REX’S NOTES JANUARY 2025 Local Council Updates
Councillor Rex Whittaker brings us up-to-date with local government news in and around the town and district …
December and January are historically the busiest months for Local Authorities.
BUDGETS
As we’re three quarters through the current civic year, there is a long process of hard financial planning to track the success of the current year budget versus actual position , and crucially to set a new budget for the year starting 1 April 2025.
The position this year has been ‘cranked up’ considerably by the arrival of the new Labour Government in early July. Not only did the employers’ National Insurance (NI) contribution for all employees increase by 1.2% as a result of the autumn Budget , but the new National Planning Policy Framework was issued for immediate revision and use on 16 December, and the much hyped Devolution White Paper was issued in the same week.
The NI Employers contribution is a direct addition to all local authority budgets and was not expected when initial budgets were prepared in September. Given that most councils have large staff teams this poses a significant challenge.
PLANNING
The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been in consultation over the summer, so this was expected. Nevertheless the final version issued includes very strong language and instructions to require all planning authority councils to fast track their strategic plan-making process. It strengthens the golden thread of the NPPF which is to positively consider all planning applications with a ‘ presumption in favour of sustainable development ‘.
Whilst Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) are up to date with their strategic plan making , the effect of this new document is to remove the safety net of their existing 4-year housing land supply, and give them a new target of a 5 year rolling land supply requirement.
Our surrounding District Councils such as Tandridge, Horsham, Wealden, Lewes and Sevenoaks are in a far weaker position than MSDC , so face the distinct threat of more unplanned housing developments being approved in the next two years or so.
DEVOLUTION
The Devolution White Paper is the most radical shake-up/reorganisation of Local Authorities for over 50 years. This especially will affect most Southern Counties in England. Proposals have been issued for a fast track three month consultation period.
Very simply , the Government plan is to change from a current ‘ Three Tier ‘ system of councils (County/District/Parish ) to two tiers (County Unitary/Parish ). This effectively means the legal abolition of District and Borough Councils by 2027. Elected Mayors are planned for the enlarged Unitary regions by 2028.
In our immediate situation then this will involve the phasing out of MSDC, Horsham DC, Crawley BC, Tandridge DC and Wealden DC by 2027.
Their respective services deliveries (planning, council tax, local authority housing, car parking,
road sweeping and bin collection etc) will be redistributed to the larger Unitary Authority or to parish/town councils.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
The next round of MSDC community grant applications (max £ 5,000) are invited from community groups that have qualifying criteria such as to enhance resident wellbeing and conform to United Nations Sustainability goals. The application deadline is fast approaching (20 January). Full details on Midsussex.gov.uk
NEW CENTRE FOR OUTDOOR SPORT
Works are now advanced for the completion of the new Centre for Outdoor Sport in Burgess Hill (close to Triangle Leisure Centre). This is a multi-sport, 9-hectare site with an investment value of £9 million and should be open by May this year. This has been solely funded from housing developer contributions via the Section 106 legal process.
MOUNT NODDY PARK
A complete refurbishment of the East Grinstead’s Mount Noddy park and sports facilities
has been agreed – with works starting in Spring for Summer completion. Funding again has been via Section 106 housing contributions.
Rex Whittaker
13 January 2025