Decisions

The primary focus for the proposal set out in this report is in raising value for the County Council through generating additional financial returns from surplus land assets at financial levels above those likely in a straightforward sale of undeveloped land. The funds raised would then be re-invested across West Sussex to support the wider aims of the County Council.   

At its meeting on 28 March the County Council’s property development advisory panel to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources (‘Propco’) endorsed a proposal for the Council to work in a joint venture partnership agreement with an established commercial enterprise to maximise the financial return from land assets surplus to County Council requirements. 

The Cabinet Member has agreed to:

(1)         The commencement of a procurement process to select a suitable commercial enterprise, that has demonstrated skilled resources in property development, to act as joint venture partner with the County Council in a business arrangement for the commercial development of surplus council land,

(2)         Delegate to the Executive Director of Place Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, the selection of the initial tranche of suitable sites and the appointment of the preferred bidder;

(3)         Delegate to the Director of Law and Assurance the setting up of a wholly County Council owned company as required to progress the joint venture partnership.

(4)         Approve set up costs, including the procurement process, up to the value of £700,000; such funds to be drawn from the Council’s reserves.

(5)         Facilitate an opportunity for the Policy and Finance Select Committee to preview the key decisions being taken in recommendations (2) and (3) above.

In August 2017 the Leader approved the Crawley Growth Programme LDR04 17.18 and following approval of the business case by the West Sussex Local Enterprise Partnership, delegated authority to the Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment to progress the projects (now Executive Director of Place Services). In December 2017 OKD03(17-18) the Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment (now Executive Director of Place Services) agreed Crawley Growth Programme project funding allocations and delivery governance.

Much progress has been made since December 2017 and a number of projects have been developed, designed and delivered under the guidance of the Crawley Growth Board.

The Executive Director of Place Services will approve amendments to project funding allocations, within the overall Programme funding allocation, and project governance to reflect current estimates and delivery routes supported by the Crawley Growth Board.

That, subject to the approval of the report attached as Appendix B by Crawley Borough Council (CBC) Cabinet on 26th June, the Executive Director for Place Services (formerly Executive Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Environment) approves:

i)             revised delivery governance for the provision of commercial space in Crawley Town Centre, with CBC taking on the role as contractual lead for the project as set out in paragraph 2.1

ii)           updated funding arrangements between WSCC and CBC to ensure effective delivery of the CGP, as identified in Appendix A.

iii)          a commitment to allocate the WSCC funding identified for the CGP over a period through to March 31st 2025 broadly in accordance with the indicative spend profile set out in paragraph 4.6.

At its meeting on the 27 June 2019 the Crawley County Local Committee considered Community Initiative Funding Applications that had be received via the West Sussex Crowd, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

The Committee considered each application on it’s merits and the following pledges were approved,

355/C – Special Support Centre Parents and Friends Association, Sensory Garden, up to £1365 – towards the cost of a replacement water feature, bubble machine and resin gravel.

362/C – Arctic Handball Club, Bring Handball On, up to £1581.50 – Toward purchasing tracksuits and portable goals

372/C – Langley Green Primary School PTA, Outdoor Learning Shelter/Gym, up to £3320 – toward purchasing and installing an outdoor gym and wooden shelter.

373/C – Rivers LPC, PRESENCE, up to £1889 – towards purchasing sewing and IT equipment for the launch of a women’s resource centre

382/C – Emerald Sports & Social Club, ESCC Infrastructure Development Programme, up to £3135 – towards the preparation and installation of new floodlighting at a multi-purpose sports training facility.

The Call-in deadline is the 5 July 2019.

The function of the nomination of school governors to maintained schools and academies is delegated to County Local Committees (CLCs) as it enables county councillors to maintain a valuable link with the schools and helps promote to the wider public the important role of school governors.

Under the Education Act 2011 local authority governors are nominated by the local authority but appointed by the governing body. The CLC can nominate any eligible person as a local authority governor, but it is for the governing body to decide whether their nominee has the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school and meets any other eligibility criteria they have set.

At its meeting on 25 June 2019 the North Mid Sussex County Local Committee approved the following nomination under the 2012 Regulations:

Nomination for reappointment:

• Nick Hodges to St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, East Grinstead for a further four year term.

The call-in deadline is 3 July 2019.

At its meeting on 25 June 2019, the North Mid Sussex County Local Committee considered the report from the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning and the Head of Highway Operation.

The Committee considered the different schemes within the report appendices.

The Committee, having considered the resulting benefits to the community outweighed the objections raised, agreed to authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make the larger Order as detailed in Appendix A.

The call-in deadline is 3 July 2019.

At its meeting on 25 June 2019, the North Mid Sussex County Local Committee considered the report from the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning.

The Committee, having considered that the resulting benefits to the community outweighed the objections raised, agreed to authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make the Order as advertised and install the pedestrian crossing and associated new cycleway.

