Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual informal meeting with restricted public access

Contact: Clare Jones on 033 022 22526  Email:  clare.jones@westsussex.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

12.

Format of Council meeting

Additional documents:

Minutes:

12.1     The Chairman reminded members that, as the meeting was being held virtually and was therefore not a formal meeting of the Council, any vote taken on any business would be indicative only.

 

12.2     Any decisions which needed to be taken on the business on the agenda would be dealt with after the meeting using the Council’s Standing Orders on urgent action. Resolutions recorded in these minutes are therefore indicative only.

13.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

13.1     Apologies were received from Cllr Hillier and Cllr Magill.

 

13.2     Cllr Patel arrived for the morning session at 10.42 am. Cllr Kenyon and Cllr Markwell gave apologies for the end of the morning session and left at 11.05 am and 12.44 pm respectively. Cllr Nagel left the morning session at 12 noon and Cllr Hall at 12.15 pm.

 

13.3     Cllr B Copper gave her apologies and was absent from 2.37 pm until 3.38 pm.

 

13.4     Cllr Markwell left at 3.47 pm, Cllr Quinn at 4.12 pm, Cllr Albury at 4.15 pm and Cllr Oppler at 4.20 pm.

14.

Members' Interests pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Members are asked to disclose any pecuniary or personal interests in matters appearing on the agenda.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

14.1     Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

15.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the annual meeting of the County Council held on 21 May 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

15.1     It was agreed that the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the County Council held on 21 May 2021 (pages 5 to 16) be endorsed for approval as a correct record, subject to the additional of the sentence set out below to the minute on notification of Cabinet Members:

 

‘10.3 The Liberal Democrat Group Leader stated that the Group was not supportive of the addition of a Cabinet Member post without explanation.’

16.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 41 KB

To consider any proposed changes by the Groups to appointments.  Any proposals will be circulated and changes will take effect from the end of the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

16.1     The Council endorsed the approval of appointments as set out below.

 

Committee

Change

Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Evans to fill Conservative substitute vacancy

Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Baldwin in place of Cllr Payne

Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Albury to fill Conservative substitute vacancy

Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Payne to fill vacancy

Cllr Bence to fill Conservative substitute vacancy

Outside Body (Governance Committee appointment): South East Employers

Cllr Cherry to fill vacancy

 

17.

Address by a Cabinet Member

At the discretion of the Chairman, to receive any address by a Cabinet Member on a matter of urgency and/or significant interest to the County Council and which relates to the powers and responsibilities of the County Council or which affects the Council.

 

The Cabinet Member for Adults Services will make a statement on Social Care and Health integration. Members may ask questions of the Cabinet Member in accordance with Standing Order 2.33.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

17.1     Members received an address by the Cabinet Member for Adults Services on Social Care and Health integration.

18.

Governance Committee: Plans for future Member Community Engagement to replace County Local Committees pdf icon PDF 82 KB

The Council is asked to consider a proposal that County Local Committees be replaced by more informal local community engagement forums, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

18.1     The Council considered a proposal that County Local Committees be replaced by more informal local community engagement forums, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee (pages 17 to 20).

 

18.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr O’Kelly.

 

‘Changes to the existing recommendations on pages 19 to 20 shown in bold italic type and strikethrough of text.

 

(1)         That County Local Committees be removed from the Constitution and decision-making arrangements for Traffic Regulation Orders and outside body appointments are allocated to the relevant Cabinet Members in consultation with local members for the duration of the trial;

 

(2)         That the Governance Committee considers detailed proposals at its next meeting for a trial of district/borough-based County Local Forums; and

 

(3)         That the arrangements be reviewed by the end March 2022, to determine future arrangements and resource requirements, and any necessary changes to the Constitution and permanent decision-making procedures are made once the future arrangements are finalised.’

 

18.3     The amendment by Cllr Lord was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.35.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 22

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Condie, Cllr B Cooper, Cllr Cornell, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Joy, Cllr Lord, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Oxlade, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Sharp, Cllr Smith, Cllr Turley and Cllr Walsh.

