Agenda and minutes

            The Chairman welcomed Councillors, representatives of the public, press and officers to the Council Meeting.  

            The Chairman announced with great sadness that former Councillor and Chairman of the Council, Mrs Margaret Tullett, had passed away on 11 December 2019. She also confirmed that former member of staff Mrs Gill Major had also passed away on 23 December 2019. 

            Having received tributes from fellow Councillors Dr Walsh and Goodheart, the Chairman asked Members to join her in sending the Council’s thoughts to their family and friends during this difficult time. 

            The Council then stood in silence to their memory.

            Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Baker, Buckland, Huntley, Jones, and Miss Needs and from all of the Council’s Honorary Aldermen.

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

            Councillors Elkins and Dr Walsh declared their Personal Interests in Agenda Item 17 [Motions] in respect of the second Motion from the Green Party as Members of West Sussex County Council and in view of their positions as Members of the County Council’s Pensions Panel.

            Councillor Mrs Haywood and Lury also declared their Personal Interests in this item as they were in receipt of a West County Council Pension.

            Councillors Oppler and Purchese then declared their Personal Interests in Item 17 as Members of West Sussex County Council.

            Councillor Purchese declared a Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 19 [Adoption (Making) of the Arundel Neighbourhood Plan Review – 2081-2031] as the business he worked for had a commercial relationship with Arundel Town Council.

            The Chief Executive declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Agenda Item 15 (Chief Executive’s (CEO) Remuneration Committee – 18 December 2019) in relation to Minute 346 (Chief Executive’s Remuneration for 2019/20) as this item would be discussing his salary.  The Chief Executive confirmed that he would leave the Council Chamber for consideration of this matter.

            A Declaration of Interest Sheet had been displayed to the meeting setting out 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.  This table is set out below:

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

The Chairman invited questions from members of the public who had submitted their questions in advance of the meeting in accordance with the rules of the Council’s Constitution. 

The Chairman announced that one question had been received.  This asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Dr Walsh, if he could agree with a series of statements regarding the progress of regeneration in relation to the two main sites in the Council’s ownership in Bognor Regis Town Centre.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Dr Walsh, responded stating that the Council recognised the importance of regeneration and attracting investment to the District.  When this administration had taken over in May 2019, a decision had been made to review the previous administration’s development plans for the two key Council owned regeneration sites in Bognor Regis and officers had been instructed to halt progression of those proposals.

Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that the Council was now considering what the best approach would be for taking forward development proposals for the Town, further consultation was planned for Spring 2020 would form part of that process.

The Chairman then invited the questioner to ask a supplementary question.

The questioner thanked Councillor Dr Walsh for his response and stated that he was glad to hear about plans for consultation.  He then referred to the Sir Richard Hotham Project as the organisers had been asked not to submit a planning application.  The questioner outlined that he had undertaken considerable research into this project and had seen evidence that assured him that this was a viable project.

In response, Councillor Dr Walsh stated that he was not aware of this fact and that he would investigate the matter.  He confirmed that he could not make a response about the action of the former Leader of the Council. 

The Chairman then drew Public Question Time to a close.

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

There were no questions asked.

To consider any petitions received from the public.

The Chairman confirmed that no Petitions had been received.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Specail Meeting and the Minutes of the Full Council meeting both held on 13 November 2019, which are attached.

            The Minutes of the Special Council Meeting and the Full Council Meeting which were both held on 13 November 2019 were approved as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

            The Chairman announced that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15[c], she proposed to change the order of the agenda by bringing forward Item 16 [Outcome of the Governance Working Party’s Review] for  consideration immediately before Item 9.  This was in view of the importance of this item and so that it could be dealt with as the first of the reports from Cabinet, Committees and Working Groups.  Councillor Mrs Worne seconded this proposal. 

            On this proposal being put to the vote it was declared CARRIED.

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

The Chairman alerted Members to the list of engagements and events that had been attended since the Special Meeting of the Council held on 13 November 2019 – these had been emailed to Councillors recently.

