Agenda and draft minutes

Full Council - Wednesday, 11th December, 2024 7.30 pm

Venue: Committee Rooms A B and C - Town Hall. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Disclosures of Interest pdf icon PDF 28 KB

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

Minutes:

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

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 143 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 16 October 2024.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 16 October 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

 

3.

Communications pdf icon PDF 25 KB

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

Minutes:

The Mayor then provided the Full Council with a brief update on the Mayoral events attended since the last meeting which included attending the Remembrance Day Service at St John’s Church as well as the Poppy to Paddington event.  There was also attendance at the recent Unity Event to celebrate the unity and diversity of the town, along with the K2 Crawley event to mark 50 years of leisure provision in Crawley.

 

Following the update, Cabinet Members Councillors Noyce, Nawaz, and C Mullins, provided the Full Council with further context to their Cabinet Member announcements, as contained within the Supplementary Agenda (Order Paper).

4.

Public Question Time

To answer public questions under Full Council Procedure Rule 1.2-D.  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.

Minutes:

Questioner’s Name

Name of Councillor Responding

 

Don Barnes, Driver for Airport Cars Gatwick:

 

It seems we are here regularly asking the same question about Uber.  We put our complaint into the Council on 19 March this year with the Licensing Department, asking why Uber is allowed to operate at Gatwick. We were told an investigation was going to be held.  We were told the investigation was complete, only to be informed the investigation was going on again due to new evidence.  We’ve had appointments with officers and been told everything we wanted to hear and yet we have to come back, and nothing has happened. This would have been put to a halt if the Licensing Department had completed work in 2020 when it was brought to their attention that Uber were operating at Gatwick.  Therefore, please can anyone please update us what is happening with the situation and Uber operating at Gatwick and in Crawley?

 

Supplementary-

You mention we’re being updated… I’m afraid we are not. We go to meetings and are given information but we’ve never had an update of where you are legally. We were told 3 months’ ago the Council was going to a KC, but that’s all we’ve been told.

 

Councillor Y Khan

(Cabinet Member for Public Protection):

 

Licensing comes under my area of responsibility. In June 2024 the Licensing Committee asked the Council officers to investigate as quickly as possible. I have received confirmation that the investigation has progressed, with the officers exploring all avenues, and they have reviewed the relevant evidence. This includes the additional evidence that was received only last month. Officers are now in the process of seeking legal advice which will determine the next steps. In recent months, officers have provided updates to Unite and Unite will be kept updated as far as it’s possible under the legal process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All I can say is that legal advice is being sought and I can promise you it is happening. We had evidence coming in as late as November which needed to be reviewed but now legal advice is being obtained and you will be updated.

Nick Venes, Unite Union Rep at

Gatwick Cars:

 

Good evening, once again we are here and unfortunately, it’s not just one thing with the Licensing Department. I’d like to ask what the relevant information is from the Licensing Department regarding school runs.  We have been told that we can undertake school runs when we had a meeting with officers and they just had to change the operator licence, because apparently, we have a restricted operator’s licence which is obviously nothing to do with us because we are fully licensed private hire drivers within the Crawley borough area.  It should not make a difference what operator we go through to do the school runs. Apparently according to officers, we need to have signage on our vehicle and get rid of the “teal plate” even though the plate stipulates we are licensed by Crawley Borough Council. I don’t  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Recommendation 1 - Crawley Leisure Contract: Contract Extension (PART B)

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report HPS/043 of the Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services. The Leader of the Council introduced the report which sought approval to progress the options and preferred delivery model for the Crawley Leisure Facilities Management contract with our current partners Everyone Active. It also included significant investment in K2 Crawley, focusing on extending and modernising the gym, health and fitness facilities.

 

The recommendation was seconded and supported by Councillor C Mullins.

 

Councillors Crow, and Burgess also spoke on this item and in support of the recommendation.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Full Council: 

 

a)             approves a supplementary capital estimate of £2million to provide a capital contribution of £2million to Everyone Active to remodel the health and fitness facilities at K2Crawley as set out in paragraph 5.9 of report HPS/043 funded from the Council’s capital reserve.  Capital financing to be confirmed as part of the budget 2025/26 report.

 

b)             subject to the approval of recommendation a) above, authorises the Head of Corporate Finance to enter into a funding agreement with Everyone Active setting out the terms of the funding award of £2million to improve health and fitness facilities at K2Crawley.

 

6.

Recommendation 2 - Tenancy Strategy 2025 to 2029

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report SHAP/091 of the Head of Strategic Housing. The report sought approval of the new Tenancy Strategy. The Leader of the Council presented the report commenting that the Council was statutory obliged by legislation to have a Tenancy Strategy. It set out the strategic matters to which registered providers should have regard to when formulating their own tenancy policies for next five years. It was noted that the proposed Strategy incorporated a number of the recommendations arising from the Housing Associations Scrutiny Panel which was conducted in 2024.

