Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea

Contact: For all enquiries please contact Email: democraticservices@rother.gov.uk  Tel: 01424 787813

Items
No. Item

C19/22.

Minutes

To approve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 May 2019.

Minutes:

The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 May 2019 as a correct record of the proceedings.

C19/23.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.K. Bird, S.J. Errington and K.M. Harmer.

 

C19/24.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any disclosure by Members of personal and disclosable pecuniary interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Member regards the personal interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.  Members are reminded of the need to repeat their declaration immediately prior to the commencement of the item in question.

Minutes:

Declarations of interest were made by Councillors in the Minutes as indicated below:

 

Barnes, J                          Agenda Item 12 – Personal Interest as an elected           Member of East Sussex County Council.

 

Clark                                Agenda Item 12 – Personal Interest as an elected Member of East Sussex County Council.

 

Mrs Earl-Williams              Agenda Item 12 – Personal Interest as an elected Member of East Sussex County Council.

 

Field                                 Agenda Item 12 – Personal Interest as an elected Member of East Sussex County Council and Chair of Battle Pre-School.

 

Maynard                           Agenda Item 12 – Personal Interest as an Executive Member of East Sussex County Council.

 

Prochak                            Agenda Item 11 – Personal Interest as both a Patron and a Council appointed Trustee on the De La War Pavilion Charitable Trust.

C19/25.

Chairman's Communications

Minutes:

The Chairman announced that during his first two months in office he had attended 14 interesting and varied events, which included:

 

1)            the Bexhill Horse Show; the 1066 Community Awards at which Pit-stop, an independent local charity that supported young people in Bexhill and the surrounding area won Charity of the Year; the High Sherriff’s Garden Party; Battle Abbey Prize Giving; meeting the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex; Leavers Ceremony at Pestalozzi Village;

 

2)            a number of these events provided the Chairman with the opportunity to network with fellow Chairmen across the County and it had become apparent that there was much interest in the new administration at Rother District Council;

 

3)            it was suggested by Councillor J. Barnes and agreed by Council that a letter of congratulations be sent by the Chairman to Pit-Stop on their recent recognition and award;

 

The Chairman also announced that:

 

4)            in accordance with paragraph 3.2(a) of the Council Procedure Rules, he had used his discretion in favour of varying the order of business so that Agenda Item 11, the presentation from Stewart Drew was taken after his communications; and 

 

5)            there was an updated Agenda Item 7, Report of the Cabinet, in Councillors’ wallets and Agenda Item 9, Report of the Audit and Standards Committee was now in wallets.

 

C19/26.

Non decision making debate: De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust - Annual Update pdf icon PDF 8 MB

To receive a presentation from Stewart Drew, Director and Chief Executive of the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust.

Minutes:

In accordance with the Constitution, the Chairman of Council had agreed to the Council receiving a presentation on the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust Annual Update from Stewart Drew, Director and Chief Executive of the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP).

 

The Chairman of the Council welcomed Stewart Drew to the meeting who proceeded to present an annual update to Members.  Following the presentation Members asked a number of questions and congratulated Stewart Drew on the successes of the DLWP and the contribution it made to both local and national culture, local tourism and the evening economy and education across the district.  The Chairman thanked Stewart Drew for his informative and interesting presentation.

 

It was moved, seconded and agreed that Council Procedure Rules 3.2 (a) (varying the order of business), 14.4 (content and length of speeches) and 14.5 (when a member may speak again) be waived for the duration of this item. 

 

C19/27.

Member Question Time

To answer questions from Members of the Council, if any, in accordance with paragraph 11 of the Council Procedure Rules. (Time limit 30 minutes.) *

Minutes:

1.     Pursuant to Paragraph 11 of the Council Procedure Rules the following oral question was put by Councillor Drayson and answered by Councillor Mrs Earl-Williams.

 

     Oral Question:  Can the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Tourism please provide an up-date on the current position of the fountains on the seafront?

 

     Answer: I’m really sorry that the fountains at the Promenade in Bexhill continue to be faulty and not in use.  I really do understand how much enjoyment the feature gives local people and visitors but sadly it won’t be possible to get them back into use this year.

 

     There are a number of issues that have led to this regrettable situation and getting them sorted is not going to be cheap.  The Council has commissioned two independent structural surveys, as well as a mechanical survey, to understand the causes of the faults in more detail and how best to deal with them.  The faults identified relate to the underground plantroom, which houses the tank and pump mechanism, and the underground pipework, which feeds the fountain.  I know our Officers are continuing to work with specialists to get to the root of the problem and bring the fountains back into use as soon as possible. 