 

(b)         Against the amendment – 44

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bence, Cllr Bennett, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Charles, Cllr A Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Linehan, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr McGregor, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Payne, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Richardson, Cllr Russell, Cllr Sparkes, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(c)          Abstentions – 0

 

18.4     The amendment was lost.

 

18.5     The recommendations were put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.35.

 

(a)         For the recommendations – 44

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bence, Cllr Bennett, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Charles, Cllr A Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Linehan, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, McGregor, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Payne, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Richardson, Cllr Russell, Cllr Sparkes, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(b)         Against the recommendations – 3

 

Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson and Cllr Sharp.

 

(c)          Abstentions – 19

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Condie, Cllr B Cooper, Cllr Cornell, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Joy, Cllr Lord, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Oxlade, Cllr Pudaloff,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Governance Committee: Review of the Constitution pdf icon PDF 78 KB

The Council is asked to consider a number of minor changes to the Constitution, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

19.1     The Council considered a number of minor changes to the Constitution, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee (pages 21 to 54).

 

19.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr O’Kelly.

 

Written Questions

 

Original text as per page 52 of the Council booklet:

 

2.38 Subject to the giving of the notice required by Standing Order 2.39, a member may ask a question on any matter in relation to which the County Council has powers or duties or which affects West Sussex (including any matter considered by the Executive, a scrutiny committee or non-executive committee) which is. The subject should not already otherwise be on the agenda for the meeting, and which the Chairman does not may rule out any questions considered to be irrelevant or inappropriate. The question will be deferred for a later reply if it involves the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time or money to prepare the answers.

 

Proposed amendment:

 

2.38 Subject to the giving of the notice required by Standing Order 2.39, a member may ask a question on any matter in relation to which the County Council has powers or duties or which affects West Sussex (including any matter considered by the Executive, a scrutiny committee or non-executive committee) which is not otherwise on the agenda for the meeting, and which the Chairman, in collaboration with group leaders, does not rule to be irrelevant or inappropriate. The question will be deferred for a later reply if it or involves the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time or money to prepare the answers.

 

Notices of Motion

 

Original text as per page 53 of the Council booklet:

 

2.48 The Chairman, in consultation with political group leaders, may decide that a motion shall be:

 

(a)   moved and debated at the next meeting (usually no more than two per meeting unless the Chairman determines otherwise);

 

Proposed amendment:

 

2.48 The Chairman, in consultation with political group leaders, may decide that a motion shall be:

 

(a)   moved and debated at the next meeting;’

 

19.3     The amendment was lost.

 

19.4     An amendment was moved by Cllr Sharp and seconded by Cllr O’Kelly.

 

‘Changes to the existing recommendations in item 7, Appendix 1 are shown in bold, underlined type.

 

Page 40 – Part 3, Appendix 8D, Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference:

 

3.       To undertake the scrutiny of the performance of the council’s services against the outcomes, objectives and measures including scrutiny of how effectively relevant corporate, and service and climate change risks are managed set through a relevant commissioning process.

 

Page 57 – Part 3 – Appendix 22, ACCESS Joint Committee Terms of Reference

 

11.4 Performance against the strategic business plan and climate change strategy agreed by the Councils.’

 

19.5     The amendment was lost.

 

19.6     Resolved – that the approval of the following recommendation be endorsed:

 

That the proposed changes to the Constitution, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Standards Committee: Code of Conduct Updates, including IT Policy pdf icon PDF 65 KB

The Council is asked to consider proposed minor changes to the Code of Conduct in the Constitution, in the light of a report by the Standards Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

20.1     The Council considered proposed minor changes to the Code of Conduct in the Constitution, in the light of a report by the Standards Committee (pages 55 to 60).

 

20.2     Resolved – that the approval of the following recommendations be endorsed:

 

(1)         That the removal of the term ‘senior adviser’ to Cabinet Member in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct be approved; and

 

(2)         That the proposed changes to the IT Policy, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

21.

