Decisions

Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.

Earlier - Later

Decisions published

26/07/2021 - Review of Arun District Council's Tourism Support Functions ref: 556    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Economy Committee

Made at meeting: 26/07/2021 - Economy Committee

Decision published: 13/10/2021

Effective from: 26/07/2021

Decision:

          The Group Head of Economy provided members with an overview of the report before them and reminded members that the review had considered all aspects of the Council’s current tourism support functions and summaries the recommendations and findings made in the strategic review of the tourism service by Blue Sail Consulting and makes recommendations for the future delivery of its tourism services by the Council.

 

          A questions was raised regarding the proposed future budget allocations and the suggested contribution to the Experience West Sussex project. The Group Head of Economy advised that the report had been written some time ago and that there would be opportunity for the figures to be reconsidered and adjusted. She also ran through a number of benefits that the district would benefit from continuing to be involved with this collaborative initiative. It was also commented that the Levelling Up Bid (LUP) would be an opportunity to bring in new experiences to the district should the Council be successful in its bid.

 

          The recommendations were then proposed and seconded before turning to the vote, the Chair commended the team for the work completed and the report before the Committee.

 

          The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED that

 

1)    the four strategic recommendations (also listed in para 1.14) contained within the Arun Strategic Review of Tourism (October 2020) – Appendix A be supported.

2)    the proposed changes to the service be approved; and;

3)    Instructs officers to implement these changes.

 


26/07/2021 - Minutes ref: 554    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Economy Committee

Made at meeting: 26/07/2021 - Economy Committee

Decision published: 13/10/2021

Effective from: 26/07/2021

Decision:

          The minutes of the Economic Committee meeting held on 8 June 2021 were approved by the Committee.


26/07/2021 - Arun's Economic Development Strategy and Future Priorities ref: 555    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Economy Committee

Made at meeting: 26/07/2021 - Economy Committee

Decision published: 13/10/2021

Effective from: 26/07/2021

Decision:

          The Group Head of Economy provided members with an overview of the report before them and reminded members that the report sets out the Arun Economic Development Strategy 2020-2025 action plan and proposed a number of future projects for their consideration.

 

          The Leader of the Council expressed that he was delighted with the report before them, however, he proposed an amendment to the recommendation 2 to read;

 

2.    that officers explore the resources required to progress the priority projects and this is reflected in the 22/23 budget process.  Also agree that more resources are required in the current year to progress projects and that this can be met though resource switching. Instructs officers to refine the list of priority projects (Appendix D) working through a Members Working Party and develops a prioritisation formula for these projects.

 

This was duly seconded by the Chair. During debate the following points were raised by members:

 

§  a plea to ensure that the Council works with the Town Centre and its Planning Committee and to review what other Councils have done, in particular to look at the approach that Chichester District had taken

§  a query on the priority given to the Arun Cycle way and should this be reviewed and moved to a high priority 

§  to also work with West Sussex County Council to make improvements across the district together

§  a variety of suggestions were made by members regarding Appendix D, some of which were, Beach Huts seen as a quick win, palm trees along the promenade at Bognor Regis, the upper floors of the Arcade in Bognor Regis and the need to utilise this space and do something with it whilst retaining the ground floor units,  more consideration on what to do with Bognor Regis Town Hall as it was felt that this could be better utilised.

§  It was also asked if the Sunken Garden proposals to improve the area were supported by the administration

§  Concern was raised regarding the amount of money that could end up being spent on partnership consultants and could this money be better utilised.

 

The Group Head of Economy provided answer to the questions asked and the Chair stated that as the seconder of the recommendations and given the thorough debate that had taken place, this was an example of exactly why setting up a Working Party was not needed.  

 

          The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED that

 

1)    the Economic Development Strategy 2020-2025 Action Plan (Appendix C) and instructs officers to progress its delivery be approved.

2)    that officers explore the resources required to progress the priority projects and this is reflected in the 22/23 budget process.  Also agree that more resources are required in the current year to progress projects and that this can be met though resource switching.

3)    officers estimate the resources (both capital and staffing costs) that may be needed to progress each project and brings a report back to this Committee for further discussion. 

