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Full Council minutes

Committee minutes · Full Council · Wed 26 Nov 2025 · Hastings Borough Council

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It also approved an addition to the constitution requiring non-voting co-opted and volunteer members of committees to abide by the Code of Conduct. p13

Councillors Beaver, Horn, Sinden and Webb were appointed as substitute members of the Audit Committee. p14

Full Council also voted 16 to 3, with 7 abstentions, to congratulate the government on the Renters' Rights Act and to call on the local MP to lobby the government for an urgent review of Local Housing Allowance rates. p18p19

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  • p1346. Amendments to the Council's Constitution Councillor Hilton proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Collins. RESOLVED (unanimously): 1. That Full Council adopts the addendum to Part 5 of the Constitution (Codes and Protocols) set out in appendix 1, requiring non-voting co-opted and volunteer members on committees, sub-committees, working groups and panels to abide by the obligations in the Code of Conduct. Reasons: 1. To clarify the expected standards of conduct for non-voting co-opted and volunteer members of committees, sub-committees, working groups and panels. 2. To ensures all individuals contributing to decision-making are held to the same ethical standards. 3. To provide a clear basis for addressing any breaches of conduct.
  • p1447. Membership of Committees Councillor Barnett proposed Councillor Sinden as the Hastings Independent Group substitute member for Audit Committee. Councillor Haffenden proposed Councillor Horn as the Green Group substitute member for Audit Committee. Councillor Kay proposed Councillor Webb as the Labour Group substitute member for Audit Committee. Councillor Edwards proposed Councillor Beaver as the Conservative Group substitute member for Audit Committee. Agreed: Councillors Beaver, Horn, Sinden and Webb be appointed substitute members of the Audit Committee.
  • p1850. Motion (Rule 14) Before proceeding the Mayor confirmed that as drafted the motion doesn’t generate a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in relation to a beneficial interest in land as a tenant or landlord, as the motion is symbolic, does not call for any positive action by the Council and only expresses an opinion. However, if during live debate the motion widens and there are amendments or alterations to the motion which require positive action by the Council, councillors were advised to take a view on if they do have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest to declare in this matter. Councillors who may have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter have been granted a written dispensation under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 to participate in the item. Councillor Kean proposed a motion, as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor Kay. Councillor Haffenden proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Warne, to add the following words: Hastings Borough Council further calls on the local MP to lobby the Government to conduct an urgent review of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. While the abolition of Section 21 evictions represents a vital step forward, the Council notes that many residents in Hastings still cannot afford private rents that are set far above current LHA levels. Without a comprehensive update to LHA that reflects actual local market rents, renters remain at risk of housing insecurity despite the important protections introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act. The Council therefore urges the Government to raise LHA to a level that genuinely enables low-income households in Hastings to access and sustain accommodation in the private rented sector. The Council also requests that all Group Leaders work together to draft and co-sign a letter to the local MP and to the Government, urging that the review and uplift of Local Housing Allowance be undertaken as a matter of urgency. Councillors Kean and Kay rejected the amendment.
  • p19The Mayor opened debate on the amendment proposed by Councillor Haffenden. The amendment was agreed by 16 votes in favour, to 7 against, with 3 abstentions. The Mayor opened debate on the substantive motion as amended. RESOLVED (by 16 votes for, to 3 against, with 7 abstentions): Hastings Borough Council congratulates the Labour Government on the historic Renters’ Rights Act which has received Royal Assent meaning it is now law, securing a fairer future for 11 million private renters in England. The landmark legislation will abolish Section 21 'no fault' evictions and rebalance landlord-tenant relations across England. Tenants will also be able to challenge unfair rent increases. It will tackle discrimination head-on, banning landlords and agents from refusing tenants because they have children or receive benefits. The Renters’ Rights Act delivers on Labour’s manifesto commitment to level the playing field between landlords and tenants. Hastings Borough Council further calls on the local MP to lobby the Government to conduct an urgent review of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. While the abolition of Section 21 evictions represents a vital step forward, the Council notes that many residents in Hastings still cannot afford private rents that are set far above current LHA levels. Without a comprehensive update to LHA that reflects actual local market rents, renters remain at risk of housing insecurity despite the important protections introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act. The Council therefore urges the Government to raise LHA to a level that genuinely enables low-income households in Hastings to access and sustain accommodation in the private rented sector. The Council also requests that all Group Leaders work together to draft and co-sign a letter to the local MP and to the Government, urging that the review and uplift of Local Housing Allowance be undertaken as a matter of urgency. (The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 8.31pm)

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