Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Chichester

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

Media

Items
No. Item

68.

Long Service Award to Mr Steve Waight

Additional documents:

Minutes:

68.1     The Chairman presented a small memento to Mr Waight to mark his 20 years’ service to the County Council.

69.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

69.1     Apologies were received from Mr Buckland, Dr Dennis, Mr Fitzjohn, Mrs Hall, Ms Kennard, Mr Lea, Ms Lord, Mr Oppler, Mr Purchese and Mr Quinn.

 

69.2     Mrs Brunsdon, Mr McDonald and Mrs Smith wereabsent.  Mr Cloake was absent for the morning session and Ms Sudan was absent for the afternoon session.

 

69.3     Apologies for the afternoon session were received from Mr Barling, Lt Col Barton and Mrs Bennett.

 

69.4     Mr Burrett arrived at 10.40 am. Mrs Bridges, Mrs Jones, Mr Markwell and Mrs Pendletonleft at 3.20 pm.

70.

Members' Interests pdf icon PDF 59 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

70.1     Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

71.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 178 KB

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the County Council held on 18 October 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

71.1     It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 18 October 2019 (pages 11 to 44) be approved as a correct record.

72.

Result of By-election pdf icon PDF 41 KB

To receive the County Returning Officer’s return of the by-election on 21 November 2019 for the county councillor for the Bourne Electoral Division.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

72.1     The Council received the County Returning Officer’s return of the by-election on 21 November 2019 for the county councillor for the Bourne electoral division.

73.

Review of Proportionality pdf icon PDF 77 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:

73.1     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, together with a table showing the number of seats on committees, was set out on pages 47 and 48.

 

73.2     Resolved –

 

That the proportionality be agreed.

74.

Appointment of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service pdf icon PDF 86 KB

The Council will receive a report from the Appointing Committee recommending an appointment to the post of Chief Executive of the Council, to act as the Council’s head of paid service.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

74.1     The Council received a report from the Appointing Committee recommending an appointment to the post of Chief Executive of the Council, to act as the Council’s head of paid service.

 

74.2     Resolved –

 

(1)         That the appointment of Becky Shaw as Chief Executive and head of paid service for the County Council be approved; and

 

(2)         That the Council confirms its agreement to the Council entering into an agreement with East Sussex County Council to facilitate the appointment and to delegate authority to the Director of Law and Assurance to complete an agreement under section 113 Local Government Act 1972.

 

75.

Children's Commissioner's Report pdf icon PDF 357 KB

The Council will debate the content and recommendations of the report from John Coughlan CBE, Children’s Commissioner appointed by the Department for Education, in relation to the capacity and capability of the County Council to secure sustainable improvement to its Children’s Services. The Chairman will ask the Council to agree a timetable for the debate and for the management of scheduled business to follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

75.1     The Council debated the content and recommendations of the report from John Coughlan CBE, Children’s Commissioner appointed by the Department for Education, in relation to the capacity and capability of the County Council to secure sustainable improvement to its Children’s Services.

 

75.2     Resolved –

 

That the report be noted.

76.

Governance Committee: Improving Council Governance pdf icon PDF 93 KB

To consider changes to governance arrangements in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

76.1     The Council considered changes to governance arrangements in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 49 to 66).

 

76.2     The Chairman informed members that there was an omission and some minor inconsistencies in the wording of changes to the call-in process set out at Appendix 4 to the report which would be corrected.

 

76.3     An amendment was moved by Mr Barling and seconded by Mrs Dennis as set out below.

 

Main recommendations

(changes shown in bold italic text)

 

(3)     That a separate select committee for the Fire & Rescue Service be established with effect from the annual Council meeting in April 2020 or sooner if possible, to be reviewed in March 2022 and that the terms of reference in Appendix 2 and other constitutional changes set out in Appendix 3 be approved;

 

(3a)That, in anticipation of a possible earlier start date, the Council meeting on 14 February 2020 be asked to make appointments to the new Committee.

