, 14 April 2024 - 28 April 2024

RESOLVED:

2.1      That Committee agrees to the disposal of the freehold of the Connaught Annex to the Charity and that delegated powers be given to the Corporate Director City Services in consultation with the Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services to negotiate and approve the terms for the disposal of the property and its subsequent occupation by the Council’s SEND service and to take all necessary steps to complete the transactions.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That Committee notes ongoing work that continues to improve the

employment offer to staff at the council.

2.2      That Committee agrees to the proposed changes to the dismissal appeal process outlined in paragraph 3.10 in the report.

2.3      That Committee agrees to the proposed changes to the dispute procedure outlined in paragraph 3.11 in the report.

2.4      That Committee delegates authority to make the changes to individual policies to the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, to ensure the appeal procedure in all dismissal and dispute procedures are in line with the changes proposed in 3.10 - 3.11 in the report.

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1. Noted that the soft market research identified in the options review shows that the RNLI are currently the only external organisation found to be operating beach lifeguard services for local authorities.

2. Agreed that delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director of City Services, in consultation with the relevant cabinet portfolio holder, to conclude negotiations with the RNLI leading to either the service being contracted out as detailed in paras 4.6 to 4.11 or continuing in-house as detailed in paras 4.3 to 4.5.

RESOLVED:

1. That Committee noted the position in relation to s106 monies held for investment in schools, the current plans for using it to support infrastructure improvements and the progress the Planning Service has made in making information about s106 funds more accessible.

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1. Agreed to delivery of an annual multifaith event from October 2024. A committee made up of community leaders and chaired by Cllr Asaduzzaman should be set up to oversee the proper and professional delivery of the event and ensure that funding can be secured from the community and other community funds for future years.

2. Agreed that the Culture, Tourism and Sport service collaborates with the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust (RPMT) to partner on, secure seed funding, plan and deliver the first annual commemoration multifaith event at the India Gate on/around 26 October 2024, as a testament to the welcoming and inclusive reputation of the city and reflecting the diverse religious communities of the sub-continent.

3. Agreed that as an integral part of the annual multifaith event a campaign will be developed to generate awareness of the wider contribution of soldiers from undivided India, to include educational materials.

4. Agreed that additional scoping and feasibility work should be pursued with the Economic Development team, and business partners across the city, to scope and secure an additional commonwealth business related event to leverage our enduring links to citizens from undivided India and the wider Commonwealth.

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1. Agreed that officers proceed with the appointment of a suitably qualified and experienced independent person to undertake examination of the Brighton Marina Neighbourhood Plan;

2. Agreed to submit the Draft Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents for examination, together with all representations received in response to the Regulation 16 publication of the Draft Plan; and

3. Endorsed and agreed to submit the officer comments on the Draft Neighbourhood Plan set in Appendix 1 as the Council’s Regulation 16 response for consideration at the examination.

RESOLVED:

That Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Economic Development

Committee:

1. Noted the responses to the RPD Proposed Submission and Main Modifications consultations and the contents of the Inspectors’ Report with their conclusion that the revised policies, as modified, are legally compliant and ‘sound’.

2. Recommended to Council that the RPD be approved for adoption, incorporating the main modifications and minor modifications, as part of the Development Plan for the City, subject to the Interim Head of Planning agreeing any further minor non-material changes to the text with East Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority;

That Full Council:

1. Notes the responses to the RPD Proposed Submission and Main Modifications consultations and the contents of the Inspectors’ Report with their conclusion that the revised polices, as modified, are legally compliant and ‘sound’.

2. Approves adoption of the Revised Policies, incorporating the main modifications and minor modifications, as part of the Development Plan for the City, subject to the Interim Head of Planning agreeing any further minor non-material changes to the text with East Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority.

92.1    The report was introduced by the Chief Financial Officer, who gave the comparison on council tax on long term empty homes and 2nd homes.

92.2    The Committee were asked to note the urgency of the report and agree pool space and get planning consent.

.

92.3    The Committee were asked to note the following:

·                     The independent inquiry

·                     Formal Apology

·                     Approve the recommendations in the report

·                     Give delegated power to HR and OD Director to terminate the current procedures.

92.4    Councillor Sankey spoke on the matter.

            Resolved

2.1         That the Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee approves the proposal to apply the current 100% premium applicable to long-term empty and unfurnished properties after one year instead of two years from 1 April 2024 as permitted by the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023.

2.2         That the Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee recommends to full Council that it formally approves the recommendation that a new 100% Council Tax premium be applied to empty furnished properties (second homes) from 1 April 2025.

Full Council:

2.3         That full Council adopts the recommendation of Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee at para 2.2 above and formally approves the recommendation that a new 100% Council Tax premium be applied to empty furnished properties (second homes) from 1 April 2025.

91.1    The Committee considered a report of the Chief Finance Officer. The report is an annual report and sets out the council tax base for the city. Which determines the key factor in raising council tax. This is not just for the council but the police and fire department.

91.2    Councillors Shanks and Councillor Sankey commented and contributed to the debate.

Resolved

2.1         That Committee agrees the calculation of the council’s tax base for the year 2024/25.

2.2         That Committee notes the collection rate assumed is 98.75%.

2.3         That Committee notes that no change to the Council Tax Reduction scheme is proposed for 2024/25 except that, in accordance with the policy agreed by full Council on 3 February 2022, earnings bands will be uplifted to reflect government changes to the National Living Wage as set out in paragraph 3.7.

