Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies since 18 May 2018.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
To agree the Applications for Planning
Permission and Other Consents under the Town and Country Planning
Act and Associated Legislation for October 2021
Decision Maker: Assistant Director Economic Growth
Decision published: 21/02/2022
Effective from: 31/10/2021
Decision:
Individual decisions made in accordance with
the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the
attached document.
Lead officer: Dave Coates
Various licence
applications/permissions/consents made under the Licensing Act 2003
for the month of October 2021
Decision Maker: Group Director of Services
Decision published: 21/12/2021
Effective from: 31/10/2021
Decision:
Individual decisions made in accordance with
the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the
attached document
Lead officer: Brian Murray
As a result of the pandemic and the need to
hold meetings in larger venues there has been an intensification of
the use of the Council Chamber for democratic meetings, which is
likely to continue. Accommodating an increased number of democratic
meetings in the Chamber as well as using the Chamber for marriage
ceremonies is proving problematic, both in terms of availability
but also the setting up the venue for differing meeting layout
requirements.
Some smaller weddings already take place in Committee Room 4 (which
will continue) and it is proposed to move the venue for the larger
weddings from the Council Chamber to Committee Room 2, with effect
from the end of January 2022.
A report will be taken to Licensing Committee on the 25 January
2022 for approval of the use of Committee Room 2 for ceremonies of
up to 50 people
Decision Maker: Assistant Director Law and Governance
Decision published: 01/12/2021
Effective from: 04/11/2021
Decision:
To relocate the marriage room for larger
weddings from the Council Chamber to Committee Room 2 with effect
from the end of January 2022.
Reasons for Decision
To facilitate the intensification of use of the Council Chamber for
democratic meetings and in order to enable a dedicated marriage
room to be permanently available for larger weddings
Lead officer: Luke Swinhoe
Names suggested by the Street Naming and
Numbering Officer and agree with the developers – Tayberry
Way, Mulberry Avenue, Boysenberry Close, Cloudberry Close, Dewberry
Lane, Tummelberry Close, Huckleberry Close, Blueberry Drive,
Strawberry Drive, Bilberry Way, Cranberry Way, Gooseberry Grove,
Blackberry Grove, Raspberry Grove, Loganberry Grove.
The joint developers of the site, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes
requested the Council name and number the streets, which was agreed
as detailed above and shown on the plan.
Decision Maker: Assistant Director Highways and Capital Projects
Decision published: 16/11/2021
Effective from: 04/11/2021
Decision:
To approve street naming and numbering
Reasons for the Decision(s)
Streets to be named in accordance with the Public Health Act 1925,
Section 17
Lead officer: Anthony Hewitt
Refurbishment of athletics track, provision of
an additional artificial grass pitch and improved on-site
parking.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/11/2021 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/11/2021
Effective from: 20/11/2021
Decision:
The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the options for the refurbishment and development of outdoor facilities at Eastbourne Sports Complex.
The submitted report stated that the Eastbourne Sports Complex, which had opened in 1999, had operated successfully for the past 22 years and continued to provide the Council’s key outdoor sports facilities that contributed to the Council’s vision and outcomes as well as contributing to the majority of the Council’s Portfolios. The site provided a range of facilities and a number of athletic and football clubs used the site on a weekly basis, as well as a range of partners, schools and casual users, generating approximately 170,000 visits a year.
It was reported that there were currently a number of issues and opportunities to consider with regard to Eastbourne Sports Complex, namely the athletics track which was now at the end of its life cycle; the provision of an additional Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP), using an in principle offer of up to £700,000 towards the cost from the Football Foundation, and access and egress arrangements for the site.
Particular refences were made to the four options available; the financial implications of each of those options; the VAT implications; and the preferred option (Option 4) which would see the provision of an additional APG, refurbishment of the athletic facilities and improvements to car parking facilities on and off site.
In welcoming the proposals, a Member raised a concern in respect of the VAT implications on particular groups and the options available to the Council. The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio and the Group Director of Operations responded thereon.
RESOLVED – (a) That the refurbishment of the athletics track, the provision of an additional Artificial Grass Pitch and improved parking and traffic management arrangements, as detailed in paragraphs 35(d) and 36(d) of the submitted report, which would be subject to the outcome of the application to the Football Foundation for £700K.
(b) That it be recommended to Council that £1.610M of Council funding for the scheme, be released, to be financed through prudential borrowing and capital receipts.
(c) That the procurement of goods/services and works for the refurbishment and the development of the facilities be deemed non-strategic.
REASONS – (a) To ensure that the Council continues to provide an appropriate competition standard athletics facility in the town.
(b) In line with the Playing Pitch and Facilities Strategy provide an additional Artificial Grass Pitch at Eastbourne working in partnership with the Football Foundation.
