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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 lateness received from Councillor Beaver.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 101 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 12th October 2022 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
None received.
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council announced that the Hastings Borough Council website had secured its 1 millionth user of the year and achieved first place on the Sitemorse UK Local Government Index. The Index runs quarterly and assesses the websites of over 400 local government organisations.
The Mayor led a minute silence for those that lost their lives in the Channel the previous day. The Mayor thanked the RNLI for their efforts in the rescue of the survivors.
The Mayor presented two Mayoral Civic Awards. Councillor Batsford accepted a Mayoral Award on behalf of Peter Robson, who was honoured for his selfless support of fellow residents in St Helens ward and Hastings.
The Mayor presented a Young Persons Mayoral Award to Lily Isabella in recognition of her fund raising for local charities. Her work began in 2020 when she donated Easter eggs to the Conquest Hospital using her pocket money, and she is now on her fourth fundraising round of the year.
Questions (if any) from: PDF 96 KB
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
289a) Members of the public under Rule 11
A written question was received from Bea Rogers and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
In a supplementary question Ms Rogers asked Councillor Roark if, given the opposition to the proposed cycle route through Alexandra Park, she would agree to reject the proposal or allow more time to consider the implications? Councillor Roark responded that the cycle path proposals will be debated and considered later in the meeting.
289b) Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Hilton submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Hilton asked Councillor Roark if the £500 lost revenue referred to in the original answer is per car park and if in future years funding could be put towards a bus service over Christmas to encourage public transport use. Councillor Roark said that alternative options can be considered in the future and she would make note of Councillor Hilton’s suggestion.
Councillor Collins submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Collins asked Councillor Barnett if he will consider delaying the decision to sell or lease St Mary in the Castle to allow time for new ideas to be explored, and whether he will commit to bring any decision on the future of the venue to Full Council? Councillor Barnett replied that the Council is trying to find a sustainable future for St Mary in the Castle. There will be a two-stage process. Initial interest must be submitted by February, then a shortlist will be developed to give organisations further time to provide detail on their capacity to operate the venue. Whether the decision comes to Full Council depends on the final value of the bid.
Councillor Haffenden submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Haffenden asked Councillor Roark how much extra is the Council paying to hire agency staff in waste and recycling, rather than hiring directly? Councillor Roark said that she would respond in writing once she has confirmed the amount with officers.
Councillor Jobson submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Jobson asked Councillor Barnett when the meeting between Councillors, local stakeholders and Southern Water, as called for in a previously agreed motion, would take place? Councillor Barnett replied that the Council is still waiting for a date from Southern Water.
Councillor Carr submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Carr asked Councillor Barnett why Cornwallis Street Car Park was closed if contractors were not in place and if he can guarantee that the Council still intends to build a hotel at profit on this site? Councillor Barnett ... view the full minutes text for item 289.
Membership of Committees
To give effect to any request received from a political group for a change in their representation on committee(s).
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the Council notes the following arrangements for the membership of committees:
- Councillor Sinden is
appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- Councillor Webb is
appointed to the Planning Committee
Councillor Barnett informed the Council that Councillor Rogers was appointed to the Charity Committee and Councillor Roark is the nominated substitute for the Charity Committee. As the Charity Committee is a committee of the Cabinet these appointments were confirmed at the Cabinet meeting on 7th November 2022.
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
CABINET – 7 NOVEMBER 2022
472.
Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan Refresh
Barnett
473.
Final Accounts 2021/22
Willis
474.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Barnett
475.
Proposal to Gate a Footpath in Baird Ward
Rogers
476.
Cabinet Appointments to Committees, Working Groups and Partnerships
Barnett
477.
Procurement and Renewal of Hybrid Mail System (Part 1)
Rogers
479. (E)
Procurement and Renewal of Hybrid Mail System (Part 2)
Rogers
CABINET – 5 DECEMBER 2022
483. (C)
Designation of a Cycle Route Through Alexandra Park
Roark
484.