4)    officers prepare, in partnership, a concise Town Centre(s) Strategy for 2022-2025.

 


26/07/2021 - Littlehampton Public Realm Improvements: Phase 2 & 3 High Street / Beach Road / East Street / Clifton Road ref: 553    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Economy Committee

Made at meeting: 26/07/2021 - Economy Committee

Decision published: 13/10/2021

Effective from: 26/07/2021

Decision:

          The Director of Place provided members with an overview of the report before them and advised that the Committee were being asked to appoint the construction contract for the delivery of the regeneration works to Littlehampton Town Centre as well as to delegate authority for all approvals within the budget of £3,416,295.00 and to enter into a letter of intent to enable the ordering of materials, to the Director of Place. Further explaining that there were currently nationwide delays when ordering construction materials and that he was currently given a 20 week wait from the point of ordering the materials. He stated that the letter of intent was vital in terms of the decision the Committee was being asked to make at this meeting as without this authority the order for materials could not be placed. He confirmed that the earliest works would start would be after the Christmas period due to the wait time. He then confirmed that the issue that had been raised regarding the Lime Tree outside of the arcade has been reviewed and the Tree Officer has relooked and reconsidered his previous approach and the tree was now worthy of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and therefore it was now for the Committee to decide if they wished to retain the tree or not.

 

          The Chair opened the debate where the following points were raised:

 

§  The lost section of improvement work by the railway was disappointing and the Leader of the Council was intent on finding money to complete this work.

§  Questions were asked regarding further design consultation with members. It was confirmed by the Director of Place that we were now at the delivery stage of the scheme and there was no further opportunity to make changes to the designs.

§  Concern was raised regarding the 3 telephone boxes that were stated to be kept as data-hubs, it was felt that these were not needed and ultimately not used for that purpose. It was asked what the cost would be for removing all three, the Director of Place confirmed that the quote received for removal of all three telephone boxes was £35,000. It was also advised that it was more cost effective to leave them in place, as the cost to remove them was now outside of the budgeted plans.

§  Discussion was also had regarding the trees outside the Dolphin pub and Peacocks. Where is was confirmed that there was planned work for the, but they were not being removed.

§  There was a consensus amongst the Committee that the Lime Tree in place outside the arcade should be awarded a TRO and kept.

§  Discussion regarding the street furniture was had and it was confirmed that discussion with Littlehampton Town Council (LTC) was being had and that where possible items that could be re-used would be.

 

The Chair then read out a statement on behalf of Councillor Northeast who could not be in attendance at the meeting so that the Committee could consider his comments.

 

It was then proposed by Councillor Seex that all 3 telephone boxes be removed, this was seconded by Councillor Dr Walsh. The debate on the proposal saw the Committee consider the following options:

 

§  It was felt that the responsibility for the telephone boxes was British telecoms (BT) and discussions should be had with them to either have them removed or for BT to ensure that these telephone boxes have work completed on them to ensure that they can not be abused  and what work could be done between Arun and BT to ensure that if they are to remain they are looked after and kept in good condition.

§  Could they be used as an advertising mechanism

§  Consideration was given to the removal of 1 or 2 of the telephone boxes and the cost implications of this option.

 

Councillor Seex then made and amendment to her original proposal which was, that officers seek to find other ways to remove the telephone boxes and report back to the Committee all 3 telephone boxes be removed. This was duly seconded and put to the vote, where it was approved.

 

The recommendations presented to the Committee in the report were then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

          RESOLVED that

 

1.  the Scope of intended works, as set out in the report, for the Littlehampton Town Centre construction contract be approved; and

 

2.  The budget of £3,416,295.00, approved by Cabinet in December 2019 be noted and the Terms, as set out in the report, be approved.

 

3.  Gives authority to the Director of Place to agree and sign a letter of intent on behalf of the Council, in favour of the contractor, to enable the ordering of materials and thus securing the material costs prior to entering into the construction contract.

