Chichester District Council
Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms - East Pallant House

Contact: Democratic Services on 01243 534684  Email:  democraticservices@chichester.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

19.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 223 KB

The Council is requested to approve as a correct record the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on27 April 2021 and the Special Council held on 22 June 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on27 April 2021 and the Special Council held on 22 June 2021 be approved.

20.

Urgent Items

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

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

21.

Declarations of Interests

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.

Minutes:

Declarations of Interest were declared as follows:

 

·         Cllr Dignum declared a personal interest in agenda item 9 as the Chichester District Council representative on the BID and explained that he would not speak or vote on the item.

·         Cllr Duncton declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 as a member of West Sussex County Council.

·         Cllr Donna Johnson declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 as the Vice-Chair of Selsey Town Council and in agenda item 14 as a member of West Sussex County Council.

·         Cllr O’Kelly declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 as a member of West Sussex County Council.

·         Cllr Oakley declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 as a Member of the West Sussex County Council Electoral Review Panel and in agenda item 14 as a member of West Sussex County Council.

·         Cllr Plowman declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 as the Chairman of Goodwood Motor Circuit Consultative Committee.

·         Cllr Potter declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 as a member of the South Downs National Park Authority.

·         Cllr Purnell declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 as a member of Selsey Town Council.

·         Cllr Sharp declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 as a member of West Sussex County Council.

22.

Chair's Announcements

Apologies for absence will be notified at this point.

 

The Chair will make any specific announcements.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr Barrie, Cllr Lintill, Cllr Lishman and Cllr Sutton.

 

The Chair welcomed Cllr Bill Brisbane to his first meeting. He received a round of applause from members to welcome him to the council.

 

The Chair then explained that she had been undergoing medical treatment for cancer during the pandemic and wished to raise awareness of the importance of seeking early medical intervention. The Chair received a round of applause from members for her courage in sharing her story.

23.

Public Question Time pdf icon PDF 358 KB

In accordance with Chichester District Council’s scheme for public question time the Council 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.

Minutes:

The following public questions and answers were heard:

 

Question from Lucia Withers and 62 others:

 

The following questions are from 63 undersigned individuals, many of whom attended the CDC Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) progress meeting hosted by Extinction Rebellion Chichester on 6 June 2021. They are submitted collectively to demonstrate the continued high level of interest and concern around CDC’s progress towards implementing its CEAP, and to call for accelerated action and greater public engagement on it.

 

It is two years since the CDC declared a climate emergency (19 July 2019); 18 months since the initial CEAP was approved (January 2020); and more than six months since the final plan was approved (January 2021). Presentations by Council Officers on 6 June highlighted the significant number of actions that have been taken over the past months to implement the plan. However, most were focused on internal processes and/or achieving greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions from CDC operations. While action on this front is commendable, CDC GHG emissions only account for around 1-2% of emissions in the district. It is therefore of serious concern that 18 months into the five-year CEAP, little or no progress appears to have been made on implementing actions that relate to area-wide targets, and there is still no coherent strategy which sets out what needs to be done to achieve 10% year on year area-wide reductions of GHG to 2025.

 

The logic of declaring an EMERGENCY is that urgent action should be taken. We believe that the climate emergency should therefore be treated on a par with the response to the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the health crisis, the climate emergency presents new challenges and will require different ways of working that take account both of what the CDC can influence directly, but also where it needs to lead and inspire others to play their role and/or to work collaboratively with others.

 

Either way, urgent action is needed -- as noted in the December 2020 Climate Change Committee’s report, “Local Authorities and the Sixth Carbon Budget” (whose author briefed the CDC in March 2021), “Actions taken now locally will grow the pipeline of projects, jobs and skills to scale up delivery of zero carbon buildings and transport, waste reduction and low carbon land use. For local authorities, this does not entail focused emissions cuts in separate sectors, but means transforming whole places towards Net Zero, working with residents, communities and businesses to deliver the right changes and investments for the area.”

 

Questions to the Cabinet Member for the Environment:

 

·         According to presentations on the 6 June, CDC divisional annual services plans have been reviewed for their carbon implications and guidance developed on factoring climate change in to CDC decisions. In the interests of transparency, will the CDC publish the reviews of service plans so that we can be assured that all plans support, and do not in any way undermine, GHG-reduction targets. Further will CDC make it mandatory that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2020-21 Annual Report pdf icon PDF 555 KB

The Council is requested to note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2020-21 Annual Report attached.

