horsham district council...park north, north street, horsham, west sussex, rh12 1rl tel: (01403)...

Park North, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RL Tel: (01403) 215100 (Calls may be recorded) Fax: (01403) 262985 DX 57609 HORSHAM - 6 www.horsham.gov.uk Tom Crowley, Chief Executive

Personal callers and deliveries: please come to Park North

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THE CABINET Thursday 24th March 2011 at 5.30 p.m.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, PARK NORTH, NORTH STREET, HORSHAM

Councillors: Robert Nye Leader Ray Dawe Deputy Leader and Performance & Service

Delivery Roger Arthur Operational Services Andrew Baldwin Housing & Community Development David Jenkins Strategic Planning Gordon Lindsay Finance & Assets Roger Paterson Local Economy & Leisure Peter Rowlinson Planning & the Environment

You are summoned to the meeting to transact the following business

Tom Crowley

Chief Executive

AGENDA Page

No. 1. Apologies for absence.

2. To approve as correct the record of the meeting of 27th January

2011 (herewith).

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3. To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Cabinet.

4. To receive any announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Chief Executive.

5. To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which in the opinion of the person presiding at the meeting are relevant to the business of the meeting.

6. To consider the following reports:

(a) Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing & Community Development on Preparing for an Ageing Population

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(b) Report of the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning on the

Southwater Parish Design Statement SPD (Hard copies of the Draft Parish Design Statement and consultation

responses are available on request or may be viewed online with the agenda at: http://www.horsham.gov.uk/council/3015.aspx )

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(c) Report of the Cabinet Member for Performance & Service Delivery on Corporate Plan Priorities Progress and Performance Indicators for Quarter 3 - 2010/11

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(d) Report of the Director of Corporate Resources on Budget Monitoring 2010/11 progress to end February 2011

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7. To consider any matters referred to Cabinet by the Scrutiny & Overview Committee: Recommendation from Scrutiny & Overview Committee of 17th January 2011: “That Cabinet consider what might happen if the Cosmic Cycle failed catastrophically and that a plan be put in place for the future of the fountain should it no longer be possible to repair.”

8. To receive and review the Forward Decision Making Plan

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9. To consider matters of special urgency.

R = Recommendations to Council

= Key Decision

KEY DECISIONS Definition Article 14.3 of the Council's Constitution defines a key decision as (b) … an executive decision which, is likely -

(i) to result in the Council incurring expenditure which is, or the making of savings which are, significant having regard to the Council’s budget for the service or function to which the decision relates; or

(ii) to be significant in terms of its effects on communities living or

working in an area comprising two or more wards in the District.

(c) In accordance with the Local Government Act 2000 Section 38, in determining the meaning of "significant" for the purposes of paragraph (i) regard shall be had to any guidance for the time being issued by the Secretary of State. For the Council’s purposes “significant” in financial terms means the lower of 5% of the total project cost or £50,000 (in respect of capital) and the lower of 10% of the budget or £10,000 (in respect of revenue) subject in both cases to a minimum of £2,000.

Decision taking Article 14.3 of the Council's Constitution specifies that (d) A decision taker may only make a key decision in accordance with the

requirements of the Executive Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of [the] Constitution.

In due course it is intended that an electronic register of key decisions will be available on the intranet and internet. Until that occurs a record of key decisions appears in the paper and electronic intranet record of Cabinet meetings and in the paper record of decisions taken by Cabinet members and officers exercising delegated authority. Copies of all these documents together with the background reports indicating whether the decision sought is a key decision are held by the Democratic Services Section at Park North (01403) 215465, e-mail [email protected].

EX110127

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THE CABINET 27TH JANUARY 2011

Present: Councillors: Robert Nye Leader Andrew Baldwin Housing & Community Development David Jenkins Strategic Planning Gordon Lindsay Finance & Assets Roger Paterson Local Economy & Leisure Peter Rowlinson Planning & the Environment Apologies: Ray Dawe Deputy Leader and Performance & Service

Delivery Roger Arthur Operational Services

Also present:

Councillors: John Bailey, George Cockman, Leonard Crosbie, Duncan England, David Holmes, Christian Mitchell, David Sheldon

EX40 RECORD OF THE MEETING OF 9TH DECEMBER 2010 The record of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9th December 2010 was

approved as correct and signed by the Leader. EX41 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest. EX42 ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. EX43 PUBLIC QUESTIONS Mr Robert Mayfield asked the following question: “In the light of the apparent zero budget set for the Old Town Hall until 2014, what

are the Council’s plans for immediately enabling the Horsham public to use and promote their building for community and artistic use once more please; or what alternative to the aforementioned for the Old Town Hall is being planned?”

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets gave the following reply: “We recently requested a market update from our property agent and, as a result,

we intend to re-market the Town Hall seeking a restaurant tenant in accordance with the original Council decision. We are confident that we will attract significant commercial interest and, as a result, the cost of improving and maintaining the building will not be a burden on future Council Tax payers. In addition we are likely to achieve a significant annual sum in rent which will help to keep the Council Tax down in future.

The Cabinet 27th January 2011

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EX43 Public Questions (cont.) I am due to receive a report shortly seeking authority for the expenditure required

to fund the marketing exercise. Pending the completion of the marketing exercise and the grant of a lease to a suitable restaurant operator, we will not offer the building for general hire. The Town Hall is expensive to operate and maintain. The income from lettings prior to January 2010 was considerably below the operating costs. Maintaining this position helps the Council to better manage its finances and avoid a business rates liability of about £1000 per month.

The Council also considers that suitable alternative venues are available to hire in

the Town for public, community or artistic use.” REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RESOURCES EX44 Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Financial Strategy The Director of Corporate Resources reported that the budget for 2011/12 had

been prepared against the background of a Council decision that it should not rely on any use of reserves for day to day expenditure. Due to the severity of the reductions in Government grant, a balanced budget for 2011/12 would only be achievable by making significant cuts in a wide range of budgets and, in some cases, redundancies. Most of the savings proposals included in the draft budget had previously been the subject of extensive consultations but the higher than anticipated cut in government grant had necessitated further savings to be identified since that time. In terms of reserves, the Medium Term Financial Strategy still assumed that at least £4,000,000 would be available by the end of the original period (2013/14).

The current financial settlement was for a two year period and it was difficult to

know what reductions, if any, in grant might occur in the following two year period (2013/14 and 2014/15). The projections had therefore been estimated on the basis that the total reduction in grant over the period of the Medium Term Financial Strategy would be closer to 40% rather than the 25% assumed when the original savings list had been drawn up.

There was also continued uncertainty around the state of the economy and a

significant part of the Council’s budget was based upon the generation of income from various services. Clearly it would be necessary to monitor levels of income closely so that any action required to maintain the budget in balance could be undertaken at an early stage. It was imperative that the Council monitored its financial position closely and continued to look at more efficient ways of working.

A summary of the main comments received in response to the consultation on the

savings proposals and the proposed responses was provided. In particular, it was noted that there was now no proposal to reduce Discretionary Rate Relief or the grant to Age Concern. Also, whilst there was now no proposal to stop the


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EX44 Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (cont.) payment of professional subscriptions generally, each case would be reviewed as

the current subscriptions expired to ensure that payments were restricted to officers who required their professional qualification to undertake their duties and only in exceptional circumstances would a second professional subscription be funded. It was estimated that, in this way, a small saving could be achieved.

It was noted that, of the original savings proposals totalling £1,600,000, only four

had been removed completely, namely savings on Discretionary Rate Relief, a cut in Age Concern grant, the deletion of the Director of Corporate Resources post when he retired and anticipated savings on customer services. However, as the actual reduction in Government grant was higher than had been anticipated, there was a further gap of over £500,000 that needed to be closed before a balanced budget for 2011/12 could be achieved. Therefore, details of additional changes proposed to close the gap were submitted for approval as part of the budget for 2011/12.

More than 60% of the revenue budget comprised staff costs. Corporate

Management Team had therefore been exercising control over vacancies for some time and critically appraising whether posts needed to be filled, whether hours could be reduced or if there were alternative methods of providing particular services. However, some redundancies were unavoidable and the budget proposals for 2011/12 would result in the following redundancies: three part-time staff (1.3 full-time equivalents) in Leisure Services and one full-time equivalent post in Secretarial Support to Directors and Heads of Service. These would be in addition to the 16 redundancies from the Acorn Plus and Hop Oast restructuring in the current year. The costs of the redundancy of these posts and the costs associated with redundancies approved in the current year needed to be approved and it was hoped that full costings would be available for consideration by Council at its meeting on 16th February 2011.

The propose revenue budget indicated that the Council would have to finance net

expenditure of £12,801,000 from Council Tax and Government grant, a reduction from the current year’s total of £13,898,000. The reduction was due to the transfer of concessionary fares to West Sussex County Council and the savings proposed to produce a balanced budget.

One area where grant from the Government had increased was in relation to the

Council’s statutory homelessness duties. A specific homelessness grant of £106,000 in the current year had been included in the budget and it was intended to use some of this to appoint a temporary post (2 years) of Lettings Officer to enable the Council to facilitate the movement of people away from the housing register to tenancies in the private rented sector. It was expected that this would also reduce the burden on the Council’s temporary accommodation and Bed & Breakfast budgets.


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EX44 Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (cont.) Whilst the pressure to find savings and additional sources of income in the budget

had severely restricted the opportunity for new growth items, there were some unavoidable items of growth (e.g. fuel) and some reductions in income estimates and interest receivable which were included in the draft budget.

The strategy in the Medium Term Financial Strategy was to build up reserves for

future development opportunities and consequently little new capital expenditure was proposed. Changes to the capital programme approved during the year were reported together with details of the following new items of growth requiring approval: replacement of telephone system; replacement of core disk storage; and purchase of houses for temporary accommodation purposes.

Details of the proposed repairs and renewals programme and a schedule of fees

and charges for 2011/12 were submitted. The budget proposals assumed that the Council would wish to freeze Council tax

at current levels for 2011/12, taking advantage of the funding available from the Government (£203,000 in 2011/12 and each of the subsequent three years), but that the freeze would not be extended beyond next year, given the importance of Council tax as an income source to the Council. In order to receive the Government funding, it would be necessary not to increase the average charge across the whole District in 2011/12 and the Special Charge of £23.72 proposed for next year would achieve this objective.

In accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, the Director of

Corporate Resources reported on the robustness of estimates and the adequacy of reserves.

It was considered that the Council would wish to retain the main thrust of its

Medium Term Financial Strategy, by approving a balanced budget each year and maintaining a sufficient level of reserves to support suitable investment opportunities. The future financial projections had therefore been revised (based on assumptions in respect of future increases in Council tax and pay awards; an average investment return of 1%; and further cuts in Government grant), demonstrating that the Council would still have significant budget gaps to close. With a forecast deficit of over £1,000,000 in 2012/13, action needed to be commenced immediately to look at possible solutions and Corporate Management Team had already started work on identifying future areas of savings and additional sources of income.

At its meeting on 16th February 2011, the Council would also be approving a new

District Plan for the years 2011/2015. It was noted that none of the reductions in the Council budget meant that the priorities in the proposed Plan could not be achieved but the lower level of resources available would inevitably result in a


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EX44 Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (cont.) more focussed approach to the delivery of those priorities. It was therefore

proposed that the link between policy prioritisations and finance should be maintained through a review of the District Plan alongside the preparation of the budget each year.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL (i) That the level of Council tax for 2011/12 remains at

that for 2010/11 equating to £135.54 at Band D. (ii) That Special Expenses of £263,980 (equating to a

Band D equivalent of £23.72) be agreed in respect of the unparished area for 2011/12 .

(iii) That the net revenue budget for 2011/12 of £12,801,000 be approved, as submitted.

(iv) That the revised budget for 2010/11 of £15,782,000 be approved.

(v) That the repair and renewals programme be approved, as submitted.

(vi) That the capital programme be approved, as submitted.

(vii) That the Medium Term Financial Strategy be confirmed as agreed last year and the need to make every effort to secure further efficiency savings so the Council is best placed to respond to the current financial outlook be endorsed.

(viii) That the schedule of charges for 2011/12 be noted. REASON To meet the Council’s statutory requirement to approve a

budget. REPORT BY THE LEADER EX45 Our District Plan Priorities 2011 The Leader reported that the Council’s existing Corporate Plan 2008-11 would

expire on 31st March 2011. A new draft Plan – called the District Plan – had been prepared for the four year period 2011-15 and was now submitted for approval. The draft District Plan had been subject to consultation with the general public, staff and partner organisations and Councillors. Details of feedback from the consultation were reported.

A report to Cabinet in March 2010 had set out the proposed approach towards


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EX45 Our District Plan Priorities 2011 (cont.) producing the new District Plan 2011-15, which involved having a clear political

vision for the Council, extending consultation with the local community, including minority groups wherever possible, and using data profiles to underpin the Plan with an evidence base.

Members, Parish & Neighbourhood Councils, Community Partnerships and

Council staff had been involved at an early stage in shaping priorities and the Scrutiny & Overview Committee had also reviewed the draft Plan at a meeting in November 2010.

In addition to collating input from consultees, Government policy was tracked

following the General Election in May 2010, to identify new policies that would affect the Council’s own policy in future years. A key policy shift, on which detail had only recently been published in the Decentralisation and Localism Bill 2010, concerned the Big Society concept and the move to decentralising power from the state to individuals and communities. The impact of this Bill upon the District Plan would need to be assessed once the content had been fully evaluated.

The format of the District Plan had been determined following the review of other,

high-achieving Councils to identify good practice and it had been developed around six main themes:

Economic Development Efficiency and Taxation Arts, Heritage and Leisure Living, Working Communities Environment Safer and Healthier

High level priorities had been identified under each theme and more detailed

proposals, with SMART targets, would be contained within Service Plans which were currently being developed.

The District Plan had been developed alongside the draft budget, as the

importance of having affordable ambitions expressed within the Plan had been recognised. It was proposed that the close link between policy prioritisation and finance would be maintained through a review of the Plan alongside the preparation of the budget each year.

The Leader thanked everyone who had been involved with the development of the

new District Plan and, in particular, Councillor Ray Dawe and Jill Scarfield, Head of Strategic Planning & Performance.


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EX45 Our District Plan Priorities 2011 (cont.) RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL That the District Plan be adopted. REASON To provide a business plan for the Council for the next four

years to succeed the existing Corporate Plan. EX46 Adoption of a List of Buildings of Local Special Architectural or Historic

Interest (“Local List”) for Horsham Town The Leader reminded Cabinet that, in May 2010, it had agreed to pursue public

consultation on a list of buildings of local special architectural or historic interest (Minute No. EX70 (13.5.10) refers).

Consultation on the proposed “local list” had been undertaken between 28th June

and 26th July 2010 and a summary of consultation responses received together with officer comments and clarifications was submitted for information. The majority of responses to the consultation had been positive and resulted in largely supportive comments towards the inclusion of individual buildings and the criteria adopted. However, details of some minor changes proposed to the draft document as a result of comments made were reported.

The “local list” document would form part of the local evidence base of the historic

environment in the District and the inclusion of a building on the list would be a material consideration in the determination of any application affecting the property and its setting.

RESOLVED That the “local list” document be adopted as policy. REASON To assist in the identification of heritage assets that are

important to the area. REPORT BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE & ASSETS EX47 Replacement Data Centre The Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets reported that the existing Data Centre

had been located in Park North for around twenty years. Changes in technology and ways of working now placed a significant burden on the existing infrastructure, which had reached the end of its working life.


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EX47 Replacement Data Centre (cont.) There was a significant and increasing risk, which had been identified in the

Corporate Risk Register, of service interruption due the failure of the power supply and the air handling units. Whilst these risks had been mitigated, this had been at additional cost. A Data Centre failure at Horsham would also affect the Council’s CenSus partners.

Following discussions with Members, three options had been considered for

replacing/upgrading the Data Centre based on established technology:

In-house provision – upgrade and build on existing Data Centre facility Local authority partnership – join with West Sussex County Council

outsource contract with Capita to use County Hall North Outsourcing – Using a third party hosted facility

In addition, options for Disaster Recovery had been assessed against each of

these options for recommendation to the CenSus Joint Committee. Taking into account the advantages, disadvantages, costs and future opportunities

of each option, the relocation to County Hall North in partnership with Capita and West Sussex County Council was considered to be the most advantageous option for both the Council and the CenSus Partnership.

RESOLVED (i) That Option 2 – West Sussex County Council/Capita

Hosted Provision (County Hall North) be approved as the preferred solution for the replacement Data Centre and that the Head of Corporate Support Services be authorised to implement the proposal subject to agreed project management procedures.

(ii) That the CenSus Joint Committee (via the Programme

Management Board) be recommended to incorporate the Disaster Recovery solution for Option 2 into the CenSus ICT Strategic Plan.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL (iii) That the current capital budget of £450,000 be

reduced to £220,000. REASON To allow the replacement Data Centre project to proceed and to

incorporate Disaster Recovery into the CenSus/HDC ICT provision.


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REPORT BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR LOCAL ECONOMY & LEISURE EX48 Leisure Management Options Appraisal The Cabinet Member for Local Economy & Leisure reported that the Council’s

existing Leisure Management Contract would expire on 30th November 2012 and a new contract would therefore need to be let with effect from 1st December 2012.

Although this was a discretionary service, it was recognised that sport, leisure and

cultural services played a vital role in delivering the Council’s corporate objectives and the priority at this time was to ensure that these services achieved best value and delivered a quality service to the local communities and visitors to the District.

In addition to the facilities currently operated under the existing management

contract with D.C. Leisure, there was an opportunity to explore whether there would be any advantage in including additional leisure and cultural facilities in any future contract arrangement, such as The Capitol, The Drill Hall, Horsham Museum and Rookwood Golf Course. There was also the potential to incorporate other independently operated leisure facilities such as Henfield Leisure Centre, Chanctonbury Leisure Centre and Southwater Leisure Centre. Another option would be to consider the benefits of combining the procurement process with other neighbouring authorities.

Whilst considering the management options available, it would also be important

to take account of issues that might impact on future arrangements, such as future investment/capital funding; building maintenance arrangements; Dual Use Agreements; and service quality.

Details of the potential management options were submitted, together with a brief

summary of their relative advantages and disadvantages. RESOLVED (i) That a form of contract that it is open to Private

Contractors and Existing Trusts be adopted. (ii) That the inclusion of cultural facilities in the Leisure

Management Contract be ruled out, with the provision of such facilities being considered separately.

(iii) That formal discussions with the operators of

independent Leisure Centres be entered into with a view to including them in the Leisure Management Contract if appropriate.

(iv) That formal discussions with neighbouring Councils be

entered into with a view to determining whether to


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EX48 Leisure Management Options Appraisal (cont.) proceed with the joint procurement of a Leisure

Management Contract. (v) That procurement processes be set in place to ensure

that the new contract commences on 1st December 2012.

(vi) That a minimum length of contract of 10 years with an

option to extend for a further period in order to encourage investment proposals as part of the tendering process be agreed.

(vii) That condition surveys of the Leisure Centres be

undertaken within 6 to 12 months to inform the procurement process.

(viii) That it be noted that the procurement process will be

controlled and monitored in accordance with the Prince Lite Project Management protocols that have been established.

REASON To ensure that a Leisure Management Contract that achieves

best value and maintains and enhances the quality of service delivery for residents and visitors to the Leisure Facilities is let by the due date of 1st December 2012.

REPORT BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICES EX49 On-Street Parking Services – Renewal of Agency Agreement The Leader presented the report of the Cabinet Member for Operational Services

which reminded Members that, in March 2006, the Council had entered into an agreement with West Sussex County Council to carry out the enforcement of on-street parking regulations. This agreement would end on 31 March 2011 and the County Council had asked if this Council would consider extending the contract for three years with the possibility of a further two year extension following review.

It was considered that the contract had worked well for this Council, allowing the

operation of a single enforcement regime in car parks and on street which was locally accountable and provided for a more efficient service. It was noted that the County Council met any deficit on the account above the agreed contributions from the County, which would remain at £100,000 per annum, and the District


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EX49 On-Street Parking Services – Renewal of Agency Agreement (cont.) Council. An extension to the contract would ensure that these advantages were

retained. If the contract were not extended the County Council would need to find alternative arrangements to enforce parking on-street whilst the District Council would retain responsibility for off-street enforcement.

RESOLVED That the extension of the Agency Agreement for On-Street

Parking for three years from 1st April 2011, with the possibility of a further two year extension following review, be agreed and that approval be given to the signing of the required Deed of Variation.

REASON To provide the continued operation of a single enforcement

regime in car parks and on street. SCRUTINY & OVERVIEW COMMITTEE – MATTERS REFERRED TO CABINET EX50 Western Sussex Hospitals Application for Foundation Trust Status The Scrutiny & Overview Committee of 8th November 2010 had requested that

Cabinet write in support of the Western Sussex Hospitals application for Foundation Trust status.

It was noted that the Cabinet Member for Housing & Community Development had

written in support of the application. EX51 Special Charge The Scrutiny & Overview Committee of 8th November 2010 had recommended

that Cabinet consider the Special Charge based on the percentages agreed by the Budget Review Working Group.

Cabinet noted that no change in percentages had been proposed as a result of the

special Working Group set up to examine this issue and indicted that it would be happy to consider the current percentage charge in relation to the Drill Hall during next year.

EX52 Procurement The Scrutiny & Overview Committee of 8th November 2010 had recommended

that Cabinet consider the issue of procurement carefully to ensure sufficient resources were available to deliver an effective service.


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EX52 Procurement (cont.) The Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets advised that the joint procurement

initiatives between Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex Council had been successful and their work would be important in the near future as all three Councils were looking to renegotiate/retender some large contracts. It had been agreed that a further resource for one year of a Procurement Support Officer should be jointly financed to ensure adequate resources were available. The cost to Horsham for this initiative was approximately £6,000 and this had been included in the budget for 2011/12.

EX53 Minority Faith & Ethnic Communities Cabinet was advised that the Scrutiny & Overview Committee, at its meeting on 8th

November 2010, had approved the final report of its Social Inclusion Working Group on Minority Faith & Ethnic Communities. The Working Group had undertaken a review with a view to encouraging better understanding, awareness, tolerance and respect for minority faith and ethnic groups across the District.

The Working Group had noted how useful and timely the review had been as it

linked with work that had recently been started to identify hard-to-reach groups and promote social inclusion within the District. The review had also helped inform the draft District Plan.

The Scrutiny & Overview Committee had requested that Cabinet note and endorse

the positive findings of the report and that it continue to work towards promoting knowledge and understanding of minority and ethnic communities in the District. It was noted that the Committee had also asked the Social Inclusion Working Group to continue working with the Equalities Officer to explore ways of encouraging and improving understanding.

The Cabinet Member for Housing & Community Support had considered the

Working Group’s report and proposed that Cabinet accept the recommendations of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee, which would help meet the obligations of the Council to address Equality and Diversity and to promote social inclusion. This was also consistent with the draft District Plan for 2011-15 priority to “Strengthen relationships and listen to our communities”.

RESOLVED That the recommendation of the Scrutiny and Overview

Committee BE accepted and that the Cabinet note and endorse the positive findings of the report and continue to work towards promoting knowledge and understanding of minority and ethnic communities in the District.


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EX53 Minority Faith & Ethnic Communities (cont.) REASON The Cabinet is required to give due consideration to the

recommendation received from the Scrutiny Committee. Specifically this recommendation is made to meet statutory compliance with the former Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 and the newly passed Equality Act 2010 (October 1st) and to help meet the obligations of the Council to address Equality and Diversity and to promote social inclusion, consistent with the draft District Plan for 2011-15 priority to “Strengthen relationships and listen to our communities”.

EX54 Street Parking Cabinet was advised that the Scrutiny & Overview Committee, at its meeting on 8th

November 2010, had received recommendations from its Street Parking Working Group.

