Agenda and minutes

The Full Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Mayor and Councillor Raj Sharma who had sadly, and suddenly passed away.

The Mayor then invited representatives from each party to pay tribute to Councillor Sharma. Councillors Lunnon, Crow, Mullins, Burrett, B Smith, Rana, Mwagale, Flack, B Burgess and the Mayor on behalf of the Council paid their respects with heartfelt and touching tributes.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

The disclosures of interests made by Councillors are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 16 December 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 16 December 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive and consider any announcements or communications, including any additional Cabinet Member announcements.

The Mayor provided the Full Council with a brief update on his last few months, stating

‘We continue to be in challenging times but I can report that I was able to attend the Greenway Foundation’s annual Christmas Food Drive which took place on Christmas Eve. I took away some food parcels to deliver to some very thankful people, which was a very heart-warming experience. Christmas was a very challenging time for my family as we were caring for my father who unfortunately passed away. There is no good time to lose a loved one but Christmas time makes it especially tough and in lockdown during a pandemic it is particularly difficult and I sympathise with those who have lost loved ones during this time. I would like to just pay tribute to the St Catherine’s Hospice staff and the district nurses who do an incredible job, putting themselves at risk during this time and as a town we are lucky to have St Catherine’s Hospice and their funding raising has been massively impacted by the pandemic and they all need our support. I hope as we move out of this situation things start to improve.’

To answer public questions under Full Council Procedure Rule 1.1-E.  The questions must be on matters which are relevant to the functions of the Council, and should not include statements.

One supplementary question from the questioner will be allowed.

Up to 30 minutes is allocated to Public Question Time.

Question to Councillor Lamb as the Leader of the Council from Mrs Wakeham

Question

Is the council for or against 10,000 houses being built West of Ifield?

With COVID 19 and Gatwick Airports expansion in question would it not be wise to suggest to HDC that they put a hold on this proposal until the next Local Plan review.

May I also point out that in CBC response 11.3, to EIA/20/2004 scoping report Noise and vibration It states ((intermittent)) events like aircraft noise.

In normal times there are (Gatwick Airport Master Plan 2019 )55 planes an HOUR, 70 planes an HOUR if standby runway comes into use and 90 planes if wide spaced runway is built. In no way can you describe those numbers as intermittent.

Response from Councillor Lamb as the Leader of the Council

The Council automatically opposes planning applications from sites which are unallocated in a Local Plan, whether it be our plan or those of neighbouring authorities, as is the case here. Last year CBC formally objected in principle to the West of Ifield allocation as part of Horsham District Council’s Regulation 18 consultation on their Local Plan Review. This is already in the public domain. Amongst other things we raised significant queries about the sustainability of the scheme, and we articulated the critical importance of delivering major infrastructure upfront and of proper clarity on how Crawley’s housing needs would be met.

The Full Council considered report LDS/163 of the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) which detailed the findings of the IRP and its independent recommendations regarding the Councillors’ Allowances Scheme for 2021/22 and 2022/23.

The item had been previously considered at the Governance Committee on 26 January 2021. Councillor Burrett moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Lunnon.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, Conservative block vote of 17 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (34)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves:

a)          That the allowances for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor remain set at the current rate (namely £11,548 for the Mayor and £1,800 for the Deputy Mayor respectively) until such time as a further report of the Independent Remuneration Panel is brought back for consideration to the Full Council on the matter.

b)          The Councillors’ Allowances Scheme for 2021/22 and 2022/23 including Schedules 1 and 2, as detailed below:

COUNCILLORS’ ALLOWANCES SCHEME 2021/2022 to 2022/2023

(From 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023)

1.              This Scheme may be cited as the Crawley Borough Council Councillors’ Allowances Scheme and shall have effect from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023.

2.              In this Scheme:

“Councillor” means a Member of the Crawley Borough Council who is a Councillor.

“Total estimated allowances” means the aggregate of the amounts estimated by the Head of Corporate Finance, at the time when a payment of basic allowance or special responsibility allowance is made, to be payable under this Scheme in relation to the relevant year, and for this purpose any election under paragraph 9 shall be disregarded.

“Year” means the 12 months ending with 31 March.

3.              BASIC ALLOWANCE

Subject to paragraph 10, for each year the basic allowance specified in Schedule 1 to this Schemeshall be paid to each Councillor.

4.              SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY ALLOWANCES

(1)   For each year a special responsibility allowance shall be paid to those Councillors and Co-opted Members who hold the special responsibilities in relation to the authority that are specified in Schedule 1 to this Scheme.

