Agenda and minutes

135.1  The Chairman reported the death of Cllr Edward Belsey, a former co-opted member of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

135.2  Members held a minute’s silence.

136.1  Apologies were received from Cllr Bennett, Cllr Burgess, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Hall, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Joy, Cllr Kenyon, Cllr Linehan, Cllr Oxlade, Cllr Richardson and Cllr Wickremaratchi. Cllr Condiewas absent.

136.2  Apologies for the afternoon session were received from Cllr Albury, Cllr Bence and Cllr Russell. Cllr Britton arrived for the afternoon session at 2.10 pm. Cllr Evans and Cllr Markwell were absent for the afternoon session. Cllr Dunn and Cllr Elkins left at 3.50 pm.

To appoint a vice-chairman for the meeting.

137.1  As Cllr Wickremaratchi, the County Vice-Chairman, had given his apologies, Cllr Patel was appointed as vice-chairman for the meeting.

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

138.1  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 14 October 2022.

139.1  It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 14 October 2022 (pages 5 to 28) be approved as a correct record.

The County Council must, following a change in group affiliation, review the proportionality of the allocation of seats on its committees. An explanation of the proportionality rules and how they are applied is attached. A table showing the number of seats on committees will follow.

140.1  The County Council noted the review of proportionality on its committees following a change in group affiliation. A paper on the application of the proportionality rules and how they were applied was set out on page 29. Atable showing the number of seats on committees had been circulated.

140.2  Resolved –

That the proportionality be approved.

Following the review of proportionality, to consider any proposed changes to appointments. Proposals will be circulated. Changes will take effect from the end of the meeting.

141.1  The Council approved appointments as set out below.

At the discretion of the Chairman, to receive an 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.

142.1  Members received an address by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People on the most recent Ofsted inspection of Children’s Services and the re-inspection of Teasel Close children’s home and by the Cabinet Member for Adults Services on the deferment by the Government of the planned adult social care changes.

142.2  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property agreed to look into a suggestion by Cllr Baxter that increases in social care funding would be reduced to 1% from 2025. The Cabinet Member also agreed to respond to Cllr Oakley on whether the Government takes into account any Council Tax support schemes which apply to the Council’s tax base.

142.3  The Cabinet Member for Adults Services agreed to respond to Cllr O’Kelly on whether the 237 people medically fit for discharge, as reported by NHS partners to the last meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee, were waiting for an assessment or a care package.

The Council is asked to consider a proposed new Code of Conduct, based on the Local Government Association’s Model Code, in the light of a report by the Standards Committee.

143.1  The Council considered a proposed new Code of Conduct, based on the Local Government Association’s Model Code, in the light of a report by the Standards Committee (pages 31 to 46).

143.2  In response to a suggestion from Cllr Oakley, in relation to paragraph 15 (c) of Appendix B of the Code, that a scrutiny project day should consider the position if a scrutiny committee member of an Executive Task and Finish Group does not agree with a cabinet member’s proposals, the Chairman said this could also be something for the Standards Committee to consider.

143.3  Resolved -

(1)         That the draft Code of Conduct at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(2)         That all councillors be asked to sign up to the new Code by the end of January 2023.

To note urgent action taken under regulation 11 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

144.1  The report of urgent action taken under regulation 11 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (pages 47 and 48) was noted.

Questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members on matters in the Cabinet report, written questions and any other questions relevant to their portfolios. Members may also ask questions of the Leader on anything current, relevant to the County Council. The report covers portfolio-related business since the meeting of the Council on 14 October 2022. A supplementary report may be published.

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

145.1  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 49 to 56) and written questions and answers pursuant to Standing Order 2.38 (set out at Appendix 2).

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Sparkes, notice of which was given on 29 November 2022.

‘Since Covid attitudes towards traditional careers and ways of working have changed and some people might prefer to follow a career path outside an office setting, particularly in areas that will contribute to a more environmentally friendly and carbon neutral future.

Would the Cabinet Members for Learning and Skills and Support Services and Economic Development consider setting up a Task and Finish Group to explore working with local enterprises such as the South Downs National Park Authority, district and borough councils, the Local Enterprise Partnership and similar organisations involved with promoting the economy of West Sussex so as to help in the provision of apprenticeships and internships throughout the county.’

146.1  The following revised motion (additional text shown in bold, italic type) was moved by Cllr Sparkes and seconded by Cllr McGregor.

          ‘Since Covid attitudes towards traditional careers and ways of working have changed and some people might prefer to follow a career path outside an office setting, particularly in areas that will contribute to a more environmentally friendly and carbon neutral future.