Standards Committee Annual Report pdf icon PDF 67 KB

The Council is asked to note a report from the Standards Committee on its activities for the period from April 2020 to March 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

21.1     The Council noted a report from the Standards Committee on its activities for the period from April 2020 to March 2021 (pages 61 and 62).

 

21.2     Resolved -

 

That the report be noted.

22.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members on matters contained within the Cabinet report, written questions and any other questions relevant to their portfolios. Members may also ask questions of the Leader on anything that is currently relevant to the County Council. The report covers relevant Council business or developments in respect of portfolios arising since the meeting of the Council on 21 May 2021. A supplementary report may be published.

 

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

22.1     Members asked questions of members of the Cabinet on matters relevant to their portfolios and asked questions of chairmen, as set out at Appendix 3. This included questions on those matters contained within the Cabinet report (pages 63 to 68) and written questions and answers pursuant to Standing Order 2.38 (set out at Appendix 2).

23.

Motion on Mental Health pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To consider and debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Oxlade, notice of which was given on 24 June 2021.

 

‘Although the coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in West Sussex, not everyone will have been experienced its consequences in the same way. The effects of social distancing, lockdown, the loss of loved ones to the virus and stress-inducing media reports has had a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of a large number of our residents and will continue to have lasting effects long after lockdown is over. West Sussex County Council has a vital role to play in ensuring that residents of West Sussex experiencing mental health issues have access to the support they need. This Council therefore asks the Cabinet to:

 

(1)        Ensure that access to mental health services will remain a priority both whilst public health restrictions remain in place and beyond; and

 

(2)        Consider the potential impact on the mental health of residents when taking decisions for the foreseeable future.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

23.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Oxladeand seconded by Cllr Lord.

 

          ‘Although the coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in West Sussex, not everyone will have been experienced its consequences in the same way. The effects of social distancing, lockdown, the loss of loved ones to the virus and stress-inducing media reports has had a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of a large number of our residents and will continue to have lasting effects long after lockdown is over. West Sussex County Council has a vital role to play in ensuring that residents of West Sussex experiencing mental health issues have access to the support they need. This Council therefore asks the Cabinet to:

 

(1)         Ensure that access to mental health services will remain a priority both whilst public health restrictions remain in place and beyond; and

 

(2)         Consider the potential impact on the mental health of residents when taking decisions for the foreseeable future.’

 

23.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr Wall and seconded by Cllr Alburyas set out below:

 

         Although the coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in West Sussex, not everyone will have been experienced its consequences in the same way. The effects of social distancing, lockdown, the loss of loved ones to the virus and stress-inducing media reports has had a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of a large number of our residents and will continue to have lasting effects long after lockdown is over. West Sussex County Council has a vital role to play in ensuring that residents of West Sussex experiencing mental health issues have access to the support they need. This Council therefore asks the Cabinet to:

 

(1)        Ensure that access to mental health services will remain a priority both whilst public health restrictions remain in place and beyond; and

 

(2)        consider the potential impact on the mental health of residents when taking decisions for the foreseeable future; and

 

(3)         Express its thanks for the collaborative working of partner organisations in delivering mental health services and their commitment to continue working together on this very important topic.

 

23.3     The amendment was carried.

 

23.4     The motion as amended and set out below was carried and endorsed for approval.

 

Although the coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in West Sussex, not everyone will have been experienced its consequences in the same way. The effects of social distancing, lockdown, the loss of loved ones to the virus and stress-inducing media reports has had a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of a large number of our residents and will continue to have lasting effects long after lockdown is over. West Sussex County Council has a vital role to play in ensuring that residents of West Sussex experiencing mental health issues have access to the support they need. This Council therefore asks the Cabinet to:

 

(1)        Ensure that access to mental health services will remain a priority both whilst public health restrictions remain in place  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Motion on Emergency Services pdf icon PDF 57 KB

To consider and debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Boram, notice of which was given on 24 June 2021.

