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Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
None received.
Declaration of Interests
Minutes:
Councillor
Minute
Interest
Evans
439. Hastings Museum & Art Gallery Business Plan 2022-25
Personal – Lives close to Bob Mazzer and Sue Tilley. Trustee for an organisation that has delivered workshops in the museum. Volunteer for the refugee buddy project.
Minutes of Last Meeting PDF 314 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th March 2022 be approved as a true record.
Reviewing the Anti-Social Behaviour Public Space Protection Order (ASB PSPO) PDF 313 KB
(Natasha Tewkesbury, Customer Services, Communications and Emergency Planning Manager)
Additional documents:
- Appendix A summary of warden enforcement action , item 437. PDF 90 KB
- Appendix B Existng ASB PSPO , item 437. PDF 687 KB
Decision:
1) Agree the proposed extension of the reviewed ASB PSPO, and authorise the Chief Legal Officer to update and extend the Order by 3 years on 9 th July 2022, in accordance with regulations published by the Secretary of State.
2) Authorise the Chief Legal Officer to correct any minor drafting errors that may be identified, and make minor amendments including deletions and insertions that may be necessary to ensure the ASB PSPO is accurate.Minutes:
Councillor Patmore was present and asked for an update on how many enforcement officers the council currently has and how PSPO’s are intended to be enforced in the future.
The Customer Services, Communications and Emergency Planning Manager introduced a report summarising consultation feedback on proposals to update the Anti-social Behaviour Public Spaces Protection Order (ASB PSPO) and seeking approval for the Chief Legal Officer to update and extend the Order in accordance with regulations published by the Secretary of State.
The level of enforcement action since 2019 demonstrates an ongoing problem with anti-social behaviour in the Borough, largely associated with the consumption of alcohol in areas such as the town centre.
In response to the question from Councillor Patmore it was confirmed that enforcement action is undertaken by the council’s warden service and by the police. There are currently seven wardens in the team, with one vacancy.
Councillor Rogers proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Roark.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1) Agree the proposed extension of the reviewed ASB PSPO, and authorise the Chief Legal Officer to update and extend the Order by 3 years on 9 th July 2022, in accordance with regulations published by the Secretary of State.
2) Authorise the Chief Legal Officer to correct any minor drafting errors that may be identified, and make minor amendments including deletions and insertions that may be necessary to ensure the ASB PSPO is accurate.
Reasons:
PSPOs are made under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and are valid for up to 3 years. They enable local authorities and the police to address serious anti-social behaviour in specified public places. PSPOs can be varied and extended in response to changes in patterns of ASB. The existing ASB PSPO originally came into force on 12th June 2017, was fully reviewed in Spring 2019, and then varied and extended by cabinet on 9 th July 2019. It now needs to be reviewed and potentially varied and extended again before it expires in July this year.
Bye Laws for Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces PDF 264 KB
(Cameron Morley, Waste and Cleansing Services Manager & Mary Kilner, Chief Legal Officer)
Additional documents:
Decision:
1. Cabinet considers the following report for presentation to Full Council on 13th July 2022 to adopt the byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces and the revocation of existing byelaws stated in Section 1 of this report.
Minutes:
Councillor O’Callaghan was present and asked what assurances residents can have that approval of the byelaws will not lead to a cycle path in the park.
The Chief Legal Officer responded that the recommendations are not about the cycle path but consolidating and updating the byelaws. The council is adopting the standard form of byelaws as approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. At the moment there is no designated route for cycling in the park and further discussions need to take place on the cycle path.
Councillor O’Callaghan addressed the meeting as ward councillor for Braybrooke and asked for clarity on behalf of residents that the cycle path will not be designated if the byelaws are agreed to. Elderly residents and those with young children are concerned and want to feel safe in the park.
Councillor Patmore asked the cabinet what the process would be for the cycle path to be implemented, taking into account it was initially agreed in 2016. The Chief Legal Officer responded that the current cabinet are not bound by the 2016 decision and they will need to look at the current circumstances and consider the proposals for a cycle path. No cycle path has been designated.
