Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2016 were presented and the Mayor was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Since the last Council meeting the Mayor, Councillor Pat Hearn, has held a number of Mayor’s Charity events and attended a number of official engagements.

1.           The first Mayor’s Charity Bowls Tournament was held at Hampden Park Bowls Club on 24^th July and the winners were awarded the Mayor’s Charity Challenge Cup.  £730.00 was raised for the Mayor’s Charities.

2.           On 2^nd August the Mayor, along with fellow Councillors and Civic guests attended the Civic Night performance of Musicality at The Royal Hippodrome Theatre.

3.           The Mayor took a tour around the Sport Eastbourne Centres on 13^th August, visiting the children at the Holiday Play Schemes and finding out what fun they had been getting up to.

4.           At the Hampden Park Fun Day on 21^st August, the Mayor’s Charity Committee held a soft toy tombola and raised £190.00.  Another was held by the Committee at the Shinewater Fun Day on 3^rd September and on this occasion £170.00 was raised.

5.           On 25^th September the Mayor visited Eastbourne RNLI and was given a tour of the Lifeboat Station followed by a trip out to sea on the Eastbourne Lifeboat, Diamond Jubilee.

6.           The Mayor’s Civic Church Service was held at St Mary’s Church, Hampden Park, on Sunday 2^nd October.  The service was well attended by Councillors, Past Mayors, Honorary Aldermen, Freemen and local Scouts.  The Deputy Lieutenant and the High Sherriff of East Sussex were also in attendance.  During the service there were performances from Polyphony Voices in Harmony and TEA Harmonies from Eastbourne Academy.

7.           A Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night was held on 14^th October at the Town Hall with record numbers attending.  A fish and chip supper was served and after a few closely fought rounds, the winners’ trophy was re-taken by the Wedon’tknowits team.  £630.00 was raised for the Mayor’s Charities.

8.           On 29^th October the Mayor attended the 15^th annual Beachy Head Marathon and started off the Marathon runners before returning later in the morning to present them with their medals.

9.           An Open Mic Night in aid of the Mayor’s Charities was held at Bibendum on 30^th October and raised £450.00.

10.        The Mayor attended a number of Remembrance events during November.  These included the Eastbourne Silver Band Remembrance Concert on 6^th November at Our Lady of Ransom Church and the Hampden Park Remembrance Service on 11^th November.  Also on 11^th November, the Deputy Mayor attended the War Memorial Housing Service in Victoria Drive and Past Mayor Councillor Janet Coles attended the Remembrance event in the Arndale Centre.  On 12^th November the Mayor took a tour around the Town visiting Poppy sellers at various locations including Sainsbury’s and ASDA.  The Town’s Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service took place in the Town Centre on 13^th November and was attended by the Mayor, her Consort and other Civic guests.  The Mayor laid a wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

An apology for absence was reported from Councillor Robinson.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) by members as required under Section 31 of the Localism Act and of other interests as required by the Code of Conduct (please see note at end of agenda).

Councillor Ungar declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in items 42 and 45 below as he had a relative employed by the Council and remained in the meeting and participated in the item.

Councillors Bannister, Di Cara, Jenkins and Mattock declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in respect of the motion at item 48 on the basis of their or their spouse’s interest in the campaigning pension age and they remained in the meeting and participated in the item.

Councillors Swansborough and Tutt declared a personal interest in respect of the motion at item 48 on the basis of spousal interest in the campaigning pension age.  Although this was not deemed to be prejudicial, they chose to withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item.

Chief Executive to report the resignation of Ray Blakebrough as councillor for the Sovereign ward on 6 October.  Councillor Blakebrough was elected May 2015.

The by-election is to be held on Thursday 24 November 2016. 

The Chief Executive reported the resignation of Ray Blakebrough as a councillor for the Sovereign ward on 6 October and that a by-election would be held on Thursday 24 November 2016.

It was proposed by Councillor Jenkins and seconded by Councillor Tutt and agreed unanimously that a vote of thanks be extended to Ray Blakebrough for his service to the town and the Council during his tenure as a councillor.

Report of Assistant Director of Corporate Governance.

The Council considered the report of the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance on the final proposals from the Local Government Boundary Commission arising from the 2015 Boundary Review and setting the process to ensure the configuration of the new boundaries by the 2017 East Sussex County Council elections.

