Democracy in Crawley

How decisions are made and who represents you

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: democratic.services@crawley.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Disclosures of Interest pdf icon PDF 35 KB

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.

 

Minutes:

The disclosures of interests made by Councillors were set out in Appendix A to the minutes.

 

2.

Communications

To receive and consider any announcementsor communications.

Minutes:

There were no communications.

3.

Public Question Time

To answerpublicquestionsunder Council Procedure Rule10.The questionsmust be on matterswhich are relevanttothe functionsofthe Council, andshould not includestatements.

 

One supplementaryquestionfrom thequestioner will be allowed.

 

Up to 30 minutesisallocatedto PublicQuestionTime.

 

Minutes:

Questions asked in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 were as follows:

           

Questioner’s Name

Name of Councillor Responding

 

Mr Mahmood - (Pound Hill)

Why can there not be a taxi rank at Gatwick airport, as the public and especially disabled visitors, as they are waiting something like 2 hours for the right vehicle?

 

 

Councillor Lamb (Leader of the Council)

As Gatwick airport is private land they have the right to decide if they wish to have a taxi rank there. The Council can only place a taxi rank on public land. A court on this matter confirmed this position. I do understand the problem, but it is out of our hands.

 

Mr Khan - (Bewbush)

 

There is a nuclear bunker under the Town Hall, how many people could live in there and for how long? Will the whole of Crawley survive if there was a nuclear holocaust?

 

 

 

Councillor Lamb (Leader of the Council)

 

The bunker was not built to house residents and it was never set up for that purpose. It was more for civic emergencies and the Chief Executive and her team would be based in there for that purpose only.

 

The best way to ensure residents survive a nuclear holocaust is by ensuring we don’t have one.

 

Mr Barrick - (Langley Green)

 

My question relates to Gatwick airport and the increase in the number of planes flying over Langley Green and the Town. When did the flight path change?

 

 

 

 

Supplementary Question

 

Over the last three to four months there certainly appears to be particular planes taking off and then flying directly over Langley Green and cause significant noise and general pollution.

Councillor Thomas

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability)

 

What I think you are talking about are ‘go-arounds,’ which is when a flight has to change due to wind for example and the nature adjustment is to fly over the town centre. I’m a member of GATCOM and I’m not aware of a change in flight paths, especially over Langley Green. Please email and I’ll bring up this matter at GATCOM.

 

 

Councillor Thomas

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability)

I believe there are meteorologically reasons to what directions planes must take off in. But please contact me over this matter

 

Councillor B Smith

(Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Community Engagement)

 

I am a Langley Green resident and one of the Ward Councillors, I agree with you over the increase in flights taking off and flying over our Ward. I’ve tried to look into the matter and officially there has been no change in flight route.

 

Mr Herbert (Southgate)

It has taken 4 years for a piece of art work I made to be put up in the Museum along with a piece of poetry I have written for Crawley’s 70th Anniversary. Thank you all Members for your help in this matter.

 

Councillor Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing)

 

I know it took some time for you to be in the museum, but the old  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 215 KB

To approve as a correct recordthe minutesofthe meetingof the Full Council held on 17 October 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 17 October 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

 

On the bequest of the Mayor an apology is recorded to Councillor Boxall and Burrett over the initial draft Minutes that were published that included their names having voted during a Recorded Vote on the Motion on Tackling Homelessness and Supporting Those at Risk. However neither voted as they were not in the room, having left prior to the commencement of the Item.

 

The Minutes approved by the Full Council had been corrected accordingly.

 

5.

Gatwick Airport Draft Master Plan 2018 Consultation pdf icon PDF 135 KB

To consider report CEx/49 of the Chief Executive.

 

As part of the Consultation Councillors at Full Council will be required to provide a clear direction to the Chief Executive on each of the responses to the Consultation questions.