 

Appendix 1 – Changes to Executive

(changes shown in bold, italic text with deletions struck through)

 

9.       The chairman of each Select Committee shall be invited to attend any meeting of the Cabinet and shall have a right to speak for up to three five minutes to convey or represent the views of that committee on any agenda item relevant to the terms of reference of the committee.

 

10.     The leaders of each of the large and medium minority groups of the Council shall be invited to attend any meeting of the Cabinet and may speak for up to two five minutes on any item on the agenda.

 

Appendix 3 - Consequential changes in relation to scrutiny

(additional changes shown in bold, underlined, italic text)

 

Extract from Part 3, Scheme of Delegation

 

Appendix 8

Select Committees

 

  There is a Performance and Finance Select Committee (Appendix 8A), a Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (Appendix 8B), a Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee (Appendix 8C), and an Environment and Communities and Fire Select Committee (Appendix 8D) and a Fire and Rescue Service Select Committee (Appendix 8E).  Their constitutions and terms of reference are set out in the Appendices.  Each committee shall undertake the functions set out below in respect of those items relevant to the Select Committee’s specific service area.

 

Each Select Committee shall have no more than 12 County Council members with the exception of the Performance and Finance Select Committee which will have 15 members to include the other Select Committee chairmen where compliant with rules on political proportionality following confirmation of their appointment at the next meeting of the County Council. (inclusive of the three other Select Committee chairmen). The members of each Select Committee shall be appointed, having taken into account the following guiding principles:

·           That the member has an interest in the business of the Committee.

·           That the member is able to devote the time needed to undertake the work of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

77.

Governance Committee: Review of County Local Committees pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To consider recommendations resulting from the review of County Local Committees in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

77.1     The Council considered recommendations resulting from the review of County Local Committees in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 67 to 68).

 

77.2     It was noted that the merger of committees in Mid Sussex had caused some issues in terms of volume of business.

 

77.3     Resolved –

 

That the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills be asked to delegate the approval of nominations of school governors to the Director for Education and Skills, in liaison with the relevant local member, with the subsequent deletion of Section 1D of the County Local Committee terms of reference, removing nominations and appointments to school and academy governing bodies.

78.

Governance Committee: Other changes pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To consider changes to the Constitution in relation to the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Pension Advisory Board in the light of a report by the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

78.1     The Council considered changes to the Constitution in relation to the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Pension Advisory Board in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 69 to 78).

 

78.2     Resolved –

 

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

 

(2)         That the changes set out in paragraphs 9 and 11 of the report and the constitutional changes set out at Appendix 2 to the report be approved.

79.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 47 KB

Following the by-election and review of proportionality, 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:

79.1     The Council approved appointments as set out below.

 

Committee

Change

Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee

Ms Lord as Vice-Chairman

Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee

Mr Waight and Dr Walsh to fill vacancies

Performance and Finance Select Committee

Mr Boram in place of Mr Hillier

Regulation, Audit and Accounts Committee

Mr Baldwin and Ms Goldsmith in place of Mr Jupp and to fill a vacancy

Rights of Way Committee

Lt Col Barton and Mr S J Oakley in place of Mrs Purnell and to fill a vacancy

Corporate Parenting Panel

Mrs Russell as Chairman and Mr Oxlade as Vice-Chairman

Mrs Bennett, Ms Flynn, Mrs Russell and Ms Lord in place of Mrs Hall, Mrs Pendleton, Mrs Millson and Mr Simmons

 

80.

Mrs Brenda Smith

The Council is asked to resolve that, in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, Mrs Smith’s ill health should be approved as a reason for absence.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

80.1     The Council resolved that, in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, Mrs Smith’s ill health should be approved as a reason for absence.

81.

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.

 

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People will make a statement on the Council’s Children First Improvement Plan.  Members may ask questions of the Cabinet Member in accordance with Standing Order 2.33.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

81.1     Members asked questions of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People on the Council’s Children First Improvement Plan.

 

81.2     The Cabinet Member said she would take forward a suggestion from Mrs Jones that children who had been in care should be invited to attend the Corporate Parenting Panel to give their views on their experience.

