Agenda item - Public Involvement

25.1 To consider the following items raised by members of the public: (a) Petitions: To receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or to the meeting itself; (b) Written Questions: To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 10am on the 4^th November 2025; (c) Deputations: To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 10am on the 29^th October 2025.

25.1 A deputation was presented by Clare Hayes concerning Rottingdean Library. The chair gave the following response: Thank you, Clare, for coming to this evening’s meeting and for presenting your deputation to the committee. This is clearly an important issue for you and other Rottingdean residents. Members of the committee will take on board your views as we discuss this issue during today’s meeting. We also have the cabinet member and senior officers responsible for libraries with us who will have heard what you have said. As is set out in the report, no decision on this matter has been made and the proceedings today will feed into the decision-making process ahead of the cabinet meeting in December.

RESOLVED:

People Overview & Scrutiny Committee note the deputation concerning Rottingdean Library.

25.2 Alicia Buckingham presented a deputation concerning Westdene Library. The Chair gave the following response: Thank you, Alicia, for taking the time to bring this deputation on the potential closure of Westdene Library to us today. As mentioned previously no decision has been made regarding the proposals that have gone out for consultation. The decision will be made at December’s cabinet meeting on the 11th of December. Today’s committee provides the opportunity for members to make comments which will be considered during that decision making process, and we will be considering the points you have raised during the discussion.

RESOLVED

People Overview & Scrutiny Committee note the deputation concerning Westdene Library.

25.3 A deputation concerning Westdene Library was presented by David Powell. The Chair gave the following response: Thank you, David, for presenting your deputation to the committee. Your thoughts have been heard by committee members and our cabinet member responsible for libraries and so will be taken into consideration both this evening as we question Cllr Robins and going forward as cabinet colleagues deliberate ahead of making their final decision at cabinet on the 11th of December.

RESOLVED

People Overview & Scrutiny Committee note the petition concerning Westdene Library.