Issue - meetings

24.1     The Chair introduced the report, which was for the Committee to consider the call-in in relation to the decision by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment regarding the proposed relocation of Hastings Register Office. The decision was called in by Councillors Hilton, Murphy, Tutt and Wright. The Committee considered the call-in and the information contained in the report, a summary of the questions raised and comments made is given below.

24.2     Cllr Daniel, Local Member for the decision, was invited to speak and noted that he supported the original decision taken by the Lead Member. He made the following points in support of the decision:

• Both the Town Hall and the library are grade-II listed, and the library has received £9m recently in financial investment from the County Council to upgrade the facilities and ensure accessibility, while the town hall lacked the same accessible facilities.
• The library has a new, larger, lift and accessible toilets on all floors, whereas the ceremony space on the upper floor of Hastings Town Hall is only accessible by a small lift which is prone to breaking down;
• The proposed plan includes a mitigation for accessing the ceremony rooms in the event that the lift breaks, whereas the town hall does not have similar mitigation plans;
• Other options of the 34 alternative venues in the local area includes Hastings Museum, which is run by Hastings Borough Council;
• Accessible parking is available very close to the library, including the multi-storey car park, and underground parking off Robertson Terrace;
• In the context of LGR, he suggested the space in Hastings Town Hall could be used by a potential Hastings Town Council; and
• Communications with Hastings Borough Council at officer level had shown that staff understood the changes.

EqIA and accessibility concerns

24.3     The Committee discussed the Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA), which had not been included in the report to the Lead Member for Transport and Environment (LMTE) meeting where the original decision had been taken. Cllr Hilton raised concerns about accessibility at the proposed alternative venues, such as Hastings Library, which did not have a drop-kerb outside the entrance and asked how accessibility would be improved. The Assistant Director Communities reassured the Committee that drop-kerb access at Hastings library was being assessed by officers as part of the co-location plan should the decision go ahead. The library was subject to an extensive refurbishment in 2018 to be converted into an accessible building, and offers a lift, accessible toilets and hearing loops for residents who need them.

24.4     The Committee discussed the importance of EqIAs and the need for them to be presented at decision-making meetings, and asked why it had not been included with the report for the original decision. The Assistant Director Communities explained that the EqIA had not been included with the report as it showed that there were no material equality concerns that could not be mitigated, and accommodations for older people, disabled people and parents were included within the relocation plan,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

26.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

26.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) approve the proposal to move Hastings Register Office (“the Service”) to Hastings Library, subject to planning permission, to facilitate service delivery improvements and deliver revenue savings of £100K. The savings that would be delivered through the relocation of the Service would contribute to the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) savings in 2026/2027 and 2027/2028;

(2) note that the Service would refocus the current Council ceremony venues offer to meet customer demands and continue to provide a ceremony room at Hastings Library. In addition, the Register Office would continue to support the local economy through the licensing of approved marriage premises in Hastings; and

(3) delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to approve the detailed scheme of works for the proposal.

REASONS

26.3     This proposal offers value for money and will deliver an improved and enhanced library and Registration Office. The proposal can be delivered within the existing budget, due to forecast additional ceremony and citizenship income for this financial year and will achieve on-going revenue saving. The proposals will make the best use of library buildings.

26.4     The proposal allows the Service to refocus the current Council ceremony venues offer to meet customer demands and establish a ceremony room at Hastings Library. In addition, the Service will continue to support the local economy through the current 34 approved marriage premises in Hastings.