(2)   Subject to paragraph 10, the amount of each such allowance shall be the amount specified against that special responsibility in that Schedule.

5.              TRAVELLING AND SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES

(1)   Travelling and subsistence allowances shall be paid to Councillors and Co-opted Members in the following circumstances:

(a)     The attendance at a meeting of the authority or of any Committee or Sub-Committee of the authority, or of any other body to which the authority makes appointments or nominations, or of any Committee or Sub-Committee of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Full Council considered report LDS/162 of the Interim Monitoring Officer.  The report, which set out potential options for a more proportionate and sustainable system for the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to the Council’s committees. This had been proposed in light of the current Joint Agreement between the two political groups.

The item had been previously considered at the Governance Committee on 26 January 2021. Councillor Burrett moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Crow.

Councillor Lamb moved and presented the Labour amendment, (as shown in Supplementary Agenda Order Paper). The amendment was seconded and supported by Councillor Lunnon. The Labour Amendment was

That the Full Council be recommended to:

a)         adopt Strict Proportional Approach to the allocation of Committee Chairs and to adopt a Strict Proportional Approach to the allocation of Committee Vice Chairs.

b)         to amend the Constitution to reflect the adopted protocol regarding the allocation of Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs.

During the debate both on the original Recommendation 2 and the proposed amendment, Councillors McCarthy Lamb and Burrett all spoke during the debate, on their merits of each option before the Full Council, including the right to reply.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process on the Labour Amendment. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (17)

Against the recommendation: Conservative block vote of 17 votes (17)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

As a result of the tied vote, the Mayor used the casting vote, to vote AGAINST the proposed Amendment.  There were therefore 18 votes for the against the proposal and 17 votes for and no abstentions. 

RESOLVED

That the Labour Amendment then falls.

The Mayor then invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting on the substantive Recommendation 2. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Conservative block vote of 17 votes (17)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: Labour block vote of 15 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (17)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 17, and votes against 0 with 17 abstentions.

As a result of the tied vote, the Mayor used the casting vote to vote FOR Recommendation 2.  There were therefore 18 votes for Recommendation and 17 abstentions and 0 votes against. 

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves

a)          the adoption of Fixed Cascade Approach for the allocation of Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, as detailed in the table below.

The Full Council considered report CEX/54 of the Chief Executive, which set out proposed changes to the polling arrangements for the May 2021 elections in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.  It was proposed that the reduction in the number of polling places from 27 to 23 which help to mitigate a number of the problems that have arisen due to holding an election during the pandemic included a projected shortfall in experienced Senior Presiding Officers.

The item had been previously considered at the Governance Committee on 26 January 2021. Councillor Burrett moved the recommendation and in doing so explained that included in the Order Paper was a revised and updated temporary Polling Scheme for the Full Council’s consideration. The Governance Committee requested that the Returning Officer’s investigate the viability of accommodating Polling Places on, or near to, the three existing schools which were named as Polling Places. The Returning Officer’s investigation concluded it was not possible and as such the table in the Order Paper listed the proposed polling places that temporarily removes the three existing schools as Polling Place and identifies their replacements.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Crow.  Councillors Lunnon, Lamb, McCarthy and Lanzer also spoke on the report with many difference views being expressed on the recommendation including whether it was appropriate to reduce the number of polling places as it could lead to longer queuing with the likely stricter one in one out approach to voting taking place this year.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Conservative block vote of 17 votes (17)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: Labour block vote of 15 votes and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (17)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 17, and votes against 0 with 17 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves the temporary Polling Scheme set out in table below for the May 2021 elections

The Full Council considered report OSC/292 of the Chair of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Jaggard. In July 2019, Full Council declared a Climate Emergency with Councillors pledging to take local action to aim to reduce carbon emissions generated by Crawley Borough Council’s workings and activities by at least 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050.  The motion to Full Council also asked the Overview and Scrutiny Commission (OSC) to convene a Scrutiny Panel to look into and make recommendations focusing upon the workings and activities of Crawley Borough Council relating to carbon emissions and to report to Council as soon as is practicable.

Councillor Lamb introduced the report to the Full Council and noted the climate emergency declared in 2019. The town was a large contributor to carbon emissions and there was an obligation to address this. The economy had been affected as a result of the Covid19 pandemic, and it would be important to look to green technologies to strengthen this in the future.  There was a need to deliver changes for future generations.

