Minutes – Full Council (Discretionary Grants) – 2 December 2020

The minutes of this meeting are presented below.

You can also download a PDF copy of the minutes here: Minutes – Full Council (Discretionary Grants) – 2 December 2020

MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICHESTER HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2020 AT 2.00PM

PRESENT:

• The Mayor (Councillor Plowman), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor J Hughes), Councillors Apel, Barrie, Bell, Bowden, Carter, Dignum, Gaskin, Gershater, Harry, C Hughes, Joy, Scicluna, Sharp

APOLOGIES:

• Councillors K Hughes and Lishman

IN ATTENDANCE:

• Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk (Responsible Finance Officer), Mayor’s Chaplain, Mayoral/Administrator Assistant, Member Services Support Officer, West Sussex County Councillor Simon Oakley, West Sussex County Councillor Jeremy Hunt, Two members of the public were in attendance

ABSENT:

• Councillor Turbefield

36. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

As recorded above.

37. MINUTES OF COUNCIL

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 23 September 2020 (pages 78-83) and Council-in-Committee held on 7 October 2020 (pages 86-87) having been printed and circulated, be approved, adopted and signed as a correct record at a later date.

38. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

(i) The Mayor said that he was disappointed that Chichester had moved into Tier 2 in the Covid-19 Pandemic and was very mindful of all the hard work put in by organisations. However, there was now some positive news with the arrival of the vaccine and he commended the scientists for this breakthrough. He did re-iterate that the new “normal” was still a long way off.

39. QUESTIONS

There were no questions from members of the public.

40. DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

RESOLVED to note that the following grants had been paid:

(Community Affairs Minute 26 refers)

(i) Chichester Forest Schools £2,599.00
(ii) Chichester Nightingales Army Community Interest Company £3,000.00

41. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES

(a) Planning and Conservation Committee

15 October 2020 (pages 88-93)
12 November 2020 (pages 110-114)

It was moved by Councillor Joy, Chairman of the Committee, that the minutes of the meetings held on 15 October 2020 and 12 November 2020 be approved and adopted.

Councillor Scicluna mentioned that she had joined the meeting after Declarations of Interest had been taken but wished to record a Personal Interest as a member of the CCAAC.

Minute 59 – Application CC./20/01914/FUL. St James Industrial Estate.

Councillor Bowden said that this application had been passed by the District Council’s Planning Committee.

Minute 60 – Neighbourhood Plan

Councillor Scicluna made a request that details of the Plan go to all the Residents Associations. The Mayor confirmed this would be addressed at the next Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee.

Minute 75 – Tractors and Trailers Going Through Chichester

Councillor Apel referred to the Tractors and Trailers meeting feedback. The Mayor summarised in brief; however, the minutes of the meeting had previously been circulated for information.

Councillor Bell commented that the Planning minutes were an excellent record of the meeting held on 12 November 2020.

Councillor Joy, as Chairman of the Committee, drew the City Council’s attention to the following recommendation:

Minute 73 refers

Further to Finance Committee being notified of the change of the Neighbourhood Plan structure (20 October 2020, minute 74 refers) it is RECOMMENDED to Full Council on 2 December 2020 that the Neighbourhood Plan Specialist Consultant Richard Eastham take the Steering Group through the necessary process of producing a draft plan for submission, and that Neighbourhood Planning specialists Consultants Feria Urbanism Limited take on the running of the project.

It was RESOLVED that the original motion put by Councillor Joy that the minutes of the meetings held on 15 October 2020 and 12 November 2020, 2020 be approved and adopted.

(b) Community Affairs Committee

5 October 2020 (pages 84-85)
16 November 2020 (pages 115-124)

It was moved by Councillor Apel, Chairman of the Committee, that the minutes of the meetings held on 5 October 2020 and 16 November 2020 be approved and adopted.

Minute 30(e) – Discretionary Grants Working Group.

Councillor Apel said that it had been agreed that a Working Group to look at Discretionary Grants would be set up which would be discussed at the next meeting of the Community Affairs Committee in January 2021.

Minute 34 – Spirit FM Changes and Possible Replacement Community Radio Services

The Mayor had written a letter of support to V2 Radio.

It was RESOLVED that the original motion put by Councillor Apel that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2020 and 16 November 2020 be approved and adopted.

Councillor Bell abstained from voting.

(c) Finance Committee

20 October 2020 (pages 94-107)
Special Finance Committee 2 November 2020 (pages 108-109)
26 November 2020 (pages 125-131)

It was moved by Councillor Scicluna, as Chairman of the Committee, that the minutes of the meetings held on 20 October 2020, 2 November 2020 and 26 November 2020 be approved and adopted.

Councillor Scicluna drew the City Council’s attention to the following recommendations:
It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council that:

(i) the City Council budget for 2021/2022 be £806,406 resulting in a Precept Demand of £702,156 and a Band D Council Tax payment of £62.94 (an increase of 9.9p per week); an overall increase of 8.9% on the Precept – providing the Draft Tax Base remained unchanged at 11,155.5;

(ii) the Earmarked Reserves Balances to 18 November 2020 be approved;

(iii) the Planned Maintenance Programme for 2019-2029 be noted;

(iv) the Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2021/2022 be approved.

