Full Council 312 - Motion
Personal – Works for a company that has a contract with East Sussex County Council to provide accommodation to young unaccompanied asylum seekers
Councillor Carr
Full Council – 313. Motion
Personal – Children in receipt of free school meals
Councillor Hay
Full Council – 313. Motion
Personal – Is an East Sussex County Councillor
Councillor Pragnell
Full Council – 313. Motion
Personal – Is an East Sussex County Councillor and employed by the Department for Work and Pensions in Universal Credit
Councillor Roark
Full Council 313 - Motion
Personal – Works in a school
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Mayor presented Mayoral Awards to three Councillors, nominated by the group leaders.
Councillor Haffenden received an award following the success of his local job fair.
Councillor Hay received an award in recognition of his work as an RNLI volunteer.
Councillor Turner received an award for his dedication to local health provision and funding.
Questions (if any) from: PDF 93 KB
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
311a) Members of the public under Rule 11
A written question was received from Anna Sabin and a written response supplied by Councillor Batsford.
In a supplementary question Ms Sabin asked if the Council was going to pursue the Hastings Greenway Network, or move to designing low traffic neighbourhoods, pedestrianised streets and park and rides. If so, what is the deadline for working towards a design?
Councillor Batsford replied that cycling is a key priority for the Council and Councillors should keep strong pressure on East Sussex County Council to use the funding received from government to develop cycling routes in East Sussex and Hastings. Councillor Batsford said he is working with a cross-party working group on active travel and the vote against the cycle path in Alexandra Park should not stop the Greenway Network through the rest of the town.
311b) Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Haffenden submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Haffenden asked if Councillor Roark would commit to a review of the bulky waste service and offer at least one bulky waste collection a year to low-income residents across the town.
Councillor Roark replied that she would need to speak to officers before committing to a full review.
Councillor Rankin submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website. Councillor Rankin did not ask a supplementary question.
Councillor Hay submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website. Councillor Hay did not ask a supplementary question.
Councillor Edwards submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Edwards asked why the existing tenants of the White Rock Theatre could not be kept in place until there is an alternative proposal for the building.
Councillor Barnett replied that all options are being looked at for the White Rock Theatre, the current tenants are in place until January 2024 and the theatre is open for business.
Councillor Marlow-Eastwood submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website. Councillor Marlow-Eastwood did not ask a supplementary question.
Questioner
Question
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
Finance Peer Review - The Local Government Association finance peer review is yet to be published but the Council was given some initial feedback, including that Cabinet needed to urgently focus on the key strategic issues facing the Council. Can you therefore explain why there is no Cabinet meeting in May?
Councillor Barnett replied that the day after hearing the informal feedback immediate action was taken. The new Senior Leadership Team have devoted hours to preparing a detailed focused action plan addressing the budget deficit and housing issues.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Carr
Bleed Control Kits - Will you commit to work with Carl Scott and officers to install ... view the full minutes text for item 311.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Evans to propose:
This Council:
a.notes that:
(i) Hastings is proud of our history of welcoming people seeking safety in our town.
(ii) there are significant problems with the UK asylum system that affect people in Hastings, including a record backlog of cases awaiting a decision, a de facto ban on working, and enforced poverty and homelessness;
(iii) the Nationality and Borders Act does not address these issues, and has instead created a two-tier system, punishing people seeking safety based on the journeys they make;
(iv) under these laws, people seeking safety will be criminalised and threatened with removal to Rwanda;
(v) people will be warehoused in large accommodation centres, segregated from communities and denied support;
(vi) many recognised refugees will receive a temporary and precarious status;
(vii) over 400 charities and faith groups have signed a national pledge to ‘Fight the ‘Anti-Refugee Laws’.
- believes that:
(i) everyone’s claim for asylum should be treated equally and fairly;
(iii) these are fundamentally ‘anti-refugee’ laws that undermine internationally recognised rights for people fleeing war and persecution to seek safety;
(iv) these measures will create ever-longer delays in the asylum process, lead to greater poverty and homelessness in Hastings and will undermine people’s ability to rebuild their lives;
(v) people seeking safety should be accommodated as our neighbours and as a part of our communities;
(vi) the UK needs an asylum system that empowers people seeking safety to rebuild their lives and enables communities to welcome them;
- resolves to:
(i) defend the right to seek safety from war and persecution in the UK and sign the national ‘Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws’ pledge;
(ii) call on the UK Government to withdraw the UK-Rwanda agreement, repeal the Nationality and Borders Act, and work with Local Authorities and communities to build a refugee protection system that treats all people with dignity and compassion;
(iii) work with local organisations and people with lived experience of the asylum system to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these measures in Hastings;
(iv) Continue as members of City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network which promotes the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution and continue being a Council of Sanctuary.