 

81.3     In response to a question from Mr Edwards about progress with recommendation 6 of the Commissioner’s report, development of a children’s services management training programme, the Cabinet Member said she would let him know.

82.

Motion on Prospective sale of County Council-owned land at Withy Patch pdf icon PDF 66 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Jones, which was referred to the Cabinet Members for Finance and Resources and for Fire & Rescue and Communities at the meeting of the County Council on 19 July 2019.

 

‘This Council notes that West Sussex County Council owns the freehold land known as Withy Patch which currently forms part of an area that has planning permission from Adur District Council for an extensive new development, commonly known as New Monks Farm.

 

This Council recognises that the proposals for a major development and retail park has been a source of considerable controversy in recent years.  This Council believes that the continued uncertainty, anger and stress this has caused local residents, is unacceptable and calls on the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources to either take action now to reassure the community that the Council will not proceed with selling or transferring this land to developers or to confirm he will not accept any arrangement which attempts to get the Council to agree to waive, or write off, any of the section 106 developers’ contributions from the New Monks Farm developers that will be required to provide sufficient education provision to meet the needs of the resulting community.  The needs of West Sussex children and their education must come first.

 

This Council believes that there is already an increasing shortage of places both in primary and in secondary education in the Adur and Worthing areas with children currently being sent to maintained schools much further from their homes, because the local schools have not got the places for the existing population.  The additional population from the New Monks Farm development will inevitably create further pressures and reduce local parents’ ability to find school placements close to them without these contributions.  Moreover, the additional financial burden of creating places will almost certainly have to be met by this Council, which already faces unprecedented financial pressures without having to absorb the costs of building additional buildings and increasing capacity elsewhere.

 

This Council also believes that facilitating this development through the sale of the land will result in outcomes entirely at odds with the values recently expressed in the cross-party motion on climate change and the ‘climate action pledge’.  Not only may the new development increase the local flooding risk, but the increased traffic and congestion on this part of the A27 relating to the increased population and high profile retail offer will exacerbate further the already serious problems relating to pollution and air quality in the current Air Quality Management Areas within the District.

 

In the event that the Cabinet Member decides to sell or transfer the land it is understood the gypsy and travellers’ site at Withy Patch would be required to move to the edge of the development and the residents effectively living directly on the edge of a building site, with all the dust, noise and disruption that such construction would entail. Given what this would mean for that community, this Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 82.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

82.1     At the County Council meeting on 19 July 2019 the following motion had been moved by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Oxlade, and referred to the Cabinet Members for Finance and for Fire & Rescue and Communities for consideration. A report by the Cabinet Members was included with the agenda (pages 79 and 80).

 

‘This Council notes that West Sussex County Council owns the freehold land known as Withy Patch which currently forms part of an area that has planning permission from Adur District Council for an extensive new development, commonly known as New Monks Farm.

 

This Council recognises that the proposals for a major development and retail park has been a source of considerable controversy in recent years.  This Council believes that the continued uncertainty, anger and stress this has caused local residents, is unacceptable and calls on the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources to either take action now to reassure the community that the Council will not proceed with selling or transferring this land to developers or to confirm he will not accept any arrangement which attempts to get the Council to agree to waive, or write off, any of the section 106 developers’ contributions from the New Monks Farm developers that will be required to provide sufficient education provision to meet the needs of the resulting community.  The needs of West Sussex children and their education must come first.

 

This Council believes that there is already an increasing shortage of places both in primary and in secondary education in the Adur and Worthing areas with children currently being sent to maintained schools much further from their homes, because the local schools have not got the places for the existing population.  The additional population from the New Monks Farm development will inevitably create further pressures and reduce local parents’ ability to find school placements close to them without these contributions.  Moreover, the additional financial burden of creating places will almost certainly have to be met by this Council, which already faces unprecedented financial pressures without having to absorb the costs of building additional buildings and increasing capacity elsewhere.

