Agenda and draft minutes

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

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

The following disclosures were made:

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 2 September 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 30 September 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

To answer any questions or hear brief statements from the public which are relevant to the items on this agenda.  The period will end after 15 minutes or later at the Chair’s discretion.

Questions asked in accordance with Scrutiny Procedure Rule 14 were as follows:

To consider report PES/459 of the Head of Economy and Planning.

The Commission considered report PES/459 of the Head of Economy and Planning and supporting documents.

The Crawley Local Plan Review was undertaken to ensure the borough's Local Plan remains up to date. The new Crawley Borough Local Plan was prepared based on the outcomes of monitoring the implementation of the 2015 adopted Local Plan, feedback from previous stages of formal public consultations and updating the supporting technical evidence base. Following Full Council, held on 22 February 2023, which approved the Draft Local Plan for Publication and Submission, formal public consultation took place between May and June 2023. The draft Local Plan was Submitted to the Secretary of State for its independent Examination on 31 July 2023. Two Inspectors were appointed to carry out the Examination of the Plan. Examination Hearing Sessions were carried out in two parts, held during November 2023 and January 2024. Following the discussions at the Hearings, the Inspectors issued a post-hearing letter, dated 31 January 2024. The council published Main Modifications to the Local Plan, arising from the Inspectors’ letter, for a formal six-week public consultation between February and March 2024. The council received the Inspectors’ final Report into the of the Crawley Borough Local Plan on 6 September 2024. This confirmed the Local Plan has been found to be legally compliant and sound, subject to required Main Modifications set out in the Report. The Crawley Borough Local Plan 2023-2040 has been prepared alongside a number of statutory supporting documents (including a Local Plan Map, a Sustainability Appraisal, a Habitats Regulations Assessment and a Consultation Statement) and a substantial technical evidence base. 

The reports requested Cabinet to recommend to Full Council to approve the Crawley Borough Local Plan 2023-2040 (and supporting documents) for its adoption, in accordance with the recommendations, and subject to the Main Modifications necessary for soundness, set out in the Inspectors’ Final Report.

Throughout the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Head of Economy and Planning, Forward Planning Manager and the Planning Policy Manager, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Recognition of the positive comments within the Planning Inspectors’ report, particularly with reference to the questionable longevity of safeguarded land for the possible Gatwick southern runway due to the potential developable land, together with the further acknowledgement of the town’s space constraints for new build housing of all tenures and need for neighbouring local authorities to exercise the ‘duty to co-operate’ to assist with the town’s housing need.

·         Clarification sought and obtained on the Gatwick Green allocation.  It was confirmed that the Gatwick Green was allocated by securing its exclusion from safeguarding and concurrently allocated for another purpose (economic use).  The area of land allocated to Gatwick Green was no longer safeguarded.  

·         Support for the work undertaken to combat the constraints of water neutrality and the retrofitting work being undertaken. It was noted this issue had also impacted neighbouring authorities.

·         Acknowledgement that waste water was now part of the critical infrastructure, and a potential constraint for future development.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Councillor Nawaz has been invited to attend the Commission for a general discussion on the Planning and Economic Development Portfolio and their duties.  A copy of the Cabinet Member’s responsibilities, as set out in the Council’s Constitution is attached.

The Commission noted the update provided by Councillor Nawaz and questioned him on a variety of issues relating to the portfolio. 

Councillor Nawaz provided the Commission with a detailed overview of the portfolio, along with key achievements to date and future projects.  The following topics were then discussed:

·         Planning officers were praised for their continued work, however concern was raised over the delay in the processing of planning applications. It was confirmed that there had been many challenges which had impacted; Covid, water neutrality as well as the Gatwick DCO work whereby the council was coordinating the response for other local authorities.  It was acknowledged that new management systems and resources had been instilled to reduce the backlog, which was proving successful.

·         The regeneration programmes that had been implemented had resulted in significant investment throughout the town, as a result of successful partnership working. The Institute of Technology was highlighted as a positive example, whilst it was noted other projects such as Three Bridges station had been challenging, and was likely to progress later next year, ultimately resulting in improvement to the public realm. 