Minutes:
Councillor Evans proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Cannan.
RESOLVED (by 25 votes for, to 2 against, with 3 abstention) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
This Council:
a. notes that:
(i) Hastings is proud of our history of welcoming people seeking safety in our town.
(ii) there are significant problems with the UK asylum system that affect people in Hastings, including a record backlog of cases awaiting a decision, a de facto ban on working, and enforced poverty and homelessness;
(iii) the Nationality and Borders Act does not address these issues, and has instead created a two-tier system, punishing people seeking safety based on the journeys they make;
(iv) under these laws, people seeking safety will be criminalised and threatened with removal to Rwanda;
(v) people will be warehoused in large accommodation centres, segregated from communities and denied support;
(vi) many recognised refugees will receive a temporary and precarious status;
(vii) over 400 charities and faith groups have signed a national pledge to ‘Fight the ‘Anti-Refugee Laws’.
b. believes that:
(i) everyone’s claim for asylum should be treated equally and fairly;
(ii) these are fundamentally ‘anti-refugee’ laws that undermine internationally recognised rights for people fleeing war and persecution to seek safety;
(iii) these measures will create ever-longer delays in the asylum process, lead to greater poverty and homelessness in Hastings and will undermine people’s ability to rebuild their lives;
(iv) people seeking safety should be accommodated as our neighbours and as a part of our communities;
(v) the UK needs an asylum system that empowers people seeking safety to rebuild their lives and enables communities to welcome them;
c. resolves to:
(i) defend the right to seek safety from war and persecution in the UK and sign the national ‘Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws’ pledge;
(ii) call on the UK Government to withdraw the UK-Rwanda agreement, repeal the Nationality and Borders Act, and work with Local Authorities and communities to build a refugee protection system that treats all people with dignity and compassion;
(iii) work with local organisations and people with lived experience of the asylum system to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these measures in Hastings;
(iv) Continue as members of City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network which promotes the inclusion and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution and continue being a Council of Sanctuary.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Carr to propose:
This Council recognises that as the 13th most deprived town in England on the Indices of Depravation many children in our town often go hungry, impacting on their education, health, general wellbeing and happiness.
As a Council we want to do all that we can to make sure no child is hungry and to that end we ask that the Leader of this Council writes to East Sussex County Council, who manages free school meals for this area, to ask that they engage with Feeding Britain to discuss enrolling the area in their new trial aimed at increasing the uptake of free school meals for eligible families, and that Hastings is prioritised for any such pilot due to the extreme level of local need – this would hopefully not just lead to more local children receiving a free school meal but would increase linked funding for our local schools that could benefit the most disadvantaged children in our town.
Further, this Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister asking that there be a review of the systems for free school meals, making it an opt out rather than an opt in system so meals are more easy to access, and also that he seeks to find the funds so that all children in England receive a free school meal or at the very least that he extends the programme to all children in households receiving Universal Credit or similar benefits. This action could make sure that the poorest children in our society are enabled to receive a free meal and be ready to learn and live a happier and healthier life rather than suffering the daily hunger that impacts the lives of so many children in our town currently.
Minutes:
Councillor Carr proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor O’Callaghan.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
This Council recognises that as the 13th most deprived town in England on the Indices of Depravation many children in our town often go hungry, impacting on their education, health, general wellbeing and happiness.
As a Council we want to do all that we can to make sure no child is hungry and to that end we ask that the Leader of this Council writes to East Sussex County Council, who manages free school meals for this area, to ask that they engage with Feeding Britain to discuss enrolling the area in their new trial aimed at increasing the uptake of free school meals for eligible families, and that Hastings is prioritised for any such pilot due to the extreme level of local need – this would hopefully not just lead to more local children receiving a free school meal but would increase linked funding for our local schools that could benefit the most disadvantaged children in our town.
