Whilst the meeting had been called to specifically deal with the Cabinet Recommendation to ‘make’ Battle’s Neighbourhood Plan, the Chairman marked Friday’s unlawful killing of Sir David Amess MP for Basildon with a minute’s silence.

The Chairman advised that he had sent a letter of condolence to Sir David’s family on behalf of Rother District Council’s Members and Officers.  He urged Members to be vigilant and make common sense arrangements when meeting with residents, especially those that were not known.  The need to remain vigilant and to be aware of any potentially dangerous situations had sadly been with those in public life since the 2016 murder of Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen, this most recent attack was a shocking reminder of that need.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G.S. Browne C.A. Clark, A.E. Ganly, A.K. Jeeawon, J.M. Johnson and Mrs E.M. Kirby-Green.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.1 (iv), this extra-ordinary meeting of full Council was convened to consider the report of Cabinet on the Battle Civil Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2028.

It was moved by Councillor Field, local Member for North Battle, Netherfield and Whatlington and seconded by Councillor Oliver that the Battle Civil Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2028 be approved and adopted.  Members paid tribute to the work of Battle Town Council, their Neighbourhood Plan Committee and Rother Planning officers in producing the Neighbourhood Plan to complete the process and become part of the Council’s Development Plan. 

RESOLVED: That the Battle Civil Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019-2028 incorporating the Examiner’s modifications, as presented to local Referendum, be “made” with immediate effect and form part of the Council’s Development Plan.