Agenda and minutes

Councillor Alexander welcomed everyone to the meeting.  As there were members of the public present for the Motion on Zane’s Law, the Chair decided to bring forward item 12A to earlier in the meeting before agenda item 9. 

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Council dated 20 November 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from Councillors

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Baah, Bristow, Clay, Coupland, Meek and Stewart-Roberts.

Disclosure by councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the councillor regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

Councillor Alexander drew attention to the engagements he had undertaken since the last meeting.  In addition, he advised that he had written to the King to send the Council’s best wishes for his recovery.

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.

There were no urgent items.

To deal with questions which members of the public may wish to put to members of the Cabinet in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11 (if any).

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive petitions from councillors or members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13 (if any).

There were no petitions.

In accordance with Scrutiny Procedure Rule 17, to receive details of any urgent decisions taken by the Cabinet or Cabinet members since the previous meeting.

There were no urgent decisions taken by the Cabinet or Cabinet Members since the last meeting.

To approve the absence of Councillor Coupland from attendance at any Full Council, Committee or Sub-Committee meeting of Lewes District Council pursuant to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, due to his current ill health, for a period from 19 February 2024 up to and including the date of the November Full Council meeting, scheduled to be 18 November 2024.

Councillor Nicholson moved and Councillor Collier seconded a proposal to approve Councillor Coupland’s absence from meetings until the November 2024 Full Council meeting due to ill health.  This was voted upon and approved unanimously.

RESOLVED – To approve the absence of Councillor Coupland from attendance at any Full Council, Committee or Sub-Committee meeting of Lewes District Council pursuant to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, due to his current ill health, for a period from 19 February 2024 up to and including the date of the November Full Council meeting, scheduled to be 18 November 2024.

Submitted by Councillor Makepeace.

Councillor Makepeace moved and Councillor Brett seconded the motion as set out on the agenda.  The Chair welcomed to the meeting Kye Gbangbola, who was Zane’s father.

Councillor Makepeace explained that in 2014, 7-year-old Zane Gbangbola had died, and his father had been paralysed after flood water had entered their home during a period of severe flooding, and on the night a high level of hydrogen cyanide had been detected in the home by the Fire and Rescue Services. ‘Zane’s Law’ was about asking the Government to bring forward new legislation and funding to enable all contaminated land to be registered and that information made available to the public, and to enable remediation of contaminated land which poses harm to public safety following the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

The motion was debated and received support from across the Council.

The motion was put to a vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: To write to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Health, and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to express the Council’s support for new legislation on contaminated land based on the proposed principles of ‘Zane’s Law’, to request that these ministers support Baroness Natalie Bennett, by all possible means, in her efforts to advance ‘Zane’s Law’ through the House of Lords, and that the Government provides all necessary funds for Local Authorities and others to meet the requirements of any new legislation.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets 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

·         Council Tax Discounts and Premiums 2024-25

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 Nicholson moved and Councillor Sharkey seconded the proposals in the report of the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets on behalf of the 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

·         Council Tax Discounts and Premiums 2024-25.

Councillor Nicholson presented the budget and set out the context for the proposals in terms of shared values of the last four years against the backdrop of a challenging national financial position of recession and high inflation, and the impact of the housing and homelessness crisis. She highlighted the investments the Council would be making in its key priorities around the local economy and wellbeing, essential works to assets in including leisure centres, play spaces, public toilets, investing in a low emissions waste fleet, investing in biodiversity and open spaces, retrofitting Council housing to make it more energy efficient, and continuing its 100% Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The Council debated the budget and Councillors across the Council spoke in support and thanked the officers who had made it possible to have a balanced budget. Councillor Slater (as Cabinet Member for tenants and those in housing need) in particular thanked officers who had worked on the SHDF (Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund) bid over the Christmas period. 

In addition, Councillors spoke in the favour of the proposal also to replenish reserves, as a prudential and responsible Council.

