The Full Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Charles Petts who had sadly and suddenly passed away.

The Mayor then invited representatives from each party to pay tribute to Councillor Petts. Councillors Crow, Lamb, B Smith, Guidera 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 were set out in Appendix A to the minutes.

To receive and consider any announcementsor communications.

The Mayor provided the Full Council with a brief update on some of the Mayoral events he had attended so far this year, including the final of Crawley’s Premier League Cricket, a number of Armed Forces Day events and the opening of the new L3-Harris building in Manor Royal with HRH the Prince of Wales. Members were informed that the Mayor had also held a number of events in the council chamber before it was decommissioned, including having a visit from students from Manor Green School.

The Mayor also offered congratulations to the Men’s England Cricket Team for winning the World Cup.

The Mayor will present gifts to former Councillors Chris Cheshire, Carlos

Portal-Castro, Brian Quinn, Martin Stone and Lisa Vitler to commemoratetheir service totheCouncil.

Former Councillors Nigel Boxall, Jan Tarrant, Andrew Skudder and Laura-Lee Wilcock, were unable to attend the Full Council meeting and will received his commemorate gifts separately.

The Mayor presented gifts to former Councillors Chris Cheshire, Carlos Portal-Castro, Brian Quinn, Martin Stone and Lisa Vitler, who had all ceased to hold office, to commemorate their service to the Council.

Former Councillors Nigel Boxall, Jan Tarrant, Andrew Skudder and Laura-Lee Willcock were unable to attend the Full Council meeting and would receive their commemorative gifts separately.

The Mayorwill present each of the followingCouncillorswith a badge commemorating their long service asa MemberofCrawley Borough Council:-

The Mayor presented Councillor Brenda Burgess with a 15 year commemorative badge and Councillor Irvine with a 20 year commemorative badge respectively, to mark their service as Members of Crawley Borough Council. In doing so, the Mayor thanked them for their long and dedicated service to the Authority.

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.

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

To approve as a correct recordthe minutesofthe meetingof the Full Council held on 24 May 2019.

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 24 May 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor subject to the following amendment on page 10 that should read ‘R. Sharma’ and not ‘Castro’ as the Mayor, which had been previously stated.

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.

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

1)            Toreceive theminutes ofthe meetings ofthe Cabinet,Overviewand Scrutiny Commission and Committees, as listed on page 25, 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 25, and set out in the appendices to this item.

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

RESOLVED

That the following reportsbe received:

·                Planning Committee – 8 April 2019

·                Overview and Scrutiny Commission – 3 June 2019

·                Planning Committee – 4 June 2019

·                Licensing Committee – 10 June 2019

·                Governance Committee – 19 June 2019

·                Overview and Scrutiny Commission – 24 June 2019 (including the Exempt Minute 11. Occupational Sick Pay for Crawley Homes' Contractor Staff)

·                Cabinet – 26 June 2019

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

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

Appointment of an Independent Person

Governance Committee – 19 March 2019 (Recommendation 1)

The Full Council considered the recommendation of the Head of Legal, Democracy and HR, which had been previously considered by Governance Committee on 19 June 2019.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves the appointment of Mr P Nicolson for a further two year term of office as the Independent Person under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Agreements

Cabinet – 26 June 2019 (Recommendation 3)

The Full Council considered reportSHAP/78 of the Head of Strategic Housing which had been previously considered by Cabinet on 26 June 2019 and Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 24 June 2019.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves an amended supplementary capital estimate of up to £6,423,280 (£4,423,280 and £2,000,000), funded from the Housing Infrastructure Fund as outlined in paragraph 3.2 of report SHAP/78.

Councillor Crow provided the rationale for bringing this item forward for debate, commenting that he was disappointed with the decision of the Planning Committee in not allowing retrospective planning permission from Metro Bank over the windows at the front of building. The building was very prominent in Queen’s Square, and Metro Bank were new to the town and the Committee should have considered using a ‘common sense’ approach to this decision, especially in light of the criticism received on social media where the Council has appeared to be ‘job’s worth’ in rejecting the planning permission forcing them to change their frontage.