(c) Eastbourne Sports Complex contributes to the Council’s Vision and Portfolio priorities as the Council’s main outdoor sporting hub. The investment modernises facilities and will support the transformation of services and improve the facilities available for residents of the Borough.
(d) Cabinet do not have the delegated authority to approve capital expenditure over £0.5m in one financial year.
(e) To comply with the Contract Procedure Rules requirement that all tenders over £100,000 are presented to Cabinet to determine if they are strategic or non-strategic.
Wards affected: Stephenson;
Lead officer: Charleen Dods
To consider terms negotiated by the Director,
on behalf of the Council, to enable contractually binding
contract(s) to be completed.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/11/2021 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/11/2021
Effective from: 20/11/2021
Decision:
The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Chief Executive (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the Schedule of Transactions (also previously circulated).
RESOLVED – That the Schedule of Transactions, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved, and the transactions be completed on the terms and conditions detailed therein.
REASONS – The terms negotiated require approval by Cabinet before binding itself contractually to a transaction.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Barbara Strickland
To provide a summary of the latest Capital
resource and commitment position, to inform monitoring of the
affordability and funding of the Council’s capital
programme.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/11/2021 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/11/2021
Effective from: 20/11/2021
Decision:
The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Operations and the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) providing a summary of the latest Capital resource and commitment position, to inform monitoring of the affordability and funding of the Council’s capital programme; an update on the current status of all construction projects currently being undertaken by the Council; and requesting that consideration be given to a number of changes to the programme.
The submitted report stated that the projected outturn of the current Capital Programme was £268.563M against an approved programme of £268.815M; the investment was delivering a wide range of improvements to the Council’s assets and more critically services; the programme, including commitments, remained affordable within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2021/22 to 2024/25; the Council currently had 46 live projects, with an overall projected outturn value of £138.692M, the majority of which were running to time, cost and quality expectations, but were being monitored given the current pressures on resources in the construction sector nationally; and that the projects were managed either by the Council’s in-house management team, a Framework Partner or by Consultants source via an open/OJEU tender process.
RESOLVED - (a) That the status position on construction projects, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.
(b) That the projected capital expenditure and resources, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.
(c) That the adjustments to resources, as detailed in paragraph 23 of the submitted report, be approved.
(d) That an additional £652,000, as detailed in paragraphs 19(d) and 23 of the submitted report, be released.
REASONS - (a) To inform Cabinet of the current status of construction projects.
(b) To make Cabinet aware of the latest financial position of the Council.
(c) To maintain effective management of resources.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Gail Banyard
To provide an up to date forecast of the
revenue budget outturn as part of the Council’s continuous
financial management process.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/11/2021 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/11/2021
Effective from: 20/11/2021
Decision:
The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Operations (previously circulated) providing an early forecast of the 2021/22 revenue budget outturn, as part of the Council’s continuous financial management process.
The submitted report stated that it was the second revenue budget management report to Cabinet for 2021/22 and that the projected revenue reserve at the end of 2021/22 was £29.536M, an improvement of £4.610M on the initial 2021/25 MTFP position. The improvement in reserves included £2.317M of additional balances following the 2020/21 outturn; £0.993M of resources returned to reserves, following the rebasing exercise; £0.185M of projected departmental overspend in 2021/22; a £0.570M increase in corporate resources; and a net £0.915 required from the COVID-19 reserve.
It was reported that of the £29.536M projected reserves, there was a risk reserve balance of £5.350M and a commitment to use £15.838M to support years two to four of the current MTFP.
RESOLVED - (a) That the forecast revenue outturn for 2021/22, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.
(b) That further regular reports be made to monitor progress and take prompt action if necessary.
(c) That the carry forwards as detailed in the submitted report, be agreed.
REASONS - (a) To continue effective management of resources.
(b) To continue to deliver services to agreed levels.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Gail Banyard
To consider and approve a draft Council Tax
Support Scheme.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/11/2021 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/11/2021
Effective from: 20/11/2021
Decision:
The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Operations (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the draft Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme (also previously circulated) for 2022/23.
The submitted report stated that the Council was required to set a Council Tax Support scheme each year and in doing so consider whether any changes should be made to the existing scheme and where changes were made, consider what transitional protection, if any, should be applied to anyone affected by those changes. It was reported that no significant changes were proposed to the existing scheme.
RESOLVED - That it be recommended to Council that the draft Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23, as appended to the submitted report, be approved and adopted, including:-
(a) continuing to provide up to 100 per cent Council Tax Support for care leavers under the age of 25; and
(b) continuing to provide up to 80 per cent Council Tax Support for all other working people.
