Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017 were presented and the Mayor was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

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).

There were none.

The Mayor announced that the Mayor’s Chaplain, Revered Mike Blanch, was standing down from his position and would be replaced for the remainder of the Mayoral year by Father Tom Mendel.  The Mayor offered her sincere thanks to Reverend Blanch for his service since May 2016.

The Mayor had chosen to support Embrace East Sussex, supporting local children with disabilities, and Rebourne Corner, the Eastbourne Salvation Army homeless support centre, during her 2017/18 Mayoral year.

The Mayor’s engagements included:

·         The Mayor’s Charity Bowls Tournament at Hampden Park Open Bowls Club on Sunday 23 July which had raised over £840 for the Mayor’s chosen charities.

• The Mayor attended a celebration for Young Clinical Volunteers at St Wilfrid’s Hospice at the end of their programme on 2 August.  The programme for 16-23 year old volunteers provided patient facing experience and learning opportunities for those interested in a career in medicine or healthcare.
• A Mayoral reception was held at Airbourne’s Departure Lounge on Sunday 20 August.  The Mayor welcomed local business representatives and enjoyed a day of flying displays.
• On 8 September, a well-attended Bingo Night was held at the Town Hall in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charities and the event raised £575.
• On Friday 15 September a contingent from Eastbourne Borough Council, including the Mayor, made a visit to Fort Mahon Plage in France at the invitation of the French town’s Mayor.  This commemorated the anniversary of the crossing of the channel by five young men from Fort Mahon Plage during World War Two.
• A Charity Quiz Night was held at the Town Hall on 13 October in aid of the Mayor’s Charities.  The event raised over £700.
• The Mayor was pleased to attend the Beachy Head Marathon on the morning of 28 October, starting both the Marathon and 10K race, before presenting the winner’s medals.
• On the evening of 28 October, the Mayor’s Charity Halloween Ball was held at the Winter Garden. 

Members heard that the Mayor’s Charity Committee had scheduled:

• The Society of Eastbourne Artist’s Exhibition and sale of paintings at the Town Hall, on 18 & 19 November.
• A Charity Curry Night at K2 Restaurant on 30 November. 
• An Arndale Centre Car Raffle on 11 December. 
• A Renaissance Singers Concert at Our Lady of Ransom Church, on 16 December, with a retiring collection in aid of the Mayor’s charities.
• A Christmas Charity Night at Willingdon Golf Club on 23 December.
• The Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night with fish and chip supper, would be held on 19 January at 6.30pm for 7.00pm. 
• A 1960’s night, a bingo night and an afternoon tea.

Members’ attention was drawn to the Mayor’s Civic Church Service at St Mary’s Church, Old Town, on Sunday 15 April at 3pm. Invitations would be sent to Members in the new year. Enquiries regarding Mayor’s events should be directed to the Mayor’s Office.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Robinson and Rodohan.

No members of the public addressed the meeting.

Business proceeded in accordance with the Summons.

The council appoints 2 people as trustees to this charity.  Cllr Janet Coles’ term of office has recently expired and her nomination to a new term up until 31 May 2019 is proposed.  The council’s other appointee is Mr B R Etheridge (appointed until 31 May 2019).

Councillor Tutt moved, and Councillor Bannister seconded, that Councillor Janet Coles be re-appointed to the Eastbourne Amalgamated Charities outside body in accordance with Article 4 of the constitution.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That Councillor Janet Coles be re-appointed to the Eastbourne Amalgamated Charities outside body for the period to 31 May 2019.

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

Members commended the significance of forthcoming Sovereign Centre Task group, and noted that the review would include consideration of all options for the site. Councillor Di Cara moved and Councillor Holt seconded that the recommendation of the Scrutiny Committee be approved. 

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the annual work programme for the Scrutiny Committee be approved.   

Report of Councilllor Colin Swansborough on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee.

Councillor Swansborough moved and Councillor Di Cara seconded that the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the Code of Corporate Governance be approved.  

Report of Councilllor Jonathan Dow on behalf of the Cabinet.

Councillor Dow moved and Councillor Tutt seconded that the recommendations of the Cabinet be approved.

Resolved: (By 16 votes for , no votes against and 8 abstentions)

1)   That the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document be adopted.

2)   That the Affordable Housing Implementation Technical Note (adopted 2013) be revoked.

Report of Councillor Alan Shuttleworth on behalf of the Cabinet.

Councillor Shuttleworth moved and Councillor Tutt seconded that the recommendations of the Cabinet be approved.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1)   That Eastbourne Borough Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/18 be adopted as the equivalent scheme for 2018/19

2)   That the Exceptional Hardship Fund be continued for 2018/19, subject to continued support by the major preceptors.

Motion submitted by Councillor Tutt:-

That this Council supports the Royal British Legion’s “Count Them In” campaign aimed at requesting the Government to include questions about the veteran population in the next census in 2021. Council recognises the importance of this campaign as it will help to ensure future access to accurate and tailored information in respect of the Armed Forces community, make direct comparisons between this group and their peers in the general population, and help to more accurately identify areas where Service life presents a disadvantage, which will in turn enable public, charitable and private providers to better allocate resources and meet individuals’ needs.

Councillor Tutt moved and Councillor Freebody seconded a motion on notice as set out in the Summons.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

“That this Council supports the Royal British Legion’s “Count Them In” campaign aimed at requesting the Government to include questions about the veteran population in the next census in 2021. Council recognises the importance of this campaign as it will help to ensure future access to accurate and tailored information in respect of the Armed Forces community, make direct comparisons between this group and their peers in the general population, and help to more accurately identify areas where Service life presents a disadvantage, which will in turn enable public, charitable and private providers to better allocate resources and meet individuals’ needs”.

Motion submitted by Councillor Freebody:-

That this Council introduces local car parking standards for all new residential developments by way of a local policy.

Councillor Freebody moved and Councillor Smart seconded a notice of motion:

“That this Council introduces local car parking standards for all new residential developments by way of a local policy”.

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Tutt seconded an amendment to the motion:

“That, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.13(d), this matter be referred to Cabinet in order to consider the cost and viability of introducing a policy on local car parking standards for all new residential developments”.

Members’ debate on the amended motion included:

·         The demand for residential parking

·         The use of the East Sussex County Council parking policy and method of calculating demand

·         Parking considerations at Planning Committee

The amendment was put to the vote.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That Cabinet consider the cost and viability of introducing a policy on local car parking standards for all new residential developments.

The minutes of eleven meetings of council bodies from 25 July to 24 October 2017, as set out in the Summons, were received. Minute 34 of Cabinet on 13 September (Housing Allocations Policy) was discussed, and Members noted that minor and technical adjustments were ongoing to finalise the Bands used to prioritise applicants.

Further to Council Procedure Rule 14.3 it was:

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the council bodies as set out in the Summons be accepted.