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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Aquila House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY
Contact: Michael Courts on 01424 451764 email mcourts@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Special Council and Full Council meetings held on 26 October 2016 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
The following Councillors declared their interest in the minutes indicated: -
Councillor
Committee
Minute
Interest
Beaney
Full Council, 14 December 2016
38 – Motion (Rule 14)
Personal - she has been appointed as the council’s Mental Health Champion
Rankin
Cabinet, 7 November 2016
47 (C) – Treasury Management – Mid Year Report 2016/17
Personal – he owns a property company which operates in the town
Questions from Councillors Under Rule 12.1
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
No written questions had been received from members of the public or Councillors.
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
Congratulations to Councillor Clark would the Leader of the Council join with him in congratulating Councillor Lee Clark on the money he raised recently by taking part in a charity boxing match? Would the Leader of the Council also confirm if free parking would be available during the month of December in council-owned car parks?
Councillor Chowney congratulated Councillor Clark on the money he raised for charity. Councillor Chowney confirmed that free parking would be offered in council-owned car parks on the same days that East Sussex County Council offered free on-street parking, which was the same arrangement as previous years.
Chowney
Scott
Investment of Council Reserves the recent purchase of a commercial retail property by the council is to be welcomed. Would the Leader of the Council confirm if the same prudent approach to investing council resources will continue in the future?
Councillor Chowney confirmed that the council had recently purchased the retail property units occupied by Dunelm Mill and Pets At Home. This would generate a net income to the council of £150,000 per year. He explained that the council would need to continue to explore new income generation opportunities in the future as the funding it received from other sources reduced over time.
Chowney
Patmore
Local Housing Company when the proposal to set up a local housing company had been discussed by Cabinet, members were advised that the company would be used to develop new properties on council owned land. However, in a recent newsletter issued by the Leader of the Council it is stated that the company will be used to purchase poor quality housing, refurbish it and then make it available for rent. Which model for property investment will be used?
Councillor Chowney said that the new housing company the council was setting up would be used to purchase existing properties and then make them available for rent as stated in the Cabinet report. The company may be used to develop properties on council owned land in the future, however, this was considered to be a higher risk option.
Chowney
Batsford
Play Strategy the council is rightly committed to providing good quality play spaces and has a robust policy in place to support this. Would the lead member provide an update on work undertaken since the Play Strategy was adopted to ensure these facilities are maintained in the future?
Councillor Poole explained that the council owned approximately 30 play parks around the borough, plus a number of multi-use games area. A comprehensive review was underway to assess how these facilities could be maintained in the future. As part of this review, it was important to consider the impact on the communities in which each of these play parks were located, as ... view the full minutes text for item 35.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Wincott to propose, seconded by Councillor Roberts that:
This Council notes:
1. That the House of Lords has amended the Bus Services Bill passing through Parliament to remove Clause 21 that would effectively “prohibit a local authority from forming a company for the purposes of providing a local bus service”.
2. That the Localism Act (2011) provides general powers of competence to local authorities.
3. That municipal bus companies like Reading and Nottingham provide some of the best bus services in the country and have a successful track record of increasing bus passenger numbers and providing high quality bus services.
4. That polling by We Own It found that a majority of the public (57%) oppose clause 21, whilst just 22% support it. The opposition to Clause 21 is consistent across voters from all political parties.
This Council believes:
1. If there is a need and a demand from their public, then Councils should be able to provide their own bus services.
2. Should they wish, councils should be legally able to follow the model developed by Reading and Nottingham.
3. Consequently we support Clause 21 being omitted from the Bus Services Bill.
This Council resolves:
1. To write to the Secretary of State Chris Grayling MP at the Department for Transport urging him to support the Lord's amendment and omit Clause 21 from the final legislation.
2. To write to Amber Rudd MP to express our opposition to clause 21 and ask her to write to Chris Grayling MP at the Department of Transport to raise concerns about Clause 21.
3. To work with any organisations such as We Own It to publicise our opposition to clause 21 in local media.Minutes:
Councillor Wincott proposed a motion, which was seconded by Councillor Roberts.
Councillor Clarke proposed an amendment to the motion, as set out in the resolution below, which was seconded by Councillor Edwards. The amendment was accepted by Councillor Wincott, as the proposer of the original motion.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that: -
This Council notes:
1. That the House of Lords has amended the Bus Services Bill passing through Parliament to remove Clause 21 that would effectively “prohibit a local authority from forming a company for the purposes of providing a local bus service”.
2. That the Localism Act (2011) provides general powers of competence to local authorities.
3. That municipal bus companies like Reading and Nottingham provide some of the best bus services in the country and have a successful track record of increasing bus passenger numbers and providing high quality bus services.
4. That polling by We Own It found that a majority of the public (57%) oppose clause 21, whilst just 22% support it. The opposition to Clause 21 is consistent across voters from all political parties.