REASONS - (a) The Council is required to publish a local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 by 11 March 2022.
(b) The continued application of a reduced entitlement for working aged people is still appropriate, given the current financial position of the Council.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Gail Banyard
To request the release of additional funds for
Special Educational Needs (SEND) Capital Projects.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/11/2021 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/11/2021
Effective from: 20/11/2021
Decision:
The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of People (previously circulated) updating Cabinet on the progress made in respect of the two Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) capital projects.
The submitted report stated that in 2019 Cabinet agreed the SEND strategy, a key element of which was increased provision of school places for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, allowing more young people to be educated locally (Minute C125(3)/Mar/19 refers); two schools agreed to work with the Council to provide those additional places, namely Rise Carr College and Red Hall Primary School; Cabinet agreed to release government grant to fund the schemes (Minutes C37(1)/Sep/19 and C71(1)/Jul/20 refer); the schemes were fully funded by Government grant; both units opened to pupils in September 2021; and that the unit at Red Hall Primary School provided 16 SEMH places whilst the unit at Rise Carr College provided 15 secondary SEMH places plus four assessment places.
A Member reported at the meeting that the groundwork at Rise Carr College was still unfinished and requested an update on when that work would be completed. The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio responded thereon.
RESOLVED – That the progress made in respect of the two Special Education Needs and Disabilities capital projects at Rise Car College and Red Hall Primary School, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.
REASON – To keep Cabinet up to date with the progress of the two SEND units.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Sarah Foster
We have been asked to approve a 5 year sub
lease by the solicitors representing the ground leaseholder of Unit
12 Pioneer Court, Hagen Developments Limited
The proposal is for them to grant a lease to TMD Friction UK
Limited (Company House reg no: 4330235.The lease will be FRI Terms
for a rent of £45,000pa though the first 6 months of the term
will be rent free. There is a break clause which can be activated
by the tenant only giving the landlord not less than six months
written notice of intention to terminate agreement. Bank references
are not required due to the Council only receiving a nominal rent
of one peppercorn.
The use is office services use class E (formerly use class B1 of
the Town and Country (Use classes) Planning Order 1987). The
company manufactures parts and accessories for motor
vehicles.
Trade references not required either.
The Companies House check has not revealed anything to be concerned
about.
The alienation clause in the lease between The Council and City
& Northern (Now Hagen Developments) does not refer to any
under-lessee being a good a proper person or company, just that the
Council’s consent cannot be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
In light of the checks Hagen Developments will have commissioned,
to ensure their direct under tenant is of substantial covenant and
standing, we have no grounds for withholding our consent. TMD
Friction UK Limited will not be paying rent to the Council. They
will be paying rent to Hagen Developments Limited.
The Council’s legal and surveyors fees of £500 are
being paid by Hagen Developments Ltd for processing this
approval.
Decision Maker: Assistant Director Economic Growth
Decision published: 02/11/2021
Effective from: 31/10/2021
Decision:
To approve the proposed sub underlease of unit
12 Pioneer Court to TMD Friction UK Limited
Reasons for the Decision(s)
Enables a vacant unit to be occupied providing new jobs to
Darlington
Lead officer: Mark Ladyman
A booking system was introduced at the HWRC in
June to manage the queuing on Whessoe Road and ensure social
distancing could be maintained for residents and staff throughout
the pandemic. In line with the ongoing relaxation of restrictions
with regard to Covid and concerns raised by residents who are
digitally excluded not being able to access the HWRC, the booking
system will be removed from Monday 8 November.
Ongoing monitoring will continue with regard to traffic congestion
in the area and the potential for waste volumes to rise as there
will be no access control in place and residents from other
Boroughs will be able to use the site.
Decision Maker: Assistant Director Community Services
Decision published: 02/11/2021
Effective from: 13/10/2021
Decision:
To remove the booking system at the HWRC from
Monday 8 November.
Reasons for the Decision(s)
To improve access to the HWRC
Lead officer: Ian Thompson
Improvement of Customer Services Centre offer
of pre-arranged appointments for face-to-face contact online as
well as over the phone, the re-opening of the public PC area and
expansion of opening hours to accommodate extra Register Office
appointments.
Background
Prior to the pandemic the Centre offered a mix of appointments and
drop-in sessions. With customers able to drop-in to see a Customer
Services Advisor, make an electronic payment, scan documents,
attend Register Officer appointments or use a public PC for
accessing Council services. The Customer Services Centre was closed
in March 2020 with limited re-opening from July 2020.
Following Member agreement in mid-August 2021 the Corporate booking
system which allows staff to book and collect visitors for Town
Hall meetings went live and staff were able to book essential
appointments to see customers within the Centre.
