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Council - Wednesday, 24th April, 2024 6.00 pm

April 24, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting
AI Generated

Summary

The council meeting addressed several key issues, including local governance, environmental concerns, and electoral reform. Decisions were made on various motions and proposals, with discussions reflecting both support and opposition from council members.

  1. Climate and Nature Bill Support:

    • Decision: The council voted to support the Climate and Nature Bill.
    • Arguments: Proponents argued it would align local actions with broader environmental goals, while opponents viewed it as unnecessary and potentially undermining national efforts.
    • Implications: Supporting the bill aligns the council with environmental initiatives but may face criticism for perceived overreach into national policy areas.
  2. Proportional Representation for Local Elections:

    • Decision: The council decided to advocate for proportional representation in local elections.
    • Arguments: Supporters claimed it would make elections fairer and more reflective of voter preferences, whereas opponents worried it could complicate the electoral process and weaken local governance.
    • Implications: If adopted, this could lead to significant changes in how council members are elected, potentially affecting party dynamics and council operations.
  3. Sale of the Drill Hall:

    • Decision: The sale of the Drill Hall was discussed but not explicitly voted on in the meeting.
    • Arguments: There was concern about the transparency of the decision-making process and the capability of the purchasing entity to manage the property effectively.
    • Implications: The discussion highlighted issues of governance and public trust in council decisions, emphasizing the need for clear communication and robust decision-making processes.

Interesting Occurrence:

  • The meeting was held at the Chantenbury Leisure Centre, marking a departure from the usual venue, which was noted as a gesture to acknowledge the council's broader jurisdiction and to involve more residents from different parts of the district. This move sparked discussions on accessibility and representation.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor David Skipp
Councillor David Skipp  Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces •  Liberal Democrats •  Forest
Profile image for Councillor Nigel Emery
Councillor Nigel Emery  Chairman of the Council •  Liberal Democrats •  Holbrook West
Profile image for Councillor Sam Bateman
Councillor Sam Bateman  Liberal Democrats •  Billingshurst
Profile image for Councillor Mark Baynham
Councillor Mark Baynham  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources •  Liberal Democrats •  Billingshurst
Profile image for Councillor Emma Beard
Councillor Emma Beard  Green Party •  Storrington and Washington
Profile image for Councillor Tony Bevis
Councillor Tony Bevis  Vice-Chairman of the Council •  Liberal Democrats •  Roffey North
Profile image for Councillor Martin Boffey
Councillor Martin Boffey  Leader of the Council •  Liberal Democrats •  Trafalgar
Profile image for Councillor Colette Blackburn
Councillor Colette Blackburn  Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery •  Liberal Democrats •  Southwater South and Shipley
Profile image for Councillor Peter van der Borgh
Councillor Peter van der Borgh  Liberal Democrats •  Southwater North
Profile image for Councillor James Brookes
Councillor James Brookes  Liberal Democrats •  Broadbridge Heath
Profile image for Councillor Jon Campbell
Councillor Jon Campbell  Green Party •  Pulborough, Coldwaltham and Amberley
Profile image for Councillor Philip Circus
Councillor Philip Circus  Conservative Group Leader •  Conservative •  West Chiltington, Thakeham and Ashington
Profile image for Councillor Paul Clarke
Councillor Paul Clarke  Conservative •  Pulborough, Coldwaltham and Amberley
Profile image for Councillor Mike Croker
Councillor Mike Croker  Green Party Group Leader •  Green Party •  Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote
Profile image for Councillor Joy Dennis
Councillor Joy Dennis  Conservative •  West Chiltington, Thakeham and Ashington
Profile image for Councillor Len Ellis-Brown
Councillor Len Ellis-Brown  Green Party •  Pulborough, Coldwaltham and Amberley
Profile image for Councillor Victoria Finnegan
Councillor Victoria Finnegan  Green Party •  Steyning and Ashurst
Profile image for Councillor Claudia Fisher
Councillor Claudia Fisher  Green Party •  Storrington and Washington
Profile image for Councillor Ruth Fletcher
Councillor Ruth Fletcher  Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure •  Liberal Democrats •  Denne
Profile image for Councillor Chris Franke
Councillor Chris Franke  Liberal Democrats •  Holbrook West
Profile image for Councillor Anthony Frankland
Councillor Anthony Frankland  Cabinet Member for Performance, Customer Service and Communications •  Liberal Democrats •  Trafalgar
Profile image for Councillor Nick Grant
Councillor Nick Grant  Liberal Democrats •  Holbrook East
Profile image for Councillor Joan Grech
Councillor Joan Grech  Green Party •  Storrington and Washington
Profile image for Councillor Kasia Greenwood
Councillor Kasia Greenwood  Liberal Democrats •  Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham
Profile image for Councillor Warwick Hellawell
Councillor Warwick Hellawell  Liberal Democrats •  Holbrook East
Profile image for Councillor Tony Hogben
Councillor Tony Hogben  Conservative •  Colgate and Rusper
Profile image for Councillor Alexander Jeffery
Councillor Alexander Jeffery  Liberal Democrats •  Southwater South and Shipley
Councillor Liz Kitchen
Profile image for Councillor Joanne Knowles
Councillor Joanne Knowles  Cabinet Member for Enterprise & Property •  Liberal Democrats •  Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead
Profile image for Councillor Lynn Lambert
Councillor Lynn Lambert  Conservative •  Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead
Profile image for Councillor Richard Landeryou
Councillor Richard Landeryou  Conservative •  Rudgwick
Profile image for Councillor Dennis Livingstone
Councillor Dennis Livingstone  Liberal Democrats •  Nuthurst and Lower Beeding
Profile image for Councillor Nicholas Marks
Councillor Nicholas Marks  Green Party •  Steyning and Ashurst
Profile image for Councillor Jay Mercer
Councillor Jay Mercer  Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling and Waste •  Liberal Democrats •  Roffey South
Councillor John Milne
Profile image for Councillor Colin Minto
Councillor Colin Minto  Liberal Democrats •  Forest
Profile image for Councillor Roger Noel
Councillor Roger Noel  Conservative •  Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote
Profile image for Councillor Jon Olson
Councillor Jon Olson  Liberal Democrats •  Forest
Profile image for Councillor Gill Perry
Councillor Gill Perry  Green Party •  Henfield
Profile image for Councillor Josh Potts
Councillor Josh Potts  Conservative •  Henfield
Profile image for Councillor Sam Raby
Councillor Sam Raby  Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Wellbeing •  Liberal Democrats •  Roffey South
Profile image for Councillor John Trollope
Councillor John Trollope  Liberal Democrats •  Billingshurst
Profile image for Councillor Clive Trott
Councillor Clive Trott  Liberal Democrats •  Denne
Profile image for Councillor Belinda Walters
Councillor Belinda Walters  Liberal Democrats •  Roffey North
Profile image for Councillor Tricia Youtan
Councillor Tricia Youtan  Conservative •  Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham
Profile image for Councillor Claire Vickers
Councillor Claire Vickers  Conservative •  Southwater North
Profile image for Councillor Alan Manton
Councillor Alan Manton  Conservative •  West Chiltington, Thakeham and Ashington
Profile image for Councillor Jonathan Taylor
Councillor Jonathan Taylor  Liberal Democrats •  Broadbridge Heath