 

The recommendation was seconded and supported by Councillor Irvine.

 

Councillor Crow also spoke on this item.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Full Council approves and adopts of the Tenancy Strategy 2025 to 2029 (Appendix A of report SHAP/091) to commence from 1 January 2025, subject to that within Section 3.0 Council approach, that the final line in the penultimate paragraph be changed to read:

 

‘There are now over 2,500 households on the housing register, and due to the increased demand for housing and reduced supply, households may wait several years for an offer of social housing (dependent on their priority and the availability of properties they are eligible for)’.

7.

Recommendation 3 - Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025 to 2029

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report SHAP/092 of the Head of Strategic Housing. The Leader of the Council introduced the recommendation that sought approval of the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. The strategy focussed upon four priorities,  prevention and early intervention, maximising the supply of suitable accommodation, tackling rough sleeping and single homelessness, and preventing repeat homelessness.

 

The recommendation was seconded and supported by Councillor Irvine.

 

Councillors Crow, Burgess and S Mullins also spoke on this item. It was noted that rough sleeping was the most visible aspect of homelessness, but certainly was not the only version, with sofa surfing and living in bed and breakfasts, temporary accommodation playing significant factors across the Borough.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Full Council approves and adopts of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025 to 2029 (Appendix A of report SHAP/092) to commence from 1 January 2025.

8.

Recommendation 4 - Updated Climate Emergency Action Plan and Climate Emergency Declaration

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report PES/473 of the Head of Economy and Planning. The Leader of the Council presented the report which sought Full Council approval for the adoption of an update Climate Emergency Declaration which includes noting that the Council would be applying to join the UK100 network, and the adoption of a Nature Emergency declaration.

 

The recommendation was seconded and supported by Councillor Noyce.

 

Councillors Crow, Lunnon, Jaggard, S Mullins, Mwagale, Lanzer and Burgess also spoke on this item, which included discussion over the benefit and rationale of the Council joining UK100.

 

Councillor Jones used his right to reply confirming that the justification of the Cabinet decision to seek membership to join UK100 was clearly set out within the Cabinet report PES/473 and our membership would help our ambitions of reaching Net Zero faster. Many other Councils have joined this organisation including Conservative led Essex County Council.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That Full Council approves and adopts the updated Climate Emergency Declaration, which is accompanied by a new declaration of a Nature Emergency (Appendix B of report PES/473) and the ambition to join UK100.

9.

Recommendation 5 - Budget Strategy 2025/26 - 2027/28

Minutes:

The Full Council considered report FIN/673 of the Head of Corporate Finance on the Budget Strategy 2025/26 to 2027/28. The Leader of the Council presented the report commenting that the Budget Strategy contained a number of assumptions, but they would likely change depending on the outcome of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26 that was being announced in late December. The report shows that the Council was well run and had made the right decisions over the past decade, despite the difficult times especially in relation to the sharp rise in expenditure on temporary accommodation, that was now at £ 5.25m. It was acknowledged that there would be funding gaps throughout 2025/26 to 2027/28 period and tough decisions would be needed. The forecast does not include the use of reserves, so it lays bare the facts of the scenario the Council was in. 

 

Councillors were informed that to ensure that they were kept involved and informed on the budget setting process there would be dedicated seminars to help achieving that balanced budget. Also subject to the budget strategy being agreed tonight a public consultation would commence imminently to conclude in January, to ensure that we were listening to the Public when we set our Budget in February.

 

The recommendation was seconded and supported by Councillor Nawaz.

 

Councillor Crow also spoke on this item.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Full Council:  

 

a)         agrees the overall approach to the Budget Strategy 2025/26 to 2027/28 as set out in section 8 of report FIN/673.

 

b)         approves the minimum recommended General Fund Balance remains at £3m.

 

c)         notes the following highlights of the Budget Strategy:

 

i.          That the Budget is aligned to the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

 

ii.         The outline 3 year forecast as shown in table 2 paragraph 6.1 of report FIN/673, this is likely to be subject to significant change depending on the outcome of the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26 and the Spending Review Phase two reforms for the period 2026/27 and beyond.

 

iii.        The current budget deficit of £2.452m for 2025/26 (section 6.2 of report FIN/673) is based on a Council tax increase of 2.99% which is £6.94 per band D dwelling. Table 2 (section 6.6.10 of report FIN/673) highlights the budget gap modelling different assumptions.

 

iv.        The forecast does not include any fundamental changes in service delivery as these would be too speculative in nature at this stage.

 

v.         that there are significant uncertainties around Government funding prior to the settlement in December 2024 and that this uncertainty increases from 2026/27 due to Spending Review Phase 2 including the anticipated reset of the business rates.

10.