 

The Chief Executive will then submit the Council’s response to the consultation as directed by the Full Council, before the consultation closes on 10 January 2019.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report CEx/49 of the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive introduced the report as follows:

 

Thank you Mr Mayor and good evening Councillors.

 

The report in front of you outlines Gatwick Airport’s proposals for ongoing development and growth over the next ten to fifteen years. This is captured in their draft masterplan currently out for consultation which ends on 10 January 2019.

In essence the draft Masterplan explains and tests a number of scenarios as to how Gatwick Airport,  which currently handles just under 46 million passengers per annum, can expand to meet growing demand for air travel.

 

The first is to Intensifying the use of the current main runway. And increasing capacity to circa 60 million passengers per annum and doubling the cargo throughput. The second scenario is Bringing the stand-by runway into regular use once a 40 year legal agreement with WSCC falls away in August 2019 plus the lifting of a restrictive planning agreement. This would accommodate growth of up to 70 million passengers per annum and tripling of cargo throughput compared to the current day.  The third process is to continue safeguarding land to the immediate south of the current runway for an additional new runway in the future.

 

It is worth explaining that the draft masterplan is set out to test the appetite of the various scenarios and as such does not have the very detailed assessments, data and studies to support it. Whilst clearly some synopsis work has taken place to provide an indication of some of the implications, the very detailed impacts and analysis work will be undertaken when a clear steer and direction is agreed. So the consultation process is structured around 11 key questions their proposals and their consultation document which we have had an opportunity to look at them.

 

I am seeking your views and agreement in how we submit our Council response. To do this we are proposing to divide our response into two clear sections. The first would  form a technical response to questions 3- 11, pages 42-48 (in your papers) including our position on the future safeguarding of land which remains the same as our previous formal position taken in 2015  which is to strongly oppose this. The second is the Council’s overall view on whether it supports or opposes the proposals as outlined in the draft Masterplan, given the background provided in our question 2 draft response (pages 33-41 of your papers). Your responses to these questions and to the recommendations, along with the general debate will provide me with a clear steer of the council’s response to submit in the New Year.

 

The Mayor then invited the Leader of the Council, then moved the report.

 

Councillor Lamb:

Members, the report that you have before you has been produced with much forethought and care. My purpose in bringing this report forward in this format is to ensure that it no ways implies the outcome of this meeting. Both the Members of Labour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Items for debate (Reserved Items) pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Prior to the introduction ofthe Minutesofthe Cabinet, Overviewand Scrutiny CommissionandCommittees (ascontained in the BookofMinutes), Memberswill be given the opportunity to indicate on which items they wish tospeak.

 

TheseReservedItemswill then bethe onlymattersto bethe subject ofa debate.

 

Minutes:

Councillors indicated that they wished to speak on a number of items as set out in the following table:

 

Minute

Book Page no.

Committee/

Minute no.

 

(and the Member reserving the item for Debate

Subject

 

(Decisions previously taken under delegated powers, reserved for debate only).

 

Subject

 

(Recommendation to Council, reserved for debate)

 

p.64

Cabinet –

31 October 2018, Minute 6

 

Labour Group

 

 

Recommendation 1 Budget Strategy 2019/20 - 2023/24.

p.67

Cabinet –

31 October 2018, Minute 9

 

Conservative Group

 

 

Recommendation 2 District Heat Network

(Part B)

p.102

Cabinet –

21 November 2018,

Minute 9

 

Conservative Group

 

Public Space Protection Order

 

 

7.

Minutes of the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Committees pdf icon PDF 81 KB

1)            Toreceive theminutes ofthe meetings ofthe Cabinet,Overviewand Scrutiny Commission and Committees, as listed on page 51, and set out in the appendices to this item.

