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 15 July 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 15 July 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, including:

·         Long Services Badge Presentation:

10 years – Councillor M Jones

10 years – Councillor P Lamb

The Mayor commented that at this point in the meeting he would normally be presenting Long Service Badges to Councillor Lamb and Councillor Jones for their 10 years’ service.  However this would not take place due to the nature of a virtual meeting. The Mayor took the opportunity to thank both Councillors for their long services to the residents of the town.

Councillors were informed that following the successful trial of the use of block voting at the AGM meeting, the Constitution had been amended in consultation with both Group Leaders and the Chair and Vice Chair of Governance Committee to enable Block voting for recommendations at Full Council meetings, only with the exception of any recommendations which were required by law to be held via a recorded vote.

Finally the Mayor took the opportunity to update upon recent engagements. It was noted that this had been a difficult and challenging few months. However a few attendances had still been able to take place and he was grateful for those invites.

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.

No public questions had been received.

The Full Council considered HCS/23 of the Head of Community Services which sought approval of a new Alcohol Consumption Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) when the current PSPO expired in October 2020. It was explained that an Order has been in place in Crawley since 2006 to address alcohol related anti-social behaviour firstly as a Designated Public Places Order (Intoxicating Liquor) and more recently as a transitioned PSPO. The item had been previously consider at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and the Cabinet in September 2020.

Councillor B Smith moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Crow. Councillors Brenda Burgess, Purdy and Lamb 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 15 votes, 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 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the form of the draft (at Appendix A to Report, HCS/23) having first considered the outcome of the consultation exercise and all other relevant matters, and provided that Full Council is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the 2 conditions in section 59(2) and (3) of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 are met (as set out in paragraph 4.3 of Report, HCS/23).

To consider, in accordance with Full Council Procedure Rule 1.1-H, the following Notice of Motion – ‘The Planning White Paper,’ to be moved by Councillor Crow and seconded by Councillor Lamb.

The Full Council considered Notice of Motion 1 – The Planning White Paper as set out in the Full Council’s agenda.  The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Crow and seconded and supported by Councillor Lamb.

During the debate, Councillors P Smith, Purdy, Irvine, Mullins, Fiveash, Burrett and Guidera all spoke in support of the Notice of Motion. Councillor Crow used his right of reply at the end of the debate. The Mayor then called for a vote on the Notice of Motion.

Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather through their respective Group’s

Block Vote.

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

Against the nominations: None. (0)

Abstentions: None. (0)

RESOLVED

That the Council notes:

1)         The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2)         That currently, the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning officers and committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications across the UK.

3)         While some of the analysis of the problems existing within the planning service are accepted, too many of the solutions put forward will not help the situation but may worsen it.

4)         That the following proposals contained within the White Paper are of particular concern regarding their potential impact for planning in Crawley:

·      Removal of the Duty to Cooperate, meaning there is no requirement to cooperate with regard to major developments close to shared boundaries, as well as address unmet needs.

·      The setting of a binding housing target based on constraints which are unclear.

·      That a formula-based approach does not avoid the need to make substantive, strategic decisions about the distribution of housing, and has the disadvantage of a greater perceived lack of transparency and legitimacy when applied at local level.

·      The potential loss of local democracy, accountability and engagement as part of the development management process, if increased delegation reduces or minimises the future role of the Planning Committee.

·      The contradiction of increasing Permitted Development Rights, particularly for proposals such as two storey upward extensions, against the White Paper’s increasing emphasis on good design and automated decisions against Design Codes.

·      That a nationally set Infrastructure Levy will fail to take account of differences in viability. Conversely, there is a concern that the threshold below which the Levy won’t be charged could result in development taking place in viability challenging areas within the borough, but making no contribution to infrastructure or affordable housing, therefore risking a reduction in the future provision of new affordable housing. 

and that the Council resolves to:

1)         Highlight these concerns within the response provided by the Council to the consultation.

2)         On behalf of all members, instruct the Chief Executive to formally write to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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 45, 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 Lamb, in the absence of the Deputy Mayor:-

RESOLVED

That the following reportsbe received:

·       Planning Committee – 20 July 2020

·       Planning Committee – 1 September 2020

·       Licensing Committee – 15 September 2020

·       Audit Committee – 22 September 2020

·       Overview and Scrutiny Commission –28 September 2020

·       Planning Committee – 29 September 2020

·       Cabinet – 30 September 2020

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

The Committee is asked to consider passing the following resolution:-

That under 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 involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraphs specified against the item.

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 specified against the item.

RECOMMENDATION 2

(Exempt Paragraph 3)

To consider report HPS/23 of the Major Projects and Commercial Services.

Exempt Paragraph 3 – Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)

The Full Council considered report HPS/23 of the Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services, which set out the arrangements the Council has entered into with Everyone Active and recommended extending the existing variation order to facilitate the continued opening of the leisure centres over the period 1 November 2020 – 31 March 2021.

Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Crow.  Councillor Mullins, Burrett, Sudan and Ascough also spoke on this 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 either of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather through their respective Group’s Block Vote.

For the recommendations: Labour Block vote of 16 votes, Conservative Block vote of 17 votes, Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (35)

Against the recommendations: None. (0)

Abstentions: None. (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 35, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED

That Full Council:

1)         Note the urgent decision taken by the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Commission to extend the contract variation order to facilitate the opening of the leisure centres for October 2020.

2)         Approve a delegation to the Head of Corporate Finance in consultation with Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services, the Leader of Council and Opposition Leader, to enable for the extension of the contract variation as set out in section 5, to a maximum of the figure identified in the Quarter 1 Monitoring report (FIN/505).