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.

In Cllr Lintill’s absence Cllr Taylor took the Chair and welcomed everyone to the meeting and read the fire evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Briscoe and Cllr Lintill.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 November 2021 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.

The following public questions were received (responses indicated in itallics):

Question from Stuart Tappin (read by Democratic Services):

As a way of meeting the UK’s commitment for a more sustainable future, and inresponse to the Climate Change Emergency, professional organisations such asthe Institution of Structural Engineers and the Royal Institute of British Architectshave advocated the retention and re-use of buildings over demolition and re-build.Can the Council confirm that they will now re-consider proposals for The SouthernGateway and put the retention and re-use of perfectly sound buildings such as thebus garage at the centre of their proposals?

Answer from Cllr Dignum:

Thank you Mr Tappin for your question , the report today sets out the progress for the project and currently no options going forward have been dismissed in relation to the sites.

Question from Bob Mousley:

Its disappointing that the Southern Gateway documents and Council discussion are not available for the public's information .

However ;

“ Given that the Southern Gateway Project will not proceed in its current form, Is now the time to step back and take a wide ranging holistic view on all the current issues of development, sustainability, climate change etc affecting the Chichester District over the next 5 – 30 years. ? “

The objective would be to produce a flexible matrix Masterplan which could be amended as new information and technologies emerged.

A step back for say 24 months in order to produce a grand vision Masterplan for the next 30 years.

This would enable a future Southern Gateway to be developed in context and as part of whole cohesive Masterplan for the area.

Answer from Cllr Dignum:

Firstly, can I reassure you that the Southern Gateway project is being actively progressed by the Council. It is important to note that the Southern Gateway Masterplan is not prescriptive as to the uses that would be acceptable for many of the sites and so should be viewed with a degree of flexibility. The masterplan does not therefore need to be reproduced. Proposals that come forward for the Southern Gateway will also have to meet the policies and standards of the adopted and emerging local plans and so matters such as new technologies, sustainability and climate change together with normal development management requirements will be fully addressed through the planning process.

Cllr Taylor invited Mr Mousley to ask a supplement question. Mr Mousley did not have a second question.

At the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 November 2021 it was proposed by Cllr Sharp and seconded by Cllr Moss that the Committee recommend to Cabinet that the Corporate Plan success measures include safe jobs, in that the Council promote green jobs in the sectors of renewable, retrofitting and the circular economy. The Committee then voted on this proposal which was carried.  

Cabinet are therefore asked to consider the following recommendation:

That the Corporate Plan success measures include safe jobs, in that the Council promote green jobs in the sectors of renewable, retrofitting and the circular economy.

This item was deferred to the January meeting when the Corporate Plan will be discussed.

Cllr Taylor confirmed that this item was deferred to January 2022.

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

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet recommend that the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022-2023 be approved by full Council.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet delegate approval for mid-year changes in the Scheme, where it is deemed appropriate to the Director for Housing & Communities following consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Revenues and Benefits.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022-2023 be approved by Full Council.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet delegate approval for mid-year changes in the Scheme, where it is deemed appropriate to the Director for Housing & Communities following consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Revenues and Benefits.

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

In a vote the following recommendation and resolutions were agreed:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022-2023 be approved by Full Council.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet delegate approval for mid-year changes in the Scheme, where it is deemed appropriate to the Director for Housing & Communities following consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Revenues and Benefits.

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

1.    In order to comply with section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, that the following resolutions be made; 

2.    No item of expenditure shall be treated as ‘special expenses’ for the purposes of section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

3.    This resolution in (2.2) shall remain in force for the 2022-2023 financial year.

4.    The calculation of the Chichester District Council’s taxbase for the year 2022-2023 be approved.

5.    The amounts calculated by Chichester District Council as its council taxbase be those set out in appendices 1 and 2 to this report.

RESOLVED

1.    In order to comply with section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, that the following resolutions be made;

2.    No item of expenditure shall be treated as ‘special expenses’ for the purposes of section 25 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

3.    This resolution in (2.2) shall remain in force for the 2022-2023 financial year.

4.    The calculation of the Chichester District Council’s taxbase for the year 2022-2023 be approved.

5.    The amounts calculated by Chichester District Council as its council taxbase be those set out in appendices 1 and 2 to this report.