 

4.  Gives authority to the Director of Place to authorise Legal Services to enter into the NEC4 (Option A) contract for the construction of Phase 2 & 3 (High Street and Beach Road) to a contract Value not exceeding £2.97m and overall budget for the delivery of the Town Centre improvements of £3,416,295.00.

 

5.  Officers seek to find other ways to remove the telephone boxes and report back to the Committee.


26/07/2021 - Café Leases ref: 552    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Economy Committee

Made at meeting: 26/07/2021 - Economy Committee

Decision published: 13/10/2021

Effective from: 26/07/2021

Decision:

          (Councillor Gunner declared a personal interest as a member is a lessee of one of the contracts for this item, they are in the same political party and Councillor Gunner is the leader of this party. Councillors Bower, Cooper, Edwards, Roberts and Seex all declared a personal interest as they know the lessee of one of the cafes for this item. Councillor Dixon declared a personal interest as a member of the Bognor Regis Civic Society)

 

The Property, Estates and Facilities Manager provided the Committee with an overview of the report before them and reminded them that the report set out the commercial marketing strategy for various catering business opportunities across the Council’s parks with a specific focus on service improvement, long term financial viability and the securing of increased revenue for the Council.

 

In turning to the debate, the following points were raised;

 

§  Broad consensus of support for the recommendations before the Committee

§  Was there the footfall for the Marine Park Gardens Café’s and the need for public toilet amenities in the area was also raised

§  It was requested that the diversity of business offerings be considered by officers to maximise the variety of offerings available across the district

§  Concern for the turnaround timeframe of the process was also highlighted

 

The Property, Estates and Facilities Manager provide answers to all points and questions raised.

 

 

          The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED that

 

1)    the Economic Committee approve for the Council to proceed with the open marketing of the four separate catering business opportunities at each of Councils identified parks, those being;

a.    Norfolk Gardens, Littlehampton

b.    Mewsbrook Park, Littlehampton

c.     West Park, Bognor Regis

d.    Marine Park Gardens, Bognor Regis

2)    the Economic Committee delegate authority to the Group Head of Technical Services to negotiate suitable commercial heads of terms for the four individual leases and, in consultation with the Chair of the Economic Committee, to proceed to enter into leases.

.


06/10/2021 - Motion ref: 545    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

At the beginning of this item, the Chair proposed a Motion to proceed to next business (as per Part 5, Section 2, 13.11 iii) of the Constitution) as the original proposer had asked that the Motion referred from Full Council on 15 September 2021 to this Committee be withdrawn and the action referred to in the Motion had been taken. This was seconded by the Vice-Chair.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

To proceed to next business.


06/10/2021 - Duty to Cooperate - Statement of Common Ground between Horsham District Council and Arun District Council ref: 541    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader presented his report which sought Members’ agreement that the Chair of Planning Policy Committee be authorised to sign the joint Statement of Common Ground with Horsham District Council.

 

The recommendation was then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Chair of Planning Policy Committee be authorised to sign the joint Statement of Common Ground with Horsham District Council.


06/10/2021 - Budget 2022/2023 Process ref: 547    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Group Accountantpresented this report explaining that under the newly adopted Committee structure it was important that all Members be fully aware of the budget process. He further explained that the Council continued to face net expenditure pressures due to ongoing financial uncertainties and the report recognised the need for some resource switching in order to progress the Council’s priorities and continue to meet statutory requirements. Any growth proposals would have to clearly state their financial implications and resource switching as appropriate.

 

The Chair raised the matter of the budget and how it was divided between this Committee and the Planning Committee especially when matters that went across the two Committees such as the Planning Review were considered, and whether the whole of the budget should be the responsibility of this Committee as the Service Committee for planning matters.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

To note the budget setting process for 2022/23.


06/10/2021 - West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 Consultation ref: 542    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

(At the beginning of the item, Councillor Elkins declared a Personal Interest as a Member of West Sussex County Council.)

 

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader presented his report which sought agreement for its content to form the basis of a formal response from the Council to the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 Consultation.