In response to the proposals submitted to the Commission as agreed by Council at its meeting on 18 November 2015 to retain the existing number of councillors, wards and ward names and to adjust boundaries in 3 areas (zones 1, 2 and 3 on the map attached to the report), the Boundary Commission had made the following draft proposals in April 2016:

(a) To support the Council’s position in respect of councillor and ward numbers, ward names and a zone 1 boundary change at Hampden Park to improve the variance figure.

(b) Rejection of the zone 2 and 3 proposals affecting the Ratton and Old Town wards.

(c) A new proposal to alter boundaries between St Anthony’s and Sovereign wards to improve electoral balance.

A response to the Commission’s draft proposals was submitted in May 2016 which objected to (c) above on the grounds as set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report.  In submitting its final proposals in September 2016, the Boundary Commission accepted the Council’s case and removed the proposed St Anthony’s/Sovereign ward adjustments. It had not accepted the statement of the administration to reinstate the zone 2 and 3 adjustments.

The only change to the current ward map as a result of the review is the zone 1 change to the Ratton and Hampden Park boundary originally proposed by the Council.

Work would now proceed to ensure the configuration of the new boundaries by the 2017 East Sussex County Council elections.  This would include consultation with Borough and County Members of the wards affected and finalisation of work on the polling place review for submission to the Audit and Governance Committee at its meeting on 30 November 2016.

Members conveyed their thanks to the working group members and the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance for their detailed work to prepare and submit the Council’s proposals to the Boundary Commission. 

It was moved by Councillor Tutt and seconded by Councillor Freebody and:

Resolved: (1) (By 24 votes with no votes against and 1 abstention) That the final outcome of the 2015 Boundary Review be noted and accepted. 

(2) That the proposed work process set out in section 4 of the report in order to implement the changes in time for the 2017 County Council elections be endorsed, including the proposal that the final decision on revised polling districts and stations be made by the Audit and Governance Committee.

Top agree the proposed calendar of meetings for 2017/18. 

Please note: (1) That the date of the annual meeting in May 2017, previously agreed last May, will now move to 17 May to avoid a clash with Lewes District’s council meeting on 10 May.

(2) That the calendar will otherwise be subject to final approval at the annual meeting of the council on 17 May 2017.

The Council considered the proposed calendar of meetings for 2017/2018 submitted by the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance.

It was proposed by Councillor Tutt and seconded by Councillor Freebody and:

Resolved: That the calendar of meetings for 2017/18 be approved noting the change to the Annual Meeting to 17 May 2017 and that the calendar will be subject to final approval at this meeting.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought authorisation to opt into the national public sector scheme for the appointment of external auditors.

It was moved by Councillor Mattock and seconded by Councillor Tutt and:

Resolved: (By 17 votes to 8) That the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to accept the invitation received from Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited to enrol the Council in the national public sector scheme for the appointment of external auditors.

Report of Councillor Penny di Cara on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee.

This matter was reported and moved by Councillor Di Cara on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee and seconded by Councillor Holt.

Resolved:(By 24 votes with no votes against and 1 abstention) That the annual scrutiny work programme for 2016/17 be approved.

Report of Councillor Gill Mattock on behalf of the Cabinet.

This matter was reported and moved by Councillor Mattock on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Di Cara.

Resolved: That the Treasury Management annual report for 2015/16 be approved and that specific approval be given to the 2015/16 prudential and treasury indicators set out in the report.

Report of Councillor Troy Tester on behalf of the Cabinet.

This matter was reported and moved by Councillor Tester on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Ballard.

Members conveyed their thanks to the Assistant Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development for the work undertaken on the revised policy.

Resolved: That the revised attendance management policy for employees of Eastbourne Borough Council be approved.

Report of Councillor Alan Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet.

This matter was proposed by Councillor Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Freebody.

Members conveyed their thanks to all partners involved in the achievements of the Eastbourne Community Safety Partnership.

Resolved: That the amended 2014/17 Eastbourne Community Safety Plan and the continued delegated implementation authority to the Director of Service Delivery be approved. 

Report of Councillor Alan Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet.

This matter was proposed by Councillor Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Freebody.

Resolved:(1) That the 2016/17 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be adopted as the local scheme for 2017/18.

(2) That continuation of the exceptional hardship fund for 2017/18 be approved subject to the continued support by the major preceptors.

Report of Councillor Troy Tester on behalf of the Cabinet.

This matter was proposed by Councillor Tester on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Freebody.

