Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed Councillors, representatives of the public, press and officers to the meeting. 

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors English, Jones, May and Pendleton.

          An apology for absence had also been received from the Council’s Honorary Alderman, Mr Dingemans.

Members and Officers are invited to make any declarations of pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests that they may have in relation to items on this agenda, and are reminded that they should re-declare their interest before consideration of the item or as soon as the interest becomes apparent.

Members and Officers should make their declaration by stating:

a)  the item they have the interest in

b)  whether it is a pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interest

c)  the nature of the interest

d) if it is a pecuniary or prejudicial interest, whether they will be exercising their right to speak under Question Time

The Declaration of Interest Sheet set out below confirms those Members who had made a declaration of their personal interest as a Member of a Town or Parish Councillor or a West Sussex County Councillor, as confirmed in their Register of Interest as these declarations could apply to any of the issues to be discussed at the meeting. 

          Councillor Northeast declared a Personal Interest in Agenda Item 12 (Pay Policy Statement 2025-2026) as his wife was an employee of the council. Councillor Northeast confirmed that he would leave the meeting for the debate on this item.

To receive questions from the public (for a period of up to 15 minutes)

The Chair confirmed that one question had been submitted for this meeting from Mrs Smith which is briefly summarised below:

1)    To the Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor McDougall regarding planning condition 14 and planning applications AL/187/22/HH and AL/35/24/HH.   A supplementary question was asked with the Chair of the Planning Committee confirming that he would provide a written response.

 The Chair then drew Public Question Time to a close.

(A schedule of the full questions asked, and the responses provided can be found on the Public Question Web page at Arun District Council).

To receive questions from Members with pecuniary/prejudicial interests (for a period of up to 15 minutes)

          The Chair confirmed that there were no questions for this meeting.

To consider any petitions received from the public.

          The Chair confirmed that no petitions had been received.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2025, which are attached. 

The minutes from the Special Meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2025 were approved by the Council as a correct record with the Chair confirming that he would sign the minutes at the conclusion of the meeting. 

To receive such announcements as the Chair may desire to lay before the Council.

The Chair confirmed that since the Special Meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2025, he had attended a meeting of the Arun Youth Council held on 17 March 2025.

To deal with business not otherwise specified in the Council summons which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Council (in consultation with the Chief Executive), is business of such urgency as to require immediate attention by the Council.

The Chair confirmed that there were no urgent matters for the meeting to consider.

This report is asking the council to approve a reason for the non-attendance of Councillor Joan English at recent meetings and to approve an extended period of absence from meetings.

The Group Head of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer presented this item and drew Members’ attention to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 confirming that if a Councillor did not attend any relevant meeting for a period of six months, they automatically would cease to be a member of the council unless before the expiry of that period the authority had approved the reason for that absence.

It was explained that the report sought council approval to grant a leave of absence to Councillor Joan English, due to personal circumstances, if she was not able to attend a meeting of the authority before 10 April 2025. In that instance, an extended period of absence up until 12 November 2025 was being recommended.

Having had the recommendation proposed by Councillor Gunner and seconded by Councillor Lury,

          The Council

                     RESOLVED

That in the event that Councillor Joan English is unable to attend a meeting of the authority before 10 April 2025, approval is given to an extended period of absence for the period until and including 12 November 2025.

This report requests that Full Council ‘makes’ (adopts) the Ford Neighbourhood Development Plan 2 (2024-2041), without referendum, following an independent examination that identified it meets the basic legislative requirements.

The Chair invited Councillor Yeates as Chair of the Planning Policy Committee to present the report.

          Councillor Yeates confirmed that the Ford Neighbourhood Development Plan 2 (2024-2041) passed Examination in January 2025. This was an update to the Ford Neighbourhood Plan (2017 to 2031) that was made on 9 January 2019. The Examiner’s report concluded that, subject to incorporating various modifications to policies and supporting text, the Plan met the basic conditions set out in the applicable legislation and should proceed to be ‘made’ without needing a Neighbourhood Planning Referendum.

          Councillor Yeates confirmed that she had great pleasure in proposing that this plan be ‘made’ by the Council and in doing so passed on her thanks to the Planning Policy team for their work with Ford Parish Council in proceeding to this stage. Councillor Lury then seconded the recommendation.

