Agenda

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Council dated 30 September 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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, as follows:

a)   Question from Mr Jack Adams to the Leader of the Council on ‘Newhaven FM Conway Asphalt Plant’

1)    Why is there no adequate filtration on the Newhaven FM Conway chimney, and loading and unloading processes, and why is Conway not being forced to add a filtration system due to the pollution, smell and potential health hazards associated with the fumes? Given the various objections received in the last two years, what is the Council doing for the public to ensure no pollution or smells will be coming from the plant?

2)    Why has there been no enforcement with the effluent coming from the Newhaven Conway Plant and regulation and coverage of the storage of all piles of materials surrounding the plant, and which are unloaded and loaded from ships and lorries, given it has been known that the plant has been in breach of Environmental Agency permits since at least 2022, if not earlier?

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

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.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer and Councillor Nicholson on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 6 February, 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.

Report of Councillor Robinson on behalf of the Cabinet. Referred from Cabinet on 5 December 2024.

Report of Councillor O’Connor on behalf of the Cabinet.  Referred from Cabinet on 6 February 2025.

Report of Councillor Brett on behalf of the Policy and Performance Advisory Committee. Referred from the meeting of the Policy and Performance Advisory Committee on 26 November 2024.

Report of the Chief Executive and Councillor Clay on behalf of the Licensing Committee.  Referred from the Licensing Committee on 23 January 2025.

Report of the Chief Executive and Councillor Clay on behalf of the Licensing Committee. Referred from the Licensing Committee on 18 December 2024.

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).

To consider a motion submitted by Councillor Christine Brett.

To consider a motion submitted by Councillor Ezra Cohen.

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).

To agree the proposed Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26.

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

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

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

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 19 May 2025 at 6 pm.