 

This Council also believes that facilitating this development through the sale of the land will result in outcomes entirely at odds with the values recently expressed in the cross-party motion on climate change and the ‘climate action pledge’.  Not only may the new development increase the local flooding risk, but the increased traffic and congestion on this part of the A27 relating to the increased population and high profile retail offer will exacerbate further the already serious problems relating to pollution and air quality in the current Air Quality Management Areas within the District.

 

In the event that the Cabinet Member decides to sell or transfer the land it is understood the gypsy and travellers’ site at Withy Patch would be required to move to the edge of the development and the residents effectively living directly on the edge of a building site, with all the dust, noise and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

83.

Motion on Highways Maintenance pdf icon PDF 64 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Jones, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure at the meeting of the County Council on 18 October 2019.

 

In July this year the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure approved a new highway maintenance plan which introduced with immediate effect reduced service levels for highways maintenance across the county. This includes a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and winter salting routines, repairs to signs, bollards and road markings; the cessation of routine weed spraying; reduced tree investigations and cyclical pollarding and a reduction in the frequency of the emptying of gullies. It is understood that action will be taken where there is a safety concern.

 

This Council understands that the budget for highways maintenance of this nature in 2018/19 was £9.597m although this was clearly not adequate because there was an overspend. The budget for 2019/20 and the subsequent three years is now £8.707m, an annual budget reduction of almost £900,000.

 

It is understood that work to encourage town and parish councils and community groups to take on this work has begun.

 

This Council considers that the county is currently in an appalling state with, in some areas, waist high weeds appearing on roadsides and along pathways. Whilst it accepts the desire to increase pollination to tackle climate change, it considers this should managed properly. It considers that the reduced service levels will discourage visitors and tourists from returning thereby impacting on the local economy. It considers there is a strong likelihood that parts of the county will be better maintained than others, effectively resulting in a postcode lottery.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to reverse this cut, at least until such time as adequate alternative arrangements for others to cover the reduction in service levels are in place County-wide. The funding for this service to be taken during this transition period from the budget management reserve.’

 

and the report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

83.1     At the County Council meeting on 18 October 2019 the following motion had been moved by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Oxlade, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure for consideration. A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 81 and 82).

 

In July this year the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure approved a new highway maintenance plan which introduced with immediate effect reduced service levels for highways maintenance across the county. This includes a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and winter salting routines, repairs to signs, bollards and road markings; the cessation of routine weed spraying; reduced tree investigations and cyclical pollarding and a reduction in the frequency of the emptying of gullies. It is understood that action will be taken where there is a safety concern.

 

This Council understands that the budget for highways maintenance of this nature in 2018/19 was £9.597m although this was clearly not adequate because there was an overspend. The budget for 2019/20 and the subsequent three years is now £8.707m, an annual budget reduction of almost £900,000.

 

It is understood that work to encourage town and parish councils and community groups to take on this work has begun.

 

This Council considers that the county is currently in an appalling state with, in some areas, waist high weeds appearing on roadsides and along pathways. Whilst it accepts the desire to increase pollination to tackle climate change, it considers this should managed properly. It considers that the reduced service levels will discourage visitors and tourists from returning thereby impacting on the local economy. It considers there is a strong likelihood that parts of the county will be better maintained than others, effectively resulting in a postcode lottery.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to reverse this cut, at least until such time as adequate alternative arrangements for others to cover the reduction in service levels are in place County-wide. The funding for this service to be taken during this transition period from the budget management reserve.’

 

83.2     The motion was lost.

84.

Motion on Hate Crime pdf icon PDF 61 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Oxlade, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Fire & Rescue and Communities at the meeting of the County Council on 18 October 2019.

