The Council paid tribute to former Councillor Jim Daly, who had died since the last meeting of the Council. Jim Daley had served as both a Lewes District Councillor for Lewes Bridge and as a Lewes Town Councillor.

The Council held a short period of silence in memory.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Council dated 21 November 2022.

RESOLVED – To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2022.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sam Adeniji, Julie Carr, Phil Davis, Tom Jones, Christophn von Kurthy, William Meyer, and Kiera Rigden.

Disclosure by Councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Councillor regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Council, Leader of the Council, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive. A list of the Chair of the Council's engagements since the previous meeting is enclosed.

The Chair advised that a list of his engagements as Chair of the Council held since the last meeting were set out in the agenda. There were no other announcements.

Items not on the agenda which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances as defined in Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items.

To deal with questions which members of the public may wish to put to members of the Cabinet in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11 (if any).

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive petitions from Councillors or members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13 (if any).

There were no petitions

In accordance with Policy and Performance Procedure Rule 17, to receive details of any urgent decisions taken by the Cabinet or Cabinet members since the previous meeting.

There had been no urgent decisions taken by the Leader of the Council under special urgency procedures since the last meeting.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 2 February 2023, incorporating the recommendations from the Cabinet reports on:

·         General Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 and Capital Programme.

·         Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2023/24, Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy.

·         Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget and Rent Setting 2023/24 and HRA Capital Programme 2023-26.

Please note that the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Amendment) Regulations 2014 requires named votes to be taken and recorded when setting the annual budget and council tax, including on substantive motions and any amendments.

Councillor Nicholson moved and Councillor MacCleary seconded the recommendations set out in the agenda and agenda supplement, in relation to the Council Budget and setting of the Council Tax for 2023/24.  This incorporated recommendations from Cabinet on 2 February 2023 regarding the General Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 and Capital Programme, Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2023/24, Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget and Rent Setting 2023/24 and HRA Capital Programme 2023-26.  The addendum included a minor amendment to the Fire Authority precept figure, and proposed additional fees related to the Port Health Authority.

Councillor Peterson moved and Councillor Linington seconded the following amendment as set out in an addendum tabled at the meeting:

            To amend Recommendation 1 to read:  “To approve the General Fund budget for 2022/23 (Revised) and 2023/24 (Revised), subject to a 0% increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council (per annum) resulting in a Band D charge for general expenses of £202.08 for 2023/24.”

The cost of not increasing the Council Tax in 2023/24 (circa £85k), would be offset by not proceeding with the increase to the waste budget in 2023/24 (circa £174k) which would be to fund the use of HVO fuel rather than diesel in the waste vehicle fleet.

Councillor Nicholson then spoke to the budget proposals and advised that these proposals arose from four years’ worth of focus from the alliance groups. Councillor Nicholson advised that it was based on the shared values of fairness and resilience, and the goals of making the Council more responsive to people’s needs, taking action on the climate crisis, a commitment to building more Council homes, using the Council’s resources wisely, and addressing those matters where there were areas for improvement.  The budget included a proposal for a 1% Council tax rise.

Councillor Peterson presented his proposed amendment for a 0% Council Tax rise, which he advised was made in the context of the current cost of living crisis, and its impact on residents.  He advised that the most straight forward way to pay for this was by postponing the investment in renewable fuel for the waste vehicles, but if this was not supported, there were other areas in the budget which could be reduced to fund this proposal.   

The Council debated the budget and amendment together. 

Prior to the Council was moving the vote, Councillor Nicholson was given the opportunity to sum up.

The Chair highlighted that it was required by legislation that all votes on the budget were recorded votes.

The amendment was put to a vote first and was lost, with the following votes recorded:

For: Councillors Bikson, Boorman, Burman, Davy, Duhigg, Linington, J Lord, S Lord, Maskell, Papanicolaou, Peterson, Rutland, Saunders, Turner and Wallraven (15)

Against: Councillors Amy, Banks, Bird, Brett, Clarkson, Clay, Collier, Denis, Gauntlett, MacCleary, Macleod, Makepeace, Manley, Nicholson, O’Brien, O’Connor, O’Keeffe, Robinson and Ross (19).

Abstentions:  None

The original proposals on the budget were then put to a vote and were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57a

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets on behalf the meeting of Cabinet on 8 December 2022.

Councillor Nicholson moved and Councillor O’Keeffe seconded the recommendation referred from the meeting of Cabinet held on 8 December 2022, in support of the adoption of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24.

The proposals were discussed and received support from across the Council for the coming year.

RESOLVED (unanimously) –

(1)     To adopt the 2022/23 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme as the 2023/24 scheme.

(2)     Subject to Full Council adoption of the Scheme, Cabinet has granted the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority:

(a) to implement the Scheme, such delegated authority to include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration; and

(b) if necessary, and in accordance with paragraph 2.3, to amend the Scheme in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Assets and Finance.

(3)     To continue the Exceptional Hardship Scheme in 2023/24, subject to funds being available.

(Councillor Peterson left the meeting at the end of the discussion on this item).

Report of the Chair of the Licensing Committee on behalf of the Committee, referred from the meeting of Licensing Committee held on 12 January 2023. 

