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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY
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 18 October 2017 PDF 81 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the council meeting held on 18 October 2017 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
The following Councillors declared an interest in the minutes:
Councillors
Committee
Minute
Interest
Beaney
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
52 – Sports Village Development
Prejudicial – she is a Director of Hastings Housing Company
Forward
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
52 – Sports Village Development
Prejudicial – she is a Trustee of the Education Futures Trust
Poole
Full Council, 13 December 2017
27 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal – she is a governor of Dudley Infants Academy
Rankin
Cabinet, 6 November 2017
44 – Treasury Management – Mid Year report 2017/18
Personal – he works in the property industry
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Mayor announced the deaths of former Councillor Trevor May and Mr Owen Thompson. Mr Thompson had been awarded the Order of 1066 in 2014 in recognition of his work to promote equalities and as a founder of Hastings Intercultural Organisation. Members stood and observed one minute’s silence in their memory.
The Mayor announced that there would be a procession and service at the Priscilla Mac Bean lifeboat on Saturday, 18 December. The service would remember members of the fishing community and lifeboat crews who had lost their lives at sea.
Questions from members of the public Rule 11
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
A written question had been received from Mr Bob Hart regarding the Roman Baths in Summerfields Woods. Councillor Chowney replied to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated.
A written question had been received from Ms Barbara Rogers regarding future management options for the White Rock Theatre. Councillor Chowney replied to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated.
Ms Rogers asked a supplementary question as to whether the council had considered alternative uses for the building, such as visitor centre. Councillor Chowney replied that the contract extension was intended as an interim measure, while the long term options to create a suitable performance venue in the town were considered. The subsidy paid by the council during the 5 year contact would be reduced and the contractor would be encouraged to involve a consortium of local groups in running the venue and developing plans for the future.
Questions from Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
A written question had been received from Councillor Patmore regarding graffiti in the town. Councillor Fitzgerald replied to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated at the meeting.
A written question had been received from Councillor Patmore regarding the former Harold Place toilets. Councillor Chowney replied to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated at the meeting.
A written question had been received from Councillor Lee regarding the cost of consultancy services. A copy of the initial response to the question was circulated at the meeting.
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
Lee
St Leonards Crown Post Office will the Leader of the Council provide an update on progress to purchase the freehold of St Leonards Crown Post Office?
Councillor Chowney replied that the council had met with officers from the Post Office and submitted an expression of interest in the site. In addition to purchasing the freehold of the building, the council would need to operate the Post Office franchise as well. Councillor Chowney added that there may be additional opportunities to develop residential accommodation within the site. The closing date for expressions of interest was 15 December 2017.
Chowney
Atkins
Food Bank there has been a 21% increase in referrals to the Food Bank over the past month. Will the Leader of the Council write to staff at the Food Bank to thank them for their efforts and will he also encourage people to make donations to the Food Bank?
Councillor Chowney said that he would write to staff at the Food Bank to thank them for their efforts. He commented that a collection was being arranged amongst council staff and members for donations to the Food Bank.
Chowney
Street
Awards for Alexandra Park and Hastings Country Park will the Lead Member congratulate staff and contractors at Alexandra Park and Hastings Park on their recent award from the Green Flag and explain more about what this means?
Councillor Fitzgerald congratulated staff and contractors at Alexandra Park and Hastings Country Park. He explained that the award from Green Flag recognised innovation in the management of green spaces. In Alexandra Park a new water filtration system had been installed. In Hastings Country Park, works had been undertaken to remove gorse to support the natural habitat.
Fitzgerald
Beaver
West Marina will the Leader of the Council provide an assurance that any development of housing at the West Marina site will be accompanied by a significant development of leisure facilities?
Councillor Chowney confirmed this was the case. Following initial expressions of interest in the site, the council had requested more information on some of the proposals. Any housing development on the site was intended to support the development of more comprehensive leisure facilities in the area.
Chowney
Bacon
Keeping fit what keep fit opportunities will there be in the new year?
Councillor Batsford ... view the full minutes text for item 25.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Chowney to propose, seconded by Councillor Westley, that:
“This council is committed to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to the Borough of Hastings, and including them in our activities. Hastings Council recognises their potential contribution to our town, and also recognises that a comprehensive, co-ordinated and forward-looking approach is needed if the welfare of people moving into the town, and community cohesion between new and existing communities, are to be supported effectively. To this end, we pledge to:
· Support Hastings bid to become a place of sanctuary;
· Welcome to Hastings and St Leonards those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries;
· Value the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our town;
· Support taking practical steps to welcome and integrate all people into our communities, activities and culture;
· Add our organisation’s name to the body of supporters and we will offer relevant and practical action as appropriate.
This council will work to implement the City of Sanctuary pledges through its actions and policies, and with its partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors.”Minutes:
Councillor Chowney proposed a motion, as set out in the resolution below, which was seconded by Councillor Westley.