 

‘This Council notes that since 2016 there has been a significant increase in the number of referrals made to the hate incident support service (HISS) in West Sussex, with the number of reports of hate incidents/crimes motivated by both sexual orientation and directed at those with a disability having doubled. This Council’s ambition is for the residents of West Sussex to feel safe in their neighbourhoods, that people from different backgrounds get on well together, benefit from a sense of shared belonging and take up opportunities to participate in community life. This Council condemns homophobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and pledges to tackle hate crime to ensure such behaviour does not become acceptable and to continue to support those affected by hate crime.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities to:

 

(1)     Ensure that the Hate Incident Support Service is protected from any future budget cuts to ensure this unique and highly valued service can be maintained at its current level;

 

(2)     Explore cost-effective ways of increasing the promotion of hate crime reporting using wider-reaching advertising opportunities (at roundabouts, on vehicles and local public transport); and

 

(3)     Ensure a regular report on hate crime is provided to the Chairman of the Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee and the Business Planning Group for monitoring (and further scrutiny if required).’

 

and the report of the Cabinet Member for Fire & Rescue and Communities.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

84.1     At the County Council meeting on 18 October 2019 the following motion had been moved by Mr Oxlade, seconded by Mr Jones, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Fire & Rescue and Communities for consideration. A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 83 and 84).

 

‘This Council notes that since 2016 there has been a significant increase in the number of referrals made to the hate incident support service (HISS) in West Sussex, with the number of reports of hate incidents/crimes motivated by both sexual orientation and directed at those with a disability having doubled. This Council’s ambition is for the residents of West Sussex to feel safe in their neighbourhoods, that people from different backgrounds get on well together, benefit from a sense of shared belonging and take up opportunities to participate in community life. This Council condemns homophobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and pledges to tackle hate crime to ensure such behaviour does not become acceptable and to continue to support those affected by hate crime.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities to:

 

(1)     Ensure that the Hate Incident Support Service is protected from any future budget cuts to ensure this unique and highly valued service can be maintained at its current level;

 

(2)     Explore cost-effective ways of increasing the promotion of hate crime reporting using wider-reaching advertising opportunities (at roundabouts, on vehicles and local public transport); and

 

(3)     Ensure a regular report on hate crime is provided to the Chairman of the Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee and the Business Planning Group for monitoring (and further scrutiny if required).’

 

84.2     An amendment was moved by Ms Goldsmith and seconded by Mr Simmons.

 

‘This Council notes that since 2016 there has been a significant increase in the number of referrals made to the hate incident support service (HISS) in West Sussex, with the number of reports of hate incidents/crimes motivated by both sexual orientation and directed at those with a disability having doubled. This Council’s ambition is for the residents of West Sussex to feel safe in their neighbourhoods, that people from different backgrounds get on well together, benefit from a sense of shared belonging and take up opportunities to participate in community life. This Council condemns homophobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and pledges to tackle hate crime to ensure such behaviour does not become acceptable and to continue to support those affected by hate crime.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities to:

 

(1)     Ensure that the Hate Incident Support Service is prioritised for funding within the Communities budget  protected from any future budget cuts to ensure this unique and highly valued service can be maintained at its current level;

 

(2)     Explore cost-effective ways of increasing the promotion of hate crime reporting using wider-reaching advertising opportunities such as; (at roundabouts, on vehicles and local public transport); and

 

(3)     Ensure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

85.

Motion on Abuse of Members and Staff pdf icon PDF 45 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Edwards, notice of which was given on 19 November 2019. [Note: The Chairman has indicated that she intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for consideration so it will not be debated at this meeting]

 

‘Recently West Sussex County Council supported Hate Crime Awareness Week. Many councillors and staff have been subjected to verbal abuse, vitriol, and personal attacks in their time as elected members or as members of staff. There is a perception that this kind of attack comes with the territory, and that standing as a candidate means putting your head above the parapet so expect to be shot at. Unfortunately to an extent this has become almost acceptable, while this Council regards this as entirely unacceptable.

 

The Crown Prosecution Service uses a specific definition: “The term ‘hate crime’ can be used to describe a range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity”. This Council believes that this does not go far enough and that abuse due to a victim’s political beliefs should also be included.