The Chief Legal Officer introduced a report to present new, updated byelaws for parks and open spaces as approved by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The byelaws will need to be adopted by Full Council.
The proposal is to replace the out-of-date byelaws with a single set of byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces and revoke the old byelaws.
The byelaws prohibit cycling in any park or open space unless on a designated route. There are presently no designated cycle paths in any of the council’s parks and open spaces. Therefore cycling is prohibited until such time as designated cycle paths are implemented.
Councillor Hilton proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Haffenden.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
Cabinet considers the following report for presentation to Full Council on 13th July 2022 to adopt the byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces and the revocation of existing byelaws stated in Section 1 of this report.
Reasons:
1. The current byelaws for parks and open spaces are out of date. The proposed new single set of byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces will supersede the old byelaws which will be revoked by Full Council.
2. The proposed byelaws have been approved by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities following public consultation and due legal process required to adopt new byelaws.
Hastings Museum & Art Gallery Business Plan 2022-25 PDF 341 KB
(Victoria Conheady, Assistant Director Regeneration and Culture)
Additional documents:
Decision:
1. To accept this report and recommend approval by Cabinet.
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, introduced a report to outline the museum’s business plan for 2022-25 and share the review of the previous business plan. The report outlines the previous three years of museum activity and highlights that the museum has achieved or exceeded the majority of the outcomes in the business plan.
The Museum and Cultural Development Manager noted some of the successes over the past few years, including a large increase in visitor numbers, an increase in the number of events held and improved school engagement.
Councillor Barnett thanked the museum staff for raising £1million of external funding over the past four years.
Councillor Batsford proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Hilton.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
To approve the 2022-25 Business Plan.
Reasons:
The museum requires a business plan to operate effectively.
Cabinet appointments PDF 156 KB
(Mary Kilner, Chief Legal Officer and Monitoring Officer)
Additional documents:
- Appendix A - Cabinet Appointments to working groups and partnerships 2022-23 , item 440. PDF 189 KB
- Appendix A - Appointments to external boards and representative bodies 2022-23 , item 440. PDF 78 KB
Decision:
1. To appoint members to committees, working groups, partnerships and representative bodies as set out in Appendix A and;
2. To appoint the Chair and Vice Chair of Charity Committee as listed in Appendix AMinutes:
Councillor Rogers confirmed that although she is a member of Hastings Week Committee that is in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the council.
The Leader of the Council said that there are some vacancies which will be appointed to at a future date.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To appoint members to committees, working groups, partnerships and representative bodies as set out in Appendix A and;
2. To appoint the Chair and Vice Chair of Charity Committee as listed in Appendix A
Reasons:
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.
Household Support Fund PDF 611 KB
(Peter Grace, Assistant Director Financial Services & Revenues)
Decision:
1. To agree the actions taken by the Council’s officers, in consultation with lead Councillors, to launch, and administer a second phase of the Household Support Fund scheme.
2. To continue to administer payments to residents who qualify in accordance with the scheme’s revised eligibility criteria.Minutes:
The Chief Finance Officer introduced a report to advise on the launch of a second phase of the grant scheme for the period April 2022 to 30 September 2022.
The Council will be in receipt of grant funding from East Sussex County Council (ESCC) amounting to £412,280 for the government’s Household Support Fund scheme. The funding will assist with energy, water, and food costs to those claiming benefits.
Councillor Willis proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Batsford.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To agree the actions taken by the Council’s officers, in consultation with lead Councillors, to launch, and administer a second phase of the Household Support Fund scheme.
2. To continue to administer payments to residents who qualify in accordance with the scheme’s revised eligibility criteria.
Reasons:
To advise the Council of urgent actions taken in the administration and distribution of the Household Support Grant to qualifying vulnerable households in the Borough, in order to support those most in need with the rapidly rising cost of essentials.
