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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 Councillors Arthur, Marlow-Eastwood, Pragnell and Rankin.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 147 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 24th May 2023 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Meeting
Item
Interest
Carr
Full Council, 19th July
17. Motion
Personal – Parent of a trans child
Carr
Cabinet, 3rd July
11. White Rock Theatre Options
Personal – Used to work at the White Rock Theatre
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council announced recent changes to the allocation of Cabinet portfolios. Councillor Barnett takes over the finance portfolio and Councillor Willis is now responsible for housing and community development. Councillor Evans takes over the regeneration and climate change portfolio.
The Leader of the Council announced that from August the Cabinet agenda will include a 30 minute question time open to the public. No notice will be necessary, and residents can ask questions on any issue.
The Leader of the Council expressed frustration with Southern Water. East Sussex County Council have been unable to publish their report into the town centre flooding in January as Southern Water have not supplied all the relevant information to date. The Leader of the Council read out an open letter he will be sending to the CEO of Southern Water calling on him to make Hastings a priority and to work with local partners.
Councillor Beaver proposed a moment of reflection for Councillor Turner in light of his recent loss.
Questions (if any) from: PDF 144 KB
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
15a) 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 Anna Sabin asked what is Hastings Borough Council doing to secure a safe cycle network in the town? Councillor Batsford replied that the County Council had decided that cycle paths are not economically viable to build. They have had funding for ten years to complete cycle routes in Hastings. This has been discussed at the cross-party active travel group and a letter will be formulated in response to East Sussex County Council. All councillors agree a shared aim to have a town with safe areas for walking and cycling.
A written question was received from Petra Gent and a written response supplied by Councillor Barnett.
A written question was received from Steve Foreman and a written response supplied by Councillor Batsford.
In a supplementary question Steve Foreman asked if, in relation to the walking and cycling strategy, action rather than words, and co-operation with the County Council, would achieve more? Councillor Batsford replied that East Sussex County Council are the responsible authority to deliver transport projects and referred to his previous answer.
A written question was received from Christopher Hurrell and a written response supplied by Councillor Rogers.
A written question was received from Myriam Lengline and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
In a supplementary question Myriam Lengline asked if Councillor Roark would write to Southern Water to ask if they skimmed or drained the ponds in question? Councillor Roark said she would be happy to talk to Southern Water about this issue.
A written question was received from Michelle O’Connor and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
A written question was received from Andrew Cordle and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
A written question was received from Tracy Knight and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
A written question was received from Becca Horn and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
A written question was received from Joanne Walker and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
In a supplementary question Joanne Walker asked how many litter clean-up requests are received via MyHastings for the Ore area, and how much does it cost to send street cleaning crews out on request, rather than have regular street cleaning of the area? Councillor Roark said she would ask officers for this information. Hot spots are assessed by the team and if they felt there was more regular cleaning needed, they would act on that.
A written question was received from Daniel Hope and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
A written question was received from Adele Bates and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
In a supplementary question Adele Bates asked what the Council is doing to make sure Central St Leonards and Warrior Square are being given the same level of cleanliness as the rest of the town? Councillor Roark replied that Biffa ... view the full minutes text for item 15.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Collins to propose:
The world is witnessing a colossal decline in global biodiversity with one million animal and plant species threatened with extinction.
In 2019, a State of Nature report by the UK State of Nature Partnership presented an overview of how UK wildlife is faring, looking back over 50 years of monitoring. It found the UK to be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world where 41% of all UK species surveyed have declined, with 15% of species in the UK threatened with extension.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB, estimate that the UK breeding population of one of our most iconic birds, the swift, has more than halved in the last 20 years due to loss of nesting sites on buildings.
British Standard, BS42021:2022 ‘Integral Nest Boxes, selection and installation for new developments’ specifies requirements for the selection and installation of integral nest boxes in buildings within new developments for residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings.
The British Standard covers the design and installation principally for the following species, swift, starling, great tit, blue tit, and house sparrow, the numbers of which are in decline in the UK.
The Environment Act 2021 strengthened the duty for local authorities to agree policies and specific objectives to conserve and enhance biodiversity. In November 2023 the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain will become mandatory for local authorities when considering planning applications, to ensure habitats for wildlife are in a better state than before development.
Local authorities are therefore uniquely placed to ensure local planning policies and decisions contribute to and enhance the natural environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity.
Hastings Borough Council commits to developing policies and procedures to help to reverse the decline in biodiversity by ensuring:
1. Our new local planning policies for development set out a robust policy framework to protect and enhance biodiversity;
2. our local plan sets out the criteria for adopting British Standard BS42021:2022, Integral nest boxes, for all relevant planning permissions and approvals; and
3. developing, where appropriate, supplementary planning guidance on how development can incorporate features beneficial for the natural environment.Minutes:
Councillor Collins proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Bacon.
Councillor Cooke proposed an amendment to replace the word ‘extension’ in the second paragraph with ‘extinction’. Councillor Collins accepted the amendment.
RESOLVED (unanimously) the Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
The world is witnessing a colossal decline in global biodiversity with one million animal and plant species threatened with extinction.
In 2019, a State of Nature report by the UK State of Nature Partnership presented an overview of how UK wildlife is faring, looking back over 50 years of monitoring. It found the UK to be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world where 41% of all UK species surveyed have declined, with 15% of species in the UK threatened with extinction.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB, estimate that the UK breeding population of one of our most iconic birds, the swift, has more than halved in the last 20 years due to loss of nesting sites on buildings.
British Standard, BS42021:2022 ‘Integral Nest Boxes, selection and installation for new developments’ specifies requirements for the selection and installation of integral nest boxes in buildings within new developments for residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings.