          The Chair invited debate and having received support from Councillors,

          The Council

                     RESOLVED

That the Ford Neighbourhood Development Plan 2 (2024-2041) be ‘made’ such that it becomes part of the Development Plan for the Arun District.            

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.1, the council is asked to agree a programme of dates for council meetings prior to the commencement of the new municipal year. The draft calendar is attached for approval.

The Group Head of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer presented the Calendar of Meetings for 2025-2026 to members for approval.

          Councillor Lury as Leader of the Council then proposed that the calendar of meetings for 2025-2026 be approved and this was seconded by Councillor Nash.

          The Council

                     RESOLVED

That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.1 in the council’s constitution, the calendar of meetings for 2025-2026 be approved.

The Localism Act 2011, section 38 (1) requires that local authorities prepare an annual Pay Policy Statement.  This report introduces the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2025/20256 (attached) and asks members to approve it.

(Prior to the commencement of the discussion on this item, Councillor Northeast redeclared his Personal Interest made at the start of the meeting and confirmed that he would leave the meeting for this item).

(Councillor Blanchard-Cooper declared a Prejudicial Interest in this item as he had members of his family who worked for the council and so he confirmed that he would leave the meeting for this item).

The Chair invited Councillor Oppler, as chair of the Corporate Support Committee, to present this item. Councillor Oppler outlined that it was a statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011 for Local Authorities to prepare and publish their Pay Policy Statement by 1 April each year.  The purpose of the statement was to provide transparency regarding the council’s approach to setting the pay of employees.

Councillor Oppler informed councillors that the Pay Policy Statement set out the council’s processes for determining remuneration and several related issues, including the use of bonuses, severance pay, enhancement of pension entitlement, and allowances.   It also set out the relationship in terms of pay between senior staff and the council’s lowest paid employees.

In formally proposing the recommendations set out within the report, Councillor Oppler drew members’ attention to an error that needed to be corrected in the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 at paragraph 10.2.  The corrections that were required to the table within the report have been set out below:

Changed to

Councillor Oppler explained that the lowest paid employee was changed from £17,716 in 2024/2025 to £28,597.  The error occurred because a vacant apprentice post had been included in the 2024/2025 figure which had been deleted from the establishment the previous year.  As a result, the multiplier between the lowest paid and highest paid employee has been amended from 10.31 to 6.38.

Councillor Tandy then seconded the recommendations.

The Council

                     RESOLVED – That

(1)  The contents of the Pay Policy Statement 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report and as amended at the meeting be noted;

(2)  The Pay Policy Statement 2025/2026 be approved for publication on the Arun website by 1 April 2025; and

(3)  Delegated authority be given to the Group Head of Organisational Excellence to make changes to the Pay Policy Statement should the need arise because of new legislation being introduced or changes to the pay structure resulting from national pay negotiations during the forthcoming year.

This report describes the work that has been done within the Council to help all staff to engage and identify with the Council Vision 2022 - 2026 (the Vision) and turn it into reality.  The report sets out a proposed set of Core Foundations to be adopted by the council and included in the Vision.  It describes what is being proposed and how and why they were developed.  

Councillor Lury as Leader of the Council was invited by the chair to present this item. Councillor Lury explained that the report described the work that had been undertaken by the council to help all staff engage and identify with the council vision 2022-2026 (the Vision) and turn it into reality by setting out a proposed set of core foundations to be adopted by the council and included in the vision. The report described what was being proposed and how and why those proposals were being developed.

Councillor Lury then proposed the recommendation set out within the report which was that the council adopts the proposed Core Foundations as a new section to be included in the Council Vision 2022-2025. The recommendation was then seconded by Councillor Nash.

          The Council

                     RESOLVED

                     That the council adopts the proposed Core Foundations as a                section to be included in the Council Vision 2022-2025.

The Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee, Councillor Stanley, will present recommendations from the meeting of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 27 February 2025.

The minutes from the meeting are attached. The recommendations for the Council to consider can be found at Minute 575 [Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy 2025/26]. The Officer’s report with appendices is attached.

The Chair, Councillor Stanley, presented recommendations following the meeting of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 27 February 2025.

          Councillor Stanley referred Members to five recommendations at Minute 575 (Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy 2025/2026) which he duly proposed.  The recommendations were then seconded by Councillor O’Neill.