 

‘This Council supports the campaign to build the UK’s first ‘Emergency Services Cenotaph’, dedicated to all who have served and volunteered in the NHS and all the emergency services, including Fire and Rescue - whom we are very proud to have as part of West Sussex County Council.

 

Additionally, this Council records its support for the UK’s annual national ‘Emergency Services Day’ which is held on 9 September and which is supported by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; and that this Council places on record its sincere appreciation for the two million people who work and volunteer in the NHS and emergency services, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when the demands placed upon our emergency services have significantly increased.

 

In recognition of Emergency Services Day, this Council asks the Chairman to agree to fly the official flag of the ‘Emergency Services Day’ at County Hall on 9 September each year.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

24.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Boramand seconded by Cllr Burrett.

 

‘This Council supports the campaign to build the UK’s first ‘Emergency Services Cenotaph’, dedicated to all who have served and volunteered in the NHS and all the emergency services, including Fire and Rescue - whom we are very proud to have as part of West Sussex County Council.

 

Additionally, this Council records its support for the UK’s annual national ‘Emergency Services Day’ which is held on 9 September and which is supported by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; and that this Council places on record its sincere appreciation for the two million people who work and volunteer in the NHS and emergency services, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when the demands placed upon our emergency services have significantly increased.

 

          In recognition of Emergency Services Day, this Council asks the Chairman to agree to fly the official flag of the ‘Emergency Services Day’ at County Hall on 9 September each year.’

 

24.2     The motion, as set out at minute 24.1 above, was carried and endorsed for approval.

25.

Motion on 20mph Speed Limits pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Cllr O’Kelly, notice of which was given on 25 June 2021. Note: The Chairman has indicated he intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for consideration. It will therefore not be debated at this meeting.

 

‘This Council believes that 20mph as a speed limit in built up, residential areas including our villages, is desirable in terms of safety and noise, particularly around shopping centres and schools or on roads handling primarily local traffic.

 

This Council believes that promoting active travel is a priority and encouraging take up of a 20mph speed limit, where appropriate, will increase the number of journeys taken on foot or cycle.

 

This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to introduce a more flexible policy on speed reduction including the 20mph limit – and calls on her to work with residents and partners to implement a change in speed limit reducing it to 20mph if:

 

(1)         it is demonstrated that there is clear community support for the reduction

 

(2)         the road is in a residential area

 

(3)         the road is not an A road or major through route.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr O’Kelly and seconded by Cllr Condie:

 

‘This Council believes that 20mph as a speed limit in built up, residential areas including our villages, is desirable in terms of safety and noise, particularly around shopping centres and schools or on roads handling primarily local traffic.

 

This Council believes that promoting active travel is a priority and encouraging take up of a 20mph speed limit, where appropriate, will increase the number of journeys taken on foot or cycle.

 

This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to introduce a more flexible policy on speed reduction including the 20mph limit – and calls on her to work with residents and partners to implement a change in speed limit reducing it to 20mph if:

 

(1)         it is demonstrated that there is clear community support for the reduction

 

(2)         the road is in a residential area

 

(3)         the road is not an A road or major through route.’

 

25.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for consideration.

26.

Motion on Land Use pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Cllr Milne, notice of which was given on 29 June 2021. Note: The Chairman has indicated he intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property for consideration. It will therefore not be debated at this meeting.

 

‘This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to put in place a clear process, such that any currently-owned Council land will always be first considered for possible social, community or environmental use, particularly where this complements the Council’s ambitions relating to climate change, prior to deeming it surplus to requirements, which could see it allocated for development within West Sussex County Council’s Joint Venture development company.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

26.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Milne and seconded by Cllr Mercer:

 

‘This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to put in place a clear process, such that any currently-owned Council land will always be first considered for possible social, community or environmental use, particularly where this complements the Council’s ambitions relating to climate change, prior to deeming it surplus to requirements, which could see it allocated for development within West Sussex County Council’s Joint Venture development company.’

 

26.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property for consideration.