·         Future projects were also planned including Station Gateway and it was noted that maintenance of the schemes was an integral part of the projects and part of discussions with other stakeholders. 

·         It was acknowledged that there were challenges in meeting the council’s housing need and it would be important to continue engage constructively.

RESOLVED

That the Overview and Scrutiny Commission thanked Councillor Nawaz for attending and for the informative discussion that had ensued.

To receive a brief update on the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC).

An update was provided from the most recent HASC meeting.  Key items of discussion included:

Access to Diabetes Technology in West Sussex

In February 2024 Diabetes UK wrote to the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee asking for the topic of access to diabetes technology to be reviewed, due to concerns around the local Sussex policy for access to wider technology for people with type 1 diabetes not being fully aligned with national guidance and a lack of a commissioned pathway for people living with type 2. Diabetes UK attended the meeting and provided a report which set out the context of the current diabetes landscape, alongside providing an up-to-date position on access to diabetes technology in West Sussex. The report was currently being considered.

Update on the delivery of the two-year improvement programme 2023-25 to assist the delivery of the Adult Social Care Strategy 2022-25 and preparation for Care Quality Commission Assurance of Adult Social Care

The document set out a number of areas for improvement, which had been identified for delivery as part of the two-year improvement programme. The delivery of this programme was being supported by the County Council’s transformation fund.  Ongoing management oversight of the capacity required had been planned and resourced for the improvement programme during the remainder of 2023/24 and throughout 2024/25, with the procurement of Roretti Ltd to provide external capacity to support delivery, up until 30 June 2025.

End of June 2024 (Quarter 1) Performance and Resources Report – Focus for Scrutiny

The Quarterly Performance and Resources Report was the Council’s reporting mechanism for corporate performance, finance, savings delivery, risk and workforce. It had been designed to reflect the priorities, outcomes and measures included in the Council Plan.  The performance measures were split between green, amber and red, with a focus on those highlighted amber and red.  In reviewing the Performance and Resources report, the Committee’s role was to monitor performance, finance and risk at a strategic level for its portfolio areas. Its focus should be on key performance indicators that were identified as red or amber as well as any budget variations.

To consider any requests for future items. Those highlighted items have been referred to the Commission.

OSC 4 November                Cabinet 6 November

The OSC will also be considering the following at its meeting on 4 November:

·         Transformation Update

·         Cabinet Member Discussion – Cabinet Member for Resources

The Commission confirmed the following reports:

1.    New Hawth Contract – Part B

2.    Crawley Leisure Management Contract Extension – Part B

The Commission will also be considering:

3.    Transformation Plan Update

4.    Cabinet Member Discussion - Resources

The Commission 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.

Exempt Paragraph 3

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

To consider report CH/209 of the Head of Crawley Homes.

Exempt Paragraph 3

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

The Commission considered report CH/209 of the Head of Crawley Homes. Cabinet approval was sought for a scheme budget for the site's redevelopment, and authority to enter into a contract for the construction of 6no. dwellings.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Head of Crawley Homes and the Built Environment Team - Senior Project Manager, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Noted that Full Council approval would also be sought for the appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account together with agreeing the proposed scheme budget.

·         Recognition that the proposal for new affordable housing would assist in expanding the housing stock in the borough, which had potential to contribute towards addressing Crawley’s housing needs

·         Information was provided on the financial elements, unit mix, other options considered, and the detailed analysis documented within the report as concerns were raised with reference to specific costs.

·         Acknowledgement that parking considerations were a challenge but consultation had previously taken place and the scheme was still subject to Planning permission.

·         Recognition that the scheme was to be built to Passivhaus standards for energy efficiency, which would significantly benefit occupants. 

·         Noted that the scheme provided a strategic learning opportunity for a small scale development.

RESOLVED

That the Commission noted the report and requested that the views expressed during the debate, were fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.