Fees and Charges
Willis
485. (C)
Buckshole Reservoir Finance Update (Part 1)
Roark
486. (C)
East Hill Cliff Railway – Major Works (Part 1)
Batsford
488. (C)(E)
Buckshole Reservoir Finance Update (Part 2)
Roark
489. (C)(E)
East Hill Cliff Railway – Major Works (Part 2)
Batsford
C= Council decisionE= Exempt from publication
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 7a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 8 on the agenda.
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
Cabinet, 7th November 2022
472. Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan Refresh
Cabinet, 7th November 2022
473. Final Accounts 2021/22
Cabinet, 5th December 2022
483. Designation of a Cycle Routh Through Alexandra Park
Cabinet, 5th December 2022
484. Fees and Charges
Cabinet, 5th December 2022
485. Buckshole Reservoir Finance Update (Part 1)
Cabinet, 5th December 2022
486. East Hill Cliff Railway – Major Works (Part 1)
Cabinet, 5th December 2022
488. Buckshole Reservoir Finance Update (Part 2)
Cabinet, 5th December 2022
489. East Hill Cliff Railway – Major Works (Part 2)
Councillors debated minutes 472, 473 and 484. These matters did not require Full Council approval.
Minute 483 of Cabinet on 5th December 2022, Designation of a Cycle Routh Through Alexandra Park, was a matter requiring Full Council approval. Councillor Roark proposed a recommendation to approve designation of a cycle route through Alexandra Park, seconded by Councillor Barnett. The proposal was rejected by 15 votes for, to 16 against.
A recorded vote had been requested by more than six Councillors and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Barnett, Bishop, Cannan, Carr, Collins, Evans, Haffenden, Hilton, Jobson, Patmore, Roark, Roberts, Rogers, Sinden, and Webb voted for.
Councillors Arthur, Batsford, Beaney, Beaver, Cooke, Edwards, Fernando, Foster, Hay, Marlow-Eastwood, O’Callaghan, Pragnell, Rankin, Turner, Williams, and Willis voted against.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8.13pm and the meeting reconvened at 8.25pm. Councillor Roberts left the meeting during the adjournment.
Councillor Roark proposed that minute 485 be discussed in private session with the Part 2 report, seconded by Councillor Barnett and agreed unanimously.
Councillor Batsford proposed that minute 486 be discussed in private session with the Part 2 report, seconded by Councillor Rogers and agreed unanimously.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that debate on minutes 485 and 486 take place after the exclusion of the public from the meeting.
The Mayor proposed a motion for the exclusion of the public from the meeting, seconded by Councillor Beaver.
RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of minutes 488 and 489 of the Cabinet meeting held on 5th December 2022 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 paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 referred to in the relevant report.
Minute 488 of Cabinet on 5th December 2022, Buckshole Reservoir Finance Update (Part 2), was a matter requiring Full Council approval. The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Roark, seconded by Councillor Rankin and agreed unanimously.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
To give delegated authority to ... view the full minutes text for item 291.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Hilton to propose:
Given that the Council is currently in no overall control, it is our belief that the Council should explore governance arrangements that enable all political parties to share in shaping and directing the future of the Council through the decision-making process.
Therefore, the Council resolves:
- to instruct the Working Arrangements Group to
review Hastings Borough Council’s current governance
arrangements, in order to:
- consider the effectiveness of the current governance arrangements at Hastings Borough Council;
- consider if a change in governance arrangements would improve the quality of decision making;
- review how such a change would alter member involvement and engagement;
- identify other corporate governance models available, including, but not limited to, Committee, and Hybrid systems;
- assess the strengths and weaknesses of each system taking account of structural, legal, resource and cultural implications with the object of having an open and more democratic process including enabling wider participation by residents in our decision-making processes and more partnership working with other stakeholders in the town.
2. The Working Arrangements Group should seek external support and advice from organisations including the Local Government Association, the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, New Local and other Councils with experience of undertaking governance reviews.
3. The Working Arrangements Group will meet in January 2023 to agree its cross party membership and appoint the Chair and Vice Chair, its working arrangements and timetable for meetings to undertake the review of governance arrangements and should provide opportunities for all Councillors to contribute to the review process. It is proposed that a final report be presented to the full Council in October 2023, with any governance proposals. Should those proposals include a recommendation to change the Council’s permitted form of governance under the provisions of Section 9K of the Local Government Act 2000, as amended by Schedule 2 of the Localism Act 2011, a motion to that effect will need to be agreed at that full Council with the new governance arrangements taking affect at the following Annual Council meeting.
