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Introduction

The full documents of all meetings can be found in our Meetings, Agendas, Report and Minutes area. The documents on this page provide an overview of the outcome of the meeting in question.

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Cabinet: Tuesday, 07 May 2013

This Cabinet meeting was attended by all ten members (7 Labour, 3 Conservative).

At the meeting, Cabinet:

• Agreed unanimously to establish a collective energy switching scheme for the Borough in partnership with the 'Big Community Switch'; that any surplus income generated by the scheme through the referral fees be ringed-fenced for further marketing and promotion of the scheme, and local energy efficiency schemes; and to delegate authority to the Director of Corporate Resources to appoint 'Ichoosr' in accordance with the Council's Financial Operating Procedures and join the 'Big Community Switch' collective energy switching initiative
• Agreed unanimously that the proposals contained within the report on the renewal of Hastings Borough Council's CCTV System are approved and the Director of Regeneration is authorised to proceed with the procurement (the proposals include replacing the existing CCTV monitoring suite with a modern facility within the Town Hall to the rear of the contact centre, and replacing the existing CCTV system with a fully digital system, including all new digital cameras); and to increase the approved budget to £360K
• Agreed without being 'called' for discussion the minutes of the Charity Committee meetings of 25 March and 22 April 2013

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Charity Committee: Monday, 22 April 2013

Thia Charity Committee was attended by all three members. The 'Protector', Mr Chris May, was also in attendance. There was one substantive item on the agenda, concerning the former White Rock Baths.

• At the meeting, the Charity Committee agreed unanimously that delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Charity Committee, and, subject to satisfactory heads of terms for a lease being agreed, to progress the proposal for a five year tenancy by the Hastings Pier Charity of a portion of the internal promenade level of the White Rock Baths, and the tendering and awarding of contracts to effect the necessary repairs, installation of services and other physical works to enable occupation of that part of the building, subject to tender costs being within previously approved budgets; that if the lease and repairs of the building go ahead, the marketing of the White Rock Baths is deferred; and that the £25,000 grant to the Pier Charity towards the costs of a temporary structure be withdrawn

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Full Council: Wednesday, 17 April 2013

This Full Council meeting was attended by 29 of the 32 members (20 Labour, 9 Conservative), Cllrs Clark, Daniel, and Rogers giving their apologies.

Before the meeting proper started, the Mayor asked that the thanks of the council be passed on to all staff involved in looking after the German students stranded in the town hall over the night of 11 and 12 March.

The Mayor also reported that Cllr Daniel was unwell, and the best wishes of council for a speedy recovery were passed on to Cllr Daniel.

Following questions to council, the following motion was debated, at some length, and was agreed (20 votes for, 9 abstentions):

"Hastings Borough Council is concerned that the changes to welfare benefits being introduced from this year will have an adverse impact on the most vulnerable residents of the Borough.

"We therefore call upon the Department for Work and Pensions to conduct an Equalities Impact Assessment of Universal Credit on protected groups (as defined by the Equality & Human Rights Commission) and other vulnerable people in Hastings and St Leonards. Incorporated into this assessment we ask for a guarantee that any implementation of benefit changes will not be counter-productive to our anti-poverty strategy, which has been endorsed by the electorate in 2010 and 2012."

There was only one other item for council decision, the pay policy statement 2013/14. This was agreed unanimously. (It should be noted that this does not cover any pay increase, which is negotiated nationally, but the framework on which the council's pay is based).

A number of other items were 'called' for discussion, but these were not for council decision.

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Cabinet: Tuesday, 02 April 2013

This Cabinet meeting was attended by all ten members (7 Labour, 3 Conservative).