The Scrutiny & Overview Committee had recommended that Cabinet: (i) Consider how the Council might implement a local law to prevent

pavement parking and how a pilot project may be implemented. (ii) Implement a quarterly targeting campaign in an attempt to manage

pavement parking. (iii) Make representation to West Sussex County Council in regards to local

councils funding local Traffic Regulation Orders. The Cabinet Member for Operational Services had considered the

recommendations and a report containing his comments had been circulated with the agenda.

With regard to pavement parking, it was noted that research had been carried out

into the possible use of a byelaw or other instrument in respect of this issue which had shown that, whilst a number of authorities had explored the option, few had introduced any schemes. There were some authorities that had had such byelaws for some time but now considered them to be unenforceable. Some of the principal reasons why such schemes were not introduced included: signing the byelaw and the extent of any exceptions to it was difficult, expensive and spoilt the view of any road or area; the enforcement procedure involved providing evidence to the Magistrates Court and was resource intensive; any fine income would be returned to the Treasury rather than the Council and the Council would have to meet all court costs; displacement of parked vehicles to other residential areas; and the level of available parking space in a road would be significantly reduced.


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EX54 Street Parking (cont.) The Cabinet Member therefore considered that there would be significant

problems and potential expense in bringing forward a pavement and/or verge parking ban and had requested that, before any further action was taken, consultations were held with the Police and West Sussex County Council to establish the current level of complaints and problems with pavement and verge parking. Once this information was available, an informed decision could be made on the justification for establishing and paying for a trial scheme.

On the issue of a parking campaign, the Community Safety Partnership’s Road

Safety Action Team had carried out a campaign over two months during the summer of 2010 to raise awareness of the dangers of inconsiderate parking/blocking access for emergency services vehicles on a number of roads within the Trafalgar Ward. The Cabinet Member therefore considered that it was appropriate to leave further work on this area to the multi-agency Road Safety Action Team.

Finally, it was noted that as a result of the approach by the Chairman of the

Scrutiny & Overview Committee to West Sussex County Council, it had been agreed that Districts and Boroughs could fund their own traffic orders. This would provide flexibility for the Council to pursue its own regulations should it wish, subject to the County Council’s permission.

EX55 FORWARD DECISION MAKING PLAN The Cabinet received a schedule detailing the revised forward decision making

plan. RESOLVED That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions be noted. REASON To comply with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)

(Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and the Council’s Constitution.

The meeting closed at 7.10pm having commenced at 5.30 pm. LEADER

Agenda Item 6(a)

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Report to Cabinet

24th March 2011

By the Cabinet Member for Community Development & Housing Services

NON-KEY DECISION REQUIRED

Not exempt

ABCD “Preparing for an Ageing Population”

Executive Summary In recent years society has changed at an unprecedented rate. For the first time, there are now more people in the United Kingdom over 60 than under 16. Horsham District has an older population than the national average and the South East average; there are almost 20,500 people aged over 65 years living in the district and this equates to 17% of the total District population. By 2026, it is estimated that the number of local people over 65 years will be approximately 32,800, a 60% increase. Horsham District Council needs to ensure that it is ready to embrace and respond to this change. This ““Preparing for an Ageing Population”” Strategy details: 1. a vision for Preparing for an Ageing Population 2. the changing demographics of the Horsham District 3. the implications and opportunities for Council Services 4. the needs of an ageing population

Recommendations The Cabinet is recommended:

i) to approve the Horsham District “Preparing for an Ageing Population” Strategy

Reasons for Recommendations i) The “Preparing for an Ageing Population” Strategy sets out the Council’s priorities in

embracing and responding to the significant future change in demographics and will help shape service plans for the next five years.

Background Papers Please refer to Senior Youth and Older Persons Officer Consultation External Consultation with Older People, Life I for Living, Member Advisory Group, Officer Working Group, Community and Voluntary Sector Working Group, Senior Persons Council, Scrutiny and Overview Committee Wards affected All Contact Clare Ebelewicz (01403 215137)

Agenda Item 6(a)

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Background Information

1 Introduction The purpose of this report

1.1 This report seeks approval for the “Preparing for an Ageing Population” Strategy.

Background/Actions taken to date

1.2 “Preparing for an Ageing Population” has been developed giving consideration to and with support from: a number of sources including the 2001 Census, the 2006 West Sussex Older

Persons’ Lifestyle Survey, the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and A Fair Old Age, the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health and Wellbeing 2009/10.

consultation with older people, which included questionnaires, focus groups and an exhibition at the 2010 Life is for Living event

a Member’s Advisory Group an Officers Working Group a multi-agency Working Group with community and voluntary sector partners

2 Statutory and Policy Background

Statutory background

2.1 There is no statutory obligation to produce a “Preparing for an Ageing Population” strategy. Relevant Government policy

2.2 Government policy recognises that the structure of our society is changing, with more people living longer than ever before. Life expectancy has been growing steadily for over half a century and the UK has now reached a point where there are more people over State Pension age than children. In 1950, a man aged 65 could expect on average to live to the age of 76. Today, he can expect to live to 87, and by 2050 to 91. Today there are 10,000 people aged 100 or over. By 2050 there will be 275,000. By 2030, people over 50 will comprise almost a third of the workforce and almost half the adult population. An ageing society is no longer on the horizon; it is here with us today.

2.3 Relevant policy includes Ageing Well, Don’t Stop Me Know, Full of Life and Under

Pressure. Relevant Council policy

2.3 The new District Plan priorities are: o Economic Development – Plan for a successful local economy with high

levels of employment o Efficiency and Taxation – Delivering excellent value and high performance o Arts, Heritage and Leisure – Build an arts, leisure and culture reputation that

also supports our economy

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o Living, Working Communities – Working together to support the life of local communities

o Environment – A better environment for today and tomorrow o Safer and Healthier – Improving health and well being

2.4 The Council recognises that older people with disabilities, long term limiting illness or living in deprivation or isolation require the same access to Council services as more independent older people.

2.5 Additionally the Council is committed to help safeguard vulnerable people through

its Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy 3 Details 3.1 An ageing population is often seen in terms of greater dependency and increasing

pressures on public services. There are pockets in the District where up to 17% of older people (aged 65 or over) currently live in Income Deprived Households while 18% of older people are considered to be vulnerable.

3.2 However, many older people lead healthy and active lives and make an enormous

contribution to society as volunteers, carers and grand-parents. 3.3 Horsham District Council provides a wide range of services; many of these are

generic services available to all residents of the District while some exist specifically to support older or more vulnerable people, for example Community Link. The change in demographics - both in terms of the sheer increase in the number of older people resident in the District and the changing needs of the District’s population – will have implications for all of the District Council’s services. Often, this will mean greater pressure on the Council services and its resources, but will also provide opportunities for the District Council.

3.4 Horsham District Council needs to ensure that it is ready to embrace and respond

to this change. In this respect, the “Preparing for an Ageing Population” Strategy sets out the following: a vision for Preparing for an Ageing (page 2 of Appendix A) the changing demographics of the Horsham District (pages 4 & 5 of Appendix A) the implications and opportunities for Council Services (pages 6-9 of Appendix

A) the needs of an ageing population (page 9-14of Appendix A)

4 Next Steps

4.1 The delivery and implementation of the Strategy will be underpinned by an Annual Review, the first being undertaken in April 2012 and reported on by June 2012.

5 Outcome of Consultations

5.1 The “Preparing for an Ageing Population” strategy has been the subject of significant consultation and consideration as outlined in 1.2

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6 Other Courses of Action Considered but Rejected

6.1 None.

7 Staffing Consequences

7.1 Implications of an ageing population for Horsham District Council are outlined in the Strategy and developed further by the Officer Working Group. These implications will form part of the Annual Review, where staffing consequences will be given greater consideration.

7.2 It is anticipated that any staff resource implications as a result of the emerging priorities will come from existing resources.

8 Financial Consequences

8.1 Implications of an ageing population for Horsham District Council are outlined in the Strategy and developed further by the Officer Working Group. These implications will form part of the Annual Review, where financial consequences will be given greater consideration.

8.2 It is anticipated that any financial resource implications as a result of the emerging priorities will come from existing resources.

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Appendix 1

Consequences of the Proposed Action

What are the risks associated with the proposal? Risk Assessment undertaken? Yes

This Strategy enables the Council to respond and embrace the change in demographics by “Preparing for an Ageing Population”. Without this, the Council may be unprepared for changed and increased demand on its services.

How will the proposal help to reduce Crime and Disorder?

The Strategy gives recognition to the importance of reducing crime and disorder through its identification of both the implications for the Council and the needs of older people.

How will the proposal help to promote Human Rights?

Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 relates to 'freedom of expression' – there is recognition in the strategy of the importance of consulting and engaging older people, enabling them to have an opportunity to put forward their views and ideas.

What is the impact of the proposal on Equality and Diversity? Equalities Impact Assessment attached Yes/No/Not relevant

The Strategy is intended to be all-encompassing and aimed at all older people.

How will the proposal help to promote Sustainability?

The Strategy seeks to ensure that the Council is ready to embrace and respond to the demographic change. Furthermore, it provides the basis for a sustainable approach towards this issue.

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“Preparing for an Ageing Population” Strategy 2011 – 2016 This document could be made available in other formats if required. Please contact [email protected] or telephone 01403 215207. (Text Relay calls welcome).

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Introduction In recent years society has changed at an unprecedented rate. For the first time, there are now more people in the United Kingdom over 60 than under 16. Horsham District Council wants to make sure that it is ready to embrace and respond to this change. This Strategy details 1. a vision for “Preparing for an Ageing Population” 2. the changing demographics of the Horsham District 3. the implications and opportunities for Council Services 4. the needs of an ageing population 1. The Vision Horsham District Council recognises that in order to respond to the needs of an ageing population it needs to;

ensure services for older people, for which it is responsible, are accessible and appropriate regardless of their, disability, ethnicity, gender,

ensure all services we deliver help to promote and safeguard the independence and quality of life of older people so that they can remain healthy, happy and active

value, and respect old people and provide them, where we can, with opportunities to make a positive contribution to society

Horsham District Council Policy

The new District Plan priorities are: o Economic Development – Plan for a successful local economy with high

levels of employment o Efficiency and Taxation – Delivering excellent value and high performance o Arts, Heritage and Leisure – Build an arts, leisure and culture reputation that

also supports our economy o Living, Working Communities – Working together to support the life of local

communities o Environment – A better environment for today and tomorrow o Safer and Healthier – Improving health and well being

The Council recognises that older people with disabilities, long term limiting illness or living in deprivation or isolation are still our customers and taxpayers and deserve the same access to Council services as more independent older people.

Additionally the Council is committed to help safeguard vulnerable people through its Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy

Whilst there are significant differences between the 32 parishes that make up the Horsham District many share similar issues for older people. These include:

Communication – informing residents about local activities, clubs, events and support Community Safety – reducing crime and fear of it Community Spirit – creating a sense of community with supportive good neighbour

schemes Housing – helping older people to remain in the District, including provision of

retirement and extra sheltered housing for rents as well as nursing/extra care homes Identifying and supporting vulnerable people Leisure and Cultural Opportunities – ensuring there are leisure and cultural activities

for older people Transport – helping older people access the facilities and services they need,

especially in relation to healthcare and hospitals

An ageing population is often seen in terms of greater dependency and increasing pressures on public services.

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However, many older people lead healthy and active lives and make an enormous contribution to society as volunteers, carers and grand-parents. This contribution is valued nationally at £24.2 billion per year.1 Furthermore, people over 50 years account for 80 % of national wealth and 40% of consumer spending. They also represent a significant proportion of the voting population. The following will guide and test subsequent actions:. Whole Community Approach: This Strategy highlights the importance of building strong

cohesive communities where older people feel they belong, and are safe, valued and respected. This is a priority for older people but also for the Council and many of its partners including Community Partnerships, Parish Councils, and Sussex Police.

Proactively Responding to Demographic Change - As the needs of the community change due to the District’s population becoming older, there will need to be greater consideration placed on how the services offered by the Council link with other services such as community facilities, healthcare provision and shops. The sustainability of settlements as well as access to facilities and services will remain key with an ageing population. This will be particularly pertinent to the Council when planning new developments.

Rural Proofing: Across the UK people expect high quality services that meet their needs, and that services are equitable for everyone. However, communities in rural areas tend to be more dispersed and further from the main economic centres, and the ability of rural people to access services, cannot be taken for granted. Subsequent action must respect and respond to this issue.

Health Inequality Proofing: Health inequality is a society-wide problem and affects everyone including our District’s residents. Evidence shows that in societies where fewer equalities exist, there is more community cohesiveness, contentedness and overall healthiness. Subsequent action must respect and respond to this issue.

“Not for me without me”: 28% of those aged 61-70 years would like to be more involved in decisions that affect their local area.i The Council’s Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adult Policy makes a commitment to ensure the voice of children, young people and vulnerable adults is heard in service planning, decision-making and service delivery. This Strategy also places emphasis on promoting the empowerment and well-being of older people.

Supporting the Community and Voluntary Sector: Horsham District’s community and voluntary sector provide a wide range of services including the provision of community transport and practical assistance with many issues associated with Older People. The Council currently supports, and will continue where possible to support to the Community and Voluntary Sector, where it can.

The Strategy will inform action planning for the next 5 years and represents an essential step in “Preparing for an Ageing Population”. What Is An Older Person? There is no universal definition of what constitutes an older person. Whether or not a person considers themselves ‘old’ depends upon a variety of factors including our age, health problems, physical changes and employment status. After consultation with a range of stakeholders the age of an older person for the purposes of this Strategy has been defined as someone aged 65 years and over. However, services should plan to respond to need rather than an age, recognising that individuals are unique and diverse.

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2. Changing Demographics Horsham District has an older population than the national average and the South East average. There are almost 20,500 people aged over 65 years living in the district. This equates to 17% of the area’s total population.ii 65% are ‘rural’ older people whilst 35% are ‘urban’ older people (compared to 24% and 76% respectively across for West Sussex).iii The number of people aged 60-64 and aged 40- 44 in the district is disproportionately high. By 2026, it is estimated that the number of local people over 65 years will be approximately 32,800, a 60% increase. There is a significant concentration of people aged over 65 years and people aged 45 – 64 (i.e. future retirees) in the south of Horsham District. There are also other areas where such concentrations exist. Wards with the highest older person population include:

Chantry Chanctonbury Billingshurst & Shipley Steyning Trafalgar

Life Expectancy Life expectancy in England has increased dramatically over the last 20 years by 4.2 years for men and 2.9 years for women. It is expected to increase further. Whilst disability-free life expectancy has increased over the last decade, it has not increased as rapidly as life expectancy. This means that more people will spend more years with some form of disability. Life expectancy in West Sussex is significantly higher than the UK average. The significance for Horsham District is that not only is the proportion of the population reaching old age increasing, but people are also living longer. Horsham District life expectancy is 79.81 years for males and 83.33 years for females (compared England average of 77.93 years and 82.02 years respectively).iv Life expectancy varies across the Horsham District; 78.1 years for Horsham Park ward and 83.5 years for Nuthurst ward. Deprivation There is a clear relationship between deprivation and life expectancy in West Sussex with those suffering the greatest deprivation also experiencing the shortest life expectancy. The number of older people in West Sussex living in low income households has increased between 2004 and 2007.v Although Horsham District is notably less deprived than other areas of West Sussex, there are pockets in the District where up to 17% of older people (aged 65 or over) live in Income Deprived Households.

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Wards with the highest number of older people aged 65 years and over in Income Deprived Households, are:

Horsham Park Roffey South Denne Cowfold Shermanbury & West Grinstead

Living in deprived circumstances has an impact on an older person’s vulnerability. A person may also be deprived through barriers to housing, lack of access to services and social exclusion. Health and Long Term Limiting Illness In 2006, there were 11,418 people aged 65 years and over in Horsham District with a Life Long Limiting Illness. This is projected to increase by 61% (equivalent to 18,404 people aged 65 years and over) by 2026. Roffey South ward has highest rates of older people, who stated they were in ‘not good health’ according to the 2006 West Sussex Older Persons’ Lifestyle Survey. Vulnerability Old age is a cause of vulnerability in its own right. For example, an older person is likely to have increased physical frailty, sensory impairment and potential for deprivation, disadvantage and inequality. Being vulnerable can have a profound impact on a person’s ability to achieve the important outcomes and may lead to poor health, poverty and isolation. 18% of West Sussex residents aged 65 or older are considered vulnerablevi Assuming this proportion does not change, this equates to 4,014 vulnerable Horsham District residents in 2006, rising to 6,408 by 2026. Wards with the highest percentage of older people defined as vulnerable by a Sherbrookevii score of three or more, are:

Roffey North Roffey South Horsham Park Cowfold, Shermanbury & West Grinstead. viii

Dependency Ratio One of the consequences of an increasing ageing population is the alteration of the dependency ratio. The Horsham District dependency ratio - the number of children under 16 and people over working age dependent on 100 people of working age - increased between 2001 and 2009 by 8%, from 63% to 71%ix. The percentage of residents, who are dependant on the working age population, is destined to get much higher. This has potential implications for a number of areas. For example, potentially fewer people available to the employment market and a greater number of older people relying on fewer carers (both formal and informal care arrangements). About Volunteering Notwithstanding this, there are also a greater number of older people with the potential time to volunteer and increased spend of the ‘grey pound’ in the local economy.

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3. Implications and Opportunities for Council Services Horsham District Council provides a wide range of services; many of these are generic services available to all residents of the District while some exist specifically to support older or more vulnerable people. The change in demographics - both in terms of the sheer increase in the number of older people resident in the District and the changing needs of the District’s population – will have implications for all of the District Council’s services. Often, this will mean greater pressure on the Council services and its resources, but will also provide opportunities for the District Council. Whilst this is not a definitive list of implications and opportunities for the Council and those identified have not been quantified, this section sets out the challenge the District Council faces in “Preparing for an Ageing Population”. The Implications for Horsham District Council Department(s)

Affected Likely increase in demand for Assisted Waste, Clinical Waste and ’bulky household’ collections,

Refuse and Recycling

Possible decrease in income as a result of greater number of older people eligible for dispensations on refuse and recycling services,

Refuse and Recycling

Possible decrease in Council income as a result of older people eligible for disabled parking dispensations.

Parking Services

Possible increase in the number of Disabled Parking Bays required. Parking Services

Changing needs of housing stock, both in terms of affordable housing and market housing. The provision of suitable and attractive accommodation may encourage less under occupancy.

Housing Services, Development Management,

Strategic Planning

Likely increase in housing applications from older people for sheltered and extra care housing.

Housing Services, Development Management,

Strategic Planning

Potential of more neglected properties due to probate hold ups attracting crime such as vandalism, arson, dumping of rubbish and anti- social behaviour.

Community Safety,Housing Services,

Legal,

Possibility of number of properties left empty as a result of the occupier being admitted to hospital or moving in to a nursing home.

Council Tax and Revenues

Possible increase in claims for Council Tax Exemption and bad debts. Environmental

Health Possible greater demand for Disabled Facilities Grant, Assisted Funerals and other Housing Assistance adaption’s.

Environmental Health

Potential increase in nuisance complaints from older people who may be upset about their neighbours lifestyles (families making noise, and young people hanging around on street corners etc),

Community Safety,Environmental

Health Possible rise in artifice burglary (e.g. bogus callers), personal item Community Safety

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thefts and identity thefts. Perceived increase in the fear of crime, potentially resulting in an increased role for the Council and relevant partners in terms of crime prevention and reduction.

Community Safety

Possible increased incidence of older people contracting listeria (due to poor food hygiene practices) and potential increased hospitalisation.

Environmental Health

The Council has both the challenge and the opportunity to support local businesses to benefit from the ‘Grey Pound’.

Economic Development

Possible increase in the demand for Community Transport Services for those without access to transport to access shops and services and help prevent rural isolation.

Community Development

Potential to support rural and market town economies, thus enabling local villages to offer a diverse and suitable range of facilities and services for older people.

Economic Development, Development

Control When writing policy and planning for new housing, greater consideration may be required (e.g. in the Local Development Framework) to ensure good links to existing community services (e.g. healthcare, shops, public transport etc) for creating and maintaining sustainable settlements.

Strategic Planning

Possible increased demand on the Horsham Shop mobility scheme usage within the town centre and expansion of the scheme into villages across the District.

Parking Services

Potential increase for postal or proxy voting for older people who are unable to get to the polling station to cast their vote.

Democratic Services

Although the Community Development service is uniquely placed to respond to the demands of an ageing population, the extent of the Council’s discretional offer through services it facilitates or provides (such as Community Transport, Exercise Referral, Health Walks, leisure activities in village halls and sheltered housing units, etc) will need to be balanced against financial pressures.


This challenge is similarly reflected when considering grants and service level agreements that support a wide range of community and voluntary organisations providing services for older people. These include organisations that provide day care facilities such as Age UK and Impact Initiatives, Handy Van and Community Transport.


There is likely to be an increase from community groups and Parish councils about access to funding and enquires and applications for small grants/ health and wellbeing grants.


There is likely to be an increase in the number of older people seeking advice, guidance and information about improving energy efficiency of their home.

Sustainability Team

As the Council moves towards using electronic methods as the norm (website, social networking, ‘chip and pin’ and online payments), to communicate and interact with residents, there may be both a challenge and opportunity for the Council to ‘up skill’ older residents.

Corporate Services,


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With more information disseminated electronically, consideration will need to be made regarding the accessibility of the Council’s website (font size and colour etc). Where information is printed, there could be greater demand for large print versions.

Corporate Services

There is likely to be an increase in demand for its community alarm and tele-care support.

Community Link

With more older people living alone, there is likely to be an increase in claims for Single Person Discount. Additionally, increased applications for Council Tax discounts for Carers, Disabled people and people living with Severe and Enduring Mental Illness could be received. This would have an effect on the Council in terms of reduced Council Tax income. There may also be increased pressure on resources for home visits to ascertain eligibility for Disabled Discount, and claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.


There may be an increased need for home visits to help older and vulnerable people complete their Housing and Council Tax applications.


With the general population getting older, there will be older employees. This coupled with the increasing retirement age will present challenges and opportunities for the Council. Although some employees may wish to retire later due to increased life expectancy and shortfalls in pension provision, there are potentially implications for the Council in terms of succession planning. 30% of the Council’s workforce is aged 40-49 years and 25% aged 50-59 years. Older employees have valuable experience and knowledge. However, the Council needs to be realistic in its recognition of potentially changing abilities and capabilities. There is likely to be an increase in work related injuries and illnesses associated with ergonomics and manual handling.

Corporate Services

The Opportunities for Horsham District Council The change in demographics may create opportunities for the Council to better engage with older people and develop targeted physical activity and social activities for older people. Challenges involved in this include understanding what older people want and need how to reach older people, having the capacity and need to meet older people’s social care support needs. However, there are also potential opportunities; new or enhanced funding and income streams, developing more leaders and volunteers and greater off-peak utilisation.

Community Development,

Leisure Services

Potential to recruit more volunteers from the 50+ age range and build future capacity.


Opportunity to increase community involvement and consultation in developing Council Services and policies by actively involving older people (e.g. Statement of Community Involvement, Senior Persons Council, Horsham District Community Partnership through goal Groups etc)

Community Development and

Strategic Planning

Potential opportunities for emergency planning resources in terms of recruiting more members of the community to participate in community resilience programmes.

Emergency Planning

The Implications for Horsham District Council as a result of External Influences When predicting future demand for some of the services, provided or Community

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supported by the Council, the Council need to consider external factors.. For example, at the time of writing this Strategy, West Sussex County Council is reviewing its day care provision with the aim of giving people more choice and control while meeting people’s social care support needs and using resources effectively. Will the new day care model provide income generating opportunities for the Council, as well as the District’s Leisure providers, as a provider of cultural, leisure and recreational activities for older people that are commissioned by partner organisations such as health and social services?

Services

Climate change brings with it the potential for more severe extremes of weather, both cold weather and heat waves. Such weather has a disproportionate and significant impact on the health of older population. In cases of extreme weather food supplies to rural shops may also be affected, which may prompt a need for emergency food supplies. Climate change has implications for a number of the District Council’s services.

