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Agenda item
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
156a) Members of the public under Rule 11
No public questions were received.
156b) Councillors under Rule 12
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Lee
East Sussex County Council Labour Party – It is reported the Labour Party is planning to join forces with the Liberal Democrats on East Sussex County Council, can you confirm if you will be forming a coalition with the Liberal Democrats locally?
Councillor Forward replied that the question should be directed to Councillor Webb, Co-Leader of the Labour Group on East Sussex County Council.
Councillor Forward
Councillor K Beaney
Old Bathing Pool Site – Can you provide an update on progress at the old Bathing Pool site?
Councillor Chowney confirmed that the funder of the project has changed and the Council is awaiting further legal advice. It is hoped that the heads of terms will be signed soon.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor Sabetian
Town Deal - Can you provide an update on the Town Deal?
Councillor Fitzgerald replied that the town investment plan had been submitted as part of the Town Deal and that he had had a very constructive meeting with the leaders of the Conservative group on the subject. There is excitement at the prospect of the Town Deal and its potential for positive change in the town.
Councillor Fitzgerald
Councillor Turner
Vaccinations – Can you update us on the progress of the vaccination programme?
Councillor Forward replied that Hastings Borough Council is working closely with partners to ensure that residents are aware of how they get vaccinated. The Council’s newsletter and website have been used to share the latest information. Councillor Forward thanked Dr Fox and his team of GP’s who are operating the vaccination centre. There has been very positive feedback about their operation. The latest figures for the Hastings Centre vaccination programme show that just over 19,000 residents have received their first dose.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Roberts
Covid-19 Business Support – Can you outline the support the Council has provided to local businesses to help them with the economic consequences of the pandemic?
Councillor Chowney confirmed that there have been around 14 different statutory grant schemes to administer since the start of the pandemic, distributing over £27 million to local businesses. The Council has also developed some limited discretionary schemes which have distributed just over £1 million. Councillor Chowney thanked all the officers who have been working on administering the grant schemes.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor Rankin
Council Agenda – Do you think we should reorder the Council agenda so that reports of committees are considered before motions?
Councillor Forward suggested this be referred to the Working Arrangements Group.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Levane
Affordable Housing – Can you update on what the Council is doing to increase the availability of genuinely affordable housing?
Councillor Batsford replied that there are 1434 people on the Council housing waiting list, which includes over 1,000 local children living in unsuitable accommodation. The Council has limited opportunities to build houses but intends to take them. There are several projects on the horizon, including the Lower Tier site which will deliver 192 new homes. The Council will push hard for those homes to be affordable and available at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Bishop
Active Hastings - What have Active Hastings been doing to support the community during the pandemic?
Councillor Evans confirmed that Active Hastings have a number of classes available which people can sign up for via the Active Hastings Facebook page. Booking regular classes enables you to keep a structure and routine during these difficult times. Councillor Evans reminded the Council that physical and mental health are inextricably linked and remaining active is key for physical and mental wellbeing.
Councillor Evans
The meeting adjourned at 6:41pm to address an IT issue and resumed at 6:42pm.
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