Agenda item - Fundraising - George Street, Hove

Report of the Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance and Law (summary report attached)

36.1    The Committee considered a joint report of Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance and Law and the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing which set out the detail requested by the Committee at their meeting on 8 October 2018 regarding the options for curtailing street fundraising activity on George Street, Hove. The Committee were being asked to decide on which option for curtailing street fundraising on George Street it wished officers to pursue, if any.

36.2    It was noted that an amendment had been received from the Conservative Group (set out below), proposed by Councillor A Norman and seconded by Councillor K Norman and that this would be taken up when the report’s recommendation was considered:

            A further recommendation (2) be added:

            ”Should the negotiations with the Institute of Fundraising fail to deliver a satisfactory and sustainable solution to the issues highlighted in the report, that a new report be brought back to the Committee in January with a recommendation as to whether Clause 3.7 Option C “Seek to create a new bye law” or Option D: “Seek to make a Public Space Protection Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 will be recommended for George Street.”

36.3    Councillor Wealls was invited by the Chair, Councillor Daniel, to address the Committee and he explained that when first approached by constituents he had not been aware that this represented a problem, however, having investigated further he had become aware that it was. Councillor Moonan stated that she had initially been of the same view, Councillor Wealls and herself were councillors in the same ward and had visited George Street and had spoken to and met with proprietors of businesses there, including charity shops, some of whom considered that this had impacted on their business.

36.4    Councillors Moonan and Wealls stated that of some of these charity “Chuggers” were very persistent and those who were elderly or vulnerable found this approach intimidating and felt under pressure to make a commitment which they did not wish to do. Both were pleased at the follow up which had taken place as a result of them highlighting this problem and that a solution had been sought.

36.5    Councillors A and K Norman spoke to their amendment stating that whilst they were also pleased that a solution had been sought wanted to ensure that measures were in place should that founder.

36.6    The Head of Law, Elizabeth Culbert stated that a further report back in January might be too soon as it would not enable sufficient time for any arrangements set in place to bed in and that was accepted.

36.7    Councillor Daniel, the Chair, noted all that had been said and was greatly encouraged that this matter had been able to be addressed so quickly. Members of the Committee concurred in that view.

36.8    A vote was taken in respect of the proposed amendment and it was carried as further amended to remove reference to a further report being brought back to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee in January.

36.9    RESOLVED - (1) The Committee resolve for officers to pursue negotiations with the Institute of Fundraising with the aim of entering into a new or amended Site Management Agreement as set out in paragraphs 3.10 – 3.14 of the report; and

            (2) That should the negotiations with the Institute of Fundraising fail to deliver a satisfactory and sustainable solution to the issues highlighted in the report, that a new report be brought back to the Committee with a recommendation as to whether Clause 3.7 Option C “Seek to create a new bye law” or Option D: “Seek to make a Public Space Protection Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 will be recommended for George Street.”