Agenda and minutes

This will be followed by the declaration of acceptance of office.

(Please note this meeting was webcast and the full meeting and debates are available to view here - http://chichester.nucast.live/frontend/meeting/2488750)

The current Chairman Cllr Hamilton welcomed everyone to the first virtual webcast meeting. She then handed over to Mrs Shepherd, the Chief Executive who explained how the vote for Chairman would work.

Cllr Purnell proposed Cllr Hamilton which was seconded by Cllr Lintill.

In a vote Cllr Hamilton was elected as Chairman of the Council for the next municipal year.

Cllr Hamilton read her declaration of office and explained that she would sign a declaration of office as soon as practicable.

RESOLVED

That Cllr Hamilton be elected as Chairman of the Council for the municipal year May 2020 – May 2021.

This will be followed by the declaration of acceptance of office.

Cllr Moss proposed Cllr Apel which was seconded by Cllr Sutton.

In a vote Cllr Apel was elected as Chairman of the Council for the next municipal year.

Cllr Apel read her declaration of office and explained that she would sign a declaration of office as soon as practicable.

RESOLVED

That Cllr Apel be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year May 2020 – May 2021.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2020.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 March 2020 be approved.

The Chairman will announce any urgent items which due to special circumstances are to be dealt with under Late Items.

The Chairman confirmed that she would be accepting no late items.

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

Cllr Brown explained that he is now the Chairman of Southbourne Parish Council.

Apologies for absence will be notified at this point.

The Chairman will make any specific announcements.

The Chairman explained that since the coronavirus lockdown started staff at Chichester District Council have been working hard to support residents and businesses across the district. She thanked the Chief Executive for her leadership and all her staff for their continual hard work in responding to this emergency. The Chairman explained that she is very proud that Chichester District is the highest performing Council for issuing business grants. Staff from a number of teams worked into the evening and over the weekends to ensure these important grants were paid quickly to businesses. She added that the Council’s housing team worked quickly with Stonepillow to secure accommodation for all rough sleepers in the area and are now working with Stonepillow to provide support and more permanent accommodation. She further explained that Chichester Contract Services have continued to collect all residual waste, recycling, green waste and fly tipping services and our Communities team have worked in partnership with West Sussex County Council to set up the Community Hub to support the most vulnerable in our communities. In addition to those teams the Chairman wished to pay tribute to the following services that have played a critical role during this emergency:

·         The ICT team

·         Revenue, Benefits and the Contact Centre Teams

·         The Communications team

·         The Corporate Health and Safety and Emergency Planning team

·         The Health Protection team

·         The Finance team

·         HR and Payroll team

·         The Economic Development team

·         The Member Services team

The Chairman then thanked the fantastic community groups and volunteers who have supported people in their neighbourhood throughout this emergency. She explained that she had been humbled by the generosity of people who live and work in our district.

The Chairman then commended all those who had taken part in the successful Stonepillow Sleepout.

The Chairman wished to thank Mr Robinson the Facilities Manager for 27years dedicated service. On behalf of all members she wished Mr Robinson a happy, healthy retirement.

The Council is requested to make the following resolutions:

1.    That the review of political balance arrangements set out below be approved and;

2.    that remaining members to be shown at table 2 be established by members at the meeting

3.    That tables 1, 2 and 3 be then applied in making appointments to committees and;

4.    that the memberships set out in the appendix to this report be approved.

Mr Bennett was invited to introduce the report.

Cllr Moss proposed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee membership remain in order to provide the opposition with the majority on that Committee. Cllr Sharp seconded the proposal.

Cllr Brown proposed that Cllr O’Kelly remain as Chairman of Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.

In response to Cllr Moss’s proposal Mr Bennett explained that the proposal could only be passed with the support of the majority party. Cllr Lintill then confirmed that the Conservatives wished to take their six seat entitlement. Mr Bennett clarified that this meant that the proposal could not be taken to the vote as the majority party would not be giving up their seat.

CllrBarrie then seconded Cllr Brown’s proposal.

Cllr Lintill confirmed that she maintained her nomination for Cllr Dignum to become the Chair of Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.

Following debate members voted on Cllr Moss’s proposal which was not carried. A vote was then taken on the officer recommendations which was carried.

RESOLVED

1.    That the review of political balance arrangements set out in the report be approved and;

2.    That tables 1, 2 and 3 be then applied in making appointments to

committees and;

3.    that the memberships set out in the appendix as amended by Mr Bennett be approved.

The Council is requested to make the following resolution:

That the external bodies as set out in the attached appendix be approved.

Mr Bennett was invited to introduce the report.