Councillors Lamb, B Burgess, P Smith, McCarthy, McAleney and Pickett also spoke on the subject with strong views being expressed including reference to the Planning Committee’s previous decision to allow the Crawley Museum a similar retrospective planning permission.

Councillor Malik as Chair of the Planning Committee spoke last on the item, commenting that the Committee made its decision fairly based on the information before them, the Officers recommendations and independently, as Planning Committee members weren’t whipped.

Councillors Malik and Rana then left the chamber in advance of the debate on the next item.

Councillor Crow provided the rationale for bringing this item forward for debate, commenting that he wanted to praise the logical decision made by the Licensing Committee over the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Livery and noted that it was clear the decision was taken in the public interest.

However Councillor Crow did comment that he hoped the Chair of the Licensing Committee would check the minutes more thoroughly, whilst he acknowledged that the minute for this item was very detailed, he was aware that there were a number of clerical mistakes, including under the list of attendees Councillor Millar-Smith’s initial had been missed off.

Councillor Lanzer also spoke on the item.

Councillor Jones as Chair of the Licensing Committee spoke last on the item, commenting that he felt the Committee had made a good and considered decision. The decision might have taken some time to be taken, because of the use of external consultation, but that process was important to seeking the views of the trade, responsible authorities and the public, before Members came to a sound decision based on the views received in the best interest of our residents.

Councillors Malik and Rana returned to the chamber at the conclusion of debate.

The Full Council consideredreport PES/316 of the Head of Economy and Planning which had been previously considered by Cabinet on 26 June 2019 and Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 24 June 2019.

Councillor P Smith presented the report as the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development. Councillor Crow also spoke on the item and the recommendation.

Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor P Smith.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves:

1.         a further £600,842 of received S106 developer contributions is allocated to the CBC capital programme Crawley Growth Programme budget and commit these funds to the specific projects as detailed in 7.2.2 of report PES/316

2.         from within the existing Crawley Growth Programme budget, the allocation of £327,637 of received S106 developer contributions to the project schemes set out in section 7.2.2 of report PES/316

3.         an increase to the overall Crawley Growth Programme capital programme allocation of £6 million for the Town Centre Commercial Office Space project within the Crawley Growth Programme, to be funded by contributions from existing funding commitments to the Crawley Growth Programme, subject to formal agreement with West Sussex County Council of a revised funding protocol.

Toconsider,in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, thefollowing Notice ofMotion tobemoved by Councillor Thomasand seconded byCouncillor P. Smith.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion 1 ‘Climate Emergency Declaration’ as set out in the Full Council’s agenda. The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Thomas and seconded and supported by Councillor P. Smith.

During the debate Councillors Lanzer, Jhans, Crow, Sudan, B Burgess, Mullins, Lunnon, Lamb and Sharma all spoke in support of the Notice of Motion. Councillor Thomas used his right to reply to speak at the end of the debate.

The Mayor then called for a vote on the Notice of Motion, which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

Crawley Borough Council welcomes the various recent initiatives taken in Parliament and by West Sussex County Council and many other local authorities to increase awareness of the urgency of addressing the issue of reducing CO2 emissions and:

1.            declares a climate emergency

2.            pledges to aim to reduce carbon emissions generated by Crawley Borough Council activities by at least 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050 as recommended by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

3.            Calls upon central Government to provide the powers and resources to make these targets possible

4.            agrees to work with other Councils and partners to determine and implement best practice methods to reduce carbon emissions and so limit global heating to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius

5.            requests that the Overview and Scrutiny Commission (OSC) urgently sets up 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. Council further requests that OSC co-opts a member or members of the Youth Council to the Scrutiny Panel

6.            requests that the Head of Corporate Finance will undertake a review of the ethical investment policy in the Treasury Management Strategy with a view to incorporating the Council’s climate change declaration

7.            encourages all Crawley residents to commit to the West Sussex County Council Climate Pledge published in May 2019.

