Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RQ

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

Media

Items
No. Item

27.

Death of Sir David Amess

Additional documents:

Minutes:

27.1     The Chairman led a minute’s silence in memory of Sir David Amess, MP who had been killed in a terror attack.

28.

Format of meeting

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Minutes:

28.1     The Chairman reminded the Council that members participating remotely would not be able to take part in any items for decision as the law requires members to be physically present in the chamber in order to participate and vote.

29.

Deaths of former members

Additional documents:

Minutes:

29.1     The Chairman reported the deaths of four former members of the Council: Mrs Sally Greenwell, who had represented the Petworth division from 1985 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2005, Mr Mike Hall, who had represented the Chichester East and later Chichester North division, serving on the Council from 1998 to 2013, Mr Peter Jones, who had represented Selsey from 1997 to 2013 and Cllr David Simmons, who had represented the Sompting & North Lancing division from 2009 to 2013 and then Southwick division from 2017 to 2021.

 

29.2     Members held a minute’s silence.

30.

Attendance and Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Attendance

 

30.1     The following members attended the meeting virtually and therefore did not take part in or vote on items requiring a decision.

 

Cllr Bennett, Cllr Britton (afternoon session from 2.25 pm) Cllr Evans, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Joy (morning session), Cllr Kenyon and Cllr Nagel.

 

Apologies

 

30.2     Apologies were received from Cllr B Cooper, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Linehan, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Payne, Cllr Pendleton and Cllr Turley.

 

30.3     Apologies for the afternoon session were received from Cllr Joy.

31.

Members' Interests pdf icon PDF 47 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

31.1     Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

32.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 141 KB

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the County Council held on 16 July 2021.

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Minutes:

3.21     It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 16 July 2021 (pages 7 to 30) be approved as a correct record.

33.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 38 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:

33.1     The Council approved appointments as set out below which took effect from the end of the meeting.

 

Committee

Change

Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Ali and Cllr Patel to replace Cllr Markwell and to fill vacancy respectively

Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Linehan to fill vacancy

Foster Panel (additional member at the request of the Fostering Service)

Cllr Hall

 

34.

Governance Committee: Use of hybrid technology for meetings pdf icon PDF 65 KB

To consider a proposal for the use of hybrid technology for meetings in some circumstances, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

34.1     The Council considered a proposal for the use of hybrid technology for meetings in some circumstances, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee (pages 31 to 34).

 

34.2     Resolved

 

That the proposed changes to Standing Orders, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

35.

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.

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Minutes:

35.1     Members received an address by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People on the recent Ofsted monitoring visit. The Cabinet Member answered questions from members on the matter.

36.

Governance Committee: Terms of Reference of the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Member Development Group pdf icon PDF 70 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

36.1     The Council considered changes to the terms of reference of the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Member Development Group in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 35 to 42).

 

36.2     In response to a suggestion from Cllr Pudaloff that it would be helpful to have someone with lived experience of disabilities on the group to feed into the process, the Chairman said that Cllr Wickremaratchi, Chairman of the Member Development Group, would contact her for a discussion.

 

36.3     Resolved –

 

(1)         That the revised terms of reference for the Corporate Parenting Panel, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and

 

(2)         That the proposed amendment to the terms of reference of the Member Development Group, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

37.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 108 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 16 July 2021. A supplementary report may be published.

 

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

37.1     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 43 to 48) and a supplementary report (supplement page 1) and written questions and answers pursuant to Standing Order 2.38 (set out at Appendix 2).

38.

Motion on Gatwick Airport Runway Capacity (for debate) pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Wall, notice of which was given on 4 October 2021.

 

‘West Sussex County Council is a statutory consultee in the Development Consent Order process with regard to the proposal by Gatwick Airport Ltd (GAL) to bring the Northern/Emergency runway into routine use (for departures only). This Council notes the proposed economic benefits and likely adverse social and environmental impacts of GAL’s Northern Runway Project.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to seek evidence and assurance from GAL that it will mitigate the following key impacts as part of the proposed development:

 

(1)        Any increase in aircraft noise levels/noise distribution pattern.

