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

71.

Chairman

Additional documents:

Minutes:

71.1     Cllr Wickremaratchi, the Vice-Chairman of the Council, took the chair for the election of Chairman of the County Council.

72.

Election of Chairman

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

72.1     The Vice-Chairman stated that he had one nomination for the office of Chairman of the Council, that of Cllr Pete Bradbury. Cllr Bradbury was elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

72.2     Cllr Bradbury made the prescribed declaration of acceptance of office and took the chair.

73.

Election of Vice-Chairman

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

73.1     The Chairman stated that he had one nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council, that of Cllr Sujan Wickremaratchi.  Cllr Wickremaratchi was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

73.2     Cllr Wickremaratchi made the prescribed declaration of acceptance of office.

74.

Support for Ukraine

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Minutes:

74.1     The Chairman referred to the on-going situation in Ukraine and thanked members for wearing blue and yellow as a mark of support for all those who were suffering the ravages of war. He expressed a hope for a speedy resolution to the conflict.

75.

Death of Former Member

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Minutes:

75.1     The Chairman reported the death of Mrs Dorothy Hatswell who had represented the Imberdown division from 1996 to 1997.

 

75.2     The Council stood for a minute’s silence in memory of Mrs Hatswell.

76.

Butler Trust Award

Additional documents:

Minutes:

76.1     The Chairman reported that Paul Wood of the Youth Offending Team had received one of the 10 national awards made annually by the Butler Trust. The awards, presented by the Trust’s Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, are given to those working in prisons, probation and youth justice to reward the most outstanding examples of the dedication, skill, and creativity found throughout the criminal justice. Members expressed their congratulations to Paul on his achievement.

77.

Women's Cricket World Club Final

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Minutes:

77.1     The Chairman congratulated the England women’s cricket team on reaching their sixth World Cup Final.

78.

Attendance and Apologies for Absence

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Minutes:

Attendance

 

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

 

Cllr Elkins, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Payne and Cllr Richardson (afternoon session).

 

Apologies

 

78.2     Apologies were received from Cllr Bennett, Cllr Charles, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Lord, Cllr Oxlade and Cllr Patel.

 

78.3     Apologies for the afternoon session were received from Cllr Britton, Cllr B Cooper and Cllr O’Kelly. Cllr Joy gave his apologies and left at 3.00 pm.

 

78.4     Cllr Evans was absent for the afternoon session. Cllr Oppler left at 3.15 p.m.

79.

Members' Interests pdf icon PDF 72 KB

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

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Minutes:

79.1     Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

80.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 147 KB

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the County Council held on 28 February 2022.

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Minutes:

80.1     It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 28 February 2022 (pages 5 to 18) be approved as a correct record.

81.

Review of Proportionality pdf icon PDF 74 KB

The County Council has a statutory duty to review the proportionality on its committees each year and must do so following the recent formation of the Green and Independent Alliance Group. A table, together with a brief explanation of the proportionality rules and how they are applied, is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

81.1     The County Council noted its statutory duty to review the proportionality on its committees each year and following the recent formation of the Green and Independent Alliance Group. A paper on the application of the proportionality rules and how they were applied, together with a table showing the number of seats on committees, was set out on pages 19 and 20.

 

81.2     Resolved –

 

That the review of proportionality on committees be agreed.

82.

Notification of Appointment of Cabinet Members and Advisers to Cabinet Members pdf icon PDF 86 KB

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

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Minutes:

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

 

82.2     The Council noted that Cllr Marshall had given notice to the County Council of his appointments for the ensuing year, as set out on supplement pages 21 to 26.

83.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Following the review of proportionality and in the light of the Leader’s proposals at item 7, to appoint members of non-Executive committees, to appoint the chairmen, vice-chairmen, panels and substitutes of those committees in accordance Standing Order 2.10 and to appoint the members of Scrutiny Committees (the chairmen and vice-chairmen will be appointed at the next meeting of each Scrutiny Committee). The appointments will take effect from the end of the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

83.1     A schedule setting out the nominations for the re-appointment of the members of non-Executive committees, the chairmen, vice-chairmen, panels and substitutes of those committees and the members of Scrutiny Committees was circulated. Members were reminded that appointments of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of Scrutiny Committees will be dealt with at the next round of committees in the usual way.

 

83.2     The schedule was agreed as set out at Appendix 2.

84.

Address by a Cabinet Member

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

84.1     Members received a joint address by the Leader and Cabinet Member for Children on Young People on the new statutory direction meaning Children’s Services will remain under the direct control of the County Council.

 

84.2     Members received an address by the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue on the County Council’s response to the refugee situation in Ukraine.

 

84.3     The Cabinet Member placed on record his thanks to Crawley Borough Council and Gatwick Airport for their support in the work to assist refugees arriving via the airport.

 

84.4     In response to a comment from Cllr Quinn that there is need for mobile phones for refugees to help them contact family and friends, the Cabinet Member agreed to talk to officers.

