Agenda and minutes

The Council will hold a mnute’s silence for former Councillor and Mayor, Olive Woodall.

The Council held a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor and Mayor, Olive Woodall, who had passed away since the last scheduled meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 15 November 2023 and 24 January 2024 were signed as a correct record, subject to a correction to the Minutes of 15 November 2023, Minute 38c (Motion – Southern Water), to add the name of Councillor Murray at the bottom of page 7, as the proposer of the original motion.

Councillor Holt and Councillor Ewbank both declared personal interests in Agenda Item 11(b), To support the Youth Voice in Eastbourne, as they were involved in the organisation who was a supporter of the Youth Market.

Councillor Holt and Councillor Ewbank also declared personal interests in relation to Agenda Item 9(a), in relation the mention of EDEAL, an organisation they worked for, which was in receipt of an ongoing grant.

Councillor Williams declared a personal interest in relation to Agenda Item 11(b), Motion - To support the Youth Voice in Eastbourne, as she was on the board for Towner and delivery partner with Eastbourne Alive.

Councillors Ballard, Belsey, di Cara, and Shuttleworth declared personal interests on agenda item 11e, Motion – Health Services at the Eastbourne DGH, as they were members of the East Sussex Health Overview Scrutiny Committee (HOSC). In addition, Councillor Shuttleworth and Councillor Belsey advised they were also on the HOSC review panel looking at the paediatric provision. All advised that they would leave the room to avoid any conflict of interest when considering the matter at HOSC in the future. 

A list of the Mayor’s announcements in respect of his activities since the last meeting is attached for information.

The Mayor drew the Council’s attention to the civic events that she and the Deputy Mayor had attended between November 2023 and February 2024, as set out on the agenda.

She highlighted in particular: the event celebrating 100 years of the Eastbourne Blind Society, the Turner Prize award, Christmas Day events including Alone at Christmas and Rotary Club hosting over 70 people, chairing the Alderman ceremony, citizenship ceremonies, celebration of the Chinese New Year, and the range of choirs and orchestras in Eastbourne.

The Head of Democratic Services reported apologies from Councillors Mayes, Shore and Swansborough.

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.

The Mayor advised that the following public speakers had registered to speak during the meeting and would be called up at the start of the relevant agenda item:

·         Loretta Lock (Managing Director, Defiant Sports) as the petition organiser had 5 minutes to present the petition at item 8 under the Council’s petition scheme.

·         Martin Smith of Eastbourne Palestine Solidarity Campaign had 3 minutes to speak on Agenda Item 11(a) – Motion on Gaza.

·         Dennis Scard (Chair of Meads Community Association) had 3 minutes to speak on Agenda item 11(c), Motion – HMO study.

·         Serena Stallard had 3 minutes to speak on Agenda Item 11(d), Corporate Plan 2024-28, in relation to ‘Sustainability and Environment’.

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.

The Mayor advised that she had agreed to change the order of business to take account of public speakers and attendees and the agenda items would be considered in the following order:

• Agenda Item 8 - The petition regarding Defiant Sports.
• Agenda Item 11A – Motion on Gaza.
• Agenda Item 11B – Motion to support the Youth Voice in Eastbourne.
• Agenda Item 11C – Motion on HMO study
• Agenda Item 7C - Corporate Plan 2024-28.

All remaining items would proceed in the order set out on the agenda.

A petition signed by 1,938 people has been received with the statement ‘EBC must give Defiant Sports compensation, an alternative site and hold a public meeting re Fort Fun’, has been submitted and the full petition statement is attached. 

In accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, Loretta Lock (Managing Director, Defiant Sports) as the petition organiser will have 5 minutes to present the petition.  Then there will be 15 minutes of Council debate.

The Council received a petition signed by 1,938 people in relation to Defiant Sports.  In accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, Loretta Lock as the petition organiser presented the petition, and then the Council debated the matter for up to 15 minutes.

