-
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 received from Councillors Hilton, Rankin and Roberts.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 88 KB
Minutes:
Councillors Arthur and Pragnell asked that the minutes of the meeting on 20th September 2023 be amended to show that they were present.
RESOLVED that, subject to the amendment above, the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 20th September 2023 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Meeting
Item
Interest
Roark
Cabinet, 2nd October 2023
7 – Southern Water Update
Personal – Grew up in one of the houses that was recently flooded
Bishop
Cabinet, 2nd October 2023
7 – Southern Water Update
Personal – Employed by the Environment Agency but not in a role related to flooding.
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
No announcements were made.
Questions (if any) from: PDF 121 KB
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Additional documents:
Minutes:
31a. Members of the public under Rule 11
A written question was received from Max Hewitt and a written response supplied by Councillor Barnett.
A written question was received from Chris Hurrell and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark. Chris Hurrell submitted a supplementary question in writing and Councillor Roark said she would respond in writing.
A written question was received from Myriam Lengline and a written response supplied by Councillor Rogers. Myriam Lengline was presented and in a supplementary question asked how often the Council will revisit the development sites around Harrow Lane to make sure that water drainage plans are put in place and that other conditions are followed. Councillor Rogers said that she would discuss this with officers to make sure that regular visits are made.
A written question was received from Richard Price and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark. Richard Price was present and in a supplementary question asked Councillor Roark to clarify if the Local Nature Reserve is still designated as an Urban Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat. Councillor Roark said she would need to discuss with officers before responding in writing.
A written question was received from Andrew Cordle and a written response supplied by Councillor Rogers. Andrew Cordle was present and in a supplementary question asked how residents with limited mobility and limited digital access are meant to be aware of planning notices? Councillor Rogers replied that this is reviewed on a regular basis and these issues are taken into account, but with current budget pressures it is too expensive to send letters.
31b. Councillors under Rule 12Questioner
Question
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
In Sept we were told the Premier Inn development was a done deal and we deferred a decision on increasing the capital budget. We have had no further information. Can you give us an update on the situation?
Councillor Barnett replied that this was discussed last week, and he had said that negotiations are continuing. When they are concluded a report will be presented on the outcome.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Haffenden
I previously asked about a review of the rules that tenants in temporary accommodation must abide by. Can we have an update on that review?
Councillor Willis replied that a full housing and homelessness review is about to begin, the aim is to have a draft coming to Full Council next July following consultation.
Councillor Willis
Councillor Turner
Can you give an update on Orbit housing association delivering sustainable homes at Harrow Lane?
Councillor Willis replied that there is good progress. Building is expected to start in February with first completions in January 2025. Orbit are committed to the sustainable modern methods of construction as originally proposed.
Councillor Willis
Councillor Beaver
Will you give residents the same guarantee for Bulverhythe Recreation Ground as you gave for Tilekiln Playing Fields, that ‘our priority has to be to protect and invest in our green spaces…’?
Councillor Barnett replied that there have been discussions with the ... view the full minutes text for item 31.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Barnett to propose:
Violence against women and girls is a longstanding and shameful part of British society.
Many initiatives have been taken over the last sixty years to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour.
The womens rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s successfully campaigned for refuge provision for women subject to domestic abuse.
Significant investment was made in this, and also in training and support for women, throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
However it was only in 1991 that White Ribbon Day was established to provide a focus on the fact that men are the main perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
Men have been encouraged to become Ambassadors for White Ribbon Day and councillors nationally have signed up for this, including some in this Council.
White Ribbon Day this year is on November 25th and a national programme of activities will promote the importance of sustained action to stop further violence.
The Hastings and Rother Community Safety partnership has prioritised action against violence against women and girls since 2020.
It is proposed that this Council agrees to:
Ensure that action against violence against women and girls remains a priority for Hastings Borough Council’s community safety work
And that male councillors are encouraged to become White Ribbon Ambassadors and speak out against violence against women and girls.
Minutes:
Councillor Barnett proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Cannan.
Councillor Beaver proposed an amendment as follows, seconded by Councillor Carr:
Amend the second to last paragraph to read:
Encourage all Councillors to become White Ribbon Ambassadors and speak out against violence against women and girls.
Add the following paragraph to the end:
Call on all Councillors to invite those who have suffered abuse to tell their stories so that others may gain the confidence to do so too and seek the help they may need.