In accordance with legislation, the vote was put to a recorded vote. The recommendations were approved unanimously as follows:

For: Councillors Agace, Alexander, Amy, Boniface, Brett, Carr, Clarkson, Clews, Cohen, Collier, Davies, Denis, Fabry, Francomb, Gallagher, Gauntlett, Hoareau, Honeyman, Keenan, Keene, Kortalla-Bird, MacCleary, Macleod, Makepeace, Maples, Mellor, Nicholson, O’Brien, O’Connor, Robinson, Saunders, Sharkey, Slater, Spiteri and von Kurthy.

Against: None

Abstentions: None

RESOLVED:

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

(i)        To approve the General Fund budget for 2023/24 (Revised) and 2024/25.  An increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of 2.99% (including Special Expenses) resulting in a total Band D charge for of £228.17 for 2024/25. 

(ii)       To approve the revised General Fund capital programme 2024/25.

(iii)      To note the Section 151 Officer’s sign off as outlined in the Cabinet Report and at Appendix 1.

(iv)     To approve the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2024/25.

(v)      To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2024/25.

(vi)     To approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators for 2024/25 to 2026/2.

(vii)    To approve the Capital Strategy.

(viii)   To endorse the continuation of the Flexible use of Capital Receipts.

(ix)     To approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) income and expenditure proposals, including revised HRA budget for 2022/23 and the budget for 2023/24, rents and service charges and the HRA Capital Programme, including:

§   That social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing on behalf the meeting of Cabinet on 7 December 2023.

Councillor Robinson moved and Councillor Clews seconded the recommendations of the Cabinet held on 7 December 2023, to adopt the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme as the 2024/25 scheme, including making available 100% council tax reduction to those struggling financially the most.   

Councillor Makepeace as Council representative on the Citizens Advice Bureau stated that for the CAB this scheme was one of the most important things the Council does, which makes a difference to residents.  Thanks were extended to the officer team that had worked on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The proposal was put to a vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

1)    To adopt the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme as the 2024/25 scheme (attached at Appendix 1 to the referral report).

2)    To note that subject to Full Council adoption of the Scheme, Cabinet has granted the Director of Service Delivery 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 Assets and

Finance.

3)    To continue the Exceptional Hardship Scheme in 2024/25 subject to funds being available.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets on behalf the meeting of Cabinet on 1 February 2024.

Councillor Nicholson moved and Councillor Fabry seconded the recommendations from the Cabinet on 1 February 2024, to adopt the  Corporate Plan – Re-imagining Lewes District: Delivering the Vision 2024 - 2028. 

Councillor Nicholson highlighted that the Plan was built upon the previous four years work, and the responses from the public consultation on the draft plan.  It was focused on delivering on promises made, and continuing to support people struggling with the cost of living and housing crisis.  Councillor Nicholson extended her thanks to Jo Harper (Head of Business Planning and Performance) and to the design team for the development of the plan.

Councillor O’Brien (as Cabinet member for climate, nature and food systems) advised that the detailed public feedback relating to climate and nature would be addressed as part of the development of the Climate and Nature Action Plan.

The Council debated the plan and many Councillors spoke in support.  The recommendations were put to a vote and declared carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: To adopt the plan (attached as Appendix 1 to the referral report) as the Council’s overarching corporate policy document for the next 4 years. 

Report of the Chair of the Licensing Committee on behalf of the Committee, referred from the meeting of Licensing Committee held on 14 December 2023. 

Councillor Mellor moved and Councillor Fabry seconded the recommendations of the Licensing Committee held on 14 December 2024, to approve the Licensing Fees for 2024/2025.  It was noted that where there was a proposed increase, this was at around 5%.

The proposals were put to a vote and carried by 34 votes in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions. 

RESOLVED – To approve the Licensing fees proposed within Appendix 1 of the referral report to apply from 1 April 2024.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services (and Monitoring Officer).

The Council considered a report of the Head of Democratic Services, and the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel which was set out in Appendix 1.

Councillor Collier moved and Councillor Keene seconded the adoption of option (a), to accept the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in full, and thanked the Panel for its work.  It was noted that a key factor in the proposals was to enable those from a wide variety of backgrounds to able to afford to stand as Councillors.

