Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Jane Fulton 

Items
No. Item

385.

Welcome

Minutes:

386.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for Absence had been received from Councillors Oppler and Seex.

387.

Declarations of Interest

Members and Officers are invited to make any declaration 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 items 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 interest and/or prejudicial interest

c)             the nature of the interest

 

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

388.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 134 KB

The Committee will be asked to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Corporate Policy and Performance Committee held on 1 September 2021, which are attached. 

 

Minutes:

389.

Items Not on the Agenda That the Chair of the Meeting is of the Opinion Should be Considered as a Matter of Urgency by Reason of Special Circumstances

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that there were no urgent items for this meeting.

390.

Public Question Time

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

 

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that no questions had been submitted for this meeting.

391.

Draft Public Consultation Document - Council Vision 2022-2026 pdf icon PDF 141 KB

This report describes the process for developing Arun District Council’s Council Vision for the period 2022 – 2026.   It describes the internal consultation process involved in developing this document and the formal approval process which will follow public  consultation. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group Head of Policy presented a report updating the Committee on the preparation of the Council’s new Vision document which set the framework for the full Corporate Plan covering the period 2022-26. Following a series of themed workshops held over the summer, attended by 37 Councillors, the Vision document had been developed reflecting the views of Members that had participated and it set out what should be the Council’s high-level priorities for 2022-26, prior to a one month consultation period which would commence soon, subject to the Committee’s approval. Members, staff and external partners would also have a further opportunity to comment. At this meeting Members were being asked to approve the key content of this document to allow the public consultation to proceed.

 

Members then took part in a full debate on the item where various points were raised:

 

·         Whether Members would have the opportunity to see the finished document before it went out for public consultation. It was explained that it was necessary to agree the content first before finalising the look of the document. The Committee would be given the opportunity to see this before consultation commenced.

·         Would a more public facing document be designed for the purpose of consultation – it was essential for it to be appealing, inviting and understandable. The Chair provided  reassurance that work had already commenced producing a final version

·         Digital access and whether comment could be made online

·         It was pointed out that on ‘Improving the Wellbeing of Arun’ (5) the word ‘services’ had been missed

·         On the ‘Delivering the right homes in the right places’ section - the need to maintain, rather than just provide, social housing to a high standard and the absence of this – could this be rectified? The Committee was happy to have this included as how this would happen.

·         Whether within the ‘Improving the wellbeing of Arun’ section, if reference should be made, as an overall aim, to the ‘arts’ in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton which were essential to the physical and mental health of residents.

·         The need for reference to be made to empty homes and the utilisation of empty and vacant homes for a good proportion of the year – this was a priority and should be included as an overall aim under ‘Delivering the right homes in the right places’.

·         There needed to be more specific reference to creating a digital sector, an important aspiration for the District, in meeting the need to diversify the economy especially after the experiences of the Pandemic

·         Within the first overall aim [Work with other agencies and services to focus on Arun’s areas of greatestinequality and to encourage healthy and active lifestyles] of the ‘Improving the Wellbeing of Arun’ section, whether ‘inequality’ should be replaced by ‘deprivation’ or whether both should appear in the document

·         Using ‘ensure’ rather than ‘working to’ in ‘how’ sections as the latter implies a leisurely approach that will be done one day, and some statements needed strengthening  ...  view the full minutes text for item 391.

392.

Carbon Reduction Strategy pdf icon PDF 232 KB

The Council declared a Climate Emergency on 15 January 2020 and set an objective to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.  A carbon audit has been undertaken by consultants to analyse the Council’s carbon emissions and propose a strategy to achieve this objective. This strategy will help steer the Council in the direction to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Climate Change & Sustainability Manager presented a report which reminded Members that back in January 2020, the Council had declared a Climate Emergency and in response to this had set an objective to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. In progressing this work, a carbon audit had been undertaken by consultants, CO2 Analysis, to analyse the Council’s carbon emissions and so that a Strategy could be proposed to achieve the Council’s objectives and to steer the Council in the direction to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.  The work undertaken had included a detailed assessment of the Council’s Scope 1 (emissions directly attributed to burning of fuels), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity and directly controlled by the Council) and Scope 3 emissions (from the activities of the Council but occurring from sources not owned or controlled by the Council) as well as audits of the Council’s corporate buildings and housing stock to calculate the Council’s carbon footprint.

 

            It was explained that no emissions generated from the Housing portfolio had been included within the audit undertaken. Over the coming months more detailed analysis would be undertaken to inform the Council’s strategic approach and to provide a roadmap on how such targets would be achieved.

 

            A detailed action plan was in the process of being developed which would showcase what the Council needed to and when and it was confirmed that this would be brought to the Committee in February 2022 for approval.

 

The Chair also welcomed consultants from CO2 Analysis who had joined the meeting virtually to respond to questions raised by the Committee.

 

A summary of the debate is set out below:

 

·         Much praise was given for the report which had been well presented and easy to understand, whilst providing a confident and realistic first step

What the Council could do to actively influence partners to be more ambitious in their carbon net zero targets, especially when most of the Council’s emissions were through its partners in the supply chain. Members were reassured that the Council was in a good place with its work as it was pushing hard to address emissions in Scope 3, many other local authorities were only addressing Scope 1 and 2.

