Agenda item

Members are requested to consider the report and appendices included in the agenda pack and make the following resolutions:

 

 That Council:

 

(a)  Approves the Covid 19 Recovery Action Plans for the four thematic areas as set out in appendices 1-4;

 

(b)  Approves the Future Services Framework as set out in appendix 5;

 

(c)    Approves the following policy options:

 

(i)           to forego the Homefinder’s fee at a cost of £20k pa;

 

(ii)          to contribute £20k towards an economic impact study for Novium, CFT and PHG. To be funded from reserves;

 

(iii)        to increase the current level of support for Visit Chichester by £100k per year in years 2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23  and provide new support of £130k per year in 2023/24 & 2024/25, and that delegated powers is given to the Director for Growth and Place to approve a new Service Level Agreement with Visit Chichester following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration;

 

(iv)        to create a new grants fund of £500k. To include £250k for a Community Recovery Grants Fund and £250k for an Economic Recovery Grants Fund, and that delegated powers are given to the Director of Housing & Communities and the Director of Growth and Place to approve criteria for the grants following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration respectively. To be funded by reducing the sum allocated for parish NHB grants by an equivalent amount.

(Please note that the full debate for this item can be viewed on the webcast which has been published here http://chichester.nucast.live/)

 

The Chair drew members’ attention to a correction to the numbering of the report. On page 12 of the agenda pack the section entitled ‘Alternatives Considered’ should be number 7, ‘Resource and Legal Implications’ number 8, ‘Consultation’ number 9, ‘Community Impact and Corporate Risks’ number 10, ‘Other Implications’ number 11, ‘Appendices ‘number 12’ and ‘Background Papers’ number 13.

 

Cllr Lintill was then invited to introduce the report.

 

Cllr Lintill moved the recommendations which were seconded by Cllr Taylor.

 

A number of members requested information on how the recovery teams would be made up as some members had already been approached. Cllr Lintill confirmed that the memberships had not been decided. She added that the timings of the meetings would be decided by the Cabinet member/s, Directors and Advisors. The meetings would not be formally minuted as these are informal groups and oversight of the recovery plans lay with Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet. A number of members requested feedback to the wider membership.

 

With regard to a request for smaller registered charities to be included in the grants funding Cllr Briscoe explained that the criteria for inclusion is currently being drawn up by officers but would include smaller local charities.

 

Cllr Moss suggested the inclusion of Fishbourne Roman Palace, the Oxmarket and the Weald and Downland Museum in the economic impact study for the Novium, Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery. Cllr O’Kelly then proposed the suggestion which was seconded by Cllr Moss. Both Mrs Hotchkiss and Mr Bennett explained that the recommendation would have to be worded as such to take account of consulting with the additional organisations to see if they wished to be included. Mrs Shepherd also clarified that the proposal is for the cost of the study to be split into thirds equally between the parties involved. 

 

Cllr Tim Johnson then put forward the following amendment which was seconded by Cllr Donna Johnson:

 

Council recommend that Cabinet consider enhancing their decisions of 07 July and approve the formation of a separate Peninsula Recovery Group at their next meeting.

 

Some members did not support the recommendation as some parishes on the Peninsula did not support the proposal, thought it was a duplication of work if the Group were formed and also the implication for other areas of the district where an additional Group is not set up.

 

In support of the recommendation some members discussed that the Group reflects the needs of the residents now and would address the particular needs of the peninsula.

 

In a vote the amendment was not carried.

 

Cllr Plowman then put forward the following amendment which was seconded by Cllr Hughes:

 

That the Chichester Neighbourhood Plan City Centre Task Force be included as a Partner Organisation for the Economic Recovery Action plans. (Pages 32, 33).

 

Some members did not support the recommendation and discussed the inclusion of the City Council already.

 

In support of the recommendation some members discussed the importance of bringing in those who can help to drive change.

 

In response to suggestions that the proposal was undemocratic Mr Bennett confirmed that it was not undemocratic but urged members to debate with kindness and respect.

 

In a vote the amendment was not carried.

 

Cllr Adrian Moss then put forward the following amendments which were seconded by Cllr O’Kelly:

 

At Page 75, Appendix 5, Future Services Framework

 

Add in new Key area, Paragraph 4

 

(Minor technical change.......)

