Chichester District Council met on Tuesday 23 September 2025, and agreed to allocate funds to Worthing Homes for social and shared ownership housing, approved the Annual Governance Statement, and recommended that the Cabinet submit the 'Shaping West Sussex' business case to the government, supporting option B2 for local government reorganisation. Councillors also discussed and approved a motion to address roadwork disruptions in Midhurst, and addressed questions to the Executive regarding parking, devolution, coach parking, asset transfers, council tax rebanding, Pride events, public space orders, and graffiti.

Local Government Reorganisation

The council considered a report on local government reorganisation, and agreed to recommend to the Cabinet that Councillor Adrian Moss, Leader of the Council submits the 'Shaping West Sussex' business case to the government. They also agreed to recommend that Councillor Adrian Moss writes to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government setting out its support for options B2 in the business case. If the council did not support option B2, then the council would recommend to the Cabinet one of the alternative options in the business case: B1 or A.

The engagement exercise revealed:

• A strong preference by residents of Chichester District for a two-unitary option rather than a single unitary council.
• A strong preference for option B1 (Chichester, Arun and Worthing) over option B2 (Chichester, Arun, Worthing and Adur).

Motion Regarding Roadworks in Midhurst

Following a motion from Councillor Hannah Burton, the council resolved that Councillor Adrian Moss, Leader of the Council, would write to Southern Gas Network, Southern and Scottish Electric, Southern Water and OpenReach, along with Joy Dennis, Highways and Transport cabinet member for West Sussex County Council (WSCC), and Andrew Griffith MP, to request a meeting with district and county councillors for the local area of Midhurst to address a clear and transparent plan for road works in Midhurst to help minimise disruption to the town and surrounding areas.

Councillor Hannah Burton clarified that Joy Dennis, herself, and Councillor Dominic Merritt would be included in the meeting. Councillor Dominic Merritt noted that businesses and residents had spoken in support of the motion.

Councillor Roy Briscoe explained that he receives information about the upcoming closures. Councillor Mark Chilton suggested that letters of this nature should not be specific to Midhurst as it is a general issue across the district, also noting that he receives notification of roadworks in the area. Councillor John Cross added that the effects of congestion in Midhurst have effects elsewhere.

Councillor Sarah Sharp explained that the motion could detail the invitees and asked that the names and/or titles of the district and county councillors should be included, also adding that if there is an emergency there is no requirement for WSCC to notify for two hours, and that gas works enquiries are passed to parish clerks.

Councillor Adrian Moss confirmed that he would be happy to write the letter, congratulating Councillor Dominic Merritt and the county councillor for their work to get the roadwork date changed, noting the funding provided by the district council to support Midhurst, and suggesting that alongside the letter WSCC be asked about how the district council can engage on the One Network¹.

Councillor Harsha Desai explained that members had been delayed in being told about the gas works. Councillor James Vivian explained that the issues affect all members, noting that since 2021 there had been a lane rental scheme to avoid prolonging roadworks, and suggesting asking where in the district the scheme applies too. Councillor Andrew Moss explained he would find out as part of the council's engagement.

Councillor Francis Hobbs suggested writing to WSCC to ask them to coordinate. Councillor Adrian Moss explained that the letter will be written to ask WSCC to ensure they coordinate.

Worthing Homes Grant

The council agreed to allocate up to £950,000 to Worthing Homes in grant to deliver 13 social rent and 6 shared ownership homes, funded by £533,000 from commuted sums² and £417,000 from general fund reserves. Payment of the grant was delegated to the Director of Housing & Communities, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Revenues & Benefits.

Annual Governance Statement

The council approved the draft 2024/25 Annual Report on Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.

Questions to the Executive

During the meeting, councillors posed questions to the Executive, covering a range of topics:

• Councillor Elizabeth Hamilton asked about drivers parking on the beach road when the pre-bookable tickets are sold out, noting the difficulty at weekends, and asking if a member of the Cabinet could suggest what could be done. Councillor John Cross confirmed that Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) are employed to undertake enforcement where there are signs and enforcement is possible, noting that CEO's have issued a number of Penalty Notices to drivers, and adding that the junction protection end where there are yellow lines is the only area of that section that can be enforced, and that the CEO's do not have authority to provide enforcement in areas without yellow lines. He noted that Police would deal with antisocial behaviour or obstructive vehicle parking subject to the resources available, adding that there is a mechanism for residents to report on the WSCC website. Councillor Mark Chilton suggested that a Motion come to the next meeting.

