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Agenda and minutes
Venue: MS Teams
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
Apologies for absence received from Councillor Charman. Apologies for lateness received from Councillors Bacon and Webb.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 256 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Full Council meetings held on 21st October and 9th November 2020 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Committee
Minute
Interest
Rankin
Cabinet, 2 November 2020
285 - Final Accounts 2019/2020
Personal – works in the property sector
Bathing Pool Petition PDF 371 KB
Minutes:
The Mayor moved this item up the agenda.
A petition was received regarding the West Maria old bathing pool site. The lead petitioner, Lucie Mason, joined the meeting to present the petition.
Ms Mason asked the council to engage in meaningful consultation with the local community before signing the contract to develop the site. Ms Mason said she was representing over 2500 residents and interested parties who are concerned about the future of the site. West Marina could be a catalyst for the regeneration of West St Leonards and the council gave assurances the site would be as a leisure destination, yet the development is focussed on housing. The petitioners do not feel that housing is the only option to fund the development and a local community group submitted a fully costed alternative proposal to the Town Deal Board. Although this was not successful there are other funding options which could be explored. Ms Mason said the need for housing is understood and the petitioners ask the council to consider the many other local sites which are undeveloped. This development will be complex, high-density and lacking in affordable homes. The response to this petition shows the strength of public opinion. Therefore, the petitioners ask that the council delays agreeing terms until a full public consultation has taken place.
Councillors asked questions of the petitioner.
The portfolio holder, Councillor Chowney, responded to the petition. Councillor Chowney said the site has had a long history and was originally in the Local Plan as a mixed development site, which was the subject of public consultation at the time. Several years ago councillors met with local residents and, whilst there were objections to developing the site, it had already been identified for development. Ideas which came out of the public meetings have been included in the development plan. Councillor Chowney said the housing development was necessary as no other source of grant funding has been found to develop the site. Whilst heads of terms were agreed with County Gate some time ago the development has been delayed, partly due to Covid-19. Councillor Chowney concluded that he hoped the lease would be signed sometime soon at which point public consultation on the details of the development can begin.
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council thanked council officers for their work and dedication throughout the year in supporting local residents.
Councillor Forward proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Sinden, as follows:
RESOLVED that in order for Councillors to take advice from the Managing Director, under Rule 16(14) of council procedure the council proceed as if in committee.
The Managing Director, Jane Hartnell, said there has been concern about the rising rate of infection in Hastings and Rother over the last two weeks. Hastings has regularly been at the bottom of the table for infection rates in English local authority areas, however the town is now in the top twenty areas with the highest number of new cases. Together with the rate of admissions to the Conquest Hospital this means the town is in a very serious position. Council colleagues are working very closely with partners in public health to amplify messages and environmental health officers are targeting locations such as supermarkets to ensure regulations are adhered to. The council will be using all of its communication tools to strongly urge residents to help stop the spread of infection and to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
The meeting returned to Full Council mode.
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Members of the public under Rule 11
Minutes:
No public questions were received.
Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Lee
Debenhams – Will the Leader of the Council agree to a meeting with opposition leadership to discuss a strategy for supporting the Hastings Debenhams store?
Councillor Forward replied that she would be happy to meet Councillors Lee and Patmore to discuss this matter.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Davies
Broomgrove – Will the council bring together Optivo and other relevant agencies to ensure a transformation of opportunities for young people in Broomgrove?
Councillor Batsford replied that the council should hold partners to account in providing opportunities for young people on local estates. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the council to show how these spaces can be used in a creative way by building homes directly in the future.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Edwards
Harrow Lane – The Ashdown House site is due to be developed, almost opposite the playing field site which is also under development. This will see a large increase in traffic. Can the council consider if Harrow Lane playing fields development might be withdrawn should the deadline for work to begin lapse?
Councillor Forward replied that the site has been identified for much needed housing. No planning application has been received for the Ashdown House development yet. These are valid concerns and should be raised through the planning process.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Louise
Country Park – Why have concerns over unlawful development in the Country Park not been addressed?
Councillor Forward replied that the concerns will be taken away and a full written response provided.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Roberts
Self-Isolation Grants – Can you provide an update on the take up of Covid-19 isolation grants?
Councillor Chowney replied that the council is administering a statutory and a discretionary isolation grant scheme. There have not been as many applications as expected and there is a need to raise awareness of the schemes.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor Rankin
Hastings Housing Company – The Overview and Scrutiny Committee made a recommendation in the summer that an elected member be put on the board of the Hastings Housing Company. Are you aware of this recommendation and will you action it?
Councillor Batsford replied that there is a Councillor on the board, however it is important that the company is seen as an arm lengths body as it will have to make commercial decisions. Recently the council has been purchasing property directly rather than through the Housing Company. Councillor Forward added that a meeting is being arranged to discuss all of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Patmore
Planning Enforcement – Will the Leader of the Council assure the public that all enforcement requirements are being fulfilled in relation to Rocklands?
Councillor Forward replied that she has every confidence the council is operating within agreed policies and will provide a written response.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Battley
Homelessness - What support is Hastings Borough Council providing to the homeless this winter?
