Cabinet
MINUTES of a meeting of the Cabinet held at Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes on 4 March 2025.
PRESENT Councillors Keith Glazier (Chair), Nick Bennett (Vice Chair), Bob Bowdler, Penny di Cara, Claire Dowling, Carl Maynard and Bob Standley
Members spoke on the items indicated:
Councillor Adeniji - item 6 (minute 70)
Councillor Bennett - item 5 (minute 69)
Councillor Holt - item 6 (minute 70)
Councillor Lambert - item 6 (minute 70)
Councillor Maples - item 7 (minute 71)
Councillor Stephen Shing - item 6 (minute 70)
Councillor Swansborough - item 5 (minute 69)
Councillor Tutt - item 5 (minute 69)
Councillor Wright - item 7 (minute 71)
66. Minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2025
66.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 February 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
67. Disclosures of interests
67.1 Councillor Glazier declared a personal interest in item 7 as the chair of Transport for the South East. He did not consider this to be prejudicial.
68. Reports
68.1 Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.
69. Council Monitoring: Quarter 3
69.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.
69.2 It was RESOLVED to note the latest monitoring position for the Council.
Reason
69.3 The report sets out the Council’s position and year-end projections for the Council Plan targets, Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, and Savings Plan, together with Risks at the end of December 2024.
70. Exceat Bridge replacement options
70.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport together with a verbal update from the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport who recommended that Cabinet defer the decision regarding Exceat Bridge so that new potential opportunities can be explored.
70.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) Defer consideration of this item in light of the developments; and
2) Ask officers to look into the issues and potential solution that has been raised and bring a report back to Cabinet.
Reason
70.3 Since the publication of the report, one of the principal bus operators in East Sussex has indicated that Exceat Bridge is a higher priority for them than some of the proposals within the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). It is therefore possible to explore the opportunity to use some BSIP funding for the original Exceat Bridge replacement scheme, subject to further discussions and agreement from the Department for Transport.
71. Transport for the South East's (TfSE) - Transport Strategy Refresh 2025
71.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.
71.2 It was RESOLVED to approve the County Council’s draft response on Transport for the South East’s formal consultation on their draft Transport Strategy 2025 as summarised in paragraphs 2.9 to 2.13 of the report and outlined in more detail at Appendix 3 of the report.
Reason
71.3 The delivery of the Transport for the South East’s refreshed transport strategy provides an opportunity to support and grow the economy, boost connectivity and speed up journeys whilst improving access to opportunities for all and protecting and enhancing our region’s unique environment. As it is finalised, it will also need to be cognisant of the fast-moving picture arising from the devolution and local government reorganisation proposals for East Sussex, the proposed combined Mayoral Authority for Sussex as well as other parts of its geography.
71.4 Transport for the South East has set out their overall approach to achieving their vision in their draft Transport Strategy which is out for consultation. Overall, the County Council is supportive of Transport for the South East’s draft revised strategy. The Transport Strategy if adopted by Transport for the South East and its constituent authorities, will support the delivery of the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 2024 – 2050 and have a significant benefit on people living and working across the County.
72. To agree which items are to be reported to the County Council
72.1 It was agreed that item 5 should be reported to the County Council.
[Note: The items being reported to the County Council refer to minute number 69]