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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 The chair advised that, following Councillor Westley’s resignation from Cabinet, the responsibilities of the Environment and Safety portfolio had been reallocated between Cabinet Members. Councillor Chowney would take on responsibility for waste issues, Councillor Cartwright for community safety and licensing and Councillor Poole for parking, environmental health and emergency planning.
The chair thanked Councillor Westley for her efforts during her time on Cabinet.
Minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2014
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 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 numbers 31 and 35 were agreed without being called for discussion.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
The following councillors declared an interest in the minutes as follows:
Councillor
Minute
Interest
Birch, Cooke and Hodges
30 - Street Trading Policy
Persoanl – members of the board of Let’s Do Business
Birch and Hodges
30 - Street Trading Policy
Personal - members of the Town Centre Management Committee
Hodges
34 - Hastings Country Park Interpretive Centre
Personal - chair of the Hastings Country Park Forum
Poole
34 - Hastings Country Park Interpretive Centre
Personal - chair of the project board and member of the Hastings Country Park Forum
MATTERS FOR COUNCIL DECISION
Street Trading Policy PDF 120 KB
- View the declarations of interest for item 30.
- View the background to item 30.
- View the decision for item 30.
(Council Decision)
Minutes:
The Head of Environmental Services presented a report which proposed an updated policy for the continued management and development of street trading.
The council adopted its current street trading and highway licensing policy in August 2004. Since the policy was adopted, there has been a significant growth in the frequency and type of street trading, including local markets, themed markets and other commercial activity. Successful markets could support the continued regeneration of the town, by adding to the character and vibrancy of the area and attracting visitors and shoppers. Local markets also provided an opportunity for new businesses to develop and expand their customer base. The council worked with the Town Centre Management Committee (TCM) to manage street trading activity.
Consideration had been given to a broad set of principles to encourage well-run markets, which had informed the development of the revised policy. The report also included a scheme for fees, which the council charged to issue street trading consent. It was intended to keep the operation of charges through the council and TCM as flexible as possible, to encourage new enterprise.
The development of the new policy had included comprehensive consultation with TCM, and its parent organisation Lets Do Business. Meetings had also been held with key stakeholders, including the organisers of 3 markets currently operating in various locations around the borough. The comments made by stakeholders had been incorporated into the draft policy, and included the implementation of a consistent borough wide street trading consent fee and the simplification of some procedures.
Further comments had been received from the Town Team which recommended licensing catering outlets on market stalls. The Head of Environmental Services commented that the council may consider granting this type of licence, provided stallholders had consulted with other restaurants and catering outlets which may be affected by the market.
Councillor Cartwright moved approval of the recommendations of the report, which was seconded by Councillor Cooke.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the street trading and highways licensing policy, attached to the Director of Environmental Services’ report, be agreed and recommended to full council for adoption.
The reason for this decision was:
To support the growth and retention of markets in Hastings and encourage a high quality street trading environment.
MATTERS FOR CABINET DECISION
Local Code of Corporate Governance PDF 67 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Head of Finance submitted a report on the refreshed local code of corporate governance for approval.
The council was committed to good corporate governance by which the systems and values of the organisation are controlled. A code of corporate governance, which directed the process of modernisation, community leadership, community engagement and continuous improvement; had been adopted in July 2005.
A refreshed version of the code, which incorporated changes since the last code was approved, had been appended to the Head of Finance’s report. The annual audit letter from the council’s external auditors acknowledged the organisation’s effective governance arrangements and an annual governance statement was included within the financial accounts each year.
RESOLVED that the revised local code of corporate governance be approved.
The reason for this decision was:
To update the local code of corporate governance in relation to those areas where changes have taken place.
MATTERS FOR COUNCIL DECISION
ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014
(Council Decision)
Minutes:
The Head of Environmental Services presented a report to advise members of the implications of the anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act 2014 and proposed that procedures relating to the community trigger elements of the act are recommended to council for adoption.
The act, which came into effect from 20 October 2014, was intended to enable greater flexibility for agencies to deal with anti-social behaviour and address the needs of victims. The council would work with its local community safety partners to explore the scope for using the new powers provided by the act, and develop supporting protocols based on statutory guidance.
Provision was also made by the act for community triggers, which gave victims the right to request a review of their case to ensure agencies were working together to resolve the matter. The report set out proposals for implementing community triggers. It had been agreed to develop a consistent approach for dealing with community trigger applications across Sussex, and the council had worked with key partners as part of a working group to draft procedural documents. The working group proposed that a threshold of three complaints of anti-social behaviour or hate crimes in a six month period be set to initiate a community trigger.
A further report on the experience of operating the new community trigger process, and the other enforcement tools provided for by the act, would be submitted to Cabinet next year.
Councillor Cartwright moved approval of the recommendations to the report, which was seconded by Councillor Chowney.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Cabinet recommends the community trigger proposals, set out in paragraphs
The reason for this decision was:
The community trigger provisions of the act come into force on 20 October 2014 and the council must adopt local procedures to implement them as soon as possible.
MATTERS FOR CABINET DECISION
Coastal Communities Fund PDF 83 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Director of Regeneration presented a report which proposed submission of a bid to stage 2 of the coastal communities fund (CCF) round 3.
