Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 November 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Councillor Holt declared a personal interest in agenda item 8a Council Budget and Setting of the Council Tax for 2025/26 as a leaseholder for Eastbourne Homes.

Councillor Bannister declared a personal interest in agenda item 8a, Council Budget and Setting of the Council Tax for 2025/26, as a trustee of the Towner.

Councillor Holt declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 8e, Approval of Licensing Fees 2025/26 as the organisation he worked for would be making comments on licensing fees. He left the room for the duration of this item.

Councillor Ansell declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 8e, Approval of Licensing Fees 2025/26, as the matter related to his employment.  He left the room for the duration of this item.

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

The Council received a list of all the Mayor’s engagements carried out since the last Full Council meeting.

Of her events, the Mayor highlighted in particular the range of Christmas events, the Trees of Light Dedication Service, Hall and Woodhouse Community Chest Awards in Offham, Eastbourne Carnival Entrants Event planning, the Holocaust Memorial Day Event and the new Range store opening.

Later in the meeting the Opposition Leader on behalf of his group thanked the Mayor for the excellent way in which she had represented Eastbourne in her civic role during this year.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Mayes and Councillor Maxed.

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 at the start of the relevant agenda item:

·       Sarah Turner on behalf of the lead petitioner had 5 minutes to speak on Agenda Item 7 under the Council’s petition scheme.

·       Jon Whitmore and Serena Stallard had 3 minutes each to speak on item 10b as public speakers, and the Mayor used her discretion to permit more than one public speaker on this item.

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.

As it was a busy agenda with a number of important items for decision, the Mayor advised that she would proceed with the first half of the agenda as it was, with the Petition as the first item for discussion. However, in recognition of the public speakers attending for the Motion at Item 10b, she would take that agenda item ahead of the Motion at Item 10a.

To receive a petition containing 2,388 signatures, with the title ‘Call for a public meeting regarding the future of the Sovereign Centre’.

The petition organiser will have 5 minutes to speak, followed by up to 15 minutes of debate by Councillors.

A petition signed by 2,388 people had been received in relation to the Sovereign Centre. In accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, Sarah Turner (on behalf of the petition organiser) attended and spoke for 5 minutes to present the petition. 

Councillor Holt spoke and confirmed he would follow up after the meeting with the public speaker to ensure that the questions that had been asked at the Cabinet meeting received a response.

Councillor Holt thanked all who had contributed to the petition and consultation and acknowledged the strength of feeling on this issue and set out the context for the decisions made. He advised that the Council would be undertaking a full public consultation on the provision of leisure in Eastbourne, including the Sovereign Centre to take place from June and to report back to Council and to residents.

Accordingly, in response to the petition, Councillor Holt proposed and Councillor Bannister seconded:

‘That the Council endorses a public consultation including a range of engagement activities including public events attended by Councillors and Senior Officers to engage with members of the public on the long-term provision of leisure, and the Sovereign Centre’.

Councillor Shore welcomed the actions being proposed but expressed her concern that action had not been taken earlier. Councillor Smart referenced support that had been provided by the Government for pools and asked if the Motcombe Pool would be reopened.  In response, Councillor Diplock advised that the Motcombe Pool would reopen under the management of a CIC made up of local residents.

The proposal was put to vote and approved.

RESOLVED (by 18 for, 0 against with 7 abstentions) – That the Council endorses a public consultation including a range of engagement activities including public events attended by Councillors and Senior Officers to engage with members of the public on the long-term provision of leisure, and the Sovereign Centre.

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

Report of the Chief Finance Officer and Councillor Butcher on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 12 February 2025, incorporating the recommendations from the Cabinet reports on:

·       General Fund Revenue Budget 2025-26 and Capital Programme

·       Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2025-26, Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy

·       Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 2025-26

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 on amendments.

Councillor Butcher 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 2025/26.  This incorporated recommendations from Cabinet regarding the General Fund Revenue Budget 2025-26 and Capital Programme, Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2025-26, Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 2025-26.

Councillor Small moved and Councillor Smart seconded the following amendment:

“To resolve to accept the budget proposals as set down in the officer recommendations subject to the following adjustments:

On Income:

Revenue budget (£90,000 saving) -

£25,000 saving from Tourism Department staffing budget

£25,000 saving from the communications budget

£4,000 financing saving from IT Capital Changes (with a £20,000 revenue saving for 26/27 onwards)

£36,000 additional income target for Airborne Sponsorships

On Capital Budget (-£80,000) -

Remove:

£50,000 from IT block allocation (30% of budget)

£30,000 from IT laptop refresh (30% of budget)

Additional Spending (+£90,000)

£40,000 to reinstate free downland parking for residents of the Borough

£50,000 Fun Pool reserve (available to GLL to cover any hypothetical loss operating the Fun Pool until the end of the 2025/26 financial year).”