          The Council  

                     RESOLVED – That

(1)  The Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 be approved and adopted;

(2)  The Annual Investment Strategy for 2025/26 be approved and adopted;

(3)  The Prudential Indicators within the TMSS and AIS for 2025/26, be approved;

(4)  An operational boundary borrowing limit of £85M for 2025/26 as shown in Appendix 2, be approved; and

(5)  An Authorised Borrowing Limit of £90M for 2025/26 as shown in Appendix 2, be approved.

The Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury, will present any recommendations from the meeting of the Policy & Finance Committee held on 13 March 2025.

The minutes from the meeting will be circulated separately together with any  recommendations that council will need to consider. A recommendation to approve the Capital Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30 is expected and so the officer’s report with appendices for this item is attached.

Councillor Nash, as Vice-Chair in the Chair, presented a recommendation following the meeting of the Policy & Finance Committee held on 13 March 2025. It was confirmed that the minutes of that meeting had been circulated separately to the agenda.

          Councillor Nash referred Members to a recommendation at Minute 597  [Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 which he duly proposed. The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Stanley.

          The Council

                     RESOLVED

                     That the Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 be adopted.

The following Motion has been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure  Rules 15.1 and 15.2.

Proposer: Councillor Gunner

Seconder: Councillor Purser

Arun has a proud history of standing up for our farmers, and a deep connection to the land they farm.

This Council recognises and values the essential role that farmers play in managing our natural landscapes, contributing to biodiversity, protecting our wildlife, flood prevention and supporting sustainable local food systems within Arun.

This Council notes that the recent 2024 Autumn Budget change to Inheritance Tax relief announced by the Labour Government will introduce a Family Farm Tax which will:

a)    have a devastating impact on many family farms and on the farmers’ ability to pass on their farms to the next generation of farmers.

b)    force farmers to sell land to developers for housing in order to pay their tax bills and therefore threaten the continuing viability of family run farms.

c)    threaten up to 70,000 farmers according to the Country Landowners Association.

d)    threaten tenant farmers livelihoods and homes.

e)    have little or no impact on those investing in land purely to avoid tax and will lead to the creation of more corporate owned mega-farms with no interest in protecting the environment and animal welfare.

f)      threaten the protection of our countryside, by hindering environmental projects and conservation efforts that rely on stable, family-owned farming operations.

g)    threaten the UK’s food security at a time when we already import 46% of our food at a cost to the natural environment around the world such as the Amazon rainforest.

h)    have a detrimental effect on the rural economies of our country.

 This Council further notes that:

a)    The emerging West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy requires strong collaboration with local agricultural stakeholders, who together with many environmental partners will drive numerous initiatives to protect and enhance biodiversity across the whole county, including Arun. Farms that stay within family ownership are better positioned to continue practices that support wildlife corridors, habitat preservation, and sustainable land stewardship.

b)    That the conservation and protection of the South Downs National Park, 75% of which is farmland, as well as the numerous sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and nature reserves, are dependent on the co-operation of land owners and it is the family-run farms, handed down through the generations, that better support these aims.

c)    At a time when many farmers in Arun are struggling with soaring costs and energy prices, this sudden tax rise will damage the future of their farms and destroy confidence in the agricultural community.

 Therefore, this Council resolves to request that the Leader of the Council:

1)    Writes to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and our four MPs to outline the Council’s dismay at this decision, highlighting the impact on family farms, the environmental impacts in Arun and calling on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.

2)    Supports campaigns by agricultural and environmental bodies that call for tax  ...  view the full agenda text for item 630.

The Chair confirmed that one Motion had been submitted for this meeting, and he invited Councillor Gunner, as proposer, to present his motion.

          The wording of the motion has been set out below:

          Arun has a proud history of standing up for our farmers, and a deep connection to the land they farm.

This Council recognises and values the essential role that farmers play in managing our natural landscapes, contributing to biodiversity, protecting our wildlife, flood prevention and supporting sustainable local food systems within Arun.

This Council notes that the recent 2024 Autumn Budget change to Inheritance Tax relief announced by the Labour Government will introduce a Family Farm Tax which will:

a)    have a devastating impact on many family farms and on the farmers’ ability to pass on their farms to the next generation of farmers.

b)    force farmers to sell land to developers for housing in order to pay their tax bills and therefore threaten the continuing viability of family run farms.

c)    threaten up to 70,000 farmers according to the Country Landowners Association.

d)    threaten tenant farmers livelihoods and homes.

e)    have little or no impact on those investing in land purely to avoid tax and will lead to the creation of more corporate owned mega-farms with no interest in protecting the environment and animal welfare.

f)      threaten the protection of our countryside, by hindering environmental projects and conservation efforts that rely on stable, family-owned farming operations.

g)    threaten the UK’s food security at a time when we already import 46% of our food at a cost to the natural environment around the world such as the Amazon rainforest.

h)    have a detrimental effect on the rural economies of our country.