 

     I can assure you that officers are working hard to get an estimate of the potential cost and a timeframe for carrying out the required works.  As soon as I have any further information I’ll let Councillors know.  My main concern is to get the fountains working properly again so that we can see them being used and enjoyed.

 

C19/28.

Report of the Cabinet on matters for determination by Council pdf icon PDF 256 KB

To receive the report of the Cabinet on matters for determination by full Council at its meetings held on3 June, 1 and 8 July to include, as under:

                                                                                                        

3 June 2019

 

·                 Draft Visitor Economy Chapter of the Economic Regeneration Strategy (CB19/04)

 

1 July 2019

 

·                 Treasury Management Update

·                 Land at Northiam Car Park, Main Street, Northiam

·                 Residential Development at Blackfriars

 

8 July 2019 – TO FOLLOW

 

·                 Crowhurst Neighbourhood Development Plan 2016-2028

·                 Rye Neighbourhood Development Plan 2016-2028

·                 Ticehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan 2016-2028

·                 Forthcoming consultation on the Main Modifications to the Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan 

 

Minutes:

1.         It was moved by Councillor Oliver and seconded that the reports of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 3 June, 1 and 8 July as set out in the Agenda be approved and adopted.

 

2.         The Chairman of the Council having called over the reports, the following Minutes was reserved for discussion:

 

Cabinet 3 June 2019               CB19/04

Cabinet 1 July 2019                CB19/12, CB19/14

Cabinet 8 July 2019                CB19/21, CB19/22, CB19/23 and CB19/24

 

3.         On the Motion of the Chairman of the Council, duly seconded, the Council approved, adopted and received the following report, with the exception of the minutes reserved for discussion:

 

CB19/13 - Land at Northiam Car Park, Main Street, Northiam

 

C19/29.

Reserved Matters

Minutes:

Cabinet – 3 June 2019

 

CB19/04 - DRAFT VISITOR ECONOMY CHAPTER OF THE ECONOMIC REGENERATION STRATEGY

 

RESOLVED: That CB19/04 be approved and adopted.

 

Cabinet – 1 July 2019

 

CB19/12 - TREASURY MANAGEMENT UPDATE

 

CB19/14 - RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT BLACKFRIARS

 

It was moved by Councillor J. Barnes, and seconded that the Recommendation, be amended by the deletion of the words “a Registered Provider”.

 

At the request of Councillor Maynard, supported by three other Members and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.5(a) a vote by roll call for the Amendment was taken.

 

FOR the Amendment (13): J. Barnes, Mrs M.L. Barnes, Browne, Carroll, Curtis, Ganly, Mrs Hart, Johnson, Mrs Kirby-Green, Maynard, Mooney, Osborne and Stevens.

 

AGAINST the Amendment (22). Bayliss, Brewerton, Byrne, Clark, Cook, Coleman, Courtel, Dixon, Drayson, Earl-Williams, Field, Gray, Jeeawon, Langlands, Madeley, Mier, Norton, Oliver, Prochak, Thomas, Timpe and Vine-Hall.                   

 

ABSTENTIONS (0):

 

The Amendment on being put, was declared LOST.

 

RESOLVED: That CB19/12 and CB19/14 be approved and adopted, as submitted.

                             

Cabinet – 8 July 2019

 

CB19/21 - CROWHURST NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 2018-2028

                             

CB19/22 - RYE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 2016-2028

                             

CB19/23 - TICEHURST NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 2018-2028

 

CB19/24 - FORTHCOMING CONSULTATION ON THE MAIN MODIFICATIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND SITE ALLOCATIONS LOCAL PLAN 

 

RESOLVED: That CB19/21, CB19/22, CB19/23 and CB19/24 be approved and adopted.

 

C19/30.

Report of the Head of Paid Service on decisions taken by Cabinet as matters of urgency

To receive the report of the Head of Paid Service, in accordance with paragraph 17a of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and paragraph 4 of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, of any urgent decisions taken at the Cabinet meetings held on 3 June, 1 and 8 July 2019.

 

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Oliver and seconded that it be noted that no urgent decisions had been taken by Cabinet at its meetings held on 3 June, 1 and 8 July 2019.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

C19/31.

Report of the Audit and Standards Committee on matters for determination by Council pdf icon PDF 211 KB

To receive the report of the Audit and Standards Committee on a matter for determination by full Council at its meeting held on 24 June, to include, as under:

 

24 June 2019

 

·                  The Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Review of Local Government Ethical Standards / Code of Conduct (Minute Ref AS19/06).

