Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year (the Chairman to make a declaration of acceptance of office).

1.1     Mr Barnard, the outgoing Chairman of the Council, took the chair for the election of Chairman of the County Council.

1.2    The outgoing Chairman stated that he had two nominations for the office of Chairman of the Council - Mrs Janet Duncton and Mrs Morwen Millson.  Following a secret ballot, Mrs Duncton was elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

1.3     Mrs Duncton made the prescribed declaration of acceptance of office and took the chair.

To elect a Vice-Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year (the Vice-Chairman to make a declaration of acceptance of office).

2.1     The Chairman stated that she had one nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council, that of Mr Ashvin Patel.  Mr Patel was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

2.2     Mr Patel made the prescribed declaration of acceptance of office.

3.1     The Chairman reported the death of a former member of the Council, Mrs Sylvia Olliver, who had represented the Bersted division from 1991 to 2001.

3.2     Members stood for a minute’s silence.

4.1     Apologies were received from Mr Buckland, Mrs Hall, Mr Oxlade, Mr Petts, Mr Whittington and Mr Wickremaratchi.  Mrs Smith was absent.  Apologies for the morning session were received from Mr Mitchell.  Mrs Bridges arrived at 10.45 a.m.  Apologies for the afternoon session were received from Lt Col Barton, Mrs Brunsdon, Ms Flynn and Mr Lea.  A number of members gave apologies and left early as follows: Mr Oppler at 10.50 a.m., Mr Simmons and Mrs Sparkes at 3.05 p.m., Mrs Dennis and Mr Hillier at 3.30 p.m. and Mr R J Oakley at 3.40 p.m.  Mr Markwell was absent for the afternoon session and Mr Purchase left at 12.15 p.m. and was absent for the afternoon session.  Mr Bradbury left at 3.30 p.m. and Mr Barrett-Miles at 3.50 p.m.

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

5.1     Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the County Council held on 15 February 2019.

6.1    It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 15 February 2019 (pages 9 to 40) be approved as a correct record.

The County Council has a statutory duty to review the proportionality on its committees each year.  A table, together with a brief explanation of the proportionality rules and how they are applied, is attached.

7.1     The County Council was reminded of its statutory duty to review the proportionality on its committees annually.  A paper on the application of the proportionality rules and how they were applied was set out at pages 41 and 42 together with a table showing the number of seats on committees.

7.2     Resolved –

That the review of proportionality on committees be agreed.

The Leader is required each year to give notice to the Council of her appointments to the Cabinet and allocation of Cabinet portfolios between the Cabinet Members, together with the appointment of Senior Advisers and Advisers to Cabinet Members.

8.1    The County Council was reminded that the Leader was required each year to give notice to the Council of her appointments to the Cabinet and allocation of Cabinet portfolios between the Cabinet Members, together with the appointment of Senior Advisers and Advisers to Cabinet Members.

8.2     The Council noted that Ms Goldsmith had given notice to the County Council of her appointments for the ensuing year, as set out on supplement pages 1 to 5.

The County Council is required each year in the light of the Leader’s appointments at item 7 to appoint the chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of Select Committees and non-Executive committees and substitutes in accordance with Standing Order 2.12.  Proposed changes by the Groups will be circulated.  The appointments will take effect from the end of the meeting.

9.1     A schedule setting out the nominations for the re-appointment of the chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of Select Committees and non-Executive committees and substitutes was circulated.

9.2     The schedule was agreed, as set out at Appendix 2.

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Jones, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Environment at the meeting of the County Council on 15 February 2019.

‘This Council notes that humans have caused climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world.  Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.  Atmospheric CO₂ levels are above 400 parts per million (ppm).  This far exceeds the 350 ppm deemed to be a safe level for humanity.  In order to reduce the chance of runaway Global Warming and limit the effects of Climate Breakdown, it is imperative that all countries should reduce our carbon equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.  Councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ and committing resources to address this.

This Council believes that all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies.  It is important for the residents of West Sussex and the UK that cities commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.

