-
Agenda and minutes
Venue: Town Hall, Queen's Square, Priory Meadow, Hastings TN34 1QR
Contact: Michael Courts on 01424 451764 email mcourts@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
The following councillors declared an interest in the minutes as follows:
Councillor
Minute
Interest
Forward, Hodges and Westley
3 – White Rock Baths
Prejudicial - Members of Charity Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2014
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2014 be approved and signed by the chair as a correct record.
RESOLVED - the chair called over the items on the agenda, under rule 13.3 the recommendations set out in minute number 5 were agreed without being called for discussion.
MATTERS FOR CABINET DECISION
- View the declarations of interest for item 3.
- View the background to item 3.
- View the decision for item 3.
(Cabinet Decision)
Minutes:
Councillors Forward, Hodges and Westley, having declared a prejudicial interest in this item, left the chamber while the matter was discussed.
The Director of Regeneration presented a report to inform members of work to bring forward proposals for White Rock Baths and to seek support for this approach.
Hastings Borough Council (HBC) and the Foreshore Trust had been working to identify a suitable alternative use for the White Rock Baths, which had been vacant for a number of years. The Trust had been approached by the Source, a BMX and mail order company based in Braybrooke Terrace, with proposals to utilise the premises as an indoor arena for BMX and skateboard competitions and training, with supporting retail and refreshment provision.
The report acknowledged that Hastings had a long association with BMX and skateboarding, and a new competition venue would further increase the profile of the sport in the town. Moreover, the proposed use of the building was in keeping with council’s objective to promote a healthy lifestyle.
A further proposal had been received from the West End Sustainable Development Company; however, it was felt that insufficient information had been provided to recommend proceeding with this option
The funding package for the project included an investment of £150,000 from the Foreshore Trust, which had been approved by the Charity Committee at its meeting on 5 June 2014. Funding was also sought from East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and HBC, including a loan of £300,000 from HBC, which would be supported by rental income. The funding would support the refurbishment of the building prior to an internal fit out by the tenant. It was proposed that premises should then be leased for a 10 year period, at a rental of £36,000 per annum. Should the venture fail and the premises become vacant during the 10 year period, the council and Trust would share the risk of loan repayments on a 50:50 basis.
Councillor Lock moved an amendment to the recommendation contained in the report, seconded by Councillor Cooke, as follows:
“3) As the Foreshore Trust has ample reserves, Hastings Borough Council will not share the risk of repaying loans in the case of possible failure in the next ten years.”
The proposed amendment was lost by 2 votes to 4.
Councillor Chowney moved approval of the original recommendations to the report, as set out in the resolution below, which was seconded by Councillor Cartwright.
RESOLVED (by 4 votes for 0 against with 2 abstentions) that –
1) Subject to funding being obtained from east Sussex County Council and Hastings and St Leonards Foreshore Trust, the Cabinet approve the proposal to create a BMX / Skateboard facility at White Rock Baths on the basis contained in this report, and;
2) Delegation is given to the Director of Regeneration acting in consultation with the Director of Corporate Resources and the Chair of the Foreshore Trust and Lead member for Regeneration to complete tendering, contracting, lease and other arrangements to deliver the ... view the full minutes text for item 3.
Hastings Walking and Cycling Strategy PDF 159 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Strategic Planning Manager presented a report on the draft Hastings walking and cycling strategy, the comments received from a public consultation and to propose adopting the strategy.
HBC and ESCC had prepared the draft strategy which would form the basis for future provision of walking and cycling routes in Hastings and associated infrastructure and facilities. Members noted that improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians had a number of potential benefits for the local economy, as well as helping to reduce road traffic congestion within the town.
The draft strategy had been subject to a public consultation between 6 January and 17 February 2014. 71% of the representations received either strongly agreed or agreed that they were happy with the strategy overall. Following adoption by HBC and ESCC, detailed route designs will be subject to specific consultations, as sections of the proposed routes are brought forward. The strategy would provide a supporting document to the county’s local transport plan 2011-2026, and was aligned with the Hastings planning strategy and revised proposed submission version of the development management plan.