 

(2)        Any adverse traffic and surface access impacts (forecasting, transport assessment methodology, modal shift).

 

(3)        Any additional social and environmental impacts, including on health and well-being, air quality and carbon reduction targets.

 

(4)        Any increase in the need for new homes (supply/demand from anticipated additional workforce) and supporting infrastructure, including County Council services.

 

In addition, whilst not part of the formal consultation, the safeguarded land allocation to the south of the existing runway for an additional runway should be reviewed and recommendations as to its future use should be made by the Cabinet to Her Majesty’s Government.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

38.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Wall and seconded by Cllr Duncton.

 

         West Sussex County Council is a statutory consultee in the Development Consent Order process with regard to the proposal by Gatwick Airport Ltd (GAL) to bring the Northern/Emergency runway into routine use (for departures only). This Council notes the proposed economic benefits and likely adverse social and environmental impacts of GAL’s Northern Runway Project.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to seek evidence and assurance from GAL that it will mitigate the following key impacts as part of the proposed development:

 

(1)         Any increase in aircraft noise levels/noise distribution pattern.

 

(2)         Any adverse traffic and surface access impacts (forecasting, transport assessment methodology, modal shift).

 

(3)         Any additional social and environmental impacts, including on health and well-being, air quality and carbon reduction targets.

 

(4)         Any increase in the need for new homes (supply/demand from anticipated additional workforce) and supporting infrastructure, including County Council services.

 

In addition, whilst not part of the formal consultation, the safeguarded land allocation to the south of the existing runway for an additional runway should be reviewed and recommendations as to its future use should be made by the Cabinet to Her Majesty’s Government.

 

38.2     An amendment was proposed by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr Condie as set out below.

 

‘West Sussex County Council is a statutory consultee in the Development Consent Order process with regard to the proposal by Gatwick Airport Ltd (GAL) to bring the Northern/Emergency runway into routine use (for departures only). This Council notes the proposed economic benefits and likely adverse social and environmental impacts of GAL’s Northern Runway Project.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to seek and be satisfied by evidence and assurance from GAL that it will mitigate the following key impacts as part of the proposed development before any final position on the proposal can be taken by the Council:

 

(1)        Any increase in aircraft noise levels/noise distribution pattern.

 

(2)        Any adverse traffic and surface access impacts (forecasting, transport assessment methodology, modal shift).

 

(3)        Any additional social and environmental impacts, including on health and well-being, air quality and carbon reduction targets.

 

(4)        Any increase in the need for new homes (supply/demand from anticipated additional workforce) and supporting infrastructure, including County Council services.

 

In addition, whilst not part of the formal consultation, the safeguarded land allocation to the south of the existing runway for an additional runway should be reviewed and recommendations as to its future use in line with the Council’s Climate Change Strategyshould be made by the Cabinet to Her Majesty’s Government.’

 

38.3     The amendment was lost.

 

38.4     The motion was carried.

39.

Motion on Land Use (for debate) pdf icon PDF 66 KB

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Milne, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property at the meeting of the County Council on 16 July 2021.

 

‘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.’

 

and the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

39.1     At the County Council meeting on 16 July 2021 the following motion had been moved by Cllr Milne, seconded by Cllr Mercer, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property for consideration. A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 40 and 50).

 

          ‘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.’

 

39.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr Duncton and seconded by Cllr Elkins as set out below.

 

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

 

39.3     The amendment was carried.

 

39.4     The motion, as amended and set out below, was carried.

 

‘This Council confirms that the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property has put in place a clear process, such that any currently-owned Council land is always first considered for possible social, community or environmental use, particularly where this could complements the Council’s ambitions relating to climate change, prior to deeming it surplus to requirements, one ofwhich options could be for development by the County Council’s Joint Venture development company.’

40.

