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Lewes and Eastbourne
Councils

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Lewes Leisure Centre, Mountfield Road, Lewes

Contact: Committee Services on 01273 471600 

Note: This meeting is open to the public - but public seating is limited. To assist with management of places - if you plan to attend the meeting please email: committees@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk. 

Items
No. Item

1.

Election of the Chair of the Council

Two nominations have been received for the office of the Chair of the Council as follows:

 

Councillor Christine Brett

Councillor Richard Turner

 

These nominations will be voted upon. Following the election of the Chair of the Council, the person elected shall make a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Minutes:

Councillor Ross welcomed Councillors to the meeting, and advised that two nominations had been received for the election of the Chair of the Council for 2021/22 – for Councillor Christine Brett and Councillor Richard Turner, and invited Councillors to formally propose the nominations.

 

Councillor Nicholson proposed and Councillor Clay seconded the nomination of Councillor Brett to be elected as the Chair of the Council for 2021/22.

 

Councillor Linington proposed and Councillor Davy seconded the nomination of Councillor Turner to be elected as the Chair of the Council for 2021/22

 

The two nominations were put to the vote and by 21 votes to 16 (with 1 abstention) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Brett be elected as the Chair of the Council for 2021/22.

 

Councillor Brett then signed her statutory declaration of acceptance of office as Chair of the Council and took the chair. 

 

In her speech of acceptance of her election as Chair, Councillor Brett advised that her theme for the year around which her fund raising would be based would be ‘Improving Food Security’.  She thanked the outgoing Chair, Councillor Ross, for his work over the last year.

 

2.

Appointment of the Vice-Chair of the Council

Two nominations have been received for the office of Vice-Chair of the Council as follows:

 

Councillor Adrian Ross

Councillor Linda Wallraven

 

These nominations will be voted upon. Following the appointment of Vice-Chair of the Council, the person appointed shall make a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Minutes:

The Chair invited members to formally propose the nominations for Vice-Chair of the Council received in advance of the meeting for Councillor Ross and Councillor Wallraven

 

Councillor MacCleary proposed and Councillor O’Connor seconded the nomination of Councillor Ross to be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Council for 2021/22.

 

Councillor Boorman proposed and Councillor Turnerseconded the nomination of Councillor Wallraven to be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Council for 2021/22.

 

The two nominations were put to the vote and by 21 votes to 17 it was:

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Ross be appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Council for 2021/22.

 

Councillor Ross then signed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office as Vice-Chair. 

 

3.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Maskell, Miller and Peterson.

 

4.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are asked to declare any personal interests related to matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the interest is prejudicial under the terms of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made.

 

5.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 627 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Council dated 22 February 2021.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 February 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Council.

 

6.

Urgent Items

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.

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 

7.

Announcements pdf icon PDF 227 KB

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 former Chair of the Council's engagements since the previous meeting is attached.

Minutes:

A list of Councillor Ross’ engagements as Chair of the Council made since the last meeting of the Council were noted.  No other announcements were made.

 

8.

Result of the District Council By-Elections 2021

To receive the following results of the District Council By-Elections held on 6 May 2021 and welcome the new Councillors:

 

Seaford East Ward – Councillor Richard Turner

Seaford West Ward – Councillor Linda Wallraven

Minutes:

The Chair of the Council drew the Council’s attention to the results of the District By-Elections held on 6 May 2021.

 

She formally welcomed Councillor Richard Turner (Seaford East Ward) and Councillor Linda Wallraven (Seaford West Ward) back to the Council.

 

9.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 219 KB

a)    To note any changes to the Leader of the Council’s appointments to Cabinet, the individual areas of responsibility allocated to the Cabinet and the allocation of those areas of responsibility to the members of the Cabinet (to be reported verbally by the Leader at the meeting);

b)    To consider and determine proposals for the appointment of members and chairs of committees and other council bodies;

c)    To consider and determine proposals for the appointment of representatives to serve on outside and joint bodies; and

d)    To appoint all members of the Council to the “approved list” of members appointed to act as substitute members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, except where prohibited (for example on Licensing Committee and Cabinet).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor MacCleary advised that it was his intention to continue with the current Cabinet Member appointments which were as follows:

 

Cabinet Member

Portfolio

Councillor James MacCleary

 

Leader of the Council

Regeneration and Prosperity

Councillor Zoe Nicholson

Deputy Leader

Finance

Councillor Emily O’Brien

Planning and Infrastructure

Councillor Julie Carr

Recycling, Waste and Open Spaces

Councillor Matthew Bird

Sustainability

Councillor Meyer

Housing

Councillor Denis

Communities and Customers

Councillor O’Keeffe

Tourism and Devolution

Councillor Collier

Performance and People

 

The Chair of the Council drew the Councillors’ attention to the list of nominations contained in the agenda for members and chairs of committees and other council bodies (Appendix 1) and outside bodies (Appendix 2) in accordance with proportionality of the Council.  As there were no bodies for which there were more nominations than places, she confirmed that the recommendations could be dealt with as one item.