Councillor Holt thanked those who had signed the petition and thanked Loretta Lock for the constructive discussions that had taken place over the last few months.  He confirmed that earlier that day the Council had signed new heads of terms with Defiant Sports for a 25-year lease on space at the Archery building and sports courts as its new home.  In recognition of the volunteer hours spent on Fort Fun, this included an initial rent-free period, and small community grant to enable work to start. In addition, Councillor Holt advised that the Council would be bringing forward a Seaside Strategy later in the year for consultation.

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Parker seconded a proposal:

“To thank the petitioners, and that the Council notes the petition and the action already taken by the Council on this matter, and the Leader of the Council and Cabinet be requested to consider any further action required”.

Councillor Smart welcomed the action taken to sign the lease for Archery and looked forward to seeing the Seaside Strategy when published.

The proposal was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously): To thank the petitioners, and that the Council notes the petition and the action already taken by the Council on this matter, and the Leader of the Council and Cabinet be requested to consider any further action required.

Motion submitted by Councillor Holt.

“This Council:

·       Expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in Eastbourne who have been affected by this conflict we offer our support in this difficult time.

·       Condemns the murder of Israeli civilians, the taking of hostages by Hamas and subsequent death and destruction in Gaza, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians.

·       Believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza, Israel and the rest of Palestine.

·       Hopes for an immediate further release of all hostages and release of Palestinian prisoners held without charge and an immediate permanent ceasefire to allow more aid and the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

·       Believes that the only credible basis for long-term peace is the delivery of a Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.

·       Believes the tragic recent events in Israel, Gaza and Palestine must not be allowed to divide our communities in Eastbourne.

·       Condemns the increase in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and that all forms of racism have no place in Eastbourne.

The Council resolves to:

1.         Explore how the Council can better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, where they can come together and express solidarity and sadness in response to these events.

2.         Offer appropriate support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events.

3.         Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to call on the UK Government:

a)      to press all parties to agree:

                              i.        to an urgent permanent, bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Israel and the rest of Palestine and to make every effort to resume the peace process;

                            ii.        to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws;

                           iii.        To allow the Red Cross immediate access to hostages in Gaza, in order to provide urgent medical aid to the elderly, the sick and the wounded and to ensure all civilians have access to humanitarian support, including unfettered access to medical supplies, food, electricity, other fuel and water.

b)     to do all in its powers to support those that are committed to a permanent peace and a 2-state solution.”

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Ballard seconded the motion in relation to Gaza as set out on the agenda.

The public speaker, Mr Martin Smith of the Eastbourne Palestine Solidarity Campaign, spoke in relation to the proposals.

In moving the motion Councillor Holt explained that the motion had been brought to show the Council’s support for the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, and in particular to explore how the Council can encourage communities to come together, and to support those affected by the conflict in the Eastbourne area.

The motion was debated by the Council.  The proposals to better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, and offer support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events, was supported across the Council. However, some Councillors indicated that they could not support the call on Government for the end to the conflict and whether it should be the subject of an Eastbourne Council motion.

The motion was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (By 17 votes for, 0 against, 7 abstentions) –

This Council:

·        Expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in Eastbourne who have been affected by this conflict we offer our support in this difficult time.

·        Condemns the murder of Israeli civilians, the taking of hostages by Hamas and subsequent death and destruction in Gaza, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians.

·        Believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza, Israel and the rest of Palestine.

·        Hopes for an immediate further release of all hostages and release of Palestinian prisoners held without charge and an immediate permanent ceasefire to allow more aid and the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

·        Believes that the only credible basis for long-term peace is the delivery of a Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.

·        Believes the tragic recent events in Israel, Gaza and Palestine must not be allowed to divide our communities in Eastbourne.

·        Condemns the increase in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and that all forms of racism have no place in Eastbourne.

The Council resolves to:

1.    Explore how the Council can better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, where they can come together and express solidarity and sadness in response to these events.