 

2)            Toadopt any of therecommendationsto Full Council,which have notbeenreservedfor debate and as listed on page 51, and set out in the appendices to this item.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

1)            Moved by Councillor Rana (as the Deputy Mayor):-

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the following reportsbe received:

 

·                     Planning Committee – Monday 22 October 2018

·                     Overview and Scrutiny Commission – Monday 29 October 2018

·                     Cabinet – Wednesday 31 October 2018

·                     Licensing Committee – Monday 5 November 2018

·                     Governance Committee – Tuesday 13 November 2018

·                     Overview and Scrutiny Commission – Monday 19 November 2018

·                     Planning Committee – Tuesday 20 November 2018

·                     Cabinet – Wednesday 21 November 2018

·                     Audit Committee – Tuesday 27 November 2018

 

 

2)         Thatthe recommendationscontained inthe reportson thefollowing matters,which had not been reserved for debate, be adopted:-

 

Station Gateway Programme Update Cabinet – 21 November 2018 (Recommendation 3)

 

The FullCouncil consideredreport PES/307 of the Head of Economy and Planning.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council approves:

 

1.         the inclusion of the Scheme within the capital programme, funded by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and WSCC through the Crawley Growth Programme. 

 

2.         the increase of £5.2 million to the capital programme for the Station Gateway Scheme within the Crawley Growth programme, to be funded from contributions from the LEP and WSCC, subject to formal agreement with WSCC of a revised funding protocol

 

8.

Budget Strategy 2019/20 - 2023/24 (Recommendation 1) - Cabinet - Wednesday 31 October 2018

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report FIN/417 of the Head of Corporate Finance, which had been previously considered at the meeting of the Cabinet - Wednesday 31 October 2018.

 

Councillor Lamb moved and presented the report which set out the projected financial position for 2019/20 – 2023/24 for the General Fund and the underlying assumptions

 

The report was seconded by Councillor P. Smith.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council:

 

1)            approves of the Budget Strategy 2019/20 to 2023/24

 

2)            notes, for the purpose of projections, the current budget deficit of £225,000 for 2019/20, on the basis of a Council tax increase of £4.95 on a Band D in 2019/20.

 

3)            work towards balancing this over a three year period, including putting back into reserves when the Budget is in surplus.

 

4)            approved the transfer of £1m from the Business rates equalisation reserve to the General Fund reserve; and in addition any in year and future surplus are to be transferred to the General Fund reserve in order to fund the short term additional costs due to the investment in the New Town Hall build as outlined in section 7.6 of report FIN/417

 

5)            instructs Corporate Management Team to take action to address the long term budget gap and to identify policy options for consideration by Cabinet Members and the Budget Advisory Group, which will include areas where additional resources need to be redirected.

 

6)            notes that items for the Capital Programme are driven by the need for the upkeep of council assets and environmental obligations and schemes will also be considered that are spend to save or spend to earn whilst not precluding the initial consideration of capital projects that could deliver social value.

 

7)            notes that the Budget is aligned to the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

 

9.

District Heat Network (Recommendation 2) - Cabinet - 31 October 2018

Minutes:

The Mayor informed the Full Council that it was his intension to hold the discussion on the Recommendation 2 – District Heat Network (report HPS/015) from the Cabinet held on 31 October 2018, in Open - Public Session (Part A), noting that the report was an exempt report. In response Councillor T. Belben requested that the discussion actually be moved to Private Close Session – (Part B) discussion as there were elements she and other of her colleagues wish to raise would be related to commercially sensitive matters and thus it would not be appropriate to discuss in an Open – Public Session.

 

As such the Mayor, with the support of the meeting, agreed to move the discussion to a Private Close Session – (Part B) discussion and the item later on the agenda.

 

10.

Public Space Protection Order - Cabinet - 21 November 2018

Minutes:

Councillor Guidera on behalf of the Conservative Group, explained the rationale for bringing forward this item. He commented that he welcomed this decision and was pleased that it had finally been brought forward. He was hopeful it would make Crawley a quieter place. It was not a method to punish car enthusiasts and that message should be quite clear, rather to stop those who use their cars and vehicles as a method to cause disturbance and nuisance to others.

