Decisions

The matter needs to be considered by the Leader on that date because on 31st October the Government announced a further national lockdown effective from 5th November to 2nd December which requires certain businesses to legally close due to restrictions being put in place to manage coronavirus.

The announcement included a grant funding package and schemes that will operate to support businesses within the business rates system.

It is essential that the Council develop robust policies which will adequately deal with the impositions placed on certain businesses.

These are new schemes which need to be implemented as a matter of urgency and so executive approval for the scheme is being sought from the Leader. The Leader is being asked to authorise the Director of Service Delivery to implement and administer the scheme as there is no existing officer delegation in place.

The Leader of the Council approves the Additional Restrictions Supports Grants Scheme and grants the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority, to implement, and if necessary, amend each Policy (in consultation with the Leader). Such delegated authority will include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration.

In accordance with section 17 of the Council’s Policy and Performance Advisory Committee Procedure Rules, the call-in procedure shall not apply to this decision given its urgency. A decision is urgent if, in the view of the decision maker, any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would, for example, seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests.

In accordance with this section, it is the opinion of the decision maker that this decision is an urgent one and therefore exempt from call-in.

To consider the proposed Additional Restrictions Support Grant Policy (ARG) for businesses which have to close or are severely impacted by national or localised lockdown restrictions to manage the coronavirus pandemic.

The Leader of the Council approves the Additional Restrictions Grants Scheme and grants the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority, to implement, and if necessary, amend each Policy (in consultation with the Leader). Such delegated authority will include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration.

In accordance with section 20 of the Council’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the call-in procedure shall not apply to this decision given its urgency. A decision is urgent if, in the view of the decision maker, any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would, for example, seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests.

In accordance with this section, it is the opinion of the decision maker that this decision is an urgent one and therefore exempt from call-in.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To establish a forum for councillors and local partners and stakeholder groups, and with local partners to raise awareness and understanding of UBI.

(2) On behalf of the Council and our residents, to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the leader of the party in Government, their counterparts in all opposition political parties in parliament to articulate the following:

· The current benefit system is failing citizens, with Universal Credit causing hardship to many in Lewes District

· There is a danger of increasing numbers of people facing poverty as a result of the coronavirus crisis;

· Trialling a UBI is needed, as a UBI has the potential to help address key challenges such as inequality, poverty, precarious employment, loss of community, and breach of planetary boundaries through:

(i) Giving employers a more flexible workforce whilst giving employees greater freedom to change their jobs;

ii) Valuing unpaid work, such as caring for family members and voluntary work;

iii) Removing the negative impacts of benefit sanctions and conditionality;

iv) Giving people more equal resources within the family, workplace and society;

v) Breaking the link between work and consumption, thus helping reduce strain on the environment;

vi) Enabling greater opportunities for people to work in community and cultural activities or to train or re-skill in areas that will be needed to transition to a lower carbon economy.

· The success of a UBI pilot should be measured by health and well-being and community benefit alongside economic and employment impacts;

· Lewes District is ideally placed to pilot a UBI, given its economic and geographic diversity.

Report on the Council’s submitted responses to the consultations on the Government’s ‘Planning for the future’ White Paper and ‘Changes to the current planning system’ proposals for reforming the planning system.

(Non-key decision):

To note the responses submitted to the Government’s consultations on reforms to the planning system.

This report will update on progress with the R&R programme agreed at September Cabinet

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress made with the Recovery and Reset Programme.

(2) To approve an allocation of £250k to be added to the capital programme to ensure immediate start of the Council’s Recovery & Reset work, with detailed advice from the cross party Recovery and Reset Board.

(3) To explore supporting local people in financial distress with a focus on schemes such as council tax relief.

(4) To support a campaign to allow pubs to make off-sales of alcohol in sealed containers for consumption at home during lockdown.

To consider the proposed Local Restrictions Support Grant Policy (LRSG) ‘Closed’ Policy and the LRSG ‘Sector’ Policy for those businesses required to close by law due to national and local lockdown restrictions imposed by Central Government to manage the coronavirus pandemic

The Leader of the Council approves the Local Restriction Grants Schemes (‘Closed’ & ‘Sector’) and grants the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority, to implement, and if necessary, amend each Policy (in consultation with the Leader). Such delegated authority will include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration.

In accordance with section 17 of the Council’s Policy and Performance Advisory Committee Procedure Rules, the call-in procedure shall not apply to this decision given its urgency. A decision is urgent if, in the view of the decision maker, any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would, for example, seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests.

In accordance with this section, it is the opinion of the decision maker that this decision is an urgent one and therefore exempt from call-in.

To consider the proposed Local Restrictions Support Grant Policy (LRSG) ‘Closed’ Policy and the LRSG ‘Sector’ Policy for those businesses required to close by law due to national and local lockdown restrictions imposed by Central Government to manage the coronavirus pandemic

The Leader of the Council Approved the Local Restriction Grants Schemes (‘Closed’ & ‘Sector’) and granted the Director of Service Delivery delegated authority, to implement, and if necessary, amend each Policy (in consultation with the Leader). Such delegated authority will include any measures necessary for or incidental to its management and administration.

In accordance with section 20 of the Council’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the call-in procedure shall not apply to this decision given its urgency. A decision is urgent if, in the view of the decision maker, any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would, for example, seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests.

In accordance with this section, it is the opinion of the decision maker that this decision is an urgent one and therefore exempt from call-in.

Renewal of Public Spaces Protection Orders

1.        To extend by three years, commencing on 26 November 2020, the period for which the Lewes Public Spaces Protection Order (Consumption of Alcohol) 2017 has effect.

2.        To extend by three years, commencing on 26 November 2020, the period for which the Lewes Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Fouling) 2017 has effect.

Renewal of Public Spaces Protection Orders

1.    To extend by three years, commencing on 26 November 2020, the period for which the Eastbourne Public Spaces Protection Order (Consumption of Alcohol) 2017 has effect.

2.    To extend by three years, commencing on 26 November 2020, the period for which the Eastbourne Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Ban) 2017 has effect.

3.    To extend by three years, commencing on 26 November 2020, the period for which the Eastbourne Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Fouling) 2017 has effect.

4.    To extend by three years, commencing on 26 November 2020, the period for which the Eastbourne Public Spaces Protection Order (Dogs on Leads) 2017 has effect.