The proposal was put to a vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

1) That having considered the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out at appendix 1 to the report, option (a) ‘To accept the Panel’s recommendation in full’, be approved.

(2) That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to make the necessary amendments to the Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme.

(3) That thanks be conveyed to the Panel for the work undertaken and report produced.

Submitted by Councillor MacCleary.

Councillor MacCleary moved and Councillor Slater seconded the motion as set out on the agenda, but with the addition of a second recommendation which had been tabled at the meeting as an amendment from Councillor O’Brien, as follows:

“2. To support the request by Lewes District Cost of Living Partners action group and The Local Government Association by asking the relevant government minister to urgently reconsider the scrapping of the Household Support Fund after March 2024.’  Demand for local welfare support is at record levels, with the cost of energy, housing and other essentials remaining exceptionally high. Some food banks in Lewes District have experienced a 60% increase in members in a year. A recent survey by Lewes District Food Partnership showed that the Household Support Fund is the second most important source of funding across emergency food projects, so this funding from government is needed now more than ever to avoid local families falling into hardship and destitution.”

Councillor MacCleary, in moving the motion, highlighted that the lifting of the two-child benefit cap would immediately lift around 250,000 children out of poverty across the UK, and many in the District, and that the costs to the Government would almost certainly be offset by the drop in the current additional burden on services provided by councils, Government, and charities.

The motion was debated and received support from across the Council. 

The motion was put to a vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

1.    To ask the Leader to write to the UK Government calling on the Government to scrap the two-child benefit cap and requesting that the Members of Parliament representing Lewes District support this call; and

2.    To support the request by Lewes District Cost of Living Partners action group and The Local Government Association by asking the relevant government minister to urgently reconsider the scrapping of the Household Support Fund after March 2024. Demand for local welfare support is at record levels, with the cost of energy, housing and other essentials remaining exceptional high. Some food banks in Lewes District have experienced a 60% increase in members in a year. A recent survey by Lewes District Food Partnership showed that the Household Support Fund is the second most important source of funding across emergency food projects, so this funding from government is needed now more than ever to avoid local families falling into hardship and destitution.

To agree the proposed 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 Clarkson moved and Councillor Cohen seconded the acceptance of the proposed Draft Calendar of Meetings for 2024-25.  It was noted that the dates would be subject to final ratification at annual council in line with legislation.  Members thanked officers for moving many of the Committees to later start times, to enable working councillors to attend.

This was put to the vote and approval unanimously.

RESOLVED: That the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25 be approved.

To deal with written questions which councillors may wish to put to the Chair of the Council, a Lead Councillor on the Cabinet or the Chair of any committee or sub-committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12 (if any).

There were none.

To deal with questions (if any) which councillors may wish to put to the Leader of the Council. It will be at the Leader’s discretion to re-direct questions to relevant Members of the Cabinet. A councillor wishing to raise a question must notify the Chair of the Council of the text of the question prior to the commencement of the meeting. (NB This item is limited to a maximum of 5 questions, with no more than 1 question being asked per councillor. If a question requires a detailed or technical response, the Leader may decide that a written response is more appropriate).

There were none.

To deal with ward issues which councillors wish to raise (if any).

There were none.

To receive any reports from the Council's representatives who serve on outside bodies in respect of meetings they have attended.

The following reports had been received on outside bodies set out in the agendaand were noted:

• Councillor Makepeace – Lewes Citizens Advice Bureau
• Councillor Nicholson – Aspiration Homes, Greater Brighton Economic Board, Team East Sussex
• Councillor Brett – East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Councillor O’Connor – Wave Active
• Councillor Stewart-Roberts – South Downs National Park Authority, and Armed Forces Champion update
• Councillor Keene – Sussex Police and Crime Panel
• Councillor O’Brien – Lewes District Food Partnership, Water Champion Update, LGA Coastal Special Interest Group and general LGA update, Ouse Valley Climate Action.

In addition, Councillor Macleod advised that the role of the Mental Health Champion role would be changing and as more details emerged, he would keep the Council updated.

The next meeting is scheduled for 20 May 2024.

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would the Annual Council meeting on 20 May 2024 at 6 pm.