1.    In accordance with paragraph 3.2(a) of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair of Council exercised her discretion to vary the order of business so that this item was taken at this point in the Agenda.

2.    The Council had received a petition from Nigel Jacklin relating to Northeye Asylum Seeker Centre Proposals and it had been requested that the petition be debated by full Council.  The petition contained over 1,500 signatures from those who resided, worked or studied in the Rother area and therefore met the criteria for debate at full Council.

3.    The Petition received requested the following:

“We demand that Rother District Council OPPOSE Northeye Asylum Seeker Centre Proposals.”

4.    Nigel Jacklin addressed the Council for five minutes and thanked all the people who helped to get signatures, those who had signed the petition and Councillor Mrs Cook, for encouraging them to engage with the democratic process as well as the Chief Executive and Democratic Services for their help. Mr Jacklin proceeded to outline the background and rationale for the Petition and requested that the Council:

Ø publicly stated its opposition to the proposals;

Ø immediately ensured that the residents views were represented; and

Ø actively opposed the new emergency legislation and took legal action if the Home Office decided to go ahead.

5.    In accordance with the Petition Scheme, the Council had 15 minutes in which to debate the Petition.  The Chair of Council invited the Leader of the Council to respond, then all Group Leaders, both local Ward Members and followed by any other Member who wished to speak. 

6.    At the conclusion of the debate, it was moved by Councillor Oliver, seconded by Councillor Bayliss and

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Council:

1)    will use all its powers to press the Home Office to provide full details of precisely what it is proposing for the site;

2)    will press the Home Office to ensure that it engages fully with all stakeholders and attends all liaison meetings; and

3)    is fully committed to using all its powers to ensure that any use of the site is lawful and acceptable in planning terms having regard to the Local Plan, national policy and other material planning considerations.

(When it first became apparent, Councillors Field, Maynard and Mrs Kirby-Green each declared a personal interest in this matter as elected Members of East Sussex County Council and in accordance with the Code of Conduct remained in the room during the consideration thereof).