The item had previously been considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet on 1 February 2021 and 3 February 2021 respectively. Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Jhans, who in doing so welcomed the report and noted that the call to action was clear. The Panel Chair and Panel members were thanked for a comprehensive report and for bringing together creative recommendations. It was acknowledged that the Panel had considered a broad range of topics and that the recommendations would be evaluated by the officers’ advisory group to be incorporated into the climate change emergency action plan. 

Councillor Jaggard then had the opportunity to speak as the Scrutiny Panel Chair, noting the huge public interest in the panel and the public engagement sessions that had taken place.  The officers, Cabinet members and witnesses who attended were thanked for the detailed, informative and valuable sessions. The Panel had worked on a themed approach over a series of months, covering a baseline audit, transport, business/commercial, blue/green infrastructure and domestic/residential.  There were difficult decisions to be made however it was a balancing act between convenience, cost and behaviour.  There was unanimous agreement to reduce carbon emissions in 2019 and everyone needed to act. This report was the catalyst to do just that.

Councillors P Smith, McCarthy, Lanzer, B Burgess, Ayling and the Mayor also spoke on the report.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour of Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, and Conservative block vote of 17 votes, Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (34)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendations was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Full Council considered report FIN/514of the Head of Corporate Finance, which set out the Budget and level of Council Tax for the year 2021/22. It was noted that the report detailed each of the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Accounts that combine together to formulate ‘The Budget’. The proposed Budget had been produced based on the principles set in the Budget Strategy which was approved by Full Council on 16 December 2020.

The Council had a statutory responsibility to set a Council Tax and Budget in advance of the commencement of the new financial year, with the Council Tax having to be set by 11 March 2021. In proposing the level of Council Tax for the Financial Year 2021/22, each of those accounts identified had been considered. The proposed Council Tax for 2021/22 was to be increased by 2.37%.

The Leader of the Council Councillor Lamb presented and moved the Budget commented that the global pandemic had a significant impact on the Council’s finance. This budget included the first substantial cuts that the Council has had to make to services for a number of years. The Council’s three main sources of income, have all been hit hard over the past year with income from retained business rates reduced as business struggle, Council Tax income reduced as unemployment increases and Council’s services that generated income (fees and charges and rent) were not able to bring in the revenue that they previously had. Crawley’s economy has had been hit harder than any other across the country.

This year’s budget for the first time was a collective approach by the Labour and Conservative Parties respectively, working together for the best interest of our residents during this difficult time. We’ve considered all the options and alternative and then we went out to the public to hear their views and received the largest ever response to a Council consultation. Two third of the savings proposed were from back office functions and the remaining were based on the priorities set by residents in feedback from the consultation.

However, the Council will be investing in further Council housing as it funded differently and investing £77 million (which can’t be used on revenue schemes) in capital improvements including the Town’s infrastructure projects.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Crow then seconded the recommendations and spoken on the report. He commented that it was unusual for the opposition Leader to second the Administration’s budget report, but this is probably the single most important thing I do at this Council in this exceptional year. Covid-19 has been devastating on so many levels across the country, with thousands of death and impact on the economy and local services, but Crawley has been hit hard with job losses and highest furloughing due to the impact on Gatwick airport and this has impacted on us as a Council.

When in July 2020 the Council unexpectedly went into no overall control, the two main politically Groups acted like adults and agreed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Full Council considered report FIN/517of the Head of Corporate Finance on the Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/2021 which the Council was required to approve before the start of the financial year in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management and the Council’s financial regulations. The strategy itself sets out how the Council would be investing its money across the course of the year.

The item had been previously considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet on 1 February 2021 and Cabinet on 3 February 2021 Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor P Smith.

Councillors Crow in support of the report and its recommendations.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, Conservative block vote of 17 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (34)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves the following items:

a)         the Treasury Prudential Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement contained within Section 5 of report FIN/517;

b)         the Treasury Management Strategy contained within Section 6 of report FIN/517;

c)         the Investment Strategy contained within Section 7 of report FIN/517

As the business had not been completed within the scheduled 2 hours 30 minutes a vote on continuation, and in line with Council Procedure Rule 2.2, was held. The Mayor required the Full Council to consider if it wished to continue with the meeting.

Having put it to the vote, the Full Council agreed that the meeting be continued for an additional period not exceeding 30 minutes.

The Cabinet received report HPS/24 of the Head of Major Projects and Commercial

Services. The report sought an extension to the contract for a further four years along

with a repayable grant to Parkwood Leisure.