Energy rebate policy PDF 591 KB
(Peter Grace, Assistant Director Financial Services & Revenues)
Decision:
1. To agree the scheme proposed in Appendix 1
2. To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Managing Director and lead Councillor for Finance to amend the scheme from 1 August 2022 to ensure any remaining government funding is fully distributed by 30 November 2022.
3. To accept donations from anyone wishing to add to this fund – that will seek to assist those eligible residents least able to afford the large increases in energy costsMinutes:
The Chief Finance Officer introduced a report to determine a discretionary scheme that will assist, in the first instance, those who have not been eligible for a £150 energy assistance payment under the government’s mandatory Council Tax rebate scheme.
Councillor Hilton asked for further details regarding the process for accepting donations to the fund. The Revenues and Benefits Recovery Project Manager confirmed that the precise details of that process will need to be worked out. The Chief Finance Officer informed the meeting that the council does have the capacity to accept donation payments and a process could be facilitated if required.
Councillor Willis proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Barnett.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To agree the scheme proposed in Appendix 1
2. To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Managing Director and lead Councillor for Finance to amend the scheme from 1 August 2022 to ensure any remaining government funding is fully distributed by 30 November 2022.
3. To accept donations from anyone wishing to add to this fund – that will seek to assist those eligible residents least able to afford the large increases in energy costs.
Reasons:
The agree a discretionary scheme for qualifying vulnerable households that will support those that have missed out on the £150 payment under the government’s mandatory scheme, and that are most in need with the rapidly rising energy costs.
Budget Update May 2022 PDF 1 MB
(Peter Grace, Assistant Director Financial Services & Revenues)
Decision:
Cabinet recommend to full Council the following:-
(i) The existing Harold Place project be removed from the Capital programme until such time as a revised scheme for the area is determined.
(ii) The Capital programme budget for the Castleham Industrial units be increased to £250,000 (from £140,000).
(iii) The Capital programme budget for Buckshole Reservoir works be increased to £1,353,000 (From £1,253,000)
(iv) Undertake a Mid-year budget review to potentially increase fees and charges, reduce expenditure, and sell assets.Minutes:
Councillor Rankin was present and asked the cabinet to consider any opportunities for reducing the amount of non-residential assets in order to acquire residential assets to help address the council’s homelessness budget.
The Chief Finance Officer introduced a report to highlight the expected impact of the rapid increases in both inflation and the Bank of England base rate since setting the 2022/23 budget in February 2022.
When setting the budget for 2022/23 in February 2022 the deficit was estimated at £2.33 million. The forecasts for future years showed annual deficits increasing to £2.426 million in 2023/24, £2.544 million in 2024/25, and £2.531 million in 25/26. These deficits look set to increase by over £900,000 in 2022/23 and by more than £1,000,000 in 2023/24.
Unless significant savings are identified quickly, and achieved, the council will fall below the minimum recommended level of reserves in this financial year and may have exhausted its remaining useable reserves by the end of 2023/24.
Councillor Willis proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Evans.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
Cabinet recommend to full Council the following:-
(i) The existing Harold Place project be removed from the Capital programme until such time as a revised scheme for the area is determined.
(ii) The Capital programme budget for the Castleham Industrial units be increased to £250,000 (from £140,000).
(iii) The Capital programme budget for Buckshole Reservoir works be increased to £1,353,000 (From £1,253,000)
(iv) Undertake a Mid-year budget review to potentially increase fees and charges, reduce expenditure, and sell assets.
Reasons:
The budget report in February 2022 identified that a balanced budget in 2022/23 could only be achieved by using £2.33m of reserves, and that further savings would be required given the relentless increases in homelessness costs in particular. The forecasts for future years showed annual deficits increasing e.g. £2.426m in 2023/24, £2.544m in 2024/25, and £2.531m in 25/26.
Following the steep increases in inflation and bank rates the forecast for the current and future years shows annual deficits potentially increasing by over £900,000 in 2022/23 and over £1,000,000 in 2023/24. Costs for Capital schemes are likewise increasing dramatically.
(The Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.55pm)
Cabinet appointments PDF 78 KB
Additional documents:
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