 

Councillor MacCleary moved and Councillor Nicholson seconded that the recommendations in the report be approved, and this was put to the vote.

 

RESOLVED:

a)    To approve the appointments of members to Committees and Other Bodies and as Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committees and as set out in Appendix 1 to the agenda report;

b)    To approve the appointment of members to serve on outside and joint bodies as amended as set out at Minute Appendix 2 to the agenda report;

c)    To appoint all members of the Council to the ‘approved list’ of members appointed as substitute members in accordance with the Council’s Rules of Procedure, except where prohibited by those rules such as for Licensing Committee and Cabinet.; and

d)    To note the Leader of the Council’s appointments to Cabinet, the individual areas of responsibility allocated to the Cabinet and the allocation of those areas of responsibility to the members of the Cabinet as advised at the meeting.

 

10.

Annual Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 278 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director of Human Resources and Transformation.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Collier moved and Councillor MacCleary seconded and it was:

 

RESOLVED That the Council notes the Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22 and approves it for publication on the Council’s website.

 

11.

Chailey Neighbourhood Plan pdf icon PDF 209 KB

To consider a recommendation to Full Council from the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure:

 

‘To recommend to Full Council that the Chailey Neighbourhood Plan is formally made and adopted as part of the statutory development plan for the district, following a majority ‘yes’ vote at referendum.’.

 

A copy of the referral decision made on 13 May 2021 is attached, together with the officer’s report and appendix.  These are also published on the Democracy webpages - https://democracy.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=769.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Davy moved and Councillor Linington seconded the recommendation from the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure to adopt the Chailey Neighbourhood Plan, following a majority ‘yes’ vote at referendum.   In recommending this adoption, congratulations were sent to the Chailey Neighbourhood Plan team and Parish Council on their development of the plan. 

 

RESOLVED That the Chailey Neighbourhood Plan be formally made and adopted as part of the statutory development plan for the District, following a majority ‘yes’ vote at referendum. 

 

12.

Calendar of meetings 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 140 KB

The calendar of meetings for 2021/22 is attached for ratification. 

 

Two changes have been made since the draft was considered at the last meeting:

·        Audit and Standards Committee has moved from 13th to 27th September to accord with deadlines for the approval of the Statement of Accounts.

·        Planning Applications Committee has been moved back to 5 pm for in-person meetings.

 

Minutes:

The Chair of the Council drew members’ attention to the Calendar of Meetings for 2021/22 included in the agenda for ratification, which included two changes since considered at the last meeting:

-       Audit and Standards to be moved to 27 September (from 13 September)

-       Planning Applications Committee to revert to its normal start time of 5 pm.

 

Councillor Macleod moved and Councillor O’Keeffe seconded and it was:

 

RESOLVED – To approve the Calendar of Meetings for 2021/22.

 

13.

Urgent decisions taken by the Cabinet or Cabinet Members pdf icon PDF 129 KB

In accordance with Policy and Performance Advisory Committee Procedure Rule 17, a copy of the decision notice for an urgent decision made by the Leader of the Council on 26 March 2021 is attached for information:

 

Decision notice on Restart Grants Scheme (26 March 2021)

Minutes:

In accordance with the Policy and Performance Committee Procedure Rule 17, the Council received details of a decision taken by the Leader under special urgency procedures in relation to the Restart Grants Scheme and made on 26 March 2021.

 

14.

Standards Panel Decision pdf icon PDF 100 KB

In accordance with Council’s adopted Code of Conduct Hearings Procedure, a copy of a decision made by a Standards Panel held on 19 March 2021 is attached for information.  The Panel determined that Councillor Gauntlett had not breached the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of a Code of Conduct complaint made against him.

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s adopted Code of Conduct Hearings Procedure, the Council received a copy of a decision of a Standards Panel held on 19 March 2021 for information.  

 

15.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Full Council is scheduled to take place at 6 pm on Thursday 15 July 2021.

Minutes:

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Council was due to take place on Thursday 15 July 2021 at 6 pm.