Toconsider,in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, thefollowing Notice ofMotion tobemoved by Councillor Jaggardand seconded byCouncillor Millar-Smith.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion 2 – Parking and Safety Outside Of Our Schools as set out in the Full Council’s agenda. The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Jaggard and seconded and supported by Councillor Peck.

In presenting the Notice of Motion Councillor Jaggard commented in respect of the Labour Amendment, that she would be accepting the Amendment and as such it became the Substantive Motion.

Councillor Thomas thanked Councillor Jaggard for accepting the amendment and commented he was in support of the Motion.

The Mayor then called for a vote on the Notice of Motion as amended, which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

This Council expresses concern that schools across Crawley experience serious problems at drop-off and pick-up times due to dangerous, inconsiderate and often illegal parking by people wanting to place themselves as close as possible to the school gates.

This Council acknowledges that the statutory responsibility for on-street parking rests with West Sussex County Council, and welcomes the beneficial effect of the town-wide TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) brought in by West Sussex County Council for all yellow zig-zag lines outside Crawley’s schools, and believes that our Civil Enforcement Officers (traffic wardens) do a good job with the resources that they have, but that safety could be improved through increased enforcement.

In the interest of children’s safety, this Council resolves to write to West Sussex County Council to request that it provides more resources to districts and boroughs to enable further enforcement to take place. In particular, we would ask that serious consideration be given to the following measures - as well as any others that it could suggest:

·           the employment of more Civil Enforcement Officers and back up staff

·           changes to road markings and signage which would allow Penalty Charge Notices to be issued with no required observation period

·           the use of fixed or mobile automatic number plate recognition equipment

·           additional resources being allocated to sustainable transport initiatives, including the encouragement of walking and cycling and the use of public transport to and from schools.

The Council also requests that officers, where possible and within current budgets, adapt the Civil Enforcement Officers’ current pattern of patrols to ensure that that they are patrolling outside of our primary schools during the drop-off and pick-up times.

To answer Councillors’ writtenquestionsunder Council Procedure Rule 11.3.

Councillors’ written questions, together with the answers, were published in advance of the start of the meeting with the Council’s Supplementary Agenda.

The question was as follows:-

Questioner                    Councillor Jaggard

Addressed to                 Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability

Subject(s)                     The number of and the reasoning behind missed household waste and household recycling collections.

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

To answer questionsto CabinetMembersunder Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

Up to 15 minutesisallocatedfor questionsto CabinetMember

To answer questionsto Committee Chairs.

Up to 15 minutesisallocatedfor questionsto CommitteeChairs.

The Council 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 involves 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.

Exempt Paragraphs 3 & 4

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under the authority.

The Full Council considered report CH/184 by the Leader of the Council which had been previously considered by Cabinet on 26 June 2019 and Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 24 June 2019.

The Leader presented the rationale behind the recommendation before the Council.

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.

Following the resumption of the debate Councillors Lanzer, McCarthy, Mullins, Crow, Lunnon, Purdy, Irvine, Jones, Ayling, Burrett and McAleney also spoke on the recommendations, where there were strongly conflicting views on the proposal and the recommendation.

At the conclusion of the debate Councillor Lamb used his right to reply and in doing so moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor P Smith.

The Mayor then called for the recorded vote substantive on the recommendation, following a request during the debate.

Voting in Favour: M L Ayling, R S Fiveash, M Flack, J Hart, I T Irvine, G S Jhans, M G Jones, P K Lamb, T Lunnon, S Malik, T McAleney, C J Mullins, T Rana, R Sharma, B A Smith, P C Smith, K Sudan, and G Thomas.(18)

Voting Against: A Belben, T G Belben, B J Burgess, R G Burgess, R D Burrett, D Crow, C R Eade, K L Jaggard, R A Lanzer, K McCarthy, D M Peck, A Pendlington and J Purdy (13).

Abstentions: None. (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation as carried – votes in favour 18, and 13 votes against with no votes of abstentions.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approves: increase the annual budget by £100,000 to cover the additional contract requirement.