Note - some presentational changes have been made to Appendix 1 since presented to the Licensing Committee (shown highlighted) to provide greater transparency on the 1 year private hire licence fees available, the total fees applicable for a new driver, and the fee for an English Test resit.

Councillor Macleod (Chair of the Licensing Committee) moved and Councillor Robinson (Deputy Chair) seconded the recommendation referred from the meeting of Licensing Committee held on 12 January 2023, to approve the licensing fees from 1 April 2023.  Councillor Macleod highlighted the changes being proposed in the fees and why they were necessary. 

In response to a question raised, it was confirmed that there were no sex establishments licenced in the area.

RESOLVED (unanimously) - To approve the Licensing fees proposed within Report Appendix 1 to apply from 1 April 2023.

Report of Chief Executive.

Councillor MacCleary moved and Councillor Linington seconded the recommendations set out in the report of the Chief Executive, recommending the appointment of Simon Russell as the new monitoring officer.  In speaking in support of the recommendations, Councillor MacCleary also thanked the outgoing Monitoring Officer, Oliver Dixon, for his excellent work in this role and for his invaluable support and advice to Councillors, and wished him well.

The recommendations were put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously) –

1.    That Council approve the appointment of Simon Russell as Monitoring Officer with effect from 1 April 2023; and

2.    That the Council record its thanks to the outgoing Monitoring Officer, Oliver Dixon, for his hard work and dedication.

(Note: Simon Russell, Head of Democratic Services, left the room during the discussion of this item).

Motion submitted by Councillor Matthew Bird.

Councillor Bird moved and Councillor Macleod seconded the motion as set out in the agenda papers proposing the rights of the River Ouse.  Councillor Bird set out the reasons for the motion and advised that the approach was supported by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust and Ouse Valley Climate Action.

The motion was debated by the Council.  There was support from many Councillors for this approach, as a way to protect and restore the River Ouse.  However, some Councillors considered that immediate practical action was required, and others were concerned as to how such rights would be enforced.  

It was suggested that the Council could commit to endorsing the declaration when produced, but Officers clarified that the Council could not agree to do so at this point, as that would be binding a future Council’s decision.

In summing up, Councillor Bird advised that the way in which the rights would be implemented would be developed through the work with stakeholders.

The motion was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED that (By 27 votes for, 2 against, 4 abstentions):

1.    This Council acknowledges the growing global movement of ‘rights of nature’ as a framework for rethinking its relationship with the environment.

2.    This Council believes that there is a case to be made for considering our interactions with our local waterways in the context of ‘Rights of Rivers’ and through which the health and wellbeing of the River Ouse can be addressed.

3.    This Council will explore with local communities and relevant stakeholders the implementation of Rights of Rivers along the River Ouse.  This will involve working towards the production of a ‘Declaration on the Rights of the River Ouse’ by relevant stakeholders for possible endorsement by the Council within 2 years.

To agree the proposed Calendar of Meetings for 2023/24.

Please note: The Council dates will be subject to final approval at the annual meeting of the Council, in accordance with legislation.

Councillor MacCleary moved and Councillor Nicholson seconded that the proposed calendar of meetings for 2023-24.  It was noted that the dates would be subject to formal ratification at annual council in line with legislation.

RESOLVED – That the Calendar of Meetings 2023-24 be approved. 

To deal with written questions which Councillors may wish to put to the Chair of the Council, Cabinet Member or the Chair of any Committee or Sub-Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12 (if any).

There were no written questions from Councillors.

To deal with questions (if any) which councillors may wish to put to the Leader of the Council. It will be at the Leader’s discretion to re-direct questions to relevant Members of the Cabinet.  A Councillor wishing to raise a question must notify the Chair of the Council of the text of the question prior to the commencement of the meeting. (NB This item is limited to a maximum of 5 questions, with no more than 1 question being asked per Councillor. If a question requires a detailed or technical response, the Leader may decide that a written response is more appropriate).

There were no questions asked to the Leader.

To deal with ward issues which Councillors wish to raise in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19 (if any).

No ward issues were raised.

To receive any reports from the Council's representatives who serve on outside bodies in respect of meetings they have attended.

The following reports had been received on outside bodies set out in the agenda and were noted:

·         Health Overview Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Brett

·         Armed Forces Champion – Councillor Davy

·         Police and Crime Panel and Wave Active Ltd Board - Councillor Denis

·         Wave Active Ltd (Board and Health and Safety Cttee) – Councillor O’Connor

·         East Sussex Wellbeing Board, LGA People and Places Board, SE Councils Executive, SE Councils Winter All Members Meeting – Councillor O’Brien.

·         Greater Brighton Economic Board – Councillor Nicholson

·         Team East Sussex, Aspiration Homes, Newhaven Town Deal Board – Councillors MacCleary and Nicholson.

·         Lewes CAB – Councillor Makepeace

Resolved – To note the outside body updates.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 22 May 2023 at 6 pm.

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled to take place at 6 pm on Monday 22 May 2023, which would be the Annual Council meeting.

As this was the last Council meeting prior to the District Elections, the Chair thanked Councillors for their support during the year, for their diligent work for the Council and their communities, and he wished all Councillors well.