Emergency Planning,

Sustainability Team

Up to 63% of those aged 61 years and older do not feel well informed about what to do in a large scale emergency such as flooding or human pandemic flu.x The increase in numbers of older and vulnerable people will unavoidably increase time and effort for capturing and disseminating vulnerable people information.

Emergency Planning

With regard to the evacuation and transportation of older people in an emergency situation, the ageing population will potentially mean a greater demand for specialist transport vehicles (i.e. wheel chair, roller bed accessible) and suitable drivers (especially where specialist lifting equipment is used). While greater consideration may need to be placed on the choice of Rest Centres, ensuring they are accessible and suitable to accommodate increasing numbers of older people. There will need to be a flexible approach to sustainable heating & cooling provision in Rest Centres; those over 75 are at great risk of experiencing heat-related harm. Space may also be an issue with greater numbers of older people needing specialist equipment and mobility scooters. The need for services such as Meals on Wheels and from the British Red Cross will increase.

Emergency Planning

4. Needs of an Ageing Population i) have access to activities, facilities and services Why? Personal mobility and the means to travel enable people to participate in society, remain active and maintain independent. It is also crucial that older people can access services such as shops, leisure amenities, GP practices and hospitals, which support their long term health. Nationally, 13% of people living in rural areas in later life report poor access to a range of basic services, such as the GP, dentist, hospitals, post offices and local shops. Those on a low income and those aged over 80 are significantly more likely to report poor access.xi Given the rural nature of the District, which includes a number of dispersed communities, access can be especially difficult. About Transport

Key issues identified by older people: Ability to drive Ability to

socialise availability of

information Concessionary

Fares Community

Transport Co-ordinated

Public Transport Isolation Mobile facilities Parking

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Whilst the private car tends to be heavily relied on, 40% of all pensioner households in Horsham District have no access to their own transport. Areas of the District where highest numbers of older people aged 65 and over have no access to a car are concentrated around Horsham town and the immediate area. However, perhaps more noteworthy are the rural parts of the District, namely Billingshurst and Shipley, Henfield and Steyning wards, where up to 29% of older people aged 65 and over with no access to a car. The most recent Place Survey results revealed that almost 56% of Horsham District residents aged 61 years and over were dissatisfied with local transport information and 48% were dissatisfied with local bus services.xii About Isolation Of the pensioner households in Horsham District 40% have no access to their own transport, and 34% of this accounts for pensioners who are living alone, further exacerbating the likelihood of experiencing isolation and loneliness. Access to activities is important as research has shown that isolation and inactivity can speed up the ageing process. As people continue to age, the extent to which they feel isolation may increase due to mobility problems. Leisure and social opportunities not only provide opportunities to create new social networks to stave off isolation, they also help maintain good physical mental health. About Information Older people also need access to comprehensive information and advice on a wide range of topics from social activities to help at home. The availability of such information can play a significant role in improving the quality of life for older people as well as creating independence through choice and control. Although this figure is likely to increase all the time, nationally only 10% of people over the age of 75 were connected to internet or have the skills to use it in 2009.xiii

ii) be and feel safe Why?: Fear of crime can have a significant impact on the quality of life of older people by creating anxiety and preventing them from participating in society to the extent they would wish. Living in a community where they feel safe and do not experience discrimination, fear or prejudice is important to older people. Overall, Horsham District is one of the safest places in the country.. About Fear of Crime The level of fear of crime is disproportionately high, particularly amongst older women. Fear of crime can lead to isolation, loneliness and deterioration in health.

Key issues identified by older people: Being alert Clean

environment Home safety Interaction with

neighbours Local wardens Neighbourhood

watch Street lighting Visible policing

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The most recent Place Survey identified that more than 95% of people aged 61 years and older feel safe when outside in their local area during the day. The likelihood of feeling unsafe after dark increases with age; 22% of people aged 61-70 years and 32% aged 80 years or older feel unsafe when outside in their local area after dark.xiv About Victims of Crime People aged 60 and over are the least likely group to be victims of crime. Being a victim of crime is a traumatic experience can have a significant and profound impact on older people. It is likely to contribute to the general vulnerability of older people, exacerbating feelings of exclusion, isolation and loneliness. About Anti-Social Behaviour In the 2006 West Sussex Lifestyle Survey of Older People, the greatest perceived problems for older people were rubbish and litter, teenagers and young people hanging around, and vandalism and graffiti.xv iii) be and stay healthy and well Why?: Health is an important factor in the quality of life among people of all ages, but it takes on a particular resonance in later life. About Illness According to the West Sussex Lifestyle Survey 2006, 28% of older people aged 65 and over had seen their family doctor at least three times in the last six months and 42% take three or more medications daily. In comparison to other areas of the county, Horsham District has the second highest percentage of older people, who take three 3 medications or more daily.xvi Across West Sussex, 10% of males aged 85 years or over had been admitted to hospital at least twice as an emergency in 2010. Wards with the highest percentage of older people who had two or more emergency admissions to hospital in the last year were Holbrook West, Broadbridge Heath, Denne, Horsham Park and Bramber, Upper Beeding & Woodmancote.xvii Almost 40% of people aged 65 and over live with depression that is severe enough to impair their quality of life. As the population increases, this increases to almost 60% over the next 15 years.xviii There are currently 700,000 people with dementia in the UKxix and this is projected to double in the next 30 years. Dementia costs the UK £17 billion a year and in the next 30 years will treble to over £50 billion a year. xx About Physical Activity Keeping physically active can reduce the risk of ill health and help to maintain mobility for longer. Yet, engagement in many activities including sport, leisure and learning declines with age. Only 17% of men and 13% of women aged 65-74 meet Department of Health recommendations for physical activity of 30 minutes on 5 or more days per week.

Key issues identified by older people: Availability of

activities Eat healthy

diet Keep

mentally and physically fit

Maintain health weight

Remain active

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According to the 2006 West Sussex Older Person’s Lifestyle Survey, 46% of females and 52% of males aged over 65 years exercise regularly. Compared to other areas of the county, Horsham District has some of the almost lowest levels of activity amongst older people.xxi About Lifestyle A person’s lifestyle extends beyond physical and mental activity; it has a significant impact on a person’s health, particularly in later life. On average older people tend to drink more frequently but in smaller amounts than younger people. However, 23% of men and 8% of women over the age of 60 years endanger their health by regularly drinking above the recommended guidelines. The 2006 West Sussex Lifestyle Survey of Older People identified that Horsham District has the second highest levels of drinking amongst people aged over 60 years.xxii Body Mass Index decreases with age. According to the West Sussex Older Persons’ Lifestyle Survey, men are more likely than females to be overweight with almost 60% of males and almost 50% of females overweight, obese or very obese. There has been a significant increase of incidence of poor food hygiene related illness amongst older people. According to the Food Standards Agency, 70% of cases of listeriosis are in people over 60 years of age.xxiii iv) live independently in decent homes Why?: Older people should have the opportunity to live independently, in their own home and with an income adequate to meet their physical and social needs. The home should be well-maintained, affordable, safe and secure with access to services. It should meet the occupant’s physical needs with the opportunity to access support and care. Yet, nearly a third of people aged 60 and over in England live in ‘non-decent homes’ that lack a reasonable degree of warmth are in disrepair and do not meet housing standards.xxiv According to the 2008 Place Survey, 82% of people aged 80 and older years believe older people in the local area are able to get the services and support they need to continue to live at home for as long as they want to.xxv About Income Nationally, two thirds of pensioners rely on state pensions and benefits for at least half of their income.xxvi 40% of pensioners entitled to Pension Credit do not make claims. The same proportion of pensioners entitled to Council Tax benefits are also missing out.xxvii About Fuel Poverty Low income affects older people’s ability to eat well and keep warm. Across West Sussex, 16% of 65–69 year olds turn off their heating in winter xxviii and the ratio of excess winter deaths to average non-winter deaths during a three year period people exceeded the England average (16.5 and 15.6 respectively).xxix

Key issues identified by older people: Appropriate

accommodation Being

independent Benefits and

Pension Community Link

Alarms Home aids and

special equipment Maintain health Move home Trusted trade

people

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An estimated 8-10% of households in the Horsham District are at risk of fuel poverty. Although it is not known how many older people are affected, older people living alone in large homes are particularly vulnerable. Large parts of the Horsham District are not connected to the mains gas network and are faced with more costly electric and oil fuelled heating systems. According to 2006 West Sussex Older Persons’ Lifestyle Survey, the Horsham District ward with the highest percentage of older people who turned off their heating/fire due to the expense was Broadbridge Heath. xxx About Home Safety 10% of older people across West Sussex are without a smoke alarmxxxi and during 2004/05; there were nine deaths of people as a result of dwelling fires according to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. In seven of those fires there was no smoke alarm or the smoke alarm did not work because the battery was either flat or had been taken out.xxxii About Special Equipment and Home Adaptations As people age their health worsens, they become frailer and many people require special equipment or adaptations to their home to make carrying out daily tasks easier. 11% of older people in Horsham District have special equipment or adaptations to their home.xxxiii Nationally, falls are responsible for over 2 million hospital bed days and 40% of nursing home admissions, costing the country £1.7 billion a year. Minor safety adaptations to homes can reduce the number of falls experienced by people in later life by up to 60%.xxxiv However, falls prevention programmes are at their most successful when they demonstrate multi-agency approaches to prevention, early intervention and treatment, for example across balance and mobility prevention services, occupational therapy and through housing provision. v) live in communities where they feel they belong, are valued and can contribute Why?: After retiring from work, older people may feel that they have lost their status and no longer have a contributing role in their community. This, coupled with the fast paced development of our environment and society, can create gaps between generations. Yet, older people make significant and highly valued contributions to their families, neighbours and communities. Social isolation is a strong risk factor for poor mental health and is experienced by 1 million older people in the UK.xxxv This is projected to rise to 2.2 million in the next 15 years. The most severely isolated and lonely are those over 75 years, those widowed and those who live alone. Women are at greater risk of isolation because they live longer than men, with older women twice as likely to feel trapped in their own homes.xxxvi Living in cohesive communities where people are friendly, where generations interact easily and where people support each other is important to older people. Older people want to feel valued, be involved and fully engaged, enabling them to contribute to the community. Yet, according to the recent Place Survey almost 25% of people aged 61 and over felt strongly that they did not belong to their immediate

Key issues identified by older people: Availability of

information Day centres Getting involved Intergenerational

opportunities Socialising Support for

carers Tolerance and

understanding Voice and

influence Volunteering

Agenda Item 6(a)

33

neighbourhood.xxxvii About Caring According to the 2006 West Sussex Older Person’s Lifestyle Survey 13% of people aged 65 years in West Sussex are carers.xxxviii The economic value of the contribution made by unpaid carers in West Sussex is £950 million per year for carers of all ages and caring for all age groups.xxxix Many older people have an increasingly important role as grand-parents; nationally, they provide the majority of childcare for two thirds of families, saving £3.9 billion in childcare costs annually. xl About Exclusion and Isolation 20% of older people are excluded on at least one of the following dimensions: social relationships, cultural activities, civic activities, access to basic services, neighbourhood exclusion, financial products and material consumption.xli Isolation and inactivity can speed up the ageing process. Leisure and social opportunities not only provide opportunities to create new social networks to stave off isolation, they also help maintain good physical mental health. About Volunteering

Notwithstanding this, nationally people aged over 50 make up two thirds of formal volunteers. The 2006 West Sussex Older Person’s Lifestyle Survey found that 41% of people aged 61-70 years and 30% aged 71 years and older living in Horsham District had given unpaid help to groups, clubs and organisation at least monthly over the last 12 months

About Being Involved Older people wish to be consulted, involved and engaged on issues that are important to them. Barriers to the involvement of older people need to be broken down. Annual Review The delivery and implementation of the Strategy will be underpinned by action detailed in annual departmental service plans and through an annual review that pulls together outputs and outcomes for older people, which have been delivered across the organisation.

Agenda Item 6(a)

34

i The Place Survey 2008 ii Office for National Statistics iii The Rural Share of Deprivation in the South East: WS Version two, Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion iv Office for National Stats vhttp://www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk/domains/westsussex.nhs.uk/local/media//publications/about_us/Publications/Annual_report_200809.pdf vi Based on the Sherbrooke Score. A validated tool for identifying elderly individuals at risk of functional decline during the following year. vii *The Sherbrooke Questionnaire is a validated tool for identifying elderly individuals at risk of functional decline during the following year. viii Lifestyle Survey of Older People ixhttp://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?adminCompAndTimeId=26822%3A131&a=3&b=277138&c=horsham&d=13&r=1&e=13&f=26982&o=322&g=496453&i=1001x1003x1006x1005&k=age&l=1818&m=0&s=1290684274570&enc=1 x The Place Survey 2008 xi Building a Society for All Ages xii The Place Survey 2008 xiii Building a Society for All Ages xiv The Place Survey 2008 xv Lifestyle Survey of Older People xvi Lifestyle Survey of Older People xvii Lifestyle Survey of Older People xviii Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006) xix Services for Older People with Dementia West Sussex County Council Adults’ Services Select Committee Task Force xx Building a Society for All Ages xxi Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxii Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxiii Food Vision / FSA. xxiv Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006) xxv The Place Survey 2008 xxvi Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006) xxvii Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006) xxviii A Fair Old Age xxix A Fair Old Age xxx Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxxi Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxxii Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxxiii Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxxiv Building a Society for All Ages xxxv Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006) xxxvi Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006) xxxvii The Place Survey 2008 xxxviii Lifestyle Survey of Older People xxxix A Fair Old Age xl Building a Society for All Ages xli Promoting Mental Health and Well Being in Later Life (June 2006)

Equality Impact Assessment (Horsham District Council) – Policy/Procedure/Strategy/Function template Please fill in as many of the boxes as possible (on Microsoft Word or preferred format if you have a disability which means you cannot use Word) and be aware that written information/evidence may be asked for, to back your comments. If you need further assistance or training on filling this template, please contact the Equalities Officer on 01403 215574 [email protected] Names of Team members (min of 2 – Author, manager and or staff member/equality lead) and Lead Officer/Director

Cabinet Member : Andrew Baldwin Director: Natalie Brahma-Pearl Lead Officer: Clare Ebelewicz

Consultation mechanism (names of equality groups liaised with)i.e. Access Forum, Staff Group

External Consultation with Older People, Life I for Living, Member Working Group, Officer Working Group, CVS Working Group, Senior Persons Council, Scrutiny and Overview Committee

Date Equality Impact Assessment submitted to ratifying committee

Cabinet, 24th March

Are there resource implications to deliver actions from this EIA? If yes, please detail

No significant resource implications.

Name of policy/strategy

Preparing for an Ageing Population

Aim of policy/strategy (maximum 100 words)

In recent years society has changed at an unprecedented rate. For the first time, there are now more people in the United Kingdom over 60 than under 16. Horsham District has an older population than the national average and the South East average; there are almost 20,500 people aged over 65 years living in the districti and this equates to 17% of the total District population. By 2026, it is estimated that the number of local people over 65 years will be approximately 32,800, a 60% increase. Horsham District Council needs to ensure sure that it is ready to embrace and respond to this change. This Preparing for an Ageing Population Strategy details: 1. a vision for Preparing an for Ageing 2. the changing demographics of the Horsham District 3. the implications for Council Services 4. the needs of an ageing population

Impact Assessment

Race No

Disability/carer No

Gender/gender identity No

Age Yes

Sexual orientation No

Does the policy/strategy target or exclude a particular equality groups listed? (Consider Direct Discrimination) Religion & Belief No

Why? - See above: Aim of policy/strategy What is an older person? - There is no universal definition of what constitutes an older person. Whether or not a person considers themselves ‘old’ depends upon a variety of factors including our age, health problems, physical changes and employment status. After consultation with a range of stakeholders the age of an older person for the purposes of this Strategy has been defined as someone aged 65 years and over. However, services should plan to respond to need rather than an age, recognising that individuals are unique and diverse.

Race No

Disability/carer Yes

Gender/gender identity No

Age Yes

Sexual orientation No

Does the policy/strategy affect any of the equality groups listed disproportionately? (Consider Indirect Discrimination) (List all negative and positive impacts)

Religion & Belief No

Age: This Strategy focuses almost uniquely on older people. See above: What is an older person? Disability/Carer: In 2006, there were 11,418 people aged 65 years and over in Horsham District with a Life Long Limiting Illness. This is projected to increase by 61% (equivalent to 18,404 people aged 65 years and over) by 2026. ii According to the 2006 West Sussex Older Person’s Lifestyle Survey 13% of people aged 65 years in West Sussex are carers.iii

Demographic data and other statistics, including census findings X

Information from groups/agencies/consultation/research within Horsham District X

Comparisons between similar functions / policies either internally or with other District Councils

What evidence has been used to make these judgements? Please tick one or more Analysis of complaints/public enquiries information/audits or reviews

Race X

Disability/carer X

Gender/gender identity X

Age X

How is the effect of the policy/strategy on different equality groups going to be monitored? Please specify for each equality group Sexual orientation X

The delivery and implementation of the Strategy will be underpinned by Annual Action Plans and Annual Reports. The first Action Plan will be developed following the adoption of this Strategy by the District Council’s Cabinet.

Religion & Belief X

Does the document have an access statement offering the document in alternative formats for disabled people? Yes If no, please add to action plan as evidence that this assessment has assisted.

Do staff dealing with this document know where to get alternative formats if a request is made? Yes If no, please add awareness training needed to action plan (Equalities Officer can provide)

Does the document need to be translated into key locally used languages? No If yes, how will this be distributed and funded?

Action Plan (to reduce or eliminate any adverse impacts) Equality Strand Action and Resources Lead Person Timescale

Please send draft version to Equalities Officer at Horsham District Council 01403 215574 or [email protected], once a version of this assessment has been approved, it will be uploaded onto the website for public scrutiny/viewing and actions will be added to a spreadsheet/calendar for monitoring. i Office for National Statistics ii A Fair Old Age iii Lifestyle Survey of Older People

Agenda Item 6(b)

35

Report to Cabinet 24 March 2011

By the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning

NON-KEY DECISION

Not exempt

ABCD Southwater Parish Design Statement Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Executive Summary Design Statements provide a detailed description of the existing character of a town, parish or village and set out guidelines on how to encourage new development that enhances and complements what already exists. They are created and written by the local community with advice and input from the planning authority, who oversees the process and eventual adoption of the statements as Supplementary Planning Documents. The intention of Design Statements is to ensure that new development fits its surroundings and is in keeping with local character. Local communities have a unique appreciation and understanding of their own place and a Town, Parish or Village Design Statement is based on this knowledge. The statements are produced by the local community, not by Horsham District Council. They describe the qualities and characteristics that people value and include guidance on how development should be carried out, so that it is in harmony with its setting and contributes to the conservation and enhancement of the town, parish or village. Their purpose is to manage change, whether that change is major new development or cumulative small-scale additions and alterations. It is therefore not only a useful document for prospective developers, but it is also an important document for current land and property owners looking to make their own alterations to their holdings. Before the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the Council adopted Design Statements as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) alongside the Local Plan. However since the Act and the adoption of new Development Plan Documents within the Local Development Framework, the Council will now adopt Design Statements as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD). These require a greater and wider level of public consultation, a supporting Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment. Southwater Parish Design Statement sets out a vision for the future and provides guidelines to assist developers, planners, architects and members of the public wishing to build or renovate properties. The aim is to encourage high quality design whether for a small house extension or a large housing or commercial development. The Design Statement has undergone an extensive period of local public consultation in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 12 and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It has now been signed off by the Parish Council and formally submitted to Horsham District Council where it was approved by Members of the Strategic

Agenda Item 6(b)

36

Planning Advisory Group and has subsequently been brought before Cabinet Members for consideration to publish and adopt as a Supplementary Planning Document.

Recommendations The Cabinet is recommended:

i) To agree the content of the Southwater Parish Design Statement.

ii) To agree the adoption and publication of the Design Statement as a Supplementary

Planning Document in accordance with criteria set out in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, The Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004, and The Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations.

Reasons for Recommendations i) To comply with Planning Policy Statement 12 (Local Development Frameworks)

guidance on producing Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD). The SPD will form part of the Council’s Local Development Framework.

ii) To supplement existing planning policies at a more local level by providing guidance to assist developers, planners, architects and members of the public wishing to build or renovate properties in Southwater Parish.

Background papers

Consultation Wards affected Contact

The Core Strategy DPD, General Development Control Policies DPD

Local Consultations on Drafts, Statutory Consultations, Members of SPAG

Southwater James Williams, Senior Planning Officer Ext. 5129

Agenda Item 6(b)

37


1. Introduction The purpose of this report

1.1 To seek agreement for the publication of the Southwater Parish Design Statement as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to form part of the Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF).

Background/Actions taken to date

1.2 Southwater Parish Council wrote to the Southwater Community Partnership

(Southwater Action Team - SWAT) on 28th July 2009 stating that the Southwater Village Design Statement published by the Parish Council in 1999 was due for revision. The matter was discussed at the July 2009 Planning Committee and it was agreed that this task was within the remit of the Action Team. The Partnership accepted the task at its Annual meeting on 8th September 2009. Initially the work proceeded on a broad front under the control of the SWAT Management Committee.

1.3 Members of the Parish Council were included in the Team working on the

Statement. Draft text was developed together with a large database of photographic reference material which had not previously been undertaken. Consultations included the Planning Committee, the Bluecoat Pond Residents Association, Christ’s Hospital School and Foundation, the Southwater Local History Group and the Stammerham Amenity Society.

1.4 The Committee developed a strategy of engagement with the Community which in

the development and review stages included local press, Southwater News, website, a parish-wide poster campaign, e-mailing residents, contact with the village schools and face to face consultations at the Schools’ Summer fête.

1.5 A draft, along with photographs, a description of what a design statement actually

was and how it would tie in with the Local Development Framework was then produced and circulated. The draft document, along with relevant questions, was subsequently distributed during early 2010. Members of the public were invited to make comments on any relevant matters and highlight anything they thought should be included along with their comments. This lead to a more refined draft being distributed in June 2010 for comment. All comments received were collated and subsequently reviewed and analysed.

1.6 The District Council’s Strategic Planning Team was kept informed and consulted

about the process. From May to September a series of drafts were prepared by the Core Group. Preliminary consultations on the draft were held with the Parish Council and the Strategic Planning Team.

1.7 All comments received were analysed and incorporated as necessary. Preparation,

design and production of the document were all undertaken ‘in-house’ by a Core Group of members of the Community Partnership. A final consultation draft was prepared in June 2009, and put on display in the Parish Office, library and at the Schools’ fête.

Agenda Item 6(b)

38

1.8 Many comments were received on the day and by email subsequently. All of the comments were analysed. These same comments were discussed by Full SWAT Management Committee, which is open to the public and has minutes in public circulation and available on the Parish Council’s website.

1.9 Minor amendments to the consultation draft were subsequently made and the final

draft document was sent to the Strategic Planning Team on 7th September for review and comment. Following comments and amendments, the final Design Statement was given to the Parish Council on 16th September 2010. The Southwater Parish Council Planning Committee, at its meeting on 27th October 2010, approved this.

1.10 The Draft Parish Design Statement was formally submitted to the District Council on

1 December 2010. The District Council subsequently sent the document out for a six week consultation, ending 25 February 2011, to various Statutory Consultees including adjoining Parish Councils and Local Council Members. Limited comments were received during this period and included broad guidance received from Natural England and general points raised by the Environment Agency. Comments were passed to Southwater Community Partnership for consideration and minor updates were made to reflect the responses received, these were agreed at Southwater Action Team management committee on 8 March 2011.

2. Details

The Purpose of a Design Statement

2.1 Design Statements provide a detailed description of the existing character of a town, parish or village and set out guidelines on how to encourage new development that enhances and complements what already exists. They are created and written by the local community with advice and input from the planning authority, who oversees the process and eventual adoption of the statements as Supplementary Planning Documents.

