Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair will make any specific announcements for this meeting and advise of any late items which due to special circumstances will be given urgent consideration under Late Items.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Betts.

The Cabinet is requested to approve as a correct record the minutes of its meeting on 10 October 2023.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 October 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Members are requested to make any declarations of disclosable pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests they might have in respect of matters on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Chichester District Council’s scheme for public question time the Cabinet will receive any questions which have been submitted by members of the public in writing by noon two working days before the meeting. Each questioner will be given up to three minutes to ask their question. The total time allocated for public question time is 15 minutes subject to the Chair’s discretion to extend that period.

There were no public questions.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and make the following recommendation:

That Cabinet recommends to Council that subject to a successful referendum result to:

Make the West Wittering Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the Development Plan for Chichester District (excluding the area within the South Downs National Park).

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet recommends to Council that subject to a successful referendum result to:

Make the West Wittering Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the Development Plan for Chichester District (excluding the area within the South Downs National Park).

Cllr Brisbane introduced the item.

Cllr Brown requested clarification as to why the decision was being made ahead of the referendum. Mrs Dobson explained that it was procedural in order to implement any decision made in a timely manner. If the referendum outcome is against then the item would no longer be referred to Full Council.

Cllr’s Brisbane and Brown wished to commend the parish for its work.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet recommends to Council that subject to a successful referendum result to:

Make the West Wittering Neighbourhood Development Plan part of the Development Plan for Chichester District (excluding the area within the South Downs National Park).

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendations to Council:

That Cabinet considers and recommends to Council:

a)    The key financial principles and actions set out in Appendix 1 of the 5 year Financial Strategy report are approved.

b)    That the Minimum Level of Reserves is set, following the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.

c)    That the current 5 year Financial Model detailed in appendix 2 (part 2) and the Resources Statement in appendix 3 to the Financial Strategy report be noted.

d)    That the earmarked Revenue Budget Support Reserve of £8m is returned to the Council’s General Fund Reserve.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet considers and recommends to Council:

a)    The key financial principles and actions set out in Appendix 1 of the 5 year Financial Strategy report are approved.

b)    That the Minimum Level of Reserves is set at £4 million, following the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.

c)    That the current 5 year Financial Model detailed in appendix 2 (part 2) and the Resources Statement in appendix 3 to the Financial Strategy report be noted.

d)    That the earmarked Revenue Budget Support Reserve of £8m is returned to the Council’s General Fund Reserve.

Cllr Chilton introduced the item.

Cllr Bangert asked in relation to the food waste collection service whether the impact of the size of the district had been considered. Cllr Chilton clarified that the full implications are not yet known until more details are provided. Cllr Moss added that a meeting with the county council and the other districts had taken place and would be discussed further once more details are available. 

Cllr Brown noted that the £8 million Covid Revenue Budget Support  reserves had been held in reserve for some time.

Cllr Moss thanked those involved for providing a detailed overview. He explained the importance of the newly established Budget Review Group in having regular overview of the budget.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet considers and recommends to Council:

a)    The key financial principles and actions set out in Appendix 1 of the 5 year Financial Strategy report are approved.

b)    That the Minimum Level of Reserves is set at £4 million, following the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.

c)    That the current 5 year Financial Model detailed in appendix 2 (part 2) and the Resources Statement in appendix 3 to the Financial Strategy report be noted.

d)    That the earmarked Revenue Budget Support Reserve of £8m is returned to the Council’s General Fund Reserve.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following resolution:

That Cabinet duly considers the Treasury activity summarised in this report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet duly considers the Treasury activity summarised in this report.

Cllr Chilton introduced the item.

Cllr Brown confirmed that the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee had been content that the council had reserves in place to manage short term pressures. 

Cllr Brisbane requested clarification of whether any of the council’s investments are based overseas. Mrs Belenger confirmed that to her knowledge the council’s investments were all UK based but agreed to check and come back to Cllr Brisbane with a definitive response. 

