Agenda and minutes

The Chairman:

·        Referred to the sad news that Councillor Ian Howard, a serving Member for Southwater Ward, had recently passed away after a long illness and reported that the Council’s sincere condolences had been sent to his wife and family. 

Members stood and observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

The Chairman gave details of the funeral arrangements and indicated that Councillor Howard’s family would be grateful for any donations in his memory to go to the Pageant Gambia charity which had been set up by him and his wife in 2002 to provide assistance for the education of Gambian children.

The Chairman, the Leader, the ward Councillors for Southwater, the immediate past Chairman and the Leader of the minority Group all paid tribute to Councillor Howard.

·        Reported that the District Council had joined with West Sussex County Council staff and Councillors and Police and Fire and Rescue Personnel for one minute’s silence on Monday 22^nd August at 1.22pm to mark the first anniversary of the Shoreham air tragedy.

·        Reminded Members that the Chief Executive, Tom Crowley, would be cycling the South Downs Way from 10th to 13th September to raise money for the Chairman's Charitable Trust.  The Chairman urged anyone who had not already done so, to make a pledge to the Trust and thanked the Chief Executive for giving his time and effort for this cause.

·        Advised that letters of congratulations had been sent to two local residents who won medals at the Rio Olympics last month with Team GB: Maddy Hinch, who lived in West Chiltington, the goalkeeper of the Gold Medal winning Women’s Hockey Team and Fiona Bigwood, who lived in Horsham, a member of the Team that won the Silver Medal in the Dressage competition.

·        Reported that there would be a service in commemoration of the Battle of Britain on Sunday 18^th September commencing at the War Memorial in The Carfax at 10.00am and then at St Mary’s Parish Church, to which all Members were invited.

To approve as correct the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on:

The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 29^th June and 21^st July 2016 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council, the Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture reported on the success of Southwater Country Park, in particular the new Dinosaur Island, and on urgent action that had been taken to deal with parking issues that had arisen as a result of its popularity.

To receive questions from the public under Rule 2.1 (e)

No questions had been received.

To receive questions from Members under Rule 10.2 (Questions by Members on notice)

No questions had been received.

To receive the minutes of the following Committee and, if approved, to adopt any recommendations contained therein:

The minutes of the meeting of the Accounts, Audit and Governance Committee held on 28^th June 2016 were received.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 25th July 2016

The minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23^rd July 2016 were received.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Community and Wellbeing on the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order

One member of the public addressed the Council supporting the practice of Parkour as a sport for young people and asking that reference to it be removed from the Order.

The Cabinet Member for Community and Wellbeing reported that the Council had powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)to address particular nuisances or problems that were having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for residents and visitors to the District.

She therefore proposed, and it was seconded, that the Council should make a PSPO to address six particular issues that were regularly taking place in the District:

·        Consumption of Alcohol in a Public Place (to replace the existing Designated Public Place Order).

·        Parkour or “Free-Running” within Horsham Town Centre.

·        Anti-social use of Vehicles.

·        Anti-social use of Horse Drawn Vehicles.

·        Dog Fouling.

·        Control of Dogs.

The proposed prohibitions on alcohol and dog fouling would replace the existing Designated Public Place Order, approved by Council in December 2013, whilst extending the restrictions across the District.  Also, as the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 had been repealed, the proposed Order would provide powers to deal with this issue.  In addition there was nothing currently in place to deal with the issue of dogs being kept under control, particularly around livestock and the proposal would address this.  Details of the number of complaints made to the Police regarding Parkour and related damage to property; the anti-social use of vehicles with particular reference to drivers gathering in groups and performing dangerous manoeuvres; and the anti-social use of horse-drawn vehicles for racing on the highway were reported.

The Cabinet Member acknowledged that Parkour was recognised as a sport and the benefits that came with it, including socialising, getting fit and developing self-discipline.  However, the specific issue in Horsham town centre was that some individuals were practising the sport in certain locations (particularly rooftops) in an unsafe way, gaining access to buildings unlawfully and causing damage to property.  The prohibition of this activity in the town centre would assist the Council in its duty to promote the wellbeing and safety of its residents and visitors.  Horsham Gymnastics Club ran freestyle sessions on two evenings a week at the Pavilions leisure centre, which allowed people to enjoy this activity in a safe and appropriate environment.  In addition, the Council was willing to engage in discussions with Parkour UK and local free-runners to discuss promoting the practice of the sport locally in a safe and appropriate environment.

An amendment was moved by Councillor John Chidlow and seconded by Councillor Leonard Crosbie that the activity of Parkour (or Free-Running) be removed from the proposed Order.

Members discussed the amendment with matters raised including the risks to participants and others of the inappropriate practising of the sport; the impact on residents in the town centre; the evidence used to support the inclusion of the activity in the Order and the extent of the area covered; and  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO/31

Council received brief updates from Councillor Liz Kitchen, the Council’s representative on the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee, and Councillor Christine, the Council’s representative on Horsham in Bloom.

To consider matters certified by the Chairman as urgent

There were no urgent matters to be considered.