Councillor Butcher (Portfolio Holder for Finance) thanked the Chief Finance Officer, deputy Chief Finance Officer and their team for preparing the budget and work throughout the year. He presented the budget and set out the context of the funding of Councils, choices to change the ways in which services were delivered, and the tripling of the costs of statutory housing and homelessness provision. He confirmed that the Government had granted additional borrowing in recognition of the tripling of that cost.  He highlighted the reduction in council debt by 19 million in the last year and compared this to debt held by other Councils. He then highlighted the plans for delivery for the Council for the year including on Council housing, on the seafront and on the Sovereign Centre.

Councillor Small (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 level of debt and its record over the last few years.  He recognised that the Council had the very best homelessness team in the country but expressed concern over the level of debt.  

The Council then debated the proposals and the amendment together.

In accordance with legislation, the amendment proposed by Councillor Small was put to a recorded vote and lost as follows:

For (8): Councillors Ansell, Belsey, di Cara, Goodyear, Lamb, Shore, Small and Smart.

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

Abstentions: none

The budget as proposed by Councillor Butcher and set out in the agenda papers was put to a recorded vote as follows and carried:

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

Against (8): Councillors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46a

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning and Councillor Diplock on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 12 February 2025.

Councillor Diplock moved and Councillor Holt seconded the recommendations of the report to Cabinet of 12 February 2024, to approve an initial allocation within the 2025/26 General Fund Capital Programme of up to £3.17m for the General Fund Accommodation Programme.

Councillor Diplock explained that the programme was focused on working with Boutique Modern to invest in additional high quality low-cost affordable accommodation.  The programme was partnered with Prisoners Building Scheme (PBS), which meant that all up-front costs were covered by central government.  In addition, it was noted that the houses would be energy efficient and so would save money for residents on running costs.

The proposals were debated and welcomed across the Council.

RESOLVED (unanimously) – To approve making an initial allocation within the 2025/26 General Fund Capital Programme of up to £3.17m.

Report of the Chief Executive and Councillor Butcher on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 12 February 2025.

Councillor Butcher moved and Councillor Holt seconded the recommendations in the report of the Cabinet held on 5 December 2024, to adopt the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme as the 2025/26 scheme.

In moving the item, Councillor Butcher advised that the Council currently operates a maximum of 80% council tax reduction scheme, and it was still the Council’s intention to increase this to 100% scheme in the next year, but that it did depend on the approval of the other preceptors including East Sussex County Council.

Councillor Butcher advised that he was having ongoing discussions with Eastbourne Foodbank who had raised questions on how people in the most need could be supported.  He advised that there was a Hardship Fund and this could be used to meet the gap for some people in the interim.

The matter was put out for debate.  Disappointment was expressed that Eastbourne was one of the few Councils not operating such a scheme locally, but a question was also raised as to whether a very minimum payment was more appropriate.

In response, Councillor Butcher advised that this had been considered but the cost of collecting a minimum amount was more than the payment itself.  He extended an invitation to the shadow portfolio holder to attend the discussions with the Foodbank.

The recommendations were put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously) – To adopt the 2024/25 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme as the 2025/26 scheme (attached at Appendix 1).

Report of the Chief Executive and Councillor Swansborough on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 12 February 2025.

Councillor Swansborough moved and Councillor Holt seconded the recommendations from the Cabinet on 12 February 2025, to adopt the Local Development Scheme.  Councillor Swansborough highlighted that this was very much a point in time, as the Government was bringing forward rapid changes to the planning framework.

The Council debated the proposals.  It was recognised that it was important to continue to develop the local plan and have plans in place ahead of the timetable for local government reorganisation, on which cross party working was welcomed.

The recommendations were put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously) -

(1) To adopt the Eastbourne Local Development Scheme as set out at Appendix 1and thereafter be reported to Government.

(2) That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Community Spaces and Planning to make on-going minor and technical updates to timetables within the Local Development Scheme where necessary.

(At the end of this agenda item the meeting at 8 pm the meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes for a comfort break.

Report of the Chief Executive and Councillor Morris on behalf of the Licensing Committee.  Referred from the Licensing Committee on 27 January 2025.

(Councillor Ansell and Councillor Holt left the room for this item due to their interests)

Councillor Morris moved and Councillor Bannister seconded the recommendations of the Licensing Committee held on 27 January 2025 to approve the fees and charges to come into effect on 1 April 2025.  Councillor Morris advised since the meeting the Lead for Regulatory Services had indicated that the new film classification fee had been added in error, so this had been removed from the schedule of fees at Appendix 1 for approval.

The matter was debated by the Council.  Although it was recognised that the licensing fees by definition had to cover the costs of the service and could not make a profit, a question was raised at the large increase in the taxi fees.  In particular, as part of the increase related to the costs of in vehicle CCTV which had been mandated by the Council. 

Members of the Licensing Committee present confirmed that these issues had been discussed in full at the meeting, and the fees had received unanimous support.  Councillor Morris advised that CCTV has been approved for the protection of both the public and drivers, and had already been used as evidence by the Police where a driver had been attacked.

The recommendations were put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED (By 19 for, 0 against, 3 abstentions) - To approve the Licensing Fees proposed within Appendix 1 to apply from 1 April 2025.