2.2 The intention of Design Statements is to ensure that new development fits its

surroundings and is in keeping with local character. Local communities have a unique appreciation and understanding of their own place and a Town, Parish or Village Design Statement is based on this knowledge. The statements are produced by the local community, not by Horsham District Council.

2.4 They describe the qualities and characteristics that people value and include

guidance on how development should be carried out, so that it is in harmony with its setting and contributes to the conservation and enhancement of the town, parish or village. Their purpose is to manage change, whether that change is major new development or cumulative small-scale additions and alterations. It is therefore not only a useful document for prospective developers, but it is also an important document for current land and property owners looking to make their own alterations to their holdings.

2.5 Before the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the Council adopted

Design Statements as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) alongside the Local Plan. However since the Act and the adoption of new Development Plan Documents within the Local Development Framework, the Council will now adopt

Agenda Item 6(b)

39

Design Statements as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD). These require a greater and wider level of public consultation, a supporting Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

3. Next Steps

3.1 If agreed by Cabinet, the Supplementary Planning Document will be formally adopted and published on the 8th April 2011 and form part of the Council’s Local Development Framework.

4. Outcome of Consultations

4.1 The Southwater Action Team undertook various stages of consultation to reach the final draft of the document. At each stage comments were received from various groups, including members of the public, and incorporated into the document where appropriate.

4.2 The Committee developed a strategy of engagement with the Community which in

the development and review stages included local press, Southwater News, website, a parish-wide poster campaign, e-mailing residents, contact with the village schools and face to face consultations at the Schools’ Summer fête.

4.3 Once submitted to the District Council, the document was sent out for a six week

consultation, ending 25 February 2011, to various Statutory Consultees including adjoining Parish Councils and Local Council Members. Limited comments were received during this period and were passed to Southwater Community Partnership to update as necessary. Responses included broad guidance received from Natural England and general points raised by the Environment Agency.

5. Other Courses of Action Considered but Rejected

5.1 An alternative action would be not to adopt and publish the Parish Design Statement SPD, this however would mean that there would be little local level community guidance on the character and design of each Parish and how the local community consider it can be conserved and enhanced sympathetically in the future.

6. Staffing Consequences

6.1 There are no significant staffing consequences arising from this report outside of the involvement of the Strategic Planning Team staff.

7. Financial Consequences

7.1 There are no significant financial consequences arising from this report except for a contribution towards the cost of publication and the consultation process that are held within the LDF budget (FA1120 49818).

Agenda Item 6(b)

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Appendix 1


Consequences of the proposed action on:

Risks Risk Assessment attached Yes/No

No

Crime and Disorder It is not anticipated that the SPD will impact directly on crime and disorder issues.

Equality and Diversity/ Human Rights Equalities Impact Assessment attached No

This Council has a positive obligation to ensure that respect for human rights is at the core of its day to day work, and must in particular consider Article 6 (Determination of Civil Rights), 8(A Right to Family Life etc.) and Article 1 of the First Protocol (Right to Property). The preparation of a Local Development Document, and the involvement of the community at each stage, will potentially contribute to improving the quality of life in the District and will therefore have a positive impact on human rights There are no direct proposals to promote race relations arising from the content of this report but the Statement of Community Involvement already adopted as part of the Local Development Framework encourages all sectors of the community to participate in the preparation of the long term planning strategy and specifically targets identified ‘hard to reach groups’.

Sustainability A Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment was undertaken to cover the publication of all Village and Parish Design Statements as Supplementary Planning Documents

Statutory and Policy Background

Statutory Background

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 sets out the approach to planning in the UK. Local Development Frameworks include Development Plan Documents and supporting Supplementary Planning Documents. The Town and Country Planning (Local Development)(England) Regulations 2004, and The Town and Country Planning (Local Development)(England)(Amendment) Regulations are applicable to all LDF documents.

Relevant Government Central Government has set out its guidance for local planning

Agenda Item 6(b)

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policy

authorities on delivering Local Development Frameworks in Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12).

Relevant Council policy

The Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF) provides the policy framework for future planning of the District. There are two main Development Plan Documents set within the LDF that are used to inform the planning brief, the Core Strategy and the General Development Control Policies documents. The Core Strategy defines a set of spatial objectives which, amongst other things, provide the basis for the spatial strategy for the District. The objectives provide a clear statement of what this Council considers to be crucial in delivering sustainable development. The document was adopted in February 2007. The General Development Control Policies DPD was developed to reflect the vision and spatial objectives of the Core Strategy. The document sets out more detailed policies that help interpret the vision and objectives of the Core Strategy for the use in development control decisions. The DPD was adopted in December 2007.

Draft Southwater

Parish Design Statement

2010

Southwater Parish Council

Supplementary Planning Document

Consult PC Version 1.11 13th March 2011

Southwater Parish Design Statement - Draft Page 2

Contents Draft Southwater Parish Design Statement 2010 ............................................................................... 1

1 What is the Parish Design Statement ? .................................................................................. 3

2 History .................................................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Early times ............................................................................................................................ 3

2.2 19th Century / Early 20th Century ........................................................................................... 4

2.3 Late 20th Century developments ............................................................................................ 4

2.4 Contemporary developments ................................................................................................ 5

3 The Parish of Southwater ...................................................................................................... 6

4 Setting of Southwater Parish ................................................................................................. 7

4.1 Southwater features ............................................................................................................. 7

4.2 Southwater Country Park ...................................................................................................... 8

4.3 Planning classification of Built Up Areas in the Parish ............................................................ 9

5 Countryside Setting and Leisure Areas ................................................................................ 10

6 Transport and Accessibility .................................................................................................. 12

7 Industry .............................................................................................................................. 13

8 Signage and Street Furniture ............................................................................................... 14

9 Landscape character ........................................................................................................... 15

10 Historical Building character ................................................................................................ 16

11 Key design issues and sensitivities for the Parish ................................................................. 17

12 Key Character Guidelines .................................................................................................... 18

13 Design Guidelines................................................................................................................ 19

13.1 Architecture ........................................................................................................................ 19

13.2 Styles .................................................................................................................................. 21

13.3 Building Materials ............................................................................................................... 22

13.4 Building Features ................................................................................................................ 22

13.5 Street scene and frontages .................................................................................................. 23

13.6 Boundaries .......................................................................................................................... 24

13.7 Open Spaces ....................................................................................................................... 26

14 Commercial / Agricultural Buildings..................................................................................... 27

15 Summary of Design Guidelines ............................................................................................ 28

16 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 28


1 What is the Parish Design Statement ?

This Parish Design Statement (PDS) aims to set out clear and simple guide lines for the design of all

development in the Parish of Southwater1, based on its particular Sussex character, so that new

development is in harmony with its setting and makes a positive contribution to the immediate

environment. Unlike any other planning document it gives planning advice directly applicable to the

statutory planning system and is a reflection of the qualities that residents value in their local area

and its surroundings.

The PDS sets out the parish’s vision for the future and provides guidelines to assist developers,

planners, architects and members of the public wishing to build or renovate properties, open spaces

and recreation areas. The aim is to encourage high quality design whether for a small house

extension, large housing development or a commercial development. It will not stop change from

happening, but it can help influence how any new building fits in to the parish. It is based on the

views and opinions of residents distilled by the team who volunteered to collect and collate the

material, and discussed at open meetings following responses to the Southwater Action Team

questionnaire of 2008/2009.

This PDS, which will be adopted by Horsham District Council as a Supplementary Planning Document

(SPD), will sit within the Council's Local Development Framework as a Local Development Document.

An SPD has an indirect statutory status as it supplements statutory Development Plan Documents

(DPD) such as the Core Strategy and Development Control Policies, providing further detail on

policies and proposals not within the remit of DPDs.

2 History

As is well known in Southwater, Iguanodons, which first appeared 165 million years ago, roamed the

mud-flats of the large lake or river estuary that

covered this area. As far as human habitation is

concerned, evidence from past detailed field work

has revealed that humans have been living here

since the Mesolithic period (Middle Stone Age),

some ten thousand years ago.

2.1 Early times

In Saxon and medieval times, this part of the Low

Weald was heavily wooded and the “estates”

which had been apportioned to various lordships

were attached to their manors in the south of the

county to provide summer swine pasture (pannage), timber, firewood and charcoal. These seasonal

settlements gradually became more permanent and a pattern of scattered farmsteads developed as

each one acquired its own portion of arable land.

Evidence suggests that this has led to a unique landscape in Southwater of strips of land belonging to

different manors; and each manor appears to be divided by trackways. Some of these trackways still

1 The Parish of Southwater includes Christ’s Hospital, Tower Hill, Denne Park and Newfoundout


survive as both roads and paths and may be 500-1,000 years old. The banks on either side of these

trackways, with their hedges and shaws2, can still be seen, giving the village a grid of green corridors.

The name “Suthwatre” (south of the water) appeared in the Calendar of Patent Rolls in 1346 and

referred not to a single hamlet but to the whole area of Horsham

that lay south of the River Arun, which flows through the town of

Horsham. The history of Southwater Parish generally is, of

course, inextricably linked to that of the ancient parish of

Horsham, of which it was a part right up until the beginning of

the 1850s; the growth of transport, trade and general social

development, was, therefore, heavily influenced by that of its

neighbouring market town.

On old maps, “Southwater” is written alongside Southwater Street

and, indeed, by 1795 the largest concentration of buildings was

shown here. The Cock Inn and its immediate surroundings appear

to have been known as Southwater Green.

2.2 19th Century / Early 20th Century

By 1861 the village had its own church, a school, and a railway station, but it was the development

of the brickworks from the 1890s onwards that provided the impetus

for growth. To house the brick workers, many houses were built in

the period from 1920 to 1950 on the Foxfield estate and in Church

Lane behind the Cock Inn.

Christ's Hospital is a charitable coeducational independent boarding

school located to the north of the parish. The school was originally

founded in 1552 in Greyfriars, London and in Hertford. The original buildings in the parish date from

1902 when the school relocated from Newgate Street onto the 1,200 acres site. Architectural

features from the old school buildings (the Grecians' Arch, the Wren façade and statues) were

salvaged and incorporated in the new buildings. The School was built by Longleys of Crawley to a

design by the renowned architects Aston Webb

and Ingress Bell and using local bricks. The large

houses in King Edward Road are built in Lutyens

style with local brickwork detailing and high

gables. The whole of the site is Grade 2* listed.

2.3 Late 20th Century developments

Pockets of small development appeared during succeeding years (eg Woodfield in 1961 and Ash

Road in 1968), but the large village seen today is the result of two major periods of expansion, the

first in the 1970s with Timbermill, Anvil, Forge and Quarry Ways and the Ash Road Estate, and the

second after the construction of the A24 bypass in 1983. Cedar Drive and Castlewood were

completed in 1985 followed by Blakes Farm.

2 Shaw - a thicket, small wood, copse or grove; a strip of wood or under wood forming the border of a field

Foxfield Close


The new homes, mostly taken by families with children, raised the need for a new school and this

was built at Castlewood and opened in 1997.

2.4 Contemporary developments

The development of the Oakhurst Business Park at the north end of the village and the

redevelopment of the village shopping centre and creation of Lintot Square were accomplished in

2006. The development includes a health centre, café, the Lintot family pub, shops, post office,

affordable housing, car parking and Beeson House, which houses the library, youth club, council

offices and police offices.

Lintot Square is now acclaimed as providing a focus for the community that was missing before in

Southwater which in some terms is now no longer a Sussex village and largely farming community

but a small market town from which in only a few minutes’ walk one can be in the countryside from

anywhere in the parish.

It is also fitting that in September 2008 a new War Memorial was unveiled on the green to one side

of Lintot Square.


3 The Parish of Southwater

Tower Hill

Blakes Farm Area

Christ’s Hospital

Denne Park

Two Mile Ash

College Road

Holy Innocents Church

Country Park

Lintot SquareLintot Au

Lintot Square

Turners Close

Cedar Drive Area


4 Setting of Southwater Parish

Southwater lies in a shallow valley on the fell side of an escarpment falling into the Arun Valley close

to the town of Horsham. Water from the Bourne Hill and Tower Hill sandstone ridges and most of

the rest of the parish finds its way into the river Arun, with some springs on Great House lands

feeding to the river Adur.

While nowhere in Southwater is high, walks

around the footpaths and bridleways of the

parish reveal its charm, giving delightful views of

open fields, grazing livestock and the distant

South Downs which are an enjoyment to local

residents.

The highest point of the parish is in the area of

Coltstaple and Kings Farm and is around 85-90m

altitude. It then dips to where the village centre is at around 50m rising again to around 60m near

the parish church/ Bonfire Hill area.

The Tithe map of 1840 shows that, outside the built up area, the landscape is little changed and

remains open countryside with fields and paddocks broken up by ghylls, shaws and mature

hedgerows. In 2010 more of these woodland and shaws have been identified as ancient and provide

valuable habitats for wildlife.

Many of the older houses have ponds and some are home to Great Crested Newts. As this landscape

was enclosed at an early date it has evolved a network of footpaths and bridleways some dating

from the middle-ages much valued by local residents.

4.1 Southwater features

A distinctive feature of Southwater, as in

many other Low Weald parishes, is its

wooded ghylls, which have influenced

industry, settlement and communications

for centuries, and provide some of the

best wildlife diversity. Biodiversity is

featured most strongly in a patchwork of

ancient bluebell woods, joined by wooded

shaws and field boundaries, forming

wildlife corridors. Coniferous plantations

within deciduous woodland, unimproved

pastures, arable field margins and village

gardens complete the biodiversity. There are wild Service trees, Hazel and Lime coppices and recent

mixed hard and softwood re-planting of woods destroyed in the 1987 storm.


There are many notable old oaks throughout the

parish.

There is scope and a desire as evidenced in the Action

Plan3 to improve sustainable transport through more

cycle ways around the parish and with access to and

over the A24 at the Hop Oast Roundabout. In addition

control of traffic speed through the lanes and estate

roads is an issue that needs to be tackled sensitively.

Southwater is an area rich in countryside walks. The

Downs Link which crosses the parish from Christ’s

Hospital in the north, passing the Bax Castle pub and

skirting the Country Park, is one of the main areas for

riding, cycling and walking.

4.2 Southwater Country Park

The 35 hectare Country Park was created on the site of the former brickworks at Lennox Wood and

the old railway track became part of the Downs Link. These, together with Pond Farm Ghyll, the

Shaw on the remains on Reeds Lane from Easteds Farm House to the bypass, serve to bring the

countryside into the heart of the village. Despite the extensive development in the now central area

of the village, the retention of the hedgerows, ghylls and shaws have enabled Southwater to retain a

characteristic low weald wooded landscape. These features help to retain the characteristic rural

nature of the village development.

The Country Park and the Downs Link have combined to provide a variety of habitats for both flora

and fauna, some of which are listed as rare or in decline. These species include the Purple Emperor

and Brown Hairstreak butterflies and the Downey Emerald damselfly. The following birds, also in

serious decline, are to be seen in and around the village: Reed Bunting, Linnets, Bullfinches, Tree

Sparrow and Skylark. These creatures enrich the environment and are dependent on the grassland,

hedgerows and mature trees that stand within the parish boundaries.

3 Southwater Community Action Plan, May 2009


The wooded nature of the village is central to its character. The existing trees and hedgerows have,

regardless of their location, high ecological and amenity value. Trees should only be cut down if they

are diseased and have become a danger, as naturally rotting trees are valuable to wildlife. When a

tree is lost another should always replace it.

4.3 Planning classification of Built Up Areas in the parish

As set out in the adopted HDC Core Strategy of 2007, the parish contains two separate built up areas

as defined in the Local Development Framework (LDF). The village of Southwater itself is a Category

1 settlement, stretching from the Hangman’s Hill roundabout in the north to the parish boundary on

the Shipley Road in the south. The hamlet of Christ’s Hospital is a Category 2 settlement, and

includes the Bluecoat Pond development, the ‘Green’ and the housing from King Edward Road up to

the station, but excludes Christ’s Hospital School itself.


5 Countryside Setting and Leisure Areas

Southwater Parish includes many areas of natural beauty best enjoyed on foot or cycle


Complementing the country side are the specific leisure facilities in the parish – including the Play

Areas, Country Park, Leisure Centre, Village Hall and Sports Club


6 Transport and Accessibility

Southwater may be accessed by road (bus, car and taxi), bridle path (horse and cycle), footpath, the

“Downs Link” and by rail (to Christ’s Hospital Station).

Significant among transport developments in the 20th Century were the closure of Southwater

Railway Station and the opening in 1983 of the A24 bypass.

Access to the two industrial parks in the village by lorry is

unrestricted.

Limitations to accessibility are presented by steps and

slopes in certain areas and developments in the village

have improved accessibility for mobility impaired people

(MIP).

Southwater has many advantages with good access to

the motorway system giving direct road links to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Two railway

stations, Horsham and Christ's Hospital are less than five miles away.

There are currently six road routes into and out of the parish with the main route into the village of

Southwater being the Worthing Road, which prior to December 1982 was the A24. This runs north

to south through the village and is joined by Southwater Street south of the Hen and Chicken,

Church Lane immediately south of the disused railway bridge and Shipley Road at the point where

Worthing Road becomes Mill Straight.

Traffic calming measures are currently provided on various roads in the village of Southwater:

Single sided ‘right-of-way’ narrowings just south of the Hen and Chicken and near the two schools on

Worthing Road (20 mph limit)

‘Chicane’ narrowing on Blake’s Farm Road (restricting the use by buses)

‘Plateaux’ brick style junctions and crossing on Blake’s Farm Road and others

Full width relatively aggressive tarmac plateaux on Cedar Drive

Centre lane bumps on Worthing Road between Southwater Street and Blake’s Farm Road junctions.

The aggressive plateaux and single sided narrowing styles cause

congestion which detracts from the amenity and existing parish

character. They should only be considered where other styles (such as

the less congesting brick plateaux and centre lane bumps or more visual

techniques such as orange road paint) are not sufficient. For access

roads such as Cedar Drive, control bumps should limit speed to 30 mph

for comfortable passage, whereas

restrictions in residential side street

should restrict to a comfortable 20 mph where the need is proven.

For residential areas the brick built full junction plateaux should

be used in favour of simple bumps or chicanes as they accentuate

the existing open character of the parish.

Parking on the road detracts from the amenity of the area and has

been detrimental to the provision of public transport by bus in the parish.


7 Industry

A basic level of employment within the parish is essential to maintain its vitality and economic

independence from Horsham. Historically, farming has been the industry in the village and

surrounding hamlets. However, over the years the parish has been the home of timber and

Horsham stone production and more recently brick making. Today the village has two industrial

estates, one alongside the Country Park housing the IBM computer centre and a Sony DVD and Blu-

ray manufacturing facility, the other, at the north end close to the A24 where units benefit from full

B1 planning consent allowing a range of uses to include office/high tech, studio, laboratory and

research & development. Currently most are engaged in light industry and the service sectors.

In view of its close proximity to old established residential areas, the Oakhurst Business Park has

been landscaped so as to be sympathetic to its location while being attractive to modern industry.

The approach to the area retains original woodland. Extensive shrub planning and the use of Alder

trees, a species native to low land Sussex, along the roadside verges add interest and help break up

the geometric outline of the commercial buildings.

Situated in the Oakhurst Business Park, the RSPCA headquarters employs 350 people.

Christ’s Hospital School and Foundation is the largest employer in the parish with just under 500

staff, with about 150 (mostly teaching staff) living on site.


8 Signage and Street Furniture

The parish has many examples of good signage and other street furniture, shown in the examples

below. All street lighting should be in keeping with the rural nature of the area.


9 Landscape character

The following general statements characterise the landscape of the parish and set the back drop for

this design statement.

Overall this is a rural area with a growth in housing developed over more recent years in two areas: Southwater village and Christ’s Hospital. Development, large or small, needs to recognise the area’s intrinsic qualities, views of the South Downs, its rural character and moreover peoples’ stated needs

and expectations for access and enjoyment of the countryside. Many say that that is why they moved here. The young people say too that they enjoy the woods, Downs Link and Country Park4.

The landscape itself has a gently changing topography

forming low, raised areas and very shallow valleys.

Expansive views are possible. The landscape presents

these features as a harmonious whole with obvious

change where it meets built up areas. There are

localised small blocks of woodland, many of which are

recorded as Ancient Woodland5 for example Pond

Farm Ghyll, Courtlands Wood, Blunts Copse and

Sparrow Copse6.

As per the Landscape Character Assessment for Southwater7 one may describe the mostly rural terrain as:

Large modern mostly low density residential estates divided by strong woodland tree belts

Remnant historic settlement pattern with few remaining cottages on lanes

Extensive areas of informal green space

Open water and woodland of Southwater Country Park on former brickworks site

Disused railway line of Downs Link forms a distinctive linear feature through the settlement

Elsewhere in the parish one can add 8:

Gently undulating strongly wooded landscape

Many small to medium sized woodland blocks enclosing an irregular pattern of pasture fields

Small hamlets and isolated farms

Local mix of traditional building materials, brick, tile hanging and Horsham stone slabs

Visual and noise intrusion from the A24

Also

Distinctive field trees and farm ponds

Narrow lanes, sunken in places with farms and cottages dispersed along lanes.

4 Southwater Community Action Plan, May 2009

5 Land which has been continuously wooded since 1600AD and valued for its rich ecology

6 See Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside 7 HDC Landscape Character Assessment Final Report 2003, Chris Blanford Associates 8 HDC Landscape Character Assessment Final Report 2003, Chris Blanford Associates


10 Historical Building character

The Parish of Southwater is privileged to have a number of Listed historic buildings, timber-framed 13th to 16th century former open hall houses and 16th to 18th century chimney houses. Nearly all exhibit many changes over the centuries, with additional bays or wings added, some with a Georgian façade.

There is a strong historic vernacular of half timber with plaster, tile hanging and weatherboarding as shown in the examples below.


11 Key design issues and sensitivities for Southwater Parish

There are many issues and sensitivities to consider for a parish which has seen extensive

development in recent years. A lot has been learnt and there is a clear focus of what works and

what is problematic.

One can list the key issues as:

Noise intrusion from vehicular traffic.

Introduction of high fencing, elaborate gateways and other suburban features.

Loss of hedgerows and parkland features.

Maintaining biodiversity in arable fields and field edges.

Recreation pressure, and need for maintenance of the Downs Link and other rights of way.

With those issues in mind the key sensitivities in Southwater Parish are:

Potential impact of large scale development on existing village character9.

Loss of specimen trees and tree belts.

Cumulative impact of small scale change.

The effect of agricultural practices on landscape character, natural field corner ponds, and intensive arable land use.

Loss of tranquillity and the rural nature.

9 HDC Landscape Character Assessment Final Report 2003, Chris Blanford Associates


12 Key Character Guidelines

The Parish Design Statement is an advisory document, produced by the parish community, showing

how development can be carried out in harmony with the parish and its rural setting. The use of

such design statements is promoted by the Countryside Agency. Planning Guidelines for Southwater

Parish are listed below.

CG1 Ensure any appropriate small scale development responds to historic settlement pattern and reflects local designs and building materials.

CG2 Ensure medium and larger scale development layout provides traditional housing layout combined with small close styles such as Fletchers, The Fieldings or Castlewood area.

CG3 Ensure medium and larger scale development provide street scenes with attractive, open, stepped house frontages, and preserve and use pre-existing streams, hedgerows and trees as natural boundaries.

CG4 The design of vertical structures such as masts and buildings over two storeys should be appropriate to character and nature of the area.

CG5 Ensure any development is well integrated into the existing landscape pattern of small woodlands, hedgerows and shaws, and do not disconnect or isolate patches of hedgerows and woodland.

CG6 Look to conserve the rural undeveloped character, particularly in the hamlets where any large scale development is likely to damage character through loss of small scale field patterns and woodland.

CG7 Look to conserve established woodland, hedges and shaws, and the open character of the parish landscape.

CG8 Encourage native species screen planting around any visually intrusive developments.

