Agenda and minutes

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 22 October 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 21 October 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 commented that there were no updates at this meeting as due to the current Coronavirus pandemic unfortunately there were restrictions in place that had limited Mayoral attendance.

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.

There were no questions from the public.

The Full Council considered report CEX/52of the Chief Executive which proposed a new polling district LAC in Bewbush and North Broadfield Ward to cater for the boundary of the Bewbush and Ifield West Division with the Gossops Green and Southgate Division of West Sussex County Council. The reason for this proposal was to take account of a minor discrepancy between the Borough Ward boundary and County Division boundary at Burbeach Close, Bewbush.

The item had been previously considered at the Governance Committee on 17  November 2020. 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 14 votes, Conservative block vote of 16 votes, and Councillor Sudan. (31)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 31, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves the amendment to the Polling Scheme to create polling district LAC as shown in the table at Appendix A to report CEX/52.

The Full Council considered report PES/367of the Head of Economy and Planning which sought Full Council approval of the submission of the draft Local Plan for a further publication consultation, and followed by the submission of draft Local Plan for Submission to the Secretary of State for Examination by an independent Planning Inspector, (subject to minor amendments deemed necessary following consultation for the purposes of clarity) and the approval of the publication and submission of the supporting documents for the Local Plan. The item had been previously considered at the Cabinet on 25 November 2020.

Councillor P Smith introduced the recommendation to the Full Council noting that it was a legal requirement for a Council to have a Local Plan in place which needed to regularly reviewed. The current Local Plan had been approved by Full Council in December 2015. It was noted that the development of the proposed Local Plan had occurred in a cross-party manner to ensure that the proposals were in the best interest of the borough and its residents. Officers were thanked for their hard work on producing the proposed Local Plan. Councillors Lamb and P Smith jointly moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Purdy, in so doing he commented his support for the proposal.

Councillor Burrett moved and presented the Pound Hill North and Forge Wood Councillors Amendment, namely:

That the Local Plan be agreed as proposed but with all reference to the Gatwick Green employment site allocation having been removed.

The amendment was seconded and supported by Councillor McCarthy.

A single debate occurred on both the recommendation and the proposed amendment. Councillors Crow, Lanzer, B Burgess, Jaggard and Guidera all spoke during the debate.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process on the amendment. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote. However the Conservative Group confirmed that there would be no Group block vote on the amendment and as such Conservative Councillors would be voting individually.

For the amendment: Councillors Ascough, T Belben, Burrett, Eade, Jaggard, and McCarthy (6)

Against the amendment: Labour block vote of 14 votes and Councillors

R Burgess, Crow, Guidera, Lanzer, Millar-Smith, Mwagale, Peck, Pendlington and Purdy (23)

Abstentions: Councillors A Belben, B Burgess, and Sudan. (3)

The Mayor declared that the proposed amendment had fallen – votes in favour 6, and votes against 23 with 3 abstentions.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process on the recommendation 2. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote. However the Conservative Group confirmed that there would be no Group block vote on recommendation 2 and as such Conservative Councillors would be voting individually.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Full Council considered report FIN/511of the Head of Corporate Finance, which set out the projected financial position for 2021/22 to 2025/26 for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, capital programme and the underlying assumptions.  The report also set the policy framework for the budget process, recognising that there were a range of options for capital investment, income generation, savings and Council Tax levels; none of which can be considered in isolation. The overall objective was to work towards a balanced General Fund budget over a four year period, rather than previously three year period as a result of the impact of the pandemic.

It was noted that currently there was a budget deficit of £2.250m for 2021/22 before use of reserves and before any savings are identified, on the basis of a Council tax increase of 2.37% which is £4.95 on a Band D in property 2021/22.

The item had been previously considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet on 23 November 2020 and 25 November 2020 respectively. Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Crow, who both 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 or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 14 votes, and Conservative block vote of 17 votes. (31)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: Councillor Sudan (1)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 31, and votes against 0 with 1 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves the Budget Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26 and:

a)            Notes the outlook for Government funding for the period 2021/22 and future years as explained in the report and in particular the delay in Local Government Funding reforms and a one year only spending review.

b)            Notes the creation of a Covid-19 Support Reserve to provide resource cover for any ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the Council’s medium term financial position, should no further support from Government be received in future years.  This is from reviewing existing earmarked reserves.

c)            Notes, for the purpose of projections, the current budget deficit of £2.250m for 2021/22 before use of reserves, on the basis of a Council tax increase of 2.37% which is £4.95 on a Band D in property 2021/22.  This is before any savings are identified.

d)            Works towards balancing this over a four year period, including putting back into reserves when the Budget is in surplus.  There may be a need to use reserves over the next 3 years to balance the budget together with ongoing savings.

e)            Agrees that savings, efficiencies and increased income identified by officers are approved in order to reduce the budget gap.

f)             Notes that savings agreed to be taken forward will be worked up and included in the Budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Full Council considered report FIN/511of the Head of Corporate Finance.  The report proposed the appropriation of garages from the HRA to the General Fund. It was explained that with the garages being assets they could be taken out of the ring-fenced HRA and moved to the General Fund, thus bringing in a further revenue to the Council. In return there would be a contribution to the HRA of £17.6m to invest in new homes or to pay off existing debt.

