Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RQ

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

Note: Meeting postponed from 18 February 

Media

Items
No. Item

59.

Situation in Ukraine

Additional documents:

Minutes:

59.1     The Chairman and the group leaders addressed the Council on the serious situation in Ukraine. The Council recorded its support for and sympathy with the Ukrainian people and supported the following actions:

 

That the Chairman writes to the Ambassador for Ukraine to express this Council’s sympathy and support for the people of Ukraine at this desperate time for them and to offer our hopes and prayers for their future return to peace and stability.

 

That the Chairman writes to the Prime Minister to express our support for the taking of a strong and united international stance in taking such measures as may be needed to persuade the Russian government to end its aggressive actions towards Ukraine and its people.

 

59.2     The Chairman informed members that the Council would soon be flying the Ukrainian flag at County Hall, Chichester.

60.

Death of Mrs Margaret Ball

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Minutes:

60.1     The Chairman reported the death of Mrs Margaret Ball, who had represented East Grinstead from 2005 to 2009.

 

60.2     Members held a minute’s silence.

61.

Social Worker of the Year Award

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Minutes:

61.1     Vivian Okeze-Tirado attended the Council meeting to receive the congratulations of Council members on being recently named Overall Social Worker of the Year 2021 at a national awards ceremony.

62.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee

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Minutes:

62.1     The Chairman reported that Her Majesty the Queen had ascended to the throne 70 years ago, a momentous feat and an enormous commitment to public service. He said the Council looked forward to celebrating her Platinum Jubilee later in the year and that he would advise of County Council plans in due course.

63.

Apologies for Absence

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Minutes:

63.1     Apologies were received from Cllr Bence, Cllr Condie, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Hall, Cllr Linehan, Cllr McDonald, Cllr Nagel and Cllr Richardson.

 

63.2     Apologies for the morning session were received from Cllr Kenyon.

 

63.3     Cllr Smith gave her apologies and left at 2.30 p.m.

64.

Members' Interests pdf icon PDF 57 KB

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

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Minutes:

64.1     Members declared interests as set out at Appendix 1.

65.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 144 KB

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the virtual informal ordinary meeting of the County Council held on 17 December 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

65.1     It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 17 December 2021 (pages 3 to 24) be approved as a correct record.

66.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 38 KB

To consider any proposed changes to appointments. Any proposals will be circulated and changes will take effect from the end of the meeting.

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Minutes:

66.1     The Council approved appointments as set out below.

 

Committee

Change

Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee substitute

Cllr Burgess to fill Conservative vacancy

 

67.

Pay Policy Statement 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 59 KB

The Council is asked to approve the Pay Policy Statement 2022/23, in the light of a report from the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

67.1     The Council considered the Pay Policy Statement 2022/23, in the light of a report from the Governance Committee (pages 25 to 36).

 

67.2     Resolved

 

That the proposed revisions to the Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

68.

Governance Committee: Minor Changes to the Constitution pdf icon PDF 67 KB

The Council is asked to approve changes to the Rights of Way Delegation Code of Practice and a new Standing Order on reasonable adjustments, in the light of a report from the Governance Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

68.1     The Council considered changes to the Rights of Way Delegation Code of Practice and a new Standing Order on reasonable adjustments, in the light of a report by the Governance Committee (pages 37 to 40.

 

68.2     Resolved

 

(1)         That the proposed changes to the Delegation Code of Practice for Rights of Way (Public Path Orders), as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and

 

(2)         That Council be recommended to add a new Standing Order 1.07 to Part 4, Section 1 of the Constitution, as set out in paragraph 8 of the report.

69.

Council Plan and Budget 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 63 KB

The Council is asked to consider and approve the Council Plan and budget for 2022/23, the Capital Strategy 2022-27 and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2022/23, in the light of a report pack by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property which is enclosed with the agenda.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

69.1     The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property moved the report on the Council Plan and budget for 2022/23, the Capital Strategy 2022-27 and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2022/23 (budget pack pages 1 to 187).

 

69.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr O’Kellyas set out below.

 

Proposed changes to the Revenue Budget

 

Growth

 

Ongoing changes to the revenue budget

2022/23

£m

Resource 2 additional officer posts (2 FTE) within the highways team - one to accelerate the active travel programme and one to develop proposals on improving bus services as highlighted in the Levelling Up White Paper

0.081

Increase the Occupational Therapist resource to deliver reablement at home to support independence (3 FTE)

0.135

Enhance support to carers through additional Carers Support Officers (2 FTE) to allow people who are acting as carers to continue caring for as long as possible and prevent carer breakdown

0.080

Increase the current climate change administration of 1 FTE by an additional officer resource to administer the climate emergency fund

0.040

Additional Mental Health Support Team for Schools

0.370

Specialist team focused on preventative and educational work on disordered eating working within schools and supporting families (6 early help workers plus team manager)

0.267

Additional resource to Highways for road safety maintenance

0.500

Total

1.473

 

Reduction options

 

Ongoing changes to the revenue budget

2022/23

£m

Increased discretionary fees and charges by 2.5% over RPI

0.500

Commission a review by the Independent Remuneration Panel to endorse the 25% reduction to the Special Responsibility Allowances for members (excluding Foster Panel)

0.086

Removal of Advisers to Cabinet Members

0.026

Communications (20% reduction to budget)

0.291

Policy Team (20% reduction to budget)

0.060

HR & Organisational Change (3% reduction to budget)

0.210

Executive PAs (16% reduction to budget)

0.100

Customer experience (5% reduction to budget)

0.080

Intelligence & Performance (9% reduction to budget)

0.120

Total

1.473

 

Proposed changes to the Capital Programme

 

Growth

 

Ongoing changes to the Capital Programme

2022/23

£m

Fund a Climate Emergency fund to encourage innovative community projects that will reduce carbon levels locally and improve our environment

1.000

Additional funding for Public Rights of Way capital improvements, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure

1.000

Total

2.000

 

Funding

 

Ongoing changes to the Capital Programme

2022/23

£m

Capital Improvement budget already included within Capital Programme. The 2022/23 budget is £0.475 and £1.525 will be re-profiled (brought forward) from 2023/24

1.525

0.475

Total

2.000

 

69.3     The amendment was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.36.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 20

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr B Cooper, Cllr Cornell, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Joy, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lord, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Oxlade, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Sharp, Cllr Turley and Cllr Walsh.

 

(b)         Against the amendment – 40

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bennett, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Charles, Cllr A Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr J Dennis,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 135 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 17 December 2021. A supplementary report may be published.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

70.1     Due to lack of time Question Time fell away.