Minutes:

Cllr Moss introduced the report and wished to thank officers for their support over the last year. In particular he wished to thank Katherine Davis from Democratic Services. Cllr Moss explained that he would be stepping down as Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee but wanted to highlight the role of scrutiny in democracy.

 

Cllr Moss proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Bangert. In a vote the following resolution was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2020-21 Annual Report be noted.

25.

Recommendation from the Boundary Review Panel - 25 June 2021

The Council is requested to approve the following recommendation from the Boundary Review Panel who held a meeting on 25 June 2021:

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

 

That the number of councillors elected to Rogate Parish Council be reduced from 13 to 9.

Minutes:

Cllr Oakley proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor.

 

In a vote the following resolution was agreed.

 

RESOLVED

That the number of councillors elected to Rogate Parish Council be reduced from 13 to 9.

26.

Recommendation from the Boundary Review Panel - 5 July 2021 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

The Council is requested to approve the following recommendation from the Boundary Review Panel who held a meeting on 5 July 2021:

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

 

That the council’s response to the Boundary Commission for England’s initial proposals for the 2023 Parliamentary Constituency boundaries is as attached (pages 19 to 27 of the agenda pack).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Purnell proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. Mr Mildred then introduced the item. He noted the recent concerns raised by Littlehampton Parish Council.

 

Cllr Brown then proposed the following alternative:

 

Both of these options are – for this area - preferable to your proposals as they maintain the strong and obvious links between the Manhood Peninsula and Chichester City. Some wards in the north of Chichester District are used to being in a separate constituency (previously Arundel and Southdowns) and this reflects the linkages with Chichester as a major settlement being less exclusive in the northern wards.

 

It is recognised that further thought would need to be given to the knock-on impact on the two constituencies to the east. In particular we look forward to studying proposals being promoted by our neighbours in the second round of consultations.

 

Cllr Moss seconded Cllr Brown’s proposal.

 

Cllr Oakley thanked officers Mr Mildred for his work in providing members with options to consider in a short space of time.

 

Cllr Donna Johnson asked members to support maintaining a cohesive Manhood Peninsula.

 

Cllr Tim Johnson compared splitting up the city into different political constituencies and explained how the scenario would mirror if the Manhood Peninsula were separated.

 

Cllr Sharp supported maintaining the Manhood Peninsula as a whole but wished to for completeness share the views she had received from some residents who would prefer that it be linked with the local seaside town of Bognor Regis.

 

Cllr O’Kelly explained that she saw unsatisfactory options proposed and could not support the Boundary Review Panel recommendations.

 

Cllr Page explained that he would not feel comfortable splitting the Manhood Peninsula.

 

Cllr Moss explained he would be concerned splitting the following areas of Littlehampton, the Manhood Peninsula and Easebourne each into two constituencies.

 

Cllr Duncton explained that her preference would be to keep the district under one Member of Parliament. However, she confirmed that she would support the recommendation.

 

Cllr Purnell reminded members that they would be voting for a consultation not a final decision.

 

Cllr Briscoe explained that he would prefer not to see the Manhood Peninsula split. He suggested that the proposals put forward remain the best options for the district.

 

In a vote the original recommendation with the amendment by Cllr Brown to the final paragraph 13 was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That the council’s response to the Boundary Commission for England’s initial proposals for the 2023 Parliamentary Constituency boundaries is as attached (pages 19 to 27 of the agenda pack) subject to the amendment to paragraph 13 read as follows:

 

Both of these options are – for this area - preferable to your proposals as they maintain the strong and obvious links between the Manhood Peninsula and Chichester City. Some wards in the north of Chichester District are used to being in a separate constituency (previously Arundel and Southdowns) and this reflects the linkages with Chichester as a major settlement being less exclusive in the northern wards.

 

It is recognised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Chichester Business Improvement District Ballot

The report can be found on pages 155-218 of the Cabinet agenda for 6 July 2021.

 

The Cabinet made the following recommendation to Council:

 

That subject to 2.1 of the report, that the Council be recommended to delegate to the Leader the authority to vote in accordance with Cabinet’s decision in relation to the ballot to renew the BID.