CG9 New or revised traffic management should seek to use the design schemes preferred by the community.

CG10 Development should seek to maintain the good mix of housing stock, including affordable and social housing.


13 Design Guidelines

The design guidelines within this section are numbered for easy reference. This however does not

exclude current policy and guidelines published by Horsham District Council and West Sussex County

Council regarding development, such as Listed building consent. Further information can be found at

www.horsham.gov.uk and www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/portal/ .

This document, which will be adopted by Horsham District Council, has been subject to a public

consultation period and was formally agreed by Council Members.

13.1 Architecture

The key farmhouses and cottages aside, and some properties in Tower Hill, little of the village dates

from before Victorian times. Notable exceptions are Wheelwrights and Jasmine Cottages, the Cock

Inn, Pump Cottage and possibly the cottage called Woodman’s Hall.

Southwater has no specific architectural style but has, in general, followed the Sussex vernacular

style of the original farmhouses and cottages. These are, in the main, timber framed, tile hung or

weather boarded. Successive generations have clung to the hung tile style and to a lesser extent,

weather boarding, although this is extensively reflected in modern manner in the Lintot Square

development. There is some influence of Lutyens style at Christ’s Hospital and elsewhere.

http://www.horsham.gov.uk/

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/portal/


Roofs are generally pitched either plain, gabled or hipped of the Sussex barn style. The exceptions

to these are the flats and houses in College road where some three storey, flat roof blocks were

built. Most people appreciate the old buildings in the village but they also appreciate good modern

design with Weald House at the entrance to Southwater Park and both the Infant and Castlewood

schools highly regarded.

Not surprisingly, clay bricks and

tiles are the most common building

materials and a good number of

houses boast local Southwater

bricks and tiles. These bricks and

tiles, of course, are no longer

available and softer bricks are now

in use. Slate is rare and

manufactured tiles are the most

common. Several of the older

buildings have Horsham stone roofs

unique to the Horsham area and

today rare in the town. Fortunately

modern development has tended

to mimic the past and where

concrete or other modern composite has been used, this has been dressed to give the appearance of

the three styles previously mentioned.

The pre-1980 estates give a clear impression of open space and most houses have reasonable sized

gardens. The estates built since then have, in some areas, a much higher density. Houses have been

built right up to the edge of what would have been the walkway/pavement. This is an undesirable

feature and should be discouraged in future.

However, even here, in many places, a semi-rural

effect has been obtained by grouping together

similar houses in small closes, for example

Fletchers and Allendale and Bakers Close, shown

here.

In view of the diversity of design, the parish does

not seek to single out any specific characteristic

other than to say that the three key styles (timber

framed, weather boarded and tile hung), pitched

roofs and gardens are preferred options. Should the village be the subject of further development,

the companies involved should be encouraged to continue in the current trend of grouping in

multiple close (cul-de-sac) style, or around a central garden area. The scale of such grouping should

match adjacent existing developments.

Future Developments should seek to maintain the current good mix of housing stock.


13.2 Styles

The details of a building’s frontage can turn an ordinary house into something altogether more

pleasing. On an older building many features assist in dating it, and enable a series of additions from

different periods to blend into an attractive whole.

DG 2.1 There should be a variety of

complementary styles in each street, rather

than rows of identical houses and in this

respect the colour of materials is important

too.

There are many ways in which historical

styles may be reflected in modern form,

including variety of roofline and height.

Equally, there may occasionally be

opportunities for contemporary architecture

which succeeds in blending the old with

contemporary style without detracting from

neighbouring structures or the landscape as in Bluecoat Pond.

Barn style cladding or clapboard as an

alternative to tile hanging is not out of place

in Southwater, with old examples in Marlpost

and more modern ones at Easteds Barn

community hall, but it is more suited to rural

barns or barn conversions, which are a

valued element of many farmsteads.

DG 2.2 Developers should use architectural details such as chimney shapes and types, which

complement the whole and which sit well in the overall street scene , when imitating historical

styles.

DG 2.3 Buildings should be built, where possible, of sustainably produced local materials. Designs

should embrace new sustainable building techniques to improve economy of resources, while

respecting existing designs and styles.


13.3 Building Materials

DG 3.1 Brick should be the main building

material, complemented by a mix of tile-

hanging, timber frame and weatherboard.

DG 3.2 New or reclaimed brickwork should match existing frontages. A number of outlying cottages

and houses display an attractive chequered pattern of darker

and lighter brick, for example Fletchers Cottage, Two Mile

Ash. Perhaps the most distinctive local style is half tile hung

walls, easily achieved with modern tiling, but on older

buildings best achieved with reclaimed hand-made tiles, and

when combined with brick, or brick and timber, or lightly

coloured rendering, quintessentially of the Sussex Weald.

DG 3.3 Tiles are the most acceptable roofing material, whether traditional hand-made or modern

imitations, with the exception of existing 19th century slate roofs which should be extended in the

same material.

13.4 Building Features

DG 4.1 Rooflines should be hipped or half hipped with gables, perhaps with an outshot and a

catslide10 roof. These and chimneys are easily replicated. Dormer windows, although common, are

seldom original on older houses. They represent previous additions, and should be used sparingly.

Chimneystacks added to the variety of interesting rooflines of older houses. It seems appropriate

that developers should continue a tradition that began in the 17th century.

DG 4.2 Developers should seek to continue the Sussex tradition of

chimneystacks that include a corbelled ‘Sussex stack’.

DG 4.3 Buildings higher than two-storeys are generally

inappropriate in a village setting.

DG 4.5 Styles of windows, doors and porches should match originals where possible, and reflect that of neighbouring properties, especially in the case of semi-detached buildings.

The importance of windows and doors to the frontages of houses should not be underestimated. Fitting those of an inappropriate style may alter the character of a house in the process.

10 A roof with one side longer than the other, or continuing at the same pitch over an extension to a building


13.5 Street scene and frontages

DG 5.1 Whatever their size or setting, buildings should enhance the landscape and maintain the

building line. All our houses, whether in the more built up or rural areas of the parish, are part of

the street scene.

DG 5.2 The materials used for frontages should be sustainable and local to the area, minimising runoff, using native species planted where possible.

DG 5.3 Planted frontages and boundaries should be integral to the design of an attractive street

façade. .

DG5.4 Parking provision and traffic calming should not limit access by public transport or services.

All future development should provide safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists while ensuring that

shops and businesses have good vehicular access for both deliveries and customers

DG5.5 Road, footpath and other signage should be constructed of natural materials. Kerbing and

pavements are obvious forms of suburbanisation which should be avoided in truly rural locations.

DG 5.6 Street furniture should be kept to a minimum, and should blend in.

DG 5.7 Bus stops and shelters should be in keeping with their surrounds, unobtrusive and practical.

The design should allow for those seated in the shelter to see approaching buses through a window

if necessary.

DG 5.8 Street lighting and intrusive signage should be kept to a minimum.

DG 5.9 Traffic calming measures should be appropriate to the level of risk and nature of the road.

Aggressive speed restrictions that limit speed below 20 mph or cause stopping / congestion should

only be considered where other styles (such as the less congesting centre lane bumps or more visual

techniques such as orange road paint) are not sufficient. For access roads any control bumps should

limit speed to 30 mph for comfortable passage, whereas restrictions in residential side street may

restrict to a comfortable 20 mph where the need is proven.

DG 5.10 Development should preserve trees and other nature features adjacent to roads, and seek

to add trees to new roads and closes. Approach roads and boundaries could be maintained and

considerably improved by the addition of roadside tree planting.


13.6 Boundaries

Hedges are much more appropriately rural, though some kinds of fence and low walls are also liked,

particularly in the village areas.

Native hedging species abound in the

parish, whether in a mixed hedge, or as

the graceful line of a well-cut single

species. Hedges can give seasonal

interest and add to bird cover and are

often used for reasons of sound

insulation or privacy.

Whilst retention of ancient hedgerow trees is one of the delights of Southwater, the planting of

young trees, especially if they are natives, is also of benefit to wildlife.

DG 6.1 High hedges and fences detract from the residential street scene and should not be

encouraged. While not good for cattle, yew, in particular, provides a native evergreen hedge if

privacy is sought all year round.

DG 6.2 Use of non-native evergreens should be avoided.

Laurel (not native) is vigorous and better suited to large gardens. Of the deciduous species,

hornbeam grows well in the parish woodlands. In the 19th century it was the timber of choice for the

iron furnaces, and is an effective screen year round, whilst hawthorn is also a very effective barrier

hedge.

The traditional local village fence was a low picket fence (palisade), but for a more open feel post

and rail fences, including the traditional Sussex cleft oak rail, may be

appropriate.

DG 6.3 Panels or close boards, although acceptable for boundaries

with neighbours are not suited to a rural frontage.

If a brick wall is chosen, the low wall found in many older properties in the village is attractive. It should reflect the style of brick used in the property itself, and its neighbours. Though they can look attractive, sandstone walls are rare in the parish and so should be discouraged.

DG 6.4 The use of non-local materials such as limestone, igneous and reconstituted stone should not be encouraged.


DG 6.5 Where included, entrance gates should

match the boundary in style, height and materials.

The traditional wooden five- barred gate between

wooden gateposts is popular, functional and

attractive, whether in a double or single version.

Picket gates are an alternative especially for

pedestrian access.

DG 6.6 Sustainable drive and hard-standing construction should consider soak through rather than

runoff, particularly if the slope is to the highway. On level ground shingle is appropriately

permeable, and may even be planted up sparingly. Hard surfaces, when laid new, can be made

relatively porous, or drain to tanks for use as ‘grey water’.

The use of paving or flags, in local stone, if available, or

York stone, which is similar, is attractive. Modern brick

paving is popular but ideally should complement the

surrounding building materials. Brick paths in older

properties look attractive. Tarmac creates undesirable

rapid runoff. Another option for hard-standing is to use

plastic mesh in-filled with soil and grassed over, which, if

properly laid and maintained, will remain green and porous.

DG 6.7 Erection of communications or energy producing equipment on chimney stack, roof or

frontage should be as unobtrusive as possible.

DG 6.8 Development should respect and use natural drainage and adopt measures to maintain and

improve the flow of water in existing drainage ditches and culverts.


13.7 Open Spaces

In public open spaces good design is about creating a place that functions well, both now and in the

future11. It should also be attractive, providing an inspirational and special place for people. If not

designed well, poorly defined places will be created that may cause conflict between different

activities and users such as the needs of elderly and young people. If development creates spaces

that lack character and identity people will not want to use them. If the public cannot see in and out

of an open space people will use it less and crime and anti-social behaviour may creep in.

A public space is continuously changing; planting matures and changes over time. The way a place is

managed and maintained can have a great impact on how it looks and feels. A well-designed public

space will also need to be well-managed. This is particularly important when considering access and

how traffic and public transport may use a space.

Every public space has different uses and means different things to different people. A well-

designed public space meets the needs of all the people using it without favouring one particular

group of people. It should be flexible enough to meet different needs now and in the future.

A well-designed place has the following qualities: sustainability; character and distinctiveness;

definition and enclosure; connectivity and accessibility; inclusiveness; and biodiversity.

DG 7.1 These are the features expected when creating new public spaces in Southwater Parish. For

example, an enclosed area is likely to attract graffiti and anti-social behaviour. To discourage this it

is better that public areas are open and overlooked by windows, and attract passersby.

DG 7.2 Improvements to or creation of playing fields and recreation grounds should encourage

wildlife through additional planting and habitat improvements

DG 7.3 Large or small scale developments should seek to integrate with the landscape by

safeguarding, preserving and extending field boundaries, hedges, and adjacent woodland.

DG 7.4 Open spaces and recreational areas should provide access for the mobility impaired and wide

child buggies.

DG 7.5 Screening and bunds should be used to address noise and visual intrusion from vehicular

traffic to open spaces and housing.

DG 7.6 New developments should increase access to the countryside and community facilities via

footpaths and cycle routes.

11 CABE


14 Commercial / Agricultural Buildings

This document is aimed primarily at individual and

commercial developments, and at the alteration of

domestic and agricultural properties within the

Parish of Southwater, as Supplementary Planning

Guidance to the Planning Policy of Horsham District

Council. Its entire ethos is to ensure that

development of new properties, or any change to

existing ones, complements or enhances the look

and feel of Southwater Parish.

To the extent that they are practical or relevant, the Design Guidelines are intended to also apply to

Commercial, Agricultural and Retail developments.

Different planning policies govern Commercial / Light Industrial and Agricultural Buildings, but the

Design Statement Steering Group and the Parish Council would expect that owners of these

understand and share this underlying strategy and ethos and would add to or alter such structures in

keeping and in sympathy with their surroundings and neighbours.


15 Summary of Design Guidelines

The following points summarise the characteristic features that exist and that the parish residents

would like to see maintained and enhanced by any future development.

The major natural characteristics of the village are the hedgerows, ghylls and shaws. These are complementary to the Downs Link and the Country Park. It is therefore important that these features are protected, properly managed, and at every opportunity extended to form networks between wooded sites.

Trees should only be taken down if they are diseased and threaten to become dangerous. When removed they should be replaced. Ecological value should supersede visual amenity. Where appropriate tree protection orders should be obtained.

A diversity of architectural styles is a characteristic of the parish, with each area typical of the period in which it was developed. This should continue in the case of any future development. Extensions or individual buildings should be in accord with the style of their surroundings. Pitched roofs are the accepted standard.

A good mix of housing stock should be maintained with suitable provision of social and affordable housing.

The amount and method of parking provision should be suitable for the development proposed and should not adversely affect road safety. Maintenance and extension of footpaths and cycle paths to promote healthy and sustainable transport routes should be continued.

The industrial estates should remain for the industrial and service sectors. Any new industrial developments or extensions to the existing estates should be low rise and the example of the RSPCA building roof line not taken as setting a precedent, with the design of any new estate primarily influenced by the character of the rural village location.

16 Acknowledgements

Parish Map Courtesy Horsham District Council, OS Licence No 100018563

The following organisations and people contributed to the task of revising the Parish Design

Statement and their participation is acknowledged.

Alison Tessier

Bluecoat Pond Residents Association

Bryan Sunderland

Christ’s Hospital School and Foundation

Gill and David Morris

Helen Tallent

Horsham District Council

John Cooper

John Littleton

Linda Kindersley

Maurice Nicholls

Mike Roberts

Pat Chapman

Southwater Action Team – Management Committee

Southwater Local History Group

Southwater Parish Council

Stammerham Amenity Society

Steve Cant

Sue Howell

Susan Tindall

Terry Banton

Tony Hogarth-Smith

Vicky Lillywhite

Southwater Parish Design Statement Consultancy Statement

11th July 2010 Page 1


V 1.1 13th March 2011 (Following HDC Consultancy)

Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 29th June 2010 Maurice

Nicholls I have read both the Community Action Plan and Draft Parish Design Statement 2010. If I may say so, I thought that both documents were extremely well produced and very readable. Really my only additional comment of any note concerns Bus Shelters and I would ask that these be designed, or if appropriate, retrofitted, with a window or aperture providing visibility of oncoming buses. My local one at Southwater St Bus Stop does not provide such visibility with the result that you could be seated inside it and fail to see and stop an approaching bus. Since I am a bit on the elderly side and rather clapped-out, a bus shelter complete with seating is a real boon but if it could also have appropriate visibility it would be marvellous.

Should add comment on design of bus shelters. (Added to DG 5.7)

SWAT PDS group 01-sep-10

7th July 2010 Name withheld on request

seems to me that there is a distinct lack of modern three bedroom detached houses (with reasonable size gardens) in Southwater. I can find lots of over-priced four bed houses - too many! We have been looking to buy and four bed houses are to big for us. The Gleeson estate at CH has nice houses but a little too dense and without sufficient parking. The result is that residents park cars too close to the chicane and the bus stop on Christ Hospital Road leading to safety hazard. A more direct footpath/cycle path from CH to Hop Oast would encourage more use of the park n ride.

All comments are related to planning and not design. No action taken.


26th June 2010 Bryan Sunderland

Commented on the excessive traffic speed on Mill Straight a 40 mph zone entering the village from the south. When asked how he would prefer this to be controlled he answered rumble strips or 30mph limit. He also commented on the trucks for the Southwater Business Park that go through the village rather than when they leave turning south to exit along Mill Straight to the A24.

Neither issue is directly related to design, beyond the design of traffic controls should they be included The second issue could be addressed by communications to the Management of the sites.




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 26th June 2010 Sue Howell She does not like the design of Lintot Square with the central car

parking area; There should be more open space and it should be traffic free. (She is a dedicated cyclist). She likes Igi, the war memorial and the shops. On market timing for her better in the morning any day. The first market was better with bread, eggs and cheese.

Neither issue is directly related to design, beyond the design of street furniture should Lintot Square be changed


22nd June 2010 Ian Howard My only concern is that we should be able and keen to embrace new sustainable building techniques to improve economy of resources. However this would need to sit beside the existing with respect for each other.

Should look to emphasize this. (Added text to DG 2.3) SWAT PDS group 01-sep-10

21st

June 2010 Dr. Tony Cash Looks good but ...where did the new text on traffic calming come from and does it have any foundation in fact? Those brick humps on Blakes Farm Road are too steep and not much liked either! mainly because they don't get maintained and loose bricks damage tyres and axles (like the roundabout near Sainsbury's). Not sure we need to depict traffic calming measures.

The preferences come from the 2008 consultation where many people complained about the pinch points on the Worthing roads, and the bumps in Cedar drive (full width slightly aggressive plateaux) but few complaints about the calming on Blake’s Farm Road – i.e. implicit satisfaction with them – the brick plateaux and constrictions. Most complaints are for calming on access roads (Worthing Road) and cases where there seem to be a disproportionate slowing needed (Cedar Drive vs. none in Cripplegate Lane) Perhaps a more technical set of preferences, based on size of the bumps etc. From examples in south London, there are clearly bump designs that force < 20mph , and others that permit 30mph, particularly if there are not parked cars or oncoming traffic. Cedar drive should allow up to 30mph – as an access road with busses, but others in pure residential roads should demand 20 mph. (Section 6 extended)


22nd

June 2010 Linda Kindersley

Numerous editorial corrections and repeated information Penultimate sentence of section 13.1 meaning unclear

Changes Done – do not change the underlying meaning. (Reworded)




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 29th June 2010 Dr Tony Cash Editorial corrections

2.2 is titled 19

th Century BUT refers to 20

th Century events

Suggests breaking document into two parts – Scene and Guidelines Justification requested for opinions in the following : 13.1 “Undesirable feature” of building to edge of pavement DG 6.3 Re Sandstone wall being attractive DG 6.5 Gates to match boundary style DG 6.6 Soak through hard standing DG 6.7 Communication / Energy producing equipment to be unobtrusive DG 6.8 Use natural drainage / to existing ditches / culverts Back page photo (Some comments not readable)

Appropriate and clear changes done Changed to 19

th / 20

th, Early 20

th, Late 20

th

No Need Deemed reasonable given styles in Southwater Parish Reworded to discourage sandstone Deemed consistent and reasonable Deemed reasonable Deemed reasonable, not needing explanation Deemed reasonable, not needing explanation


6th July 2010 Ian Evans Editorial Corrections Wording for DG 7.3 is bad English

Changes Done – do not change the underlying meaning. (Reworded)




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 13th July 2010 Roy du Preez

(Bluecoat Pond Residents Association, CH)

As a Resident’s Association we have not formally discussed the contents of your document with respect to design criteria for our area. Having read through your document, from a personal point of view I agree with the contents and commend you for your conclusions. In discussions with Residents, the issues of concern are:

1) Possible degradation of our rural atmosphere by the construction of a large number of houses west of Horsham and adjacent to Southwater. These two projects would lead to congestion and great pressure on resources.

2) The parking situation at Christ’s Hospital Station is very poor. 3) Broadband speeds are appalling in our area (0.5Mbps on a good day).

I believe that all new development should mandate fibre optic installation. If Southwater could install a full fibre optic network, I believe that many industries and work-from-home residents would be attracted to the area, creating jobs and generating revenue.

4) On the subject of traffic calming, I am rather ambivalent on this. The pinch point at Christ’s Hospital has produced a number of near misses and the sleeping policemen in Salisbury Road are a menace to cars with little ground clearance.

5) Tower Hill from The Boar’s Head to Two Mile Ash really should be widened as two medium sized vehicles can barely get past each other on the first section. Numerous cars park further along the road resulting in single lane traffic. Cars approaching the parked cars often speed up to get past in the face of oncoming traffic rather than wait for the approaching traffic to pass.

6) I believe that the Christ’s Hospital area around Bluecoat Pond has a rather pleasant design style. However, the houses around King Edward Road look very tatty and the Theatre in the School is an eyesore when compared to the lovely School buildings. I cannot imagine how such an out of place architectural structure received planning permission in such a lovely setting.

7) There is a substantial amount of farmland in our area. However, much of this farmland has been denuded of hedgerows, which is a great pity in my view as they provide a venue for wild life to thrive. Landowners (especially the School) should be encouraged to replant these.

8) Also, it would be wonderful if the Warnham Reserve could be linked up with the River Arun and the field known as The Warren, north of Christ’s Hospital. This green pathway and migration route for animals and birds would greatly enhance the wildlife in our area.

1) Not a design issue 2) Not a design issue 3) Not a design issue 4) The PDS depreciates the design of the examples given,

favouring less aggressive ‘plateau’ and central bump calming. Salisbury Road is private. See DG 5.9

5) Not a design issue 6) The PDS seeks to highlight ‘good’ design and avoid

such design choices in the future. 7) This need is set out as a design guideline in CG3 and

CG5 8) Not a design issue. Most of any route is outside the

Parish




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 19th July 2010 John Cooper I have now reviewed the design statement. I haven't seen the previous

one but I find that this is quite comprehensive and understandable. I think a good job has been done on explaining the history, recent history and how that pertains to the current wishes of the Parish. I don't have any particular views on specific building designs mentions other than to say that I agree on keeping new builds in line with local characteristic. Regarding the traffic calming measures, the current situation AND the parish likes/dislikes are both in the first part and the only guideline is DG5.4 which is light on the parish wishes considering the dislikes mentioned in section 6. I would suggest expanding in the Guidelines section on preferred options in residential and commercial locations. Personally I agree with the issue of "road narrowing" style, which disrupts continuous flow and therefore causes congestion and is a hindrance to large vehicles like buses, but I am fine with full width bumps. The plateaux style is preferable from an aesthetic point but I am happy with full width bumps and cushion styles. I think all these are fine for motorists, large, small, 2 and 4 wheel base as well as pedestrians. Rumble roads undesirable as they increase in the level of noise and vibration and create difficulties for cyclists so not appropriate for residential areas. DG7.1 has a grammatical error

Agreed, DG should expand to cover desires (Added DG 5.9) Changed to “The above features are expected...”


13th

August 2010

Sheree Alway Would like to see provision made for cycling in any new development; Eg. wider paths that are dual walk/ride. My girls have been told off for riding on the pavement, but the roads aren't wide/safe enough to cycle on for youngsters. Also would like to encourage the planting of trees in hedgerows, and indeed hedgerows. There was a comment from CH that the landscape can look pretty bare in parts. Obviously you can't plant mighty oaks in small housing estates, but approach roads and boundaries could be maintained and considerably improved by the addition of a tree every 20 yards.

Can put in a comment to this effect – but suspect it is not a design issue – more planning. Covered by DG 5.4 hedgerow maintenance / replacement is mentioned throughout the document Added DG 5.10




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 10th Sept 2010 HDC

Comments on Version 1.9 of 05Sep10

Front Cover - Add ‘Supplementary Planning Document’ to the front cover

Front or Back Cover - add the HDC logo.

4.3 Planning classification of Built Up Areas in the parish – the HDC Core Strategy was adopted in 2007 not 2008.

Page 12 – ‘The aggressive plateaux and single sided narrowing styles are NOT liked by the parish and should only be considered where other styles…are not sufficient.’ Please explain why, in design terms, they are ‘not liked’. Eg: they do not accentuate the existing character of the parish.

