Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2018 were presented and the Mayor was authorised to sign them as a correct record, subject to a correction to Minute 40 to state that ‘Councillor Wallis moved and Councillor Holt seconded the notice of motion’.

There were none.

The Mayor took the opportunity to thank former councillor Gordon Jenkins for his service to the Council, following his retirement from his post in November 2018.  Gordon had been elected to Eastbourne Borough Council in 2011 and had previously served at the London Borough of Bromley.

A list of the Mayor’s announcements in respect of her activities since the last meeting, and forthcoming charity events were tabled at the meeting.   The Mayor’s activities during December and January had included:

·         Opening the Christmas market in the town centre and attending Christmas concerts and dinners.

·         Attending award ceremonies organised by the Guides, the Scouts, the Military Preparation College and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

·         Meeting with twelve local women who all contributed to the war effort during World War 2.

·         Seeing two excellent pantomimes, attending the Eastbourne Lions 51st Anniversary Dinner, hosting afternoon tea at the Town Hall for Fountain Digital Ltd, and helping to prepare and serve about 80 ploughman suppers at a fundraising quiz. 

·         Assisting Simon Rooksby, Chairman and founder of Computers for Charities to help him celebrate its 25th birthday on 22 January. The Mayor encouraged Councillors to contact Simon through the website if they could donate equipment or had need of their services.

·         Attending the Holocaust Memorial Day event at the International Lawn Tennis Centre on 24 January. This was an emotional evening but one that the Mayor was privileged to attend.

·         A visit from the Mayor’s Rambling Club to the parlour.

The Mayor invited Councillors to join her on upcoming Mayor’s Charity events including a walking netball tournament, a folk night, inspirational women cream teas, quiz night and the Mayor’s Charity Tudor Banquet.  For any enquiries regarding these events, Members were invited to contact the Mayor’s Office.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Ballard, Dow and Sabri.

The Mayor to report any requests received from a member of the public under council procedure rule 11 in respect of any referred item or motion listed below.

No public speakers had been registered.

The Council may vary the order of business if, in the opinion of the Mayor, a matter should be given precedence by reason of special urgency.

Business proceeded in accordance with the summons.

Report of Councillor Holt on behalf of the Cabinet.

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

This matter was reported and proposed by Councillor Holt on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Tutt.  The Council considered the reports to Cabinet, the minutes and resolutions from Cabinet held on 6 February 2019, and the updated report of the Chief Finance Officer.  The Scrutiny Committee had considered the proposals on 4 February 2019 and made no recommendations for change.

Councillor Holt made his budget speech setting out the proposals within the budget.  He advised that this included the proposal for a 2.96% increase in Council tax (Band D), no cuts to front line services, continued investments into the town, and support for local communities including £400-£500k in housing grants.  Councillor Di Cara responded on behalf of the opposition to the budget, expressing her disappointment that she did not feel that the Group had had sufficient information to put forward an opposition budget, and expressing concern as to the extent of borrowing set out in the budget and the overrun of some of the Capital projects.  The budget was debated by members from across the Council.  As part of this debate, Members thanked the Chief Finance Officer and her team for the preparation of the budget.

The motion was put to a recorded vote.

Resolved (By 15 votes to 7 with 1 abstention).That approval be given to the following:

Report of Councillor Dow on behalf of the Cabinet.

Council considered for adoption the Eastbourne Statement of Community Involvement following public consultation on revisions required by the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017.  Councillor Tutt moved and Councillor Shuttleworth seconded the recommendations of the report.

Resolved (Unanimously) That the Statement of Community Involvement as set out at appendix 1 to the report be adopted by Full Council.

The following matters are submitted to the Council for decision (council procedure rule 12 refers):-

Report of Councillor Dow on behalf of the Cabinet.

Councillor Tutt moved and Councillor Shuttleworth seconded the recommendations of Cabinet to approve the Local Development Scheme 2019-2022. 

Resolved (Unanimously)  

(1) To adopt the Eastbourne Local Development Scheme 2019-2022 as set out at appendix 1 to the Cabinet report.

(2) To grant delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to make minor and technical updates to timetables within the Local Development Scheme where necessary.

Report of Councillor Holt on behalf of the Cabinet.

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Tutt seconded the recommendations of the Cabinet. 

Resolved (15 votes to 7)  

(1) To approve the treasury management strategy and annual investment strategy as set out in the Cabinet report and at appendix 4 to the report.

(2) To approve the methodology for calculating the minimum revenue provision as set out at paragraph 2.3 of the Cabinet report and at appendix 2 to the report.

(3) To approve the prudential and treasury indicators as set out in the Cabinet report.

(4) To approve the specified and non-specified investment categories listed at appendix 5 to the Cabinet report.

(5) To approve the Capital Strategy as set out at appendix 1 to the Cabinet report.

Report from Councillor Tester on behalf of the General Licensing Committee

Councillor Tester moved and Councillor Tutt seconded the recommendations of the General Licensing Committee. 

Resolved (unanimously) To approve the reviewed and revised Statement of Gambling Principles.

The following motions have been submitted by members under council procedure rule 13:-

Motion submitted by Councillor Ungar:-

“This Council calls on East Sussex County Council to fully fund the removal of the tree stumps that remain following the removal of trees on the highway in Eastbourne.  Additionally to fully fund the making good of the highway.  This work should include the replacement of the tree stumps with a suitable type of tree which will not disturb the pavements but will act to cut pollution from traffic.”

Councillor Ungar moved and Councillor Wallis seconded the motion:

“This Council calls on East Sussex County Council to fully fund the removal of the tree stumps that remain following the removal of trees on the highway in Eastbourne.  Additionally, to fully fund the making good of the highway.  This work should include the replacement of the tree stumps with a suitable type of tree which will not disturb the pavements but will act to cut pollution from traffic.”

Councillor Smart moved and Councillor Freebody seconded an amendment to the motion so that it reads as follows:

“This Council commits to work actively with East Sussex County Council on a programme to remove all tree stumps on pavements in Eastbourne.

Where appropriate, these should be replaced with a suitable type of tree which will not disturb the pavements and will act to cut pollution from traffic.”

The amendment was voted upon and declared lost (7 votes to 15).

The original motion was put to the vote and declared carried (15 votes to 0).

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 Committee Services no later than 10.00 am on the day of the meeting. 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 the meeting.

In accordance with Council procedure 14, the following items were raised for discussion.

Special Scrutiny Committee – 17 January 2019 – Minute 40 – Performance Management 2018/19 – Quarter 2 (Part B – Financial Performance) – raised by Councillor Smart.

Planning Committee – 22 January 2019 – Minute 88 – College Conservation Area Appraisal – raised by Councillor Smart.

Resolved (Unanimously):

That the minutes of the above council bodies be accepted.