Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Chichester

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

Media

Items
No. Item

16.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

16.1   Apologies were received from Mr Acraman, Lt Col Barton, Mr Boram, Ms Flynn, Mr Petts and Mr Waight.  Apologies for the morning session were received from Mr Oxlade who arrived at 12.10 p.m. and for the afternoon session from Mrs Brunsdon, Mr Cloake, Mr Lea, Mr Simmons and Mr Whittington.  Mr Edwards and Mr Markwell were absent and Mr Baldwin was absent for the afternoon session.  Mr Oppler arrived at 10.40 a.m. and was absent for the afternoon session.

17.

Members' Interests pdf icon PDF 30 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

17.1   Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

18.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 234 KB

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the annual meeting of the County Council held on 5 April 2019.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

18.1  It was agreed that the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the County Council held on 5 April 2019 (pages 5 to 40) be approved as a correct record.

19.

Result of By-election pdf icon PDF 25 KB

To receive the County Returning Officer’s return of the by-election on 2 May 2019 for the county councillor for the Northgate & West Green Electoral Division.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

19.1  The Council received the County Returning Officer’s return of the by-election held on 2 May 2019 for the county councillor for the Northgate & West Green Electoral Division.

20.

Review of Proportionality pdf icon PDF 40 KB

The County Council has a statutory duty following a by-election to review the proportionality on its committees.

 

A brief explanation of the proportionality rules and how they are applied is set out in the attached report together with a table showing the number of seats on committees.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

20.1   The County Council was reminded of its statutory duty to review the proportionality on its committees following the by-election.  A paper on the application of the proportionality rules and how they were applied was set out at pages 43 and 44.

 

20.2  Resolved –

 

          That the proportionality be agreed.

21.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 25 KB

Following the by-election, to consider proposed changes by the Groups to appointments.  Proposals will be circulated.  Changes will take effect from the end of the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

21.1   The Council approved appointments as set out below.

 

Committee

Changes

Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee

 

Mr High as Chairman

Mrs Russell as Vice-Chairman

Ms Sudan to fill vacancy

Mr Jones as substitute in place of Mr Oxlade

Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee

Ms Sudan as substitute in place of Mr Jones

Performance and Finance Select Committee

Mr High in place of Mr Cloake

Mr Jones to fill vacancy

Mr Oxlade as substitute in place of Mr Jones

Governance Committee

Mr Jones to fill vacancy

Planning Committee

Mr Wickremaratchi to fill substitute vacancy

Member Development Group and Member Development Working Group

Ms Sudan to fill vacancies

 

22.

West Sussex Independent Remuneration Panel

Dr Neil Beer (Chairman of the Panel) and Mr John Donaldson were first appointed to the Panel in October 2015 for a four-year term.

 

The Council is invited to appoint them for a second term, to run from October 2019 to October 2023.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

22.1   The Council was invited to consider extending the appointments of two members of the Independent Remuneration Panel.  Members were informed that Dr Neil Beer (Chairman of the Panel) and Mr John Donaldson had been first appointed to the Panel in October 2015 for a four-year term.  The Council was invited to appoint them for a second term, to run from October 2019 to October 2023.

 

22.2   Resolved –

 

          That the extensions to the appointments be approved.

23.

Address by a Cabinet Member pdf icon PDF 55 KB

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 Children and Young People will make a statement on the Council’s improvement plan in relation to the actions and proposals to address the requirements arising from the recent Ofsted report into Children’s Services.  A report will be provided to members ahead of the Council meeting.  Members may ask questions of the Cabinet Member in accordance with Standing Order 2.33.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

23.1   Members received an address by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People on the Council’s improvement plan in relation to the actions and proposals to address the requirements arising from the recent Ofsted report into Children’s Services.  A report by the Cabinet Member had been circulated.

 

23.2   It was agreed that the Cabinet Member would bring a report on the Children’s Services improvement plan to every Council meeting under the item whilst the improvement work remained in train, in addition to any other cabinet member address which might arise due to urgency.

24.

Motion on Ofsted inspection of Children's Services pdf icon PDF 38 KB

To consider the following motion, notice of which was given on 20 May 2019 by Mr Jones.

 

In light of the recent Ofsted inspection of Children’s Social Care Services which rated all elements of the service inadequate and the acknowledgement of the Executive that it has failed to provide adequate funding to prevent substantial service decline, this Council:

 

(a)      Calls on the Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to arrange a Member Day at the earliest opportunity so all members can understand how the political and corporate leadership enabled services to decline so severely since the last inspection and, given that all members have corporate parenting responsibilities, to provide an update on the improvement programme and receive assurances that all the children and young people the County Council is responsible for are receiving adequate support;

 

(b)      Pledges to do everything necessary to improve services for those children and families who need support as directed by the Commissioner (soon to be appointed) and the Independent Improvement Board;

 

(c)      Calls on the Leader to ensure that improving these services is the County Council’s top priority and that any funding deemed necessary to turn these services around is made available, and that no savings targets are allocated to Children’s Social Care; and

 

(d)      Calls for oversight, scrutiny and challenge to be more robust and independent minded, by enabling all of the Select Committees to nominate their own Chairman and Vice-Chairman, one of which should be drawn from the minority groups.  Such nominations to be conducted by secret ballot, in line with recent national scrutiny guidance, and to be implemented as soon as possible.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

24.1  The following motion was moved by Mr Jones and seconded by Ms Sudan. 

 

‘In light of the recent Ofsted inspection of Children’s Social Care Services which rated all elements of the service inadequate and the acknowledgement of the Executive that it has failed to provide adequate funding to prevent substantial service decline, this Council:

 