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Briscoe.

 

Cllr Taylor then introduced the report.

 

Cllr Plowman requested stronger action from the BID.

 

Cllr Hobbs gave his support to the BID.

 

Cllr Moss explained that the BID had brought a report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He commended its new leadership.

 

Cllr Sharp gave her support to the BID.

 

Cllr Bell explained that he felt the BID levy is good value for money for the council.

 

Cllr Purnell explained that she would abstain as members were not voting on the BID only to allow the Leader to cast a vote.

 

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That subject to section 2.1 of the report, that the Council delegates to the Leader the authority to vote in accordance with Cabinet’s decision in relation to the ballot to renew the BID.

28.

Chichester District Council Annual Report 2020-21

The report can be found on pages 5-49 of the Cabinet agenda for 6 July 2021.

 

The Cabinet made the following recommendation to Council:

 

That the Chichester District Council Annual Report 2020-21 be received.

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Briscoe.

 

Cllr Bowden gave support to the recommendation. With regard to page 31 he commended the Chichester Contract Service for maintaining its service to the community throughout the pandemic. With regard to page 36 he requested further information of when the CO2 emissions outturn figures would be available. With regard to page 49 he requested clarification of whether there had been any major planning applications in the South Downs National Park Authority. Taking the last question first Cllr Taylor clarified that a major application is for an application of over 20 dwellings. In the absence of the Director for Planning and Environment she sought to come back to Cllr Bowden on the number of applications in the South Downs National Park Authority. With regard to the CO2 emissions Mr Buckley was able to confirm that there had been 5.2 tonnes of CO2 in the 2019 data and an overall reduction of 40% over the last 14 years.

 

Cllr O’Kelly with regard to page 30 requested that the number of people receiving financial assistance could be greater as the target figure had been met and the number of affordable homes could also be greater. With regard to page 33 she requested a greater detail of the Performance Indicators in next year’s Annual Report. Mrs Rudziak explained in relation to LPI 002 that the level of affordable homes is set out in the Housing Strategy as 1000 homes over six years. She clarified that where it can be exceeded the council would want to do so.

 

Cllr Brown requested more plans on how to decarbonise the district. Mr Buckley explained that members had been invited to a session to revisit the Corporate Plan in the coming weeks.

 

Cllr Graves wished to note that the Sygenta site has been approved after 15 years of work.

 

Cllr Hobbs wished to highlight that the council is actively looking at ways to declare real Climate Emergency investment publically.

 

Further to Cllr Bowden’s comments Cllr Apel recommended that all members go out on a round with the Chichester Contract Services team as she had done. She congratulated the team on their hard work.

 

Cllr Bangert congratulated the Housing Team on the Rough Sleeper Initiative and hoped to see more long term work in this area.

 

Cllr McAra outlined how a Community Land Trust works following a recent site of that nature being completed in Midhurst.

 

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Chichester District Council Annual Report 2020-21 be received.

29.

Covid Outbreak Management Fund

The report for this item can be found on pages 51-54 of the Cabinet agenda for 6 July 2021.


Cabinet made the following recommendations to Council:

 

1.    That the Covid Outbreak Management Fund grant allocation be spent as set out in section 5.

2.    That delegation be given to The Chief Executive to vary allocations of funding between the headings in section 5 following consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

Cllr Wilding proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. Cllr Wilding then introduced the item.

 

Cllr Bowden with reference to page 53 asked how value for money is measured in relation to the Covid-19 post allocations. He also requested clarification on the part time/full time split of the cost of the Environmental Health post. Cllr Wilding confirmed that the higher salary of £102,000 relates to a contractor. Mr Ward agreed to seek written response from Mr Frost.

 

Cllr O’Kelly requested an update on the current situation with the Test, Trace, Contain work. Mrs Shepherd clarified that the Test, Trace, Contain work is a West Sussex County Council’s responsibility and a protocal had been agreed with the Districts and Borough that they would assist if requested. She suggested as Cllr O’Kelly is a County Councillor she could contact the County Council for an update.

 

In a vote the following resolutions were carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Covid Outbreak Management Fund grant allocation be spent as set out in section 5.

2.    That delegation be given to The Chief Executive to vary allocations of funding between the headings in section 5 following consultation with the Leader of the Council.