The item had been previously considered at the Cabinet on 3 February 2021. Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Mullins.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, Conservative block vote of 17 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (34)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves

a)             the allocation of a repayable Capital Grant of £400,000 to Parkwood Leisure to provide support towards costs incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of distancing measures imposed upon theatres, and

b)             that the repayment of the Capital Grant occurs over the four year contract extension period.

Councillor Lamb presented the report that set out the Notice of Preceptfrom the Police andCrimeCommissionerforSussexand West Sussex County Council, which combined with the previously agreed Crawley Borough Council precept to formulate the 2021/22 Council Tax Resolution for 2021/22.

Moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor Crow.

Followingapproval of the Council’s Budget and Council Tax 2021/22 in Recommendation 5, and in accordance with the Local Authorities(Standing Orders)(England) (Amendment) Regulations2014, the names of the Councillorsvoting for and against Recommendation 8 wererecorded as setout below:-

For the recommendation:

Voting in Favour: Councillors: Ascough, Ayling, A Belben, T Belben, B Burgess,

R Burgess, Burrett, Crow, Eade, Flack, Guidera, Hart, Irvine, Jaggard, Jhans, Jones, Lamb, Lanzer, Lunnon, Malik, McAleney, McCarthy, Millar-Smith, Mullins, Mwagale, Peck, Pendlington, Pickett Purdy, Rana, B Smith and P Smith. (32)

Against the recommendation: Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (2)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 32, and votes against 2 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

1.         That it be noted that on 20 January 2021 the Leader of the Council under delegated powers calculated the Council Tax Base 2021/22 for the whole Council area as 34,961.9 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")] ; and

2.         That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2021/22

is calculated at £7,476,253.

3.         That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2021/22 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

To consider report CEx/55 by the Chief Executive, following the Employment Panel held on Monday 15 February 2021. (RECOMMENDATION 9)

(To follow)

The Full Council considered report CEX/55 of the Chief Executive which detailed the recommendation for the new Head of Legal, Governance and HR and also the Council’s Monitoring Officer from the Employment Panel held on 15 February 2021.

It was noted that the Council has a statutory duty to appoint a Monitoring Officer, under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as one of its designated Officers. Also that the Council’s Monitoring Officer must not also be the Council’s Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) or the Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service.

Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Crow.

Councillor Pickett also spoke on the item.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services

Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, Conservative block vote of 17 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (34)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council

a)          appoints Siraj Choudhury as the Council’sMonitoring Officer and Head of Legal, Governance and HR with effect from 29 March 2021.

b)          approves that the Council’s Monitoring Officer amend the Council’s Constitution and the relevant Sub-Delegation Schemes to take into account the above appointment.

c)          notes that, with effect from 29 March 2021, the current Interim Monitoring Officer (Chris Pedlow) will revert to the role of Deputy Monitoring Officer.

In line with Constitution’s Call-In Procedure Rule 8, Section 8.3, the Full Council is required to be informed when the Chief Executive has protected a decision from Call-in.

As detailed in the Councillors’ Information Bulletin IB/1054 on 18 November 2020, in relation to a decision taken by the Leader of the Council in respect of Additional Restrictions Discretionary Business Grant - Revised Scheme and Guidelines, the Chief Executive used her protection from Call-in authority. The rationale behind the use of the protection was by to enable the Council to immediately start supporting its local businesses by ensuring that they could immediately apply for the further Discretionary Business Grant (DBG) payments and to ensure that the Council could make such DBG payments as soon as possible.

RECOMMENDATION 10

The Full Council is requested to note the use of the protected from Call-In by the Chief Executive in respect of the decision by the Leader of the Council entitled Additional Restrictions Discretionary Business Grant - Revised Scheme and Guidelines on 18 November 2020.

The Mayor introduced the item which was the notification to the Full Council that the Chief Executive on 18 November 2020, used her protection from Call-in authority in relation to a decision taken by the Leader of the Council in respect of Additional Restrictions Discretionary Business Grant - Revised Scheme and Guidelines. In line with Council’s Constitution use of her protection from Call-in must be reported to Full Council.

Councillor Lamb spoke on item and provided the Council with some background on the decision he had taken, which had been protected from Call-in, regarding the Additional Restrictions Discretionary Business Grant - Revised Scheme and Guidelines and that it enabled an additional funding of £2,248,180 being made  available in grants to support Crawley local businesses.

The Mayor moved the recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Mayor.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council notes use of the protection from Call-In by the Chief Executive.