The amendment was accepted, and Councillors debated the substantive motion as amended.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
Violence against women and girls is a longstanding and shameful part of British society.
Many initiatives have been taken over the last sixty years to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour.
The women’s rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s successfully campaigned for refuge provision for women subject to domestic abuse.
Significant investment was made in this, and also in training and support for women, throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
However it was only in 1991 that White Ribbon Day was established to provide a focus on the fact that men are the main perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
Men have been encouraged to become Ambassadors for White Ribbon Day and councillors nationally have signed up for this, including some in this Council.
White Ribbon Day this year is on November 25th and a national programme of activities will promote the importance of sustained action to stop further violence.
The Hastings and Rother Community Safety partnership has prioritised action against violence against women and girls since 2020.
It is proposed that this Council agrees to:
Ensure that action against violence against women and girls remains a priority for Hastings Borough Council’s community safety work
Encourage all Councillors to become White Ribbon Ambassadors and speak out against violence against women and girls.
Call on all councillors to invite those who have suffered abuse to tell their stories so that others may gain the confidence to do so too and seek the help they may need.
Membership of Committees
To give effect to any request received from a political group for a change in their representation on committee(s).
Minutes:
The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a comfort break at 7.36pm. The meeting reconvened at 7.50pm.
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 – 2 OCTOBER 2023
5. (C)
Reserves Policy 2023-24
Barnett
6.
Overview and Scrutiny: Call in recommendations
Barnett
7.
Southern Water Update
Roark
8.
New Countryside Stewardship Grant Aid for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve 2024-2034
Roark
CABINET – 6 NOVEMBER 2023
13a.
Hastings Town Deal Programme Update – Overview and Scrutiny Recommendations
Evans
13b.
Hastings Town Deal Programme Update
Evans
14.
Financial Monitoring Report
Barnett
15.
Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)
Barnett
16. (C)
Interim Review of Polling Places and Polling Districts 2023
Rogers
17.
Home Adaptation Support Service (HASS) Contract Tender
Rogers
(C) = Full Council decision
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 8a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 9 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, 2nd October 2023
7 – Southern Water Update
Roark
Cabinet, 2nd October 2023
8 – New Countryside Stewardship Grant Aid for Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve 2024-2034
Edwards
Cabinet, 6th November 2023
13b – Hastings Town Deal Programme Update
Sinden
The Mayor proposed that the meeting proceed as if in committee for the debate on item 7, seconded by Councillor Beaver.
RESOLVED that under Rule 16.14 of the Constitution the Council proceed as if in committee.
The Chief Executive provided an update and informed Councillors that her recent meeting with Southern Water had been the most positive in sometime. Southern Water have committed to undertake a hydraulic survey which will model the wastewater system in the town. There is a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively moving forward.
The Mayor proposed the meeting return to Full Council mode.
RESOLVED that the meeting return to Full Council mode.
Item 5 of Cabinet on 2nd October 2023, Reserves Policy 2023-24, and item 16 of Cabinet on 6th November 2023, Interim Review of Polling Places and Polling Districts 2023, were matters requiring Full Council approval. Under Rule 13.3 of Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution both were agreed without being called for debate.
RESOLVED:
1) Full Council agrees the updated Reserves Policy.
2) Full Council agrees that the minimum General Reserve balance be reduced from £6m to £4m.Reasons:
1. Sections 31A, 32 42A and 43 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 require billing and precepting authorities in England and Wales to have regard to the level of reserves needed for meeting estimated future expenditure when calculating the budget requirement.
2. Hastings Borough Council, like many others at the current time finds itself under considerable financial duress. To ensure that Councils do not fall fail of overcommitting themselves financially there are several safeguards in place to prevent this from occurring. These include;
• All Councils must set a balanced budget as set out in sections 31A, 42A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended.
• The Chief Finance Officers duty to report on the robustness of estimates and adequacy of Reserves (section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003) when the Council is considering its budget requirement.
• Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 states as part of the legislation that each Local Authority must make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs and that the Chief Finance Officer / proper officer has responsibility for the administration of those affairs.3. The above requirements are reinforced by Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 ... view the full minutes text for item 34.
-
My council
Contact
Contact us if you have a question about democratic services.
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.