Cabinet
MINUTES of a meeting of the Cabinet held at Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes on 13 November 2024.
PRESENT Councillors Keith Glazier (Chair), Nick Bennett (Vice Chair), Penny di Cara, Claire Dowling, Carl Maynard and Bob Standley
Members spoke on the items indicated:
Councillor Bennett - item 5 (minute 27)
Councillor Denis - items 5 and 6 (minutes 27 and 28)
Councillor Field - item 5 and 6 (minutes 27 and 28)
Councillor Maynard - item 7 (minute 29)
Councillor Murphy - item 6 (minute 28)
Councillor Standley - items 5 and 6 (minutes 27 and 28)
Councillor Swansborough - item 5 (minute 27)
Councillor Tutt - item 5 (minute 27)
Councillor Ungar - item 7 (minute 29)
Councillor Webb - items 5 and 6 (minutes 27 and 28)
24. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2024
24.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 26 September 2024 were agreed as a correct record.
25. Apologies for absence
25.1 An apology for absence was received for Councillor Bowdler.
26. Reports
26.1 Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.
27. Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) - update on planning for 2025/26 and beyond
27.1The Cabinet considered
a report by the Chief Executive.
27.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) note the
updated policy context as set out in paragraph 2 of the
report;
2) note the
updated Medium Term Financial Plan as set out in paragraph 3 and
appendix 1 of the report;
3) note the
reserves summary set out in paragraph 3 of the report;
4) note the
savings proposals set out in paragraph 4 and appendix 2 of the
report;
5) note the
capital programme update as set out in paragraph 5 and appendix 3
of the report;
6) note
recent lobbying activity and agree to continue pressing Government
for sustainable funding to meet the needs of the residents of East
Sussex, particularly in light of the immediate review of funding in
light of local deprivation and need; and
7) note our
ongoing commitment to work with partners to make best use of the
resources we have and to identify ways to mitigate the impact of
savings proposals wherever possible.
Reasons
27.3 The Council’s financial position continues to be highly challenging, despite indications of some additional national support. This report outlines the substantial financial gap we continue to face which means we must propose further reductions to our services and the support we provide to local people.
27.4 Much is still to be determined around specific funding allocations for the coming year, and the funding outlook for 2026/27 onwards, the impact of new and ongoing national reforms, and the medium to longer term impact of the increases in demand and cost our services continue to experience.
27.5 Work will continue into the winter to
understand the detailed funding picture as it emerges, the
implications of national policy developments, and to refine our
understanding of the county’s needs. This analysis will feed
into our ongoing business and financial planning, ahead of final
proposals for the 2025/26 budget and Council Plan being brought to
Cabinet in January for consideration, and Council in February for
decision.
27.6 We will also progress the savings
proposals set out to Cabinet through our consultation, governance
and decision making processes, to ensure that Members have the
information necessary to take budget decisions in the new
year.
27.7 Members will continue to be involved in developing plans through Cabinet, County Council, Scrutiny Committees, and specific engagement sessions throughout the 2024/25 RPPR process.
28. HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) inspection of Youth Justice Service delivered in East Sussex
28.1 The Cabinet
considered a report by the Director of Children’s
Services.
28.2 It was RESOLVED
to:
1) Welcome the
findings of the inspection of the work of youth justice services in
East Sussex published on 17 September 2024 as attached at appendix
1 of the report; and
2) Note the action
plan at appendix 2 of the report which has been developed to
address the areas for improvement.
Reasons
28.3 East Sussex has maintained a focus on the key priority outcome of keeping vulnerable people safe. As set out in the report ‘the YJS [Youth Justice Service] partnership can rightly be satisfied with many aspects of its work and celebrate the effective way that is carries this out.’ We will work with the partnership to address the recommendations and deliver the best outcomes for the children and young people.
29. Scrutiny Review of Healthy Ageing
29.1 The Cabinet
considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive and a report by
the Director of Adult Social Care and Health with observations on
the Scrutiny Committee’s report.
29.2 It was RESOLVED
to:
1) Note and welcome the report of the People
Scrutiny Committee; and
2) Recommend to the County Council
to welcome the report and agree the response of the Director of
Adult Social Care and Health to the recommendations and their
implementation as set out in the action plan attached as appendix 1
to the report.
Reasons
29.3 The Scrutiny Review
has highlighted a range of recommendations, many of which recognise
the work already underway and the need to continue to build on
that.
29.4 The recommendations
support the good partnership work already underway, and the
learning from this Review will help enhance some of this work. For
example, in continuing to strengthen our place based physical
activity partnerships and opportunities to support adults to be
active into older age and working with Active Sussex to embed
physical activity across ASCH pathways.
29.5 The Review Board
recommendations acknowledge the key role of the Council as an
anchor institution to lead by example and adopt and utilise age
friendly approaches in our core work. It also recognises the role
of Public Health in working with others across the Council to
influence good practice on using age friendly language, images and
approaches to supporting staff as they age, so that all council
employees can continue to thrive at work as they age.
29.6 All of these recommendations are considered realistic and achievable and reflective of the direction of travel for the council.
30. To agree which items are to be reported to the County Council
30.1 It was agreed that item 7 should be reported to the County Council.
[Note: the item being reported to the County Council refers to minute number 29]