Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13 December, and the extraordinary meetings of the Council held on 11 December, 13 December and 25 January

(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 13 December, and the extraordinary meetings of the Council held on 11 December, 13 December and 25 January were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

Councillor Claudia Fisher declared an interest in Item 6e, as the Chair and Director of, and shareholder in, a company that owns properties in the District. She indicated that she would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of this item.

Councillor Alan Manton declared an interest in Item 6e, as his wife owned property in the District. He indicated that he would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of this item.

Councillor Tony Bevis declared an interest in Item 6d, as he was a volunteer to the Citizens Advice Bureau. He confirmed that he did not have a pecuniary interest.

Councillor Lynn Lambert declared an interest in Items 6d and 6g, as a Trustee and Director of Community Transport Sussex. She indicated that she would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of these items.

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

The Chairman announced that the next meeting of the Council would take place at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of Horsham District Council.

Councillor Martin Boffey, Leader of the Council, announced that Councillor Jonathan Taylor had been appointed as Deputy Cabinet Member for Climate Action & Nature Recovery, and would become a Member of the associated Policy Development Advisory Group. He had attended the memorial service held for Councillor Malcolm Eastwood, with the Chief Executive, and the Leader of the Opposition. It was a well-attended service, and he reminded Members of the great loss to the Council.

Councillor Colette Blackburn, Cabinet Member for Climate Action & Nature Recovery gave an update on the Wildways initiative. The aim was to make improvements to habitats, whilst respecting the wishes of residents to ensure the town looks good. A communications campaign was underway, and the initiative was a demonstration of what can be achieved with collaborative working.

Councillor Sam Raby, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing & Wellbeing, announced that a Cost of Living summit had been held, and thanked the Communities Team for their work. It was a well-attended event, and demonstrated the rich voluntary sector within the District that was supporting residents.

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

No questions relevant to the business of the meeting had been received.

To receive and, if approved, adopt the recommendations from the meeting of Cabinet held on 25 January:

(a)   Planning Skills Delivery Fund – Approval of Budget (report of the Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure is available at: Agenda Item 6)

(b)   Annual Plan 2024/25 (report of the Cabinet Member for Leader of the Council is available at: Agenda Item 8)

(c)   Capitol Theatre Refurbishment (report of the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Green Spaces is available at: Agenda Item 10)

(d)   2024/25 Budget and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2029/30 (report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources is available at: Agenda Item 11)

(e)   Council Tax Premiums; Long-Term Empty Property Council Tax Premium and Second Home Council Tax Premium (report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources is available at: Agenda Item 12)

(f)   2024/25 Council Tax Reduction Scheme & Housing Benefit Modified Scheme (report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources is available at: Agenda Item 13)

(g)   2024/25 Business Rates Discretionary Charitable Relief (report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources is available at: Agenda Item 14)

PLANNING SKILLS DELIVERY FUND – APPROVAL OF BUDGET

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure, introduced the report. Horsham District Council had submitted 2 successful bids to receive grant funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. One bid was submitted on behalf of all authorities affected by water neutrality, to support work to deliver solutions and water offsetting schemes. The second bid was submitted to assist with reducing the backlog in planning applications.

In response to a question about the backlog of planning applications, the Cabinet Member advised that the funding would directly assist with reducing the backlog, and that water neutrality solutions were being developed at present, as part of the Local Plan. The Government was also introducing stricter deadlines to determine planning applications, and steps were being taken to ensure internal processes were efficient.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Mark Baynham.

            RESOLVED

(i)            That the receipt of a grant for the sum of £308,333 for Strategic Planning and Development Management (government grants received) be approved

(ii)           That an increase in the Strategic Planning 2023/24 revenue income and expenditure budgets of £250,000 to cater for the receipt and expenditure of the grant be approved

(iii)          That an increase in the Development Management 2023/24 revenue income and expenditure budgets of £58,333 to cater for receipt and expenditure of the grant be approved 

REASONS  

(i)            Increasing the revenue income and expenditure budget in Strategic Planning and Development Management will allow the Council to receive and spend the grant offered by DLUHC.  

(ii)           Full Council must approve an increase to the budget and the Cabinet must approve expenditure in excess of £250,000.  

(iii)          To provide funds to help deliver the Sussex North Offsetting Water Scheme (SNOWS).  

(iv)          To provide additional resource to reduce the planning application backlog. 

[Councillor James Brookes arrived at the meeting at 6.20pm]

ANNUAL PLAN 2024/25

Councillor Martin Boffey, Leader of the Council, introduced the Annual Plan 2024/25. An amendment had been made following consultation with Members, to incorporate a review of the use of pesticides, as well as herbicides, on Council managed land. The key actions had three main themes. These were tackling issues that matter to people on a day-to-day, making sure everyone benefits from the actions taken, and providing a Council fit for the future. The Leader outlined a number of actions within these categories, to Members.