 

Members (and one non-Committee Member) then took part in a full debate on the item where a number of points were raised including:

·       acknowledgement in the report that Arun was the most densely populated part of the County

·       the need for road improvements between Bersted to Chichester, in the short rather than the medium term, and Pagham Road

·       the need to include the journey time between Angmering and Horsham by train which involved a change at Barnham

·       the need for the Arundel Chord railway

·       references to viable transport alternatives to the car and the Arun Active Travel Study but no mention of a school bus programme which would be a big step to reducing congestion and carbon emissions

·       the need for a bridge west of Ford Station and a A27/A259 link opening up the possibility of development in the Ford area

·       previous Section 106 contributions having been declined by Highways England that could have contributed to these improvements

·       concern over the ordering of priorities and fears that once the roads had been built there would not be any money left for any of the other improvements, that the Transport Plan would therefore not meet its objectives of de-carbonising transport and did not demonstrate how targets would be achieved

·       the need for the formal response to contain stronger wording to reflect the seriousness of the situation and the Council’s concerns

 

The Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader provided Members with answers to all points raised during the debate.

 

The recommendation was then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

To agree the comments set out in sections 1.8 to 1.12 of the report as the basis for Arun District Council’s formal response to the consultation document Draft West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036.


06/10/2021 - Development Management Policies Engagement Feedback ref: 550    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader presented his report which provided an update on engagement work on the draft list of Development Management Polices identified for potential review.

 

One Member paid tribute to the contributions of parishes to this process and the comments made, and also highlighted the Environment Agency’s comment regarding a possible rise in temperature of 3-4% by the end of the century as demonstrating the scale of the challenge faced and how the Council must take this seriously.

 

The recommendation was then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

To consider the feedback received and agree the report be used to inform future plan making.


06/10/2021 - Arun Local Plan Update ref: 549    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

(Councillor Jones left the meeting during this item.)

 

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader presented his report which updated Members on the issues affecting the progress of the Local Plan update and progression of the Vision and Objectives whilst also anticipating significant Government planning and regulatory reforms. He outlined a number of options Members might have wished to consider on the approach to take for the Local Plan update and supporting evidence work, in view of the pending national planning reforms and also emergent critical issues arising under the ‘Duty to Cooperate’ affecting plan making and particularly delivery of development to the west of Arun in the A27 corridor.

 

The options put before the Committee were:

1)    Continue with Full Plan Preparation as per previous resolutions

2)    Continue with Full Plan Preparation but with an Extended Timescale

3)    Pause the preparation of a revised Local Plan until details of the new plan making system were agreed.

 

Members (and one non-Committee Member) then took part in a full debate on the item where a number of points were raised including:

·       the recent change in the Secretary of State and indications made that he already wished to review and revise aspects of the bill, and the resultant delay this might cause

·       knowledge of other local planning authorities who had suspended progress of their Local Plans because of the imminent changes in the White Paper, so precedent for option 3

·       previous experiences with the development of Local Plans during periods when planning rules were changing and the added costs involved, and the possibility of spending on a Local Plan that would have to be reviewed as circumstances have changed

·       a lot of time spent time doing the Vision and Objectives earlier in the year, disappointment and uncertainty over why they were abandoned, and how could the Council proceed with the Local Plan update if a basic vision could not be agreed upon

·       the evidence base previously commissioned having been extremely useful and reluctant to waste the money spent on it

·       support for option 1 and proceeding with the original plan due to concerns over the risks involved with waiting or the process becoming stop/start

·       the efficacy between options 2 and 3, and whether there was any work that it would be safe to proceed with in an extended timescale

·       the possibility of the removal of the 5-year housing supply and the objective assessed housing need figure derived from it, and so unnecessarily planning for housing numbers that may not be required

·       concerns over deferral (option 3) and whether the situation should be reviewed by Committee on a regular basis to be more proactive due to the changing nature of policies

·       the Local Plan being classed as failing by the Authority Monitoring Report, so other issues that needed to be address in addition to 5-year housing supply

·       whether the Council exposed itself to risk from neighbouring Local Authorities due to delays in evidence updates, for example through ‘Duty to Cooperate’ agreements with no up-to-date data on what the District could or could not accommodate