            The Chairman then informed Councillors that it had been brought to her attention that Alderman Tony Squires and been very unwell over the Christmas period and so she asked them to join her in sending the Council’s very best wishes to him.

            Finally, the Chairman confirmed that following the announcement of the New Year’s Honours List, on behalf of the Council, she wished to congratulate Professor Kalwant Bhopal who had received an MBE for her service to equality in education.           

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.

There were no items for this meeting.

The Council agreed on 18 September 2019 that the outcome of the review conducted by the Governance Working Party to explore advantages and disadvantages of moving to a Committee system and whether there should be any change to its governance arrangements would be reported to this meeting.  In support of its deliberations, the Council is being presented with:

a)    Governance Working Party – 12 November 2019

The Chairman, Councillor Oppler, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Governance Working Party held on 12 November 2019.  There are no recommendations.

(b) Governance Working Party – 3 December 2019

The Chairman, Councillor Oppler, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Governance Working Party held on 3 December 2019.  There are no recommendations.

(c)  Special Audit & Governance Committee – 19 December 2019

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Erskine, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Special Audit & Governance Committee held on 19 December 2019.

The Minutes will be circulated separately and any recommendations will be reported to the meeting.

(d) Governance Working Party – 6 January 2020

       The Chairman, Councillor Oppler, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Governance Working Party held on 6 January 2020.

       The Minutes will be circulated separately and any recommendations will be reported to the meeting.

(e)  Background Papers

       The reports considered by the Governance Working Party and Audit & Governance Committee are set out below – links have been provided so that you can view these documents:

(f)   Report from the Chief Executive

       The Chief Executive will present a report setting out the legal and technical  ...  view the full agenda text for item 388.

The Chairman invited the Chief Executive to make a statement ahead of Councillors considering the recommendations of the Governance Working Party.

The Chief Executive outlined that there were five areas of advice that he wished to bring to the Council’s attention.  These were:

1.    To remind Members of what the Council agreed at its meeting on 18 September 2019.  That was to set up the Governance Working Party to conduct this review working within the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.  The Terms of Reference for this review were again outlined to Members.  The timescale for the review had been based on consultation with the Audit and Governance Committee before reporting back on any proposals for change to this meeting.

2.    In presenting reports and giving advice to the Working Party, the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer had taken account of this guidance and the experience of other local authorities as the Council agreed they should do.   The final report considered by the Governance Working Party on 6 January 2020 set out the information that had been considered over the four meetings held and the key issues that needed to be considered in concluding this review.  All Members and the public had been provided with a link to this report as part of Bundle 2 of the Full Council papers.

3.    Thirdly, in relation to what Councillors were being asked to consider tonight.  Once formally proposed and seconded, Members would be asked to consider the recommendation put forward by the Working Party as set out in Minute 31.   This recommendation was proposing a change to the Council’s governance arrangements from the current Leader with Cabinet model to a Committee system.  The wording was prescriptive to meet legal requirements.

The Chief Executive outlined that the Council, needed to make a fundamental judgement in confirming any recommendation for change to its governance arrangements.  This needed to provide an opportunity to challenge any assumptions made within the review process and to consider the fundamental reasoning behind the proposal being put forward.

4.    As with any recommendation before Council, Members would be able to propose an amendment in line with the Constitution at Council Procedure Rule 16.7.  This would allow any Member to:

a)    refer the subject back for re-consideration;

b)    leave out words;

c)    leave out words and add others; or

d)    add words.

However, any amendment could not have the effect of negating the recommendation being presented, for example, putting an alternative proposal.

5.    The final point made to provide a legal opinion in response to the question asked by the Working Party about the adoption date for any change to governance arrangements.  Having taken legal advice from three sources, it was confirmed that:

(1)  In accordance with Section 9KC(4) of the Local Government Act 2000, as amended by the Localism Act 2011, if the Council agreed this recommendation and thereby made a resolution to change its form of governance tonight, then the Council could not pass a further resolution to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 388.

The Chairman, Councillor Bennett, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 6 November 2019.  There are no recommendations.