2.    Offer appropriate support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events.

3.    Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to call on the UK Government:

a)      to press all parties to agree:

1.    To an urgent permanent, bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Israel and the rest of Palestine and to make every effort to resume the peace process;

2.    To guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Motion submitted by Councillor Williams

Background:

As part of Eastbourne Alive, the wraparound programme of the Turner Prize in Eastbourne, the Eastbourne Alive team has collaborated with East Sussex College and its students to co-create a Town Manifesto, giving voice to the young people in our community. Following an open dialogue with Councillor Williams and Councillor Holt at the Town Hall, the insights gathered from young people highlighted their priorities in areas that included accessibility, inclusivity, safety, transport, creativity, wellbeing, and economy.  Recognising the invaluable perspectives offered, this motion seeks to formalise a process where the local authority actively listens, reflects, and acts on youth voice, emphasising its significance in decision-making processes affecting both the present and future of our younger residents.

“Motion:

The Council will adopt a new and co-created approach to local democracy by seeking to:

Connect with Young People:

To encourage all local Councillors to connect with existing youth structures and seek to provide a platform for young people to offer an input on policies and participate in discussions on local issues.

To offer an annual open forum at the Town Hall hosted by Councillors, allowing young people to express their views to elected members on matters important to them.

Promote Youth-Friendly Spaces:

To actively promote youth-friendly spaces and events where young people can express their ideas, concerns, and aspirations for the community. 

Collaboration:

For the relevant Cabinet Members and members appointed by Full Council to hold a ‘youth brief’, to seek to collaborate with local schools, youth and community groups to encourage young people to be consulted and involved in decision-making processes and civic activities.

Promote Street Art and Young Artists:

To promote street art, murals, and showcasing the talent of young artists, reflecting the desire of young people to see themselves reflected in the town through ‘colour’ and life.

Support Young Artists Market:

To support the Youth Market and ensure it provides creative opportunities to showcase young people's talent, fostering town-wide pride in our youth.”

Councillor Williams moved and Councillor Holt seconded the motion as set out on the agenda.

Councillor di Cara and Councillor Lamb seconded an amendment as below:

·        To amend the initial statement and delete the following words: ‘The Council will: adopt a new and co-created approach to local democracy by seeking to:’

·        To amend the first sentence under the ‘Connect with Young People’ to add reference to the East Sussex Youth Cabinet: “To encourage all local Councillors to connect with existing youth structures and seek such as the East Sussex Youth Cabinet to provide a platform for young people to offer an input on policies and participate in discussions on local issues.”

·        To amend the first sentence under ‘Collaboration’ to add reference to the East Sussex Youth Cabinet: “For the relevant Cabinet Members and members appointed by Full Council to hold a ‘youth brief’, to seek to engage with the East Sussex Youth Cabinet who collaborate with local schools, youth and community groups to encourage young people to be consulted and involved in decision-making processes and civic activities.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Williams, welcomed students from the East Sussex College to the meeting, she explained the work with students which had led to the motion, and the importance of co-creation.  She advised that she was happy to accept the reference to East Sussex Youth Cabinet in the amendment to the motion but could not accept the deletion of the first sentence or to limiting the work to just the Youth Cabinet.  Councillor Holt as seconder confirmed the acceptance of the change to the motion to include reference to the East Sussex Youth Cabinet.

The motion was debated across the Council and engagement with young people was supported.  In the course of the discussion, Councillor Goodyear as a trustee of Leaf Hall, offered its use to young people’s events and meetings, and Councillor Ewbank offered the youth cabinet the opportunity to join the future leaders group run by the Chamber of Commerce. 

The amendment was put to a vote and was lost (7 votes for, 17 against). 

The original motion as amended to include reference to the youth cabinet, was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

The Council will adopt a new and co-created approach to local democracy by seeking to:

Connect with Young People:

To encourage all local Councillors to connect with existing youth structures, such as the East Sussex Youth Cabinet, to provide a platform for young people to offer an input on policies and participate in discussions on local issues.

To offer an annual open forum at the Town Hall hosted by Councillors, allowing young people to express their views to elected members on matters important to them.

Promote Youth-Friendly Spaces:

To actively promote youth-friendly spaces and events where young people can express their ideas, concerns, and aspirations for the community. 

Collaboration:

For the relevant Cabinet Members and members appointed by Full Council to hold a ‘youth brief’, to seek to engage with the East  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Motion submitted by Councillor Smart

“This Council requests the issuing of the updated report by Aecom entitled ‘Eastbourne Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Study’, a draft of which was produced in June 2023, subject to Aecom having all required information, and will as a matter of urgency bring forward and consider through a future committee report the intervention options that might be proposed in the final report, including, but not limited to Article 4 intervention.”