·       the significant quantity of planning approvals waiting to be implemented across the District and concerns developers were submitting speculative applications outside of strategic site allocations in the Local Plan at the same time

·       support for a review of the White Paper as indicated by the new Secretary of State, though concerns over the number of what/ifs in a possible impending review

·       support for options 1 and 2 as both kept the process moving forward, and for some of the studies indicated in the report that it would be useful to undertake regardless of the planning system eventually adopted

·       clarification whether it was full plan preparation or an extension of five years to the existing plan that was sought, and if an extension of five years then the Local Plan would be out of date by the time of adoption which would be a waste of time and money

·       the need to sort out the issues with the current Local Plan first to avoid these being carried over into a new Local Plan

·       the additional housing a review of the existing Local Plan would add under the current planning system, suggestions this could be as much as 5,000-8,000 new homes over the 5 years the plan would have to be extended by

·       the intention of Government to give Councils stronger powers to enforce ‘build out’

·       the current ‘out-of-control’ position of having to accept planning applications wherever they may be, and even inviting them due to land supply issues

·       whether Committee could make decisions based upon assumptions of what future planning rules may be, and whether it would be better to bring this report back in a few months times once more is known about how the Government is progressing with its plans

·       statements and responses by the Secretary of State being material considerations in planning applications

·       if option 3 were the preferred option of the Committee, the need to review the situation in six months times

·       whether the possible lifting of the Local Land Supply would apply to the current Local Plan, and if this would be accompanied by the removing of the Housing Delivery Test which has also been problematic

·       the need for the evidence base generated from the proposed list of studies in the report to deal with issues such as the climate emergency, and whether the option to pause could be explored down the line depending the outcome of the research

Councillor Hughes moved a motion that Option 3, that the Plan be paused, be put to the Committee as its preferred option due to knowing the planning reforms were going to change and therefore be unable to continue working towards AND that it be reviewed in six months time. This is seconded by Councillor Clayden. Following a vote of the Committee, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader provided Members with answers to all points raised during the debate and stressed the risks involved in each option, many already known and set out in the report, but that a direction of travel was needed by Officers from the Committee.

 

The substantive recommendations were then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement be reported back to the next Committee meeting.

 

The Committee

 

RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL

 

Option 3 to pause the preparation of a revised Local Plan until details of the new plan making system be agreed, and that the pause be reviewed in six months’ time.


06/10/2021 - Infrastructure Funding Statement ref: 548    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader presented his report and explained that the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 (as amended) included a requirement for all planning obligation collecting authorities to prepare an annual Infrastructure Funding Statement to be published on the web site at the end of the calendar year reporting planning obligation income and CIL and expenditure from the previous financial year.

 

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

·         whether funding could be provided for a school bus programme with its benefits of reducing congestion and pollution, and whether as a County Council responsibility they could take it on as a CIL commitment

·         the terminology of funds ‘not been formally allocated’ and greater detail on where these might be allocated

 

The Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader and Group Head of Planning provided Members with answers to all points raised during the debate. The Group Head of Planning confirmed that all Section 106 receipts were identified for a project by law (which were detailed in the appendices) but that planning terminology used ‘unallocated’ until funds had been received.

 

The recommendation was then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Arun Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/21 be agreed and published on the Arun District Council website in accordance with Regulation 121A of the Community Infrastructure Regulations 2010 (as amended).


06/10/2021 - Coastal Change Management Areas ref: 546    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

(During the debate, Councillor Elkins declared a Personal Interest as the Council’s representative on the Local Government Association’s Coastal Special Interest Group.)

 

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Engineering Services Manager presented his report which contained a draft consultants’ brief for endorsement by Members to investigate the introduction of a Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA) following a decision by Cabinet in October 2020 to allocate £30,000 for this undertaking. The report also sought endorsement of how planning applications in the Pagham area would be dealt with in the meantime.The Engineering Services Manager highlighted the dynamic nature of the coastal erosion in Pagham and the risk of flooding.

