Minutes – Full Council – 19 June 2019

The minutes of this meeting are presented below.

You can also download a PDF copy of the minutes here: Minutes – Full Council – 19 June 2019

MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICHESTER HELD IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM, THE COUNCIL HOUSE, NORTH STREET, CHICHESTER ON WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2019 AT 6.00PM

PRESENT:

• The Mayor (Councillor Plowman), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor J Hughes), Councillors Barrie, Carter, Dignum, Gaskin, Gershater, Harry, C Hughes, K Hughes, Norrell, Scicluna, Sharp, West Sussex County Councillors Fitzjohn and Oakley

APOLOGIES:

• Councillors Apel and Joy

IN ATTENDANCE:

• Deputy Town Clerk, Macebearer, Mayoral/Administrator Assistant

12. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

As recorded above.

13. MINUTES OF COUNCIL

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council and the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on 15 May 2019 having been printed and circulated be approved, adopted and signed as a correct record.

14. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Mayor mentioned a number of Anniversary events he had attended, including the 100 years of Save the Children, 180 years of learning at the University and 30 years of the Apuldram Centre. He also said that it was 50 years since man had walked on the moon and that the Planetarium were preparing special events to mark the occasion.

He welcomed all new Councillors to the first full Council Meeting and said that he looked forward to working with them throughout the year for the benefit of Chichester City.

15. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There were no questions from members of the public being residents of the City pursuant to Standing Order 27.

16. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES

(a) Planning and Conservation Committee

It was moved by Councillor Joy, as Chairman of the Committee, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2019 be approved and adopted.

Minute 13 – Review of Committee Terms of Reference

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council that the following items be added:

• the City Council will have due regard to the effects on biodiversity and climate but that reference to the Planning Delegation Sub-Committee be deleted in view of the decision in Minute 10 (to disband the Sub-Committee), as follows:
  • to appoint such Sub-Committee and Working Groups as may be necessary to fulfil the requirements of the Planning and Conservation Committee.

It was RESOLVED that the original motion put by Councillor Joy, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2019, with these items, be approved and adopted.

Minute 14 – Climate Change

This item was taken at the conclusion of the Minutes of Committees.

(b) Community Affairs Committee

It was moved by Councillor C Hughes, Vice-Chairman of the Committee, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2019 be approved and adopted.

Supplementary Agenda Item 1 – Review of Committee Terms of Reference

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on 19 June 2019, that the following item be added:

• the City Council will have due regard to the effects on biodiversity and climate

It was RESOLVED that the original motion put by Councillor C Hughes, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2019, with these items, be approved and adopted.

Minute 9 – Climate Change

This item was taken at the conclusion of the Minutes of Committees

(c) Finance Committee

It was moved by Councillor Scicluna, the Chairman of the Committee, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2019 be approved an adopted excluding the RECOMMENDATIONS in Minute 9,11,12,13 and 16 which would be discussed separately.

It was RESOLVED by Councillor Scicluna, Chairman of the Committee, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2019 be approved an adopted excluding the RECOMMENDATIONS in Minute 9,11,12,13 and 16 which would be discussed separately.

Councillor Scicluna drew the Council’s attention to the following RECOMMENDATIONS:

Minute 9 – Statement of Accounts 2018/2019

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on Wednesday 19 June 2019 that the Statement of Accounts 2018/2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor and Responsible Finance Officer.

It was RESOLVED that the Statement of Accounts 2018/2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor and Responsible Finance Officer.

Minute 11 – Annual Governance Statement – (Part 1 of the Annual Return) 2018/2019

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on Wednesday 19 June 2019 that the Annual Governance Statement (Part 1 of the Annual Return) 2018/2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor and the Town Clerk.

It was RESOLVED that the Annual Governance Statement (Part 1 of the Annual Return) 2018/2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor and the Town Clerk.

Minute 12 Accounting Statements – (Part 2 of the Annual Return) 2018/2019

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on Wednesday 19 June 2019 that the Accounting Statements (Part 2 of the Annual Return) 2018/2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor and Responsible Finance Officer.

It was RESOLVED that the Accounting Statements (Part 2 of the Annual Return) 2018/2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor and Responsible Finance Officer.

Minute 13 – Internal Auditor

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on Wednesday 19 June 2019 that the following be approved:

(a) the new scope of Audit and reformatted Audit Report be agreed for the financial year 2019/20.

(b) the appointment of the Internal Auditor be agreed to 31 March 2020.

It was RESOLVED that:

(a) the new scope of Audit and reformatted Audit Report be agreed for the financial year 2019/20.

(b) the appointment of the Internal Auditor be agreed to 31 March 2020.