At the meeting, Cabinet:

• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion to approve the council's corporate enforcement policy
• Agreed unanimously not to pursue CRB checks for members, as there is no requirement for them to do so. Training would be given to members on dealing with vulnerable people
• Agreed unanimously to thank the scrutiny review team responsible for the review of partnership working, and to approve the management response
• Agreed unanimously to confirm the Council's support of Shelter's 'Evict Rogue Landlord' campaign by signing a statement of support
• Agreed unanimously to adopt a revised allocations scheme for social housing for implementation in June 2013
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion to approve the final tenancy strategy following the 12 week consultation with 'Registered Providers' (providers of social housing)
• Agreed unanimously to recommend to Full Council that the pay policy statement is approved. (NB This covers a range of issues relating to workforce pay, it does not in itself mean a change in pay rates, which are agreed nationally)
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion the minutes of the meeting of the Museums Committee held on 25 February 2013

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Charity Committee: Monday, 25 March 2013

This Charity Committee meeting was attended by three members: Cllr Kramer gave her apologies, with Cllr Scott substituting for her. The 'Protector', Mr Chris May, was also in attendance.

At the meeting, the Charity Committee:

• Agreed unanimously the 'Protocol for Unsolicited Grants', noting the concerns of the Grants Advisory Panel; and the proposed parameters and timetabling for the events grants programme in 2013/14
• Agreed unanimously to note the financial position for 2012/13; that the allocation for grants in 2013/14 be set at £50,000; to approve the proposed expenditure on schemes funded from reserves, noting that further Committee approval to proceed is required for some key schemes; to approve the budget for 2013/14; and that financial monitoring reports continue to be presented to each meeting of the Charity Committee.

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Cabinet: Monday 04 March 2013

This Cabinet meeting was attended by all ten members (7 Labour, 3 Conservative).

At the meeting, Cabinet:

• Agreed unanimously that, when more detail is known about what is likely to be happening regionally and nationally, and what funding might be available, Hastings Borough Council leads a local initiative to mark the start of the First World War in an appropriate way, sympathetic to the approach being taken elsewhere. This might involve schools, the Museum, young people's organisations, ex-service units, etc
• Agreed unanimously to thank the scrutiny review team for their report on the future management options for Hastings Castle, and to support the recommendations of their report (these include deferring the Heritage Lottery Fund bid until autumn 2013; a trial of a group attractions ticket covering Blue Reef Aquarium, Smugglers' Adventure, Hastings Castle and the West Hill Lift be trialled for the 2013 summer season; a review of the long term options for operating the castle should the Heritage Lottery Fund be unsuccessful; and the review team re-convening in October 2013 to review the 2013 season and the success of the combined attractions ticket)
• Agreed to seek funding under the Regional Growth Fund Round 4 to support the growth of the cultural, hospitality and leisure sectors in Hastings, and that delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration to agree the final proposal, including partnership and governance structures, and any subsequent related contractual arrangements; to endorse the proposal for a Hastings-Rother Coastal Enterprise Zone, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration to agree the final proposal and submission;to endorse the proposal for a Hastings Seafront Enterprise Zone and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration to agree the final proposal and submission; and to direct officers to work with Rother, East Sussex County Council, the Hastings-Rother Task Force, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and other parties to seek the inclusion in the new UK Assisted Area map of those parts of Hastings and Rother that meet EU Regional Guidelines for Assisted Area Status
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion the minutes of the Traffic Management Committee of 13 February (the last to be held under the auspices of HBC, as traffic management responsibilities are being taken back by East Sussex County Council from 01 April)

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Full Council: Wednesday, 27 February 2013

This Budget Council was attended by 31 of the 32 members (23 Labour, 8 Conservative), Cllr Charlesworth giving her apologies. There was a demonstration outside the Town Hall from 5pm until approximately 6.20pm against the cuts.