Cllr Lintill clarified that for Coast to Capital there would be two appointments rather than one appointment and a substitute.

Cllr Plowman explained that the Chichester Community Development Trust had discussed that as Cllr Dignum is a Trustee it would be logical for him to take the appointment.

Cllr Evans requested that with regards to the Wey and Arun Canal Trust Completion Strategy Steering Group he should be listed as Liberal Democrat not Conservative.

In response to the proposed amendments Mr Bennett agreed they were incidental and could be included within the original recommendations.

Cllr Lintill moved the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Duncton.

Members took a vote and the officer recommendation was carried.

RESOLVED

That the appointments to external bodies as set out in the attached appendix be approved.

The Council is requested to note the Urgent Decisions made during the current Pandemic which can be found on pages 15 to 25 of the Cabinet agenda pack for 12 May 2020.

The Chairman outlined the urgent decision notices for the following:

·         Increasing the Provision of Short Stay Accommodation at 22 Freeland Close, Chichester

·         Insurance Contract Services and Brokerage Services

·         Financial Support for the Council’s leisure contractor, Sport and Leisure Management Limited

·         Cancellation of CDC Farmers Market

·         Social Prescribing

·         Two notices relating to the Suspension of Parking Charges and delay of amendment to Parking Order, including inflationary car parking charge increase in District Council owned car parks

On behalf of the Council the Chairman formally noted the urgent decision notices detailed in the agenda pack.

Having complied with the advance written notice requirement in Standing Order 18.1 and the subject requirement in Standing Order 18.2 of the Chichester District Council Constitution the attached motion will be proposed by Cllr Moss and if duly seconded it will then be discussed at this meeting.

The Chairman invited Cllr Moss to move his motion. Cllr Moss moved his motion which was seconded by Cllr Bangert.

Cllr Moss then outlined his motion below:

This Council believes that in these unprecedented times the District needs an overarching coronavirus recovery plan for the local economy. A Recovery Framework Document is being developed by officers for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June Council resolves to invite Overview and Scrutiny to consider the following:

·         Once the worst of the short-term health impacts are over the Council needs a plan to drive and promote economic recovery in changed circumstances. The success of this strategy will be crucial to the wellbeing of our residents and all our communities now and in the years and decades to come.

·         The first and key element of this strategic recovery plan will be to set up an all party taskforce.

·         The task force will work on the strategy for the short / medium and long term recovery plan.

·         The Task Force's Terms of Reference will require it to focus not only on economic recovery but critically in view of the climate emergency on the long-term environmental impact of its plans as well.

·         Chichester District Council to consider leading the task force and will invite membership including outside experts representing the best thinking and insight of the business community, retailers, hospitality, horticulture, tourism, culture, the education sector and the City, Town and Parish Councils.

Cllr Moss then thanked officers for their hard work and requested members consider the motion as an opportunity to discuss ideas to support recovery.

Cllr Lintill then responded. She explained that officers would be working closely with members over the coming months to agree a recovery plan with reports scheduled for Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, Cabinet and Council. She added that she could not support the motion as the discussions would be taking place at the meetings outlined above.

Cllr O’Kelly explained the importance of having the debate as early as possible to utilise the better weather. She suggested a number of ideas for use of outside space including drive in cinemas and outdoor bars.

Cllr Plowman added that it was important to bring the right people together to create a taskforce.

Cllr Evans requested members consider the impact on young people and requested schools, colleges and universities be included in a taskforce.

Cllr Sharp and Cllr Apel suggested including community groups in the taskforce.

Cllr Bangert wished to congratulate Mrs Bushby and Mrs Peyman for their hard work during the pandemic.

Cllr Sutton explained that members would have the opportunity to provide input via the meetings referenced above.

Cllr Hughes agreed with members who had suggested careful consideration of who should be involved in the taskforce.

Cllr Brown explained the need to involve the public and the right experts as early as possible.

Cllr Briscoe reiterated that members should use the meetings referenced above to discuss the officer reports and work that had and is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

The Council is requested to note the Urgent Decisions made during the current Pandemic.

The Chairman outlined the urgent decision notices for the following:

·         Amendment to Treasury Management Policy

·         Financial Support for the Council’s Leisure Contractor, Sport and Leisure Management Limited

·         Suspension of Parking Charges and delay of amendment to Parking Order, including inflationary car parking charge increase in District Council-owned car parks

On behalf of the Council the Chairman formally noted the urgent decision notices detailed in the agenda pack.

To consider any late items as follows:

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

b)    Items which the chairman 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.

There are no restricted items for consideration at this meeting.

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