Councillor Smart moved and Councillor Goodyear seconded the motion.

Councillor Murray moved and Councillor Bannister seconded the amendment which had been tabled as follows:

“This Council requests welcomes the issuing of the updated report by Aecom entitled ‘Eastbourne Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Study’, a draft of which was produced in June 2023, subject to Aecom having all required information. With this additional information, it will allow the Council, as a matter of urgency to bring forward and consider through a future committee report the intervention options that might be proposed in the final report. including but not limited to Article 4 intervention.

It is important that the Council looks at this particular area of housing, as it supports those with specific needs, with the housing crisis that we are facing and fills in some of the gaps that are being left by the traditional housing supply chain. It is important that the Council addresses these issues to support those most in need, whilst ensuring that the local community has a mixed tenure of housing in its area. The report will guide the Council in delivering options to deal with HMO’s including, but not limited to, Article 4 intervention.”

The public speaker, Mr Dennis Scard (Chair of the Meads Community Association), spoke for up to 3 minutes.

In presenting his motion, Councillor Smart confirmed that he would support the amendment from Councillor Murray, and this was confirmed by the seconder Councillor Goodyear.

The motion as amended was debated, and then put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously): 

“This Council welcomes the issuing of the updated report by Aecom entitled ‘Eastbourne Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Study’, a draft of which was produced in June 2023, subject to Aecom having all required information. With this additional information, it will allow the Council, as a matter of urgency to bring forward and consider through a future committee report the intervention options that might be proposed in the final report. 

It is important that the Council looks at this particular area of housing, as it supports those with specific needs, with the housing crisis that we are facing and fills in some of the gaps that are being left by the traditional housing supply chain. It is important that the Council addresses these issues to support those most in need, whilst ensuring that the local community has a mixed tenure of housing in its area. The report will guide the Council in delivering options to deal with HMO’s including, but not limited to, Article 4 intervention.”

Report of Councillor Stephen Holt on behalf of the Cabinet held on 7 February 2024,

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Ewbank seconded the recommendations of the Cabinet held on 7 February 2024, to approve the Corporate Plan 2024-28, following a consultation process.

The public speaker, Ms Serena Stallard spoke on the matter in relation to Sustainability and Environment in the Corporate Plan, and in objection to the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency and proposals for achieving net zero.

Councillor Holt in presenting the Corporate Plan, advised that the Council had had 254 responses to the corporate plan consultation, and he thanked all who had taken the time to respond.  Councillor Holt and Councillor Murray thanked the public speaker but re-iterated the Council’s commitment to be a net zero Council by 2030.

The matter was debated by the Council and then the recommendations were put to a vote and approved.

RESOLVED (unanimously): To adopt the Corporate Plan as its overarching corporate policy document for the next 4 years (as attached to the referral report as Appendix 1).

(The meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes at the end of this item).

Report of the Chief Finance Officer and Councillor Maxted on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet incorporating the recommendations from the Cabinet reports on:

·           General Fund Revenue Budget 2024-25 and Capital Programme

·           Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2024-25 Capital Strategy

·           Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget and Rent Setting 2024-25

·           Changes to Discretionary Council Tax Discounts and Empty Homes Premiums from 01 April 2024 

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 Maxted moved and Councillor Holt seconded the recommendations set out in the agenda in relation to the Council Budget and setting of the Council Tax for 2024/25.  This incorporated recommendations from Cabinet regarding the General Fund Revenue Budget 2024/25 and Capital Programme, the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2024/25, Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget and Rent Setting 2023/24 and HRA Capital Programme 2024-27, and the Council Tax Discounts and Premiums 2024-25. 

The Council noted an email sent in by Mr and Mrs Tilbury in relation to Council Tax Discount and Premiums, which has been circulated to Councillors as Mr Tilbury had been unable to attend as a public speaker. 