Report of the Chief Executive and Councillor Morris on behalf of the Licensing Committee.  Referred from the Licensing Committee on 17 December 2024.

Councillor Morris moved and Councillor Holt seconded the proposals recommended from the Licensing Committee on 17 December 2024 to approve the Statement of Gambling Principles.

Councillor Morris advised there had been a six-week public consultation on the recommended amendments to the Statement of Gambling Principles following the Licensing Committee.  She confirmed that no additional changes had been needed to the document as a result of the consultation.

The recommendations were put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED – (unanimously) To approve the Eastbourne Borough Council Statement of Gambling Principles 2025-2028 attached at Appendix 1.

To agree the Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26.

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

Councillor Holt proposed and Councillor Smart seconded acceptance of the draft Calendar of Meeting 2025/26.  It was noted that the dates would be subject to final ratification at annual council in line with legislation

It was noted that a Full Council meeting would be needed in September and it was likely a couple of other dates would need to be changed so that the Council could consider Local Government Reorganisation ahead of the submission deadline.  These would be updated at Annual Council or as soon as the approval route was known after that. 

The recommendation was put to the vote and approved.

RESOLVED (unanimously) - To agree the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26.

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

Motion submitted by Councillor Smart:

“This Council has no confidence in the Cabinet of Eastbourne Borough Council due to past failings, lack of foresight, and current panic measures.”

Councillor Smart moved and Councillor Belsey seconded the motion as follows:

‘This Council has no confidence in the Cabinet of Eastbourne Borough Council due to past failings, lack of foresight, and current panic measures.’

Public speakers Jon Whitmore and Serena Stallard each spoke for 3 minutes.

Councillor Smart spoke to his motion and set out his reasons for bringing it including his concerns around the performance and decisions of the Cabinet.

The matter was debated across the Council.  During the debate, Members of the Cabinet responded by setting out what they had achieved within their portfolios during the last year. Some opposition Councillors advised that this motion was a way to represent public views and to show that there was an opposition group within the Council.

In response to a specific comment, Councillor Holt spoke as a point of personal explanation, to confirm that he took declaration of interests very seriously and always declared and removed himself from decisions where he had a conflict of interest due to his employment. 

Following the debate, the motion was put to a vote and defeated by 8 votes for, 17 against.

Motion submitted by Councillor Shuttleworth:

“Eastbourne Borough Council recognises that, with the update to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 and reforms to the planning system in England, our area could see more new development on the Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council borders coming forward. This will undoubtedly lead to additional pressures on services and infrastructure across the area.

Eastbourne Borough Council will continue to seek to work collaboratively with neighbouring authorities to understand the cross-boundary infrastructure capacities and constraints, and how authorities can work together to address the issues going forward in a way that does not detrimentally impact our borough.”

Councillor Shuttleworth moved and Councillor Murray seconded the motion as follows:

‘Eastbourne Borough Council recognises that, with the update to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 and reforms to the planning system in England, our area could see more new development on the Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council borders coming forward. This will undoubtedly lead to additional pressures on services and infrastructure across the area.

Eastbourne Borough Council will continue to seek to work collaboratively with neighbouring authorities to understand the cross-boundary infrastructure capacities and constraints, and how authorities can work together to address the issues going forward in a way that does not detrimentally impact our borough.’

The motion was then debated and received support from across the Council. It was recognised it was important to work collaboratively with other Councils, but also to flag now the importance of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) being used to fund services local to developments, ahead of local government reorganisation.  A question was also raised, to be explored further, on how Town and Parish Councils could use CIL. 

RESOLVED that (unanimously) -

Eastbourne Borough Council recognises that, with the update to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 and reforms to the planning system in England, our area could see more new development on the Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council borders coming forward. This will undoubtedly lead to additional pressures on services and infrastructure across the area.

Eastbourne Borough Council will continue to seek to work collaboratively with neighbouring authorities to understand the cross-boundary infrastructure capacities and constraints, and how authorities can work together to address the issues going forward in a way that does not detrimentally impact our borough.

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:

• Planning Committee – 12 November 2024, 10 December 2024 and 11 February 2025
• Scrutiny Committee – 9 December 2024 and 10 February 2025
• Cabinet – 11 December 2024 and 12 February 2025
• Audit and Governance Committee – 12 December 2024
• Licensing Committee – 17 December 2024, 27 January 2025

Councillor Shore had registered to speak in relation to five minute items, but due to time constraints withdrew three of her requests and spoke in respect of:

Minute 40 of the Scrutiny Committee on 9 December 2024 on ‘Corporate Performance, Quarter 2 – 2024/25’.

Minute 32 of the Audit and Governance Committee on 12 December 2024 the ‘External Auditor’s Report on the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Statement of Accounts (Backstop)’.

Councillor Holt responded on the questions raised in relation to call handling and the national context for the delay in external audit report.

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

RESOLVED (unanimously) – That the minutes be accepted.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 21 May 2025 at 6 pm.

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for 21 May 2025 at 6 pm.