Page 12 – ‘For residential areas the brick built full junction plateaux style is favoured over simple bumps or chicanes.’ Please add text to explain why a certain style is preferred.

7 Industry – ‘the Oakhurst Business Park has been landscaped so as to be sympathetic to its location…’ This could be expanded to explain what is meant by ‘landscaped’ to help guide future treatment of landscaping in business parks.

15 Summary of Design Guidelines, point 5, off-road parking – I note that the reference to off-street parking has been amended / removed within the main document, but it still features in the summary. As discussed, Horsham District Council uses WSCC parking standards for any new development within the District and therefore reference to parking should reflect this. If you wish to include references to parking, they could be altered to say, for example, the amount and method of parking provision should be suitable for the development proposed and should not adversely affect road safety.

Included in 1.10 Included in 1.10 Corrected in 1.10 Clarified in 1.10 Clarified in 1.10 Clarified in 1.10 Used suggested text in 1.10




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 18th February 2011 (HDC Consultancy)

HELEN TIER Planning Liaison Officer (South Downs Area) environment-agency

SECTION 13 DESIGN GUIDELINES.

13.6 Boundaries, DG6.6 We welcome the inclusion of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and water recycling. However we consider that the statement could be further strengthened to promote the use SuDS (in all its various forms) to protect ground and surface water quality, reduce flood risk and improve biodiversity. The surfacing types and drainage methods available is far broader than indicated in this section. SuDS, which include swales and ditch networks, ponds, scrapes and green roofs and walls can retain large amounts of rainfall. The following link to our website provides additional details of how drainage schemes can be incorporated into development design; these methods may also complement other aspects of the design guidance. It also includes examples of how these systems have worked elsewhere, please visit: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/36998.aspx In respect of grey water use, we endorse the efficient use of water, especially in new developments. Water is an increasingly important resource therefore every effort should be made to harvest water and contain it within the town. DG6.8 There are a number of ordinary watercourses within and around Southwater and there is an opportunity for biodiversity features to be part of the design. We recommend the opening up of culverts and improvements to watercourses to create habitat and features. 13.7 Open Spaces Green Infrastructure should be part and parcel of any design statement that informs development guidance. Green infrastructure should utilise spaces for recreation and biodiversity and enhance wildlife corridors to enable movement of species throughout the town. Opportunities should be sought to encourage access to the countryside via footpaths and cycle routes. These pathways can be buffered with trees, hedgerows and wet features such as ponds and scrapes using interpretation to engage communities with the local countryside. Future development within the town should protect and enhance existing nature conservation features such as mature trees, hedgerows and watercourses. Additional Information The south east is a water stressed area and as such we would like to see an undertaking for all new development in this area to comply with at least Code Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. In terms of water this will reduce the demands for water supply and consequently reduce the wastewater flows requiring treatment. Wide spread use of technologies that ensure efficient use of natural resources could support the environmental benefits of future proposals and help attract investment to the area. Further advice can be obtained from our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/savewater. Our „Water Demand Management‟ team can provide information and advice on any aspect of water conservation including water saving technologies.

Noted. The DG calls for soak-through solutions in general, and the supporting text is not intended as exhaustive to meet the DG. These extra detail and options remain noted here for reference. No change Covered generally in DG 6.8 Explicit guideline added as DG 7.6: “New developments should increase access to the countryside via footpaths and cycle routes.” Design requirements related to the district or region fall outside the PDS, as do regulatory Codes etc. These should be covered by HDC and WSCC Policies

SWAT Mngmnt Cmmt 08-mar-11

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/36998.aspx

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/savewater



Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 17th February 2011 (HDC Consultancy)

Jo Clarke SE Eastern Area Government Team Natural England

Natural England does not wish to comment in detail on this document. We ask the Council to refer to the following guidance document, in addition to relevant ODPM guidance:

Environmental Quality and Spatial Planning Incorporating the natural, built and historic environment and rural issues in plans and strategies, Countryside

No changes identified or issues raised.

Reference stands in this Consultancy Statement


17th February 2011 (HDC Consultancy)

Matthew Bright

Landscape Architect

Page 6 setting- not clear what is meant by fell side of a shallow valley- inappropriate term for relief in this area

Page 8 Southwater features- provision of cycle ways and access over the A24 would be more appropriate in the design guidelines

Page 12- Transport and accessibility- traffic calming guidance would be more appropriate in the design guidelines

Note: orange paint markings in the road is often not effective at traffic calming and is visually intrusive so as the authority's landscape architect I would want to discourage this.

Alternatives to speed humps could include more subtle psychological measures such as judiciously planted native species specimen trees or hedges in the road verge

I support the Key Character Guidelines and the boundary and open space guidance is fine

Page 26-Commercial/Agricultural Buildings- it is not clear from the text whether it is the intention is to provide guidance or not

Principles that the parish might like to include in the statement :

1. Provide substantial woodland and hedgerow planting to integrate any large scale developments

2. Careful use of colour to ensure visual impact in the wider landscape eg muted dark greens, browns etc

3. Minimise intrusive signage by provision of a carefully coordinated signage strategy

Usage is accurate, and in a technical, descriptive section of the document. No change

Provision of cycle ways on/over major routes is not a design consideration.

Traffic Calming is referenced in DG 5.9

Noted.

Noted. The use if „visual‟ calming is encouraged in DG5.9

No change requested

Added “To the extent that they are practical or relevant, the Design Guidelines are intended to also apply to Commercial, Agricultural and Retail developments”

1. Preservation and addition of woodland and hedgerows features in CG5, CG6 and CG8 DG 7.3 reworded too include “extending”.

2. Not clear to what the colour constraint applies

3. Minimising “intrusive signage” added to DG 5.8




Date Received Author Comment Assessment Approved 7th March 2011 Sheree Alway

(to Matthew Bright comments above)

Just a couple of comments. I ran 'Fell side' past eleven people

ranging in age from 11- 81 and it isn't just slightly obscure, it has

no place.

Also I think that the provision of cycle ways SHOULD be a design

consideration. My daughter did her cycling proficiency (or

whatever they call it these days) and I never allowed her to cycle

to school because the pavement was but 2ft wide.

See Above, no change agreed.

Added “and community facilities“ to the new DG 7.6. The actual width of footpaths is outside the scope of this document, being covered by Highways and/or District regulations or policies.


Agenda Item 6(c)

42

Report to Cabinet 24th March 2011

By the Cabinet Member for Performance & Service Delivery

INFORMATION REPORT

Not exempt

ABCD REPORT ON AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR QUARTER 3 2010/11 AND CORPORATE PLAN PRIORITIES PROGRESS

Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of;

the outcome of the review of the Corporate Plan priorities and, the quarterly review of the set of performance indicators for Quarter 3,

2010/11 by the Performance Management Working Group and, to seek comments on the particular areas identified.

Recommendations It is recommended that Members note the contents of this report and consider actions necessary to improve performance.

Reasons for Recommendations Performance Management is part of the duty of Best Value to drive up service improvement.

Background Papers Performance data for Quarter 3 2010/11, Progress on Corporate Priorities Consultation Wards affected All Contact Julie McKenzie, Performance Manager Ext. 5306

Agenda Item 6(c)

43


1. Introduction The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of the outcome of the review of the Corporate Plan priorities and the quarterly review of the set of performance indicators for Quarter 3, 2010/11 by the Performance Management Working Group on 2nd February 2011 and to seek comments on the particular areas identified.

1.1 Background/Actions taken to date

The Horsham District Council’s performance management framework includes monthly reviews of Corporate Plan Priorities identified in the Corporate Plan and the annual updates of this important document; and the monitoring of the performance indicators for 2010/11 with the focus upon key performance measures. Reviews are carried out monthly by Corporate Management Team and quarterly by the Performance Management Working Group. Matters of concern arising from the Performance Management Working Group meeting are reported to Cabinet as an appendix to this report. Performance data is circulated to Portfolio Holders on a quarterly basis following the Corporate Management Team review.

2. Monitoring of Corporate Plan Priorities

2.1 Horsham District Council’s corporate priorities are identified in the

Corporate Plan. The Corporate Plan provides the corporate vision but also needs to react to changing circumstances; annual reviews are undertaken throughout its lifetime to ensure it remains relevant to the needs of our district, and to identify opportunities that arise to deliver services to our communities. Corporate priorities are reviewed monthly by Corporate Management Team and are reported to Performance Management Working Group for review and discussion.

2.2 The Council’s current Corporate Plan will expire in March 2011. The

Leader and the Cabinet have set out their vision for the Council and the new District Plan reflects their policy objectives. Public consultation on the draft District Plan Priorities 2011 - 2015 alongside the Budget Proposals 2011/12 was undertaken in November/ December 2010. A revised District Plan Priorities 2011 – 2015 was adopted by Council on 16th February 2011.

2.2 On 2nd February 2011 Performance Management Working Group considered the Corporate Plan priorities and commented, raised concerns or requested further information on the following;

Agenda Item 6(c)

44

Delivering Quality and Leadership

DP05: Review the success of The Horsham District News….Some Members felt that the magazine should aim to be cost neutral.

2.3 Departmental feedback is detailed in Appendix A attached. 2.4 The monitoring report of Corporate Plan priorities is attached at Appendix

B. This report is updated on a monthly basis by Corporate Management Team and the attached report covers the period to the end of January 2011.

3. Local and National Performance Indicators for Q 3, 2010/11

3.1 As part of Horsham District Council’s performance management framework, key performance indicators, representative of corporate priority areas, have been identified. These include a number of local performance indicators which monitor the effects of the recession, both on residents and businesses in the District, and also on income to the Council, and a small number of National Indicators, set by Government, which we are required to provide until 31 March 2011, after which date they become a non-statutory requirement.

3.2 Quarter 3 data is reported where available. Some indicators are reported a

month in arrears and in those instances Q2 data is reported for completeness.

3.3 Performance Management Working Group highlighted the following indicators

where performance has improved.

Speed of processing new HB/CTB claims now at 15.83 days (Q2 19.2) compared to a maximum target of 18 days

Speed of processing of invoices within 10 days improved at 77.75% (Q2 72.76%)

Working days lost to sickness continues to improve at 9.01 days (Q2 9.16) from a high of 11.64 days in July 2009

3.4 Performance Management Working Group have concerns about the following

indicators: FS05: Overall position on salaries monitoring; and Housing Indicators HS03 and NI 156. A departmental response is shown in Appendix A.

3.5 On 13th October 2010 Communities and Local Government (CLG), announced the

replacement of the National Indicator set. To be replaced with a single, comprehensive list. The aim is to make the data requirements transparent, and to review and reduce it for April 2011.

3.6 For the current reporting year 2010/11 a number of indicators have been removed

with immediate effect and others are to be removed from 1st April 2011. In the interim CMT will continue to report against existing national indicators where this data is considered to be of value to Horsham District Council.

Agenda Item 6(c)

45

4. Outcome of Consultations

4.1 Corporate Management Team (CMT) have considered the update on Corporate Priorities and the Quarter 3 2010/11 Performance Indicators report.

5. Other Courses of Action Considered but Rejected

5.1 The Council needs to evidence effective monitoring of performance.

6. Staffing Consequences

6.1 There are no staffing consequences associated with this report.

7. Financial Consequences

7.1 There are no direct financial consequences as a result of this report.

Agenda Item 6(c)

46

Appendix 1


Consequences of the proposed action on:

Risks Risk Assessment attached

There are no risks attached to this report. This is a ‘for information’ report. No

Crime and Disorder Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires the Council to do all that it reasonably can to reduce crime and disorder. There are no crime and disorder implications as a result of this report. Managing performance will help identify areas where the Council can provide better crime and disorder reduction initiatives.

Equality and Diversity/ Human Rights Equalities Impact Assessment attached Not relevant

Managing performance will help identify areas where the Council can continue to improve.

Sustainability Performance against sustainability issues are reviewed regularly. There are no implications as a result of this report.

Statutory and Policy Background Statutory Background

'Best value' (Local Government Act 1999) is the statutory basis on which councils plan, review and manage their performance in order to meet the needs and expectations of their citizens who use their services. The aim is to deliver continuous improvement in all their services.

The principles involve Local accountability, breaking departmental and organisational boundaries, partnership, performance measurement and management, comparability and continuous improvement.

Relevant Government policy

Duty of Best Value. The Government’s inspection regime is currently under consideration. The single set of National Indicators (the National indicator set – NIS) was announced by CLG in October 2007, Effective from 1 April 2008, the NIS is the only set of indicators on which central government will performance manage local government. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review October 2010 the indicator set is due to be revised for April 2011 and beyond.

Relevant Council policy

Setting of Corporate Plan priorities, strategic objectives, service level indicators.

47

Feedback from the Performance Management Working Group Appendix A Corporate Plan Priorities and Quarter 3 Performance Indicator Update: On 2nd February 2011 the Performance Management Working Group reviewed the following: 2010/11 Corporate Plan Priorities Progress 2010/11 Quarter 3 Performance Indicators Monitoring Report Corporate Plan Priorities Report Performance Management Working Group considered the Corporate plan priorities and commented, raised concerns or requested further information on the following which now includes a departmental response;

Cabinet member with Responsibility: Deputy Leader: Cllr Ray Dawe DP05: Priority 5: Review the success of The Horsham District News magazine in 2009 to ensure we meet the information needs of our residents and investigate the commercialisation of the production in order to reduce costs and/or fund additional editions each year. Progress Report Feedback from PMWG Head of Service Comments

Size reduced to A5 magazine and inclusion of external adverts. Now published bi-annually.

Some Members felt that the magazine should aim to be cost neutral.

We regularly review costs and managed to save money on the distribution costs of the most recent spring edition. We will also investigate options for different ways of producing the magazine including having the magazine taken on by an independent publisher at no cost to the Council. Jill Scarfield, Head of Strategic Planning & Performance [email protected] 01403 215303

48

2010/11 Quarter 3 Performance Indicators Monitoring Report Performance Management Working Group considered the Quarter 3 Performance Indicator Monitoring Report. Performance Management Working Group would like to highlight the following indicators where performance has improved

Speed of processing new HB/CTB claims now at 15.83 days (Q2 19.2) against a maximum target of 18 days

Speed of processing of invoices within 10 days improved to 77.75% (Q2 72.76%)

Working days lost to sickness continues to improve at 9.01 days (Q2 9.16) from a high of 11.64 days in July 2009

The following PI’s where the group have concerns about performance have been highlighted, and now include a departmental response:

Cabinet member with Responsibility for Finance and Assets: Cllr Gordon Lindsay Performance Indicator

FS05: Overall position on salaries monitoring incorporating: Unplanned temporary staff costs and Unplanned overtime costs General notes Feedback from PMWG Head of Service Comments FS03 for 2010/11 Q1 £42,805 Q2 £204,356 Q3 -£3,314

Members commented that it was not clear from the workforce data provided that staffing costs were being actively managed.

The Head of Financial & Legal Services attended the meeting to explain the variances and the budget management arrangements. A revised salary budget had been approved by Council in December 2010 and revised budget monitoring procedures had been implemented. The revised budget and reduction in potential overspend explain the variance between Q2 and Q3. The indicator set is being reviewed for 2011/12. Sue McMillan, Head of Financial and Legal Services [email protected] 01403 215302

49

Cabinet member with Responsibility for Housing and Community Development: Cllr Andrew Baldwin

Performance Indicator HS03 Homelessness applications determined within 33 days NI 156 Number of households living in temporary accommodation General notes Feedback from PMWG Head of Service Comments HS03 Homelessness applications determined within 33 days Q1 2010/11 86.49% Q2 2010/11 87.81% Q3 2010/11 82.96% Q3 2009/10 98.51% NI 156 Number of households living in temporary accommodation At Q1 2010/11- 68 At Q2 2010/11 - 77 At Q3 2010/11- 74 At Q1 2009/10 – 38 At Q2 2009/10 – 37 At Q3 2009/10 - 33

Members appreciate the increasing volume of work within the department and noted the fall in the number of applications determined within 33 days and that the numbers of households in temporary accommodation remains high.

The department’s workload is being actively managed. Work to maintain families within their own homes continues and the appointment of a lettings officer in response to increasing pressures progressed.

The value of performance indicators is being reviewed and HS03 will not be measured next year.

The Council has completed the purchase of a 3 bedroom house to increase its temporary accommodation stock to 50 units. It continues to develop individual business cases for further properties and a further purchase is imminent subject to member approval. The Housing Department is currently subject to a Redesign review which will look at workload and resources. Trevor Beadle, Head of Housing and Community Development [email protected] 01403 215800

50

Appendix B: Corporate Plan Priorities Progress Report

End January 2011

Theme: Supporting a Vibrant Economy Key Priority Progress Report Portfolio

Holder Responsible Officer

Progress

Completed Priorities EP01: Priority 1: Work in partnership with other authorities in West Sussex to review the way economic development is supported across the county in order to improve local services and increase economic prosperity, taking account of the three distinct economies - coastal, rural and Gatwick Diamond. An action plan will be agreed by December 2008.

The review has been led by HDC. The report and proposals were considered and agreed by the West Sussex Chief. The shared view of the seven Chief Executives is that the proposals will strengthen the individual and collective ability of councils to support local economies. The Strategy has been agreed. Proposed priority on new District Plan 1.1 Support the Government’s new Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) policies

Cllrs Robert Nye and Roger Paterson

Tom Crowley Natalie Brahma-Pearl

EP02: Priority 2: Commission research in 2008/09 to understand the number, nature and needs of small and home-based businesses and develop initiatives that enhance the conditions for their growth.

Survey completed and initiatives established – further development of Microbiz for networking and business skills updates, Food & Drink festival to promote local businesses, Business Directory and information available on website. Support to businesses through joint work with Central Sussex College is being explored.

Cllr Roger Paterson

Natalie Brahma-Pearl Tom Leighton

EP03: Priority 3: By 2009 we will establish a baseline figure for small and home-based businesses and devise a programme of targeted support.

The research provided figures on the number of home workers and the type of business they operate and has been used to inform the work carried out under the Microbiz banner to ensure that the advice and support required by those home workers is provided.

Cllr Roger Paterson

Natalie Brahma-Pearl

EP04: Priority 4: Starting in 2008, work with major stakeholders to research, develop, consult on and implement Town and Village Centres strategies. This will produce a rolling programme to maximise economic viability and sustainability and enhance the towns' roles as hubs for services and social activity, and the success of the programme will be measured through consultation with local trader groups and commercial organisations.

Action in Rural Sussex (AIRS) was engaged to undertake work to help move this forward and the report was presented to a meeting of Parish, Neighbourhood and Community groups in July 2010. This meeting included a successful workshop session on how to strengthen community engagement. The findings fed into the new District Plan 2011-2015. Proposed priority on new District Plan 1.4 Support our Communities

Cllr Roger Paterson

Tom Crowley Jill Scarfield

EP05: Priority 5: Develop a programme in 2008-09 to deliver improvements to the large villages in the district to enhance their economic viability, starting in 2008 with the improvements to Storrington High Street and planned village centre retail

Improvements delivered in Storrington High Street and Steyning .

Proposed re-development of Henfield Post Office site

Cllr Roger Paterson

Ray Lee Chris Carey

Key to symbols

Completed In progress Not started

51

development.

being discussed with Parish and potential owners.

Support provided to Billingshurst Community Partnership Action Plan.

Work is continuing with Parish Councils and Community Partnerships to progress the new approach to Area Community Planning and the Leader, Chief Executive and Head of Strategic Planning and Performance attended meetings of HALC and Parish Clerks in January and November 2010 to promote this.

Proposed priority in new District Plan 4.1 Strengthen relationships and listen to our communities

EP06: Priority 6: Lobby widely on transport matters and work in partnership with the County Council on the Horsham Area Transport Plan in order to influence the availability and provision of local transport, and also address road safety issues within our communities.

There is continued liaison with the County Council on a number of transport matters, as well as working with transport providers including Metrobus the new provider. The HDCP Better Place to Live Goal Group working to deliver its part of the Sustainable Community Strategy is progressing the issue of Community Transport. The possibility of an over-arching organisation to support and improve community transport across the District remains and is supported by WSCC. Submitted detailed recommendations to WSCC on their draft Transport Plan. A Horsham Town Cycle Forum has been successfully formed and has made comprehensive recommendations that would make cycling safer. The new Local Bus Partnership meets with bus operators to address local operational issues. Proposed priority in new District Plan 4.4 Access to services

Cllr David Jenkins

Jill Scarfield Natalie Brahma-Pearl

EP07: Priority 7: Encourage the provision of affordable small units and move on space, using the Local Development Framework Core Strategy and the home-based business research to be undertaken in 2008 to inform initiatives. Also undertake a feasibility study into an Innovation Centre at Southwater.

Since the adoption of the Corporate Plan the economic climate has changed significantly and our plans have had to change with them. The revised work has been done in relation to supporting the local economy generally and specifically SMEs. Following assessment of potential users of the land at Oakhurst, Southwater, the current option is to develop an extension to allow an existing business to grow and develop. A final business case is now being prepared for this proposal.

To support smaller businesses the Council will consider its last plot of land at Oakhurst as a possible later phase of development in partnerships with other public and private bodies to help deliver this project. The Council is also exploring procuring small scale commercial units for rent as part of larger proposed commercial property

Cllr Roger Paterson

Chris Carey Ray Lee

52

development. Discussions have commenced with a local developer to explore the concept in more detail.

Support to businesses through joint work with Central Sussex College is being explored.

With regard to office space, there is currently c 300,000 sq ft of empty space in Horsham Town Centre. This issue will be considered as part of Stage 2 of the Employment Land Review being undertaken by G L Hearn on the Council’s behalf. This study will help formulate future plans for employment space as part of the review of the LDF Core Strategy

Strategic planning are also promoting a separate SPD in relation to vacant town centre office property.

There is good quality space available on the market but not always in smaller suites on flexible terms Proposed priority in new District Plan 1.2 Help our local businesses and increase employment

EP08: Priority 8: Encourage the establishment of more visitor bed spaces in the District in response to identified demand, and investigate the establishment of a new mid price range hotel in Horsham area by 2012.

Two applications have been agreed for new hotels in Horsham Town Centre. A 66-bed Travel lodge (old Exchange House) now open. The Council continues to offer support for the 100 bed 3 star new hotel proposal, and the hotel developer is seeking a location for the hotel

There are in the region of 124 self catering/serviced properties offering visitor accommodation in the District, of which 65 are graded i.e. nationally assessed for quality. The number of visitor beds is not held.

Cllr Roger Paterson

Ray Lee Chris Carey Tom Leighton

EP09: Priority 9: Develop public spaces to meet resident and visitor expectations, as reflected in the 2005 Town Centre Survey, starting with the East Street, Horsham, pedestrianisation scheme in 2008. The success of this initiative will be measured by user surveys to be conducted by the Council.

East Street project was officially opened on 16 October 2010. Proposed priority in new District Plan 1.3 Improve our public areas, retail environment and economic vitality

Cllr Roger Paterson

Ray Lee Tom Leighton

EP10: Priority 10: Work closely with neighbouring authorities as part of a Local Action Group to secure new “Leader” funding for the District for the period 2008-2013 and enable continued financial support to our rural economy.

Availability of Leader funding secured Cllr Roger Paterson

Ray Lee Tom Leighton

EP11: Priority 11: Work with all relevant partners to pursue visitor and business opportunities offered by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Two Horsham sites have been identified as pre-programme training venues. We will continue to work with ‘Ahead of the Game’, a county wide project on a variety of sports, arts, tourism and business initiatives. Fit2Supply Workshop - free half day workshops have been held to fully exploit opportunities with local businesses. The legacy of this is that businesses will be familiar with the public procurement process and able to

Cllr Roger Paterson


53

bid for other public contracts. Business Development is working with WSCC and Business Link to promote the event to all Horsham businesses. Proposed priority in new District Plan 1.3 Improve our public areas, retail environment and economic vitality

EP12: Priority 12: Put in place and deliver a range of measures to support local businesses during the recession.