 

Minutes:

1.               It was moved by Councillor Dixon, Chairman of the Audit and Standards Committee, and seconded that the report of the Audit and Standards Committee held on 24 June be approved and adopted. 

 

2.               The Chairman of the Council having called over the report no Minute was reserved for discussion.

 

3.               On the Motion of the Chairman of the Council, duly seconded, the Council approved and adopted the following report:

 

          AS19/06 - The Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Review of Local Government Ethical Standards / Code of Conduct

 

C19/32.

Planning Committee Membership pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To receive the report of the Executive Director on a change to the Committee Membership appointments to the Planning Committee. 

 

Minutes:

Following the appointments to Council’s Committees at the Annual Council meeting in May it was necessary to make amendments to the Committee Membership of the Planning Committee in light of Group Leader’s wishes and the completion of mandatory Planning Committee training. 

 

Council was therefore asked to confirm that subject to Councillors Coleman and Timpe attending the mandatory Planning Committee training to be held on Tuesday 9 July they be appointed to the Planning Committee and Councillors Courtel and Hamer be removed from the Planning Committee.  

 

Membership of the Planning Committee (subject to the completion of the mandatory training) was therefore confirmed as follows:

 

Planning Committee

CouncillorsMrs M.L. Barnes, T.J.C. Byrne (ex-officio), S.J. Coleman, G.C. Curtis, Mrs D.C. Earl-Williams S.J. Errington, A.E. Ganly, J.M. Johnson, L.M. Langlands, A.S. Mier, S.M. Prochak (Vice-Chairman), G.F. Stevens, R. Thomas, H.L. Timpe and J. Vine-Hall (Chairman).

 

RESOLVED: That Councillors P.C. Courtel and K.M Harmer be removed from the Planning Committee and Councillors S. Coleman and H. Timpe be appointed, subject to the completion of the mandatory planning training to be held on 9 July.

 

C19/33.

Notice of Motion - Children's Centres

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12 consideration be given to the following Motion to Council submitted by Councillor Mrs Bayliss:

 

“This Council responds to East Sussex County Council’s consultation on Children’s Services Early Help Draft Strategy 2020-2023 and objects to the proposals to:

 

a.     withdraw the subsidy and to no longer provide the Cygnets (Egerton Park) and Rainbow (Sidley) nurseries in Bexhill;

b.     encourage expressions of interest from other nursery providers to operate in these children’s centres (privatise); and

c.     relocate children’s services currently delivered from the Children’s Centre in Egerton Park, Bexhill to Sidley Children’s and Youth Centre.

 

Rother District Council object on the basis that these services support the Council’s core aim to provide ‘Stronger, Safer Communities’; and the broad outline ‘addressing deprivation and welfare needs’, and in particular, that the proposal to withdraw subsidised nursery places, places a barrier to work for families in the most deprived wards in East Sussex.”

 

 

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12 consideration was given to the following Motion for Council; it was moved by Councillor Mrs Bayliss and seconded that:

 

“This Council responds to East Sussex County Council’s consultation on Children’s Services Early Help Draft Strategy 2020-2023 and objects to the proposals to:

 

a.  withdraw the subsidy and to no longer provide the Cygnets (Egerton Park) and Rainbow (Sidley) nurseries in Bexhill;

b.  encourage expressions of interest from other nursery providers to operate in these children’s centres (privatise); and

c.  relocate children’s services currently delivered from the Children’s Centre in Egerton Park, Bexhill to Sidley Children’s and Youth Centre.

 

Rother District Council object on the basis that these services support the Council’s core aim to provide ‘Stronger, Safer Communities’; and the broad outline ‘addressing deprivation and welfare needs’, and in particular, that the proposal to withdraw subsidised nursery places, places a barrier to work for families in the most deprived wards in East Sussex.”

 

At the request of Councillor Mrs Bayliss, supported by three other Members and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.5(a) a vote by roll call for the Motion was taken.

 

FOR the Motion (28): Bayliss, Brewerton, Byrne, Carroll, Clark, Cook, Coleman, Courtel, Curtis, Dixon, Drayson, Earl-Williams, Field, Ganly, Gray, Jeeawon, Langlands, Madeley, Mier, Mooney, Norton, Oliver, Osborne, Prochak, Stevens, Thomas, Timpe and Vine-Hall.           

 

AGAINST the Motion (0).

 

ABSTENTIONS to the Motion (7): J. Barnes, Mrs M.L. Barnes, Browne, Hart, Johnson, Mrs Kirby-Green and Maynard.

 

RESOLVED: That the Motion on being put was declared CARRIED.