Notice of Motion 1 - Motion on the British Indian Ocean Territory pdf icon PDF 26 KB

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

 

Minutes:

The Full Council considered the Notice of Motion – Motion on the British India Ocean Territory – as set out on page 65 of the agenda. The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Crow who, in doing so, gave further explanation of the reasoning behind the Motion, stating that he would not normally put forward a Motion in relation to an international matter, but Crawley had the largest Chagossian community in Britain we must represent them over the decision to handover the British sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Chagossian had not been consulted over the sovereignty of their homeland which was wrong. Also it had a significant impact on global politics due to the military significance of the Chagos Islands, due to historic decision making. He also commented that he willing to accept the proposed amendment to the Notion of Motion (as set out on page 13 of the Order Paper) to ensure the Motion was carried by the Council and that the  Chagossian community knew we were supporting them.

 

The substantive Notice of Motion was seconded and supported by Councillor Lanzer.

 

Councillor Jones then formally moved and presented the amendment to the Notion of Motion (as shown in the Supplementary Agenda from page 13) commenting that he thanked Councillor Crow for accepting the amendment and the changes were to help support our Chagossian community. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Irvine.

 

Councillor Burgess also spoke during the debate.

 

Councillor Crow used his right to reply.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

As the UK local authority with the largest number of residents of Chagossian descent, Crawley Borough Council states its strong opposition to the recent UK government announcement to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

 

In doing so, Crawley Borough Council calls upon the UK government to review its decision, and to ensure that local representatives of the Chagossian community are fully involved in all discussions relating to the future of the Chagos Islands, including focusing on giving the Chagossians reparations for their displacement both in this country and overseas by the colonial authorities, and taking practical action to facilitate their ability to return to their homeland if they so wish.

 

11.

Councillors' Question Time pdf icon PDF 38 KB

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.

Minutes:

Name ofCouncillor askingQuestion

Name ofCabinet Member Responding

Councillor Jaggard to the

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development:

 

I was speaking to a young family who do not drive and rely completely on the buses and are concerned about rising costs.  What impact on bus travel do you believe the rising of the £2 single journey bus fare cap to £3 will have on the overall bus usage and what is the response to families who journeys are going up by 50%?

 

Supplementary:

I appreciate your response but I’m aware we do have influence with the bus company, contacts and the Sustainability Manager. In Maidenbower there is only 1 bus and you need to change to continue any journey.  Please could we look to the Council to promote a ‘hopper fare’ where passengers can make changes to their bus journey within an hour without having to pay for an additional bus/fare.

 

Councillor Nawaz

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development):

 

I believe this was always the plan to end the subsidy at some point. Unfortunately, it is not the Council’s decision and as a highway authority WSCC may be able to provide further information. I understand it’s going to be difficult however I do not believe it is within our powers to have an impact.

 

 

 

 

I believe this is already taking place in Crawley. I will try and obtain some further information for you and confirm.

Councillor Ayling to the

Leader of the Council:

 

I was pleased to visit Ellie’s Café which has recently opened next to the Millpond. I understand the Café will soon to be reopening the community garden project with support funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund.  Please can you confirm if that is correct and also how volunteers can become involved in helping with this project?

 

Councillor Jones

(Leader of the Council):

 

I was pleased to see the opening of the facility in Bewbush.  I don’t think the social value of play cafes can be overstated. It helps create a network for families with young children and helps them form support and friendships for years to come. I recently approved a grant from the Shared Prosperity Fund to Ellie’s towards the establishment of the community garden. I’m sure the organisers will be delighted to have volunteers to help and I will ask our Community Development Team to find out further details on how this can be achieved.

 

Councillor Crow to the

Cabinet Member for Resources:

 

We recently had a Notice of Motion at the last Full Council meeting about Pension Credit and the Council promoting the uptake of Pension Credit due to the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.  There was a press release encouraging pensioners to come into the Town Hall and make applications.  Are you able to tell us how many pensioners have come into the Town Hall and made use of the offer and support available to them to make Pension Credit applications?  Also do you have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Vote to Extend the Meeting (Guillotine)

Minutes:

As the business of the meeting had not been completed within the scheduled two hours and 30 minutes, a vote on continuation in line with Full Council Procedure Rule 8.3 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.

13.

Councillors' Question Time (continued)

Minutes:

Councillor Ashraf to the

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing:

 

I was pleased that the permanent toilet facilities have been opened in Langley Green Adventure Playground.  Does the Cabinet Member agree that this will be invaluable for many families with young children that come to enjoy their day?

     

Councillor C Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing):

 

I am pleased with the success as there was concern originally when we changed the nature of the Adventure Playgrounds as they were originally manned by staff and during this time the toilets would have been opened due to the associated buildings.  This changed when the nature of the site also altered.  Through discussion it was decided it would be wrong to open the adventure playgrounds without toilet facilities and the feedback has been excellent. It is disappointing that many toilet facilities are closing across the country when they are a basic human need.  The facilities provided at the adventure playground are high quality and they will be locked at night to protect them.