Motion on Male Violence (not for debate) pdf icon PDF 63 KB

To take note of the following motion, submitted by Cllr Lord, notice of which was given on 5 October 2021. The Chairman has indicated he intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue for consideration. It will therefore not be debated at this meeting.

 

‘Recent news reports have highlighted the impact of male violence in the UK, including in West Sussex. This Council believes that:

 

(a)        Victims of male violence are never to blame.

 

(b)        Significantly reducing male violence will make women and men safer and lessen the suspicion that groups of young men and single men in particular face.

 

(c)         Alongside enhancing services for victims, agencies should focus their efforts on preventing male violence rather than asking innocent people to modify their behaviour.

 

(d)        The causes of male violence are complex and often start in early life.

 

(e)        Solutions cannot be created by agencies and voluntary organisations working in isolation.

 

This Council therefore calls on the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue to convene a cross-agency group (including but not limited to the police, health services, county, district and borough councils, and voluntary organisations) with the remit to:

 

(1)        Understand the extent and nature of male violence in West Sussex;

 

(2)        Assess the effectiveness of the programmes currently in place;

 

(3)        Identify gaps in provision with reference to national and international best practice; and

 

(4)        Report back to this Council within six months with details of a comprehensive and ambitious plan to ultimately end male violence in West Sussex, including details of the resources and timelines required.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

40.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr Cherry:

 

Recent news reports have highlighted the impact of male violence in the UK, including in West Sussex. This Council believes that:

 

(a)         Victims of male violence are never to blame.

 

(b)         Significantly reducing male violence will make women and men safer and lessen the suspicion that groups of young men and single men in particular face.

 

(c)         Alongside enhancing services for victims, agencies should focus their efforts on preventing male violence rather than asking innocent people to modify their behaviour.

 

(d)         The causes of male violence are complex and often start in early life.

 

(e)         Solutions cannot be created by agencies and voluntary organisations working in isolation.

 

This Council therefore calls on the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue to convene a cross-agency group (including but not limited to the police, health services, county, district and borough councils, and voluntary organisations) with the remit to:

 

(1)         Understand the extent and nature of male violence in West Sussex;

 

(2)         Assess the effectiveness of the programmes currently in place;

 

(3)         Identify gaps in provision with reference to national and international best practice; and

 

Report back to this Council within six months with details of a comprehensive and ambitious plan to ultimately end male violence in West Sussex, including details of the resources and timelines required.

 

40.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue for consideration.

41.

Motion on Adult Social Care Charges (not for debate) pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To take note of the following motion, submitted by Cllr Milne, notice of which was given on 5 October 2021. The Chairman has indicated he intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for Adults Services for consideration. It will therefore not be debated at this meeting.

 

‘Recent increases in Adult Social Care charges are causing severe distress to vulnerable individuals and their families, who are being asked to fund charge increases of as much as 400% overnight.

 

While we recognise the enormous stress on the County Council’s budget caused by a decade of government cuts to local authority funding, this is clearly too much of an increase, too fast.

 

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Adults Services to:

 

(1)        Reconsider the issue of Adult Social Care charges in West Sussex;

 

(2)        Look at alternative methods of funding and examine ways to reduce the impact on the public; and

 

(3)        Agree a cap on annual charge increases, such that no individual’s bill can rise by more than a fixed maximum percentage in a single year (unless there has been a material change in their service provision).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

41.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Milne and seconded by Cllr Walsh:

 

Recent increases in Adult Social Care charges are causing severe distress to vulnerable individuals and their families, who are being asked to fund charge increases of as much as 400% overnight.

 

While we recognise the enormous stress on the County Council’s budget caused by a decade of government cuts to local authority funding, this is clearly too much of an increase, too fast.

 

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Adults Services to:

 

(1)         Reconsider the issue of Adult Social Care charges in West Sussex;

 

(2)         Look at alternative methods of funding and examine ways to reduce the impact on the public; and

 

Agree a cap on annual charge increases, such that no individual’s bill can rise by more than a fixed maximum percentage in a single year (unless there has been a material change in their service provision).

 

41.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Adults Services for consideration.