 

Councillor Irvine spoke on this item, also commenting how the Commission recommended that item should have been debated and the decision made at Full Council, as it was a Borough wide issue. He also raised as to whether any Public Space Protection Orders could be a Council function.

 

Councillor B. Burgess, Mullins, Lamb and B. Smith also spoke on this item.

 

11.

Notice of Motion 1 - Motion on the Closure of Crawley's Crown Post Office pdf icon PDF 71 KB

To consider, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, the following Notice of Motion to be moved by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor P. Smith

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the Notice of Motion 1 ‘Motion on the Closure of Crawley's Crown Post Office’ as set out in the Full Council’s agenda. The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Jones and seconded and supported by Councillor P Smith.

 

Councillor Crow moved and presented the Conservative amendment, (as shown in Appendix B to these minutes). The amendment was seconded and supported by Councillor McCarthy.

 

During the debate both on the original Notice of Motion and on the proposed amendment, Councillors, Guidera, Lunnon, B Burgess, Cheshire, Pendlington, Mullins, Willcock, A Belben, Quinn, Pickett, R Burgess and Thomas all spoke during the debate on the merit on the two options before the Full Council. Councillor Jones exercised his a right to reply to speak at the end of the debate.

 

The Mayor then called for the vote on the amendment:

 

The Mayor declared the proposed amendment to the Notice of Motion had as fallen – votes in favour 16, and 18 votes against with no abstentions.

 

12.

Duration of the Meeting (Guillotine)

Minutes:

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 Council agreed that the meeting be continued for an additional period not exceeding 30 minutes.

 

13.

Notice of Motion 1 - Motion on the Closure of Crawley's Crown Post Office (Continued)

Minutes:

The Mayor then called for the recorded vote substantive Notice of Motion:

 

Voting in Favour: M L Ayling, A Belben, T G Belben, N J Boxall, B J Burgess,

R G Burgess, C A Cheshire, R S Fiveash, F Guidera, I T Irvine, M G Jones, P K Lamb, T Lunnon, S Malik, C J Mullins, D M Peck, A Pendlington, M W Pickett,

C Portal Castro, B J Quinn, T Rana, B A Smith, P C Smith, M A Stone, K Sudan,

J Tarrant, G Thomas, and L Willcock. (28)

 

Voting Against: None. (0)

 

Abstentions: R D Burrett, D Crow, C R Eade, R A Lanzer. K L Jaggard and

K McCarthy. (6)

 

The Mayor declared the Notice of Motion as carried – votes in favour 28, and no votes against with 6 votes of abstentions.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

This Council notes with concern that:

 

  • On 11 October 2018 it was announced that 74 crown post offices across the UK, including Crawley’s crown post office, will be franchised to WH Smith.  Taken together, successive franchise announcements mean the loss of 60% of the crown office network since 2013.

 

  • These privatisations are financed using millions of pounds of public money, despite the fact that the public has never endorsed the closures, indeed they have only ever protested against them.  Indeed, despite considerable campaigning over recent years with huge local public support, many nearby crown post offices have all closed despite the overwhelming will of the public that they remain open.

 

  • In 2014/15 alone, £13 million of public money was used to pay compensation to get rid of post office staff, and the CWU estimates the staff compensation cost of the latest privatisation will be at least £30 million, affecting as it does, 800 staff.

 

  • Reports by Consumer Focus (2012) and Citizens Advice (2016) have identified issues with the franchising of post offices to WH Smith including poor accessibility for people with mobility impairments, longer queuing times, and inferior service and advice on products.

 

  • Franchising means the loss of jobs with good terms and conditions at the Post Office. WH Smith replaces experienced post office staff with new employees in typically minimum wage part time roles. This is clearly bad for jobs in Crawley and Post Office workers, many of whom are our local residents.

 

  • The closure of our Crown post offices and relocation to a WH Smith, also means the loss of prime high street stores and this contributes to the demise of our town centres. No explanation has been given as to why the profit-making Crown post offices such as Crawley’s are being handed to WH Smith.