Further, this Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister asking that there be a review of the systems for free school meals, making it an opt out rather than an opt in system so meals are more easy to access, and also that he seeks to find the funds so that all children in England receive a free school meal or at the very least that he extends the programme to all children in households receiving Universal Credit or similar benefits. This action could make sure that the poorest children in our society are enabled to receive a free meal and be ready to learn and live a happier and healthier life rather than suffering the daily hunger that impacts the lives of so many children in our town currently.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Carr to propose:
St Mary in the Castle is a well-loved and significant part of Hastings’ historic and cultural heritage and has recently been listed as an Asset of Community Value.
Its future is of concern to residents from all parts of Hastings and St Leonards and to their representatives across all political parties here at Hastings Borough Council.
This council believes that any decision made about the future of St Mary in the Castle is too important and impactful a decision to be made by a portfolio holder, the cabinet and one political party, or by officers alone.
This Council therefore resolves that the final decision to let or sell St Mary in the Castle will become a full council decision followingan officer report on the viable option (s) identified that secures the buildings long term future.
This Council believes this process will allow for a greater level of openness and transparency and gives councillors the best opportunity to make an informed decision about the future of this iconic building on behalf of the town and residents they represent and achieve the best possible outcome for the local community we all serve.
Minutes:
Councillor Carr proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Patmore.
Councillor Batsford proposed an amendment to replace the words ‘St Mary in the Castle’ with ‘any asset of community value’ in paragraph four, and add the words ‘or any asset of community value’ before the words ‘on behalf of the town and residents…’
The meeting adjourned at 7.40pm and resumed at 8.01pm.
The Chief Legal Officer advised the Council that the amendment was out of order as it widens the scope of the motion and seeks to bind future decision making.
A recorded vote was requested and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Arthur, Beaney, Beaver, Carr, Collins, Cooke, Edwards, Foster, Haffenden, Hay, Jobson, Marlow-Eastwood, Patmore, Pragnell, Rankin and Williams voted for.
Councillors Barnett, Batsford, Cannan, Evans, Fernando, O’Callaghan, Roark, Roberts, Rogers, Sinden, Turner, Webb and Willis abstained.
Councillor Bishop was not present for the vote.
RESOLVED (by 16 votes for, with 13 abstentions) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
St Mary in the Castle is a well-loved and significant part of Hastings’ historic and cultural heritage and has recently been listed as an Asset of Community Value.
Its future is of concern to residents from all parts of Hastings and St Leonards and to their representatives across all political parties here at Hastings Borough Council.
This council believes that any decision made about the future of St Mary in the Castle is too important and impactful a decision to be made by a portfolio holder, the cabinet and one political party, or by officers alone.
This Council therefore resolves that the final decision to let or sell St Mary in the Castle will become a full council decision following an officer report on the viable option (s) identified that secures the buildings long term future.
This Council believes this process will allow for a greater level of openness and transparency and gives councillors the best opportunity to make an informed decision about the future of this iconic building on behalf of the town and residents they represent and achieve the best possible outcome for the local community we all serve.
Membership of Committees
To give effect to any request received from a political group for a change in their representation on committee(s).
Minutes:
No changes to membership of committees were proposed.
Interim appointment of directors to the Hastings Housing Company PDF 125 KB
Minutes:
Councillor Evans proposed approval of the recommendations, with the addition of Councillor Willis as an appointment to the board of the Hastings Housing Company, seconded by Councillor Roberts,
RESOLVED (by 28 for, to 1 against):
- The appointment of
Victoria Conheady, Stephen Dodson, Simon Jones, Amy Terry and Councillor Simon Willis, as Directors to
the board of the Hastings Housing Company; and
- the appointment of
Will Baker as Company Secretary.
Reasons:
To ensure that the Hastings Housing Company board has a minimum complement of directors as required by the Articles of Association and to avoid a potential breach of the Companies Act 2006.
Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel PDF 137 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Barnett proposed approval of the recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel, except for paragraph 7(1)(1) of the report: ‘that only one Special Responsibility Allowance be paid to any one Councillor, and in the event that two posts of responsibility are held at the same time by one Member then only the higher value SRA be paid.’
Councillor Rogers seconded the proposal.