 

Councillor Mwagale to the

Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change:

 

This question relates to the lifts in Kingsgate car park, which is a popular car park and quite profitable.  However the lifts are not working and please can you confirm if we can rectify this?

 

Councillor Noyce

(Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change):

 

I gather one of the lifts is definitely not working and the other is repaired every so often but is infrequent.  Unfortunately due to costs involved there is nothing schedule in place to repair but I will investigate further and respond to you with a more detailed answer.

 

Councillor Abu Mosa to the

Cabinet Member for Public Protection:

 

 Can I thank the Cabinet Member for the Unity event which took place recently. I thought it was positive and we should look to repeat every year. Does the Cabinet Member agree and is she able to confirm whether the Unity Pledge which we all signed will be put on display and is there still time to sign the pledge for any community leaders who have not already?

 

Councillor Y Khan

(Cabinet Member for Public Protection):

 

I would like to thank everyone who attended the Unity Event and we received really positive feedback. The intention is to continue with an annual event.  Thank you to everyone who signed the Unity Pledge as well.  It is still available to be signed up until 24 December.

 

Councillor Burgess to the Cabinet Member for Public Protection:

 

I was pleased and honoured to attend the Unity Event where the Unity Pledge was signed.  I would like to ask how it was determined which community groups and members of the community were invited and how can we expand the groups in the future?

 

Councillor Y Khan

(Cabinet Member for Public Protection):

 

The Council’s Community Development Team have a list of local community organisations and that is how the invite was issued. I will be speaking to them again and seeing if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Receiving the Minutes of the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Other Committees including Items for Debate pdf icon PDF 37 KB

To receive the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Committees, as listed on page 21, 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.

 

Minutes:

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

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the following reportsbe received:

 

·                Overview and Scrutiny Commission – 4 November 2024

·                Cabinet – 6 November 2024

·                Licensing Committee – 11 November 2024

·                Overview and Scrutiny Commission – 4 November 2024

·                Cabinet – 4 November 2024

15.

Item for Debate - The Hawth Theatre: Options Appraisal and Contract Extension (Part B)

Minutes:

Councillor Lanzer explained his rationale for bring forward this item for debate. He commented that it was good to see a well-reasoned solid decision over the contract extension with the current operator Parkwood. But this was very different to the Full Council in 2012 when they were first appointed, when the opposition Labour Group, at the time, walked out of the meeting, luckily it was not streamed at the time. None of the current opposition have walked out this evening as a result of renewal in contrast.

 

Councillor Jones, spoke as part of the discussion on this item followed by Councillor C Mullins, who spoke last as Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing. It was commented when the original decision made by the Conservative Administration at the time, the decision was moved and taken in exempt Part B session. That decision to move to a closed session was one of the reasons behind the walk out, as it should have been held in public, so residents should have heard the rationale for leaving an in-house service. Also it was mentioned that the extension deal was financial beneficial for the Council and provides good value for our residents. Parkwood have run the Hawth well since becoming the operator, worked well with the Council especially during Covid period and have a good reputation in the industrial. In the future, an in-house running over the Hawth was still possible as long as it best for our residents. 

 

16.

Vote to Extend the Meeting (Guillotine)

Minutes:

As the business of the meeting had not been completed following a further 30 minutes period, a vote on continuation in line with Full Council Procedure Rule 8.3 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 continuedfor an additional period not exceeding 30 minutes.

 

 

17.

Item for Debate - Waste and Recycling Scrutiny Panel Final Report

Minutes:

Councillor Lanzer explained his rationale for bring forward this item for debate. He started by commenting how well chaired the Panel had been by Councillor Russell and that all Members on the Panel made good contributions and that they had good officer support, in formulating the recommendations. In terms of the report, he highlighted Recommendation G, which proposes changes to the waste collection regime to help to improve recycling performance, by supporting the changes proposed in the National Waste Strategy, of moving to the separate weekly food waste collection and fortnightly waste collection. Councillor Lanzer commented he felt that it was the right approach going forward, but questioned whether there could have been an earlier opportunity to move to fortnightly waste collection, such as when the Council was in no overall control, as there would have been much less opportunity for political point scoring.

 

Councillors Lunnon and Noyce spoke as part of the discussion on this item, and it was commented that the rationale behind not previously changing the waste collection was purely down to waiting to see the findings of the National Waste Strategy.

 

Councillor Russell spoke last as Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, commenting how pleased the cross party working had been undertaken both during and through the creation of the recommendations. But reminded Members that recycling should always be thought of as the third option behind reduce and reuse.

 

Appendix A - Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 28 KB