 

  • All Crown post offices are under threat of closure and/or franchising in future, if the latest round of privatisations are allowed to go ahead, it could prove the tipping point for the viability of the entire post office network.

 

This Council believes that:

 

14.

Councillors' Written Questions pdf icon PDF 91 KB

To answer Councillors’ writtenquestionsunder Council Procedure Rule 11.3.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Councillors’ written questions, together with the answers, were published in advance of the start of the Meeting. The questions were as follows:-

 

Questioner                    Councillor Lanzer

Addressed to                 Leader of the Council

Subject(s)                     Council’s use of Consultants

 

Questioner                    Councillor Jaggard

Addressed to                 Cabinet Member for Planning and

                                      Economic Development

Subject(s)                     The water feature in Queens Square.

 

Questioner                    Councillor Crow

Addressed to                 Cabinet Member for Resources

Subject(s)                     Expenditure of new Town Hall Project

 

15.

Announcements by Cabinet Members

Anopportunityfor CabinetMembersto report verbally (ifnecessary)on issuesrelating totheirPortfolio not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet Member

Subject

 

Councillor Thomas – (Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability).

 

Announced the new established partnership between the Council and LEAP to offers a free energy and money advice service to people most in need of support, especially during winter as cost of fuel increases.

 

Eligible households will be able to benefit from a complimentary home visit from a qualified home energy advisors. They check if residents were on the cheapest energy tariff, advice on mould, damp and draughty prevention, and support on other related matters.

 

 

16.

Questions to Cabinet Members

To answer questionsto CabinetMembersunder Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

 

Up to 15 minutesisallocatedfor questionsto CabinetMember

Minutes:

NameofCouncilloraskingQuestion

NameofCabinetMember Responding

Councillor Crow to the CabinetMember Housing

 

When is the Council going to update the Homelessness Strategy?

 

Councillor Jones–

(CabinetMember for Housing).

 

Because of the changes to the Homelessness Reduction Act we are soon beginning the process of updating and amending the Homelessness Strategy. This has already started to a certain extent as back in November officers began looking at the Rough Sleepers Strategy which falls into that Strategy.  If Councillor Crow is interested in further details I’ll ask officers to provide them.

 

Councillor Jaggardto the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

 

Thank you very much for your comprehensive reply to my question regarding the fountain in Queens Square.  I agree it’s proven very popular particularly with children running in and out of the water. I understand from your answer there have been daily checks to ensure no immediate safety risks for the surrounding area of the water feature. However in the instruction booklet p.20 it states that ‘manual checking of levels of chlorine and PH balance is required particularly in the first season of operation. This should be done twice a day”. I wondered if you could kindly please explain why these checks were not taken twice a day as per the instruction book.

 

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and

Economic Development).

 

Thank you very much for your question. I don’t have a copy of the instruction book with me. But what I will do is I’ll review the question and get an answer to you.

 

Councillor Peckto the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

 

Crawley Boulevard East, Crawley Boulevard West and Cross Keys Car Park are managed by a private car parking company called NCP. For over a year nor NCP have been using newly installed ANPR cameras and signage without planning permission.

 

Why are there so many increasingly retrospective planning permissions are submitted in all areas has the Cabinet Member lost control of the situation and is just happy for the development to happen without any oversight of the planning department?

 

This planning proposal should not be happening and as a responsible authority we should not be rubber stamping these applications.

 

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and

Economic Development).

 

Thank you Councillor Peck. We have not lost control of Planning, quite the opposite in fact.  We already have officers investigating these breaches you are alleging.  I can’t give advice on how residents should deal with the situation.  It is a work in progress as people are currently investigating.  I hope you reported it yourself to the appropriate Planning Officers.

 

Councillor B Burgessto the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

 

How does the Cabinet Member feel about having Queens Square dug up and I hope it’s going to be returned to its original standard?

 

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and

Economic Development).

