Cabinet
MINUTES of a meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 November 2021 at Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes
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PRESENT |
Councillor Nick Bennett (in the Chair) Councillors Bob Bowdler, Claire Dowling, Carl Maynard, Rupert Simmons and Bob Standley |
Members spoke on the items indicated
Councillor Daniel - items 5 and 6 (minutes 25 and 26)
Councillor Denis - items 5 and 6 (minutes 25 and 26)
Councillor Claire Dowling - item 6 (minute 26)
Councillor Field - item 5 (minute 25)
Councillor Fox - item 5 (minute 25)
Councillor Holt - item 6 (minute 26)
Councillor Maples - items 5, 6 and 7 (minutes 25, 26 and 27)
Councillor Redstone - item 5 (minute 25)
Councillor Stephen Shing - items 5 and 6 (minutes 25 and 26)
Councillor Shuttleworth - item 5 (minute 25)
Councillor Simmons - item 5 (minute 25)
Councillor Standley - item 5 (minute 25)
Councillor Swansborough - items 5, 6 and 7 (minutes 25, 26 and 27)
Councillor Georgia Taylor - items 5 and 7 (minutes 25 and 27)
Councillor Tutt - item 5 (minutes 25)
Councillor Ungar - items 5 and 6 (minutes 25 and 26)
Councillor Webb - item 5 (minute 25)
23. Minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2021
23.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 30 September 2021 were agreed as a correct record.
24. Apologies for absence
24.1 An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Glazier.
25. Funding proposal to support the County Council's climate emergency work
25.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.
25.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) note the planned additional spend of £812,000 in this financial year, being met through existing resources; and
2) approve the bid for further one-off investment of £3,055,000 for 2022-23 to 2023-24 to be considered for funding from the £8.855m reserve that has been established for one-off investment.
Reason
25.3 The County Council has made strong progress over a number of years in cutting its own carbon emissions and has made it clear that contributing to tackling climate change is a key priority. The proposals in the report aim to build on existing capacity and projects to assist the Council to mainstream its action on climate change. The Cabinet noted the planned spend of £812,000 in this financial year, to be met through existing resources, and agreed the bid for further one-off investment of £3,055,000 for 2022-23 to 2023-24 to be funded from the £8.855m reserve that has been established for one-off investment
26. Funding proposal for highways improvements
26.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.
26.2 It was RESOLVED to approve the proposed one-off additional investment in highways improvements as set out in paragraph 3.8 of the report.
Reason
26.3 The Cabinet agreed to utilise one-off investment to undertake some specific highway improvements as detailed in section 3 of the report. The use of the funding responds to issues raised by local Members, residents and scrutiny and supports delivery of the Council’s priorities.
27. Appointment of External Auditors
27.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.
27.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) approve that the Council opts into the national scheme for auditor appointment from April 2023; and
2) approve the continuation of Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) as the appointing persons for the Council
Reason
27.3 There are significant national challenges for the provision of external audit services. It could be argued that the PSAA has not been effective in ensuring the delivery of quality audits, through the management of contracts with the audit firms. National headlines and the Redmond Review have increased the focus on external audit. In considering, whether to opt-in to the PSAA 2023 National Scheme Prospectus is it more effective to be part of the structure (PSAA and regulators) that is working to improve the situation, or go alone and seek to procure our own external auditor, for which there is no guarantee of procuring an audit firm at an affordable price. Considering all factors, the Cabinet agreed to recommend the County Council to approve the Council opt-in to the national scheme for auditor appointment from April 2023 and approve the continuation of Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) as the appointing persons for the Council.
items to be reported to the County Council
28.1 It was agreed that item 7 be report to the County Council.
[Note: The item being reported to the County Council refers to minute number 27]