Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5LF. View directions

Contact: Email: Committees@arun.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome

Minutes:

Chairman Gammon welcomed Councillors, Officers, Honorary Aldermen and invited guests to the meeting.

2.

Former Councillor Mrs Florence Harrison

Minutes:

            The Chairman announced with great sadness that former Councillor Mrs Florence Harrison had passed away on 23 April 2019. He confirmed that Mrs Harrison had been a much respected Member of the Council and had represented the Rustington South Ward having been elected on 15 July 1999 serving continuously until 7 May 2015. 

 

            Having received a tribute from Councillor Chapman, on behalf of the Conservative Group, the Chairman asked Members to join him in sending the Council’s thoughts to Mrs Harrison’s family and friends during this difficult time. 

 

            The Council then stood in silence to her memory.

 

3.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Edwards and from the Council’s Honorary Alderman Mrs Goad, MBE.

 

4.

Report from the Returning Officer of those Persons Elected as District Councillors for Arun District Council on 2 May 2019 pdf icon PDF 128 KB

The Returning Officer will report to the Council on the result of the District Council Election held on 2 May 2019.  (Now attached).

Minutes:

The Council received and noted the report of the Returning Officer, as circulated to the meeting, of those persons nominated as District Councillors for the Arun District on 2 May 2019.

5.

Retiring Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The retiring Chairman, Alan Gammon, outlined that it had been a great honour to have been Chairman of the Council for the past year and that he had enjoyed his year in office enormously.  Mr Gammon confirmed that his year as Chairman had started in raising the profile and awareness of Sussex Day and that much work had been undertaken to ensure that flags had been flown around the District to mark this important and special event and to raise awareness of the day.  It had been a demanding year but with many memorable highlights such as the visit from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to officially open the new Engineering complex at the Bognor Regis campus of the University of Chichester.  

 

            Mr Gammon having referred to the work that had been undertaken to raise funds for and the profile of Shopmobility in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton thanked Members and Officers for their support and for the many fundraising events held.  A considerable about of money had been raised for both branches of this organisation allowing them to continue providing valuable services to the local community.

 

6.

Appointment of Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2019/2020

In accordance with Article 4.2(b) of the Constitution, Procedure Rule 18.9, the Council will consider nominations put forward by each of the Political Groups for the position of Chairman of the Council for 2019/20.  A ballot will then be undertaken to determine the appointment.

 

The newly elected Chairman will then make and subscribe the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

 

To propose a vote of thanks to Councillor Alan Gammon for the services rendered by him as Chairman of the Council during the past year.

Minutes:

            In accordance with Article 4.2(b) of the Constitution, Procedure Rule 18.9, the Council was asked to consider nominations put forward by each of the Political Groups for the position of Chairman of the Council for 2019/20.

 

One candidate, Councillor Mrs Jeanette Warr, had been nominated for the role.  Following a statement made from Councillor Dr Walsh as Group Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in support of his respective candidate, a ballot was declared by the Chief Executive, who announced that Councillor Mrs Jeanette Warr had been elected for the appointment of Chairman of the Council for 2019/20.

 

            Councillor Mrs Warr then made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 

 

7.

Vote of thanks to Retiring Chiarman of the Council

Minutes:

            Councillor Dr Walsh, formally thanked former Councillor Gammon for his tireless work as Chairman over the last year on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group.  He outlined that he had embraced the role with gusto and enthusiasm and had been an excellent public ambassador for the District.

 

            These words of thanks were echoed by Councillor Chapman, on behalf of the Conservative Group and Councillor Dixon on behalf of the Independent Group.

 

8.

Appointment of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2019/2020 and Chairman Elect for 2020/21

In accordance with Article 4.2(b) of the Constitution, Procedure Rule 18.9, the Council will consider nominations put forward by each of the Political Groups for the position of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2019/20 and Chairman Elect of the Council for 2020/21.  A ballot will then be undertaken to determine the appointment.

 

The newly elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year will then make and subscribe the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

Minutes:

            In accordance with Article 4.2(b) of the Constitution, Procedure Rule 18.9, the Council was asked to consider nominations put forward by each of the Political Groups for the position of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2019/20 and Chairman Elect for 2020/21.