Councillor Batsford replied that the council has been able to secure accommodation for a ... view the full minutes text for item 145b
Motion (Rule 14)
Age-friendly communities is a concept developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2006 with already over 800 members worldwide. In an Age-friendly community, services, local groups, businesses and residents all work together to identify and make the necessary changes in both the physical and social environment to both support and enable older people to lead healthy and active lives. Working together with Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA), the Centre for Ageing Better and Age UK, the lead for equalities along with interested councillors have already identified the first steps we need to take to put this plan into action.
Becoming an Age Friendly Community costs nothing, nor is it a commitment to spend funds that are not available but it is a statement of intent to; take into account the needs and wishes of older people in every area of policy making, to take those needs seriously, to combat the dreadful ageism seen in every area of society, particularly the media portraying older people as a burden with nothing further to offer and to share with the Age Friendly Cities network knowledge and expertise that will improve the lives of our residents in later life.
To become officially recognised as Age Friendly, the leadership in a town, city or county must make a written commitment to actively work towards becoming a great place to grow old in for all of its residents. This must be done with the support and engagement of older people and relevant stakeholders.
Hastings Borough Council, therefore, resolves to make an official application to join the UK Network of Age Friendly Communities. This will be a first step in its commitment towards joining the World Health Organisation Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities and to have a named Councillor who will become the Older Persons champion and who, will have the initial task of taking forward Age Friendly Hastings and ensuring that this is a target group in the HBC Equalities Charter.
Minutes:
Councillor Cox proposed a motion, as set out in the agenda, which was seconded by Councillor Rogers.
Councillors debated the motion.
RESOLVED(unanimously) that the Council do accept the motion as set out below:
Age-friendly communities is a concept developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2006 with already over 800 members worldwide. In an Age-friendly community, services, local groups, businesses and residents all work together to identify and make the necessary changes in both the physical and social environment to both support and enable older people to lead healthy and active lives. Working together with Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA), the Centre for Ageing Better and Age UK, the lead for equalities along with interested councillors have already identified the first steps we need to take to put this plan into action.
Becoming an Age Friendly Community costs nothing, nor is it a commitment to spend funds that are not available but it is a statement of intent to; take into account the needs and wishes of older people in every area of policy making, to take those needs seriously, to combat the dreadful ageism seen in every area of society, particularly the media portraying older people as a burden with nothing further to offer and to share with the Age Friendly Cities network knowledge and expertise that will improve the lives of our residents in later life.
To become officially recognised as Age Friendly, the leadership in a town, city or county must make a written commitment to actively work towards becoming a great place to grow old in for all of its residents. This must be done with the support and engagement of older people and relevant stakeholders.
Hastings Borough Council, therefore, resolves to make an official application to join the UK Network of Age Friendly Communities. This will be a first step in its commitment towards joining the World Health Organisation Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities and to have a named Councillor who will become the Older Persons champion and who, will have the initial task of taking forward Age Friendly Hastings and ensuring that this is a target group in the HBC Equalities Charter
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7.56pm and the meeting reconvened at 8.06pm.
Motion (Rule 14)
This Council resolves:
• To request all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
• To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare, impact to the environment especially toxic heavy metals as well as the impact on vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
• To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays.
• To encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.
Minutes:
Councillor Turner proposed a motion, as set out in the agenda, which was seconded by Councillor Chowney.
Councillors debated the motion.
RESOLVED(by 26 for, to 3 against) that the Council do accept the motion as set out below:
This Council resolves:
• To request all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
• To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare, impact to the environment especially toxic heavy metals as well as the impact on vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
• To write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays.
• To encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.
Membership of Committees
To give effect to any request received from a political group for a change in their representation on committee(s).
Minutes:
No changes to membership of committees were proposed.
Reports of Committees PDF 253 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 – 2 NOVEMBER 2020
285.
Final Accounts 2019/2020
Chowney
286.
Covid-19 Lockdown Update
Forward
CABINET – 23 NOVEMBER 2020 – EMERGENCY DECISION
288.
Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme
Chowney
CABINET – 7 DECEMBER 2020
292. (C)
Changes to Council Constitution
Rogers
293.
12/13 York Buildings
Chowney
294. (E)
Commercial Property Lease
Chowney
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 10a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 11 on the agenda.
Additional documents:
- Part 4 Constitution - Rules of Procedure (November 2020) , item 149. PDF 872 KB
- Part 5 Constitution - Codes and Protocols (Dec 2020) , item 149. PDF 577 KB
- Participants Guidance Constitution , item 149. PDF 204 KB
Minutes:
The Mayor having called over the minutes set out in the agenda, the following minutes were reserved for discussion.
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, 2 November 2020
285 - Final Accounts 2019/2020
Rankin
Cabinet, 23 November 2020
288 - Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme
Levane
Cabinet, 7 December 2020
292 (C) - Changes to Council Constitution
Beaver
Cabinet, 7 December 2020
293 - 12/13 York Buildings
Lee
Cabinet, 7 December 2020
294 (E) - Commercial Property Lease
Lee
Minute 292 of Cabinet on 7th December 2020, Changes to Council Constitution, was a matter on which the Full Council was required to make a decision. The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Rogers, seconded by Councillor Fitzgerald and agreed by 20 for, to 8 against with 1 abstention.
The Mayor proposed the meeting adjourn, to reconvene on Monday, 21st December 2020 at 6pm.
RESOLVED(by 20 for, to 8 against) that the meeting adjourn and reconvene on Monday, 21st December.
(The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 9.17pm)
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