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

In a vote the following resolutions were agreed:

RESOLVED

1.    In order to comply with section 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, that the following resolutions be made;

2.    No item of expenditure shall be treated as ‘special expenses’ for the purposes of section 25 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

3.    This resolution in (2.2) shall remain in force for the 2022-2023 financial year.

4.    The calculation of the Chichester District Council’s taxbase for the year 2022-2023 be approved.

5.    The amounts calculated by Chichester District Council as its council taxbase be those set out in appendices 1 and 2 to this report.

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

To approve the proposed fee and separate supporting Fees and Determination Policies.

RESOLVED

That the proposed fee and separate supporting Fees and Determination Policies be approved.

Cllr Sutton introduced the item.

Cllr Taylor requested clarification of how many sites would be included. Mr Foord confirmed that the new legislation and associated criteria was being reviewed but estimated around 20 sites, although this might vary.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That the proposed fee and separate supporting Fees and Determination Policies be approved.

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

That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Planning and Environment, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services for the release of grant funding from DEFRA for the following two projects:

1.    £25,000 for the Agroforestry and Orchards Pilot; and

2.    £40,000 for the Hedgerow Tree Pilot

RESOLVED

That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services for the release of grant funding from DEFRA for the following two projects;

1.    £37,000 for the Agroforestry and Orchards Pilot and;

2.    £48,250 for the Hedgerow Tree Pilot.

Cllr Plant introduced the item. She explained the recommendation had been amended to request £37,000 for the Agroforestry and Orchards Pilot and £48,250 for the Hedgerow Tree Pilot.

Cllr Dignum requested further information on the £400,000 as referenced at 3.2 of the report. Mrs Shepherd explained that a full breakdown could be provided at a later date.

Cllr Potter was invited to speak. He asked whether there was scope for further applications. Mr Day explained that the overall project budget had been fixed by DEFRA but that there was the possibility of any underspends by other authorities being made available next financial year.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services for the release of grant funding from DEFRA for the following two projects;

1.    £37,000 for the Agroforestry and Orchards Pilot and;

2.    £48,250 for the Hedgerow Tree Pilot.

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 requested to note the Urgent Decision Notice relating to Trade Waste Bins.

RESOLVED

That the Urgent Decision Notice relating to Trade Waste Bins be noted.

Cllr Wilding asked whether there would be scope for bidding for more local authority contracts. Mr Carter explained it was not considered this time.

Cllr Sharp was invited to speak. She asked whether food waste would be included in the contract. Mr Carter explained that the food waste collection contract is managed by the catering team at West Sussex County Council whose food waste contract is due for re-tender in two years time.

RESOLVED

That the Urgent Decision Notice relating to Trade Waste Bins be noted.

The Cabinet is asked to consider in respect of agenda items 13-17whether 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)]

Cllr Taylor proposed and read the part II resolution in relation to agenda items 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. This was unanimously agreed by the Cabinet voting to go into part II.

RESOLVED

That with regard to agenda items 13,14, 15, 16 and 17 the public including the press should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds 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.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the resolutions set out in section 2.1 of the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in section 2.1 of the report.

Cllr Plant introduced the item.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in section 2.1 of the report.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendix make the resolutions as set out in sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the report.

Cllr Plant introduced the item.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the report.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and make the resolution set out at section 2.1 of the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in section 2.1 of the report.

Cllr Briscoe introduced the item.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in section 2.1 of the report.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the resolutions as set out in sections 3.1-3.5 of the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in sections 3.1-3.9 of the amendment to the report as circulated to members at the meeting.

Cllr Dignum introduced the item.

Cllr Moss was invited to speak.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out in sections 3.1-3.9 of the amendment to the report as circulated to members at the meeting.

The Cabinet is requested to note the part II Urgent Decision Notice related to the Westgate Decarbonisation Project.

RESOLVED

That the Part II Urgent Decision Notice relating to the Westgate Decarbonisation Project be noted.

RESOLVED

That the Part II Urgent Decision Notice relating to the Westgate Decarbonisation Project be noted.