          This Council further notes that:

a)    The emerging West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy requires strong collaboration with local agricultural stakeholders, who together with many environmental partners will drive numerous initiatives to protect and enhance biodiversity across the whole county, including Arun. Farms that stay within family ownership are better positioned to continue practices that support wildlife corridors, habitat preservation, and sustainable land stewardship.

b)    That the conservation and protection of the South Downs National Park, 75% of which is farmland, as well as the numerous sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and nature reserves, are dependent on the co-operation of land owners and it is the family-run farms, handed down through the generations, that better support these aims.

c)    At a time when many farmers in Arun are struggling with soaring costs and energy prices, this sudden tax rise will damage the future of their farms and destroy confidence in the agricultural community.

Therefore, this Council resolves to request that the Leader of the Council:

1)    Writes to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and our four MPs to outline the Council’s dismay at this decision, highlighting the impact on family farms, the environmental impacts in Arun and calling on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 630.

To consider general questions from Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.3.

The Chair referred Councillors to the Questions from Members that had been submitted in line with Council Procedure Rule 14.3 and the schedule of questions that had been circulated to the meeting. This confirmed that eleven questions had been received.  

The Chair invited Councillors who had submitted questions to read out their questions which would be responded to by the appropriate Committee Chair. It was explained that the schedule of questions would be updated to include the responses provided, supplementary questions and responses and would be uploaded to the Council’s web page within ten working days of the meeting, in line with the Council’s Constitution.

          The questions have been summarised below:

Question (1) From Councillor Greenway to the Chair of the Housing & Wellbeing Committee – Councillor Birch regarding the introduction of new service charges for housing residents;

Question (2) From Councillor Greenway to the Chair of the Corporate Support Committee, Councillor Oppler, regarding the recent cancellation of Service Committee meetings;

Question (3) From Councillor Greenway to the Chair of the Environment Committee regarding council services on the Trees Estates.

Question (4) From Councillor Greenway to the Chair of the Constitution Working Party regarding scrutiny at the council,

Question (5) From Councillor Greenway to the Chair of the Housing & Wellbeing Committee, Councillor Birch regarding the Bersted Green Hub,

Question (6) From Councillor Gunner to the Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury regarding local government reorganisation and devolution,

Question (7) From Councillor Gunner to the Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury regarding  broken election pledges,

Question (8) From Councillor Gunner to the Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury regarding tackling flooding,]

Question (9) From Councillor Gunner to the Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury regarding investing in local businesses

Question (10) From Councillor Gunner to the Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury regarding the Special Council meeting held on 26 February 2025; and

Question (11) From Councillor Gunner to the Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee, Councillor Lury regarding the Littlehampton Harbour Board.

Any changes to Committee Memberships that need noting by the Council will be reported at the meeting.

Councillor Huntley, as Leader of the Independent Group, confirmed that Councillor Haywood would become his Deputy Leader with immediate effect.

The Council is asked to approve any changes to its representation on Outside Bodies.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lury, formally proposed the following changes to representation on Outside Bodies in respect of the Littlehampton Harbour Board as the existing representatives’ terms of office would expire on 31 March 2025.  The new representatives were confirmed as:

·       Councillor Walsh

·       Councillor Butcher

·       Philippa Dart – Director of Environment & Communities

·       Nat Slade – Group Head of Technical Services.,

          This proposal was seconded by Councillor Nash.

          The Council

                    RESOLVED

That the council’s nominated representatives to the Littlehampton Harbour Board be:

·                      Councillor Walsh

·                      Councillor Butcher

·                      Philippa Dart – Director of Environment & Communities

·                      Nat Slade – Group Head of Technical Services.,

(During the course of the discussion on this item, Councillors Walsh, Bicknell and Hayward declared their Personal Interests as either a reconfirmed or former representative on the Littlehampton Harbour Board.

Councillor Patel declared his Personal Interest as a West Sussex County Council representative on the Littlehampton Harbour Board).