The minutes of the annual and ordinary meetings held on 7 May 2014 were presented and the Mayor was authorised to sign them as correct records.

1.   Councillor Janet Coles’ first engagement as Mayor of Eastbourne was the Eastbourne Talking Newspapers AGM on 10 May.  Whilst at the event the Mayor also launched their new facilities at The Old Parsonage, St Mary’s Church, Old Town.

2.   On 31 May the Mayor attended the Eastbourne Carnival and, after helping to judge the floats, travelled at the front of the parade in a vintage car from the Western Lawns to Princes Park.

3.   The Lions Club Annual Charity Motorcycle Run took place at the Western Lawns on 8 June and the Mayor was pleased to be able to have a go on one of the motorbikes at the event.

4.   On 13 June the Mayor attended the Eastbourne Education Business Partnership Lighthouses in Bloom competition planting which took place at Holywell near the café. The winning school, who were also in attendance, were Langney Primary School.

5.   Local Girl Guides have recently been completing challenges as part of the 100 years of guiding celebrations and on 16 June a group from East Dean guides visited the Town Hall and climbed the tower to the clock as one of their challenges.  They were also treated to a Town Hall tour and visit with the Mayor.

6.   On 17 June a group, including the local Mayor, visited Eastbourne from Fort Mahon Plage in France and our Mayor was very happy to welcome them to the Town.  This followed on from recent visits and plaque unveilings to commemorate the journey made by 5 youngsters from the French town by canoes to Beachy Head in WWII.  During this visit French school children met up with children from an Eastbourne School, visited the commemorative plaque at Beachy Head, had lunch at the Belgian Café and the Mayor welcomed them to the Town Hall at a small reception.

7.   The Mayor attended a flag raising ceremony at the Army Reserve Centre in Seaside on 2 July.  This marked the handover of the centre from 56^th Signal Squadron to the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment and the disbandment of 56^th Signal Squadron.

8.   On 18 July the Mayor attended a Topping Out Ceremony at Gildredge House Free School which marked the completion of building works at the school site.

9.   The Mayor also attended a number of visiting conferences, concerts, open days and exhibitions in the last few months

10.                The Mayor drew the Council’s attention to two forthcoming charity events she was organising on behalf of her chosen charity for the year – Care for the Carers.  Firstly a Quiz Night would take place at the Town Hall on Friday 1 August at 7.00pm.  Tickets were £10 per person, teams were of a maximum of 6 and tables could be reserved by contacting the Mayor’s Office.

11.                The second event was the Mayor’s Sponsored “Dog-Walkies” which would take place along the Seafront on 20^th September.  Anyone interested was requested to contact the Mayor’s Office as soon as possible.

An apology for absence was reported from Councillor Ede.

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). 

1.   Councillors Tutt declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of item 26 below because of membership of the East Sussex County Council Investment Panel. Accordingly, he withdrew from the meeting for the duration of this item.

2.   Councillor Mattock declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of item 26 below because her spouse had a pension under this scheme. Accordingly, she withdrew from the meeting for the duration of this item.

3.   Councillor Ungar declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of item 26 below as a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Accordingly, he withdrew from the meeting for the duration of this item.

4.   Councillor Miah declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of item 27(2) below as a member of the Eastbourne Hackney Carriage trade. Accordingly, he withdrew from the meeting for the duration of this item.

Report of Councillor Ungar on behalf of the Planning Committee.

This matter was proposed by Councillor Ungar on behalf of the Planning Committee and seconded by Councillor Jenkins.

Resolved:

(1) That the making of an Article 4 Direction for The Park Close Conservation Area, in the form of the appendices attached to the report to the meeting of the Planning Committee on 4 March 2014 on this matter, be approved.

(2) That the Planning Committee be given delegated power both to consider any representations made following the making of the Park Close Article 4 Direction and, if appropriate, to then confirm it.

(3) That the Planning Committee be given delegated power to deal with the complete process of bringing in future Article 4 Directions in the Borough up to and including confirmation.

(4) That, in addition to the above, the Planning Committee’s delegated powers be amended at item (1) to insert between the words “including” and “enforcement” the following “(but not limited to”).

Note: The delegation would now read as follows (new wording underlined):

“ (1) Exercise all the powers and duties of (i) the Council and (ii) the South Downs National Park Authority (under the terms of delegated arrangements) in respect of the control and authorisation of development subject to the requirements of (2) below, including (but not limited to) enforcement of planning controls, Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings, the making and regulation of Tree Preservation Orders, and the making of Article 4 Directions insofar as such powers and duties fall outside the delegated authority of the Planning Manager.

(2) In exercising the Council’s powers and duties under (1) above, the Committee is expected to give the approved Development (Borough) Plan prime consideration however, the Committee should also have regard to other material considerations including any emerging planning policies from the South Downs National Park Authority and to Government advice which may suggest acting otherwise.

(3) Respond to consultation by the Cabinet on the formulation of the Development (Borough) Plan and other planning policies.”

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 Howlett.

Resolved:  (with one abstention) That the policy for the exercise of the employer’s discretion within the Local Government Pension Scheme 2008 and 2014, as set out in appendix 2 and 2a of the report to Cabinet, be adopted.

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 Head of Corporate Development no later than 10.00 am on Wednesday 23 July 2014. 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.           Planning Committee, 13 May 2014, minute 8 – The Parkfield, Lindfield Road – raised by Councillor Liddiard.

2.           General Licensing Committee, 14 July 2014, minute 4 – Historic private hire and hackney carriage fee setting – raised by Councillor Warner.

3.           Cabinet, 16 July 2014, minute 14 – Medium term financial strategy 2014-2019 – raised by Councillor Tester.

4.           Cabinet, 16 July 2014, minute 19 – Housing Investment Programme – raised by Councillor Mattock.

5.           Cabinet, 16 July 2014, minute 22 – Review of Community Grants Programme – raised by Councillor Mattock.

Further to Council Procedure Rule 14.3 it was,

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