Cllr Moss requested an update from Mrs McKay about the St James Industrial Estate and whether the council’s units across the district are being occupied. Mrs McKay confirmed that a significant number of the units are under offer. She added that the council’s retail assets across the district had seen strong occupancy rates.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet duly considers the Treasury activity summarised in this report.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following resolution:

That Cabinet approves the proposal as set out in 5.1 of this report to go out to consultation on the proposed increases to the car parking charges from 1 April 2024. Following the consultation, a further report will be brought back to Cabinet to recommend to Council any increases.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the proposal as set out in 5.1 of this report to go out to consultation on the proposed increases to the car parking charges from 1 April 2024. Following the consultation, a further report will be brought back to Cabinet to recommend to Council any increases.

Cllr Desai introduced the item.

Cllr Boulcott was invited to speak by Cllr Moss. Cllr Boulcott explained that he hoped that the consultation would be as far reaching as possible and emphasised the importance of engaging with the parishes who would be subject to lose free parking.

Cllr Brown explained the use of car park income across the council.

Cllr Brown-Fuller referred to the appendices which demonstrate parking charges across similar size town and city centres. In particular the flat fee approach of Winchester. Cllr Desai clarified that this could be an option for Chichester dependent on the results of the consultation.

Cllr Brisbane noted that an increase in parking could be viewed as a way to support the council’s Active Travel policies to encourage people to use other methods of transport.

Cllr Bangert asked Cllr Boulcott how an increase in parking charges would affect him as a local business owner. Cllr Boulcott explained that the current offering at the Selsey car park of a free first hour encourages return visitors.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the proposal as set out in 5.1 of this report to go out to consultation on the proposed increases to the car parking charges from 1 April 2024. Following the consultation, a further report will be brought back to Cabinet to recommend to Council any increases.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following resolution:

That Cabinet supports the Council’s consultation response to WSCC’s ‘draft West Sussex Active Travel Strategy 2023-2036’ and ‘draft West Sussex Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’.

Please note that Appendix 2 will be provided online only.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet supports the Council’s consultation response to WSCC’s ‘draft West Sussex Active Travel Strategy 2023-2036’ and ‘draft West Sussex Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’.

Cllr Brown introduced the item. He noted an amendment to paragraph 3.2 to add the words ‘where possible and appropriate’.

Cllr Brisbane noted the number of cordoned off cycle routes during Covid and asked what lessons had been learnt. Cllr Brown explained that he hoped that the county council would consult further in future. Mr Ballard explained that delivery of the cycle route had been in accordance with the terms of the grants scheme. Cllr Moss confirmed that members had little time to reply to the consultation at the time. Cllr Brown added that if the council continues to work on its schemes when funding options become available the council is in a better position to bid.

Cllr Brisbane asked how current county council consultations sit in the council’s scheme. Mr Ballard explained they are separate to the council’s own Local Cycle and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Cllr Brown-Fuller requested clarification of whether e-scooters are likely to be legalised. Cllr Brown explained they are becoming more common but the council is not aware of any plans to legalise their use at this time. 

Cllr Chilton asked Cllr Brown why e-scooters are part of active travel. Cllr Brown explained that  e-scooters take up less space than cars and help people travel short distances.

Cllr Bangert requested a progress update on Chemroute. Cllr Brown explained that consultation work is still ongoing. Cllr Moss added that National Highways have invited WSCC and parish councillors to carry out further work.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet supports the Council’s consultation response to WSCC’s ‘draft West Sussex Active Travel Strategy 2023-2036’ and ‘draft West Sussex Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’.

a)    Items added to the agenda papers and made available for public inspection

b)    Items which the Chair has agreed should be taken as matters of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be reported at the meeting

There were no late items.

The Cabinet is asked to consider in respect of appendix 2 to agenda item 6whether the public including the press should be excluded from the meeting on the following ground of exemption in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 namely Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) and because, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

[Note The report and its appendices within this part of the agenda are attached for members of the Council and relevant only (printed on salmon paper)]

There was no requirement to exclude the press and the public.