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Agenda and minutes
- Attendance details
- Agenda frontsheet PDF 338 KB
- Agenda reports pack
- Cabinet Decisions - 4th October 2021 PDF 282 KB
- Full Council Risk Assessment PDF 755 KB
- Public Questions to Full Council 13.10.21 PDF 219 KB
- Written Councillor Questions to Full Council - 13.10.21 PDF 194 KB
- Printed minutes PDF 392 KB
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 Cooke, Pragnell and Hay. Councillor Carr gave apologies for leaving the meeting early.
Additional documents:
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 296 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the minutes of the Full Council meetings held on 14th and 22nd July 2021 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Meeting
Minute
Interest
Hilton
Cabinet, 4th October
370 – Land at Harold Place
Personal – Member of Hastings Garden Town
Roark
Cabinet, 4th October
371 – 2-12 Battle Road – Dangerous Structure
Personal – Lives in the vicinity of the structure
Foster
Full Council, 13th October
212 – Motion
Personal – Member of the Conservative Environment Network and works for an energy provider
Chowney
Full Council, 13th October
212 – Motion
Personal – Owns an electric bike
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council invited the Managing Director to provide an update on the Covid-19 pandemic in Hastings.
The Managing Director informed the council that the latest wave of infections is high compared to this time last year. The main concern remains the capacity of local hospitals to cope with increased hospitalisations.
Rates of infection in Hastings have declined from the peak in September with the 10–19-year-old age group now most affected. Council colleagues are continuing to support the NHS to deliver the adult vaccination programme and it is disappointing that the mobile pop-up vaccinations clinics have recently been inconsistent.
The council has secured a commitment that this will improve and that increased notice of pop-up clinics will be given so that councillors and officers can continue to support the publicity campaign around the vaccination programme in Hastings.
The Town Hall vaccination clinic will open imminently and will operate in addition to the Kings Church vaccination centre, local pop-up clinics and the 3 pharmacy-led clinics in the town. The council is also continuing to lobby for a vaccination hub in St Leonards.
The location for the new local testing site has not been confirmed, however a mobile testing unit remains available at Pelham Place Car Park.
The concern raised by health professionals is of the combined risk of colds, flu and covid this winter. All those eligible for a flu vaccination are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible and it is understood that pharmacies are able to offer the flu vaccination as an alternative to visiting a GP.
The Mayor acknowledged the climate change protest which took place outside the council building and informed councillors a letter has been received from the protestors which will be shared by email.
The Mayor thanked those who supported events throughout Hastings week.
Appointments to Representative Bodies and Partnerships PDF 151 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Forward proposed approval of the recommendation seconded by Councillor Batsford.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
To appoint councillors to partnerships and representative bodies as set out in Appendix A.Reasons:
Councillors are required to serve on partnerships and representative bodies.
Extension of Emergency Powers PDF 239 KB
Minutes:
Councillor Rogers proposed approval of the recommendation seconded by Councillor Barnett.
RESOLVED (by 17 for, to 9 against with 1 abstention):
Full Council adopts an amendment to Paragraph 26.22 of Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution to extend the emergency powers given to the Managing Director with immediate effect for no more than six months.
Reasons:
During the Covid 19 Pandemic it has been necessary to adapt our procedures to be able to continue the Council’s business.
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
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
AUDIT COMMITTEE – 29 JULY 2021
121.
Audit Committee Report to Council
Rankin
CABINET – 6 SEPTEMBER 2021
362. (C)
Annual Treasury Management Outturn Report – 2020-21
Chowney
363.
Amendment to Financial Assistance Policy
Batsford
365. (E)
4 Stanier Road
Chowney
CABINET – 4 OCTOBER 2021
369.
Annual Climate Change Report
Evans
370. (C)
Land at Harold Place
Chowney
371. (C)
2-12 Battle Road – Dangerous Structure
Forward
Notes:1. The Mayor will call over the minutes and members will raise a hand 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 8a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 9 on the agenda.