Councils like West Sussex are uniquely placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions – for example because of their capacity for local energy generation, such as running our own solar farms and promoting solar energy take up among local organisations and residents, supporting the greater use of electric powered vehicles both in the private and public sector and for personal use, and investing further in public transport.

West Sussex is already suffering from flooding problems, and a significant proportion of its population and a large number of its settlements are based in coastal areas which would potentially be devastated by a rise in sea levels caused by continual global warming.  The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°C are so severe that preventing this from happening must be a number one priority, and bold climate action can deliver economic benefits in terms of new jobs, economic savings and market opportunities (as well as improved well-being for people worldwide).

This Council therefore calls on the Cabinet to:

(1)      Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’;

(2)      Pledge to attempt to make West Sussex carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions;

(3)      Call on the Government to provide the powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible;

(4)      Work with other councils to determine and implement best practice methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5°C;

(5)      Continue to work with partners across the county and region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies and plans;

(6)      Set up a Task and Finish Group to look into the matter in greater detail;

(7)      Consider whether it would be advisable to take into account climate change impacts, when considering planning applications, or  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

10.1   At the County Council meeting on 15 February 2019 the following motion had been moved by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Oxlade, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Environment for consideration.  A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (page 43).

‘This Council notes that humans have caused climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world.  Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.  Atmospheric CO₂ levels are above 400 parts per million (ppm).  This far exceeds the 350 ppm deemed to be a safe level for humanity.  In order to reduce the chance of runaway Global Warming and limit the effects of Climate Breakdown, it is imperative that all countries should reduce our carbon equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.  Councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ and committing resources to address this.

This Council believes that all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies.  It is important for the residents of West Sussex and the UK that cities commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.

Councils like West Sussex are uniquely placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions – for example because of their capacity for local energy generation, such as running our own solar farms and promoting solar energy take up among local organisations and residents, supporting the greater use of electric powered vehicles both in the private and public sector and for personal use, and investing further in public transport.

West Sussex is already suffering from flooding problems, and a significant proportion of its population and a large number of its settlements are based in coastal areas which would potentially be devastated by a rise in sea levels caused by continual global warming.  The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°C are so severe that preventing this from happening must be a number one priority, and bold climate action can deliver economic benefits in terms of new jobs, economic savings and market opportunities (as well as improved well-being for people worldwide).

This Council therefore calls on the Cabinet to:

(1)     Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’;

(2)     Pledge to attempt to make West Sussex carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions;

(3)     Call on the Government to provide the powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible;

(4)     Work with other councils to determine and implement best practice methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5°C;

(5)     Continue to work with partners across the county and region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies and plans;

(6)     Set up a Task and Finish Group to look into the matter in greater detail;

(7)     Consider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider the following motion by Dr Walsh, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at the meeting of the County Council on 15 February 2019.

‘The Council notes the vital role played by Public Health, including our hugely successful vaccination and immunisation programmes, support for those wanting to stop smoking, and otherwise helping West Sussex residents to lead healthier lives by avoiding diseases and unplanned pregnancies; and notes with grave concern the announcement of a further £85m cut to the Public Health Budget, as one of 12 ministerial statements published by the Government on the last day of the 2018 parliamentary term before Christmas, only weeks after the Secretary of State for Health described ‘prevention’ as his priority.

The Council further notes the comments of the Health Foundation, who described these cuts as a false economy and who have calculated that an additional £3bn a year is required to reverse the impact of the Government’s cuts to the Public Health Grant to date and have called for this increased budget to be allocated according to need; and the warnings from the King’s Fund that such cuts could put pressure on councils to cut non-statutory sexual health prevention services, which could lead to more sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

This Council believes that our Public Health team perform vital work to help keep the residents of West Sussex healthy and to avoid more costly admissions to hospitals and other interventions by our NHS, and that this should be properly funded by central government.

The Council resolves to:

(1)      Thank our Director of Public Health and her team for the great work they do across West Sussex despite continued financial challenges;

(2)      Condemn the timing just before the Christmas break to ‘sneak out’ announcements such as this;

(3)      Call on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to consider carefully how best to implement the required cuts to services which will result from continued government cuts to the budget; and

(4)      Ask the Leader and Cabinet Member to write to the Secretary of State for Health, calling on the Government to deliver increased investment in Public Health and to support a sustainable health and social care system by taking a ‘prevention first’ approach, and fair and equitable funding for West Sussex.’

and the report by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.