Recession measures agreed and being implemented including being a part of the West Sussex pledge. Please refer to progress on local PIs: HDC have pledged to pay as many invoices as possible from small and medium sized businesses within 10 days. Staff in all departments have been alerted to the need to process invoices as soon as they are received to try to improve the ‘within 10 days’ figure and as a result performance has been consistently improving.

Cllr Roger Paterson


EP13: Priority 13: We will encourage and support the creation of a Horsham Town Centre Partnership which will bring together key economic stake holders. We will work with the Partnership to develop and deliver a vision and a strategy for the town centre.

‘Horsham Unlimited’, the town centre business partnership has been formed and formally launched. A workshop held in Sept 2009 has set out a strategy and action plan, which the group are now working to. Proposed priority in new District Plan 1.3 Improve our public areas, retail environment and economic vitality

Cllr Roger Paterson

Ray Lee

54

Theme: Providing Healthy, Safe and Strong Communities Key Priority Progress Report Portfolio


Progress

HP01: Priority 1: Maximise the supply of new affordable housing and housing related support, in part through generating inward investment into the District, to meet the needs of our rural and urban communities.

A village housing scheme at Amberley was handed over in May 2010. This is the first rural exception site to be developed in the District for some years, and will provide 12 homes for local people. Fifteen homes were completed in town centre locations. Six 3 bedroom family homes were built in Billingshurst to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the first to achieve such a high level in the Country. In addition, the Council itself developed 8 new flats for affordable rent in the south of the District. These were built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Although the forecast number of affordable housing units 2010-11 was 150 (based on planning consents), there has been slippage in delivery due to certain schemes taking longer to go through the planning process, and later starts on site due to uncertainty over funding, concluding legal agreements and other factors. Based on schemes actually on site, in practice, 84 units are likely to be delivered this year which exceeds the target of 80 units per annum. The balance plus new schemes will come forward in 2011/12 and beyond as the market improves.

Housing officers continue to work closely with WSCC through the Supporting People Working Group and the Supporting People Commissioning Body. Action from the Goal group identified the need to visit Parishes to raise awareness over 2 years, 2010-12.

Proposed priority in new District Plan 4.2 Provision of housing to meet local and economic need

Cllr Andrew Baldwin


HP09: Priority 9: Continue and extend the wide range of activity programmes to increase the levels of sporting activity in the district in line with Sport England targets. The current level is 24% adult participation in 30 minutes of activity at least 3 times per week and we aim to increase to 28% by 2011.

Recently released data from the fourth Sport England Active People survey (APS), which took place from October 2009 to September 2010 identified the participation rate as 24.2% which is a reduction from the previous year figure of 26.9%. However as the data is reported against the changes from the second APS (2007/08) figure of 25.4% it is reported as ‘No change’ ie: no statistically significant change. Proposed priority in new District Plan 6.1 A Healthy District

Cllr Roger Patterson


55

Completed Priority HP02: Priority 2: Improve the quality of temporary accommodation in the District in line with changing Government Standards.

Programme of work now completed and a broader range of sizes and types of flats available, including two that are wheelchair-accessible.

Cllr Andrew Baldwin

Natalie Brahma-Pearl Trevor Beadle Jill Scarfield

HP03: Priority 3: Review the effectiveness of Closed Circuit Television throughout the district and develop new practices to maximise the crime reduction potential of these monitoring systems and increase the safety of our communities, as evidenced by a reduction in recorded crime rates and in the fear of crime measured through customer surveys.

The review has effectively been completed. Changes have been made with support from the police and are developing systems/capacity within finite resources to maximise the benefit of these changes.

Cllr Andrew Baldwin

Natalie Brahma-Pearl Trevor Beadle

HP04: Priority 4: Secure external partner resources so that the Street Scene Team can be sustained beyond a three-year pilot. Investigate the potential of extending the service to create a multi-purpose, enforcement team using existing Council personnel.

The Council has secured external resources (£15k for 2011/12) and has committed to sustain the scheme beyond the 3 year pilot. However there is a loss of LAA funded support (£30k/year). The desire to create a multi-purpose, enforcement team using existing Council personnel has been progressed and a formal proposal will be presented to members. Proposed priority in new District Plan 6.2 Reduce crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour

Cllr Andrew Baldwin


HP05: Priority 5: Improve and extend access to home and health monitoring technology for the elderly, their families and other vulnerable households in the District to help them live independently in their own homes, in line with targets set out in the Housing Strategy.

The Community Link service continues to grow and at Q3 2010/11 the number of clients with monitored systems is 1733 (end 2009/10 there were 1685). Over 4000 households have benefited since the scheme was introduced. Involved in county-wide initiative to co-ordinate the scheme (WESCAP - West Sussex Community Alarm Providers).

The Community Alarm Team received £55,000 through ‘supporting people’ grant in 2010/11 to help people remain living independently in their own homes. Piloted a project for managing chronic care conditions at home via a PTG (preventative technology grant) but the plan to establish a ‘smart house’ in conjunction with NHS West Sussex at Horsham Hospital (where older patients are trained to use the new technology as part of their discharge package and thus can cope at home when finally discharged) has been deferred following a staffing restructure at Horsham Hospital. Proposed priority in new District Plan 4.4 Access to Services

Cllr Andrew Baldwin


HP06: Priority 6: With strategic partners and community input, lobby the National Health Service at every opportunity to make available wider access to high quality local health care and appropriate hospital facilities, including a new hospital in the North East of the District.

Detailed submissions covering primary and acute care have been developed and submitted. In 2008 the Council presented evidence to the Cato Review on Secondary Care outlining the Council's case for a new acute facility. The Council has been working with many partners and is a key

Cllr Robert Nye

Tom Crowley Natalie Brahma-Pearl Jill Scarfield

56

and active stakeholder in the Stakeholder Forum set up by the PCT in arguing for the new acute facility. In addition the Council has been represented through Councillor Arthur on the Health and Overview Scrutiny North East Task Force looking at the process of the review. HDC also working with WSCC, Crawley BC and Sussex healthcare to explore feasibility of a privately funded hospital in the Horsham/Crawley area which will serve needs of NHS patients. Study underway and conclusions will be available summer 2011. Proposed priority in new District Plan 6.1 A Healthy District

HP07: Priority 7: By Autumn 2008, provide a new community swimming pool and leisure complex at Billingshurst, as the final stage of the Council's Swimming Strategy, and conduct regular customer surveys to monitor activity levels and customer satisfaction with the facilities.

Billingshurst Swimming pool opened to the public 20th September 2008. Customer feedback has been generally positive and usage is in line with projections.


Natalie Brahma-Pearl Chris Carey

HP08: Priority 8: Working in partnership with Parish Councils and other organisations, deliver a range of improved play and informal recreation facilities and opportunities for children and young people by 2011, in accordance with the Council's Play Strategy and Action Plan.

3 play areas funded partly by the Big Lottery and in partnership with Parish partners have been opened within the past year in Ashington, Broadbridge Heath and Sullington, and a 4th has been refurbished at Southwater Country Park. The HDC Street Sports project has to date realised over 200 sessions and over 3000 attendances from 17 parishes. A Playbuilder funded project at Beech Road, Horsham has also been completed. These projects have all been identified in the Council's Play Strategy.



HP10: Priority 10: Increase the uptake of the Leisure Access Card Scheme, which offers leisure activities at discounted rates to low income households. Our target is a 15% increase in cards issued by 2012, i.e. to 2,100 cards per annum.

This scheme was reissued May/June 2008. A local PI: LS02 monitors uptake of the cards. For 2008/09, 1900 cards were issued in total which compares with 1757 for 2007/08. For 2009/10, 2200 cards issued.



HP11: Priority 11: Put in place and deliver a range of measures to support families during the recession.

Those provided by HDC include: Special Council Tax arrangements for those with payment difficulties; also highlighting where residents are not required to pay 100% charge, eg single householders Raising awareness on claiming Council Tax and Housing Benefits. For those on benefits help can be provided with the cost of environmental services such as cesspool emptying, bulky collections and pest control. Concessionary bus pass, for those aged 60 or over, which allows free bus travel throughout the country. Subsidised admission to leisure facilities available through the Leisure Access Card for residents who are receiving some form of other support e.g. Housing Benefit, Income Support and full time students. Homelessness/housing advice is available. Those provided by other agencies such as the Citizens

Tom Crowley Trevor Beadle Ray Lee

57

Advice Bureau, Dept for Work and Pensions, West Sussex County Council, West Sussex Credit Union include: The Winter Fuel Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credits, the Credit Union – an ethical financial vehicle that allows members to borrow money at competitive interest rates, the 3in1 card for school children aged 5 – 19 which provides cheap travel, can be used as proof of identification and gives access to a number of discount shopping opportunities. Measures are now in place so priority is considered complete – but support will continue on an ongoing basis.

58

Theme: Protecting the Environment

Key Priority Progress Report Portfolio Holder

Responsible Officer

Progress

PP01: Priority 1: Work with West Sussex County Council to develop and support a commercial recycling waste programme to reduce waste being taken to landfill.

Pilot scheme started with 51 businesses and is ongoing. Review of scheme has been very positive. Now that Acorn Plus has been completed and subject to introduction of new staffing structure in February 2011, this will be progressed with a view to reporting to Cabinet in March 2011. Proposed priority in new District Plan 5.2 minimise waste, maximise recycling.

Cllr Roger Arthur

Ray Lee Ian Jopling

PP05: Priority 5: Complete the plan for delivering sustainable new communities in West Horsham by mid-2008 and West of Crawley by mid 2009, and secure the infrastructure to support the new developments.

West Horsham – Master Plan Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) statutorily adopted 31st October 2008. Planning application granted subject to legal agreement January 2011. West of Bewbush, Crawley now called Kilnwood Vale -Joint Area Action Plan was agreed by the Inspector in April 2009. Adopted by both councils in July 2009. Planning Performance Agreement entered into by both Councils and Crest Nicholson (the prospective developer) in February 2009. Hybrid (outline and some detail) application going to committee March 2011. Proposed priority in new District Plan 4.3 Consider wider community consequences of development in the District

Cllr David Jenkins


PP06: Priority 6: Assess the implications for the District of the South East Plan and prepare appropriate proposals through the review of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy by 2010.

The South East Plan was adopted in 2009 and work commenced on the initial stages of the review of the LDF Core Strategy,in accordance with the South East Plan. The preliminary (Reg 25) consultation on the key issues for the Review took place during September / October 2009. Following the General election in May 2010, the new government announced it was revoking the S.E.Plan , a decision that has recently been overruled in the courts. Consequently, the housing numbers required by the S.E.Plan prevail. The Council meeting in December 2010 agreed the approach to delivering housing as set out in the Interim Statement in order to bring forward housing in the short term to maintain housing delivery obligations required by national policy. Community consultation began in January 2011.

Cllr David Jenkins


59

Key Priority Progress Report Portfolio


Progress

Completed Priorities PP02: Priority 2: Develop a model campaign to reduce plastic carrier bag usage within a community in the district in 2008-09, with a view to this being used by communities throughout the district.

Henfield scheme with residents, retailers and other groups within the district has been completed (3rd May 2008) to reduce dependence on single use carrier bags. An on-line guide to enable other Parishes to develop local campaigns has been produced – April 2009. Funding has been given to Steyning Chamber of Commerce to initiate the Plastic Bag Free Campaign. The HDCP Annual Conference in March 2010 had a significant part of the meeting devoted to Climate Change with a sharing of ideas and experiences. Henfield PC delivered one of the presentations about its contribution including the Bag campaign.

The Leader Ray Lee Jill Scarfield

PP03: Priority 3: Introduce new kerbside, mixed recycling household collections from 2009 to increase recycling from the current level of 38% to over 50% by 2011and reduce the amount of household waste disposed of to landfill by 13%.

Scheme fully implemented. Recycling rate now in excess of 57% (Jan 2011) with a reduction of waste to landfill in excess of 30%.

Cllr Roger Arthur

Ray Lee Ian Jopling

PP04: Priority 4: Reorganise refuse collection rounds, incorporating kerbside collection methods, to ensure greatest efficiency and lowest C02 emissions, and to prepare for extra demand from the new Local Development Framework.

All phases and rounds now redesigned as part of implementation of Acorn Plus (see PP03).

Cllr Roger Arthur

Ray Lee Ian Jopling

PP07: Priority 7: As part of our sustainable development we will undertake a review and make proposals for the needs of minority groups such as gypsies and travellers in the District.

Work has started on an overarching policy for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople which will lead to a site DPD later in 2011. HDC is working on a pilot project to improve the involvement of Gypsies and Travellers which will help with the consultation required to deliver this priority. In addition on 19th July 2010 a Gypsy Awareness seminar was held and attended by Members, Officers and Parish/Neighbourhood Councils. Proposed priority in new District Plan 4.1 Strengthening relationships and listen to our communities

Cllr Andrew Baldwin Cllr David Jenkins


PP08: Priority 8: Develop a Climate Change Strategy for the Council in 2008, with links to the Local Development Framework, which commits to meeting anticipated national carbon reduction targets in the Climate Change Bill with a timetable and action plan for the district.

Strategy agreed by Council on 22 April 2009. Strategy published June 2009 with accompanying publicity. Member briefing seminar in June included inter schools competition. The Action plan is being implemented and is reviewed regularly Proposed priority in new District Plan 5 A better environment for today and tomorrow

The Leader Ray Lee Jill Scarfield

60

PP09: Priority 9: Establish, review and update management plans which seek to balance the interests of users, wildlife and landscape for the Council's significant green spaces, including Horsham Park, Southwater Country Park, Warnham Nature Reserve, Chesworth Farm, Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods, Sandgate Park and Monkmead Woods.

Management plan for Horsham Park signed off by Cabinet; consultation has been carried out on the draft plan for Warnham Nature Reserve, though feedback has yet to be received from the Environment Agency; this is expected shortly, which will enable the plan to be finalised. A draft plan for Southwater Country Park is currently being worked on. Current plans in place for Chesworth Farm, Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods and Sandgate Park.

Cllr Roger Paterson


PP10: Priority 10: Plan and undertake a range of improvements to the Council's green spaces for the period 2008-2011 which enhance accessibility for all visitors including people with disabilities, to encourage and promote their use. Complete the Storrington Riverside Walk extension by Spring 2008 and Horsham Park Jubilee Entrance Scheme by Spring 2009. Amendment to original priority: the work on the Jubilee Entrance Scheme has been deferred until Spring 2011

Storrington Riverside Project was completed in October 2009. There will be a delay in starting the Jubilee Entrance scheme as agreement with the lessee of the Superbowl complex is required.

Cllr Roger Paterson


61

Theme: Delivering Quality and Leadership Key Priority Progress Report Portfolio


Progress

DP02: Priority 2: Identify in 2008/09 and deliver thereafter a solution for the future of the Town Hall.

The Planning Committee resolved to grant planning permission and Listed Building Consent in January 2009.The Registrar has moved from Town Hall into Park House. Solution delivered and planning permission granted and building available for lease.

Cllr Gordon Lindsay

Tom Crowley Chris Carey

Completed Priorities DP01: Priority 1: Continually seek to maximise our external funding opportunities, such as grants, in conjunction with our partners, in order to optimise the range and quality of services delivered. We will monitor and report annually the number value and range of grants obtained.

The Government has cut Revenue Support grant by 28.4% over the next two years and ceased the payment of LABGI and Planning & Housing Delivery grant. The only area that has seen an increase is on Homelessness where the grant has been increased from £53k to £106k. The scope for attracting grant support from any government department for new initiatives would appear to be significantly reduced in future. In 2010/11 £104,000 has been obtained from Area Based Grant to support Crime and Disorder Reduction, and £20,000 from Saxon Weald, to support the Community Safety Unit/Street Scene Team. £70,000 obtained from NHS West Sussex in 2009/10 to support work of the Health and Wellbeing Partnership has been rolled forward to 2010/11. To date (January 2011) £372,597 has been sought and awarded in 2010/11 to support leisure, economic development and cultural events in the District Mention of the successes has been recognised in the Councils Annual Report 2009/10, published in November 2010. Proposed priority in new District Plan 2.1 Keep Council Tax low

Cllr Roger Patterson Cllr David Jenkins

Tony Higgins Trevor Beadle

DP03: Priority 3: Develop a programme of business process reviews within the Council, to be considered annually in line with corporate priorities and performance requirements, and continue to investigate potential partnership arrangements to ensure our services are being delivered in the most efficient and effective manner.

There is a commitment to continue the Redesign review work on the remaining processes in the Council’s Development Management department which will lead to continuous improvement in processes and the quality of services delivered. The in house core team of staff are also currently working with Housing and Personnel departments on Redesign reviews.

Cllr Ray Dawe

Tony Higgins Peter Dawes

62

Redesign is a 2yr+ programme outside of current Corporate Plan life. Proposed priority in new District Plan 2.3 Redesign the way we deliver services

DP04: Priority 4: Implement the new biennial 'Place Survey' in 2008 to gain customer views on services in the area. Keep the customer complaints, compliments and comments system under review and report customer feedback to the Performance Monitoring Working Group on a quarterly basis.

Survey was completed in 2008. The results of the survey are captured in 20 Place Survey national performance indicators. Communities and Local Government (CLG) wrote to local authorities on 10 August to cancel the Place Survey. We will no longer be expected to report against the National Indicators previously measured by the Survey in 2010. Reviews and reporting of Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions are taking place quarterly.

The Leader Tom Crowley Jill Scarfield Richard Morris

DP05: Priority 5: Review the success of The Horsham District News magazine in 2009 to ensure we meet the information needs of our residents and investigate the commercialisation of the production in order to reduce costs and/or fund additional editions each year.

Size reduced to A5 magazine and inclusion of external adverts with an associated reduction in production and distribution costs. Now published bi-annually.

The Leader Tom Crowley Richard Morris

DP06: Priority 6: Introduce monthly news briefings in 2008 from the Chief Executive for Councillors to promote informed communication with parishes/wards.

Weekly Members’ bulletin launched July 2008.

The Leader Tom Crowley Richard Morris

DP07: Priority 7: Through discussion and consultation with Councillors, consider early in 2008/09 whether to undertake a Community Governance (Parish) Review, which would include the unparished area of Horsham Town.

Council decided September 10th 2008 not to pursue CGR following initial exploration and consultation.

Tom Crowley Sue McMillan

DP08: Priority 8: Between 2008-2010 implement our Organisation Development proposals to enhance staff development and performance.

New OD plan developed as part of IIP action plan following IIP reassessment July 2008. CMT development programme has recommenced and included a series of workshops during 2010 which used a blend of work based and theoretical development tools. Management Development Cohorts programme introduced and rolled out across the Council

Cllr Ray Dawe Tom Crowley Peter Dawes

DP09: Priority 9: Consult Councillors during 2008 about their training requirements, particularly for new Councillors and establish a training programme to begin in 2009.

IDeA delivered a presentation to full Council (June 2009) and the programme was accepted in principal. Cabinet/CMT workshop facilitated by IDEA organised for November 2009. Cabinet are considering the most appropriate response to their own and their group’s member development building on initial work with IDeA. The minority group have had 1-2-1s and prepared PDPs with a view to discussing future training needs. Post May 2011 elections a proposal by Local Government Improvement and Development (formerly IDeA) is being considered with a view for pdp for all members.

The Leader Tom Crowley Peter Dawes

63

DP10: Priority 10: Maintain our "Investors in People" accreditation in 2008 and 2011 to demonstrate the importance we place on best practice in effective people management and development of the Council's employees.

A Council wide review of IIP was carried out w/c 22nd March 2010. The IIP assessor concluded that HDC fully meets the IIP standard and commented that she was highly impressed with the progress made over the last two years Ongoing discussions as part of the regular Performance Management Activity keep IiP under review and progress monitored Proposed priority in new District Plan 2 Delivering excellent value and high performance

The Leader Tom Crowley Peter Dawes

DP11: Priority 11: Ensure that our spending plans and financial management respond to prevailing economic circumstances.

Council in July 2009 agreed new Medium Term Financial Strategy requiring savings of £1.8m. The 2010/11 budget approved in February 2010 incorporates these savings and anticipates a contribution to reserves of £393k in 2010/11. However further savings will be required if the Council is to balance its budget in future years as government grant is reduced. The proposed budget for 2011/12 is to be received by Council on 16th Feb 2011. A programme of Business Process Reviews is planned and further areas for expenditure reduction and income generation are being explored. Proposed priority in new District Plan 2 Delivering excellent value and high performance

The Leader Tom Crowley Tony Higgins

DP12: Priority 12: Identify and exploit opportunities to invest in property and to facilitate development where this will meet other Corporate Plan objectives and will deliver local social, environmental and economic benefits.

Future Development Programme has been established with the Member Working Group and areas have been prioritised

The Leader Ray Lee Chris Carey Jill Scarfield

DP13: Priority 13: Review Council’s accommodation needs and implement findings from 2009/10.

Review completed and staff from Park House Lodge moved into North Point. Building has been let which means the Council has both cut costs and created an income stream. There are no plans for further changes at this time.

Cllr Gordon Lindsay

Ray Lee Tom Crowley

DP14: Priority 14: Work in partnership with Horsham District Community Partnership to deliver the new Sustainable Community Strategy.

This was signed off by the Horsham District Community Partnership in July 2009, adopted by Cabinet on 15th Oct 2009 and has now been published and available on HDC Website. The HDCP Action Plan is being implemented through four Goal Groups and progress monitored through Covalent to the HDCP board.

Cllr David Jenkins

Jill Scarfield

DP15: Priority 15: Deliver improvement in the efficient, timely and accurate processing of Housing Benefits, through targets of:

i. New claims to be processed in 20 days in 2009/10 (15 days in 2010/11)

It should be noted that the number of applications submitted has increased as a result of the recession. Council Tax, Business Rates and Housing Benefits services are provided on behalf of HDC by the CenSus

Cllr Gordon Lindsay

Tony Higgins

64

ii. Change of Circumstances to be processed in 9 days iii. New claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefits and

change events to be processed 12 days in 2009/10 (10 days in 2010/11).

The Census Programme Management Board agreed revised PIs 10.12.10 i) 18 days average or less ii) 11 days average or less iii) 12 days average or less

Partnership. Overall and individual authority performance monitoring is undertaken by the CenSus Programme Management Board and the CenSus Joint Committee. The Census Programme Management Board agreed revised PIs 10.12.10 i) 18 days average or less ii) 11 days average or less iii) 12 days average or less

Agenda Item 6(d)

65

Report to Cabinet 24th March 2011

By Director of Corporate Resources

ABCD BUDGET 2010/11 - PROGRESS REPORT TO END FEBRUARY 2011 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report reviews progress on the Revenue Budget for 2010/11 to the end of February 2011. All major areas of expenditure are below the revised budget and income is meeting or exceeding budget in most areas. It is anticipated that outturn will be within the revised budget at the year end. In addition, H.M. Revenues and Customs have now settled two of the Council’s outstanding claims for VAT refunds. These extend back many years and relate to VAT paid over in past years (as long ago as 1974) for services where subsequent legal decisions have established should not have been chargeable. With interest these amount to a net £1.37m. The projections of reserves included in the February budget report assumed £1m, so the balance above this will increase the future projected level of reserves. RECOMMENDATION : The Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of this report. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION : This report is for information Background papers Consultation Wards affected Contact Sue McMillan

Ext: 5302

Agenda Item 6(d)

66

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1.1. Eleven months to end of February 2011

The original budget for 2010/11 was approved by Council at its meeting in February 2010, as set out below :-

£000

Gross expenditure 30,661 Gross income 16,763

______

Net expenditure 13,898 Contribution to reserves/collection fund 401

______ 14,299 ______

To be financed from :

Government grant 6,207 Council tax 8,092

_____ 14,299 _____

1.2. Changes to original budget

Revisions to the 2010/11 budget were approved at Council on 15th December 2010 increasing the overall budget to £15,782,000.