At the meeting, Council:

• Agreed unanimously the Corporate Plan 2013/14 - 2015/16; and that Part III of the Corporate Plan be produced to include a retrospective year-end report on performance and the actual Performance Indicator information for 2012/13, that this information be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees in May, prior to consideration by the Cabinet in June 2013, and that the Council be asked to delegate authority to the Cabinet meeting on 10 June 2013 to agree Part III of the Corporate Plan.
• Agreed (23 votes for, 8 abstentions) the revised revenue budget for 2012-13; the draft 2013/14 revenue budget; the revised parking charges from 01 April 2013 with no further increase for a period of 24 months; a nil increase in Council Tax on the basis that the Council Tax Freeze Grant is receivable (equivalent to a 1% increase); the Coastal Space Scheme as detailed in the report to Budget Cabinet; the Capital Programme 2012/13 (revised) to 2015/16; the proposed expenditure from the Renewal and Repairs Reserve, Area Based Grants Reserve and Information Technology Reserve; the establishment of a new earmarked reserve (Resilience and Stability Reserve) as detailed in the Budget Cabinet report; that the use of monies identified in the budget for 'Invest to Save' schemes is determined by the Director of Corporate Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council; the revised Land and Property Disposal Programme, and that disposals can be brought forward if market conditions make it sensible to do so; that schemes marked with an asterisk in the Capital Programme can proceed without further reference to Cabinet or Council; that work on Priority Income and Efficiency Reviews (PIER) should continue, and where possible identify a sustainable budget for a period in excess of one year, and that a mid-year review for members and officers be undertaken in the light of the continuing severe government grant reductions; the detailed recommendations which relate to the setting of Council Tax in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992.
  • Because of changes in the final settlement from government, an additional £75,000 is available in 2013/14 (only), and the following changes to the consultation budget were agreed - an additional £25,000 in additional community partnership funding to HARC; an additional £25,000 for tourism initiatives; and an additional £25,000 for 'invest to save'/efficiency initiatives. It was also agreed to keep the Council's meteorology service by retaining the borough meteorologist who would train and manage volunteers to undertake the daily weather readings.
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion to recommend that Council approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Annual Investment Strategy (2013/14).

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Planning Committee: Tuesday, 26 February 2013

The documents for this meeting are available on the Planning Committee Meeting documents page.

Under Planning Applications attracting a petition, members:

• Granted permission for a change of use of land for the development of two permanent residential pitches for Gypsies or Travellers on land north east of Sanctuaire, Crowhurst Road
• Granted permissions for the creation of additional 3 flats to the approved 8 flats within the former public house at Malvern Way, Hastings

Under Planning Applications, members:

• Granted permission for the erection of two detached dwellings plus two garages on land north of 14 Shining Cliff, Hastings

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Full Council: Wednesday, 20 February 2013

This Full Council meeting was attended by 29 of the 32 members (23 Labour, 6 Conservative), Cllrs Charlesworth, Cooke, and Gurney giving their apologies. There were no media present.

At the start of the meeting, the Mayor, Cllr Alan Roberts, paid tribute to Miss Dorothy Clements, BEM, former founder member of 'Hastings First', a past chair of the Hastings Week Committee, and a former winner of the Order of 1066 Award, who died recently.

Council also gave a vote of thanks - and a nice round of applause - to Mrs Elaine Wood, who was working at her last Full Council meeting after nearly 40 years service to Hastings Borough Council.

Although there were a number of questions from councillors, and some items were 'called' for discussion, only one item on the agenda was for Council decision.

Council agreed unanimously that, following a review of the special saturation (cumulative impact) element of the Council's liquor and entertainment licensing policy, the special saturation (cumulative impact) policy be retained; the amendments as suggested in the cabinet report be agreed; and the amended policy be endorsed and approved.

Elaine later brought the meeting to a close using her bell for the last time.

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Budget Cabinet: Monday, 18 February 2013

This Budget Cabinet was attended by nine of the ten members (7 Labour, 2 Conservative), Cllr Cooke giving his apologies.