 

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

·         whether the CCMA should cover an area wider than illustrated in Appendix 1 of the report, and how it might impact the strategic sites in Pagham in the Local Plan

·         the nature of the consultation process and involvement of environmental agencies (Natural England etc) because of the sensitivity of sites in Pagham being Sites of Special Scientific Interest

·         the need for an indication of timescales, particularly in relation to concerns over flooding at Pagham harbour due to the unpredictable movement of the spit and the potentially significant consequences of this

·         the need to treat the introduction of a CCMA as a matter of urgency due to events at Climping and widen the area to cover from West of the river Arun to Pagham

·         statements in the NPPF which state that developments have to be safe for their lifetime, and Members not knowing without the evidence of the CCMA consultation if that would be the case for new or existing development

·         whether Officers had all the recommendations they needed to proceed with the study in the report or whether further approvals would be needed between Committee meetings

·         whether other vulnerable areas were looked at in the preliminary stages of this report and would be brought forward for their own CCMAs

·         the involvement and implications for the Council’s Planning team

·         the need for a refresh of the shoreline management plan and areas whose inclusion might need re-examination

 

The Engineering Services Manager provided Members with answers to all points raised during the debate. He confirmed toMembers that the report looked at the implications of having a CCMA rather than suggesting the introduction of one at this stage, but agreed with the urgency raised by Members.

 

The recommendations were then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED - that

 

1.            The outline brief for the Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA) study (as set out in 1.14 to 18 as appropriate) be approved.

 

2.            The timing of the study be scheduled for a start of procurement beginning October 2021, in order to accommodate the outcome of the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee’s decision on whether to provide extra funding and consequently, the final scope of the study.

 

3.            The Engineering Services Manager in consultation with the Planning Policy Committee Chair and Group Head of Planning, be delegated authority to proceed with the necessary administrative procedures and procurement processes based upon Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee’s funding decision.

 

4.            The guidance as set out in the report under ‘Interim Approach’ be used to assess the development merits of all Planning Applications coming forward on the Pagham Beach Estate, with reference to the plan at Appendix 1 (as a material consideration) until such time as the Planning Policy Committee decides whether to introduce a CCMA.

 

5.            The draw-down of any further Local Levy monies granted by the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee be authorised for the CCMA work.


06/10/2021 - Minutes ref: 544    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Policy Committee

Made at meeting: 06/10/2021 - Planning Policy Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 06/10/2021

Decision:

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 July 2021 were approved by the Committee and signed by the Chair.


30/09/2021 - Motion ref: 534    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

The Motion was referred to the Committee by Full Council on 15 September 2021. Upon the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Stanley as the Motion’s original proposer explained some background to the Motion (including that across the country there were 98,000 homeless families, 100,000 families in temporary accommodation and 268,000 empty homes), the need to review Arun’s approach to bringing empty homes back into use and whether the Council was committing appropriate resource to the issue.

 

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

·         empty homes not contributing to the local economy

·         the need to look at the holiday homes discount scheme

·         the need for long-term tenancies that could be provided by making empty homes available again and the positive effects to local economies

·         the negative impact empty homes in poor condition have on neighbourhoods, and associations with anti-social behaviour and vandalism

·         support for and the impact on homeless members of the community

 

The motion was then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED – That

 

1.    Council tax charged on Empty Homes be reviewed with a view to exploring a potential sliding scale increase over time. A similar system is currently being used in Brighton and Hove.

 

2.    Council tax charged on Holiday Homes be reviewed with a view to encourage owners to utilise their properties on at least an annual basis.

 

The Committee

 

RECOMMEND TO ENVIRONMENT AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE – That

 

1.    A review be undertaken of the incentives and services we (could) offer property owners to increase engagement with our Empty Homes Team and support tenant management issues and misconceptions.

 

2.    A review be undertaken of how we promote our Empty Homes service and how we communicate success stories.


30/09/2021 - Award of Section 44a Business Rates ref: 540    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021


30/09/2021 - Budget 2022/2023 Process ref: 535    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Interim Group Head for Corporate Support and Section 151 Officer presented her report explaining that under the newly adopted Committee structure it was important that all Members be fully aware of the budget process. The process was approved by the Corporate Policy and Performance Committee at its meeting on 1 September 2021. She further explained that the report recognised the need for some resource switching in order to progress the Council’s priorities, and that projects brought forward must deliverable in 2022-23, must aim to be cost neutral and mindful of limited Officer time and support. It was also highlighted that the report was concerned with the General Fund as the Housing Revenue Account had a separate Business Plan which was being worked on alongside the budget.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

To note the budget setting process for 2022/23.


