Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
DECISIONS made by the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change, Councillor Nick Bennett, on 2 March 2026 at Remote Meeting via Microsoft Teams
Councillor Denis spoke on item 4 (see minute 53)
49. Decisions made by the Lead Cabinet Member on 22 January 2026
49.1 The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2026.
50. Disclosure of Interests
50.1 There were none.
51. Urgent items
51.1 There were none.
52. Reports
52.1 Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.
53. Award of the School Meals Catering contract for Primary, Special Educational Needs and Disability, Secondary Schools and Academies
53.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.
DECISIONS
53.2 The Lead Member RESOLVED to:
1) Note the work undertaken regarding the future provision of school meals in East Sussex as set out in the report; and
2) Approve that the contract is awarded to the highest scoring bidder as set out at paragraph 2.6 of the supporting exempt report later in the agenda.
REASON
53.3 There is a consistent requirement for the school meals contract to deliver a high-quality bespoke menu, whilst continuing to provide schools and academies with value for money and a high level of service delivery and support. This standard is met by the highest scoring bidder. In the awarding of contract to the highest scoring provider, the Lead Member noted that a full competitive procurement exercise was undertaken and bids were scored against the evaluation criteria.
54. Playing field adjacent to the Tilling Green Community Centre - Decision regarding disposal of the freehold interest
54.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.
DECISIONS
54.2 The Lead Member RESOLVED to:
1) Review written offers submitted following the marketing of the ‘Playing field adjacent to Tilling Green Community Centre’ (‘the Site’) as set out in Appendix 1 to the exempt report; and
2) Note the change in external operating context and consequentially agree to retain the asset for alternative future use.
REASON
54.3 Whilst disposal of the site would represent a capital receipt to the Council, the potential future opportunities now available for the site are considered to be a preferable route to pursue.
55. Exclusion of the Public and Press
55.1 It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press from the meeting for the remaining agenda items on the grounds that if the public and press were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as specified in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
56. Award of the School Meals Catering contract for Primary, Special Educational Needs and Disability, Secondary Schools and Academies - Exempt information
56.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided exempt information in support of an earlier item on the agenda.
DECISION
56.2 The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.
REASON
56.3 The report contained exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.
57. Playing field adjacent to the Tilling Green Community Centre - Decision regarding disposal of the freehold interest - Exempt Information
57.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided exempt information in support of an earlier item on the agenda.
DECISION
57.2 The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.
REASON
57.3 The report contained exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.