11.1   At the County Council meeting on 15 February 2019 the following motion had been moved by Dr Walsh, seconded by Dr O’Kelly, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health for consideration.  A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 45 and 46).

‘The Council notes the vital role played by Public Health, including our hugely successful vaccination and immunisation programmes, support for those wanting to stop smoking, and otherwise helping West Sussex residents to lead healthier lives by avoiding diseases and unplanned pregnancies; and notes with grave concern the announcement of a further £85m cut to the Public Health Budget, as one of 12 ministerial statements published by the Government on the last day of the 2018 parliamentary term before Christmas, only weeks after the Secretary of State for Health described ‘prevention’ as his priority.

The Council further notes the comments of the Health Foundation, who described these cuts as a false economy and who have calculated that an additional £3bn a year is required to reverse the impact of the Government’s cuts to the Public Health Grant to date and have called for this increased budget to be allocated according to need; and the warnings from the King’s Fund that such cuts could put pressure on councils to cut non-statutory sexual health prevention services, which could lead to more sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

This Council believes that our Public Health team perform vital work to help keep the residents of West Sussex healthy and to avoid more costly admissions to hospitals and other interventions by our NHS, and that this should be properly funded by central government.

The Council resolves to:

(1)     Thank our Director of Public Health and her team for the great work they do across West Sussex despite continued financial challenges;

(2)     Condemn the timing just before the Christmas break to ‘sneak out’ announcements such as this;

(3)     Call on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to consider carefully how best to implement the required cuts to services which will result from continued government cuts to the budget; and

(4)     Ask the Leader and Cabinet Member to write to the Secretary of State for Health, calling on the Government to deliver increased investment in Public Health and to support a sustainable health and social care system by taking a ‘prevention first’ approach, and fair and equitable funding for West Sussex.’

11.2   An amendment was moved by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health and seconded by Mrs Jones as set out below:

          ‘The Council notes the vital role played by Public Health, including our hugely successful vaccination and immunisation programmes, support for those wanting to stop smoking, and otherwise helping West Sussex residents to lead healthier lives by avoiding diseases and unplanned pregnancies.; and notes with grave concernTthe announcement of a further £85 million cut to the Public Health Budget in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider the following motion, notice of which was given on 18 March 2019 by Dr Walsh.

This Council believes that young people at the age of 16 and 17 are well equipped to engage and participate in all elections across the UK as endorsed by the majority of County Councillors and Youth Cabinet members who took part in a debate on lowering the voting age in September 2018.  Every 16-year-old receiving school education will have completed citizenship classes.  Therefore, lowering the voting age to 16, combined with strong citizenship education, empowers young people to better engage in society and influence decisions that will define their future.

16 and 17-year-olds have been denied the chance to influence decisions made by politicians about issues that massively affect their lives, such as tuition fees, the EU referendum, transport and the living wage.  Also, the impact that many local services have on young people are provided by local government, such as education, social care and leisure.  As a starting point, we would like to see the voting age lowered in West Sussex elections first, followed by national elections.  We believe that allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in selected parts of the UK and not others is unjustified. The Scottish Government passed the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill, which allows all 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in all Scottish elections from May 2016.  Young people’s participation in the Scottish Referendum demonstrates that they are eager to engage as 75% of 16 and 17-year-olds turned out to vote.

Lowering the voting age to 16 complement the law as, at 16, the law allows a person to:

•  Give full consent to medical treatment

•  Pay income tax and National Insurance

•  Obtain tax credits and welfare benefits in their own right

•  Consent to sexual relationships

•  Get married or enter a civil partnership, with parental consent

•  Change their name by deed poll

•  Become a director of a company

•  Serve in the armed forces but not deployed on the front line

The Council therefore calls on the Governance Committee to:

(1)      Support the proposals to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local West Sussex elections, followed at a future time by national elections; and

(2)      Ask local MPs and the Government to support the proposals to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local West Sussex elections, followed at a future time by national elections.