30.

Local Plan Review Budget Update

The report for this item can be found on pages 147-153 of the Cabinet agenda for 6 July 2021.


Cabinet made the following recommendation to Council:

 

That Council approves the release of £500,000 from the Local Plan Reserve in 2021/22 and £275,000 in 2022/23 to fund necessary Local Plan technical work, specialist advice and examination costs.

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Briscoe. Cllr Taylor then introduced the item.

 

Cllr Brisbane requested further information on the cost of the Local Plan 2016. Mrs Shepherd agreed to seek written response from Mr Frost.

 

Cllr Tim Johnson with regard to page 149 queried the costings detailed. Mrs Shepherd clarified that the costings related to transport may vary following members discussion at the All Member Session on 29 July 2021.

 

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council approves the release of £500,000 from the Local Plan Reserve in 2021/22 and £275,000 in 2022/23 to fund necessary Local Plan technical work, specialist advice and examination costs.

31.

Independent Persons pdf icon PDF 166 KB

The Council is requested to consider the report and make the following resolutions:

 

1.    Note that the Standards Committee have completed their interview and consideration process and recommend the appointment of two persons to Council as Independent Persons.

 

2.    That Council appoint those persons as Independent Persons as provided for under the Council Constitution.

Minutes:

Cllr Plowman as Chairman of the Standards Committee proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. He then introduced the item.

 

Mr Bennett, the Monitoring Officer explained the process before inviting the candidates Mr Andrews and Mr Thompson to introduce themselves.

 

In a vote the following resolutions were carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    To note that the Standards Committee have completed their interview and consideration process and recommend the appointment of two persons to Council as Independent Persons.

 

2.    To appoint those persons as Independent Persons as provided for under the Council Constitution.

32.

The Council's proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and Conditions 2021

The report and appendices for this item can be found on pages 55-124 of the Cabinet agenda for 6 July 2021. In addition the separate Cabinet supplement detailed an update.

 

The Cabinet made the following recommendation to Council:

 

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved subject to any amendments by the General Licensing Committee or Cabinet.

Minutes:

Cllr Briscoe proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. He then introduced the item.

 

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved.

33.

Motion from Cllr Page pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Having complied with the Motions Procedure as set out in the council’s Constitution the motion attached will be proposed by Cllr Page and if duly seconded it will then be discussed at this meeting.

Minutes:

Cllr Page proposed his motion. Cllr Bell seconded.

 

Cllr Page outlined as follows:

 

The Local Plan Review's Transport Policies are limited only to mitigate that plan's effect on the A27 at Chichester, in other words to make things no worse. It promises no improvement. Inevitably therefore there will be increasing pressure from new development in Chichester and adjacent Districts and Boroughs. Road transport (however it is powered) will remain necessary for economic and social purposes.

 

As a result:

 

1. The already unacceptable levels of congestion and safety issues on the A27 Chichester by-pass will continue to worsen, with all the environmental, social and economic harm that entails.

 

2. The District's local highway network will see increasing amounts of traffic along mainly minor roads and through the City seeking to avoid the congested A27 by-pass junctions and lengthening queues on to those junctions.

 

3. Local Plan A27 by-pass junction mitigation works themselves will result in enormous disruption and inconvenience over a number of years and have very limited benefit before further works are required.

 

Recommendation:

 

Given the above, this Council,

 

a. is convinced that only a by-pass that separates local traffic from through traffic will provide a cost effective and comprehensive long term solution for the strategic road network at Chichester, and

 

b. that only such a by-pass will allow sufficient existing local highway network road space to be reallocated for walking, cycling and bus infrastructure to make a significant change in local residents' travel choices.

 

As the Council's preferred solution to this problem is a mitigated northern route as proposed by the BABA27 study, and noting that Highways England have announced that the A27 is among the list of projects to be developed for possible future funding with public participation,  this Council calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure that all options, including a northern route, will be the subject of earliest possible consideration by Highways England to resolve the chronic traffic problems of Chichester once and for all, and invites the support of Chichester's MP and WSCC.

 

Cllr Taylor as portfolio holder was invited to speak next. She responded as follows:

 

Thank you Councillor Page for your motion.