• Councillor Charles Todhunter noted that the Leader of WSCC issued a press release around Devolution and requested comment. Councillor Adrian Moss explained that WSCC Leaders and Chief Executives are meeting fortnightly to bring the programme forward, confirming that the press release had come ahead of the all districts announcement, noting that the engagement will come out Thursday, explaining that as a collective there had been conversation about different options, and assuring members that the team will continue to work together.

• Councillor Dominic Merritt asked Councillor John Cross about coach parking in Midhurst, thanking the team for the work that has been done on social media in Midhurst, noting the absence of coach park facilities, and asking what action can be taken to ensure that coach bays return to Midhurst. Councillor John Cross explained that he was not aware of coaches not being able to visit Midhurst, explaining that a request would need to be made through WSCC for a coach bay, and requesting further details offline.

• Councillor Rhys Chant asked Councillor John Cross in relation to a transfer asset at Pallant House Gallery. They asked for further information on how this first decision was made. Councillor John Cross explained that it had been in discussion for some time. Mrs Jenny Hotchkiss explained that the transfer of the asset had started in July 2024, adding that community asset transfer expressions of interests forms are on the council's website and any interests expressed will then need to be advertised.

• Councillor Richard Bates asked in relation to Council Tax on private properties about Council Tax rebanding if properties are substantially extended, suggesting it could bring in extra revenue. Councillor Oona Hickson explained that all decisions are taken by the tax office not the council, and that when a property is improved any band increase is only applied at the point of sale and these remain at 1991 levels, adding that all relevant improvements are referred to the revenues office, and that the council checks referrals to the website regularly, noting that there is likely to be a consultation paper.

• Councillor Charlie Hastain asked Councillor Harsha Desai for her thoughts on the success of the Pride events. Councillor Harsha Desai explained that she was proud to be part of the march, noting that 20 councillors from city and district took part in the march, drawing attention to the Chichester Pride social media, noting that the council stands beside the LGBT community, explaining that the Pallant House Gallery held the after party, and noting that Councillor Rhys Chant also put on a production as part of the Chichester Fringe.

• Councillor Sarah Sharp asked Councillor Tracie Bangert for feedback on the implementation of the Public Space Order³. Councillor Tracie Bangert explained it is early days but agreed to let Councillor Sarah Sharp know figures when they are available. Mrs Lisa Rudziak explained that she could feed back the figures in due course and will continue to monitor the situation.

• Councillor James Vivian asked what can be done about graffiti in the city centre. Councillor Tracie Bangert explained that the Police get involved if the graffiti is obscene or racist, also noting there is a contractor who removes some of the smaller graffiti.

Other Matters

• Councillor Clare Apel, Chair of the Meeting, welcomed Tiffany Nestour, the new Monitoring Officer to her first Full Council meeting at Chichester District Council.
• Councillor Clare Apel then paid tribute to Simon Carr, a former district councillor who had passed away. Those present stood for a minutes silence.
• Apologies for absence were noted from Councillor Iain Ballantyne, Councillor David Betts, Councillor Donna Johnson, Councillor Timothy Johnson and Councillor Eleanora Newbery.
• Councillor Clare Apel announced that Item 13, Property & Growth Budget and Resources and Item 19, CCS Land Requirements had been withdrawn as Cabinet made the decisions at its meeting on 8 July 2025.
• Councillor Clare Apel noted that although there is one Motion submitted for the meeting on the agenda she had received three Motions, referring one to the Environment Panel and one to be discussed as planned at the next scheduled Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
• Councillor Clare Apel reminded members that prior to Full Council a training session ' A Councillors Guide to Understanding Local Authority Accounts Training' has been arranged for Tuesday 23 September 2025.
• Councillor Clare Apel wished to thank all those involved with the recent Dragon Boat Race.
• She also thanked Laurence and Francis and the Licensing team for their work on the market in Chichester at the weekend.
• Councillor Clare Apel also told informed members about fundraising taking place at Pallant House Gallery.
• Councillor Clare Apel also wished to thank the Wellbeing team for their men's health event held earlier in the day in Petworth.
• Councillor Adrian Moss was then invited to provide an LGR update, explaining he had met regularly with other WSCC leaders and would continue to do so.
• The council approved the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2025.
• There were no urgent items.
• Declarations of interest were made.
• There were no late items.
• There was no requirement to exclude the press or the public.