 

This Council takes the safety of members and officers extremely seriously but believes that more should be done to record instances of malicious communication and that a list of persons who might present a danger to members or officers should be created.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources to:

 

(1)         Lobby the Government to broaden the definition of a hate crime to include the victim’s political beliefs in order to prevent elected members being threatened for expressing different political opinions;

 

(2)         Devise a policy for dealing with malicious communication;

 

(3)         Provide elected members and officers with training on dealing with malicious communication; and

 

(4)         Compile a register of people who send or verbalise malicious communication in any format in order to better protect members and staff.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

85.1  The following motion was moved by Mr Edwardsand seconded by Mrs Pendleton.

 

‘Recently West Sussex County Council supported Hate Crime Awareness Week. Many councillors and staff have been subjected to verbal abuse, vitriol, and personal attacks in their time as elected members or as members of staff. There is a perception that this kind of attack comes with the territory, and that standing as a candidate means putting your head above the parapet so expect to be shot at. Unfortunately to an extent this has become almost acceptable, while this Council regards this as entirely unacceptable.

 

The Crown Prosecution Service uses a specific definition: “The term ‘hate crime’ can be used to describe a range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity”. This Council believes that this does not go far enough and that abuse due to a victim’s political beliefs should also be included.

 

This Council takes the safety of members and officers extremely seriously but believes that more should be done to record instances of malicious communication and that a list of persons who might present a danger to members or officers should be created.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources to:

 

(1)         Lobby the Government to broaden the definition of a hate crime to include the victim’s political beliefs in order to prevent elected members being threatened for expressing different political opinions;

 

(2)         Devise a policy for dealing with malicious communication;

 

(3)         Provide elected members and officers with training on dealing with malicious communication; and

 

(4)         Compile a register of people who send or verbalise malicious communication in any format in order to better protect members and staff.’

 

85.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resourcesfor consideration and subsequent debate at the Council meeting in April 2020.

86.

Motion on Support and Recognition for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder pdf icon PDF 48 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Edwards, notice of which was given on 19 November 2019. [Note: The Chairman has indicated that she intends to refer the motion to the Leader and Armed Forces Champion for consideration so it will not be debated at this meeting]

 

‘This Council advocates better treatment of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and better recognition for those who have died as a result of this disorder. The County Council takes the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and is continually considering how it can better understand the needs of ex-services persons who are suffering from PTSD and provide the best possible support.

 

In this country there is a National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate those who have given their lives in the service of our country. Families are able to spend time there remembering their loved ones. Every name, in one place, a calm, respectful space, where people can reflect and honour these heroes. However, those veterans who have taken their own lives, succumbing to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by combat, are not remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum.

 

This Council believes that this must change. These service personnel have given their all in their service for our country and in many cases have been medically discharged from service because of the trauma they have seen and taken part in.  Subsequently, as civilians, they take their own life and therefore are recognised as combat related casualties.

 

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council and the Armed Forces Champion to:

 

(1)     Lobby the Ministry of Defence to provide a fitting memorial to those who have served and ultimately succumbed to PTSD;

 

(2)     Continue to work with partners through the West Sussex Civilian Military Partnership Board to improve the lives of veterans and promote the services available to them with particular emphasis on mental health services, including use of the Forces Connect South East App to all staff as a signposting mechanism;

 

(3)     Encourage staff to undertake Armed Forces Mental Health First Aid training; and

 

(4)     Work with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to ensure that health and wellbeing matters affecting veterans, including PTSD, are recognised in health and wellbeing strategies including the forthcoming refresh of Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2020.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

86.1  The following motion was moved by Mr Edwardsand seconded by Lt Cdr Atkins.

 

‘This Council advocates better treatment of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and better recognition for those who have died as a result of this disorder. The County Council takes the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and is continually considering how it can better understand the needs of ex-services persons who are suffering from PTSD and provide the best possible support.

 

In this country there is a National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate those who have given their lives in the service of our country. Families are able to spend time there remembering their loved ones. Every name, in one place, a calm, respectful space, where people can reflect and honour these heroes. However, those veterans who have taken their own lives, succumbing to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by combat, are not remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum.

 

This Council believes that this must change. These service personnel have given their all in their service for our country and in many cases have been medically discharged from service because of the trauma they have seen and taken part in.  Subsequently, as civilians, they take their own life and therefore are recognised as combat related casualties.