Minute 46(a) Chichester Canal Trust

Councillor Scicluna commended the Chichester Canal Trust for their hard work in trying to raise funds.

Minute 63 – Council Investments Review

Councillor Bowden enquired whether, when the investments were reviewed, that they lined up with the climate emergency and that they are fitting in with ethical standards. The Mayor confirmed that this would be looked at.

Minute 64(o) – Remembrance Sunday 2020 arrangements.

The Mayor commented on the appreciation shown for the video of Remembrance Sunday and thanked the Member
Services Support Officer for his work in producing this. Councillor Scicluna added she had received a number of positive comments, and in particular from the ex-Service organisations who had found the service very moving. The Mayor also thanked the Town Clerk and his team for all the work involved.

Councillor Scicluna thanked the Deputy Town Clerk for all her hard working in ensuring that the budget had been balanced at these challenging times.

It was RESOLVED that the original motion put by Councillor Scicluna that the minutes of the meetings held on 20 October 2020, 2 November 2020 and 26 November 2020 be approved and adopted.

42. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

There were no reports from representatives on Outside Bodies.

43. WARD REPORTS FROM CHICHESTER CITY COUNCILLORS

Councillor Gaskin said that she, together with Councillor Sharp, had had a very useful meeting with the new local Community Support Officer for East Ward and had also met with the Police and Chichester District Council representatives and the Charles Avenue Residents Engagement Group representative. The residents on Charles Avenue had been advised to communicate with the Police Representatives regarding any anti-social behaviour. Clarion Housing were to replace the external door on the block of flats. The Community Hub could not be formally handed over because of Covid-19.

Councillor Scicluna, as Central Ward representative, said that the Street Naming Book would be available imminently and had been updated and was currently at the printers. She said it was a very interesting read covering all wards.

Councillor Apel, as a West Ward member, mentioned the school land swap. The Mayor said that this was a very important project within the information gathering for the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee. He said there was still a lot of work to be done and this would be reported at the appropriate Committee.

Councillor Bell mentioned housing on the Bishop Luffa School site which included some of the playing fields. The Mayor further commented that this would be discussed at the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee.

Councillor Sharp wanted to raise awareness about the empty shop in South Street taken over by the Design Collective and had very attractive displays which would be there until 9 January 2021. She hoped it would encourage other landlords to use their shops creatively to support the local businesses. The Mayor commented on the shops being used and mentioned how impressive Drapers Yard was and the development The Barn at Little London and welcomed the use of local produce.

44. REPORTS FROM CHICHESTER DISTRICT AND WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUINCIL’S WARD MEMBERS

Councillor Bowden drew members attention to the initial proposal for housing distribution throughout Chichester District and the proposal of increased housing, particularly in the East of the City. These proposals had been endorsed for further investigation into their suitability for housing. He added that the effect of this would be discussed at the District Council’s Planning Committee at which all members were welcome to attend.

Councillor Oakley said that the budget situation was extremely tight with the increasing resources needed for childrens services and adult social care and the Government’s autumn spending statement and final details would be available at a later date. Overall the tax base for 2021-22 would reduce slightly and this was expected to continue into 2022-23.

Councillor Oakley also referred to the housing allocation to the east of the city which would have a direct effect on the city and road network due to the proximity with potential new populations. WSCC was progressing with its work on the Westhampnett, Oving Road corridor road networks and transport links including Oaklands Way. They were awaiting Cala Homes and Highways England timetable for changes to the Oving Road Lights junction.

The Community Hub were still receiving many calls and were directing people to the appropriate channels.

The land ownership of the Swanfield Bus Shelter was mentioned.

Councillor Bell mentioned the benefit of the pop-up cycle lane at Oaklands Way particularly for pedestrians but now that these had been removed it had become more dangerous. He expressed concern that the underpass would now have to be used which he felt was a potential hazard, particularly at night. The Mayor said this was of concern and that the underpass was not always an ideal solution.

Councillor Oakley mentioned that the Oaklands Way controlled crossing had not been lost but the work on the Covid-19 Scheme had delayed progress on this. He said there were three stages, namely the vision related works on the Northgate Gyratory, the Oaklands Way sustainable transport for cycleways and pedestrians and also the controlled crossing where work was progressing.

Councillor Fitzjohn commented on the funds given to Rotary for the Christmas tree which had been very well-received.

Councillor Fitzjohn encouraged members to take an active part in the Local Plan.

He also referred to a meeting that he had attended at which Councillor Sharp had been present to discuss the traffic noise on the A27 and that there was now an A27 Action Group. It was hoped that more people would be encouraged to attend. Councillor Bell commented on the support given to Dr Boize during her recent attendance at the Planning and Conservation Committee when she had presented this item.

The Mayor thanked Councillors Oakley and Fitzjohn for their contribution to the meeting.

45. QUESTIONS

There were no questions from members of the Council pursuant to Standing Order 8.

46. COMMON SEAL

The meeting closed at 3.30pm.