Agenda and minutes

17.1 RESOLVED – to confirm as a correct record minutes of the County Council

meeting held on 10 May 2022.

18.1  Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors Matthew Beaver,

Charles Clark, Ian Hollidge, Eleanor Kirby-Green and Carolyn Lambert. 

CHAIRMAN’S ACTIVITIES

19.1     The Chairman reported that he had attended a number of engagements since the last meeting including: an open garden event at Cotchfield Farm, a concert by the Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra, the Queen’s Platinum  Jubilee Service in Chichester, the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Tattoo at the Castle event, the Battle Abbey School end of year service and award giving, and the High Sherriff’s lunch. The Chairman and Vice Chairman attended the West Sussex Chairman’s Summer reception.  The Chairman also hosted a tea for volunteers which was held at Herstmonceux Castle.

PETITIONS

19.2     The following petitions were presented before the meeting by members:

PRAYERS

19.3     The Chairman thanked Father Jim Horton for leading prayers before the meeting.

20.1   Copies of the questions from members of the public and the answers from Councillor Belsey (Chair of the Standards Committee) and Councillor Fox (Chair of the Pension Committee) are attached to these Minutes.   A supplementary question was asked and responded to.  

21.1  There were no declarations of interest.

22.1     The Chairman of the County Council, having called over the reports set out in

the agenda, reserved the following for discussion: 

Cabinet Report – paragraph 1 (Council Monitoring) and paragraph 2 (Reconciling

Policy, Performance and Resources – State of the County).

Report of the Lead Member for Transport and Environment – paragraph 1 (Notice of

Motion – Discharge of untreated waste water by Southern Water)

NON RESERVED PARAGRAPHS

22.2     On the motion of the Chairman of the County Council, the Council adopted those paragraphs in reports in reports that had not been reserved for discussion as follows:

Cabinet Report – paragraph 3 (Ashdown Forest Trust Fund)

Governance Committee – paragraph 1 (Amendment to the Constitution – Health and Wellbeing Board Terms of Reference)

Paragraph 1 (Council Monitoring)

23.1     Councillor Glazier moved the reserved paragraph in the Cabinet Report

23.2     The Motion was CARRIED after debate. 

Paragraph 2 (Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources – State of the County)

23.3     The Chairman indicated that there would be a single debate on the Cabinet Priorities for 2022/23 (Item 6) and the State of the County report.  

23.4     Councillor Glazier outlined the priorities for the forthcoming year and introduced paragraph 2 of the Cabinet report.  The other Group Leaders commented on these, following which there was a debate. 

Paragraph 1 (Notice of Motion – discharge of untreated water by Southern Water).

24.1     Councillor Claire Dowling moved the reserved paragraph in the Lead Member’s report.   

24.2     The following amendment was moved by Councillor Daniel and seconded:

This Council calls:

1)            On the Environment Agency to swiftly complete a full and transparent investigation into 5 February Eastbourne discharge, and sewage discharges across East Sussex.

2)            For recommendations from investigations to be published with clear action plans agreed with the regulators where appropriate.

3)            On Southern Water to take responsibility for sewage discharges in East Sussex and apologise to residents, businesses and visitors where appropriate to do so and offer a full explanation.

4)            On the regulators to consider stronger penalties or mechanisms to reduce incidents of unauthorised discharges of sewage.

5)            (insert) on the Government to bring the water companies, such as Southern Water, into public ownership.  

24.3    The amendment was LOST.

24.4    The following amendment was moved by Councillor Field and seconded:

1)            On the Environment Agency to swiftly complete a full and transparent investigation into  5 February Eastbourne discharge, and sewage discharges across East Sussex.

2)            For recommendations from investigations to be published with clear action plans agreed with the regulators where appropriate.

3)            On Southern Water to take responsibility for sewage discharges in East Sussex and apologise to residents, businesses and visitors where appropriate to do so and offer a full explanation.

4)            On the regulators to consider stronger penalties or mechanisms to reduce incidents of unauthorised discharges of sewage.

4)            The Government to introduce a ‘Sewage Tax’ on water companies’ profits to begin compensating for their discharges, and to help fund cleaner sea.”

36.1.      

24.5   A recorded vote on the amendment was requested and taken.   The amendment was LOST, the votes being cast as follows:

FOR THE AMENDMENT

Councillors Collier, Daniel, Denis, Field, Hilton, Holt, MacCleary, Maples,  Murphy, Osborne, Robinson, Rodohan, Scott, Daniel Shing, Stephen Shing, Shuttleworth, Swansborough, Georgia Taylor, Tutt, Ungar and Webb.  

AGAINST THE AMENDMENT

Councillors Adeniji, Azad, Belsey, Bennett, Bowdler, di Cara, Chris Dowling, Claire Dowling, Fox, Galley, Geary, Glazier, Hay, Howell, Liddiard, Lunn, Marlow-Eastwood, Maynard, Milligan, Pragnell, Redstone, Simmons, Standley and Barry Taylor.

ABSTENTIONS

None

24.6         A recorded vote on the motion moved by Councillor Claire Dowling was requested and taken as follows: 

This Council calls:

1)  On the Environment Agency to swiftly complete a full and transparent investigation into  5 February Eastbourne discharge, and sewage discharges across East Sussex.

2)            For recommendations from investigations to be published with clear action plans agreed with the regulators where appropriate.

3)            On Southern Water to take responsibility for sewage discharges in East Sussex and apologise to residents, businesses and visitors where appropriate to do so and offer a full explanation.

4)            On the regulators to consider stronger penalties or mechanisms to reduce incidents of unauthorised discharges of sewage.

24.7          The motion was CARRIED with the votes being cast as follows:

FOR THE MOTION

Councillors Adeniji, Azad, Belsey, Bennett, Bowdler, Collier, Daniel, Denis, di Cara,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

(a)  Oral questions to Cabinet Members

(b)  Written Questions of which notice has been given pursuant to Standing Order 44

25.1 The following members asked questions of the Lead Cabinet Members indicated and they responded:

25.2     One written question was received from Councillor Tutt for the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change. The question and answer are attached to these minutes. The Lead Member responded to a supplementary question.