Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 October, and the extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 23 November

(Note: If any Member wishes to propose an amendment to the minutes they should submit this in writing to committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting.  Where applicable, the audio recording of the meeting will be checked to ensure the accuracy of the proposed amendment.)

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 October, and the extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 23 November were approved as a correct record 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

Councillor Martin Boffey, Leader of the Council, announced that Councillor Chris Franke has been appointed as the Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing.

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing, the Leader announced that the Low Income Family Tracker system (LIFT) had begun to have a positive impact on residents in the District. A number of individuals and households that had not been claiming disability payments and pension credits were identified. Action had been taken to ensure these payments are made and funding was claimed. Households who were eligible to apply for Southern Water’s ‘WaterSure’ scheme had been written to, as well as families who may qualify for free school meals.

Councillor Jon Olson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Green Spaces, announced the events that were due to take place in the town. The events in the current week included Museum Lates, a Christmas concert by Horsham Churches Together, and festive performances on the bandstand. On Christmas Eve, the last market of the season would take place, as well as a free grotto for children to meet Santa and a disco at the bandstand.

Councillor Jay Mercer, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling & Waste, announced that a new app would be launched that would allow residents to receive notifications about their bin collections. It was anticipated that the launch would take place next week, however there was a reliance on partners to enable the launch. The app would have further functionality, which would be investigated further in the coming year. Members were asked to share details of the app with residents.

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure, announced that following the approval of the draft Local Plan for Regulation 19, the revised National Planning Policy Framework was due to be published in the current week. It was thought that it was unlikely that the publication would affect the Local Plan, however an explanatory note would be produced by the Strategic Planning team, if required.

To receive questions from the public under Rules 4a.2(f) and 4j1.1 – 4j1.12

No questions had been received.

To receive and, if approved, adopt the recommendations from the meeting of Cabinet held on 23 November 2023:

(a)   Update of the Council's Financial Position in 2023/24 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy update 2024/25 to 2029/30 (report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets is available at: Agenda item 6)

(b)   Creation of a new Head of Service Post (report of the Leader of the Council is available at: Agenda item 8)

UPDATE OF THE COUNCIL'S FINANCIAL POSITION IN 2023/24 AND MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY UPDATE 2024/25 TO 2029/30

Councillor Martin Boffey, Leader of the Council, introduced the report. An overspend was anticipated for the current financial year, however steps had been taken to reduce it. This included a proposal to increase the charges for the garden waste collection service, as well as the car park day pass tariffs, that had not been increased for a number of years. An extension to the Council Tax Support payment for 2024/25 was proposed, to also include claimants of pension age, which would allow the scheme to be administered through the system in time for annual billing, for efficiency. It was noted that there were significant additional costs expected in the medium term. This included the cost of food waste collection, repairs to leisure centres and the Capitol, as well as decarbonisation of Council buildings. It was confirmed that a proportion of these costs could be funded from reserves.

The forecast was based on best assumptions, and the medium term was uncertain. It appeared that there would be an increasing deficit, and as such action to address this was being taken. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ruth Fletcher.

RESOLVED

(ii)     That the charges from 1 April 2024 for the garden waste subscription service are increased from £49 for the first bin to £54 and charge this price for any subsequent bins too.

(iii)     That the price of the multi-storey car park day pass tariffs be increased from 1 February 2024 from £5.50 to £8.80 at Piries Place and £7.30 at Swan Walk, and from £3.95 to £5.60 at the Forum car parks.

iv)      That those of working age and pension age on Council Tax Support be supported with up to £195 in 2024/25, funded from any 2024/25 Funding Guarantee grant, or reserve and that this is reflected in the 2024/2025 budget accordingly.

(v)   Subject to the scheme status quo remaining and a similar settlement to 2023/24,

(i)      That it be approved that the Council remains in the West Sussex Business Rates pool in 2024/25 and

(ii)     that authority be delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources to (a) agree the operational details of the pooling arrangements with participating authorities, and, (b) enter into any required documentation to give effect to this proposal.

REASONS

(i)      The Council needs to acknowledge the effects that high levels of inflation will have on its financial position both in the short and medium-term. Deficits are predicted unless action is taken on fees and charges. Given the level of uncertainty in the projections, the economy and proposed Government action, the report does not recommend direct action to drastically reduce expenditure at this stage, but does recommend not worsening the revenue position now.

(ii) and (iii) Council is required to approve fees and charges, and expenditure as per the constitution.