30/09/2021 - Approval to Appoint a Roofing Contractor - Exempt ref: 539    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021


30/09/2021 - Approval to Appoint a Roofing Contractor ref: 538    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Interim Asset Manager presented his report.

 

The recommendation was then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

To approve awarding a contract for roofing works for various properties and to approve the virement of £100,000 from the Kitchen and Bathroom programme budget to the Roofing budget to fund the project. Both of these budgets are in the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme.


30/09/2021 - Compliance Policies Approval ref: 537    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

The Chair welcomed the arrival of these policies and spoke of their benefit in ensuring residents could live safely in their homes and landlords met their legal and regulatory requirements. Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Interim Asset Manager presented his report explaining that the Council was under the regulatory notice of the Social Housing Regulator around compliance and building safety, that these policies aimed to be consistent and comprehensive and covered the Council’s legal and regulatory obligations to its Social Housing tenants.

 

Members (and one non-Committee Member) then took part in a full debate on the item where a number of points were raised including:

·         the Fire Safety policy and rules around furniture in foyer areas in sheltered housing

·         that these policies only applied where the Council was the landlord

·         praise for these policies being easy to understand

 

The recommendations were then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED - that

 

1.    The Fire Safety, Gas Safety, Electrical Safety, Lift Safety, Asbestos management and Legionella policies be approved for publication

 

2.    Delegated authority be given to the Group Head of Residential Services to make minor changes to the policies.


30/09/2021 - Safer Arun Partnership Annual Review 2020-21 ref: 533    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Community Safety Officer presented his report. He outlined the purpose of the report as the statutory annual scrutiny of the Safer Arun Partnership as Arun’s Local Community Safety Partnership. He confirmed that the Committee in leading on this statutory function would legislatively be the Local Authority’s Crime and Disorder Committee for the purposes of this report. In particular, he drew Members’ attention to the Safer Arun Partnership Plan 2020-21 [Appendix C in the Agenda Pack] and its strategic priorities which formed the basis of the work undertaken to try to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the District.

 

The Chair re-welcomed Sussex Police’s Chief Inspector Jon Carter, District Commander for Chichester and Arun, to the meeting. The Chief Inspector highlighted four findings from the report – the significant rise in anti-social behaviour over the period the report looked at in part due to the Pandemic and the restrictions imposed, the significant proportion violent crime continued to play in crime reported in the District, domestic abuse still accounting for a worrying percentage of all reported crime at about 22% and its impacts particularly to children and young people and links to homicide, and drugs harm and successes in tackling and disrupting county lines activity though this tactic did not account for all drug supply in the area.

 

The Chair expressed her thanks to the whole Safer Arun Partnership team and stressed that tackling domestic abuse was also the responsibility of Members through their community involvement. Councillor Mrs Cooper as Chair of the Safer Arun Partnership also offered her thanks to the team for the work involved in producing the report and to the wider membership of the partnership for their continued engagement.

 

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

·         whether more education was needed to tackle some of the underlying issues, particularly around domestic abuse and drugs

·         positive trends in the report, reference made to drugs trafficking and supply in the Strategic Intelligence Assessment 2021 Key Findings [Appendix B in the Agenda Pack]

 

The recommendations were then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RESOLVED – to

 

1.    Endorse the work of the Safer Arun Partnership and the importance of partnership working in contributing to reducing anti-social behaviour and addressing crime and disorder in Arun.

 

2.    Recognise the work of the Safer Arun Partnership in contributing to the delivery of the Council’s strategic priority “supporting you if you need help”.


30/09/2021 - Empty Homes Council Tax Premium ref: 536    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Senior Revenues Assistant presented this report which asked Members to consider maximising the Council Tax premium for empty homes from April 2022, in line with legislation that came in in 2020 with an aim of getting empty properties back into use.