Minutes:
Councillor Hilton proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Patmore.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
Given that the Council is currently in no overall control, it is our belief that the Council should explore governance arrangements that enable all political parties to share in shaping and directing the future of the Council through the decision-making process.
Therefore, the Council resolves:
1) to instruct the Working Arrangements Group to review Hastings Borough Council’s current governance arrangements, in order to:
a) consider the effectiveness of the current governance arrangements at Hastings Borough Council;
b) consider if a change in governance arrangements would improve the quality of decision making;
c) review how such a change would alter member involvement and engagement;
d) identify other corporate governance models available, including, but not limited to, Committee, and Hybrid systems;
e) assess the strengths and weaknesses of each system taking account of structural, legal, resource and cultural implications with the object of having an open and more democratic process including enabling wider participation by residents in our decision-making processes and more partnership working with other stakeholders in the town.
2) The Working Arrangements Group should seek external support and advice from organisations including the Local Government Association, the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, New Local and other Councils with experience of undertaking governance reviews.
3) The Working Arrangements Group will meet in January 2023 to agree its cross party membership and appoint the Chair and Vice Chair, its working arrangements and timetable for meetings to undertake the review of governance arrangements and should provide opportunities for all Councillors to contribute to the review process. It is proposed that a final report be presented to the full Council in October 2023, with any governance proposals. Should those proposals include a recommendation to change the Council’s permitted form of governance under the provisions of Section 9K of the Local Government Act 2000, as amended by Schedule 2 of the Localism Act 2011, a motion to that effect will need to be agreed at that full Council with the new governance arrangements taking affect at the following Annual Council meeting.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Patmore to propose:
The idea to allow Hastings United Football Club to build 86 dwellings on Pilot Field, while in turn building a new stadium and sports facility on Tilekiln Playing Fields in Hollington, was tested by the Planning Committee and has been granted full planning approval.
Over 1750 signatures have now been collected asking for the decision to be discussed at cabinet. In order for Hastings Borough Council to consider whether or not the Council should sell land to Hastings United Football Club and enter into any agreements with the developer to proceed, and in the spirit of openness and transparency, the Council agrees to:
- instruct the managing director (or nominee) to prepare a report to cabinet at the earliest opportunity with a view to setting out the current situation with Hastings United Football Club and reporting on whether or not the scheme to enable the proposed development at Pilot Field and Tilekiln Playing Fields is viable to recommend to Council ; and
- set out what alternative provision is available to allow Hastings United to remain in Hastings.
Minutes:
Under rule 16.7 of the Council’s rules of procedure Councillor Patmore proposed an alteration to his motion, in order to add the following words to the first paragraph ‘(with conditions), and outline permission for Pilot Field, with design, drainage and other details still to be determined.’
The alteration was accepted by the Full Council. Councillor Patmore proposed the motion as altered, seconded by Councillor Cannan.
RESOLVED (by 29 votes for, to 1 against) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
The idea to allow Hastings United Football Club to build 86 dwellings on Pilot Field, while in turn building a new stadium and sports facility on Tilekiln Playing Fields in Hollington, was tested by the Planning Committee and has been granted full planning approval for Tilekiln (with conditions), and outline permission for Pilot Field, with design, drainage and other details still to be determined.
Over 1750 signatures have now been collected asking for the decision to be discussed at Cabinet.in order for Hastings Borough Council to consider whether or not the Council should sell land to Hastings United Football Club and enter into any agreements with the developer to proceed, and in the spirit of openness and transparency, the Council agrees to:
- instruct the managing director (or nominee) to prepare a report to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity with a view to setting out the current situation with Hastings United Football Club, and reporting on whether or not the scheme to enable the proposed development at Pilot Field and Tilekiln Playing Fields is viable to recommend to Council; and
- set out what alternative provision is available to allow Hastings United to remain in Hastings.
(The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.10pm)
- Councillor Sinden is
appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
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