There will be a maximum of 30 minutes for Councillors’ Question Time (CQT). Councillors may ask questions relating to either a portfolio issue or with regard to the functions delegated to a Committee.

There are two methods for Councillors asking questions:

1.     Councillors can submit written questions in advance of the meeting and written answers will be provided on the evening of the Full Council.

2.     Councillors can also verbally ask questions during the CQT.

Councillors have the opportunity to ask oral supplementary questions in relation to either of the methods above.

The Mayor informed the Full Council that the meeting had now passed 11.00pm and, in line with Full Council Procedure Rule (FCPR) 8.4, the use of the Guillotine process would come into effect.

In response, Councillor Burrett moved a Procedural Motion in relation to FCPR 11.1 (q) To suspend a particular Full Council Procedure Rule, namely the execution of the Guillotine process (Section 8.4), thus allowing the meeting to continue beyond 11.00pm until such time as all items on the Agenda had been debated. The motion was seconded by Councillor McCarthy.

Clarification was provided to the Full Council on what the moved Procedural Motion meant in practical terms, and the Mayor then invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that a number of Councillors from both the Labour and Conservative Group would be voting as individuals, rather than through their respective Group’s block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 11 votes, and Conservative block vote of 15 votes. (26)

Against the recommendation: Councillors B Burgess, R Burgess, Hart, Irvine, Fiveash, Pickett, B Smith and Sudan (8)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the Procedural Motion was carried – votes in favour 26, and votes against 8 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves the Full Council Procedure Rules (FCPR) procedural motion in relation to 11.1 (q) To suspend a particular Full Council Procedure Rule, namely the execution of the Guillotine process (Section 8.4 of the FCPR), and thus allowing the meeting to continue beyond 11.00pm until such time all items on the Agenda had been debated.

To receive the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Committees, as listed on page XX, and set out in the appendices to this item and to debate any Reserved Items contained within those Minutes.

NB:  In advance of the meeting Political Groups can identify any items they wish to debate as a Reserved Item.  These Reserved Items will then be the only matters to be the subject of debate.

Moved by Councillor Malik (as the Deputy Mayor):-

RESOLVED

That the following reportsbe received:

Planning Committee – 7 December 2020

Planning Committee – 12 January 2021

Governance Committee – 26 January 2021

Cabinet – 3 February 2021

Planning Committee – 8 February 2021

The following items which were not Full Council Recommendations were selected as Items for Debate:

Councillor Sudan explained the rationale for bringing forward this item for debate.  It was felt the item had not had the full debate it deserved, although there had been a strong justification for the decision that had been made. The decision to close the adventure playgrounds was made at a Cabinet meeting at the same meeting that the budget was agreed. The public were clearly not happy with the decision and it was noted that there was a clear case for unsupervised play.  There have been discussions around the vulnerable and the adventure playgrounds provide more than a place for fun and learning: they provide a safety net for children.  It was felt that alternatives should have been considered, especially in the more deprived areas.

Councillor Lamb spoke on this item adding that it was not an easy decision to make.  The options were part of the public consultation and this had not been their biggest concern for making savings.  It was important to debate issues but there had been sessions for all councillors to attend to discuss the budget challenges.  In addition, the reporting process had gone through the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet, which every councillor was entitled to attend and speak.  Alternatives had been considered but the council was legally required to set a budget.

Councillor Mullins responded that as Cabinet Member he empathised with the public but acknowledged that the adventure playgrounds were now old and whilst some had been refurbished, others would require significant investment.  The footfall of sites has decreased dramatically.  The proposed new way of operating would be more effective and meet the demands of the community.

Councillor Crow explained the rationale for bringing forward this item for debate. This proposal was welcomed and he had received positive feedback from local residents.  It assisted in the controlling of HMOs and provided a balance.

Councillor McCarthy also spoke on this item.

Councillor P Smith responded on this item stating that there was a balancing act with Article 4 Directions and the positioning of HMOs was monitored and would assist with any displacement.

Councillor Crow explained the rationale for bringing forward this item for debate.  He welcomed the permanent planning permission of the Gatwick School. It achieved a good rating in its first Ofsted rating and it was proving to be a popular school. It means the school were able to increase and improve its facilities. The permanent permission was good for school and also the town as well.

Councillors Burrett, P Smith and Irvine also spoke on this item.

Councillor Purdy responded on this item. It was acknowledged the work of the Planning Team in providing advice during the application process in order to welcome the permanent permission.