 

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council and the Armed Forces Champion to:

 

(1)     Lobby the Ministry of Defence to provide a fitting memorial to those who have served and ultimately succumbed to PTSD;

 

(2)     Continue to work with partners through the West Sussex Civilian Military Partnership Board to improve the lives of veterans and promote the services available to them with particular emphasis on mental health services, including use of the Forces Connect South East App to all staff as a signposting mechanism;

 

(3)     Encourage staff to undertake Armed Forces Mental Health First Aid training; and

 

(4)     Work with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to ensure that health and wellbeing matters affecting veterans, including PTSD, are recognised in health and wellbeing strategies including the forthcoming refresh of Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2020.’

 

86.2     The motion was referred to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health for consideration and subsequent debate at the Council meeting in April 2020.

87.

Motion on the A27 pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Montyn, notice of which was given on 25 November 2019. [Note: The Chairman has indicated that she intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for consideration so it will not be debated at this meeting]

 

This Council welcomes the improvement plans for the A27 at Arundel and the broad agreement around a preferred solution, the Magenta Route. It acknowledges that the scheme has benefitted from sustained and active support from the local MP to get it to this point.

 

However, the Council notes that the Chichester situation is very different: with 51,300 average daily traffic movements (2018) this is the most heavily used unimproved section of this Strategic Route notorious for its acknowledged traffic congestion. This also impacts heavily on the 32,000 inhabitants to the south of the A27 on the Manhood Peninsula and beyond who have to cross or join this road to travel anywhere.

 

Over the last 15 years three national road initiatives have failed:

 

·        in 2003 the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study was abandoned by the Secretary of State.

·        in 2004/05 a public consultation took place for a Chichester scheme. It was not well received and was abandoned by the Department for Transport a year later.

·        the third Chichester initiative was launched in 2016 but ended in 2017 with the Secretary of State cancelling the scheme, citing lack of community consensus. 

 

After three cancellations of an A27 scheme at Chichester within 15 years and a lack of funding, there is considerable public cynicism that there is any high-level political will to grasp the situation and to arrive at an acceptable long-term solution to Chichester’s perennial traffic congestion. Without government investment for improvements this has continued to deteriorate.

 

Through and local traffic movements now are roughly equally split at Chichester, and the share of commercial traffic is increasing. The worsening congestion and delays on the only major east-west arterial route along the south coast between the ports from Kent to Hampshire, are a brake on the economy. Air quality along the bypass is unacceptable, and the accident rate is among the worst in the country. 

 

This Council believes that now is the time for the County Council to acknowledge the real need for major investment in this strategic route.

 

Therefore, this Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to work jointly with the elected MP and with Chichester District Council in a concerted effort to:

 

(1)        Call for an open and transparent consultation of all options for a long-term solution for the Chichester section of the A27;

 

(2)        Secure the much-needed government funding for the construction of such a route and its associated environmental mitigation; and

 

(3)        Provide local members with regular progress updates.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

87.1     The following motion was moved by Mr Montyn and seconded by Mr S J Oakley.

 

This Council welcomes the improvement plans for the A27 at Arundel and the broad agreement around a preferred solution, the Magenta Route. It acknowledges that the scheme has benefitted from sustained and active support from the local MP to get it to this point.

 

However, the Council notes that the Chichester situation is very different: with 51,300 average daily traffic movements (2018) this is the most heavily used unimproved section of this Strategic Route notorious for its acknowledged traffic congestion. This also impacts heavily on the 32,000 inhabitants to the south of the A27 on the Manhood Peninsula and beyond who have to cross or join this road to travel anywhere.

 

Over the last 15 years three national road initiatives have failed:

 

·         in 2003 the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study was abandoned by the Secretary of State.

·         in 2004/05 a public consultation took place for a Chichester scheme. It was not well received and was abandoned by the Department for Transport a year later.

·         the third Chichester initiative was launched in 2016 but ended in 2017 with the Secretary of State cancelling the scheme, citing lack of community consensus. 