 

Can I say firstly that the Council has long sought a scheme of government funded improvements to the A27 at Chichester in order to address issues of capacity, congestion, journey reliability and environmental issues such as air quality. The A27 corridor is a key foundation for our efforts to deliver housing and economic growth in this part of West Sussex but if no improvements are forthcoming for the A27 at Chichester, then it is clear that severe congestion will continue to occur. This will constrain the performance of the local economy and delivery of the Government’s objectives to deliver economic growth and housing. A well designed improvement at Chichester is needed that provides long term benefits and also addresses local concerns.

 

Following the cancellation by the Secretary of State for Transport of the A27 Chichester Bypass scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

34.

Delegation to Chief Executive - Local Plan Review Update pdf icon PDF 278 KB

The Council is requested to consider the report and make the following resolution:

 

To give an administrative delegation to the Chief Executive to enact all decisions from the remote session of Councillors on 29 July 2021, and to report that enactment to the next Full Council.

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Briscoe. Mr Ward then introduced the item.

 

Cllr Bowden thanked Mr Ward and Mr Bennett for the change to the meeting arrangements.

 

Cllr Oakley requested clarification of any legal implications. Mr Ward explained that this had been fully considered and no difficulties were anticipated. Mr Bennett added that he had discussed the decision with a number of other Monitoring Officers before reaching a final conclusion.

 

Cllr Moss endorsed the approach and requested an email confirmation of the outcome of the meeting as soon as practicable afterwards. Mrs Shepherd confirmed she would be emailing all members after the meeting to detail what had been agreed.

 

Cllr Taylor explained that the session would be webcast live and would provide an opportunity for public question time.

 

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council gives an administrative delegation to the Chief Executive to enact all decisions from the remote session of Councillors on 29 July 2021, and to report that enactment to the next Full Council.

35.

Review of Political Balance pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Report to follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Briscoe. Mr Bennett then introduced the item.

 

Mr Bennett explained that the final seat on Corporate Governance and Audit Committee was to be gifted to Cllr Tim Johnson from the Liberal Democrats. Mr Bennett sought any disagreement from members in including this in the vote on the recommendations. No member disagreed with the approach.

 

In a vote the following resolutions were carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That:

 

1.    the review of political balance arrangements set out in this report be approved.

2.    the memberships set out in appendix being circulated at the meeting be approved.

36.

Urgent Decision Notice - Welcome Back Fund pdf icon PDF 254 KB

The Council is requested to note the Urgent Decision Notice relating to the Welcome Back Fund.

Minutes:

On behalf of the Council the Chair noted the Urgent Decision Notice relating to the Welcome Back Fund as detailed on pages 39 to 40 of the agenda pack.

37.

Questions to the Executive pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Members are invited to ask a question of a member of the Executive (maximum of 40 minutes duration).

Minutes:

Members were advised to submit any Questions to the Executive to Democratic Services who would collate the responses.

38.

Late Items

To consider any late items as follows:

 

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.

Minutes:

There were no late items.

39.

Exclusion of the press and public

The Council is asked to consider in respect of agenda items 21 and 22 whether the public, including the press, should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds of exemption under Parts I to 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as indicated against the item 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. The reports dealt with under this part of the agenda are attached for members of the Council and senior officers only (salmon paper).

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor moved the recommendation to go into part II which was seconded by Cllr Briscoe.

 

Members voted in favour.

 

RESOLVED

 

The in respect of agenda items 22 and 23 the public, including the press, should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds of exemption under Parts I to 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as indicated against the item 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.

40.

CCS Refuse Collection Vehicle Procurement Strategy

The report for this item can be found in the restricted pages 29-43 of the Cabinet agenda for the Cabinet meeting held on 1 June 2021.

 

The Cabinet made the following recommendations to Council:

 

That Cabinet makes the recommendations to Council as set out in section 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the report.

Minutes:

Cllr Plant proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. Cllr Plant then introduced the item.

 

In a vote the following resolutions were carried:

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council resolves to make the resolutions as set out in section 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Cabinet report.

41.

Urgent Decision Notice - St James

The Council is requested to note the part II Urgent Decision Notice relating to St James.

Minutes:

On behalf of the Council the Chair noted the Urgent Decision Notice relating to St James as detailed on pages 41 to 43 of the agenda pack.

 

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