At the meeting, Cabinet:

• Agreed (7 votes for, 2 abstentions) to recommend to the Council the draft Corporate Plan 2013/14 - 2015/16, subject to the proviso that any significant amendment made to the Council's draft Budget be reflected in the final Corporate Plan text; that delegated authority be given to the Director of Corporate Resources, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition, to make further revisions as is considered necessary to the attached plan prior to publication to reflect decisions made on the Council's Budget, and to improve the design, layout and to use non-technical, user-friendly language; and that Part III of the Corporate Plan be produced to include a retrospective year-end report on performance and the actual Performance Indicator information for 2012/13, that this information be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees in May, prior to consideration by the Cabinet in June 2013, and that the Council be asked to delegate authority to the Cabinet meeting on 10th June 2013 to agree Part III of the Corporate Plan. Cabinet also agreed to thank all who submitted views as part of the consultation process for their contributions
• Agreed (7 votes for, 2 abstentions) to recommend to the Council the revised revenue budget for 2012-13; the draft 2013/14 revenue budget; approve the revised parking charges from 01 April 2013 with no further increase for a period of 24 months; approve a nil increase in Council Tax on the basis that the Council Tax Freeze Grant is receivable (equivalent to a 1% increase); approve the Coastal Space Scheme as detailed in the report; approve the Capital Programme 2012/13 (revised) to 2015/16; approve the proposed expenditure from the Renewal and Repairs Reserve, Area Based Grants Reserve and Information Technology Reserve; approve the establishment of a new earmarked reserve (Resilience and Stability Reserve) as detailed in the report; the use of monies identified in the budget for 'Invest to Save' schemes are determined by the Director of Corporate Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council; approve the revised Land and Property Disposal Programme, and agree that disposals can be brought forward if market conditions make it sensible to do so; agree that schemes marked with an asterisk in the Capital Programme can proceed without further reference to Cabinet or Council; agree work on Priority Income and Efficiency Reviews (PIER) should continue, and where possible identify a sustainable budget for a period in excess of one year, and that a mid-year review for members and officers be undertaken in the light of the continuing severe government grant reductions; approve the detailed recommendations which relate to the setting of Council Tax in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion to recommend that Council approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Annual Investment Strategy (2013/14)

The final budget for 2013/14 will be agreed at Budget Council on Wednesday, 27 February.

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Cabinet: Monday, 04 February 2013

The meeting was attended by nine of the ten members (7 Labour, 2 Conservative), Cllr Finch giving apologies.

At the meeting, Cabinet:

• Agreed unanimously to accept the principle of improving transport links along the seafront; and that further consideration is given to pursuing the minitram option as one way of helping to solve the seafront transport problem as the redevelopment of Hastings Pier progresses
• Agreed unanimously to retain the special saturation (cumulative impact) licensing policy; the amendments suggested to it; and to recommend that Full Council endorses and approves the amended policy
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion the contents of the revised 'Local development Scheme' (part of the Local Plan process)
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion the content of the revised 'Statement of Community Involvement' (also part of the local plan process)
• Agreed unanimously the revised policy and process on the granting of discretionary rate relief be agreed (starting 01 April 2013); that determination of detailed applications for 2013/14 and beyond be made by the head of finance in consultation with the leader of the council; and that the application forms be redesigned. It was also agreed to change the policy wording to give rate relief to certain shops :- it was agreed that the Council would not generally award relief to charity shops and shops operated by trading arms of charities except where the profits generated can be shown to be used mainly for the benefit of residents of Hastings, in which case discretionary relief will be awarded at 50%

An additional urgent item was added to the agenda, concerning St Mary in the Castle. It was agreed unanimously to grant a tenancy at will or licence of St Mary in the Castle, 6-8 Pelham Arcade and 7 Pelham Crescent to Buckswood School, and to delegate to the director of corporate resources the authority to agree the terms of the tenancy at will or licence (this was to enable St Mary in the Castle to be operated prior to the charitable trust being set up to run the building being established - it is unfortunately taking longer to get approval from the Charity Commission to establish the trust than originally envisaged and it is not therefore possible to enter into a lease at the moment).

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Planning Committee: Wednesday, 30 January 2013

The documents for this meeting are available on the Planning Committee Meeting documents page.