Minutes:
Only those items which were reserved were discussed as follows:
Meeting
Minute
Councillor
Audit Committee – 29th July 2021
121 – Audit Committee Report to Full Council
Hilton
Cabinet – 6th September 2021
362 – Annual Treasury Management Outturn Report – 2020-21
Rankin
Cabinet – 6th September 2021
363 - Amendment to Financial Assistance Policy
Roark
Cabinet – 4th October 2021
369 – Annual Climate Change Report
Hilton
Cabinet – 4th October 2021
370 – Land at Harold Place
Patmore
Cabinet – 4th October 2021
371 – 2-12 Battle Road – Dangerous Structure
Foster
Minute 362 of Cabinet on 6th September 2021, Annual Treasury Management Outturn Report – 2020-21, was a matter requiring Full Council approval. The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Chowney, seconded by Councillor Battley and agreed unanimously.Minute 370 of Cabinet on 4th October 2021, Land at Harold Place, was a matter requiring Full Council approval. The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Chowney, seconded by Councillor Rogers and agreed by 17 votes for, to 10 against.
Minute 371 of Cabinet on 4th October 2021, 2-12 Battle Road – Dangerous Structure, was a matter requiring Full Council approval. The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Forward, seconded by Councillor Sinden and agreed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7.06pm and reconvened at 7.21pm.
Councillors debated minute 121 of Audit Committee on 29th July 2021; minute 363 of Cabinet on 6th September 2021; and minute 369 of Cabinet on 4th October 2021. These matters did not require approval of Full Council.
When discussion moved to minute 121 Councillor Beaver proposed the meeting go into committee mode, seconded by Councillor Edwards, in order for the Chief Finance Officer to answer questions on the Audit Committee report.
Questions (if any) from: PDF 96 KB
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Additional documents:
Minutes:
211a Members of the Public under Rule 11
Written questions were received from the public and written responses sent to the questioners and published on the council’s website.
Mr Collins submitted a supplementary question asking if the council would consider appointing a person to advise those who would like to set up a housing co-operative.
Councillor Batsford responded that there are individuals within the community who have a lot of experience on setting up, and living within, housing co-operatives. Council officers would be happy to signpost members of the public to those individuals for advice.
211b Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Hilton submitted a written question to Councillor Batsford, a written response was received and published on the council’s website.
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
Climate Change – Can you give an assurance that all homes built with council investment, and on council land which is sold on, will go above and beyond the current building regulations to make sure we are doing our utmost to combat climate change?
Councillor Forward responded that the council will strive to do all it can to achieve that aim. It is important that all councillors come together to challenge the government to enable local authorities to do this.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Battley
Equality Charter – Could you provide an update on what has happened so far, how the charter has been received and how local groups can get involved?
Councillor Rogers said that the Local Strategic Partnership have agreed to take onboard the Equality Charter and the council is now working in conjunction with local partners. The Equality Charter is currently out for consultation and local groups and organisations are encouraged to feedback and meet with councillors and officers to discuss further.
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Beaver
Mental Health – Can the Leader provide an update on what she and colleagues have done over the past 18 months to help those with mental health concerns? After recently losing a friend of 20 years to suicide will the Leader also join me in urging those who are feeling suicidal to speak to someone.
Councillor Forward extended her condolences to Councillor Beaver and thanked him for raising this question. Councillor Forward urged anyone who is feeling suicidal or alone to speak to someone. There is a need to work together as a community to end the stigma around mental health. The council will continue to work with partners to raise concerns about the lack of provision around mental health and to amplify messages around mental health and suicide prevention.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Roark
Housing – The housing crisis for families in our town is looming large with soaring rents and lack of suitable housing. Can you give us an overview of the issues the council is facing and what action can be taken by those facing homelessness?
Councillor Batsford said he had met with local campaigners on this issue and will soon be meeting with the local MP to raise concerns.
Labour group councillors ... view the full minutes text for item 211.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Foster to propose:
‘I move that to help tackle the climate emergency, the council install secure electric bike charging points at strategic points around the town’Minutes:
Councillor Foster proposed a motion, as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Edwards.
Councillor Evans proposed an amendment, seconded by Chowney, to add the following words:
E-bike charging points will be part of a comprehensive programme supporting cycling to include a bicycle and e-bike hire scheme, and storage shelters where charging points can be safely available. This programme requires national funding and the agreement of ESCC Highways to progress.
The amendment was accepted by Councillors Foster and Edwards and the motion as amended became the substantive motion.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Full Council do accept the motion as set out below:
To help tackle the climate emergency, the council install secure electric bike charging points at strategic points around the town.
