Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

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

·       Cllr Bob Lanzer as a member of Crawley Borough Council, in relation to item 6, Covid-19 Update.

·       Cllr Bryan Turner as a practising pharmacist, in relation to item 6, Covid-19 Update.

·       Cllr Michael Jones as a member of Crawley Borough Council, in relation to item 6, Covid-19 Update.

·       Cllr James Walsh as Leader of Arun District Council, in relation to item 6, Covid-19 Update.

The Cabinet is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2020 (attached, cream paper).

16.1   Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2020 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet is asked to agree the following decision as per the decision report (to follow).

•        Small Schools Proposals – Determination of Statutory Notices (CAB05_20/21). 

The Cabinet Member for Education & Skills will introduce the report.

The Chairman of the Children & Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of his 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.

17.1   Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader, introduced the item.

Following the decision by the Cabinet on 22^nd April (CAB01(20/21 - https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=891), West Sussex County Council (WSCC) issued notices on 7^th May 2020 of their intention to discontinue Clapham and Patching C of E Primary School and Rumboldswhyke C of E Infants’ School on 31^st August 2020.

Following consideration of representations received during the 4 week period in relation to these proposals, the Cabinet is asked to determine the statutory notices.

Following the Regional Schools Commissioner’s decision announced on 15 June 2020, to make academy orders for both Clapham and Patching C of E Primary School and Rumboldswhyke C of E Infant School, Chichester, recommendations 1 and 2 as set out in the published report were no longer relevant and therefore Cabinet was asked to consider recommendation 3 only in relation to Warlinglid Primary School, Warlinglid. 

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved:

To relocate Warninglid Primary School, Warninglid, Haywards Heath to a new site in Pease Pottage, Crawley, by September 2021 (subject to developers completing in Summer 2021) and implement the proposals submitted by Warninglid Primary School and at least one other partner to federate.

The call-in deadline is 25 June 2020.

18.1   The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Education and Skills.

18.2   The report was introduced by Cllr Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills who advised of events since the publication of the decision report. Following the Regional Schools Commissioner’s decision announced on 15 June 2020, to make academy orders for both Clapham and Patching C of E Primary School and Rumboldswhyke C of E Infant School, recommendations 1 and 2 in the published report were no longer relevant and therefore Cabinet was asked to consider recommendation 3 only in relation to Warlinglid Primary School, Warlinglid. 

18.3   Cllr David Barling, Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee noted the Committee’s support for the academisation of Clapham and Patching and Rumboldswhyke schools and highlighted that further work would be required to establish the viability in terms of education and finance to the satisfaction of the schools minister.

18.4   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group welcomed the academisation of the two schools. He noted the process had been stressful for communities and suggested a review of process should be undertaken.

18.5   Cllr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group noted the uncertainty caused by the process. He added that every effort should be made by the authority to support the smooth transition for the schools.

18.6   Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader, acknowledged this had been a difficult and emotive process for those involved. He added that the authority had complied with the Department for Education (DfE) processes and that the right support would be given to pupils and the schools going forward.

18.7   Resolved – that Cabinet support the proposal to:

1.   Relocate Warninglid Primary School, Warninglid, Haywards Heath to a new site in Pease Pottage, Crawley, by September 2021 (subject to developers completing in Summer 2021) and implement the proposals submitted by Warninglid Primary School and at least one other partner to federate.

The Cabinet is asked to consider and comment on the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report.

19.1   The Cabinet considered a report by the Independent Chair of the West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board (WSSAB).

19.2   The report was introduced by Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health who highlighed the need for a cohesive approach in order to protect adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

19.3   Annie Callanan, Independent Chair of the WSSAB highlighted key points from the report which included the following:

Ø  A consolidated structure to support the vital work

Ø  Efficient triaging via a new safeguarding hub

Ø  A strengthened Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) subgroup

Ø  A well-informed performance and narrative

Ø  A strengthened relationship with the Health and Wellbeing Board

Ø  Focus on transitions to adulthood, homelessness and capturing the voice of the service user

Ø  Covid-19 had demonstrated the good work achieved in extremely difficult times.

19.4   Cllr Bryan Turner, Chairman of the Health and Adults Social Care Scrutiny Committee welcomed the focus on substance misuse and the reduction in concern reporting owing to the online application form and guidance. He did however query the number of concerns becoming enquiries and West Sussex as an outlier for enquiries in residential care settings. He sought more information on the outstanding Deprivation of Liberty applications and completion times. Finally, he requested that the impact of the pandemic on safeguarding feature in next year’s annual report or in a stand-alone report.

19.5   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group highlighted concerns around cuckooing in the Arun area, homelessness and domestic violence. He also questioned if the Board was adequately holding the council to account in respect of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. He asked whether the Board had contingency plans for vulnerable adults accessing day centres in the event of a second wave of Covid-19.

19.6   Cllr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group expressed concern at the number of referrals from residential settings relating to alleged neglect or acts of omission and at the number of enquiries which he felt likely to increase as a result of Covid-19. He said a report on the outcomes of the Covid-19 emergency was required.

19.7   Resolved – that Cabinet notes the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2019/20 and thanks the Board for its work.

The Cabinet is asked to consider and comment on the Council’s response to the Covid-19 emergency.

Scrutiny Committee Chairmen and 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.

20.1   The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive. The following points were highlighted as part of the update in the Council’s response to Covid-19:

·       Following a £3m allocation from government, a local outbreak control plan was being prepared which would be submitted at the end of June.

·       The care home resilience plan had been confirmed as comprehensive and it would be vital to link in with the local outbreak control plan.

·       Proposals for the first tranche of the cycling and highways scheme had been issued and were awaiting government approval.

20.2   Cllr Joy Dennis, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee thanked staff for their flexibility and hard work. She added that reset work appeared to be firmly underway and that the committee would be reviewing elements of this at the appropriate time.

20.3   Cllr Andrew Barrett-Miles, Chairman of the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee indicated support for the first tranche of the walking and cycling schemes and called for early involvement of members in the second tranche.

20.4   Cllr Bryan Turner, Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee noted the improved picture and was pleased to see plans which supported the care sector.

20.5   Cllr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group commented that the Council’s response had been hampered by direction from central government. He praised WSCC staff for their dedication in delivering care and partnership working.

20.6   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group expressed concern at school returns and sufficiency of space for children of non-key worker parents, school meal provision and a potential surge in homelessness.

20.7   The Leader advised recovery of the economy was critical for the County. The budget would be reset to accommodate the vast challenges ahead, and members would be engaged in how services were prioritised into the future. Each Cabinet Member provided a brief portfolio update in the context of Covid-19.

20.8   Resolved - Cabinet note the update and discussion, including comments from scrutiny chairman and minority group leaders in the council’s response to the covid-19 pandemic.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on 21 July 2020.

21.1   The next meeting of Cabinet would be held on 21 July 2020.