Councillor Chowney moved approval of the recommendations of the report, which was seconded by Councillor Westley.
RESOLVED - (unanimously) that -
1) Cabinet adopts the version of the Hastings walking and cycling strategy, appended to the report.
The reason for this decision was:
To progress the adoption of the Hastings walking and cycling strategy.
Banking Services Contract PDF 87 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Minutes:
The Head of Finance submitted a report to advise Cabinet of the procurement route for the provision of banking services and to agree delegated authority for the award of the contract.
The council’s current banking contract was due to expire on 31 March 2015. The East Sussex Procurement Hub was undertaking a tendering exercise for banking services on behalf of six local authorities. This method would enable each authority to benefit from process improvements and to achieve best value for these services trough aggregation of volumes and value.
The banking services required by each council had been divided into two lots; lot 1, corporate banking services and lot 2, merchant services. Three bids had been received for lot 1, and four bids had been received for lot 2. Each bid would be evaluated on its own merit, and the contract would be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender.
It was anticipated that the new contract would start on 1 July 2014. Transfer to the new contract would be staggered, however, all councils require transfer to be completed and service to commence no later than midnight on 31 March 2015.
RESOLVED – that –
1) Hastings Borough Council joins with the Procurement Hub in the contract for banking services, and;
2) delegated authority be given to the Director of Corporate Resources or his nominee in consultation with the Lead Member, to award a contract to the supplier that offers the most economically advantageous ????terms.
The reason for this decision was:
The joint procurement route is seen as being the most cost effective way forward in the interests of the Council. It will save procurement time and allow scope for using the consolidated purchasing power of 5 other local authorities.
Delegated authority is sought in order to ensure the short timescales within the tendering procedure can be achieved.
Cabinet Appointments to Committees, Working Groups and Partnerships etc PDF 60 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Additional documents:
- Appendix A - Cabinet Appointments 2014/15 , item 6. PDF 31 KB
- Appendix B - Cabinet Appointments 2014/15 , item 6. PDF 23 KB
Minutes:
The Chief Legal Officer presented a report to consider nominations received and to make appointments to committees, working groups and partnerships.
A copy of the schedule of Cabinet appointments had been circulated to the group leaders, and nominations had been sought to fill the places available. Cabinet committees were not required to be politically balanced, Members were appointed until the Borough elections in 2016.
At the meeting, it was agreed by 7 votes to 2 that Councillors Hodges, Forward and Westley be appointed to Charity Committee. 7 Members voted for Councillor Howard to be appointed to the Combe Valley Countryside Park
Forum and 2 Members voted for Councillor Beaver, therefore Councillor Howard was appointed to the forum. 7 Members voted for Councillor Forward to be appointed to the Joint Governing Body for the Hastings Academy and the St Leonards Academy and 2 Members voted for Councillor Cooke, therefore Councillor Forward was appointed.
Members also agreed that Councillor Forward be appointed to the AmicusHorizon Hastings Area Panel, as the relevant Lead Member. Councillor Lee was appointed as vice chair of Working Arrangements Group. Members noted that the Youth Forum no longer met, and this item was therefore removed from the schedule of appointments.
The remaining nominations were agreed, as detailed in Appendix A and B to the minutes.
RESOLVED – that –
1) Members be appointed to committees, working groups, partnerships and representative bodies as set out in appendix A and B, which will be circulated as soon as possible; and
2) the chairs and vice-chair of Museums Committee, as listed in appendix A.
The reason for this decision was:
Members are required to serve on the Committees, Working Groups, Partnerships and representative bodies to which Cabinet appoints. Chairs and Vice-Chairs are required for the Committees that report to Cabinet.
Minutes of the meeting of Charity Committee held on 24 March 2014
Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting of Charity Committee held on 24 March 2014 were submitted;
RESOLVED – that the minutes of Charity Committee held on 24 March 2014 be received.
-
My council
Contact
Got a question about democratic services?
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.