This Council believes:
1. If there is a need and a demand from their public, then Councils should be able to provide their own bus services.
2. Should they wish, councils should be legally able to follow the model developed by Reading and Nottingham.
3. Consequently we support Clause 21 being omitted from the Bus Services Bill.
This Council resolves:
1. To write to the Secretary of State Chris Grayling MP at the Department for Transport urging him to support the Lord's amendment and omit Clause 21 from the final legislation.
2. To write to Amber Rudd MP to express our opposition to clause 21 and ask her to write to Chris Grayling MP at the Department of Transport to raise concerns about Clause 21.
3. To work with any organisations such as We Own It to publicise our opposition to clause 21 in local media.4. To investigate the possibility of Hastings Borough Council providing its own bus services by setting up a fact finding mission to Reading and Nottingham local authorities by the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition together
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Edwards to propose that:
This Council applauds the outcome of the recent Hastings Business Improvement District election when the business community voted to invest up to £1m of their own money over the next five years in the town centre.
This demonstrates yet again the success of the government's long term economic plan.
Minutes:
Councillor Edwards proposed a motion, which was seconded by Councillor Clarke.
Councillor Poole proposed an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Fitzgerald, as follows:
“Remove:
This demonstrates yet again the success of the government’s long term economic plan.
Replace with:
This success demonstrates how Hastings Borough Council, working alongside Town Centre Management, businesses in Hastings and the BID steering group has achieved a positive result for the town centre retailers, not only raising funds to improve the retail offer but also help give businesses a stronger, collective voice.”
The proposed amendment was approved by 23 votes for to 8 against with 1 abstention.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
This Council applauds the outcome of the recent Hastings Business Improvement District election when the business community voted to invest up to £1m of their own money over the next five years in the town centre.
This success demonstrates how Hastings Borough Council, working alongside Town Centre Management, businesses in Hastings and the BID steering group has achieved a positive result for the town centre retailers, not only raising funds to improve the retail offer but also help give businesses a stronger, collective voice
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Cooke to propose, seconded by Councillor Patmore that:
Hastings Borough Council recognises that 1 in 4 people will suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime and as a caring organisation will do all it can to help them through these difficult periods.
The council also notes the support mechanisms in place within it’s organisation to support employees with mental health issues.
The council further resolves to sign up to a mental health charter commitment which many companies and public bodies have already done to publicly show its commitment that in no way does it discriminate in the workplace against people who suffer from mental health issues and further to this demonstrate the same to those seeking employment with Hastings Borough Council.
Minutes:
Councillor Cooke proposed a motion, which was seconded by Councillor Patmore.
Councillor Forward proposed an amendment to the motion, as set out in the resolution below. The amendment was accepted by Councillor Cooke, as the proposer of the original motion.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
Hastings Borough Council recognises that 1 in 4 people will suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime and as a caring organisation will do all it can to help them through these difficult periods.
The council also notes the support mechanisms in place within it’s organisation to support employees with mental health issues.
The council further resolves to sign up to the Time to Change Employer Pledge to end mental health stigma which many companies and public bodies have already done to publicly show its commitment that in no way does it discriminate in the workplace against people who suffer from mental health issues and further to this demonstrate the same to those seeking employment with Hastings Borough Council.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Patmore to propose, seconded by Councillor Rankin that:
On the 21st April 2016 it was the 90th birthday of our Queen, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Given that this is indeed a year to remember for our esteemed and much loved monarch and given the fact that we used to have a portrait of the Queen in the old council chamber, would Hastings Borough Council action and agree to have a portrait of the Queen reinstated in the new Council chamber at Aquila House.
Minutes:
Councillor Patmore proposed a motion, which was seconded by Councillor Rankin as follows:
“On the 21st April 2016 it was the 90th birthday of our Queen, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Given that this is indeed a year to remember for our esteemed and much loved monarch and given the fact that we used to have a portrait of the Queen in the old council chamber, would Hastings Borough Council action and agree to have a portrait of the Queen reinstated in the new Council chamber at Aquila House.”
The proposed amendment was lost by 9 votes for to 10 against with 8 abstentions.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Chowney to propose, seconded by Councillor Turner that:
This council expresses its profound concerns about NHS Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs), and opposes them as currently formulated. We believe they will lead to cuts and further damaging privatisation of local health services, particularly for trusts that are in deficit, such as the Conquest Hospital Trust.
We strongly support the British Medical Association’s ‘five asks’ that:
· the plans need to be made public as soon as possible;
· all proposals within the plans need to be realistic and evidence based;
· proposals to close hospitals, and to consolidate services across an area, should only be considered where there is clear evidence that such changes maintain or improve the quality of care patients receive;
· there needs to be a commitment to full consultation with clinicians, patients and the public on any proposed changes as early as possible;
· the plans need to be fully and properly funded;
· patient care, and not savings, needs to be the priority of each and every plan.