E-bike charging points will be part of a comprehensive programme supporting cycling to include a bicycle and e-bike hire scheme, and storage shelters where charging points can be safely available. This programme requires national funding and the agreement of ESCC Highways to progress.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Hilton to propose:
‘Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere continue to rise despite international agreements. Whilst targets can serve a purpose, what has been lacking are mechanisms to drive down emissions quickly. Crucially, this means a Carbon Tax, given that ‘Cap and Trade’ systems have failed to drive the change we need.
The moral and economic case for such a tax rests on the ‘polluter pays’ principle:
? Currently the costs of climate breakdown are not born by the industries and activities that are causing the damage but by people and communities coming under increasing pressure and danger. As The Economist leader states (17/7/21); ‘The opportunity to pollute the atmosphere without penalty is … a kind of distorting subsidy’.
? A Carbon Tax, set at the right level, will drive fossil fuel burning out of the economy and promote investment in clean alternatives.
? Applied at the border it will have the same effect internationally.
Such a tax can be used as a citizen’s dividend to ensure a just transition for communities facing rapid change, help pay for the essential retrofitting to our draughty cold housing stock and helping to alleviate fuel poverty, as well as to help communities around the world adapt to the inevitable change and disruption that climate breakdown is already bringing. It could also help finance a Universal Basic Income as passed by Hastings Borough Council at the last full council meeting.
This approach is supported by a broad coalition of NGOs and civil society groups and was recently included in a set of proposals from the European Commission. COP26 should establish an international carbon tax framework, but if this doesn’t happen, the UK and other countries wishing to show leadership should introduce their own carbon taxes. . By including border tax adjustment this can drive other economies to follow suit.
Therefore Council resolves to support calls for a Carbon Tax by;
Writing to our MPs, to Alok Sharma, President of COP26, and to the Prime Minister, calling for the UK to:
1. propose an international carbon tax framework to the COP; the tax to be applied to imports as well as to domestic production
2. Introduce a UK-wide carbon tax by the end of 2022.’
Minutes:
Councillor Patmore proposed a vote, seconded by Councillor K Beaney, on whether the meeting should continue past 9pm.
RESOLVED(by 19 for, to 7 against) that the meeting continue past 9pm.
Councillor Hilton proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Bishop.
Councillor Roark proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Battley, to add the following as a fourth bullet point:
‘Carbon Tax' in this context is a tax levied on businesses proportionate to the amount of carbon dioxide derived from fossil carbon their operations emit, with the proceeds used to provide a 'carbon premium' in the form of lower taxes and more generous benefits for those on low incomes.
Councillors Hilton and Bishop accepted the amendment and the motion as amended became the substantive motion.
RESOLVED (by 13 for, to 9 against) that Full Council do accept the motion as set out below:
‘Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere continue to rise despite international agreements. Whilst targets can serve a purpose, what has been lacking are mechanisms to drive down emissions quickly. Crucially, this means a Carbon Tax, given that ‘Cap and Trade’ systems have failed to drive the change we need.
The moral and economic case for such a tax rests on the ‘polluter pays’ principle:
? Currently the costs of climate breakdown are not born by the industries and activities that are causing the damage but by people and communities coming under increasing pressure and danger. As The Economist leader states (17/7/21); ‘The opportunity to pollute the atmosphere without penalty is … a kind of distorting subsidy’.
? A Carbon Tax, set at the right level, will drive fossil fuel burning out of the economy and promote investment in clean alternatives.
? Applied at the border it will have the same effect internationally. Such a tax can be used as a citizen’s dividend to ensure a just transition for communities facing rapid change, help pay for the essential retrofitting to our draughty cold housing stock and helping to alleviate fuel poverty, as well as to help communities around the world adapt to the inevitable change and disruption that climate breakdown is already bringing. It could also help finance a Universal Basic Income as passed by Hastings Borough Council at the last full council meeting.? ‘Carbon Tax' in this context is a tax levied on businesses proportionate to the amount of carbon dioxide derived from fossil carbon their operations emit, with the proceeds used to provide a 'carbon premium' in the form of lower taxes and more generous benefits for those on low incomes.
This approach is supported by a broad coalition of NGOs and civil society groups and was recently included in a set of proposals from the European Commission. COP26 should establish an international carbon tax framework, but if this doesn’t happen, the UK and other countries wishing to show leadership should introduce their own carbon taxes. By including border tax adjustment this can drive other economies to follow suit.
Therefore Council resolves to support calls for a Carbon Tax by;
Writing ... view the full minutes text for item 213.
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