2.4         That Committee agreesthat in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amounts calculated by Brighton & Hove City Council as its council tax base for the year 2024/25 shall be as follows:

2.3.1    Brighton and Hove in whole – 93,574.4 (detail in appendix 1)

2.3.2    Royal Crescent Enclosure Committee – 29.7 (detail in appendix 2)

2.3.3    Hanover Crescent Enclosure Committee – 42.7 (detail in appendix 2)

2.3.4    Marine Square Enclosure Committee – 69.5 (detail in appendix 2)

2.3.5    Parish of Rottingdean – 1,706.2 (detail in appendix 2)

2.5         That Committee agrees that for the purposes of Section 35(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the expenses of meeting the special levies issued to the council by the Enclosure Committees shall be its special expenses.

2.6         That Committee agrees that the Enclosure Committees and Rottingdean Parish are paid the required Council Tax Reduction Grant of c£4,000 in total, to ensure they are no better or no worse off as a result of the introduction of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the reasons set out in paragraph 3.13.

2.7         That Committee notes that the amount forecast to be received by the council in 2024/25 from its share of local business rates and section 31 Local Government Act 2003 compensation grants is £84.911m, based on the latest available data.

2.8         That Committee notes that the amount forecast to be received by the council in 2024/25 from its share of local Council Tax, including an Adult Social Care precept, is £185.100m based on latest available data.

2.9         That Committee delegates the agreement of the final business rates forecast and completion of the NNDR1 2024/25 form to the Chief Finance Officer following consultation with the Chair of this Committee and this will be reflected in the Budget report to this committee in February 2024.

9.1       The Committee considered a report of Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development.

1.1 In July 2023 the Council launched an independent inquiry into serious whistleblowing complaints about behaviours and activity within the Council’s waste service (City Clean).

1.2 The outcome report was received on 13^th November 2023 and describes numerous accounts of appalling behaviour faced by staff and managers at City Clean. This report presents the findings of the inquiry and seeks formal approval for the recommendations of the report and the subsequent action plan that has been developed to ensure the serious and devastating findings of the report are addressed.

9.2       Councillors Taylor, Rowkins and Shanks and Councillor Robins commented and contributed to the debate.

9.3       Chair welcomed the proposed joint amendment from Councillors Shanks who spoke about the report as outlined in 2.7. Councillor McNair seconded the amendment on the failings of the Council as outlined in 2.8.

9.4       It is noted that the report was received with thanks for all the work put into it.

9.5       In response to questions raised. The changes in disciplinary panel procedures will be made in July and a report will be brought back in May of this year.

9.6       The budget had to be flexible to include funding various legal process in relation to concerned staff.

9.7       The amendment fell.

Resolved

That the Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee:

2.1         Noted the findings of the independent inquiry report, as detailed in Appendix 1.

2.2         Noted and reinforces the apology issued by the Council’s leadership to every staff member who has been affected by these behaviours, past and present, and to residents whose service has been affected by the dysfunction that has resulted.

2.3         Approved all recommendations of the independent inquiry report, as detailed on pages 18-19 of Appendix 1, and the action plan in Appendix 2.

2.4         Gave delegated authority to the Director of HR&OD to issue and serve the necessary notice on or after 26^th January 2024 to terminate the council’s existing disciplinary and disputes procedures.

2.5         Authorised the Director of HR&OD to take all steps necessary or incidental to preparations for the implementation of arrangements that will replace the role of Personnel Appeal Panels in those procedures, and therefore cease any involvement of members in employment procedures from 26^th July 2024 (aside from statutory responsibilities associated with disciplinary action against Statutory Chief Officers under the law or against other Chief Officers under the JNC terms and conditions).

2.6         Noted that a further report with the proposed new disciplinary and disputes procedure and necessary amendments to the Council’s Constitution to remove reference to the Personnel Appeals Panel will be brought to Council or the Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee for approval.

89.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture. New Swimming Pool at Withdean Sports Complex and Pool Provision in the East of the City. The report presented the findings of the independent inquiry and sought formal approval for the recommendations of the report and the subsequent action plan that had been developed to ensure the serious and devastating findings of the report are addressed.

89.2    Councillors Taylor, Rowkins and Shanks and Councillor Robins commented and contributed to the debate.

89.3      Resolved

    That Committee;

2.1       Notes the importance of addressing the shortfall of pool water space in the

city.

2.2       Agrees that officers should continue to explore the feasibility of where and how new pool water space is developed and delivered in the East of the city,

(as set out in paragraph 3.35).

Recommends that the Strategy, Finance, and City Regeneration Committee

2.3      Agrees in principle to the development of a new swimming pool at Withdean

Sports Complex, as set out in paragraph 3.18.

2.4      Agrees the provision of £451,000 (via capital borrowing) to complete detailed design and survey work and to achieve planning consent.

2.5      Authorises the Executive Director Economy, Environment and Culture to

take all steps necessary to procure and award the contracts for the design work.

2.6      Agrees that a further report is brought back to the Strategy, Finance and City

Regeneration Committee once the design work is completed to approve the

progression of the project to implementation and the additional borrowing required for the remaining capital cost to deliver a new facility.

Resolved

2.1      That Committee agreed the polling place scheme outlined in Appendix 3.

2.2      That Committee delegated authority to the Executive Director for Governance, People & Resources to take all measures as are necessary or incidental, as required by law, to implement the changes indicated in para 2.1.

2.3      That Committee delegated authority to the Returning Officer to designate alternative polling places, in the event of any polling place being unavailable, at any poll taking place prior before the next full review of polling places.

A decision was made to build a swimming pool.