The call-in deadline is 3 July 2019.

The Community Initiative Fund is a County Local Committee (CLC) administered fund that provides assistance to local community projects.  Bids should show evidence of projects that have the support of the community and make a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and support The West Sussex Plan.

At its meeting on 25 June 2019 the North Mid Sussex County Local Committee considered the Community Initiative Funding application that had been received via the West Sussex Crowd as set out in Appendix A.

The following pledge was approved:-

352/NMS – Imberlink, Imberhorne: at the heart of our community, up to £3,000, towards installing four defibrillators at Imberhorne School and provide students with first aid training.

The Committee also agreed to additionally pledge the final amount required to complete the project at the end of the fundraising campaign.

The call-in deadline is 3 July 2019.

The Chichester Growth Deal defines joint growth priorities for West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and Chichester District Council (CDC) including the delivery of housing, employment space, improved connectivity and improved public realm as identified in the Adopted Southern Gateway Masterplan.  The Southern Gateway Masterplan includes the development of WSCC land at the former Year 7 Block and the current all-weather hockey pitch at Chichester High School.

A Collaboration Agreement between WSCC and CDC commits each authority to the MasterPlan objectives and supports the procurement process to appoint a Development Partner. CDC published an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement notice in April 2019.  Subject to this Leader decision, WSCC will enter the procurement process in June 2019 prior to the assessment of bids.

Should WSCC, through this decision, agree to join the procurement process and through that procurement process a development partner demonstrates that the WSCC valuation of its land and other key identified evaluation criteria can be met, WSCC would be committed to the appointment of a development partner and completion of a Development Agreement.  The outcome of the procurement process will be the subject of a further decision report later in the year.

An agreement is in place with CDC to secure Local Growth Funds (LGF), held by CDC, to progress the demolition of the Year 7 Block and relocation of the hockey pitch.  The agreement has secured the transfer of £485k to WSCC for the demolition work and potential transfer of a further £1.5m of LGF for the relocation of the hockey pitch, subject to contractual agreement with the Chichester High School. 

That the Leader approves:

(1)     That projects to demolish the Former Year 7 Block and re-locate the all-weather hockey pitch are added to the capital programme, funded by LGF,  to include £430k for the cost of the demolition and £1.54m for the cost of the hockey pitch relocation subject to a full business case being approved;

(2)     That the Executive Director of Place Services be given delegated authority to the enable the County Council to join the procurement process for a development partner and to make an appointment if so advised.

The community advice service provided by Citizens Advice is part of the information and advice commissioning portfolio within public health.  It primarily provides support to working age adults and families and is commissioned as part of the Council’s general duty for the promotion of wellbeing under the Care Act. 

The community advice service in West Sussex is a universal service with a high-profile brand identity that is well known to the general public. The service is often the first point of contact for people in crisis situations and works with other voluntary and statutory sector organisations that operate within county, district and borough and parish boundaries. Through its universal advice offer the Citizens Advice service contributes to the following key West Sussex Plan objectives:

• Best start in life
• A prosperous place
• A strong, safe and sustainable place
• Independence for later life
• A council that works for the community

Key Decision AH15(18/19) approved the procurement of the commissioning of the community advice service from Citizens Advice in West Sussex (North, South, East) (“CAWS”). The Executive Director of People Services has delegated powers to award the Contract to CAWS. Any extension after the initial period will be delegated to the Director of Public Health as the responsible commissioner.

The Executive Director People Services has approved the award of contract to CAWS for a period of 9 months with an option to extend for 1+1 years. The contract is to commence on 1st July 2019. The authority to extend the contract after the initial period is delegated to the Director of Public Health. If extended up to two years the contract would have a final expiry date of 31^st March 2022.

The Committee received the notes of the last Highways and Transport Subgroup and considered the report and the following recommendation included:

The Sub-group considered the report and recommendation from the Executive Director for Place and Director of Highways Transport and Planning. The Group supported the recommendation included and requested it be put forward to the Joint Western Arun Area Committee for consideration. It was therefore

RECOMMENDED that the County Council Members of the Joint Western Arun Area Committee, having considered the responses to the formal consultation and petition, authorise the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning to install the scheme.

The Committee discussed the merits of the Traffic Regulation Order and agreed that it was necessary for the interest of safety of residents to install the scheme. It was therefore

RESOLVED that the County Council Members of the Joint Western Arun Area Committee, having considered the responses to the formal consultation and petition, authorise the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning to install the scheme detailed in the report.

The Call in deadline is 27 June 2019.

At its meeting on the 19 June 2019 the Joint Western Arun Area Committee considered applications to the Community Initiative Fund.