 

I’m not sure which part you’re referring to,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Questions to Committee Chairs

To answer questionsto Committee Chairs.

 

Up to 15 minutesisallocatedfor questionsto CommitteeChairs.

 

Minutes:

Name ofCouncillor askingQuestion

Name ofCommittee Chair Responding

Councillor Crow to theChair of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission

 

We heard earlier that Cabinet rejected the Commission’s request over PSPO being sent to Council. I was there and Cabinet strongly shot this down. What was her view in response to how Cabinet deals with this matter?

 

Councillor Cheshire

(Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission).

 

I was struck by urgency over the need expressed by Cabinet, during their discussion, to put the PSPO in place for our residents. This aspect was not really an area the Commission fully touched upon during our debate. Yes I put forward to Cabinet the Commission’s view as it was a Borough wide matter Council might be more appropriate, but Cabinet emphasising the urgency and they also noted that there was cross party support for the PSPO being introduced. So I do understand their decision.

 

 

18.

Duration of the Meeting (Guillotine)

Minutes:

As the business had not been completed within the additional 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 Council agreed that the meeting be continued for an additional period not exceeding 30 minutes.

 

19.

Questions to Committee Chairs (Continued)

Minutes:

Name ofCouncillor askingQuestion

Name ofCommittee Chair Responding

Councillor Lunnonto the Chair of the Governance Committee

 

A question was raised during the debate on the procedure of what a Councillor can do if they were unhappy with a decision or approach taken by Cabinet on a matter. So I thought I would ask the Chair of Governance what was the procedure?

 

Councillor Lunnon

(Chair of the Governance Committee).

 

The procedure would be the Call-In procedure, which I believe was initially used on the PSPO item earlier.

 

Also there is currently a constitutional review taking place so if any Councillors have any suggestion on procedures that might need amending please send through those suggestions?

 

Councillor Lamb to the Chair of the Governance Committee

 

Would The Chair of Governance consider a request that all PSPO decisions be taken by the Full Council rather than by Cabinet?

 

 

Councillor Lunnon

(Chair of the Governance Committee).

 

Personally I think it would be incredibly prescribed to put in the Constitution every Borough wide matter such as PSPOs, being required to be taken by the Full Council. It would also lengthen the Constitution and the Full Council meetings.

 

But also Councillor Lamb as the Chair of the Constitutional Review Working Group, please feel free to incorporate your thoughts into the process, to ensure all our processes run efficiently.

 

Councillor Irvineto the Chair of the Governance Committee

 

I thank the Chair of Governance for his response mentioning the Constitutional Review Working Group, which I am a member of. But does he believe there would be a merit in the Working Group having a meeting to debate matters, rather than an electronic based approach?

 

Councillor Lunnon

(Chair of the Governance Committee).

 

Since I am not a member of the Working Group, I think it would be remiss of me to dictate how they should be working. I suggest you speak to the Chair of the Working Group if you have some concerns.

 

20.

Exempt Information - Exclusion of the Public

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

 

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

 

21.

District Heat Network (Recommendation 3)- Cabinet - 31 October 2018 (Exempt Discussion)

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report HPS/15 of the Head of Mayor Projects and Commercial Services, which had been previously considered at the Cabinet on 31 October 2018. Councillor Thomas presented the report which detailed the business case to progress with Phrase 1 of the District Heat Network and sort approval of the budget and funding for the project.

 

Councillor T. Belben then spoke on behave of the Conservative Group, she raised several concerns over the business case and the associated risks. Councillor Thomas responded to this and requested if she email him her questions and concerns he’ll ensure responses were provided by officers.

 

Councillor Jaggard also spoke on the item.

 

Moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor Thomas. 

 

The Mayor declared the proposed recommendation as carried – votes in favour 19, and votes against 11 with 3 abstentions.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council approves

 

i)          the budget and funding for the District Heat Network scheme as shown in paragraph 4.9 of report HPS/15. 

