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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 Roark, Roberts, and Willis.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting PDF 136 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 15th December 2022 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record of the proceedings.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
Councillor
Item
Interest
Marlow-Eastwood
300. Motion
Prejudicial – Is a member of the East Sussex Fire Authority
Cannan
Cabinet – 495. Housing Acquisition Proposal (Part 1)
Personal – Works for the Seaview Project which supports homeless individuals
Foster
300. Motion
Personal – Family member is an active Fireman at the Ridge Fire Station
Announcements from the Mayor and Leader
Minutes:
The Mayor presented three Mayoral Civic Awards. Andrew Colquhoun received an award in recognition of his years of voluntary service as Chair of the Grants Advisory Panel. Jenny and Donna Bloomfield were recognised for organising an annual Christmas tree festival for the community in Hollington.
Councillor Barnett noted the upcoming one-year anniversary of the terrible war in Ukraine on 24th February and confirmed the Council will be supporting the local Ukrainian community by attending a vigil at the Stade and by flying the Ukrainian flag on the Town Hall.
Questions (if any) from: PDF 139 KB
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Additional documents:
Minutes:
298a) Members of the Public under Rule 11
No questions from the public were received.
298b) Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Edwards submitted a written question to Councillor Evans, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Edwards asked when will the first tenants be moving into York Buildings? Councillor Evans replied that there are regulatory issues which are holding things up. The Council does not yet have the required certifications and systems in place as a registered housing provider, and the Council is therefore in negotiations with another registered provider to temporarily manage the building.
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, in light of the cost of agency staff, why is there not an adequate street cleansing service in Hastings, particularly in Tressell Ward where street cleansing is far less frequent compared to other parts of the Borough? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
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, in light of the recent flooding in Bulverhythe following a burst sewer pipe, can we update the 2015 Hastings flood plan to take account of flood incidents in this area? Councillor Barnett replied that the flood plan will be updated.
Councillor Foster submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Foster asked in what document, if any, is the intention of the e-bike charging motion captured so that when exploring potential regeneration schemes officers are prompted to consider e-bike charging infrastructure opportunities? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
Councillor Hilton submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Hilton asked Councillor Barnett to ensure the Council has a robust measurement system in place for the embedded carbon impact of Town Deal projects. Councillor Barnett replied that he would consider the resources Councillor Hilton outlined. However, although the Council would like to go beyond government standards it would not be able to insist on that as all contracts have to be approved through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Councillor Cooke submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Cooke asked if Councillor Roark had considered meeting with local cycling groups to see if they have any ideas on alternative routes that could be put forward to East Sussex County Council? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
Councillor Carr submitted a written question to Councillor Rogers, a written response ... view the full minutes text for item 298.
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.
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Barnett to propose:
Following the severe flood and major fires in Hastings between January 16 – 21 2023, this Council would like to place on record its appreciation of the response from the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The prompt, professional and caring way in which each incident was dealt with has met nothing but praise from all those affected.
So it is extremely concerning that in the same week, we heard of proposals from the East Sussex Fire Authority to downgrade Fire and Rescue services in Hastings. Local firefighters fear that the residents of Hastings, Rye and surrounding villages including Fairlight, Guestling, Pett, Winchelsea, Icklesham, Camber, Iden and Peasmarsh would face a long wait to be rescued overnight.
In many cases, as at all the major incidents here last week, more than one fire engine is required on the scene to mount a rescue or a response. Downgrading The Ridge Fire Station could drastically increase the time it takes for sufficient fire crews to be in place.
These proposed cuts come at a time when the demand on the Fire and Rescue Service is increasing, in part due to the more frequent extreme weather events. Additional heavy rainfall, fierce storms nand extreme heat which brings the risk of wild fires as last summer all put our residents and those of Rother at greater risk, which downgrading the current service would significantly worsen.
This Council therefore calls upon the Fire Authority to withdraw these dangerous proposals and agree to maintain the current excellent service for Hastings.
Minutes:
Having declared a prejudicial interest Councillor Marlow-Eastwood left the Council Chamber for the duration of this item.
Councillor Barnett proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor O’Callaghan.
Councillor Beaver proposed an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Patmore, to delete paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6. Councillor Barnett did not accept the amendment.
The Mayor proposed that the Council suspend Rule 16.6(b) of the Council’s Rules of Procedure in order that the amendment and original motion be open for discussion at the same time. Councillor Batsford seconded the proposal, which was agreed unanimously.
RESOLVED that council suspends Rule 16.6b of the Constitution to permit the motion and the amendment to be on the table and open for discussion at the same time.
A recorded vote was requested on the proposed amendment and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Beaney, Beaver, Cooke, Edwards, Fernando, Foster, Hay, Patmore, Pragnell and Williams voted for.Councillors Arthur, Barnett, Batsford, Bishop, Cannan, Carr, Collins, Evans, Haffenden, Hilton, Jobson, O’Callaghan, Rankin, Rogers, Sinden, Turner and Webb voted against.