 

84.5     In response to a suggestion from Cllr Sharp, the Cabinet Member agreed to look at the system operating in Wales and Scotland where the governments are acting as sponsors for Ukrainian refugees.

85.

West Sussex Transport Plan pdf icon PDF 96 KB

The Council is asked to consider and approve the adoption of the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-36, in the light of a report by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport. A copy of Appendix A, the Draft West Sussex Transport Plan, is enclosed with the agenda.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

85.1     The Council considered the adoption of the West Sussex Transport Plan, in the light of a report by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport (pages 27 to 38).

 

85.2     Resolved –

 

That the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-36 be adopted.

86.

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 28 February 2022. A supplementary report may be published.

 

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

86.1     Members asked questions of members of the Cabinet on matters relevant to their portfolios, as set out at Appendix 4. This included questions on matters contained within the Cabinet report (pages 39 to 44), a supplementary report (supplement page 1) and answers to written questions pursuant to Standing Order 2.38 (set out at Appendix 3).

87.

Motion on Growth Deals pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Boram, notice of which was given on 14 March 2022.

 

‘This Council acknowledges the success of the Growth Deals since they were first introduced in 2015. The partnerships formed with the district and borough councils, along with other external partners, have delivered a number of projects across the county that have benefitted not only the economic vitality but also the public realm offering across many local areas. It is also worthy of note that the current Growth Programme has attracted £141m of external funding, including levelling up and Local Enterprise Partnership funding.

 

However, we now believe that in addition to the refresh of the individual deals that is underway, the Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development should also consider a refresh of the fundamental components of the Growth Deal programme to take account of the following:

 

(1)         The impact of the COVID pandemic on economic growth in the county, particularly those areas that have been hardest hit;

 

(2)         New ways of working and the shift in work patterns that may result from a return to a new normality; and

 

(3)         The new government policies including the Levelling Up Agenda including funding and the targeting of resources.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

87.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Boram and seconded byCllr Albury.

 

‘This Council acknowledges the success of the Growth Deals since they were first introduced in 2015. The partnerships formed with the district and borough councils, along with other external partners, have delivered a number of projects across the county that have benefitted not only the economic vitality but also the public realm offering across many local areas. It is also worthy of note that the current Growth Programme has attracted £141m of external funding, including levelling up and Local Enterprise Partnership funding.

 

However, we now believe that in addition to the refresh of the individual deals that is underway, the Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development should also consider a refresh of the fundamental components of the Growth Deal programme to take account of the following:

 

(1)        The impact of the COVID pandemic on economic growth in the county, particularly those areas that have been hardest hit;

 

(2)        New ways of working and the shift in work patterns that may result from a return to a new normality; and

 

(3)        The new government policies including the Levelling Up Agenda including funding and the targeting of resources.’

 

87.2     It was noted that Chichester district should have been included in the list of deals being refreshed in the briefing note on factual background information.

 

87.3     An amendment was moved by Cllr Sharp and seconded by Cllr Gibson.

 

‘This Council acknowledges the success of the Growth Deals since they were first introduced in 2015. The partnerships formed with the district and borough councils, along with other external partners, have delivered a number of projects across the county that have benefitted not only the economic vitality but also the public realm offering across many local areas. It is also worthy of note that the current Growth Programme has attracted £141m of external funding, including levelling up and Local Enterprise Partnership funding.

 

However, we now believe that in addition to the refresh of the individual deals that is underway, the Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development should also consider a refresh of the fundamental components of the Growth Deal programme to take account of the following:

(1)        The impact of the COVID pandemic on economic growth in the county, particularly those areas that have been hardest hit;

 

(2)        New ways of working and the shift in work patterns that may result from a return to a new normality; and

 

(3)        The new government policies including the Levelling Up Agenda including funding and the targeting of resources; and

 

(4)       The Government’s Environment Act, Decarbonisation priorities and Climate Change Committee advice in the wake of COP26.

 

87.4     The amendment was lost.

 

87.5     The motion was approved.

88.

Motion on Pension Divestments pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Baxter, notice of which was given on 15 March 2022.

 

‘The March 2021 full Council called on the West Sussex Pensions Committee to focus on sustainable investment. However, global events during 2021 and instability caused by the 2022 Russian in invasion of Ukraine have highlighted the urgent need for stronger and more specific action. The UK hosted the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), where the UK government sought to show global climate leadership.

 

·         Divesting pension funds from fossil fuels is a clear and meaningful action that can be taken at a local government level.

·         Renewable power is generating higher investment returns than fossil fuels.

·         Members on the Pensions Committee act as trustees of the fund on behalf of its fund scheme members. Trustees must consider the long-term interests of members who will potentially be affected more by climate change.

·         Investments in or linked to coal, oil and gas companies must be replaced with sustainable, renewable fuel investments as part of this council’s carbon reducing and climate strategy.

 

This Council calls on the Pensions Committee, as trustees for the fund, to take the necessary steps to divest all of its investments from fossil fuel companies by a date to be determined by that Committee.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

88.1     Due to lack of time the motion was deferred to be considered for inclusion in the agenda for the next meeting.