The Mayor ruled that Councillor Forward was unable to participate in the debate on this item, as she arrived during the debate.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
“This council is committed to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to the Borough of Hastings, and including them in our activities. Hastings Council recognises their potential contribution to our town, and also recognises that a comprehensive, co-ordinated and forward-looking approach is needed if the welfare of people moving into the town, and community cohesion between new and existing communities, are to be supported effectively. To this end, we pledge to:
· Support Hastings bid to become a place of sanctuary;
· Welcome to Hastings and St Leonards those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries;
· Value the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our town;
· Support taking practical steps to welcome and integrate all people into our communities, activities and culture;
· Add our organisation’s name to the body of supporters and we will offer relevant and practical action as appropriate.
This council will work to implement the City of Sanctuary pledges through its actions and policies, and with its partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors.”Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Rankin to propose, seconded by Councillor Turner that:
“After the most recent publication of the Ofsted report for Ark William Parker confirmed that it has now underperformed for 4 years, we ask that the Leader of Hastings Borough Council writes to the Regional Schools Commissioner expressing our concerns about this situation.”
Minutes:
Councillor Rankin proposed a motion, as set out in the council agenda, which was seconded by Councillor Batsford.
Councillor Street proposed an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Scott, as follows:
“After the recent publication of negative Ofsted reports of a number of Hastings schools, we ask that the Leader of Hastings Borough Council writes to the Regional Schools Commissioner expressing our concerns about this situation”.
The amendment was accepted by Councillor Rankin, as the proposer of the original motion.
The Mayor ruled that Councillor Cooke was unable to participate in the vote on this matter, as he arrived during the debate.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
“After the recent publication of negative Ofsted reports of a number of Hastings schools, we ask that the Leader of Hastings Borough Council writes to the Regional Schools Commissioner expressing our concerns about this situation”
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 regarding 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 Bacon be appointed to Planning Committee, in place of Councillor Cartwright
Reports of Committees PDF 80 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 – 6 NOVEMBER 2017
41.
Warm Homes Fund Grant
Batsford
42.
Healthy Hastings and Rother Update
Batsford
43.
Medium Term Financial Strategy
Chowney
44. (C)
Treasury Management – Mid Year Report 2017/18
Chowney
45. (C)
Social Media Policy
Poole
CABINET – 4 DECEMBER 2017
48. (C)
Council Tax Support Scheme
Chowney
49. (C)
National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) Relief
Chowney
50. (C)
An Energy Transition for Hastings
Chowney
51.
Appointment of External Auditor
Chowney
52.
Sports Village Development
Chowney
53. (E)
White Rock Theatre*
Chowney
54. (E)
Property Purchase
Chowney
55. (E)
Property Purchase
Chowney
* A supplementary public report on the White Rock Theatre will be circulated in advance of the meeting and may be called for discussion.
(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 part II minutes covered by the resolution 9a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred until item 10 on the agenda.
Additional documents:
- Minutes Public Pack, 04/12/2017 Cabinet , item 29. PDF 92 KB
- White Rock Theatre , item 29. PDF 141 KB
- Appendix Building Surveying notes on mothballing the building , item 29. PDF 60 KB
Minutes:
The Mayor having called over the minutes set out in the agenda, the under mentioned minutes were reserved for discussion.
The Mayor advised that minute 52 of Cabinet on 4 December 2017, Sports Village Development, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision.
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, 6 November 2017
42 – Healthy Hastings and Rother Update
Martin Clarke
Cabinet, 6 November 2017
43 – Medium Term Financial Strategy
Martin Clarke
Cabinet, 6 November 2017
44 (C) – Treasury Management – Mid Year Report 2017/18
Rankin
Cabinet, 6 November 2017
45 (C) – Social Media Policy
Lee
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
48 (C) – Council Tax Support Scheme
Davies
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
49 (C) – National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) Relief
Lee
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
50 (C) – An Energy Transition for Hastings
Rankin
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
52 (C) – Sports Village Development
Beaver
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
54 (E) - Property Purchase
Patmore
Cabinet, 4 December 2017
55 (E) - Property Purchase
Martin Clarke
Minute number 44 of Cabinet on 6 November 2017, Treasury Management – Mid Year Report 2017/18, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Poole and agreed by 19 votes for to 8 against.
Minute number 45 of Cabinet on 6 November 2017, Social Media Policy, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Poole proposed approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Fitzgerald and agreed unanimously.
Minute number 48 of Cabinet on 4 December 2017, Council Tax Support Scheme, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Lee and agreed unanimously.
Minute number 49 of Cabinet on 4 December 2017, National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) Relief, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Lee and agreed unanimously.
Minute number 50 of Cabinet on 4 December 2017, An Energy Transition for Hastings, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Patmore and agreed unanimously.
Minute number 52 of Cabinet on 4 December 2017, Sports Village Development, was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillors Beaney and Forward, having declared a prejudicial interest in this item, left the chamber during the debate. Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Batsford and agreed 27 votes for 0 against with 1 abstention.
Minute numbers 54 and 55 of Cabinet on 4 December 2017, both of which ... view the full minutes text for item 29.
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