The amendment was rejected by 10 votes for, to 17 against.A recorded vote was requested on the original motion and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Arthur, Barnett, Batsford, Beaney, Beaver, Bishop, Cannan, Carr, Collins, Cooke, Edwards, Evans, Fernando, Foster, Haffenden, Hay, Hilton, Jobson, O’Callaghan, Patmore, Rankin, Rogers, Sinden, Turner, Webb and Williams voted for.
Councillor Pragnell abstained.
RESOLVED (by 26 votes for, with 1 abstention) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
Following the severe flood and major fires in Hastings between January 16 – 21 2023, this Council would like to place on record its appreciation of the response from the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The prompt, professional and caring way in which each incident was dealt with has met nothing but praise from all those affected.
So it is extremely concerning that in the same week, we heard of proposals from the East Sussex Fire Authority to downgrade Fire and Rescue services in Hastings. Local firefighters fear that the residents of Hastings, Rye and surrounding villages including Fairlight, Guestling, Pett, Winchelsea, Icklesham, Camber, Iden and Peasmarsh would face a long wait to be rescued overnight.
In many cases, as at all the major incidents here last week, more than one fire engine is required on the scene to mount a rescue or a response. Downgrading The Ridge Fire Station could drastically increase the time it takes for sufficient fire crews to be in place.
These proposed cuts come at a time when the demand on the Fire and Rescue Service is increasing, in part due to the more frequent extreme weather events. Additional heavy rainfall, fierce storms nand extreme heat which brings the risk of wild fires as last summer all put our residents and those of Rother at greater risk, which downgrading the current service would significantly worsen.
This Council therefore calls upon the Fire Authority to withdraw these dangerous proposals ... view the full minutes text for item 300.Reports of Committees PDF 88 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.
Subject
Cabinet Member / Chair
CABINET – 3 JANUARY 2023
493.
National Portfolio Organisation Funding 2023-26
Batsford
494. (C)
Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2022-23
Willis
495. (C)
Housing Acquisition Proposal (Part 1)
Evans
497. (C)(E)
Housing Acquisition Proposal (Part 2)
Evans
CABINET – 30 JANUARY 2023
501. (C)
Minimum Revenue Provision method change 2022-23
Willis
502. (C)
Draft Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2023/24
Willis
503. (C)
Pay Policy Statement 2023/24
Willis
504.
To appoint a member to the Working Arrangements Group
Barnett
C= Council decision
E= 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 8a) above. Any such discussion shall be deferred to item 9 on the agenda.
Additional documents:
- Housing Acquisition Proposal - Full Council - 08.02.23 - Part 1 , item 301. PDF 213 KB
- Restricted enclosure 8 View the reasons why document 301./3 is restricted
- Restricted enclosure 9 View the reasons why document 301./4 is restricted
Minutes:
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7.35pm and the meeting reconvened at 7.49pm.
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, 3rd January 2023
493 – Portfolio Organisation Funding 2023-26
Bishop
Cabinet, 3rd January 2023
495 – Housing Acquisition Proposal (Part 1)
Hilton
Cabinet, 30th January 2023
Draft Annual Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2023/24
Hilton
Minute 495, Housing Acquisition Proposal (Part 1), was a matter requiring Full Council approval. Under rule 16.7 of the Council’s rules of procedure Councillor Evans proposed an alteration to the recommendations as follows:
Recommendation 2 is altered to reduce the capital budget from £11,865,400 to £11,800,000 and now reads:
‘that a capital budget for £11,800,000 is established to meet the cost of the acquisitions with revenue costs met by the Temporary Accommodation budget’A 4th recommendation is added, to read:
‘that a cross-party Housing Acquisition Review Group is established to monitor the programme outcomes.’Reason 3 is altered to reflect a 50-year loan period instead of 40 years and now reads:
’In addition to the revenue cost savings to be achieved, the Council will be obtaining capital housing assets with no outstanding debt on the properties at the end of a 50-year loan period.’The Council accepted the alterations. Councillor Evans proposed the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Batsford.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
The Full Council approves:
1. An acquisition programme to acquire up to 50 homes for temporary accommodation use;
2. that a capital budget for £11,800,000 is established to meet the cost of the acquisitions with revenue costs met by the Temporary Accommodation budget; and
3. that delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director, Housing & Built Environment, and the Chief Finance Officer, to complete the acquisitions, including any associated procurement;
4. that a cross-party Housing Acquisition Review Group is established to monitor the programme outcomes.Reasons:
1. The Council urgently needs to find more suitable placements for many of the homeless households who the council are required to accommodate whilst arranging access to longer term and more settled accommodation.
2. A programme of acquiring up to 50 homes will provide a better solution for those owed such a duty by the council and will also have a significant positive impact upon the council’s temporary accommodation costs.
3. In addition to the revenue cost savings to be achieved, the Council will be obtaining capital housing assets with no outstanding debt on the properties at the end of a 50-year loan period.Minute 502 of Cabinet on 30th January 2023, Draft Annual Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2023/24, was a matter requiring Full Council approval. Councillor Batsford proposed ... view the full minutes text for item 301.
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