Customer Services is currently operating as follows:
• Reception is open 8.30am-4.45pm Monday to Thursday and
8.30am-4.15pm Friday for Corporate Visitors. All Corporate Visitors
should be booked in using the online booking system which is
available to all staff.
• Pre-arranged appointments for customers for the Register
Office and Customer Services are available 10am-3pm Monday to
Friday.
• Financial Protection customer appointments are available 1pm
to 3pm Monday & Tuesday.
• Homeless presentations can access the Customer Services
Centre on a drop-in basis 8.30am-4.45 Monday to Thursday and
8.30am-4.15pm Friday.
• Public PC area remains closed.
• Payment kiosk and Scanstations are available for use
8.30am-4.45pm Monday to Wednesday, 9.30am-4.45pm Thursday and
8.30am-4.15pm Friday.
• Phone lines are open 8.30am-4.45pm Monday to Wednesday,
9.30am-4.45pm Thursday and 8.30am-4.15pm Friday.
Customers continue to be advised to complete and access Council
services online or via telephone where possible to reduce the risk
of transmission of the virus.
Proposal
It is proposed that from the 4th October 2021:
• Customer access to the online appointment booking system
goes live, allowing customers to book appointments for face-to-face
contact.
• Appointments will continue to be restricted to those
appointments that Customer Services offer to ensure there is
appropriate staffing resources.
• To re-open some of the public PC areas to allow customers to
access and pay for Council Services online from the centre.
• To expand appointment times for customers to 9.00am-4.00pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-4.00pm Thursday, to
allow for an increase in appointments and allow maximum flexibility
for customers.
• To review in 3 months (Jan 2022) unless further restrictions
are re-introduced.
To facilitate the expansion of appointments we will:
• Continue to offer the facility for customers that are unable
to book an appointment online, to book over the phone or via a
Customer Services Advisor within the Centre.
• Increase the opening times for appointments to 9am to 4pm
and reduce appointment slots to 30 minutes.
• Adhere to existing Safe Systems of Work to maximise safety
to staff, customers and visitors. (Appendix 1)
Financial/staffing/health & safety (including virus
transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and
impacts considered
A restricted appointment only service allows us to ensure that
staff and customers are kept as safe as possible and virus
transmission is reduced and allows sufficient time for the Agile
Working review to be completed.
It allows Customer Services to easily manage the number of
customers and staff within the centre and ensures that social
distancing can be appropriately managed.
It further allows for pre-appointment Health and Safety checks to
be carried out on customers prior to staff attending appointments
which will assist in risk assessments.
Equality Impacts - consider separate impact assessment where
appropriate
EIA screening tool completed, no requirements for a full EIA as no
impact on customers’ ability to access and arrange
appointments.
For any customers unable to arrange an appointment online there is
the facility to book over the phone or via staff at the Customer
Services Centre.
Decision Maker: Assistant Director Housing and Building Services
Decision published: 02/11/2021
Effective from: 31/10/2021
Decision:
To offer an increased appointment and online
appointment system from October 4th, 2021, including the re-opening
of the public PC area and expansion of opening times to 9am to
4pm.
Reason for Decision
It is essential that we continue with a planned approach to
increasing face-to-face access to services whilst maintaining
safety measures for customers and staff. It has been evident over
the last 18 months that many customers are able and prefer to
contact us electronically and services have adjusted their offer to
meet this demand. However, it is essential that we continue to
improve our customer journey for those not able to access services
online or over the phone in the safest means possible.
By expanding opening hours with the appointment system it allows us
to:
• Ensure social distancing can be managed effectively within
the centre.
• Increase the number of available appointments for Customer
Services and Register Office customers.
• Minimise risk of infection and violent incidents to staff
and customers.
• Manage resources effectively, ensuring appropriate staffing
resources are available for each day, thereby complimenting
Corporate Agile Working policies.
• Monitor and maintain the number of customers within the
Centre at any one time.
• Ensure the availability of interview rooms for services such
as Financial Protection Team and Housing Options where customers
are unable to pre-book appointments.
• Allow appropriate time for appropriate cleaning of rooms and
equipment.
• Reduce any use of waiting areas to a minimum.
• Allow staff the facility to carry out appropriate risk
assessments prior to meeting a customer as all appointments will be
pre-booked.
• Allow safe and managed access to public PCs and
Scanstations.
• Reduce costs to services as customers will book the
appointment themselves potentially without the need to telephone or
email services direct.
• Improve the digital offer to customers to make appointments
online.
Lead officer: Anthony Sandys
Decision Maker: LA Governors Appointments Committee
Made at meeting: 13/11/2019 - LA Governors Appointments Committee
Decision published: 01/11/2021
Effective from: 13/11/2019