Minute 16 – Review of Committee Terms of Reference

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on 19 June 2019 that the following items be added:

• Public Realm Expenditure
• CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) Projects
• Biodiversity and Climate Change

It was RESOLVED that these items be added to the Committee Terms of Reference.

Minute 15 – Climate Change

This item was taken at the conclusion of Minutes of Committees.

17. CLIMATE CHANGE

(Council Minute 52 and 53 refers) (Planning Minute 14, Community Affairs Committee Minute 9 and Finance Committee Minute 15 refers)

The Mayor, with the aid of a video presentation, outlined the importance of recognising the effects of climate change, with particular regard to the potential flood risk this imposed in West Sussex coastal and the surrounding area.

A discussion took place about how these issues could be addressed and several ideas were put forward; however, it was recognised that this was a global concern. Councillor Sharp said that approximately 85 Councils had now declared a climate emergency. It was noted that steps towards a solution, such as single-use plastics, re-cycling crisp packets schemes, energy saving bulbs were already being taken.

The importance of trees was discussed and the Mayor said that he would like to see a tree planted for every person in Chichester, namely 27,000.

Councillor Joy commented on the very successful Business for Schools Scheme where businesses donated their unwanted items, such as furniture and computers to schools.

Councillor K Hughes advised that although steps were being taken, it was important, to engage the larger organisations to give a greater impact.

Councillor Gaskin said that it could be beneficial to hold an event in the Assembly Room to which schools project day ‘Science Fair’ could be invited to broaden awareness of climate change and its effects.

The economical benefits were also discussed and the success of the Wind Turbine Factory on the Isle of Wight was mentioned.

Councillor Scicluna sought nominations for the “Task and Finish” Group and Councillors Joy and Norrell indicated that they wished to serve on this group. Other nominations would be advised. Councillor Scicluna suggested that the political make-up of 2 Liberal Democrats, 1 Labour, 1 Green and 1 Conservative be considered and that they would be appointed to this.

RESOLVED that the Notice of Motion (1) be approved and adopted and the Task and Finish Group as outlined above be established.

The Council were pleased to note that some of the practices outlined, ie: re-cycling crisp packets scheme, energy saving bulbs were already being observed by the City Council staff and members.

It was RECOMMENDED to Full Council on 19 June 2019 that the Notice of Motion (2) from Councillor Sharp be approved and adopted with the following amendments:

“That the City Council, with the Mayor as our Principal Spokesperson

2. “Will act with the utmost endeavour” to make the City Council Carbon neutral by 2030, taking into amount both production and consumption emissions.

3. “Calls on “Parliament” to provide the powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible.

RESOLVED that the original Notice of Motion (2) with these amendments, be approved and adopted.

18. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Councillor Scicluna, as the City Council’s representative on the Friends of Chartres, Friends of Ravenna and Friends of Valletta mentioned an event being held for the Friends of Chartres. A talk by British author Kate Mosse following her journeys around the world.

19. WARD REPORTS FROM CHICHESTER CITY COUNCILLORS

Councillor K Hughes, as an east ward member, said that he had received enquiries about where to obtain funding for projects. The Mayor advised of the City Council’s Discretionary Grant Scheme and also the New Homes Bonus Scheme, details of which were available on the website.

Councillor Bowden, as a west ward member, commented on the concerns being expressed about the lack of progress on the Whitehouse Farm development. He said that the Infrastructure Steering Group had met recently at West Sussex County Council to enable residents to highlight their concerns. It was hoped that improvements to access and cycleways could be made. Further meetings were planned.

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

West Sussex County Councillor, Simon Oakley commented on the road closures and that he made himself available to comment on his speciality of drainage.

West Sussex County Councillor, Jamie Fitzjohn mentioned the West Sussex Climate Pledge which aimed to:

• Save Energy & Water
• Make Low Carbon Journeys
• Shop Local
• Fight Against Food Waste
• Pass on Plastic

He said that it was hoped that Climate Change could be introduced into schools as part of the National Curriculum.

He commented on raising awareness of the issues and informing local residents and businesses what could be done to help mitigate climate change. He said that it was the County Council’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. He also commended the City Council’s approach.

He mentioned the improvements currently being made to the pavements and recognised the problems with potholes which was being addressed, he also mentioned the setting up of a Steering Group for pavements.

Other issues mentioned were the pedestrian crossing at St James’, cycleways at Shopwhyke, Oving traffic lights and progress with the Traffic Management Plan.

21. QUESTIONS

There were no questions from members of the public pursuant to Standing Order 24.

22. COMMON SEAL

RESOLVED that the Common Seal be affixed to any documents necessary to give effect to the resolutions passed at this meeting.

The meeting closed at 7.18pm.