 

After three cancellations of an A27 scheme at Chichester within 15 years and a lack of funding, there is considerable public cynicism that there is any high-level political will to grasp the situation and to arrive at an acceptable long-term solution to Chichester’s perennial traffic congestion. Without government investment for improvements this has continued to deteriorate.

 

Through and local traffic movements now are roughly equally split at Chichester, and the share of commercial traffic is increasing. The worsening congestion and delays on the only major east-west arterial route along the south coast between the ports from Kent to Hampshire, are a brake on the economy. Air quality along the bypass is unacceptable, and the accident rate is among the worst in the country. 

 

This Council believes that now is the time for the County Council to acknowledge the real need for major investment in this strategic route.

 

Therefore, this Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to work jointly with the elected MP and with Chichester District Council in a concerted effort to:

 

(1)         Call for an open and transparent consultation of all options for a long-term solution for the Chichester section of the A27;

 

(2)         Secure the much-needed government funding for the construction of such a route and its associated environmental mitigation; and

 

(3)         Provide local members with regular progress updates.

 

87.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure for consideration and subsequent debate at the Council meeting in April 2020.

88.

Motion on Quiet Lanes pdf icon PDF 81 KB

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mrs Dennis, notice of which was given on 27 November 2019. [Note: The Chairman has indicated that she intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet Member for consideration so it will not be debated at this meeting]

 

‘This Council recognises that our residents and visitors alike should be able to enjoy the West Sussex country Lanes whether walking, cycling and horse riding. The West Sussex plan has clear ambitions to provide a place that:

 

·         residents feel happy as Sussex as a place to live in

·         is healthy

·         is safe

·         encourages carbon reductions

This Council accepts that country lanes are an integral part of our rural environment but it is clear that the volume and speed of traffic, and the presence of heavy lorries can make them uninviting and intimidating. This Council also welcomed the Transport Act in 2000 which enabled local authorities to designate certain types of country lanes as ‘Quiet lanes’. Quiet Lanes being a positive way of:

 

·         Providing a chance for people to walk, cycle and horse ride in a safer environment.

·         Widening transport choice; and protecting the character and tranquillity of country lanes.

This piece of legislation has received new interest from district, borough and parish councils (our partners) and some have written into neighbourhood plans the lanes they wish to designate as ‘Quiet Lanes’. Other local authorities are restarting the process of implementing ‘Quiet Lanes’.

 

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to support our partners and empower them, by developing an initiative to facilitate simple and speedy designation of ‘Quiet Lanes’.’

Additional documents:

Minutes:

88.1     The following motion was moved by Mrs Dennis and seconded by Mrs Arculus.

 

‘This Council recognises that our residents and visitors alike should be able to enjoy the West Sussex country Lanes whether walking, cycling and horse riding. The West Sussex plan has clear ambitions to provide a place that:

 

·         residents feel happy as Sussex as a place to live in

·         is healthy

·         is safe

·         encourages carbon reductions

This Council accepts that country lanes are an integral part of our rural environment but it is clear that the volume and speed of traffic, and the presence of heavy lorries can make them uninviting and intimidating. This Council also welcomed the Transport Act in 2000 which enabled local authorities to designate certain types of country lanes as ‘Quiet lanes’. Quiet Lanes being a positive way of:

 

·         Providing a chance for people to walk, cycle and horse ride in a safer environment.

·         Widening transport choice; and protecting the character and tranquillity of country lanes.

This piece of legislation has received new interest from district, borough and parish councils (our partners) and some have written into neighbourhood plans the lanes they wish to designate as ‘Quiet Lanes’. Other local authorities are restarting the process of implementing ‘Quiet Lanes’.

 

         This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to support our partners and empower them, by developing an initiative to facilitate simple and speedy designation of ‘Quiet Lanes’.’

 

88.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure for consideration and subsequent debate at the Council meeting in April 2020.

89.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 119 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 18 October 2019.  A supplementary report may be published.

 

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

89.1     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 85 to 88) and written questions and answers pursuant to Standing Order 2.38 (set out at Appendix 2).