 

ii)          the virement from the K2 Crawley Combined Heat and Power (CHP) project, as outlined in paragraph 4.9 report HPS/15.

 

Appendix A - Declarations of Interests

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

 

 

 

Councillor

Item

Meeting and  Minute

Type and Nature of Disclosure

 

Councillor

J Tarrant

Planning Application CR/2018/0549/FUL - Goffs Park, Horsham Road, Southgate, Crawley

Planning Committee

22 October 2018 Minute 4, page 54

Personal and Prejudicial Interest –

as the Chair of the Friends of Goffs

Park Group.

 

Councillor Tarrant left the meeting

before consideration of this application and took no part in the discussion or voting on the item.

Councillor

R Burrett

 

Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC)

Overview and Scrutiny Commission 29 October 2018  Minute 9, page 61

Personal and Non-Prejudicial Interest as a Member of West Sussex County Council;

Personal and Prejudicial Interest as a trustee of Crawley Open House

Councillor

R Lanzer

District Heat Network

Overview and Scrutiny Commission

29 October 2018

Minute 7, page 59

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of

West Sussex County

Council

 

Councillor

P Lamb

Adopting the Unite Construction Charter

Cabinet

31 October 2018

Minute 7, page 66

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of the Unite Union

 

Councillor

T Lunnon

Adopting the Unite Construction Charter

Cabinet

31 October 2018

Minute 7, page 66

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of the Unite Union

 

Councillor

Malik

Adopting the Unite Construction Charter

Cabinet

31 October 2018

Minute 7, page 66

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of the Unite Union

 

Councillor

A Skudder

Adopting the Unite Construction Charter

Cabinet

31 October 2018

Minute 7, page 66

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of the Unite Union

 

Councillor

P Smith

Adopting the Unite Construction Charter

Cabinet

31 October 2018  

Minute 7, page 66

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of the Unite Union

 

Councillor

R Lanzer

District Heat Network

Cabinet

31 October 2018  

Minute 9, page 67

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of

West Sussex County

Council

 

Councillor

D Crow

Abandoned Shopping Trolleys

Overview and Scrutiny Commission

19 November 2018 Minute 5, page 84

 

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of Crawley Town Centre Partnership

 

Councillor

R A Lanzer

Station Gateway Programme Update

Overview and Scrutiny Commission

19 November 2018

Minute 6, page 85

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

as a Member of

West Sussex County

Council

 

Councillor

S Malik

 

Scrutiny Suggestions –

Impact and Implementation of the Deregulation Act

 

Overview and Scrutiny Commission

19 November 2018

Minute 9, page 87

 

Personal and Non-

Prejudicial Interest

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire

Driver

 

Councillor

R Burrett

 

Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC)

Overview and Scrutiny Commission 29 October 2018  Minute 9, page 61

Personal and Non-Prejudicial Interest as a Member of West Sussex County Council;

Personal and Prejudicial Interest as a trustee of Crawley Open House

Councillor

T Lunnon

 

Crawley Borough Council Response to the Gatwick Airport Draft

Master Plan 2018 Consultation

 

Full Council

Agenda Item 6

12 December 2018

Personal Interest – Employee at a Local Airways Company.

Councillor

T Rana

Crawley Borough Council Response to the Gatwick Airport Draft

Master Plan 2018 Consultation

 

Full Council

Agenda Item 6

12 December 2018

Personal Interest – Employee at a Local Airways Company.

 

Appendix B

Full Council

 

12 December 2018

 

CONSERVATIVE AMENDMENT TO

NOTICE OF MOTION 1 - MOTION ON THE CLOSURE OF CRAWLEY’S

CROWN POST OFFICE

 

Mover Councillor Crow and Seconder Councillor McCarthy.

(Those words struck through it is proposed be deleted and in BOLD are to be added)

This Council notes with concern that:

 

  • On 11 October 2018 it was announced that 74 crown post offices across the UK, including Crawley’s crown post office, will be franchised to WH Smith. Taken together, successive franchise announcements mean the loss of 60% of the crown office network since 2013.