(a)     Calls on the Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to arrange a Member Day at the earliest opportunity so all members can understand how the political and corporate leadership enabled services to decline so severely since the last inspection and, given that all members have corporate parenting responsibilities, to provide an update on the improvement programme and receive assurances that all the children and young people the County Council is responsible for are receiving adequate support;

 

(b)     Pledges to do everything necessary to improve services for those children and families who need support as directed by the Commissioner (soon to be appointed) and the Independent Improvement Board;

 

(c)     Calls on the Leader to ensure that improving these services is the County Council’s top priority and that any funding deemed necessary to turn these services around is made available, and that no savings targets are allocated to Children’s Social Care; and

 

(d)     Calls for oversight, scrutiny and challenge to be more robust and independent minded, by enabling all of the Select Committees to nominate their own Chairman and Vice-Chairman, one of which should be drawn from the minority groups.  Such nominations to be conducted by secret ballot, in line with recent national scrutiny guidance, and to be implemented as soon as possible.’

 

24.2  An amendment was moved by Mr Simmons and seconded by Mr Crow as set out below:

 

‘In light of the recent Ofsted inspection of Children’s Social Care Services which rated all elements the overall effectiveness of the service inadequate and the acknowledgement of the Executive that the Council needs to address it has failed to provide adequate funding to prevent substantial service decline, this Council:

 

(a)     Calls on the Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel to arrange a member event Member Day at the earliest opportunity so all members can understand how the political and corporate leadership enabled services were able to decline so severely since the last inspection, how they can support, enable and ensure the changes required and, given that all members have corporate parenting responsibilities, to provide an update on the improvement programme and receive assurances that all the children and young people the County Council is all members are responsible for are receiving adequate support;

 

(b)     Pledges to do everything necessary to improve services for those children and families who need support as directed by the Commissioner (soon to be appointed) and the Independent Improvement Board;

 

(c)     Calls on the Leader to ensure that improving these services is the County Council’s top priority and, recognising the swift action already taken, that any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Motion on Night-time Economy pdf icon PDF 38 KB

To consider the following motion, notice of which was given on 20 May 2019 by Mr Jones.

 

‘This Council is aware that High Streets across West Sussex are struggling, with many well-known retail stores disappearing from our towns at an alarming rate.  Whilst proposals to enhance the West Sussex experience are evident in the Economic Growth Plan 2018-23, this Council considers that the night-time economy has an important role to play in diversifying our town and city centres, ensuring that they are inclusive, diverse, safe and accessible – for all residents and visitors, young and old.

 

This Council acknowledges that the night-time economy is the fifth largest industry in the UK and considers that West Sussex is not currently maximising the opportunities that exist which could transform our high streets and towns, particularly those with a University presence, which could ultimately encourage more young people to study, live and work in the county, as well as providing more opportunities for existing residents to enjoy themselves locally.

 

This Council therefore calls on the Leader to reflect the importance of the night-time economy within West Sussex by setting up an officer working-group with partners from the district and borough councils, the food and drink industry and those with expertise in events to explore the benefits that an enhanced night-time economy could deliver across the county and report its findings to the Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee with an interim report on progress in six months, and a final report with conclusions and recommendations in 12 months’ time.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25.1  The following motion was moved by Mr Jones and seconded by Mr Purchese:

 

‘This Council is aware that High Streets across West Sussex are struggling, with many well-known retail stores disappearing from our towns at an alarming rate.  Whilst proposals to enhance the West Sussex experience are evident in the Economic Growth Plan 2018-23, this Council considers that the night-time economy has an important role to play in diversifying our town and city centres, ensuring that they are inclusive, diverse, safe and accessible – for all residents and visitors, young and old.

 

This Council acknowledges that the night-time economy is the fifth largest industry in the UK and considers that West Sussex is not currently maximising the opportunities that exist which could transform our high streets and towns, particularly those with a University presence, which could ultimately encourage more young people to study, live and work in the county, as well as providing more opportunities for existing residents to enjoy themselves locally.

 

This Council therefore calls on the Leader to reflect the importance of the night-time economy within West Sussex by setting up an officer working-group with partners from the district and borough councils, the food and drink industry and those with expertise in events to explore the benefits that an enhanced night-time economy could deliver across the county and report its findings to the Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee with an interim report on progress in six months, and a final report with conclusions and recommendations in 12 months’ time.’

 

25.2   The motion was lost.

26.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 162 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 5 April 2019.  A supplementary report may be published.

 

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

26.1   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 45 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).

27.

Governance Committee: Select Committee Business Planning Group Membership/Webcasting Criteria pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To consider a proposal that the membership of Business Planning Groups should be amended to include the Vice-Chairman of the relevant Select Committee and suggested criteria for webcasting meetings, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

27.1   The Council considered a proposal that the membership of Business Planning Groups should be amended to include the Vice-Chairman of the relevant Select Committee and suggested criteria for webcasting meetings in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 49 to 54).

 

27.2  Resolved –

 

(1)     That the Constitution should require the Vice-Chairman of a Select Committee to be a member of its Business Planning Group and to be Vice-Chairman of this Group and that the Scheme of Delegation be amended accordingly, as set out at paragraph 4 to the report;

 

(2)     That there should be a presumption in favour of webcasting all meetings of Planning Committee, Select Committees and formal meetings of the Cabinet;

 

(3)     That the decision to waive the presumption of webcasting should rest with the chairman and vice-chairman and that, for select committees, if a difference of opinion should arise between those two members, the decision should be referred to the members of the Business Planning Group; and

 

(4)     That the criteria to be used to inform the decision as to whether to webcast all or part of a meeting, be as set out in paragraph 9 of the report and be included in Standing Orders, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.