Councillor Maxted (Portfolio Holder for Finance) presented the budget and set out the context of the funding of Councils, the cost-of-living crises and high inflation, and the housing and homelessness crisis.  He thanked the Chief Finance Officer, deputy Chief Finance Officer and their team for preparing the budget and managing the financial pressures affecting the Council.  He also thanked Jamie Wainwright-Jones and her team for the work they had done around homelessness, in mitigating the adverse effects on the people that they have helped, and also supporting the Council's finances. 

Councillor Maxted advised that the Council had now heard from the Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), that the Council had been granted exceptional financial support for two years, with the agreement that the Council would use its capital resources to fund exceptional revenue pressures, which would allow time for longer term savings plans to be put in place.

The Shadow Portfolio Holder for Finance responded to the budget on behalf of the opposition, criticising the administration for the management of the budget and its record over the last few years.

The Council then debated the proposals and the matter was put to a recorded vote as follows and carried:

For (17):  Councillors Ballard, Bannister, Butcher, Collins, Dehdashty, Diplock, Ewbank, Holt, Maxted, Morris, Murray, Parker, Rodohan, Sayers-Cooper, Shuttleworth, Vaughan and Williams)

Against (7): Councillors Ansell, Belsey, di Cara, Goodyear, Lamb, Small and Smart)

Abstentions: none

RESOLVED (by 17 votes for, 7 against, 0 abstentions):

1.    To approve the recommendations as detailed in the reports from the Chief Finance Officer to Cabinet on 7 February 2024:

            I.       Continue to lobby the UK Government for additional funding in recognition of the exceptional financial pressures placed on Local Councils in tackling the cost of homelessness, which in Eastbourne is projected to be £4.9m for 23/24 to pay for temporary accommodation.

a.  In this circumstance, EBC Council Tax would increase for a Band D property to 2.99% and deliver £3.8m of savings over two years as per previous MTFS and reporting. This is Eastbourne Borough Councils preferred option.

b.  Our preference is that the Government recognise the extreme pressures placed on Councils of all political persuasions, and agrees, as they have done with social care, to provide exceptional, emergency support to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Report of Councillor Robin Maxted on behalf of the Cabinet held on 7 February 2024.

Councillor Maxted moved and Councillor Diplock seconded the recommendations of the Cabinet held on 7 February 2024 to adopt the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme as the 2024/25 scheme.

In moving the item, Councillor Maxted advised that the Council currently operates a maximum of 80% council tax reduction scheme, and it was the intention to increase this to 100% scheme, when appropriate consultation had taken place with other preceptors including East Sussex County Council.

The Council debated the matter and it was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (by 17 votes for, 7 abstentions):

(1) That the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme is adopted as the 2024/25 scheme (as set out in Appendix 1 to the referral report).

(2) To note that subject to Full Council approval, Cabinet grants the Chief Executive 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 Finance and Resources

(3) That the Exceptional Hardship Scheme continues in 2024/25 subject to funds being available.

(4) That an initial £25,000 be added to the Exceptional Hardship Scheme with this coming from the additional income raised from changes to Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions.

Report of the Director of Service Delivery

Councillor Morris moved and Councillor Butcher seconded the recommendations of the Licensing Committee held on 5 December 2023, to approve the Licensing Fees for 2024/25, as set out in Appendix 1 to the referral report.

The recommendations were put to a vote and approved.

RESOLVED (unanimously) – To approve the Licensing fees proposed within Appendix 1 to apply from 1 April 2024.

To agree the Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25.

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

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Bannister seconded the draft calendar of meeting for 2024/25. It was noted that the dates would be subject to final ratification at annual council in line with legislation.

Councillor Small asked if an additional meeting of Full Council could be considered for September, given the number of items on Council agendas.  The Head of Democratic Services advised that discussions could take place with Group Leaders before the Annual Council meeting, when the calendar would be finalised.

The recommendation was put to a vote and approved.

RESOLVED (By 20 votes, 4 abstentions): That the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25 be approved.

Motion submitted by Councillor Diplock

“This Council notes:

•       The unanimous, cross-party call on Government made at November’s Full Council meeting.