The Committee considered each application on its merits and it was RESOLVED that the following pledges be approved:

341/JWAAC – Just Different, Click for Change, up to £500.00 towards the cost of producing and editing a promotional video of a disabled presenter education primary school children

342/JWAAC – Bognorphenia, Our Generation Young People’s Day, Up to £2,500 toward security and marquee hire/purchase costs for a two day volunteer led performing arts event

349/JWAAC – Radio Respect CIC, Radio Respect CIC on FM, up to £5,000 toward purchasing and updating studio equipment and applying for a community license.

363/JWAAC – Community Play Centre @ Walberton, Community Play Centre all-weather garden, up to £1,000 toward resurfacing the soft play area and laying rubber mulch to patio

371/JWAAC – Bognor Regis Town Youth Football Club, Bognor Youth FC goes for goals, up to £1,000 toward purchasing a pair of portable goals.

The Call in deadline is 27 June 2019.

As part of its capital programme management, in line with the County Council’s West Sussex Asset Management Policy and Strategy, the Council continually reviews its property estate. This includes consideration of assets which are likely to become surplus to operational requirements, i.e. no longer needed. In addition, the Council acquires or develops assets to meet statutory and service requirements as well as the Council’s wider purposes, including investment or to promote social and economic development opportunities. From time to time these activities give rise to decisions to purchase, dispose of or to develop an asset.

In line with the Strategy the County Council has completed a programme of work to raise the land value on land known as Angel’s and Hyde Nurseries, Yapton Road, Barnham, West Sussex, PO22 0AY and now proposes to make a freehold disposal of the title.  Offers have been received and progressed in stages to raise certainty. Approval is sought to sell to the highest bidder in an unconditional contract. The property was declared surplus in 2018, FR17(17/18).

The Cabinet Member has endorsed:

1)   The disposal of the freehold estate known as Angel’s and Hyde Nurseries, Yapton Road, Barnham, West Sussex, PO22 0AY; and that

2)   Authority is delegated to the Executive Director of Place Services in conjunction with the Director of Law and Assurance to conclude the terms with the successful bidder.

The function of the nomination of school governors to maintained schools and academies is delegated to County Local Committees (CLCs) as it enables county councillors to maintain a valuable link with the schools and helps promote to the wider public the important role of school governors.

Under the Education Act 2011 local authority governors are nominated by the local authority but appointed by the governing body. The CLC can nominate any eligible person as a local authority governor, but it is for the governing body to decide whether their nominee has the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school and meets any other eligibility criteria they have set.

At its meeting on 18 June 2019 the South Chichester County Local Committee approved the following nominations under the 2012 Regulations:

Nomination for reappointment:

• Mr Donald Fowler-Watt to Bourne Community College for a four-year term

Nomination for appointment:

• Mr Stuart Blunden to Sidlesham PrimarySchool for a four-year term

The call-in deadline is 26 June 2019.

The Community Initiative Fund is a County Local Committee (CLC) administered fund that provides assistance to local community projects.  Bids should show evidence of projects that have the support of the community and make a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and support The West Sussex Plan.

At its meeting on 18 June 2019 the South Chichester County Local Committee considered the Community Initiative Funding applications received via the West Sussex Crowd as set out in Appendix A.

The following pledge was approved: -

345/SC - Building a Legacy for our Community (St Paul's Church & Parish Centre), up to £1,750.00, towards upgrading disability access and improving the reception area's insulation.

The following pledge was declined: -

359/SC - Reaching out through sculpture (Sussex Arts Academy), up to £3,799.00, towards the creation of a community sculpture garden. The Committee declined application as the project showed little overall community benefit as there was limited and unclear public access or wider public utility. This is due to the project being contained within a school, which is also State funded. It therefore did not fit with CIF criteria.

The call-in deadline is 26 June 2016.

Following consideration of the report the Committee agreed to authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make an application to the Magistrates Court for an Order to stop up the highway as summarised in this report and shown on the plan attached at Appendix A.

The call-in deadline is 25 June 2019.

At its meeting on 17 June 2019 the North Horsham County Local Committee agreed to consider the Community Initiative Funding applications which had been received after the agenda had been published.  The details of the projects and pledges are outlined below.

The following pledges were approved: -

375/NH – Horsham and Shipley Community Project, £750 towards Tree surgery on the grounds and maintenance of the Club House.

376/NH – Friends of Horsham Park, £750 towards Website design and set-up.

377/NH – SAGE Counselling, £613 towards equipment, stationery and marketing materials.

378/NH - Men’s Sheds – Horsham,£750 towards kitchen refurbishment and equipment.

379/NH – Horsham Life Saving Club,£480 towards training materials and equipment.

380/NH - Southwater Youth Project, £750 towards Summer Funfest event set-up, lighting, staging and equipment.

The following application was conditionally approved on the basis that the applicant submits a full formal application by the end of the week beginning 24 June:

MyCareMatters, £750 towards Advance Care Planning Toolkits.

The call-in deadline is 25 June 2019.