 

One candidate, Councillor Mrs Amanda Worne, had been nominated for the role.  Following statements made from Councillors Oppler and Dr Walsh on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group in support of their Group’s respective candidate, a ballot was declared by the Chief Executive, who announced that Councillor Mrs Amanda Worne had been elected for the appointment of Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2019/20 and Chairman Elect for 2020/21.

 

            Councillor Mrs Worne then made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 

 

9.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 367 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 13 March 2019, which are attached.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 13 March 2019 were approved by the Council as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

 

10.

Declarations of interest

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

Minutes:

The following Declarations of Personal Interest were made in relation to Item 11 [Representation on Outside Bodies] by:

 

·         Councillors Dr Walsh and Buckland as Members of West Sussex County Council and Littlehampton Town Council

·         Councillors Oppler and Purchese as Members of West Sussex County Council

 

11.

Chairman's Announcements

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

Minutes:

            The new Chairman welcomed members of the public, guests and Honorary Alderman to the first meeting of Council in this new Municipal year and announced that she would make her formal speech at her first reception to be held at 4.30 pm on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 which would be held immediately prior to the next Full Council meeting. 

 

            Councillor Mrs Warr stated that she was delighted to have been made Chairman of the Council and that she considered this role to be a great honour and so thanked her fellow Councillors for giving her this opportunity. She extended her thanks to former Councillor Alan Gammon for fulfilling the role so well and she saw this meeting as a great chance to welcome so many new Councillors as well as re-elected Councillors to the Council. Councillor Mrs Warr stated that she wished to have placed on record her thanks for the hard work undertaken over so many years by Councillors who had not been successful at the Election held on 2 May 2019.  Their service and dedication to the Council needed to be recognised and appreciated.

 

            Councillor Mrs Warr confirmed that she had decided that during her year she would not support one specific charity but instead would be working with Arun’s fundraising team called ‘Ignite’ to support many individual charities.  These were nominated by staff on a monthly basis and she hoped that she would be able to provide much support to boost activities and events.

 

            Councillor Mrs Warr stated that she was looking forward to the year ahead and that she hoped that she would have the support and co-operation of Members.   

 

12.

Appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council

To appoint the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 7 (3) and (4) of the Constitution.

Minutes:

            Councillor Oppler formally proposed the appointment of Councillor Dr Walsh to be Leader of Arun District Council and stated that it would take some time to outline why Councillor Dr Walsh was so qualified to undertake this role.  He worked through a list of Councillor Dr Walsh’s countless achievements to include his professional GP career to when he first commenced his political life undertaking many roles on behalf of West Sussex County Council and Littlehampton Town Council.  The proposal was then seconded by Councillor Mrs Gregory.

 

            Councillor Dixon spoke in support of this appointment on behalf of the Independent Group.  

 

            The Council

 

                        Resolved

 

            That Councillor Dr Walsh be appointed Leader of Arun District Council.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh then confirmed that he was delighted to be able to propose that Councillor Francis Oppler be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council and this was seconded by Councillor Mrs Gregory. 

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED

 

                        That Councillor Francis Oppler be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council.

 

13.

Appointment of the Cabinet Members and Deputies to Cabinet Members pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To receive and note the report of the Leader of the Council of who they have appointed as Cabinet Members and Deputies to Cabinet Members, and the allocation of Portfolios to each Cabinet Member in accordance with Article 7(5) and (6) of the Constitution.  (Now attached).

Minutes:

            The Leader of the Council, Councillor Dr Walsh presented his report, as circulated to the meeting, asking the Council to note who he had appointed as Cabinet Members and the allocation of Portfolios to each Cabinet Member in accordance with Article 7(5) and (6) of the Constitution.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that this was an extraordinary and humbling moment for his Group to now have minority control of the Council.  It was clear that the electorate had put a huge vote of confidence in him and his

Group and he confirmed that they would be listening and accountable to everyone.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh highlighted that the driving force of this new administration was that it would be open, more transparent and much more genuinely consultative on all matters with all of the District’s residents. To this end it was hoped the webcasting of major Committee meetings would be possible and that electronic voting would be rolled out within the Council Chamber soon. The intention was to disband the existing Cabinet system and return to a Committee system where all members would be involved in decision making.