·         Whether the £200,000 figure in Recommendation (b) was sufficient? It was explained that this figure would allow the Council to bring in the specialist advice that it needed. The Action Plan would then identify any further funding required.  Recommendation (b) provided a healthy starting point.

·         How could the Council influence the partners that it worked with i.e. Freedom Leisure who had a net zero carbon target of 2050 rather than 2030? Councillors were reassured that with Freedom Leisure they were very keen to reduce their carbon footprint as this made good business sense. The Council would work with them, and other buildings to improve the fabric and the technology to heat these buildings.  In terms of encouraging the rest of the Council’s supply chain, the Council would work through Procurement Policies,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 392.

393.

Financial Prospects 2021/22 to 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 190 KB

The Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) covering the period up to 2025/26 rolls forward and updates the data in the existing approved MTFS. The Strategy amends certain assumptions contained in it to reflect changes in the Council’s circumstances and other issues that have a strategic bearing on the Council’s financial prospects.

Minutes:

The Interim Group Head for Corporate Support and Section 151 Officer presented a report updating Members on the medium-term financial forecast. The length of the forecast had been reduced to four years due to the continuing levels of uncertainty and lack of information in relation to Government funding making future years forecasting increasingly unreliable.

 

The report had been written in September 2021 with more information being confirmed when the spending review was announced on 27 October 2021.  The model assumed a rollover settlement for 22/23 with major funding reform implemented in the next year, including a Business Rate Baseline Reset and the Fair Funding Review. This was by no means certain and other scenarios could include a roll over settlement over the next 3 years or a partial reform of business rates including a baseline reset – these were all a possibility.

 

The Council had benefitted significantly from the growth of Business Rates since the inception of the scheme and any delay in the reset of the baseline was to the Council’s benefit.

 

The Interim Group Head of Corporate Support and Section 151 Officer concluded her presentation by explaining that that the only way to mitigate against the risk from the Government’s funding reforms was to hold sufficient balances, to which end the Council had set aside £6.6million providing opportunity to plan without having to rush into any hasty decisions.

 

Members then took part in a full debate on the item where the following various points were raised:

 

·         The recommendation for the Council Tax increase, whether the maximum increase had to be implemented and recognition that if it was it would most likely be in line with, or below, inflation later in the year

·         Praise for staff action in ensuring the Council’s finances were in the position they were in, especially due to the levels of uncertainty from Government

 

The Interim Group Head for Corporate Support and Section 151 Officer provided Members with responses to all points raised during the debate.

 

Councillor Dixon then proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Roberts.

 

            The Committee

 

                        RESOLVED – That

 

(1)          The core assumptions set out in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the current financial position be agreed;

 

(2)          The significant risks to local government finance that have been outlined in the report be noted; and

 

(3)          Approval be given to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to being used to set the Budgetary framework in preparing the 2022/23 Budget.

 

394.

Urgent Decisions Taken by the Chief Executive Under the Scheme of Delegation in Accordance with Part 4, Section 2, Paragraph 2.23 of the Constitution pdf icon PDF 208 KB

In accordance with the provisions of the Officer Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution, the attached Urgent Decisions have been taken by the Chief Executive and are being reported to this Committee in line with Constitutional requirements.

 

The two decisions relate to:

 

(1)  Supplementary Estimate to Cover Costs Awarded Against the Council in Appeal P/58/19/PL; and

(2)  Supplementary Estimate to Cover Costs for Defending Appeal on Land South of Barnham Station, Barnham – BN/142/20/OUT.

 

It was necessary for the Chief Executive to agree these two decisions which were due to be debated by Full Council on 14 July 2021.  As that meeting was adjourned without concluding the business on that agenda, it was agreed that these two items [unfinished business on that agenda] could not wait until 15 September Full Council meeting and were classed as urgent.

 

The two decisions taken by the Chief Executive were taken having undertaken full consultation with all Political Group Leaders.  The report from the Chief Executive is attached. 

Minutes:

The Chair explained that in accordance with the provisions of the Officer Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution, Urgent Decisions that had been taken by the Chief Executive were being reported to this Committee for information purposes.

 

The Committee therefore received and noted the urgent decisions taken which were:

 

(1) Supplementary Estimate to Cover Costs Awarded Against the Council in Appeal P/58/19/PL; and

 

(2) Supplementary Estimate to Cover Costs for Defending Appeal on Land South of Barnham Station, Barnham – BN/142/20/OUT.

 

395.

Motion Referred to the Committee from Full Council

At Full Council on 15 September 2021, the Motion set out below was referred to this Committee for consideration:

 

Introduction

 

Whilst recognising the good intentions of the Council as expressed in the Energy Efficiency strategy 2020-25, for measures such as improved insulation and energy saving measures, this Council believes that action now needs to be stepped up if we are to meet our carbon reduction targets. We recognise two major difficulties:  a high level of fuel poverty in the district; and the need to understand the new and emerging technologies required to address the carbon reduction targets. However, Arun District has declared a Climate Emergency and aims to be a carbon neutral authority by 2030. That is only eight years away.