(iv)    Cabinet must approve any such support  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO/69

To receive the following report to the Governance Committee held on 27 November 2023 and, if approved, to adopt the recommendation contained therein:

Polling Places and Polling Districts Review (report available at: Agenda item 6)

POLLING PLACES AND POLLING DISTRICTS REVIEW

Councillor Belinda Walters, Chairman of Governance Committee, introduced the report. There were changes to four polling places, and the polling districts within Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead were to be renamed. The changes were welcomed as it was felt that the allocated polling places would be more convenient for residents. Councillor Tony Bevis seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED

That the revised schedule of polling districts and polling places, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for all elections. 

REASONS

(i)             To ensure that polling districts, polling places and polling stations are relevant and fit for purpose.      

(ii)            To ensure statutory compliance.  

To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies

Councillor Tony Bevis provided an update as the representative on the West Sussex County Council Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee. The committee members had received training and conducted an evidence gathering exercise to consider the mental health provision in the County. There was also an inspection due from the Care Quality Commission. Service shortcomings had been identified, and action plans prepared. The Committee would receive updates on the progress of these plans. The introduction of the Integrated Care Board and the budget for the upcoming year was also discussed.

Councillor Clive Trott, the Armed Forces Champion and representative for the South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association gave an update on the reduced reserve forces and cadets within the District. There was a drive to increase the Combined Cadet Forces in state schools, and Members were asked to advise Councillor Trott if they knew of any schools that would be interested. Support was needed for Steyning Air Training Corps, and a conference was due in February in relation to NHS support to veterans.

Councillor Liz Kitchen, the representative on the Gatwick Airport Consultative Forum, advised that the Development Consent Order was being considered by the Inspector. There was a potential change to the noise preferential route which could have an adverse impact on residents, particularly in the South of the District. The relevant Cabinet Member would be involved at the relevant stage.

To consider the attached Notices of Motion, submitted in accordance with Rule 4a.26 of the Council’s Constitution:

(a)  Proposed by Councillor Emma Beard: The motion proposes that the Council recognises the importance of the rivers Rother, Arun and Adur, and commits to the development of a ‘Rivers Charter’.

(b)  Proposed by Councillor Claudia Fisher: In light of the conflict in the Middle East, the motion proposes that the Council explores supporting and facilitating events, supports affected residents, and those displaced by events of conflict. The motion further proposes that the Council condemns the use of dehumanising language and calls on communities to treat each other with respect.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Claudia Fisher, and seconded by Councillor Colette Blackburn:

‘England is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. This fact is officially recognised by the Government, in the form of a commitmentto createa nationalNature RecoveryNetwork (NRN)which will be based on the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) mandated by the Environment Act 2021.

An aspirational Nature Recovery Network has been mapped for the District. This is largely based aroundwaterways, especially rivers which, by themselves, are crucially important as wildlife corridors and as habitats.But to deliver in this role within the NRN, our rivers need to flownaturally throughthe landscape,with curvesand bends,flood plains and natural river margins and banks.The natural river margins and banks, including the wider riparian area, provide distinct habitats and protect the river against runoff of pollutants, sedimentation and erosion of the riverbank.Good water quality is essential for wildlife and for people.

Horsham Districthosts twomain riversand theirassociated watersheds. Both the Western Adur and the Arun rise and start their journeys in our District.The journey of a third river, the Rother (a river of great significance for the South Downs National Park) finishes when it joins the Arun north of Hardham.

In 2019, every river in England failed to meet quality tests for pollution. Here, in Horsham, the Council is already working hard on turning that aroundand showingits intentionto bea leadinglight innature recovery with the Wilder Horsham District initiative, its involvement in the Adur River Recovery project and its partnership with the Weald to Waves initiative.

We wish to ask for better official recognition of the importance of our rivers’ health.We are in a position now to move faster towards a world where there is a healthier balance between humans and the natural worldso thatwe canensure thatdecisions andpolicies madetoday hold fast for the health and happiness of future generations of the rivers’ people, flora and fauna.

In doingthis, weare recognisingour crucialrole innature’s recovery in our District and beyond.

ThisCouncil recognises:

(a)   The importance of the rivers Rother, Arun and Adur to the wellbeing and health of Horsham District’s communities, businesses, agriculture and visitors and, in doing so, acknowledges the need to protectthese riversby supportingand maintainingtheir healthyflora, fauna and complex ecosystems.

Ittherefore commits to:

(b)   The development of a ‘Rivers Charter’ (the terms of which will be approvedby Horsham DistrictCouncil) which(if viable) willbuild on the work that is already taking place in the District.As such, the Council would liketo workalongside theArun andRother RiverTrust, theOuse and Adur River Trust, the Adur River Recovery project, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, the South Downs National Park Authority, the Farm Clusters and landowners, as well as other stakeholders, so our rivers, our communities and  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO/72

To receive questions from Members under Rules 4a.8(b) – 4a.13

No questions had been received.

To consider matters certified by the Chairman as urgent

There was no urgent business.