Agenda

Delegated planning decisions for the week beginning 10 December 2018 are attached.  Contact for enquiries: Jean McPherson, Group Manager: Development Management on 01293 438577.

Cabinet Report FIN/425 dated 25 October 2017 agreed to submit a bid to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to take part in the West Sussex wide 2018-2019 pilot for 100% business rates retention.

A delegation was approved as part of this report to Delegate to the Head of Finance, Revenues and Benefits (now the Head of Corporate Finance), in consultation with the Leader the authority to accept the Pilot if the Council was successful.

The Council was not successful in 2017.

However the West Sussex authorities agreed to submit a further application in 2018. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) changed to criteria and the gain was amended to 75% retention.

West Sussex Authorities were notified on 13/12/2018 that the bid had been successful.

The Head of Corporate Finance, in consultation with the Leader has accepted the bid. The gain across West Sussex will be spent on improving broadband speeds through a digital spine along railway lines.

Crawley will not be any worse off in respect of retained business rates, all gains will be pooled.

Councillors Safety in the Town Hall after 8.00pm

It would be greatly appreciated if when in the Town Hall beyond 8.00pm Councillors kindly notified the Duty Facilities Officer to make them aware of your presence. The primary reason for both staff and Councillors to notify the Duty Officer is to assist in communications with emergency services in the event of the building needing to be evacuated. Knowing who is in the building beyond 8.00pm also assists the locking down of the Town Hall and in particular ensures escape routes are kept open for occupied areas. There is no need to contact the Duty Officer or take any other action when attending formal meetings that go beyond 8.00pm. The number for the Duty Officer is 07881 500227.

Consideration report CH/183 of the Head of Crawley Homes is attached.

Information is attacehd for Councillors only.

Information is attached for Councillors only.

Press releases are available at www.crawley.gov.uk/news