Agenda

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

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

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

To consider any petitions received from the public.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.  

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 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.

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 16.

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

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

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