Would the Cabinet Members for Learning and Skills and Support Services and Economic Development consider setting up a Task and Finish Group to explore working with local enterprises such as the South Downs National Park Authority, district and borough councils, the Local Enterprise Partnership and similar organisations involved with promoting the economy of West Sussex so as to help in the provision of apprenticeships and internships throughout the county. To confirm, the provision of apprenticeships and internships will fully comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the protected characteristics therein.’

146.2  An amendment was proposed by Cllr Sharp, as set out below, which was accepted by Cllr Sparkes.

‘Since Covid attitudes towards traditional careers and ways of working have changed and some people might prefer to follow a career path outside an office setting, particularly in areas that will contribute to a more environmentally friendly and carbon neutral future.

Would the Cabinet Members for Learning and Skills, Environment and Climate Change and Support Services and Economic Development consider setting up a Task and Finish Group to explore working with local enterprises such as the South Downs National Park Authority, district and borough councils, the Local Enterprise Partnership and similar organisations involved with promoting the economy of West Sussex so as to help in the provision of apprenticeships and internships throughout the county. To confirm, the provision of apprenticeships and internships will fully comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the protected characteristics therein.’

146.3  An amendment was moved by Cllr Chowdhury and seconded by Cllr Pudaloffas set out below:

          ‘Since Covid attitudes towards traditional careers and ways of working have changed and some people might prefer to follow a career path outside an office setting, particularly in areas that will contribute to a more environmentally friendly and carbon neutral future.

Would the Cabinet Members for Learning and Skills, Environment and Climate Change and Support Services and Economic Development consider setting up a Task and Finish Group to explore working with local enterprises such as the South Downs National Park Authority, district and borough councils, the Local Enterprise Partnership and similar organisations involved with promoting the economy of West Sussex so as to help in the provision of apprenticeships and internships throughout the county, to include targeted measures that tackle inequalities faced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, disabled people, people with learning difficulties, young care leavers and people from a low socio-economic backgroundsupporting an inclusive and accessible economy. To confirm, the provision of apprenticeships and internships will fully comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the protected characteristics therein  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Lord, notice of which was given on 28 November 2022.

‘Following the introduction of compulsory voter identification for the local elections next May, this Council:

·         Notes the low level of alleged voter fraud, and zero convictions in 2021, across the country.

·         Notes the concerns of the Electoral Commission and Association of Electoral Administrators about the challenging timelines for implementation of voter identification.

·         Notes the limited number of identification options for younger people relative to older people and the possible asymmetrical impact this will have on voter turnout in younger age groups.

·         Notes the need to ensure all West Sussex residents are made aware of the need for voter identification prior to the May 2023 elections.

This Council therefore calls on the leader to:

(1)         Write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that implementation be delayed to allow for further consideration of the necessity of compulsory voter identification and, if he still chooses to proceed, request that he reconsiders the timelines for implementation and allows a broader range of identification than currently proposed to ensure younger voters are not disproportionately impacted.

(2)         Request that district and borough councils:

(a)         Prepare information on the requirement for voter ID, details on how to obtain free voter cards and details on registering for postal votes; and

(b)         Prepare for this to be included in the Council Tax bills being sent to residents in Spring 2023 should implementation of voter identification proceed as proposed.’

147.1  The following motion was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr O’Kelly.

‘Following the introduction of compulsory voter identification for the local elections next May, this Council:

·        Notes the low level of alleged voter fraud, and zero convictions in 2021, across the country.

·        Notes the concerns of the Electoral Commission and Association of Electoral Administrators about the challenging timelines for implementation of voter identification.

·        Notes the limited number of identification options for younger people relative to older people and the possible asymmetrical impact this will have on voter turnout in younger age groups.

·        Notes the need to ensure all West Sussex residents are made aware of the need for voter identification prior to the May 2023 elections.

This Council therefore calls on the leader to:

(1)        Write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to request that implementation be delayed to allow for further consideration of the necessity of compulsory voter identification and, if he still chooses to proceed, request that he reconsiders the timelines for implementation and allows a broader range of identification than currently proposed to ensure younger voters are not disproportionately impacted.

(2)        Request that district and borough councils:

(a)        Prepare information on the requirement for voter ID, details on how to obtain free voter cards and details on registering for postal votes; and

(b)        Prepare for this to be included in the Council Tax bills being sent to residents in Spring 2023 should implementation of voter identification proceed as proposed.’

147.2  The motion was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.35.

(a)        For the motion – 18

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Cornell, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lord, Cllr McKnight, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Sharp, Cllr Smith, Cllr Turley, Cllr Walsh and Cllr Wild.

(b)      Against the motion - 30

Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr McGregor, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Payne, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Sparkes, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight and Cllr Wall.

(c)      Abstentions – 1

Cllr Gibson

147.3  The motion was lost.