12.1   The following motion was moved by Dr Walsh and seconded by Mr Jones. 

‘This Council believes that young people at the age of 16 and 17 are well equipped to engage and participate in all elections across the UK as endorsed by the majority of County Councillors and Youth Cabinet members who took part in a debate on lowering the voting age in September 2018.  Every 16-year-old receiving school education will have completed citizenship classes.  Therefore, lowering the voting age to 16, combined with strong citizenship education, empowers young people to better engage in society and influence decisions that will define their future.

16 and 17-year-olds have been denied the chance to influence decisions made by politicians about issues that massively affect their lives, such as tuition fees, the EU referendum, transport and the living wage.  Also, the impact that many local services have on young people are provided by local government, such as education, social care and leisure.  As a starting point, we would like to see the voting age lowered in West Sussex elections first, followed by national elections.  We believe that allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in selected parts of the UK and not others is unjustified. The Scottish Government passed the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill, which allows all 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in all Scottish elections from May 2016.  Young people’s participation in the Scottish Referendum demonstrates that they are eager to engage as 75% of 16 and 17-year-olds turned out to vote.

Lowering the voting age to 16 complement the law as, at 16, the law allows a person to:

•    Give full consent to medical treatment

•    Pay income tax and National Insurance

•    Obtain tax credits and welfare benefits in their own right

•    Consent to sexual relationships

•    Get married or enter a civil partnership, with parental consent

•    Change their name by deed poll

•    Become a director of a company

•    Serve in the armed forces but not deployed on the front line

The Council therefore calls on the Governance Committee to:

(1)     Support the proposals to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local West Sussex elections, followed at a future time by national elections; and

(2)     Ask local MPs and the Government to support the proposals to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local West Sussex elections, followed at a future time by national elections.

12.2  The motion was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 35.5.

(a)     For the motion – 29

Mr Acraman,Mr Baldwin,Mr Barling,Mr Boram,Mr Catchpole,Dr Dennis, Mrs Duncton, Mr Elkins,Ms Goldsmith,Mr Hillier,Mrs Jones,Mr Jones, Mrs Jupp,Mr Jupp,Ms Lord, Mr Marshall,Mrs Millson, Mr Mitchell, Mr R J Oakley, Dr O’Kelly, Mr Patel, Mrs Pendleton, Mrs Purnell,Mr Quinn, Mrs Russell,Mr Smytherman, Mrs Urquhart, Mr Waight and Dr Walsh.

(b)     Against the motion – 24

Mrs Arculus, Lt Cdr Atkins, Mr Barrett-Miles, Mrs Bennett,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To consider changes to the terms of reference of the Corporate Parenting Panel, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

13.1   The Council considered changes to the terms of reference of the Corporate Parenting Panel, in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 47 to 52).

13.2   The Chairman explained that the anticipated Ofsted report into Children’s Services and the outcome of consultation with other partners might lead to a need to make some adjustments and she therefore sought Council’s agreement to allow the Director of Children and Family Services to make any necessary amendments to the Panel’s terms of reference in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.  Any changes would be reported in the Members’ Information Service newsletter.

13.3   Resolved –

(1)     That the new terms of reference and membership of the Corporate Parenting Panel, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and

(2)     That the Director of Children and Family Services be authorised to make any necessary amendments to the Panel’s terms of reference as a result of the recent Ofsted inspection, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, any such changes to be reported in the Members’ Information Service newsletter.

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 15 February 2019.  A supplementary report may be published.

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

14.1   Members asked questions of members of the Cabinet on matters relevant to their portfolios and asked questions of chairmen, as set out at Appendix 4.  This included questions on those matters contained within the Cabinet report (pages 53 to 56) and a supplementary report (supplement page 1) and written questions and answers pursuant to Standing Order 2.38 (set out at Appendix 3).

To note a report on the Armed Forces Covenant by the Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities.

15.1   The Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities on the West Sussex Armed Forces Covenant (pages 57 and 58).

15.2   Resolved –

         That the report be noted.