 

  • These privatisations are financed using millions of pounds of public money, despite the fact that the public has never endorsed the closures, indeed they have only ever protested against them. Indeed, despite considerable campaigning over recent years with huge local public support, many nearby crown post offices have all closed despite the overwhelming will of the public that they remain open.

 

  • In 2014/15 alone, £13 million of public money was used to pay compensation to get rid of post office staff, and the CWU estimates the staff compensation cost of the latest privatisation will be at least £30 million, affecting as it does, 800 staff.

 

  • Reports by Consumer Focus (2012) and Citizens Advice (2016) have identified issues with the franchising of post offices to WH Smith including poor accessibility for people with mobility impairments, longer queuing times, and inferior service and advice on products.

 

  • Franchising means the loss of jobs with good terms and conditions at the Post Office. WH Smith replaces experienced post office staff with new employees in typically minimum wage part time roles. This is clearly bad for jobs in Crawley and Post Office workers, many of whom are our local residents.

 

  • The closure of our Crown post offices and relocation to a WH Smith, also means the loss of prime high street stores and this contributes to the demise of our town centres. No explanation has been given as to why the profitmaking Crown post offices such as Crawley’s are being handed to WH Smith.

 

  • All Crown post offices are under threat of closure and/or franchising in future, if the latest round of privatisations are allowed to go ahead, it could prove the tipping point for the viability of the entire post office network.

 

This Council believes that:

 

  • Our post offices are a key asset for the community, and the expertise and experience of staff there is invaluable.

 

  • The relentless franchising and closure programme of the profit-making Crown post Offices, points to a lack of vision rather than the plan for growth and innovation that is needed.

 

  • Government should therefore halt these closures and bring together stakeholders, including the CWU, and industry experts to develop a new strategy that safeguards the future of the Post office.

 

This Council resolves to:

1.         Ask the Leader of the Council to write to Government to raise concern about the apparent managed decline of the post office network and the impact on high streets across the UK as well as the service in the franchised premises, and the poor quality jobs that result.

 

2.         Calls on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise the issue and (separately) the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to jointly meet with WH Smith and the Post Office to urge a stop to the planned franchise in Crawley.

 

3.         To join local campaigning to raise awareness of the value of our Post Office and the need for it to remain an asset of and for the people.

 

 

Proposed Amendment Motion would now read:

 

 

This Council notes with concern that:

 

  • On 11 October 2018 it was announced that 74 crown post offices across the UK, including Crawley’s crown post office, will be franchised to WH Smith. Taken together, successive franchise announcements mean the loss of 60% of the crown office network since 2013.

  

  • Reports by Consumer Focus (2012) and Citizens Advice (2016) have identified issues with the franchising of post offices to WH Smith including poor accessibility for people with mobility impairments, longer queuing times, and inferior service and advice on products.

 

  • The closure of our Crown post offices and relocation to a WH Smith, also means the loss of prime high street stores and this contributes to the demise of our town centres. No explanation has been given as to why the profitmaking Crown post offices such as Crawley’s are being handed to WH Smith.

 

This Council believes that:

 

  • Our post offices are a key asset for the community, and the expertise and experience of staff there is invaluable.

 

  • Government should therefore bring together stakeholders, including the CWU, and industry experts to develop a new strategy that safeguards the future of the Post office.

 


 

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1.         Ask the Leader of the Council to write to Government to raise concern about the apparent managed decline of the post office network and the impact on high streets across the UK as well as the service in the franchised premises, and the poor quality jobs that result.

 

2.         Calls on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise the issue and (separately) the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to jointly meet with WH Smith and the Post Office to urge a stop to the planned franchise in Crawley.

 

3.         To join local campaigning to raise awareness of the value of our Post Office and the need for it to remain an asset of and for the people.