            The Chairman, Councillor Bennett, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 6 November 2019.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Staniforth, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Environment & Leisure Working Group held on 7 November 2019.

The Chairman will confirm that the recommendation at Minute 9 [Urgent Item – Bognor Regis Disc Parking Scheme] has been withdrawn as this was superseded by the resolution made at Full Council on 13 November 2019 (Minute 300 – Bognor Regis Regeneration Sub-Committee of 28 October 2019 refers).

            The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Staniforth, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Environment & Leisure Working Group held on 7 November 2019.

            Councillor Mrs Staniforth confirmed that the recommendation at Minute 9 [Urgent Item – Bognor Regis Disc Parking Scheme] had been withdrawn as this had been superseded by the resolution made at the last Full Council meeting held on 13 November 2019 [Minute 300 – Bognor Regis Regeneration Sub-Committee of 28 October 2019 referred].

The Chairman, Councillor Miss Seex, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Littlehampton Regeneration Sub-Committee held on 18 November 2019.  There are no recommendations.

            The Chairman, Councillor Miss Seex, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Littlehampton Regeneration Sub-Committee held on 18 November 2019.

            Councillor Brooks confirmed that he wished to make a Statement in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.2 in relation to Minute 15 [Visitor Information Provision in Littlehampton] and in relation to the Sussex by the Sea website.  He confirmed that he agreed with the comments that had been made at the Sub-Committee meeting in that the website needed to be reviewed and he applauded the Sub-Committee for requesting that this work be undertaken.  Councillor Brooks stated that he hoped that both sides of the District [Bognor Regis and Littlehampton] could work together to provide a positive conclusion to this project.

            Councillor Coster confirmed that he wished to make a Statement in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.2 in relation to Minute 16 [Littlehampton Regeneration Position Statement] and the comments that had been made about the Littlehampton Public Realm Scheme.  He confirmed that he agreed with these observations and that it was essential for all Councillors to be fully informed, from an early stage, as to how this would be progressed.  This was a great opportunity for Littlehampton and Councillor Coster urged Officers to learn from the experiences from implementing the Public Realm in Bognor Regis.  

            The Chairman, Councillor Miss Seex, responded stating that Officer’s time and focus had been dedicated in obtaining the additional bid funding and that this had been an amazing achievement.  Now that funding was in place it had been agreed that a ‘walk through’ of the scheme to highlight how it would work would be organised soon for Councillors.

            Further statements were made by Councillors.  These were that the Sussex by the Sea website should be disbanded as it formed no useful function at all.  On the Public Realm, Councillor Bicknell asked for assurance that the utility companies had been consulted and their Five Year Plans reviewed – he asked for a response to be provided in writing.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Erskine, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 21 November 2019.  There are recommendations at:

o    Minute 310 [Treasury Management Mid-Year Report] – to view the Officer’s report and appendices – please click on this link - please click here – Report and Appendices

o    Minute 315 [Updates to the Council's Anti-Fraud, Corruption & Bribery Policy] – to view the Officer’s report and Appendix – please click here - Report and Appendix

o    Minute 316 [Updates to the Council’s Corporate Policy & Procedure Document on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (as amended, including The Investigatory Powers Act 2016)] – to view the Officer’s report and appendix – please click here - Report and Appendix

            The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Erskine, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Audit & Governance Committee held on 21 November 2019, which had been circulated separately to the agenda.

            Councillor Mrs Erskine alerted Members to a series of recommendations the first of which were at Minute 310 [Treasury Management Mid-Year Report]; then at Minute 315 [Updates to the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Corruption and Bribery Policy] and finally at Minute 316 [Updates to the Council’s Corporate Policy and Procedure Document on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (As Amended, Including the Investigatory Powers Act 2016] which she formally proposed.  The recommendations were then seconded by Councillor Mrs Haywood.

            In relation to Minute 310, the Council

                        RESOLVED – That

(1)          it approves the actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2019/20 contained in the report;

(2)          it notes the treasury management mid-year review (this report) for 2019/20;

(3)          it notes the treasury mid-year activity for the period ended 30 September 2019, which has generated interest receipts of £400,050 (1.39%) year to date, against a budget of £596,000 (1.24%) for the full year.