The item had been previously considered at the Cabinet on 25 November 2020. Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Irvine. Councillors Crow and Millar-Smith 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 or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 14 votes, and Conservative block vote of 17 votes. (31)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: Councillor Sudan (1)

The Mayor declared the recommendations was carried – votes in favour 31, and votes against 0 with 1 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves:

a)            The appropriation of all garages from the HRA to the General Fund as at 1 April 2021, with the exception of those garages that are included within a Crawley Homes’ tenancy agreement

b)            Delegated authority to the Head of Corporate Finance in consultation with the Head of Crawley Homes to use the powers under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 to transfer such garages from the HRA to the General Fund,  when any of the garages currently included within a Crawley Homes’ tenancy agreement falls outside of that tenancy, and

c)            To develop an appropriate pricing and fees regime for the letting of garages in consultation with the Leader, and for this to take effect from 1st April 2021.

The Full Council considered report CH/192of the Head of Crawley Homes.  The report sought approval for the budget and authority to enter into a ‘Design and Build Contract’ for the construction of approximately 85 new affordable residential units at Breezehurst Playing Fields, Bewbush, Crawley as part of the Council’s own build housing programme.

The item had been previously considered at the Cabinet on 25 November 2020. Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Irvine. Councillors Crow, Jones, Jhans, Bob Burgess, Mullins, and Ayling 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 or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block votes of 14 votes, Conservative block votes of 17 votes, and Councillor Sudan. (32)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

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

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves the expenditure stated in paragraph 6.5 of report CH/192 from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Right to Buy one for one receipts for the delivery of approximately 85 new affordable residential units at Breezehurst Playing Fields.

In advance of agenda item 7 – Notice of Motion – Donating the Mayoral Ball Budget to the Mayor’s Charities, the Mayor commented as he would be the mover of the Motion and Deputy Mayor Councillor Malik was to be the seconder of the Motion, they would therefore relinquish the positions of Chair and Vice Chair of the meeting for the item.

The Mayor then sought a nomination to Chair the next item. Councillor Purdy was nominated by Councillor Crow and seconded by Councillor Burrett. With no other nominations it was agreed that Councillor Purdy be appointed as the Chair for the next item.

To consider, in accordance with Full Council Procedure Rule 1.1-H, the following Notice of Motion to be moved by Councillor Guidera and seconded by Councillor Malik.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion ‘Donating the Mayoral Ball Budget to the Mayor’s Charities’ which was set out in the Full Council’s agenda. The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Guidera and seconded and supported by Councillor Malik. In presenting the Motion Councillor Guidera explained how his Mayoral year had been drastically affected by the pandemic, as such he had not been able to hold funding events to support his chosen charity of Manor Green School and College, which would happen in a normal year. He explained that it was likely that he would be unable to hold the annual Mayoral charity ball so he was proposing that, to ensure he was still able to donate to his charity, the budget allocated for supporting Mayoral events be donated instead.

Councillors Ayling, R Burgess, Sharma, Crow, Jaggard spoke in support of the proposal during the debate on the Notice of Motion.

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 Notice of Motion: Labour block votes of 14 votes, Conservative block votes of 17 votes, and Councillor Sudan. (32)

Against the Notice of Motion: None (0)

Abstentions: (0)

Councillor Purdy in the Chair declared the Notice of Motion was carried – votes in favour 32, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

Each year the Mayor is installed and a celebration is held to mark the occasion. During the year the Mayor would normally host several functions, events that members of the community are invited to attend with the main event being the annual Mayor’s Ball. The Mayor uses these functions to thank the community and to assist with fundraising for their chosen charity.

As we all know, 2020 is not a normal year for anyone.

Due to the lockdowns and the limitations on group sizes outside of lockdowns, as the Mayor I have been prevented from hosting events and fundraising in any meaningful way so far and I don’t expect that to change during my term as Mayor which ends in May next year, therefore the budget allocated for supporting such Mayoral events during my term remains unused.

It’s Christmas. What better time than the season of goodwill to propose a generous and festive Christmas Notice of Motion?

It is hereby propose to donate as a gift, a sizeable part of the ceremonial budget that would normally be spent on the Mayoral activities during my term as Mayor to one of the most deserving causes in our town, my chosen charities this year, Manor Green Primary School and College. They too have been unable to fundraise this year and with this gesture we will help them greatly.

Over the past four years the average cost of the annual Mayoral ball has been £4700 alone, and as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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.

To receive the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Committees, as listed on page 19, 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 Mailk (as the Deputy Mayor):-

RESOLVED

That the following reportsbe received:

·         Overview and Scrutiny Commission – 2 November 2020

·         Planning Committee – 3 November 2020

·         Licensing Committee – 9 November 2020

·         Governance Committee – 17 November 2020

·         Overview and Scrutiny Commission –  23 November 2020

·         Cabinet – 25 November 2020

It was noted that there were no other items reserved for discussion.