 

            Finally, Councillor Dr Walsh announced a commitment to build more affordable homes over the next 10 years and to make sure that a real look at development in the District would take place ensuring that infrastructure would be in place ahead of any new housing. 

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED

 

That the appointment of Cabinet Members made by the Leader of the Council be noted, as circulated at the meeting, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.

 

 

 

14.

Appointments to Committees pdf icon PDF 227 KB

To agree the membership of the Council’s Committees, Sub-Committees, Working Groups, Working Parties and Panels, including the appointment of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.  (Now attached).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

            Councillor Dr Walsh proposed that the Appointments to Committees be approved. These had been set out in a report circulated at the meeting.  Councillor Oppler then seconded this proposal. 

 

            The Council

 

                        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of Appointments to Committees for 2019/20, as circulated at the meeting be approved, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.

 

15.

Representation on Outside Bodies pdf icon PDF 312 KB

To appoint the Council’s representatives to Outside Bodies unless the appointment is a Cabinet function or has been delegated by the Council.  (Now attached).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

            Councillor Dr Walsh proposed the Appointments to Outside Bodies, which had been circulated to the meeting which were then duly seconded by Councillor Oppler.

 

            Councillor Chapman raised a query in relation to Outside Body No. 10 [South Downs National Park Authority] in view of the fact that it was his understanding that the proposed appointed nominated representative was going to be Councillor Hughes.  Councillor Chapman outlined that the National Park was surrounded by the Wards of Arundel and Walberton, Angmering and Findon; and Barnham all having Conservative Members and so in the interest of local demographics, a Conservative Councillor from either one of these Wards should be the Council’s appointed representative.

 

            Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that consultation on the Outside Body placements had taken place in line with the Council’s Constitution.

 

            A request was then made for a recorded vote to be taken in terms of agreeing the appointed representative for the South Downs National Park – which had been circulated as being Councillor Ms Thurston.

 

            Those voting for this were Councillors Mrs Baker, Batley,

B Blanchard-Cooper, C Blanchard-Cooper, Brooks, Buckland, Mrs Catterson, Coster, Dixon, Mrs Erskine, Goodheart, Mrs Gregory, Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Haywood, Huntley, Jones, Lury, Miss Needs, Northeast, Oppler, Purchese, Ms Seex, Smith, Mrs Staniforth, Stanley, Tilbrook, Ms Thurston, Dr Walsh, Mrs Worne and Mrs Yeates (31).  Those voting against were Councillors Bicknell, Bower, Mrs Caffyn, Chapman, Charles, Clayden, Mrs Cooper, Cooper, Mrs Daniells, Dendle, Elkins, English, Gunner, Kelly, Mrs Madeley, Oliver-Redgate, Miss Rhodes, Roberts and Mrs Stainton (19).  Councillor Mrs Warr abstained from voting. 

           

            The voting for Councillor Ms Thurston to be the Council’s nominated representative on the South Downs National Park was declared CARRIED.

 

            The Chairman then returned Members to the substantive recommendation.

             

                        The Council then

 

                        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of Appointments of Representatives to Outside Bodies for 2019/20 as circulated at the meeting be approved, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.

 

 

16.

Appointment of Other Group Leaders pdf icon PDF 175 KB

To note the appointment of other Group Leaders.  (Now attached).

Minutes:

            The Council noted the appointment of the other Group Leaders.  A copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.

 

            Councillor Chapman, as Leader of the Conservative Group, confirmed that he looked forward to working with Councillor Mrs Warr as the new Chairman of the Council and he wished her well for her year in office.

 

            Councillor Dixon, as Leader of the Independent Group, and Councillor Ms Thurston, as Leader of the Green Group, both spoke as newly elected Councillors stating that they both looked forward to working with everyone to ensure that the quality of life for residents in the District would continue to improve.