            In relation to Minute 315, the Council

                        RESOLVED

That the Council’s anti-Fraud, Corruption and Bribery Policy be adopted.

Turning to Minute 31, the Council

            RESOLVED – That

(1)          the Council’s corporate policy & procedure document on the RIPA 2000 (as amended, including the Investigatory Powers Act 2016) be adopted

(2)          if there are any minor changes resulting from the IPCO inspection in December 2019 authorisation be given to the Internal Audit Manager in consultation with the Chairman to make these minor changes.

The Chairman, Councillor Dr Walsh, will present the Minutes from the meeting of Cabinet held on 9 December 2019.

The Minutes will be circulated separately and any recommendations will be reported to the meeting.

            The Chairman, Councillor Dr Walsh, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 December 2019, which had been circulated separately to the agenda.

            Councillor Dr Walsh alerted Members to the first of three sets of recommendations at Minute 328 [Digital Strategy 2020–2025] which was asking the Council to adopt the Digital Strategy covering the 5 years.  Councillor Dr Walsh duly proposed the recommendations which were then seconded by Councillor Stanley.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED – That

(1)          The Digital Strategy is adopted; and 

(2)          The Group Head of Corporate Support is given delegated authority to make any necessary consequential changes to the Digital Strategy as a result of new legislation or alternative working practices.

            Councillor Dr Walsh then drew Members’ attention to the next recommendation at Minute 337 [Supplementary Estimate for Nightly Paid Accommodation to meet the Council’s Statutory Homeless Duties] which he stated was regretfully required as a result of increasing pressure put on the Council’s homeless services and that this had been aided and abetted by West Sussex County Council’s decision last year to reduce subsidies to homeless charities.  Councillor Dr Walsh formally proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Gregory.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED

That a supplementary estimate of £500k next expenditure (equivalent to Band D Council Tax of £8.16) to support expenditure on nightly paid accommodation to meet the Council’s statutory homeless duties be approved.

            Councillor Dr Walsh then presented the next three recommendations at Minute 338 [Modernisation of the Housing Service] which he formally proposed.  This recommendation was seconded by Councillor Mrs Gregory.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED – That

(1)          A general fund supplementary estimate of up to £172k (which equates to a Band D equivalent of £2.81) for the potential redundancy and pensions strain costs to meet the Council’s statutory homelessness duties, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £260k (which equates to a Band D equivalent £4.26) be approved;

(2)          A housing revenue account supplementary estimate of £249k (which equates to a weekly rent of £1.69 per dwelling) for the potential redundancy and pension strain costs associated with the Housing Revenue Account, which will result in growth to the base budget of up to £67lk (which equates to a weekly rent of £0.39 per dwelling) be approved; and

(3)          The competency Framework “Arun Cares” which was introduced in September 2018 setting out expectations for service delivery (as set out in Appendix One to the report) be noted.

            Finally, Councillor Dr Walsh alerted Members to Minute 341 [Environment & Leisure Working Group – 7 November 2019 – Minute 12 – Climate Change and stated that it was necessary for Full Council to also support the recommendations agreed.  Councillor Dr Walsh then formally proposed these recommendations which were then seconded by Councillor Purchese.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED – That

(1)  Arun declare a Climate Emergency;

(2)          The impact and mitigation of climate change be considered and incorporated into all Policies and key decision making; and

(3)          Officers work through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 393.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Yeates, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Planning Policy Sub-Committee held on 17 December 2019.

The Minutes will be circulated separately and any recommendations will be reported to the meeting.

            The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Yeates, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Planning Policy Sub-Committee held on 17 December 2019.

            Councillor Mrs Yeates alerted Members to the first of a series of recommendations at Minute 20 [Local Plan Options] which she duly proposed.  The three recommendations were then duly seconded by Councillor Lury.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED – That

(1)          The update of the Local Plan commences as updating the Development Management policies in the Local Plan so that these can be used by the Council in the short term, before completing an update of the full Plan.  This would involve gathering evidence to support update policies, formal and informal consultation and agreement of Full Council;

(2)          The likely costs of approximately £1million and the timescales of this process be noted; and

(3)    Future reports to the Planning Policy Subcommittee will report on progress at relevant stages of this process and the scope of evidence.

