Cabinet
MINUTES of a meeting of the Cabinet held on 21 October 2025 in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes
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PRESENT |
Councillors Keith Glazier, OBE (Chair) Nick Bennett (Vice Chair), Bob Bowdler, Penny di Cara, Claire Dowling, Carl Maynard and Bob Standley |
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Members spoke on the items indicated |
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Councillor Collier |
- item 5 & 6 (minute 26 & 27) |
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Councillor Cross |
- item 6 (minute 27) |
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Councillor Denis |
- item 5 (minute 26) |
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Councillor Field Councillor Hilton Councillor Howell |
- item 6 (minute 27) - item 6 (minute 27) - item 6 (minute 27) |
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Councillor Tutt |
- item 5 (minute 26) |
22. Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2025
22.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 September 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
23. Apologies for absence
23.1 There were none.
24. Disclosures of interests
24.1 There were none.
25. Reports
25.1 Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.
26. Devolution and establishment of the Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA)
26.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.
26.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) Approve and consent to the establishment of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority;
2) Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to agree the contents of, and consent to, the making of the Sussex and Brighton Combined Authority Order 2026 establishing the Combined County Authority;
3) Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to take such action as necessary to give effect to the above resolutions and to facilitate the establishment of the MCCA; and
4) To agree in principle (in the event that Brighton and Hove City Council also agrees) to adopt an equal share of the financial liability for any MCCA overspend, subject to the conditions set out at paragraph 3.6 of the Addendum to the report; and to delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader authority to agree the terms of such an arrangement and enter into the necessary agreements; and if the terms of such an arrangement cannot be agreed that the matter be brought back to Cabinet for reconsideration.
Reasons
26.3 Devolution and the establishment of Mayoral Combined County Authority has the potential to present significant benefits to the region. The Government has confirmed that a £38m a year investment fund over 30 years (£1.14bn) to spend on agreed regional priorities. The funding will potentially boost economic growth, support jobs, and enhance local services. The Bill also devolves new transport, housing, and adult skills powers for more local decision-making.
26.4 The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, should have delegated authority to agree to the Statutory Instrument so that consent can be given in a timely manner and within the timescales set by Government. The Chief Executive should have delegated authority to take any action needed to enact the recommendations and facilitate the establishment of the MCCA.
26.5 Agreeing to align liability with voting rights is a pragmatic step that supports the establishment of the MCCA, addresses West Sussex County Council’s concerns, and promotes fair governance. East Sussex County Council’s support would be conditional on an equivalent from Brighton & Hove City Council.
27. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment of Adult Social Care
27.1 The Cabinet received a report from the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.
27.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) Note the outcome of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Assessment of Adult Social Care in East Sussex, which was published on Friday 3 October 2025 with an overall rating of ‘Good’; and
2) Agree that the CQC Reference Group, a sub-group of the People Scrutiny Committee, should monitor and review the development and implementation of departmental actions in response to the CQC report.
Reasons
27.3 East Sussex is in a good position and delivering well against the challenges and pressures faced by adult social care and our key partners, both locally and nationally.
27.4 East Sussex’s strengths and areas for development are known and documented in the Council’s Self-assessment and / or highlighted in the pre-assessment presentation to the CQC, and are largely already included within existing plans and priorities.
27.5 The People Scrutiny Committee, through its CQC Reference Group, assisted in preparation for the assurance process and are well placed to monitor the development and implementation of East Sussex’s response to the CQC report as part of the wider improvement plan.
28. To agree which items are to be reported to the County Council
28.1 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 27.]