•      At the Eastbourne Borough Council-led Housing Conference in Westminster in January, Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent local authorities repeated our collective call to raise the cap on housing benefit subsidy for local authority housing placements from the current 2011 levels, in order to properly reflect the real costs of providing Temporary Accommodation (TA).

•      That this meeting was joined and supported by Crisis, the Trussell Trust, MPs and Peers.

•      The most recently available figures show that rough sleeping in England has increased by 26%, and a record 280,000 households are in TA.

•      Over the 2023/24 financial year, this has resulted in:

§  Ordinary working families being priced out of the housing market through no fault of their own;

§   Almost everyone knowing someone who is struggling to access housing of their choice; and

§  The Council’s total net spend on TA in 2023/24 forecast to be circa £4.6m, up from £1.3m just three years ago, with scores of local authorities across the country similarly affected.

This situation is unsustainable and continues to represent an existential threat to local government.

Whilst the Council's teams will continue to do everything in its powers to meet both the needs of its residents and its statutory obligations, the system was not created to deal with these numbers.  The driving forces underpinning this are systemic and structural and are not in the Council's control. Under current funding arrangements the Council does not have the resources to solve the problem alone.

As such, this Council resolves to:

1.    Declare a Housing Emergency for the Borough of Eastbourne.

2.    Recognise and endorse the work of the Leader of the Council in pursuing a cross party, cross community consensus on this national challenge.

3.    Reaffirm the full support of this Council in the actions of this authority, and that the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive continue to press the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Chancellor of the Exchequer - along with their shadow counterparts - for additional resources to help those local housing authorities and councils worst affected, such as Eastbourne, including raising the current 2011 cap on housing benefit subsidy for local authority housing placements.

4.    Continue to work with the sector and try and engage Government to develop long term solutions to fix the national housing crisis.”

Councillor Diplock moved and Councillor Holt seconded the motion as tabled.

Councillor Small moved and Councillor Ansell seconded an alternative course of action as follows:

“This Council Notes:? 

·        That the underlying issues behind Eastbourne’s increased demand for temporary and emergency accommodation are complex and many, but primarily driven by a shrinking and increasingly unaffordable private rental sector, a severe shortage of housing available to the Council for placements and employment levels in the town falling relative to the national average, all further being exacerbated by the increased cost of living following the pandemic and energy crisis triggered by the invasion of Ukraine.  

·        This is despite a national backdrop of record levels of house building, with the national target of a million homes built during this current parliament on course to be met and close to record levels of employment across the UK. 

·        Locally, Eastbourne has seen an average of 180 net dwellings constructed every year, with just half of these being new builds, despite a significant number of brownfield sites sitting vacant for years on end.? 

·        There is also a major shortage of housing for those on the housing waiting list, with cases of residents in band C waiting as long as 13 years for a property.?? 

For Eastbourne, the end result has been:? 

·        Ordinary working families being priced out of the housing market through no fault of their own;? 

·        Almost everyone knowing someone who is struggling to access housing of their choice; and? 

·        The Council’s total net spend on TA in 2023/24 forecast to be circa £4.6m, up from 3.8m?in 2022/23 and £1.6m in 2021/22.

As such, this Council calls on the Leader and Cabinet to:? 

·          Make use of all available powers to maximise Eastbourne’s attractiveness?for new housing proposals and commits to working meaningfully with all partners at both local and national level to solve the challenges that are blocking development in the town, notably but not limited to the sites at Bedfordwell Road, Junction Road, TJ Hughes and Debenhams buildings.? 

·          Commits to publishing its own locally determined housing need figure, to help guide the towns housing ambitions.? 

·          Commends the government for the action already taken to address the temporary accommodation challenges that this Council faces, namely in uprating the Local Housing Allowance Rate at a cost of £9Bn over the next 5 years, and uprating the core spending power grant to Eastbourne by an additional £145,000.? 

·          Requests that the local MP continues to lobby the Treasury and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the Housing Benefit Subsidy Rate to be increased and that the Council engages with the housing sector, MP and Government on what long term?solutions are needed to fix the national housing crisis.? 

·        Formally consider redefining the tourist zone, with a view to having a smaller number of higher quality beds and allowing some existing tourist accommodation to be converted to residential.?”