            Councillor Mrs Yeates then alerted Members to the next three recommendations at Minute 22 [Open Space Playing Pitches and Built Sports Facilities Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Arun Parking Standards] which she formally proposed.  The recommendations were then seconded by Councillor Lury.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED – That

1)            subject to the minor drafting changes detailed in this report (and any further minor changes made by the Group Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chairman and Cabinet Member for Planning), that the Open Space, Playing Pitches and Built Sports Facilities Supplementary Planning Document be adopted;

2)            subject to the minor drafting changes detailed in this report (and any further minor changes made by the Group Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chairman and Cabinet Member for Planning), that the Arun Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document be adopted;

3)            as soon as reasonably practical after adoption, both SPDs, together with an Adoption Statement, be made available for inspection and published to the Council’s website and sent to any persons who have requested to be notified.

            The Chairman then drew Members’ attention to the final set of recommendations at Minute 24 [Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Update] which she duly proposed. The recommendations were then seconded by Councillor Lury.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED – That

1)            the Arun CIL Charging Schedule, which includes the Examiner’s modifications and minor modifications as set out in Background Paper 2; and any further non-material changes which may be included and agreed with the Group Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Policy Subcommittee and Cabinet Member for Planning, be approved in accordance with section 213 of the Planning Act 2008; and

2)            the Arun CIL Charging Schedule, and the Instalments Policy (set out within the Charging Schedule) will come into effect in Arun District (outside the South Downs National Park Authority Area) on 1 April 2020.  

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Gregory, will present the Minutes from the meeting of the Chief Executive’s (CEO) Remuneration Committee.

The Minutes will be circulated separately and any recommendations will be reported to the meeting.

(Prior to the commencement of this item, the Chief Executive redeclared his Pecuniary Interest made at the start of the meeting and left the Council chamber for this item).

            The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Gregory, presented the Minutes from the meeting of the Chief Executive’s (CEO) Remuneration Committee held on 18 December 2019. 

            Councillor Mrs Gregory referred Members to a recommendation at Minute 246 [Chief Executive’s Remuneration- 2019/20] which she duly proposed.  The recommendation was then seconded by Councillor Clayden.

            The Council

                        RESOLVED

                        That following the chief Executive’s Appraisal held on 18 November 2019, the level of performance related pay for 2019/20 be 2%, with this being paid from 3 October 2019.

The following Motion has been received from the Liberal Democrat Group in accordance with Council Procedure 14.1 and 14.2, the detail of which is set out below:

The Council is asked to support a request for Officers to explore what options might exist for introducing further controls on the definition, number and quality of Homes in Multiple Occupation and prepare appropriate reports for the relevant decision body of the Council.  The reasons why such additional controls are considered necessary is that HMO’s are often concentrated in clusters.  These are areas that can often suffer from poor housing conditions and high levels of deprivation, crime and anti-social behaviour.  Introducing further controls would be expected to contribute to an improvement in the social and economic conditions in the areas; a reduction in anti-social behaviour; an improvement in general housing conditions; and a reduction in the level of deprivation; and a reduction in crime. 

            The Chairman announced that two Motions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 14.1 and 14.2.  The first Motion  forming part of the agenda papers dated 19 December 2019 with the second having been circulated in Bundle 2 on 8 January 2020. 

            The Chairman confirmed that the Motions would be dealt with in the order in which they had been received and so Motion 1 would be considered first.

            The Chairman invited Councillor Miss Seex, to propose and present her Motion. 

            The wording of the first Motion is as set out below:

            “The Council is asked to support a request for Officers to explore what options might exist for introducing further controls on the definition, number and quality of Homes in Multiple Occupation and prepare appropriate reports for the relevant decision body of the Council.

