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Agenda 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:
Apologies for absence received from Councillors Bishop and Louise. Apologies for lateness received from Councillors Foster and Turner.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Minute
Interest
Scott
166 – Revenue Budget 2020/21 revised and 2021/22, plus Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24.
Personal – Member of East Sussex County Council
Corporate Plan Draft Annual Update and Draft Budget Consultation Responses 2021/22
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.
Subject
Cabinet Member / Chair
BUDGET CABINET – 8 FEBRUARY 2021
313. (C)
Corporate plan draft annual update and draft budget consultation responses 2021/22
Forward
314. (C)
Revenue Budget 2020/21 Revised and 2021/22, plus Capital programme 2021/22 - 2023/24
Chowney
315. (C)
Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2021/22
Chowney
c)
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 3a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 4 on the agenda.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Forward, introduced the Corporate Plan and proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Davies, that the recommendations set out in minute 313 of Budget Cabinet on 8th February 2021, Corporate plan draft annual update and draft budget consultation responses 2021/22, be approved.
In responding to the Leader of the Council’s opening statement Councillor Patmore, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, proposed the following amendments to the draft Corporate Plan, seconded by Councillor Rankin:
A) Under the heading of ‘minimising environment and climate harm in all that we do’ add the following wording:
‘Working with the council’s new refuse and recycling contractor (BIFFA), to ensure they provide a good household refuse service and continually strive to improve, year on year, our rates of recycling.’
B) Under the heading ’On-going management of response phase of pandemic’ add the following wording:
‘Combat misinformation about the vaccination programme and promote all relevant NHS advice on receiving the vaccine.’
Councillor Forward did not accept amendment A but accepted amendment B, provided the wording ‘wherever possible’ be added. Councillor Patmore agreed to this.
The Mayor proposed a motion to suspend Rule 16.6b of council procedure, seconded by Councillor Rogers.
RESOLVED that council suspends Rule 16.6b of council procedure rules to permit the substantive motion and proposed amendment to be on the table and open for discussion at the same time.
Councillors debated the substantive motion and proposed amendment B.
Amendment B, proposed by Councillor Patmore and seconded by Councillor Rankin, was rejected by 8 for, to 20 against.
RESOLVED (by 20 for, to 8 against):
1. That Cabinet recommends to Full Council, to note and approve the draft annual update to the corporate plan 2020-24, subject to the proviso that any significant amendment made to the council’s draft budget be reflected in the update.
2. That delegated authority be given to the Managing Director, after consultation with the Leader of the Council to make further revisions as is considered necessary, to reflect decisions made on the council’s budget.
3. That all those who submitted views as part of the consultation process be thanked for their contributions.
4. The Corporate Plan Draft Annual Update be amended so that under the heading ’On-going management of response phase of pandemic’ the following wording is added:
‘Combat misinformation about the vaccination programme and promote all relevant NHS advice on receiving the vaccine wherever possible.’
Reasons:
The council needs to approve the annual update to the corporate plan as its statement of strategic direction for the period 2020 - 2024, mindful of the views received as part of the public consultation.
Revenue Budget 2020/21 Revised and 2021/22, Plus Capital Programme 2021/22 - 2023/24
Minutes:
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7.03pm and the meeting reconvened at 7.21pm.
The Mayor proposed a motion to suspend Rule 16.6b of council procedure, seconded by Councillor Beaver.
RESOLVEDthat council suspends Rule 16.6b of council procedure rules to permit the substantive motion and any proposed amendments to be on the table and open for discussion at the same time.
The Mayor proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Rogers, as follows:
RESOLVEDthat in order for Full Council to take advice from the Chief Finance Officer where appropriate, under Rule 16.14 of council procedure the council proceed as if in committee.
Councillor Chowney, the Finance and Property portfolio holder, proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Levane, that the recommendations set out in minute 314 of Budget Cabinet on 8th February 2021, Revenue Budget 2020/21 Revised and 2021/22, plus Capital programme 2021/22 - 2023/24, be approved.
In introducing the recommendations to Full Council Councillor Chowney proposed an amendment to Appendix K, seconded by Councillor Levane. Line 8 of Appendix K (PIER Savings identified for 2020/21 budget process) be amended to read:
‘8. Tourism/Marketing – retain Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and tourist support for the year.’
Cllr Forward clarified with Cllr Chowney that the savings being made from the closure of the TIC at Muriel Matters House would be retained as part of the Contingency Fund until it was clear that the new delivery arrangements were successful.Councillor Lee, Leader of the Opposition, proposed five amendments to the revenue budget 2021/22, and the Chief Finance Officer’s budget report, as set out below. Amendments A, C, D and E were seconded by Councillor Rankin. Amendment B was seconded by Councillor Patmore.
A) This Council supports, in principle, a move to all out elections from 2024 onwards. Full Council to receive a report setting out the issues and a timetable at their next meeting.
B) This Council reduces Councillor Basic Responsibility Allowances by 3.5% and freezes all Councillor Responsibility Allowances for 2021/22
C) The Council resolves to make additional necessary staffing reductions for the 2021/22 year amounting to:
Staffing savings of £420,320 (Net reduction of 10.5 FTE’s)
The budget deficit being reduced from £1,482,993 to £1,062,673 in 2021/22
D) This Council moves the Community Contact Centre to Muriel Matters House (MMH) from the Town Hall, rents out the second floor of MMH and lets the first floor meeting room at the Town Hall to achieve overall savings of £74,680 p.a.
E) Paragraph 179 of the budget report be amended to read:
‘It remains the aspiration of the Council to develop out its own sites. However, the Council may no longer be able to afford to develop all the sites itself and needs the income streams from investing the receipts from sales of some sites in order to help balance the budget. It also needs to ensure the sites are developed rapidly in order to meet a severe housing need and reduce the temporary accommodation costs. The budget proposals continue to include the ... view the full minutes text for item 167.
Reports of Committees
Minutes:
RESOLVED that under rule 13.3 the following reports and minutes of Budget Cabinet, 8th February 2021 be received and agreed.
Minute No.
Subject
Cabinet Member / Chair
315. (C)
Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2021/22
Chowney
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