Under planning applications, members:

• Granted permission for an additional room over an existing garage at 3, The Poplars, Leybourne Road
• Granted permission for the construction of an estate road and associated infrastructure and works (including drainage and utilities) to facilitate future development of site as a business park at Queensway North

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Special Council: Monday, 28 January 2013

The meeting was attended by 30 of the 32 members (22 Labour, 8 Conservative), councillors Gurney and Kramer giving their apologies.

Before the meeting proper started, the Mayor, Cllr Alan Roberts, paid tribute to Fran McKeown, of Hastings Voluntary Action, who tragically died on Christmas Day. A one minute silence was held in her memory.

At the meeting, Council:

• Agreed unanimously that for working age customers, Hastings Borough Council adopts the 'default' council tax support scheme with a number of additions; to make an application to the government for transitional grant on behalf the council and its preceptors; and to recommend to Full Council a number of proposed changes to council tax discounts and exemptions, to be effective from 01 April 2013
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion that the 'National Non Domestic Rate Relief 1' (NNDR1) return be approved; and that an amendment to the constitution in relation to the determination of the NNDR1 be made so that in future cabinet determines the NNDR1 in the same way that the Council Tax Base determination is delegated

At the end of the meeting the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Bruce Dowling, made an announcement thanking the Council's contractors Veolia and the Landscape Group for the tremendous job they had done keeping footpaths, etc, clear of snow and ice in the recent wintry weather. This was applauded by all.

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Cabinet: Monday, 07 January 2013

The meeting was attended by all ten members (7 Labour, 3 Conservative).

Prior to the meeting starting, Cllr Jeremy Birch advised that the Mayor had today sent a letter of congratulation to Hastings United FC on their achievements on Saturday, with a very strong and creditable performance away to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup 3rd Round, and how they had raised the profile of themselves, and Hastings, nationally.

At the meeting, Cabinet:

• Agreed unanimously to recommend to Full Council that, for working age customers, Hastings Borough Council adopts the 'default' council tax support scheme with a number of additions; to make an application to the government for transitional grant on behalf the council and its preceptors; and to recommend to Full Council a number of proposed changes to council tax discounts and exemptions, to be effective from 01 April 2013.
• Agreed unanimously that the proposed process for compiling the list of assets of community value be agreed with the director of regeneration in consultation with the lead member for regeneration; that any claims for compensation for loss or expense arising from the scheme are made to the Head of Finance; and that internal reviews of listing decisions and compensation decisions are undertaken by the director of corporate resources.
• Agreed unanimously to consider the draft East Sussex County Council Cultural strategy consultation paper, and endorse the proposed response.
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion to recommend to Full Council that the 'National Non Domestic Rate Relief 1' (NNDR1) return be approved; and that an amendment to the constitution in relation to the determination of the NNDR1 be made so that in future cabinet determines the NNDR1 in the same way that the Council Tax Base determination is delegated.
• Agreed without the item being 'called' for discussion that the council tax base for 2013/14 shall be 23 319 subject to the council tax support scheme being agreed as proposed; and that if there are any changes in the council tax support scheme, delegated authority be given to the head of finance to change the council tax base in line with the changes. (Please note that this is a 'technical' item only, relating to the number of properties and the expected collection rate. It is not the level of council tax, which will be finally agreed at Budget Council on 27 February).
• Agreed without being 'called' for discussion the minutes of the Museums Committee of 03 December 2012.
• Agreed without being 'called' for discussion the minutes of the Charity Committee held on 10 December 2012.

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Planning Committee: Thursday, 03 January 2013

The documents for this meeting are available on the Planning Committee Meeting documents page.

Under items attracting a petition, members:

• Granted permission for a proposed new dwelling on land to the rear of Crown Inn, 64-66 All Saints Street

Under planning applications, members:

• Granted permission for the proposed demolition of existing building (former social club) and erection of no 4. dwellings with associated parking at site of former public house, Downey Close
• Granted permission for the variation of condition 2 of planning permission at 6 to 8 Pelham Parade
• Granted permission for the replacement shop front roof lantern alterations at 6 to 8 Pelham Parade

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