a) Questions from the public (for a period of up to 15 minutes).
b) Questions from Members with prejudicial interests (for a period of up to 15 minutes).
Minutes:
The Chairman confirmed that one Public Question had been submitted in line with the Council’s Constitution and that this was for him as Leader of the Council to respond to.
The question related to the Exempt item on the agenda for the meeting [Disposal of Freehold Land on the West Bank of the River Arun] with the questioner asking the Council if it could ensure that as much information as possible be made available to the public. The questioner also asked if any consultation had been undertaken; and how the decision would assist in delivering the strategic allocation in the Local Plan.
Councillor Dr Walsh responded by stating that, as responded to at the last meeting of Cabinet held on 7 October 2019, the principle of openness in decision making was important to the Council and it was aware of the need to balance this with preserving the Council’s commercial interests. The item was Exempt as the Council was giving consideration to authorising disposal of its freehold ownership interest in the area west of the footbridge known as Littlehampton Marina and land running alongside the River Arun to the north of the A259.
The Council was one of a number of parties that had an ownership interest in the site. In order for a development to come forward, all the landowners would need to co-operate and dispose of their interests. By looking at how this may be undertaken and considering approving the principle of disposing of the Council’s interest, the Council was helping to bring the strategic development forward. It was important for the Council to be able hold such discussions in Exempt Business in order that it did not undermine its commercial interests.
By looking at how this may be undertaken and considering approving the principle of disposing of our interest, subject to achieving best value for the tax payer, the Council was helping to bring the strategic development forward. By working as landowner on bringing the development forward the Council was helping to achieve the key objectives that the questioner had mentioned including improving flood defences to existing properties on the west bank of the River Arun.
A decision on the form any future development will take would be a separate one which would be one for the Council to take in its capacity as Planning Authority. It would be that decision which would be subject to public consultation and a public decision- making process in order to ensure any proposed scheme complied with the planning policy framework including the benefits for existing communities set out within the policies in the Local Plan.
The Chairman then invited the questioner to ask a supplementary question.