The British Standard covers the design and installation principally for the following species, swift, starling, great tit, blue tit, and house sparrow, the numbers of which are in decline in the UK.
The Environment Act 2021 strengthened the duty for local authorities to agree policies and specific objectives to conserve and enhance biodiversity. In November 2023 the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain will become mandatory for local authorities when considering planning applications, to ensure habitats for wildlife are in a better state than before development.
Local authorities are therefore uniquely placed to ensure local planning policies and decisions contribute to and enhance the natural environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity.
Hastings Borough Council commits to developing policies and procedures to help to reverse the decline in biodiversity by ensuring:
1. Our new local planning policies for development set out a robust policy framework to protect and enhance biodiversity;
2. our local plan sets out the criteria for adopting British Standard BS42021:2022, Integral nest boxes, for all relevant planning permissions and approvals; and
3. developing, where appropriate, supplementary planning guidance on how development can incorporate features beneficial for the natural environment.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Carr to propose:
This Council wishes to send its support to Trans Pride Hastings on the launch of their first festival which has been organised by members of the local transgender and non-binary community with a focus on community building, support, and celebration for trans, non-binary and gender expansive residents from Hastings, St Leonards, & beyond.
This Council celebrates the successes of the transgender community but also recognises that additional support is sometimes needed by them as a section of our society that is too often marginalised, a victim of hate crime, or who may struggle to access the help they need due to other barriers that occur in relation to their status as a trans or non-binary person.
To turn our words of support into meaningful action, this council resolves:
- That the Equalities Working Group is asked to make recommendations on appropriate equalities training to be considered by the Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet, in consultation with the Member Training and Development Group;
- to continue to fly the trans flag during notable dates such as Trans Day of Remembrance and Trans Pride Hastings each year; and
- to continue to foster a culture of safety, acceptance, and inclusion for the trans and non-binary community in our actions as a council.
Minutes:
Councillor Carr proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Haffenden.
A recorded vote was requested, and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Bacon, Barnett, Batsford, Beaver, Bishop, Cannan, Carr, Collins, Cooke, Evans, Foster, Haffenden, Hay, Hilton, Jobson, O’Callaghan, Patmore, Roark, Roberts, Rogers, Sinden, Turner, Webb, Williams and Willis voted in favour.
Councillors Beaney, Edwards and Fernando abstained.
RESOLVED (by 25 votes for, with 3 abstentions) the Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
This Council wishes to send its support to Trans Pride Hastings on the launch of their first festival which has been organised by members of the local transgender and non-binary community with a focus on community building, support, and celebration for trans, non-binary and gender expansive residents from Hastings, St Leonards, & beyond.
This Council celebrates the successes of the transgender community but also recognises that additional support is sometimes needed by them as a section of our society that is too often marginalised, a victim of hate crime, or who may struggle to access the help they need due to other barriers that occur in relation to their status as a trans or nonbinary person.
To turn our words of support into meaningful action, this council resolves:
- That the Equalities Working Group is asked to make recommendations on appropriate equalities training to be considered by the Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet, in consultation with the Member Training and Development Group;
- to continue to fly the trans flag during notable dates such as Trans Day of Remembrance and Trans Pride Hastings each year; and
- to continue to foster a culture of safety, acceptance, and inclusion for the trans and non-binary community in our actions as a council.
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.
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 – 5 JUNE 2023
4.
Response to council motion re: Hastings United Football Club proposal
Willis
5.
Revision of Financial Assistance Policy
Rogers
6.
Internal Audit Arrangements 2023-24
Barnett
7.
Cabinet Appointments to Committees, Working Groups and Partnerships
Barnett
CABINET – 3 JULY 2023
11.
White Rock Theatre Options
Batsford
12. (C)
Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2022/23
Barnett
13.
Financial Monitoring Outturn Report for 2022/23 - to end of March 2023 (Period 12)
Barnett
15. (E)
Unit at Bexhill Road Retail Park
Barnett
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 9a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 10 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, 5th June 2023
4 – Response to council motion re: Hastings United Football Club proposal
Patmore
Cabinet, 5th June 2023
5 – Revision of Financial Assistance Policy
Roberts
Cabinet, 3rd July 2023
11 – White Rock Theatre Options
Carr
Cabinet, 3rd July 2023
12 – Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2022/23
Hilton
Cabinet, 3rd July 2023
13 - Financial Monitoring Outturn Report for 2022/23 - to end of March 2023 (Period 12)
Carr
Cabinet, 3rd July 2023
15 – Unit at Bexhill Road Retail Park
Beaver
Minute 12 of Cabinet on 3rd July 2023, Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2022/23, was a decision requiring Full Council approval. Councillor Barnett proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Willis.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
To consider the report – no recommendations are being made to amend the current Treasury Management Strategy as a result of this review.
Reasons:
To ensure that Members are fully aware of the activities undertaken in the last financial year, that Codes of Practice have been complied with and that the Council's strategy has been effective in 2022/23.
Under the Code adopted the Full Council are required to consider the report and any recommendations made. There will be a further report forthcoming on Treasury Management covering a review of the current financial year i.e. the Mid-year review.
Councillor Beaver raised a point of order regarding minute 15 of Cabinet on 3rd July 2023 and asked why ward Councillors were not consulted on this item.
The Mayor proposed the meeting move into private session to discuss the report, seconded by Councillor Beaney.
RESOLVED:
That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of minute 15 of Cabinet on 3rd July 2023, Unit at Bexhill Road Retail Park, 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 paragraphs of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 referred to in the relevant report.(The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.25pm)
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