New Cabinet meets for first time

Hastings Borough Council's new Cabinet met for the first time on Monday 6 June.

The Cabinet is now made up of eight councillors - six Labour and two Green, following the local elections in May. As part of the council's work to be more transparent and open, other councillors were invited to come to the meeting and ask questions about items on the agenda.

The agenda included the extension of the public space protection order (PSPO) covering anti-social behaviour within the town, updating the byelaws that cover all parks and green spaces in Hastings, the future plans for Hastings Museum & Art Gallery (HMAG), the Household Support Fund (HSF), the discretionary scheme for the council tax rebate scheme, and an update on the budget position.

The extension of the anti-social behaviour PSPO, the business plan for HMAG, the Housing Support Fund and council tax rebate discretionary scheme were approved.

The updated byelaws were recommended for agreement at the next meeting of Full Council in July.

Cllr Paul Barnett, leader of the council (Lab), said: "I was pleased to see non-Cabinet councillor colleagues at our first meeting of this municipal year, and to give them the opportunity to ask questions on behalf of their residents. I hope we will continue to see this engagement which allows us to be more transparent and open.

"It was helpful to clarify that the proposed parks byelaws, based on the current government model, do not give permission for the planned cycle path through Alexandra Park. This requires a separate decision and further information is being sought from East Sussex County Council before the cycle path is considered by Cabinet.

"The household support fund and new discretionary scheme will both help residents most in need. Applications are open for the household support fund, and details of the discretionary scheme will be announced soon."
The full Cabinet meeting is available to view online.

Hastings Borough Council is run by Labour and Green councillors working together following a Cooperation Agreement.