 

In the last few years, Arun District Council has connected 200 council homes to the gas network, and in 2020, around 80 properties had gas boilers installed under the Safe and Warm Home grants scheme. And a few weeks ago, a special meeting of the Wellbeing and Residential committee was called at very short notice to  authorise a communal heating gas boiler serving 70 homes to be replaced at Bersted Green Court. This boiler was known to be reaching the end of its life and its replacement had been planned. 

 

Gas is a fossil fuel and causes high levels of carbon dioxide emissions. As we know, the government will be phasing out the use of gas for new housing in the next few years. It is still legally possible to carry on replacing boilers until around 2030 if they are assumed to last for up to twenty years; this would tie in with the government’s target of reaching carbon neutral by 2050. However, at Arun we have set a higher target and so this does not set a good precedent. In fact, this decision alone will surely prevent us being a carbon neutral council by 2030 as we intended.

 

Motion

 

This Council requires that carbon neutral alternatives are found to replace heating systems in Council owned properties, rather than replacing gas boilers with new gas boilers. There are systems available and research for alternatives to suit a variety of properties should start now, so that Arun District Council is never again in the position of having to renew a gas boiler.

 

Proposer:  Councillor Thurston

Seconder:  Councillor Walsh

 

Minutes:

            The Chair explained to the Committee that a Motion had been referred to it from the meeting of Full Council held on 15 September 2021.

 

            This Motion was:

 

            Introduction

Whilst recognising the good intentions of the Council as expressed in the Energy Efficiency strategy 2020-25, for measures such as improved insulation and energy saving measures, this Council believes that action now needs to be stepped up if we are to meet our carbon reduction targets. We recognise two major difficulties: a high level of fuel poverty in the district; and the need to understand the new and emerging technologies required to address the carbon reduction targets. However, Arun District has declared a Climate Emergency and aims to be a carbon neutral authority by 2030. That is only eight years away. In the last few years, Arun District Council has connected 200 council homes to the gas network, and in 2020, around 80 properties had gas boilers installed under the Safe and Warm Home grants scheme. And a few weeks ago, a special meeting of the Wellbeing and Residential committee was called at very short notice to authorise a communal heating gas boiler serving 70 homes to be replaced at Bersted Green Court. This boiler was known to be reaching the end of its life and its replacement had been planned. Gas is a fossil fuel and causes high levels of carbon dioxide emissions. As we know, the government will be phasing out the use of gas for new housing in the next few years. It is still legally possible to carry on replacing boilers until around 2030 if they are assumed to last for up to twenty years; this would tie in with the government’s target of reaching carbon neutral by 2050. However, at Arun we have set a higher target and so this does not set a good precedent. In fact, this decision alone will surely prevent us being a carbon neutral council by 2030 as we intended.

 

Motion

This Council requires that carbon neutral alternatives are found to replace heating systems in Council owned properties, rather than replacing gas boilers with new gas boilers. There are systems available and research for alternatives to suit a variety of properties should start now, so that Arun District Council is never again in the position of having to renew a gas boiler.

 

            The Chair confirmed that having consulted with the original proposer of the Motion, Councillor Thurston, he wished to propose the motion with an amendment, additions have been shown in bold with deletions shown using strikethrough:

 

            This Council requires that strongly supports the use of carbon neutral alternatives are found to replace when replacing existing heating systems in Council owned properties assets. rather than replacing gas boilers with new gas boilers. There are systems available and research for alternatives to suit a variety of properties should start now, so that Arun District Council is never again in the position of having to renew a gas boiler so officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 395.

396.

Environment & Neighbourhood Services Committee - 23 September 2021 pdf icon PDF 194 KB

The Committee is asked to consider recommendations from the meeting of the Environment & Neighbourhood Services Committee held on 23 September 2021.

 

The minutes from this meeting will be circulated separately to this agenda.

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that the minutes from the meeting of the Environment & Neighbourhood Services Committee were being presented to this Committee as there were recommendations for it to consider at Minute 289 [Changing Places Toilets Expression of Interest].

 

These were introduced by the Interim Chief Executive who explained that they involved adjusting the capital programme and revenue budget to increase the amount required for this toilet refurbishment.

 

Councillor Cooper then proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Stanley.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED - That

 

(1)          The capital programme for toilet refurbishments is increased by up to £157k (depending on the amount of match funding required for the Changing Places Bid) to allow the existing programme to be delivered in 2022/23; and

 

(2)       An additional £4,200 per toilet is included within the revenue budget (for a maximum of four toilets).

 

397.

Outside Bodies

Minutes:

There were no feedback reports from Outside Bodies to present to this meeting.

398.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 206 KB

A copy of the Committee’s Work Programme for the remainder of 2021/22 is attached for information.

Minutes:

The Committee received and noted its Work Programme covering the remainder of the Municipal Year.

 

The Climate Action Plan Update following discussion earlier in the meeting was added to the Work Programme for 10 February 2022 meeting.