RESOLVED (by 27 votes for, with 2 abstentions):
1. Full Council approve the recommendations in the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), except for paragraph 7(1)(1);
2. A working party be setup as soon as possible after the governance review has reported, to carry out an in-depth review of all Special Responsibility Allowances; and
3. That the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel and contributing Councillors and officers are thanked.
Reasons:
Full Council will need to agree the Members Allowance scheme for 2023/24.
Councillors should be remunerated for the all the work they conduct on committees. The work of the Independent Remuneration Panel is a specialist role. The Panel is thankful for the contributions that helped form the final recommendations.
Appointment of Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) PDF 126 KB
Minutes:
Councillor Willis proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Roberts.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
That Kit Wheeler is appointed statutory Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) with immediate effect.
Reasons:
Following the departure of the previous Chief Finance Officer, Kit Wheeler was appointed as interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer). A senior management restructure has now taken place and Kit has been appointed as the permanent Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) subject to Full Council approval.
Reports of Committees
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.
Subject
Cabinet Member / Chair
CABINET – 6 MARCH 2023
522.
Reviewing the Need for a Dog Control Public Space Protection Order
Rogers
523.
To Appoint a Vice-Chair of the Country Park Management Forum
Barnett
CABINET – 3 APRIL 2023
527.(C)
Review of the Hastings Borough Council Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles
Roark
528.(C)
Town Living Project
Evans
589
Energy Procurement – Electricity
Willis
530
Museum Committee Recommendations
Batsford
C= Council decision
E= Exempt from publication
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 part II minutes covered by the resolution 13a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 14 on the agenda.
Minutes:
The Mayor having called over the minutes set out in the agenda, the following minutes were reserved for discussion.
RESOLVED that under rule 13.3 the reports and minutes of committees set out in the agenda, including those items on which a council decision was required, be received, and agreed.
Only those items which were reserved were discussed as follows:
Meeting
Minute
Councillor
Cabinet, 3rd April 2023
528 – Town Living Project
Patmore
Minute 528 of Cabinet on 3rd April 2023, Town Living Project, was a decision requiring Full Council approval. Councillor Evans proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Batsford.
Councillor Patmore proposed the meeting proceed as if in committee, seconded by Councillor Rankin.
RESOLVED that in order for Full Council to take advice from officers where appropriate, under Rule 16.14 of the Constitution the Council proceed as if in committee.
Councillors asked questions of the Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer regarding the Town Living Project.
Councillor Roark proposed the meeting return to Full Council mode, seconded by Councillor Patmore.
RESOLVED that the meeting return to Full Council mode.
Councillor Rogers proposed that the question be now put.
RESOLVED that the question now be put.
A recorded vote was requested and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Arthur, Barnett, Batsford, Bishop, Cannan, Collins, Evans, Fernando, Haffenden, Jobson, O’Callaghan, Roark, Roberts, Rogers, Sinden, Turner, and Webb voted for.
Councillors Beaney, Beaver, Carr, Cooke, Edwards, Foster, Hay, Marlow-Eastwood, Patmore, Pragnell, Rankin and Williams voted against.
RESOLVED (by 18 votes for, to 12 against):
1. to progress Phase 1 of the Town Living project;
2. to establish a capital budget of £1,037,615 (to be funded via the Town Fund programme) for the Town Living project;
3. to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to complete Phase 1 of the Town Living project, including any associated procurement; and
4. to source a property/properties for Phase 2 of the Town Living project.Reasons:
1. The Hastings Town Fund Programme has awarded the Town Living project £1,037,615. Phase 1 has been awarded £794,000 which is the estimated cost of completing this phase.
2. The project will provide a best practice example of how to renovate and retrofit a listed building, increase the supply of permanent affordable housing in the town centre, support reductions in carbon emissions and energy costs and provide training and employment opportunities in whole house retrofitting.
3. A Council owned Grade II listed property will be fully restored, energy efficient and converted to Affordable Rent housing.
Minute 527 of Cabinet on 3rd April 2023, Review of the Hastings Borough Council Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles, was a decision requiring Full Council approval. The recommendations were agreed without being called for discussion.
RESOLVED:
1. The Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles are adopted.
2. Full Council agree a No Casino resolution to not issue casino premises licences in the borough.Reasons:
It is a statutory requirement for the council to review the Gambling Act Statement of Principles and ... view the full minutes text for item 319.
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