The CCF funded projects which supported economic growth and reductions in unemployment in seaside towns and villages around the United Kingdom.
In February 2014, Cabinet had approved a first stage submission bid for a project under the heading of linking culture, heritage to revitalise Hastings and Bexhill seafronts. The council had been invited to provide more details through a stage 2 full application, which must be submitted by 15 October 2014.
The council had worked with partners, including Rother District Council and the Pier Charity to develop a bid. A key objective of CCF funding is to create jobs, the proposed project aimed to create 33 direct new jobs, as well as 168 indirect new jobs, based on a target uplift of the visitor economy by 1% over business as usual. If successful, the bid would provide funding towards the safety and accessibility of the indoor BMX skateboard facility at White Rock Baths and landscaping at the approaches to the pier. Funding was also sought for a variety of marketing tools, including; business support, signage, smartphone apps and electrically assisted bicycles.
The stage 1 bid had included proposals for two small retail kiosks on Eversfield Place, however following consultation, it was not intended to include these plans in the stage 2 submission as it was felt this element was commercially viable without a subsidy.
Councillor Chowney moved approval of the recommendations to the report, which was seconded by Councillor Cartwright.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration be authorise to submit a full application at stage 2 of the application process for the coastal communities fund round 3, including any necessary variations from the funding profile identified in Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy’s report.
The reason for this decision was:
Hastings Borough Council submitted a stage 1 application to the coastal communities’ fund, and has now been invited to provide more details through a stage 2 full application. The recommendation will authorise this full application.
The funding sought would contribute to the joining up and promotion of attractions and activities along the seafront from the Stade to the De La Warr in Bexhill. This would support the delivery of the council’s cultural regeneration strategy.
Hastings Country Park Interpretive Centre
(Cabinet Decision)
Minutes:
The Environment and Natural Resources Manager presented a report to seek Cabinet approval for the preferred site for a new interpretive centre and to seek approval to proceed with tendering of construction works and the spending of up to £250,000 allocated in the capital programme budget for the project.
The council, working in partnership with Groundwork South, aimed to deliver a new visitor centre by spring 2016. The new facility was intended to provide an improved visitor experience by highlighting the unique habitats, spectacular scenery and landscape of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve.
A project board, chaired by the Lead Member for Amenities, Resorts and Leisure, had been formed to oversee the project. A detailed project plan, outline project timeline and budget profile had been developed. The board had appointed Cave Cooperative as architects to design and build the new centre, due to their expertise in creating sustainable buildings.
A detailed consultation on the proposed site of the new centre had been carried out which included a workshop with key stakeholders, submitting options to the Hastings Country Park Management Forum and a four day public consultation in Priory Meadow shopping centre. The results of the consultation indicated a strong preference for location A, as shown on the site plan appended to the Head of Amenities, Resorts and Leisure’s report. Prior to the submission of a planning application, a planning forum would be held on 30 October 2014.
Subject to a successful outcome of the planning application, construction was due to begin in summer 2015 with the new centre opening in spring 2016. Groundwork South would then mange the centre for a 10 year period, working with current volunteers.
Councillor Poole moved approval of the recommendations to the report, which was seconded by Councillor Hodges.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that –
1) Cabinet approve location A as the preferred location for a new interpretive centre;
2) Cabinet approve the timeline for construction and delegate to the Director of Environmental Services in conjunction with the Lead Member for Amenities, Resorts and Leisure the awarding of the construction contract to the most economically advantageous tenderer, and;
3) Cabinet approve the expenditure of up to £250,000 allocated in the capital programme as the council’s contribution to the cost of construction of the new interpretive centre.
The reason for this decision was:
It is a corporate priority to deliver a new interpretive centre at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. The recommended location A is within Hastings borough, commands spectacular views, is within easy access from the car park and presents the least and minimal environmental impact. The other potential locations were not favoured due either to their greater environmental impact, inferior views or their remoteness from the car parks.
MATTERS FOR COUNCIL DECISION
Council Tax Support Scheme PDF 72 KB
(Council Decision)
Minutes:
The Head of Finance submitted a report which proposed that the council tax support scheme remain unchanged in 2015/16.
As the council tax support scheme was approved on an annual basis, it was necessary to review the situation with regard to scheme each year. The East Sussex Joint Leaders / Chief Executives considered a report on possible options for 2015/16 at their meeting in April 2014. After consideration, the group recommended retaining the existing scheme as costs and income across the five authorities had been more favourable than predicted, which meant the scheme was financially viable for a third year. Maintaining the existing scheme would also have the least impact on residents and would not require any additional public consultation.
The council tax support scheme required approval by Full Council at its meeting on 22 October 2014.
RESOLVED that Cabinet recommends that the council continue with the existing scheme for 2015/16.
The reason for this decision was:
The Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 2012, requires a local authority to review its scheme annually and seek approval for the provision of a council tax support scheme.
Minutes of the meeting of Museums Committee held on 15 September 2014
Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting of Museums Committee held on 15 September 2014 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Museums Committee held on 15 September 2014 be received.
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