We also believe that district councils should be fully involved in the development of the plans, and call on the government to include district councils in design and implementation of the plans.
We further believe that the proposed ‘footprint’ for the Sussex and East Surrey STP is illogical. We believe all plans should be coterminous with county or unitary boundaries, to ensure better integration of health and social care.
We call on East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to reject the STP for Sussex and East Surrey unless the footprint is redesigned to be coterminous with county boundaries, and unless it clearly fulfils the BMA’s ‘five asks’.
We further instruct the leader of Hastings Council to write to Amber Rudd MP, Cllr Keith Glazier (Leader, ESCC), and the Secretary of State for Health to make them aware of our concerns.
Minutes:
Councillor Chowney proposed a motion, as set out in the motion below, which was seconded by Councillor Turner.
RESOLVED (by 24 votes for, to 8 against) that:
This council expresses its profound concerns about NHS Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs), and opposes them as currently formulated. We believe they will lead to cuts and further damaging privatisation of local health services, particularly for trusts that are in deficit, such as the Conquest Hospital Trust.
We strongly support the British Medical Association’s ‘five asks’ that:
· the plans need to be made public as soon as possible;
· all proposals within the plans need to be realistic and evidence based;
· proposals to close hospitals, and to consolidate services across an area, should only be considered where there is clear evidence that such changes maintain or improve the quality of care patients receive;
· there needs to be a commitment to full consultation with clinicians, patients and the public on any proposed changes as early as possible;
· the plans need to be fully and properly funded;
· patient care, and not savings, needs to be the priority of each and every plan.
We also believe that district councils should be fully involved in the development of the plans, and call on the government to include district councils in design and implementation of the plans.
We further believe that the proposed ‘footprint’ for the Sussex and East Surrey STP is illogical. We believe all plans should be coterminous with county or unitary boundaries, to ensure better integration of health and social care.
We call on East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to reject the STP for Sussex and East Surrey unless the footprint is redesigned to be coterminous with county boundaries, and unless it clearly fulfils the BMA’s ‘five asks’.
We further instruct the leader of Hastings Council to write to Amber Rudd MP, Cllr Keith Glazier (Leader, ESCC), and the Secretary of State for Health to make them aware of our concerns.
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 Lee 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 Beaver to be appointed as a member of Planning Committee, in place of Councillor Cooke
Reports of Committees PDF 82 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 – 7 NOVEMBER 2016
44.
EU Funding Application Approval – New Visitor Centre at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve
Davies
45.(C)
Council Tax Support Scheme
Chowney
46.
Medium Term Financial Strategy
Chowney
47.(C)
Treasury Management – Mid Year Report 2016/17
Chowney
49. (E)
Commercial Property Purchase – Retail Park
Chowney
CABINET – 5 DECEMBER 2016
52.
Petition in relation to Dog Control Orders and Public Space Protection Orders
Davies
53.
Hastings Local Plan – Statement of Community Involvement (SC) Update
Poole
54.
Financial and Legal Business Case for Local Housing Company
Chowney
55. (E)
Land at Churchwood Drive
Chowney
(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 any part II minute covered by resolution 7a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred until item 8 on the agenda.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Mayor having called over the minutes set out in the agenda, the undermentioned minutes were reserved for discussion.
RESOLVED under rule 13.3 that the reports and minutes of committees set out in the agenda be received. Only those items which were reserved were discussed, as follows: -
Meeting
Minute
Councillor
Cabinet, 7 November 2016
45 (C) – Council Tax Support Scheme
Lee
Cabinet, 7 November 2016
47 (C) – Treasury Management – Mid-Year Report 2016/17
Rankin
Cabinet, 7 November 2016
44 - EU Funding Application Approval – New Visitor Centre at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve
Westley
Cabinet, 7 November 2016
46 – Medium Term Financial Strategy
Cooke
Cabinet, 5 December 2016
52 – Petition in relation to Dog Control Orders and Public Space Protection Orders
Lee
Cabinet, 5 December 2016
53 – Hastings Local Plan – Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Update
Cooke
Cabinet, 5 December 2016
54 – Financial and Legal Business Case for Local Housing Company
Patmore
Minute number 45 of Cabinet on 7 November 2016 was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Chowney moved approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Lee and agreed unanimously.
Minute number 47 of Cabinet on 7 November 2016 was a matter on which the Council was required to make a decision. Councillor Chowney moved approval of the minute, seconded by Councillor Street and agreed by 23 votes for, to 9 against.
No motions for reference to Overview and Scrutiny Committee or reference back to Cabinet were approved in respect of the items reserved for discussion and they were, therefore, received.
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