2.0. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE TO DATE 2.1. A comparison of income and expenditure against the budget to date is attached at Appendix A and Appendix B. 2.2. Salaries, wages and agency staff costs show a favourable variance :-

2010/11 2010/11 Variance Actual to Profiled Budget to end February to February February £ £ £ 14,912,032 15,119,305 (207,273) Details of salaries expenditure against budget are in Appendix C.

Agenda Item 6(d)

67

2.3. Training expenditure continues to run at around 50% of the profiled

budget, although costs are largely in line with last year. The current variance on the training codes if £126k. Recruitment costs are also £10k below budget.

2.4. There is a significant underspend of £390k on premises expenditure.

This variance is found mostly in the area of repairs and maintenance of properties (£254k), utilities (£50k) and rates (£49k). The largest underspend (£145k) is on planned maintenance to building fabric and services. The savings against rates are mainly due to empty properties, but the underspend on utilities reflects timing differences and is unlikely to materialise at the year end.

2.5. Although fuel costs are now £10k above the revised budget, overall

expenditure on transport is £130k below budget, including savings on operational leases and vehicle purchases.

2.6. Supplies and services expenditure is below budget by £157k. This

section of spend covers a very wide and diverse range of codes showing both favourable and unfavourable variances. Many variances are in fact timing differences or are offset by income variances. It cannot be assumed that there will be an underspend in this area by year end.

2.7. The main areas of income are shown in Appendix D. With the

exception of town centre rents, all main areas of income are ahead or close to the revised budget. The budget for car park income was revised downwards by £211k at Council in December and income is now close to this budget.

2.8. In addition HMRC have now settled two of the Council’s outstanding

claims for VAT refunds, which, with interest, amount to a net £1.37m. The projections of the level of the Council’s future reserves, reported to Council in February, assumed £1m for VAT refunds; the additional receipt above this figure will boost the Council’s reserves.

3.0. Capital Budgets

The performance of the capital programme against budget is attached as Appendix E.

4.0. Repairs and Renewals

Appendix F shows the position of the repairs and renewals fund at the close of February 2011.

Agenda Item 6(d)

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5.0. Next steps

To note the report.

6.0. Outcome of consultations

These are included in the report.

7.0. Other courses of action considered but rejected This report is provided for information 8.0. Staffing Consequences

There are no staffing consequences associated with this report.

9.0. Financial Consequences

As set out in the report.

10.0. How the proposed course of action will promote human rights

The proposals contained in this report have no effect on the promotion of human rights.

11.0. How the proposal will help to reduce crime and disorder

The proposals contained in this report have no effect on crime and disorder.

12. How the proposed will help to promote race relations The proposals contained in this report have no effect on the promotion

of race relations.

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Budget Current Horsham District Council Appendix A 2011 Period: 11 Income Analysis Adjusted Accounts Government Grants Reimbursements Interest Customer Receipts Rate Income Use of Balances Investment Total Income Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Department £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

Chief Exec

Chief Executive's Office 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Strategic Planning 0 0 -33 -72 0 0 -3 -104 0 0 0 0 0 0 -35 -176

Sub Total 0 0 -33 -72 0 0 -3 -104 0 0 0 0 0 0 -35 -176

Corporate Resources

Director, audit, committee and elections 0 -1 -5 0 0 0 -5 -2 0 0 0 0 0 0 -11 -3

Revs & Benefits -573 -617 -27 -3 0 0 -113 -207 0 0 0 0 0 0 -713 -826

Fin & Legal Services -520 -521 -41 -33 0 0 -54 -772 0 0 0 0 -323 -964 -938 -2,289

Corp Supp Services 0 0 -4 -3 0 0 -125 -131 0 0 0 0 -1,508 -1,506 -1,637 -1,640

15 March 2011 Page 1 of 3

70

Government Grants Reimbursements Interest Customer Receipts Rate Income Use of Balances Investment Total Income Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Department £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

Corp Supp Services 0 -3 -441 -869 0 0 -43 -52 0 0 0 -2 -112 -112 -597 -1,038

Sub Total -1,093 -1,141 -519 -908 0 0 -340 -1,164 0 0 0 -2 -1,943 -2,582 -3,895 -5,797

Comm Services

Director and Heads 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Arts 0 0 0 0 0 0 -943 -1,273 0 0 0 0 0 0 -943 -1,273

Housing & Com Dev -50 -45 0 0 0 0 -116 -122 0 0 0 0 -349 -462 -515 -630

Housing & Com Dev -161 -183 -308 -261 0 0 -393 -348 0 0 0 0 0 0 -862 -793

Countryside & Parks 0 -3 -68 -148 0 0 -377 -376 0 0 0 0 -104 -62 -549 -588

Economic Development 0 0 -2 -7 0 0 -40 -110 0 0 0 0 -557 -503 -598 -620

Sub Total -211 -231 -378 -416 0 0 -1,869 -2,228 0 0 0 0 -1,009 -1,027 -3,467 -3,903

Dev & Env Directors


71

Government Grants Reimbursements Interest Customer Receipts Rate Income Use of Balances Investment Total Income Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Department £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

Directors and Heads 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Building Control Dept 0 0 -235 -212 0 0 -509 -522 0 0 0 0 0 0 -744 -734

Development Department 0 0 -4 -3 0 0 -1,015 -1,107 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1,018 -1,110

Public Health and Licensing 0 0 -25 -28 0 0 -262 -288 0 0 0 0 0 0 -287 -316

Refuse cleansing and Transport -44 -40 -1,178 -1,123 0 0 -992 -954 0 0 0 0 0 0 -2,214 -2,116

Refuse cleansing and Transport 0 0 0 -7 0 0 -23 -26 0 0 0 0 0 0 -23 -33

Car Parks 0 0 -145 -134 0 0 -2,692 -2,583 -3 -3 0 0 -9 0 -2,848 -2,721

Sub Total -44 -40 -1,586 -1,507 0 0 -5,494 -5,480 -3 -3 0 0 -9 0 -7,135 -7,031

Total -1,347 -1,412 -2,516 -2,903 0 -1 -7,705 -8,976 -3 -3 0 -2 -2,960 -3,610 -14,532 -16,90 6

Housing Benefits -28,667 -31,74 0 0 0 0 -270 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -28,938 -31,742 2


72

Budget Current Horsham District Council Appendix B 2011 Period: 11

Expenditure Analysis Adjusted Accounts Employee Expenses Total Premises Transport Expenses Supplies & Services Agency/Contracted Capital Financing Income Total Expenditure Expend less Income Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Varianc e Department £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

Chief Exec

Chief Executive's Office 356 353 0 0 1 0 5 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 362 362 362 362 0

Strategic Planning 590 619 0 0 7 6 343 234 0 0 0 0 -35 -176 940 860 905 684 -221

Sub Total 946 972 0 0 7 6 348 243 0 0 0 0 -35 -176 1,302 1,222 1,266 1,046 -220

Corporate Resources

Director, audit, committee and elections 615 617 0 0 10 12 141 152 0 0 0 0 -11 -3 767 781 756 779 23

Revs & Benefits 0 7 0 0 1 6 1,444 1,451 42 14 0 0 -713 -827 1,487 1,477 774 650 -124

Fin & Legal Services 1315 1,283 3 3 31 29 1,043 998 922 922 70 83 -938 -2,289 3,384 3,319 2,446 1,029 -1,416

Corp Supp Services 2880 2,512 887 789 80 71 1,343 1,433 6 0 0 0 -2,233 -2,678 5,196 4,804 2,963 2,126 -837


73

Employee Expenses Total Premises Transport Expenses Supplies & Services Agency/Contracted Capital Financing Income Total Expenditure Expend less Income Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Varianc e Department £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Sub Total 4,811 4,419 889 791 123 118 3,970 4,035 969 936 70 83 -3,895 -5,797 10,833 10,381 6,939 4,584 -2,354

Comm Services

Director and Heads 279 278 0 0 1 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 281 283 281 283 2

Arts 474 520 228 206 5 3 643 865 0 0 0 0 -943 -1,273 1,350 1,594 407 321 -86

Housing & Com Dev 1098 1,091 131 88 44 37 810 727 52 48 0 0 -1,377 -1,422 2,134 1,991 757 569 -188

Countryside & Parks 572 544 527 447 15 10 213 214 357 337 0 0 -549 -588 1,684 1,551 1,135 963 -173

Economic Development 334 302 47 30 2 1 208 196 0 0 0 0 -598 -620 591 529 -8 -91 -83

Sub Total 2,756 2,735 933 771 66 55 1,874 2,002 409 385 0 0 -3,467 -3,903 6,039 5,948 2,572 2,045 -528

Dev & Env Directors

Directors and Heads 364 383 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 365 384 365 384 19


74

Employee Expenses Total Premises Transport Expenses Supplies & Services Agency/Contracted Capital Financing Income Total Expenditure Expend less Income Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Varianc e Department £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

Building Control Dept 574 572 3 0 41 40 69 59 0 0 0 0 -744 -734 687 671 -58 -63 -5

Development Department 1225 1,278 0 0 43 38 264 225 0 0 0 0 -1,018 -1,110 1,531 1,542 513 432 -81

Public Health and Licensing 740 741 53 39 31 22 156 137 0 0 0 0 -287 -316 980 939 692 622 -70

Refuse cleansing and Transport 3802 3,831 18 11 1,524 1,427 1,022 917 0 0 0 0 -2,237 -2,150 6,366 6,186 4,129 4,036 -92

Car Parks 488 496 645 540 3 3 249 176 0 0 0 0 -2,848 -2,721 1,385 1,214 -1,464 -1,507 -43

Sub Total 7,193 7,302 719 589 1,642 1,531 1,760 1,515 0 0 0 0 -7,135 -7,031 11,314 10,936 4,178 3,905 -273

Total 15,706 15,428 2,542 2,152 1,839 1,709 7,953 7,794 1,378 1,321 70 83 -14,53 -16,90 29,488 28,487 14,956 11,581 -3,375 2 6 %age total expenditure 98.2% 84.7% 92.9% 98.0% 95.9% 118.4% 116.3% 96.6% 77.4%

Housing Benefits 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 7 28,731 30,767 0 0 -28,93 -31,742 28,735 30,774 -202 -969 8


Appendix C

February 2011

SALARIES & WAGES MONITORING REPORT - BUDGET V. ACTUALS

CURRENTACTUALS BUDGETS VARIANCETO DATE TO DATE Over/(Underspend)

£ £ £0 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE 351,425 354,267 (2,842) -1%

4 STRATEGIC PLANNING & PERFORMANCE 617,562 588,658 28,904 5%

30 DIR CORPORATE SERVICES 689,467 687,017 2,450 0%

34 FINANCE & LEGAL SERVICES 1,034,426 1,047,114 (12,687) -1%

37 CORPORATE SUPPORT SERVICES 2,366,033 2,602,408 (236,376) -9%

50 DIR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES 278,199 278,433 (233) 0%

54 HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1,089,356 1,095,875 (6,519) -1%

57 LEISURE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1,365,936 1,378,865 (12,929) -1%

70 DIR OF DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT 381,795 363,593 18,202 5%

74 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 2,583,823 2,531,852 51,970 2%

77 OPERATIONAL SERVICES 4,154,010 4,248,094 (94,085) -2%

TOTAL TO DATE 14,912,032 15,176,177 (264,145) -2%

X REVENUES & BENEFITS 5,470 0 5,470

Effect of externally funded posts 51402Variance to date as at end of February 2011 (207,273)

NOTES :The above figures include:-

CURRENTACTUALS BUDGETS VARIANCETO DATE YTD (Underspend to date)

£ £ £

OVERTIME PAYMENTS 311,470 207,202 104,267

TEMPORARY STAFF PAYMENTS 758,707 737,836 20,871

CASUAL STAFF PAYMENTS 203,128 170,420 32,708

NON CONTRACTUAL DUTY OFFICER PAYMENTS 10974 12165 (1,191)

75

Appendix D

2010-11 2010-11 Variance 2010-11 Variance 2009-10 2009-10Gross Inc Revised Original to Revised Gross Inc

Actual to P11 Budget to P11 Budget Actual Budget Actual£ £ £ £ £ £ £

Development Control & Enforcement -885,546 -778,855 -106,691 -600,000 -285,546 -600,000 -817,669Building Control -515,614 -503,965 -11,649 -550,000 34,386 -550,000 -507,174Land Charges -187,931 -183,260 -4,671 -200,000 12,070 -200,000 -244,025Car Parks Pay & Display -2,093,805 -2,096,659 2,854 -2,436,570 342,765 ####### -2,141,641Car Parks Season Tickets -340,401 -341,190 789 -375,810 35,409 -338,310 -355,606Town Centre Rents -503,031 -556,500 53,469 -556,500 53,469 -556,500 -582,536Misc Comm & Dom Props Rents -183,227 -183,260 33 -200,000 16,773 -190,000 -198,257Interest on Investments -304,752 -290,900 -13,852 -399,000 94,248 -513,000 -560,676Trade Refuse Bins -736,575 -718,823 -17,752 -880,970 144,395 -816,430 -710,164

Total -5,750,882 -5,653,412 -97,470 -6,198,850 447,968 ####### -6,117,747

2009-10 2009-10 Variance 2009-10 VarianceGross Inc Original Original to

Actual to P11 Budget to P11 Budget Actual£ £ £ £ £

Development Control & Enforcement -767,194 -549,780 -217,414 -600,000 -167,194Building Control -464,832 -503,965 39,133 -550,000 85,168Land Charges -213,829 -183,260 -30,569 -200,000 -13,829Car Parks Pay & Display -1,968,265 -1,950,243 -18,022 -2,276,560 308,295Car Parks Season Tickets -342,247 -338,310 -3,937 -378,610 36,363Town Centre Rents -644,536 -556,500 -88,036 -556,500 -88,036Misc Comm & Dom Props Rents -175,099 -174,097 -1,002 -190,000 14,901Interest on Investments -536,138 -488,939 -47,199 -697,000 160,862Trade Refuse Bins -734,680 -814,542 79,862 -816,430 81,750

Total -5,846,819 -5,559,636 -287,183 -6,265,100 418,281

76

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2010/11 Appendix E

Capital Scheme

2010/11 Revised Budget

2010/11 Actual

@15/03/11

£ £

Community Safety

CCTV CAMERAS - TOWN 32,672 32,672

Resources

HDC DATA CENTRE - PARK NORTH 20,000 18,731

POP S106 PROJECTS 82,296 24,112

Leisure services

GRANTS FOR YOUTH PROJECT 7,600 7,600

HORSHAM PARK-IMPROVEMENT PLAN 10,620 7,620

SWIMMING POOL BILLINGSHURST 10,000 0

PAVILIONS POOL- CLADDING 115,000 106,165

VICTORY ROAD - RECREATION GROUND 564 564

BEECH ROAD PLAY AREA 965 549

PIXIES HOLLOW REC GROUND 45,800 11,525

FRENCHES WAY PLAY AREA 90,000 142

RIVERSIDE WALK 25,379 -796

PARTRIDGE GREEN 2,227 940

HILLS FARM CEMETERY 1,303 1,300

PARK ACCESS IMPROVEMENT 60,000 1,442

RECREATION GROUNDS - LIGHTING 1,588 0

HORSHAM PARK - FOOTPATH LIGHTING 5,959 5,412

NEEDLES COMMUNITY CNTR REFURB 4,124 0

NEEDLES COMMUNITY CNTR GARDEN 30,000 800

Housing services

96 ACT-DISABLED FACILITIES 625,000 467,440

ACT-HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE 60,000 38,065

ACT-RENOVATION GRANT 50,000 26,461

HSG ENABLING GRANTS 1,170,000 515,000

TEMP ACCOM - SOUTHERN 17,669 -1,000

TEMP ACCOM - NORTHERN 0 803

ST. ANDREW'S HOUSE 239,752 220,324

Strategic and community planning

TOWN&VILLG IMPRVMNTS (Newmans Grdns Carpk&Toilet,Steyning 12,596 33,643

HILLSIDE PARK, SMALL DOLE, SAFETY WORKS 55,000 3,067

Strategic projects (Community services)

BILLINGSHURST COMMUNITY BUS 2,000 1,609

BILLINGSHURST- OPEN SPACE 760 12,165

DRILL HALL - FLOOR 78,018 77,384

Environmental waste and cleaning

MIXED DRY RECYCLING - BINS 486,038 486,038

VEHICLES - SWEEPERS 80,000 80,000

VEHICLES OTHER (ACORN SCHEME) 928,086 928,086

GREEN WASTE - PODS 21,000 0

77

Property and economic development

MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK 370,205 321,583

SWAN WALK CENTRE 62,000 0

FORUM RETENTION - FLATS 6,465 6,465

FORUM CLEANING EQUIP & LANDSCAPING 0 56

NEW PARK HOUSE- SEPARATION 97 0

HOP OAST LIGHTING 4,247 0

PARK NORTH LIFTS 124,416 142,711

HOP OAST WORKSHOP 40,000 1,221

DISABLED ACCESS TO PUB. BLDGS 15,000 4,743

FLOOD ALLEVIATION-SOUTHWATER 9,195 8,695

WARNHAM MILLPOND RESERVOIR 10,000 4,491

BIN STORE PARK PLACE 16,492 17,116

STEYNING CAR PARK 812 286

Strategic projects

BILLINGSHURST VILLAGE CENTRE 4,116 4,116

HOUSE PURCHASES-TEMP ACCOM 1,000,000 248,175

STEYNING HEALTH CENTRE 81,564 81,564

PULBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE 77,056 12,492

SOUTHWATER MEDICAL CENTRE 0 -8,812

SOUTHWATER VILLAGE CENTRE 2,765 2,765

EAST STREET PEDESTRIAN AREA 250,000 209,765

Grand total 6,446,444 4,165,293

78

R & R PROGRAMME APPENDIX F

CODE DESCRIPTION

2010/11 ESTIMATED OUTTURN

2010/11 EXPENDITURE @

15-3-11£ £

CLOSED CEMETERIES-HORSHAM - Gen Repairs 611PAVILION IN THE PARK - Gen Repairs 4,931REC GROUNDS - Pitch Drainage Works 5,000STORRINGTON MILL POND - Dredging 1,642 1,642OPEN SPACES - Bridges Replacement 10,000MISC DOM PROPERTIES - Gen Repairs 10,000 6,061BLATCHFORD CLOSE - Mod / Refurb 10,000 3,937ROOKWOOD PAYP - Ancilliary Buildings Roof Repairs 10,000HORSHAM ARTS CENTRE - Internal Dec 5,080HOP OAST DEPOT - Floor Coverings 8,304MSCP PIRIES PLACE CP - Upgrade Lighting 748 748 MULTISTOREY CAR PARKS - Doors&Windows 7,719MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS - Gen Dec 10,000 7,215 MSCP RENEW GENERAL - Lighting 1,816MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS - Gen Repairs 19,714 2,041 HORSHAM TOWN CAR PARKS - Resurf/Reline 10,000 1,408 OFFICE CAR PARKS - Lighting and Security 8,276PARK HOUSE - Carpets 3,567RURAL AREA CAR PARKS - ReSurface/ReLine 10,000 5,181 SOUTHWATER COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE - Ext/In 30,000 11,303 GEN BUILDINGS - Eqmnt Crime Prevention (CCTV) 13,235 15,800 GEN BUILDINGS Mngmt Sys - Gen Repairs/Maint 18,540 3,775 BBH LEISURE CENTRE - Replace Front Doors 6,022BBH LEISURE CENTRE - Resurfacing MUCAS 15,000 2,050 MUSEUM - Repairs 15,000PARK NORTH - Ext Re-Decoration 63,130 63,103 PARK NORTH - Emergency Lighting 8,970 4,656 PARK NORTH - Overhaul Lifts 0 24 PARK NORTH - Renew Comp Suite Air Cooling 966PARK NORTH - Carpet Renewal 0 6,589 TOWN CNTR BISHOPRIC - Overhaul Sculp&AssocPlant/SHE 59,193 13,096 TOWN CENTRE - Landscaping 1,097 207 TOWN CENTRE - Repainting & Gen Repairs 10,000 10,250 B'HORSE WAY - Upgrade Elect/Mech Service 5,000BUS SHELTERS - Gen Reps / Maint 1,760FORUM FLATS - Water Supply Zoning 1,000ARTS CENTRE & PAVILIONS SET ASIDE 8,884 6,942

395,205 166,028

79

Agenda Item 8

80

HORSHAM DISTRICT COUNCIL FORWARD DECISION PLAN

MARCH 2011 - JULY 2011

The Forward Decision Plan contains details of all decisions that are planned to be taken by Cabinet Members or the Cabinet in the next four months. It is updated on a monthly basis.

SUMMARY

April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 The Leader

Corporate Communications Strategy

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Performance & Service Delivery

Telephony Upgrade and Integration

Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets

Cabinet Member for Housing & Community Development

HDC Children and Young Peoples Strategy

Cabinet Member for Local Economy & Leisure

Economic Development Priority Action Plan

Action Plan for the cultural sector’s contribution to the economy

Grounds Maintenance Contract

Cabinet Member for Operational Services

Trade Waste Recycling

Cabinet Member for Planning & the Environment

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning

Housing Strategy 2008-13

Agenda Item 8

81

DETAILS Subject For Future Decision: Economic Development Priority Action Plan To develop and adopt an Economic Development Priority Action Plan which aligns national, sub-regional, regional and local priorities for the benefit of HDC communities Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet Member for Local Economy & Leisure Timescale: April 2011 Consultation: To be advised Contact Officer: Tom Leighton; Head of Leisure & Economic Development; 01403 215260 [email protected] Subject For Future Decision: Telephony Upgrade and Integration Submission of proposals for Telephony Upgrade and Integration Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet (Report of the Cabinet Member for Performance & Service Delivery) Timescale: Cabinet on 26th May 2011 Consultation: CenSus Partners Subject For Future Decision: HDC Children and Young Peoples Strategy Overview of HDC contribution to West Sussex Children and Young Peoples Plan 2010/11, new District Council priorities for Children and Young People and proposed Action Plan for 2011/12 Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet (Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing & Community Development) Timescale: Cabinet on 26th May 2011 Consultation: CMT Contact Officer: Trevor Beadle; Head of Housing & Community Development; 01403 215209 [email protected] Subject For Future Decision: Action Plan for the cultural sector’s contribution to the economy To develop an Action Plan to further encourage and enhance the cultural sector’s contribution to the economy and visitor economy Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet (Report of the Cabinet Member for Local Economy & Leisure) Timescale: Cabinet on 26th May 2011 Consultation: To be determined Contact Officer: Tom Leighton; Head of Leisure & Economic Development; 01403 215260 [email protected]

Agenda Item 8

82

Subject For Future Decision: Housing Strategy 2008-13 Host a stakeholder event as part of the Core Strategy review consultation process and publish Annual Progress Review 2010/11 Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning Timescale: Cabinet on 26th May 2011 Consultation: CMT Contact Officer: Jill Scarfield; Head of Strategic Planning & Performance; 01403 215303 [email protected] Subject For Future Decision: Corporate Communications Strategy To develop and implement a corporate communications strategy and to agree an appropriate structure and resources Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet (Report of the Leader) Timescale: June 2011 Consultation: Cabinet/CMT Contact Officer: Tom Crowley; Chief Executive; 01403 215101 [email protected] Subject For Future Decision: Grounds Maintenance Contract To carry out an options appraisal for the Grounds Maintenance Contract Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet (Report of the Cabinet Member for Local Economy & Leisure) Timescale: Cabinet on 21st July 2011 Consultation: To be determined Contact Officer: Tom Leighton; Head of Leisure & Economic Development; 01403 215260 [email protected] Subject For Future Decision: Trade Waste Recycling Preparation of a business plan for the introduction of Trade Waste Recycling Decision to be Taken By: Cabinet (Report of the Cabinet Member for Operational Services) Timescale: Cabinet on 21st July 2011 Consultation: CMT Contact Officer: Ian Jopling; Head of Operational Services; 01403 215556 [email protected]