 

Members (and one non-Committee Member) then took part in a full debate on the item where a number of points were raised including:

·         the benefits to residents rather than the Council as this was an incentive to get houses back into use

·         questions around the logistics of policing the policy and how the Council knows about empty properties in the District

·         specific types of property (retirement, for example) which could be difficult to sell but have restrictive criteria on purchasers

·         which constituted ‘furnished’ in real and legislative terms

·         whether other mechanisms, apart from homeowners applying for discounts, could be used for reporting empty homes, for example reporting by neighbours or whether utilities are connected

·         not wanting to penalise those who have inherited a house but at the time having a finite cut-off that triggers them to act

·         the importance of information in identifying opportunities to make houses available

·         the leniency around exceptions and the importance of promoting the services the Council provides

·         the shortness of timescales, particularly for houses vacant for a longer period of time that may require substantial work before being made available again

·         the need to communicate effectively given the scale of the impact it could have on residents

 

The recommendations were then proposed and seconded.

 

The Committee

 

RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL - That

 

1.    An increase to the premium on long term empty properties be approved as follows:

        100% premium from 1 April 2022 for those properties which are empty for 2 years and over

        200% premium from 1 April 2022 for those properties which are empty for 5 years and over

        300% premium from 1 April 2022 for those properties which are empty for 10 years and over

 

2.    The Head of Residential Services be given delegated authority in exceptional circumstances to waive any premium on a case by case basis.


30/09/2021 - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING IS OF THE OPINION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY BY REASON OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ref: 530    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

The Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

That Agenda Item 8 [Safer Arun Partnership Annual Review 2020-21] be heard after Agenda Item 5 [Public Question Time] due to the presence of a guest speaking on the item.


30/09/2021 - Minutes ref: 531    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 12/10/2021

Effective from: 30/09/2021

Decision:

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 July 2021 and the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 19 August 2021 were approved by the Committee and signed by the Chair.


19/08/2021 - Waiver of Standing Orders to Award a Contract to Secure Replacement of the Communal Heating System at Bersted Green Court by the Current Contractor ref: 532    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Made at meeting: 19/08/2021 - Housing and Wellbeing Committee

Decision published: 01/10/2021

Effective from: 19/08/2021

Decision:

The interim Asset Manager explained that this extraordinary meeting had been called as the works required to be undertaken could not wait for approval until the next scheduled meeting of the Committee due to be held on 30 September 2021. He then provided members with an overview of his reported advising that the communal heating system at Bersted Green Court that provides heating and hot water for 75 older residents required replacement. The Committee were being asked to provide approval to appoint the recommended contractor to replace the communal boiler and plant as they have extensive knowledge of Bersted Green Court, the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the work and the price quoted represented value for money. In summing up he explained that replacement of the system prior to winter of 2021 was required to reduce the risk of the current heating system failing. The situation had been further compounded by the need to remove asbestos from the plant room before any works could start and removal of this is required to take place during the summer.

         

          The Chair then invited debate where the following points were raised, as the funds for this work were proposed to be taken from the Kitchen and Bathroom Programme Budget what was the status of this fund and would there be any impact on its required start date, it was explained that the Kitchen ad Bathroom Programme Budget fund would be fully funded by the time the work was required to start. Further discussion was had on the life span of a commercial boiler, what other additional works were required for Bersted Green Court and the size of each unit within the building, would there be any disruption to the residents whilst the work to replace the heating system was carried out and if so what and how would this be communicated to the residents. All points raised were answered in full by the Director of Services and the Interim Asset Manager. The Chair also reminded the Committee that she had requested a full review be undertaken of Arun’s sheltered housing schemes.

The recommendation was then proposed and seconded and,

 

          The Committee

 

                     RESOLVED

 

That the waiver of standing orders to award a contract to replace the communal heating system at Bersted Green Court be approved and that the virement of £150,000 from the Kitchen and Bathroom Programme Budget to the Boiler Budget Programme Commercial Budget to fund the project also be approved.