 

The proposal is to break this project down into 4 key areas;

 

New key area No 2

 

2) Commercial activities: An outward facing review of all commercial activity to identify opportunities to boost income to the council from council service and other commercial activity.

 

Key area 2) becomes 3)  Policy Option

Key area 3) becomes 4)  Service Prioritisation

 

Page 76, New Paragraph for Commercial Activity

 

2. Commercial Activities

 

Officers continue to pursue income generating opportunities, where there is a sufficient robust business case and the activity is in line with local government published protocols.

 

Business generating initiatives should include opportunities that enhance the lives of our residents and provides services that directly benefit our residents and local businesses whilst helping the Council reduce reliance on Council Tax and the Local Government Finance Settlement each year.

 

2. Policy Options becomes 3. Policy Options

3. Service Prioritisation becomes 4. Service Prioritisation

 

This will also necessitate changes as follows

 

Page 12, 6.5

 

New

 

Stage 2 Commercial Activity. This stage challenge the council to look at new innovative way to pursue income generating ideas that  enhance the services provided by the Council to the local community including businesses, whilst generating an income to the Council.

 

Stage 2. Policy Options becomes Stage 3. Policy Options

Stage 3. Service Prioritisation becomes Stage 4. Service Prioritisation

 

Some members did not support the recommendation due to the development of commercial ideas already being covered under section 7 and it already being a priority in the Corporate Plan. 

 

In support of the recommendation some members discussed the importance of bringing ideas that avoid the reliance on council tax and generate income.

 

Following a vote the amendments were not carried.

 

Cllr Brown then suggested combining his amendment with Cllr Sharp’s amendment in order to take one vote. Cllr Sharp was in agreement.

 

Cllr Brown proposed the following amendment which was seconded by Cllr Moss:

 

At c.iv add: “Priority for Economic Recovery Grants to be given to carbon-neutral schemes or those which will lessen the carbon footprint of economic activities.”

 

Cllr Sharp then added the following amendment which was seconded by Cllr Moss:

 

Re: 8.a (NEW: the current a-c become b-d) add:

 

Council notes the serious impact COVID-19 has had and is still having on our communities, residents’ health, well-being and livelihoods and on the Council’s finances. But at the same time, climate change presents just as much a threat as ever. The Council therefore believes that sustainability and tackling Climate Change should be a "golden thread" running through all this Council's COVID-19 Recovery Action Plans.

 

Some members did not support the recommendation due to the limitations it would put on the grants fund for small organisations. 

 

In support of the recommendation some members discussed the importance of green industries going forwards.

 

In a vote the amendments were not carried.

 

Following the earlier suggestion by Cllr Moss to include the Fishbourne Roman Palace, the Oxmarket and the Weald and Downland Museum in the economic impact study for the Novium, Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery which had been formally proposed by Cllr O’Kelly and seconded by Cllr Moss the following amendment was agreed to be voted on for recommendation cii:

 

To contribute £20k towards an economic impact study for Novium, CFT and PHG. To be funded from reserves and that officers will approach the Weald and Downland Museum, Oxmarket and Fishbourne Roman Palace to see if they would be interested in inclusion in the study on the same terms.

 

The Chair then put the officer recommendations to the vote with the inclusion of amendment above. The vote was carried.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Council:

 

a)    Approves the Covid 19 Recovery Action Plans for the four thematic areas as set out in appendices 1-4;

b)    Approves the Future Services Framework as set out in appendix 5;

c)    Approves the following policy options:

 

(i)            to forego the Homefinder’s fee at a cost of £20k pa;

 

(ii)          To contribute £20k towards an economic impact study for Novium, CFT and PHG (to be funded from reserves) and that officers will approach the Weald and Downland Museum, Oxmarket and Fishbourne Roman Palace to see if they would be interested in inclusion in the study on the same terms as the other parties.

 

(iii)         to increase the current level of support for Visit Chichester by £100k per year in years 2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23 and provide new support of £130k per year in 2023/24 & 2024/25, and that delegated powers is given to the Director for Growth and Place to approve a new Service Level Agreement with Visit Chichester following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration;

 

(iv)         to create a new grants fund of £500k. To include £250k for a Community Recovery Grants Fund and £250k for an Economic Recovery Grants Fund, and that delegated powers are given to the Director of Housing &Communities and the Director of Growth and Place to approve criteria for the grants following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration respectively. To be funded by reducing the sum allocated for parish NHB grants by an equivalent amount.