Members discussed the provision of new homes, and it was noted that there was a delay to the approval of the bid submitted for the Local Authority Housing Fund. The deadline to purchase the properties in relation to this fund was 29 March, and it was highlighted that unless an extension was granted by the Government, it may not be possible to purchase the properties as intended. The Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing confirmed that there were plans in place for Horsham District Homes to provide units in Dukes Square and London Road, and the opportunity to work with small developers was being  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO/11

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources

It was moved by Councillor Mark Baynham, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources and seconded by Councillor Martin Boffey that the Council Tax resolution for 2024/25 be approved.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the voting in respect of the substantive motion, as amended, was recorded and was as follows:

FOR THE MOTION: Mark Baynham, Anthony Bevis, Colette Blackburn, Martin Boffey, Peter van der Borgh, James Brookes, Jon Campbell, Mike Croker, Len Ellis-Brown, Nigel Emery, Victoria Finnegan, Claudia Fisher, Ruth Fletcher, Anthony Frankland, Joan Grech, Kasia Greenwood, Warwick Hellawell, Joanne Knowles, Dennis Livingstone, Nicholas Marks, Jay Mercer, John Milne, Colin Minto, Jon Olson, Sam Raby, David Skipp, Jonathan Taylor, John Trollope, Clive Trott

AGAINST THE MOTION: Philip Circus, Tony Hogben, Liz Kitchen, Lynn Lambert, Richard Landeryou, Alan Manton, Roger Noel, Tricia Youtan

ABSTAINED: None

ABSENT: Sam Bateman, Paul Clarke, Joy Dennis, Chris Franke, Nick Grant, Alexander Jeffery, Josh Potts, Belinda Walters

The motion was declared CARRIED, and it was RESOLVED:

1.         The Council Tax Base 2024/25 be noted and set

a.         for the whole Council area as65,173.2 (Item T in the formula in section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”) and

b.         for dwellings in those parts of its area to which as Parish Precept or Special Expenses relates as shown below:

2.       That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding Special Expenses and Parish precepts) is set at £170.28

2. That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2024/25 in accordance with Sections 31 to 37 (excluding sections 32 and 33 which are applicable to Wales only) of the Act:

To receive the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

The Chief Executive introduced this item. Alan Ladley, Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) presented their report, and advised of the methodology and the evidence upon which the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations were based. The Panel proposed a 4.76% increase, to be backdated to 24 May 2023, due to the Local Elections that took place last year.

It was moved by Councillor Martin Boffey and seconded by Councillor Philip Circus that the recommendations of the IRP be approved.

Councillor Mike Croker suggested that, given the current economic climate, the increase should be amended from 4.76% to 3.8%. He moved that recommendation 1 be amended so that:

“Councillors receive an increase in relevant allowances of 4.76%” be amended to “Councillors receive an increase in relevant allowances of 3.8%”.

Councillor Jon Campbell seconded the motion.

Members debated the amendment and the importance of remuneration to encourage diversity in Councillors, and it was highlighted that individuals Members can choose not to take their allowance, or to donate it to charity. The motion was put to the vote and was LOST.

The Leader, and the Leader of the Minority Group spoke of the importance of an independent panel. Members thanked the IRP for their work.

RESOLVED

(i)            That the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel contained in Appendix 2 attached to this report be noted; and 

(ii)           That (i) the Members’ Allowances Scheme contained in Appendix 2 (which includes an uplift of 4.76% to be applied to Basic Allowances, Special Responsibility Allowances and the Co-optees’ and Representatives on Outside Bodies Allowances) be agreed and adopted, and, that the 4.76% increase is backdated to 24 May 2023 be approved.  I

(iii)          That the payment of an honorarium, in the sum of £250, to each IRP member in respect of this interim review, be approved

REASONS

(i)            It is a statutory requirement that the Council instructs the IRP in relation to Members’ Allowances.

(ii)           The Council must have regard to the IRP’s recommendations when agreeing Members’ Allowances. 

(iii)          It is a function of Full Council to adopt a scheme for Members’ Allowances.

(iv)          To approve the payment of an honorarium to the members of the IRP

To receive the report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive introduced the report and highlighted the proposed changes to the scheduling of meetings in relation to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, and the PDAGs. It was moved by the Chairman of the Council and seconded by the Vice Chairman of the Council, that the recommendations be approved.  

Concerns were raised in relation to backbench involvement, with the proposal to combined PDAG meetings, and suggested that the arrangements should be reviewed in future. The Leader of the Council confirmed that the arrangements would be considered as part of the constitution review, and the review of the recommendations from the Governance Peer Challenge from the Local Government Association. It was also highlighted that meetings in school holidays should be avoided.

            RESOLVED

(i)            That the calendar of meetings for 2024/25, as submitted, be approved   

(ii)           That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, to make amendments to the schedule of meetings of the Committee, in consultation with the relevant Chair, or, in their absence, the Vice-Chair 

REASON

To fix a programme of Council meetings and to approve a calendar for Cabinet and Committee meetings, which enables the Council to transact its business in a timely and efficient manner.

To receive the report of Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities & Wellbeing

Councillor Sam Raby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing introduced this item. Following the departure of two Heads of Service, the Council was recommended to amend the Board of Directors for the housing companies. Councillor Jay Mercer seconded the motion.

            RESOLVED

(i)            That the resignation of Brian Elliott from the Board of Directors of HDH and HDH(H) be noted.

(ii)           That the resignation of Robert Jarvis from the Board of Directors of HDH(H) be noted.

(iii)          That the appointment of Andrew Smith, Head of Housing and Communities, to the Board of HDH and HDH(H) Limited on the terms contained in Appendix A, be approved.

(iv)          That the appointment of Elizabeth Williams, Head of Property and Facilities, to the Board of HDH and HDH(H) Limited on the terms contained in Appendix A, be approved.

REASON

To ensure that the Housing Companies have a properly constituted Board of Directors following the resignations of two directors.

To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies

There were no reports of representatives.

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.