Resolved: That the new policies covering social media (as amended) and shared parental leave by council employees be approved. 

Report of Councillor Steve Wallis on behalf of the Cabinet (to follow).

(*Please see note below item 11h below.)

This matter was proposed by Councillor Wallis on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Jenkins.

Members conveyed their thanks to the Senior Strategy and Commissioning Officer for Planning Policy for his work on the Plan.

Resolved:(1) That the Eastbourne Employment Land Local Plan together with the revised policies map be adopted.

(2) That the Director of Regeneration and Planning be granted delegated authority to make any minor or technical adjustments required to the Eastbourne Employment Land Local Plan in consultation with the lead cabinet member. 

Report of Councillor Steve Wallis on behalf of the Cabinet (to follow).

(* Note: Both this item and item 11g above are being considered at a special meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 9 November.  Full reports on these matters, together with the accompanying planning documents, may be viewed on the council’s website at

http://democracy.eastbourne.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?Categories

Cabinet are being asked to make recommendations to full council.)

This matter was proposed by Councillor Wallis on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Jenkins.

Resolved:(1) That the Local Training and Employment Supplementary Planning Document be adopted.

(2) That the Director of Regeneration and Planning be granted delegated authority to make any minor or technical adjustments required to the Eastbourne Employment Land Local Plan in consultation with the lead cabinet member. 

Motion submitted by Councillor Tony Freebody:-

The council calls upon the government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the state pension age with lack of appropriate notification.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Freebody and seconded by Councillor Coles:

The council calls upon the government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the state pension age with lack of appropriate notification.

Ms R Henson on behalf of WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign addressed the Council on the motion.

Resolved: (By 22 votes with no votes against and 1 abstention) That this motion be approved. 

Motion submitted by Councillor Robert Smart:-

The recent referendum in respect of the UK's membership of the European Union (EU) was undertaken with a clear understanding amongst the electorate that the outcome would define the democratic will of the people.

Whilst recognising the need to follow due process in accordance with the law, it is imperative, as representatives of the people, that we respect and act on that democratic will.

Therefore we call upon the government to ensure that the national referendum result, including a 14% majority to leave the EU amongst Eastbourne voters, must (and will) be implemented without undue delay or a second referendum.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Smart and seconded by Councillor Ballard:

The recent referendum in respect of the UK's membership of the European Union (EU) was undertaken with a clear understanding amongst the electorate that the outcome would define the democratic will of the people.

Whilst recognising the need to follow due process in accordance with the law, it is imperative, as representatives of the people, that we respect and act on that democratic will.

Therefore we call upon the government to ensure that the national referendum result, including a 14% majority to leave the EU amongst Eastbourne voters, must (and will) be implemented without undue delay or a second referendum.

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor Sabri and seconded by Councillor Wallis:

With regard to the recent referendum in respect of the UK's membership of the European Union (EU), this council notes:

·         That Eastbourne has a long tradition of welcoming workers from the EU to help our tourism industry thrive.  In return, these workers have made Eastbourne their home and helped to create, and continue to contribute to, a strong, vibrant culture and economy within the town.

·         The contribution that nationals from other countries in the EU have made to the UK, particularly in Eastbourne.

This council calls on the Government to:

·         Ensure that all nationals from other countries in the EU who have made the UK their home retain their current rights, including the rights to live and work in the UK. 

·         Recognise EU citizens for their contribution to our country, rather than use them as bargaining chips in any deal-brokering, as our tourism industry faces an uncertain period during the Brexit negotiations.

Resolved: (By 17 votes to 7 with 1 abstention) That the amended motion be approved.

Members of the Council who wish to raise items for discussion (council procedure rule 14) on any of the minutes of the meetings of formal council bodies listed below must submit their request to the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance no later than 10.00 am on Wednesday 16 November 2016.  A list of such items (if any) will be circulated prior to the start of the meeting.

The following are appended to this agenda:-

The minutes of the following Council bodies were submitted to this meeting:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14, Members raised the following items for discussion:-

1.   Cabinet, 14 September 2016 – minute 27 – Housing and Economic Development Partnership – Raised by Councillor Wallis.

2.   Cabinet, 14 September 2016 – minute 28 – Homelessness Strategy – Raised by Councillor Shuttleworth.

Further to Council Procedure Rule 14.3 it was:

Resolved: That the minutes of the above Council Bodies be accepted.