Agenda and minutes

Councillor Michael Ensor (Vice-Chairman of the County Council) in the Chair.

1.1       The following motion was moved by Councillor Glazier and SECONDED

–

            ‘To elect Councillor Belsey to serve as Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year’.

1.2       In moving his motion, Councillor Glazier paid tribute to the excellent work that Councillor Belsey had undertaken during the past 2 years as Chairman of the County Council.

1.3       There being no other nominations, the Vice-Chairman put the motion to the vote and declared Councillor Belsey elected as Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year. Councillor Belsey made a declaration of acceptance of office and took the Chair.

Councillor Belsey in the Chair.

1.4       The Chairman thanked the Council for electing him as Chairman.

2.1       The following motion was moved by Councillor Glazier and SECONDED –

            ‘to appoint Councillor Ensor to serve as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year’.

2.2       There being no other nominations, the Chairman put the motion to the vote and declared Councillor Ensor appointed as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year. Councillor Ensor made a declaration of acceptance of office and took his seat as Vice-Chairman.

3.1       RESOLVED – to confirm the minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 24 March 2015 as a correct record.

4.1       Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Blanch.

JEREMY BIRCH

5.1       The Chairman, Group Leaders and other members paid tribute to Jeremy Birch following his death on 6 May 2015.  Jeremy Birch was a highly respected councillor both at Hastings Borough where he was Leader and at the County Council where he served since 1995. His knowledge, passion and commitment will be greatly missed. On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman offered condolences to Jeremy’s family and friends.

5.2        The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect for their former colleague Jeremy Birch.

ELECTIONS

5.3       On behalf of the Council the Chairman congratulated those in the Chamber who were elected in the recent District and Borough Council elections. The Chairman also congratulated the MPs in East Sussex who were elected on 7 May 2015.

 CHAIRMAN’S ACTIVITIES

5.4      I have attended a number of engagements since the last County Council meeting including: the unveiling and dedication of SS Barn Hill Interpretation Board at Sovereign Harbour, the Ore Centre Opening Ceremony, the High Sheriff's Lunch, the Royal visit of the Duke of Gloucester to the Southern Water Plant at Peacehaven, the formal opening of the new Seaford Head Golf Clubhouse, the production of Il Travatore and the pre-show reception at the White Rock Theatre. The Vice Chairman has also attended a number of events.

PRAYERS

5.5   The Chairman thanked Don Smith, former Lead Elder at King’s Church (Eastbourne and Hastings) for leading the prayers before the Council meeting.

PETITIONS

5.6   The Chairman informed the Council that he had not received any petitions from members immediately before the meeting.

6.1       There were no declarations of interest

7.1       The Chairman of the County Council, having called over the reports set out in the agenda, reserved the following paragraphs for discussion:

            Governance Committee                  -           paragraph 1

            Lead Member for Transport            -           paragraph 1

           and Environment

NON-RESERVED PARAGRAPHS

7.2       On the motion of the Chairman of the County Council, the Council ADOPTED the paragraphs in the reports of the Committees that had not been reserved for discussion.

8.1       Councillor Glazier moved the reserved paragraph of the Governance Committee’s report as amended by the revised version of Appendix 1 that had been tabled at the meeting

8.2       The motion was CARRIED

The Leader to present to the County Council his written record of delegations of executive functions to Cabinet members including:

(a)       names of the County Councillors appointed to the Cabinet;

(b)       the extent of any authority delegated to cabinet members individually as portfolio holders;

(c)        appointment to the position of Deputy Leader

(d)       the terms of reference and constitution of the Cabinet and any executive committees together with the names of cabinet members appointed to them

            (e)       the nature and extent of any delegation of executive functions to local committees

            (f)        the nature and extent of any delegation to officers

9.1       In accordance with the Constitution, Councillor Glazier presented a written record to the Council of his appointments to the Cabinet, their portfolios and his delegations of executive functions. A copy of the Leader’s report is attached to these minutes.

(a)       Scrutiny Committees:

                                    Adult Social Care and Community Safety

                                    Audit, Best Value and Community Services

                                    Children’s Services

                                    Economy, Transport and Environment

                                    Health Overview and Scrutiny

(b)        Governance Committee

(c)           Regulatory Committee

(d)        Planning Committee

(e)        Standards Committee

(f)         Pension Committee

[Note 1: The committee memberships proposed by the political groups will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting]

[Note 2: In accordance with the statutory provisions, the proposed allocation of places to political groups is set out in the report of the Governance Committee]

10.1    Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that appointments be made to the Committees and Sub-committees, listed in item 8 of the agenda, in accordance with the list of nominations from political groups which was circulated in the Council Chamber.

10.2    The motion was CARRIED.

(a)       East Sussex Music Service Management Committee (5 members of the County Council)

(b)       County Joint Consultative Committee (5 members of the County Council)

(c)        Governors Panel (7 members of the County Council)

(d)       County Consultative Committee (Governors) (5 members of the County Council)

(e)       Joint Advisory Committee (Schools) (5 members of the County Council)

(f)        Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (5 members of the County Council)

(g)       Corporate Parenting Panel (7 members of the County Council)

[The memberships proposed by the political groups will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting]

11.1    Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that members be appointed to serve on the Committees and Panels listed in item 9 of the agenda, in accordance with the political balance provisions and the list of nominations from political groups which was circulated in the Council Chamber.

11.2    The motion was CARRIED

(a)  Transport and Student Support Panel (3 members of the Regulatory Committee)

(b)  Education Performance Panel (the Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness, the Chair of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee and a representative of each of the political and independent groups

 [The membership of the Panels, proposed by political groups will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting]

12.1    Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that the political balance provisions would not apply to the membership of the Transport and Student Support Panel and the Education Performance Panel and that members be appointed to the Panels in accordance with the list of nominations from political groups which was circulated in the Council Chamber.

12.2    The motion was CARRIED (with no member voting against).

Approved Marriage Premises Review Panel

Employment Appeal Panel

Recruitment Panel (Chief Executive, Directors and Deputies)

Commons and Village Green Registration Panel

[The composition of these bodies is set out in the Constitution]

13.1    Councillor Bennett moved and it was seconded, that the bodies listed in agenda item 11 be continued, that the political balance provisions shall not apply to these Panels and that members be appointed by the Chief Executive as the need arises.

13.2    The motion was CARRIED (with no member voting against).

(a)       Chair of the Regulatory Committee

            (b)       Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees

(c)        Chair of the Governance Committee

(d)       Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee

(e)       Chair of the Pension Committee

(f)        Chair of the Standards Committee

14.1    The following motion, moved by Councillor Bennett and seconded, was CARRIED:

‘To appoint the following members to positions listed below’:

15.1   There were no questions from members of the public

16.1    Councillor Glazier outlined the Cabinet’s priorities for the forthcoming year.  The other Group Leaders commented on these, following which there was a debate.

17.1  Councillor Maynard moved the reserved paragraph of the Lead Member for Transport and Environment report.

17.2    The motion was CARRIED after debate

(a)       oral questions to Cabinet Members

(b)       written questions of which notice has been given pursuant to Standing Order 44

ORAL QUESTIONS TO CABINET MEMBERS

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

WRITTEN QUESTIONS PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDER 44

18.2    One written question was received from Councillor Lambert for the Lead Member for Transport and Environment. The question and answer are attached to these minutes.

18.3    The Lead Member for Transport and Environment responded to a supplementary question from Councillor Lambert.