The reasons why such additional controls are considered necessary is that HMO’s are often concentrated in clusters. These are areas can often suffer from poor housing conditions and high levels of deprivation, crime and anti-social behaviour. Introducing further controls would be expected to contribute to an improvement in the social and economic conditions in the area; a reduction in anti-social behaviour; an increase in community involvement; an improvement in general housing conditions; and reduction in the level of deprivation; and a reduction in crime.

            In proposing her Motion, Councillor Miss Seex, referred to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and referred to a recent report issued by the House of Lords in April 2019 entitled “The Future of Seaside Town Report” she stated that the findings of this report were applicable to this District and so asked Officers if they could investigate existing HMOs in the most deprived areas of the District for re-assessment and to what further controls could be introduced.

            The Motion was then seconded by Councillor Mrs Erskine.

            The Chairman then invited Members to debate the Motion. Many Councillors supported the sentiments of the Motion but had a degree of discomfort in accepting that a reduction in HMOs would automatically mean a reduction in anti-social behaviour.  It was felt that the two should not be linked.  For some, living in an HMO was not a choice and homelessness was often the only other alternative. This led to the view that there was a great need for the Council to provide other forms of accommodation for single people to reduce ‘sofa surfing’ and to assist younger people, many of which had just journeyed through the care system, to become independent.

            Reference was made to the work that the former Leader of the Council had progressed where suitable accommodation had been built for young people in Chichester and Worthing.  Site visits had been attended by a small group of Councillors to see if it might be possible to identify a site within the District to accommodate a similar scheme working with other agencies.  Sadly, this had not progressed further and so this emphasised the important role that HMOs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 396.

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

            The Chairman confirmed that the Questions from Members along with their responses had been circulated to the meeting and so they would be put without discussion, in line with the Constitution, with the exception of Questions 1 and 2.  It had been planned that verbal responses would be provided to the meeting by the Cabinet Member for Technical Services, Councillor Stanley.  As he had left the meeting, the Chairman confirmed that written responses would be provided.

            The Chairman then invited each questioner to ask a supplementary question.

            Some of the questioners asked supplementary questions.  These questions and the supplementary responses can be found on the schedule attached to these Minutes.

            Councillor Edwards raised a Point of Order confirming that he had submitted a question in writing to the Committee Services Manager in line with the deadlines set by the Constitution, but this had been missed from the schedule despite receiving confirmation in writing that it would be included.

            Apologies for this error were presented by the Monitoring Officer who confirmed that arrangements would be made for a written response to be provided to Councillor Edwards.

On 19 November 2019, there was a referendum held on the Arundel Neighbourhood Plan Review 2018-2031.  More than 50% of those voting on the day, voted ‘yes’, which triggers the requirement for the Local Planning Authority under section 61E(4) of the 1990 Act, to ‘make’ (adopt) the Plan.  This adoption will give the Plan legal force and it will form part of the statutory Development Plan for Arundel.  Consequently, decisions on planning applications in Arundel neighbourhood area will need to be made in accordance with the Neighbourhood Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor Lury, presented a report confirming that on 19 November 2019, a referendum had been held on the Arundel Neighbourhood Plan Review 2018- 2031.  As more than 80.29% of those voting on the day had voted for the Neighbourhood Plan Review, this meant that the Local Planning Authority [the Council] now needed to ‘make’ adopt the Plan.  Councillor Lury confirmed that this adoption would give the plan legal force and that it would form part of the statutory Development Plan for Arundel.

In formally proposing the recommendation in the report, Councillor Lury stated that he wished to have recorded his thanks to the Council’s Senior Planning Officer, Donna Moles, for her work in organising and planning for this referendum.  Councillor Mrs Yeates then seconded the recommendation.

The Council

            RESOLVED

            That it ‘makes’ the Arundel Neighbourhood Plan Review 2018-2031 and it becomes part of the Development Plan for Arun District Council.

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

There were no changes to Committee Memberships to report to the Council for noting.

The Council is asked to approve any changes to its representation on Outside Bodies.  Any changes can be reported verbally to the meeting by the Leader of the Council.

No changes to representation to Outside Bodies were reported to this meeting.