The Council debated the motion and the amendment together.

The alternative course of action was put to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Motion submitted by Councillor Diplock

“This Council:

•      Recognises the demands placed on the NHS, and the phenomenal hard work and dedication of the doctors, nurses and the healthcare family. We thank them for it.

•      Notes that in 2010, Eastbourne had a 24/7 in-patient paediatrics unit, a fully-fledged and operational maternity unit, and several branches of emergency medicine.

•      Notes that, some 14 years later, emergency general surgery and emergency orthopaedics have gone from the Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH).  The DGH’s full maternity unit has been downgraded to a midwife-led unit, which itself was closed for almost 3 months in total last year and has been closed since December with no date to reopen, conducting outpatient appointments only.  In January 2024, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) began implementing changes to DGH paediatric services, including the closure of the Short Stay Paediatric Unit.  In December 2023, the East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) called for a pause to ESHT’s changes to paediatric services at the DGH and is conducting a review.

This Council:

1.    Endorses the decision to request the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to call in the changes by ESHT to DGH paediatrics.

2.    Calls on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to outline how they will support ESHT to overcome the midwife shortage that has led to the DGH Midwifery Unit to close for births; and

3.    Calls upon ESHT to:

•      Pause the changes to paediatric services, allowing a full review of the proposals;

•      Make public its plans to permanently and safely re-open the DGH’s Midwifery Unit for births;

•      Commit to being transparent and open with local residents;

•      Commit to reviewing its threshold for what constitutes significant change; and

•      Commit to fully inform and consult both HOSC and the people of Eastbourne before any future changes to services at the DGH are implemented.”

Councillor Diplock moved and Councillor Butcher seconded the motion as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Diplock presented the motion and advised that it was intended to support the action already taken by the East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) calling for a pause to East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s (ESHT) changes to paediatric services at the DGH, for a review to take place.

The matter was debated and there was agreement across the Council that there had been insufficient consultation on the proposals by ESHT.

The motion was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously)–

This Council:

•       Recognises the demands placed on the NHS, and the phenomenal hard work and dedication of the doctors, nurses and the healthcare family. We thank them for it.

•       Notes that in 2010, Eastbourne had a 24/7 in-patient paediatrics unit, a fully-fledged and operational maternity unit, and several branches of emergency medicine.

•       Notes that, some 14 years later, emergency general surgery and emergency orthopaedics have gone from the Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH).  The DGH’s full maternity unit has been downgraded to a midwife-led unit, which itself was closed for almost 3 months in total last year and has been closed since December with no date to reopen, conducting outpatient appointments only.  In January 2024, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) began implementing changes to DGH paediatric services, including the closure of the Short Stay Paediatric Unit.  In December 2023, the East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) called for a pause to ESHT’s changes to paediatric services at the DGH and is conducting a review.

This Council:

1.    Endorses the decision to request the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to call in the changes by ESHT to DGH paediatrics.

2.    Calls on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to outline how they will support ESHT to overcome the midwife shortage that has led to the DGH Midwifery Unit to close for births; and

3.    Calls upon ESHT to:

•      Pause the changes to paediatric services, allowing a full review of the proposals;

•      Make public its plans to permanently and safely re-open the DGH’s Midwifery Unit for births;

•      Commit to being transparent and open with local residents;

•      Commit to reviewing its threshold for what constitutes significant change; and

•      Commit to fully inform and consult both HOSC and the people of Eastbourne before any future changes to services at the DGH are implemented.

(Having declared interests, Councillors Ballard, Belsey, di Cara, and Shuttleworth left the room for the duration of this item).

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 Democratic 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 for information:

Audit and Governance Committee – 28 November 2023

Scrutiny Committee – 4 December 2023

Licensing Committee – 5 December 2023 and 15 January 2024

Cabinet - 13 December 2023 and 7 February 2024

Planning Committee – 29 January 2024

No items were called for discussion. 

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Bannister seconded acceptance of the minutes.

RESOLVED (unanimously) – That the minutes be accepted.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 22 May 2024 at 6 pm.

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting was the Annual Council meeting on 22 May at 6 pm.