Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting with restricted public access

Contact: Natalie Jones-Punch on 033 022 25098  Email:  natalie.jones-punch@westsussex.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

22.

Declarations of Interest

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it.  If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

22.1   In accordance with the code of conduct the following personal interests were declared:

 

·       Cllr Nigel Jupp as a member of Horsham District Council in relation to item 5, Economy Reset Plan.

·       Cllr Dr James Walsh as leader of Arun District Council in relation to item 4a, Climate Change Strategy, and item 5, Economy Reset Plan.

·       Cllr Michael Jones as a member of Crawley Borough Council in relation to item 4a, Climate Change Strategy, and item 5, Economy Reset Plan.

·       Cllr Duncan Crow as a member of Crawley Borough Council in relation to item 5, Economy Reset Plan.

·       Cllr Roger Elkins as a member of Arun District Council in relation to item 5, Economy Reset Plan.

·       Cllr Bob Lanzer as a member of Crawley Borough Council in relation to item 5, Economy Reset Plan.

 

23.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 166 KB

The Cabinet is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2020 (attached, cream paper).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

23.1   Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2020 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

24.

Urgent Matters

Items not on the agenda which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

24.1   The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health advised there had been an increase in Covid-19 cases in the Crawley area. Public Health England (PHE) were leading on contact tracing and WSCC was working with Crawley Borough Council and other partners. A media campaign had been launched to advise residents on action to take. Organisations likely to be at high risk had also been contacted. The situation would be monitored.

 

24.2   The Cabinet Member for Environment advised there had been a fire at Crawley Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS) and it was now closed. The HWRS at Horsham would be open 7 days but residents are encouraged to visit only if necessary. The Cabinet Members for Environment and Fire and Rescue and Communities thanked the Fire and Rescue Service for their response to the incident.

 

25.

Key Decisions

The Cabinet is asked to agree the following decision as per the attached decision report

 

        Climate Change Strategy (CAB06_20/21)

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment will introduce the report.

 

The Chairman of the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on proposals being considered by the Cabinet relevant to that Committee’s work.

 

Each of the main Opposition Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes each on any of the proposals.

 

The Cabinet will then discuss the proposal prior to the decision being taken.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25.1   Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader, introduced the item.

26.

Climate Change Strategy (CAB06_20/21) pdf icon PDF 316 KB

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendation to adopt the Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030 as attached at Appendix A.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved:

 

To adopt the Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030.

 

The call-in deadline is 30 July 2020.

Minutes:

26.1   Cabinet considered a report by the Executive Director of Place Services and the Director of Environment and Public Protection.

 

26.2   The report was introduced by Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and set out an ambition for carbon neutrality by 2030, climate resilience and effective use of natural resources.

 

26.3   Cllr Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee advised of the Committee’s support for the strategy noting that it would increase the resilience of the county to climate change effects. He welcomed the role of the climate change board.

 

26.4   Cllr Dr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, welcomed the strategy. He asked when the LED changeover for streetlighting would be complete. He felt that joint action should be taken with coastal district and borough councils to tackle the issue of flooding and rising sea levels.

 

26.5   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group, supported the strategy. He praised the work of the Climate Change Board and agreed a consistent approach across the county was required.

 

26.6   Cabinet Members welcomed the Climate Change Strategy, agreeing it to be creative and innovative, offering an opportunity for the authority to lead by example in influencing partners and stakeholders. The role of highways and transport was considered as was the improved air quality brought by the pandemic. Covid-19 had provided an impetus to transform the way people work, further reducing the need for travel. 

 

26.7   Resolved – that Cabinet adopts the Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030.

 

27.

Economy Reset Plan pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Cabinet is asked to consider and endorse the draft economy reset plan proposals in principle and as the basis for engagement with partners, and agree to adopt the economy reset plan in October as a sub-plan of the corporate West Sussex Reset and Reboot Plan.

 

The Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide their views/the views of the Committee.

 

Each of the main Opposition Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide their views/the views of their Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

27.1   Cabinet considered a report by the Executive Director of Place Services. The report was introduced by Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources who outlined the following points:

 

·       The environment and economy are key, complementary issues for the county and the reset plan will bring about a robust, sustainable and growing economy which will be environmentally friendly.

·       Covid-19 had caused a contraction in the economy. The reset policies and plans would aid growth from this base point. Economic snapshot data would be used for intelligence.

·       The situation is fluid and the draft plan is the basis for initial stakeholder engagement which would continue through adoption of the corporate reset and reboot plan.

·       There are 9 proposed themes covering 3 economic areas; Crawley and Gatwick Diamond, coastal towns and the rural economy.

 

27.2   Cllr Joy Dennis, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee said the themes struck the right balance for the recovery to a robust and healthy economy. She noted the importance of partnership working with district and boroughs, the need to consider the implications of Brexit and links with the health market, digital working and a green agenda as new ways of working were developed.

 

27.3   Cllr Dr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group noted the absence of the mention of Brexit and its impact on the West Sussex economy. He welcomed the protection of the coastal town and horticulture economy and felt improving the skill level in coastal towns is vital as is the health and social care sector for the growing elderly demography.

 

27.4   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group felt the 9 priorities represented the right area of focus. He highlighted the importance of Gatwick and associated supply chain on the county’s economy. He felt that tourism in coastal towns needed addressing as did career opportunities for young people.

 

27.5   Cabinet Members supported the content of the report. The Leader summarised that the recovery of the economy was a vast and nationwide challenge but that this draft reset plan addressed appropriate priorities to stimulate the economy in West Sussex. 

 

27.6   Resolved – that Cabinet:

 

1.   Endorses the draft economy reset plan proposals in principle and as the basis for engagement with partners

2.   Endorses the proposed approach to partner engagement on the draft economy reset plan

3.   Agrees to adopt the economy reset plan in October as a sub-plan of the corporate Reset and Reboot plan, with the new plan superseding the current Economic Growth Plan 2018-2023.

 

28.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on 15 September 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

28.1   The next meeting of Cabinet would be held on 15 September 2020.