EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN
The Leader of the County Council is required to publish a forward plan setting out matters which the Leader believes will be the subject of a key decision by the Cabinet, individual Cabinet member or officer in the period covered by the Plan (the subsequent four months). The Council’s Constitution states that a key decision is one that involves
(a) expenditure which is, or the making of savings which are, significant having regard to the expenditure of the County Council’s budget, namely above £500,000 per annum; or
(b) is significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more electoral divisions.
As a matter of good practice, the Council's Forward Plan includes other items in addition to key decisions that are to be considered by the Cabinet/individual members. This additional information is provided to inform local residents of all matters to be considered, with the exception of issues which are dealt with under the urgency provisions. Only key decisions to be taken by officers are included.
For each decision included on the Plan the following information is provided:
- the name of the individual or body that is to make the decision and the date of the meeting or relevant time period for an officer decision
- the title of the report and decision to be considered
- groups that will be consulted prior to the decision being taken
- a list of documents that will be considered when making the decision
- the name and telephone number of the contact officer for each item.
The Plan is updated and published every month on the Council’s website two weeks before the start of the period to be covered.
Meetings of the Cabinet/individual members are open to the public (with the exception of discussion regarding reports which contain exempt/confidential information). Copies of agenda and reports for meetings are available on the website in advance of meetings. Key decisions taken by officers will not be taken at a meeting – documents listed can be made available on request to the contact officer, with the exception of those which contain exempt/confidential information.
For further details on the time of meetings and general information about the Plan please contact Stuart McKeown at County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE, or telephone 01273 481583 or send an e-mail to stuart.mckeown@eastsussex.gov.uk. For further detailed information regarding specific issues to be considered by the Cabinet, individual Member or officer please contact the named contact officer for the item concerned.
EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE
For copies of reports or other documents please contact the officer listed on the Plan or phone 01273 335274.
FORWARD PLAN – EXECUTIVE DECISIONS (including Key Decisions) –1 March 2025 TO 30 June 2025
Additional notices in relation to Key Decisions and/or private decisions are available on the Council’s website.
Cabinet membership:
Councillor Keith Glazier - Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
Councillor Nick Bennett – Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
Councillor Penny di Cara – Lead Member for Economy
Councillor Claire Dowling – Lead Member for Transport and Environment
Councillor Carl Maynard – Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
Councillor Bob Bowdler – Lead Member for Children and Families
Councillor Bob Standley – Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
|
Date for Decision |
Decision Taker |
Decision/Key Issue |
Decision to be taken wholly or partly in private (P) or Key Decision (KD) |
Consultation
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List of Documents to be submitted to decision maker |
Contact Officer |
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4 Mar 2025 |
Cabinet
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Transport for the South East (TfSE) - Draft Transport Strategy 2025 - 2050 - refresh To advise members of the key content of the draft consultation – TFSE Transport Strategy 2025 – 2050 and the ESCC draft response to the consultation.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Lisa Simmonds 03456 080190
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4 Mar 2025 |
Cabinet
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Exceat Bridge Replacement Project To provide an update on final options for the Exceat Bridge Replacement Project and agree next steps.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Karl Taylor 01273 482207
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4 Mar 2025 |
Cabinet
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Council Monitoring: Quarter 3 To consider the Council Monitoring report for the third quarter of the financial year 2024/25 as part of the Council's Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) budget monitoring process.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Victoria Beard 07894 708914
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11 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Response to Government invitation for proposals for a single tier of local government in East Sussex Local authorities in East Sussex have been invited to submit a proposal for a single tier of local government across East Sussex. As part of this, the Government has requested an interim plan setting out progress on developing the proposal needs to be submitted on or before the 21 March 2025. The Leader is asked to note the plan and to seek the views of Full Council ahead of consideration by the Cabinet.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Becky Shaw 01273 335020
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11 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Response to consultation on the proposed Mayoral Combined County Authority across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove The Government has launched a consultation seeking views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for local government in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton. The Leader is asked to note the report and to seek the views of Full Council ahead of consideration by Cabinet.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Becky Shaw 01273 335020
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11 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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East Sussex All Age Autism Action Plan The decision is to agree the content of the East Sussex Autism Action Plan. This is being led through the Autism Partnership Board. This plan will be developed following public consultation consisting of focus groups and a public survey. A report is also being considered by the Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability.
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Sarah Crouch 01273 481110
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11 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Household Support Fund 2025 - 2026 Approval of the proposed use of the Household Support Fund for 2025 -2026. A report is also being considered by the Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Mark Hendriks 07701 394501
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11 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
|
Public consultation on a proposal to introduce admin fees for adults who fully fund care and support arranged by East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care is proposing to implement admin fees for adults who fully fund their care. This would apply to adults who have been financially assessed as having sufficient capital to be able to pay for their care themselves, under section 17 of the Care Act, and have requested that ESCC broker this care on their behalf. The proposed fees would offset set-up costs and invoicing charges that the Council incurs when setting up this care, as per section 14 of the Care Act. Local Authorities have the power to “apply an administration to cover its costs” in this way under Section 8.15 of the Care and Support Statutory guidance (CASS). Charges of this type are used by many other Local Authorities. The proposal is one of a number that the department is exploring to help close the Council’s funding gap. The Lead member will be asked to decide whether this work can proceed to a public consultation.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ben Baker, Sonny Butler 01273 482830
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17 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements 2025/26 To seek Lead Member approval, following consultation with all Members, on the local transport schemes and associated expenditure included in the capital programme for design and/or delivery in 2025/26.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Andrew Keer, Chris Tree 01273 336682, 01273 482247
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17 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Approval of the 2025/26 Bus Grant Delivery Plan including funding apportionment and the final Bus Service Improvement Plan 2 To consider the 2025/26 Bus Grant Delivery Plan that includes funding apportionment and the final Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) 2 that will be submitted to the Department for Transport.
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KD |
Key stakeholders will be consulted prior to the Lead Member meeting and approval of the BSIP Board will have been gained. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Craig Lamberton 01273 337525
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20 Mar 2025 |
Cabinet
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Response to Government invitation for proposals for a single tier of local government in East Sussex
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Becky Shaw 01273 335020
|
|
20 Mar 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Response to consultation on the proposed Mayoral Combined County Authority across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove The Government has launched a consultation seeking views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for local government in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton. Cabinet is asked to consider the draft response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the government.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Becky Shaw 01273 335020
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25 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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East Sussex Childcare Sufficiency Duty 2025-2026 To approve the publication of the East Sussex Childcare Sufficiency Duty Report for 2025.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jane Spice 01323 747425
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25 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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Grove Park School To determine the statutory proposal to reorganise and enlarge Grove Park School.
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KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Gary Langford 01273 481758
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25 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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Pashley Down Infant School To consider the outcome of a consultation to lower the age range at Pashley Down Infant School and approval for next steps.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jane Spice 01323 747425
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25 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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Household Support Fund Round 2025/26 Approval of the proposed use of the Household Support Fund for the period (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026) for the spend on children and families. A report is also being considered by the Lead Member for Adult Social Care for the spend of this fund on adults.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jessica Stubbings 01323 463537
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25 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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East Sussex All Age Autism Action Plan The decision is to agree the content of the East Sussex Autism Action Plan. This is being led through the Autism Partnership Board. This plan will be developed following public consultation consisting of focus groups and a public survey. A report is also being considered by the Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Nathan Caine, Elizabeth Funge 01273 482401, 01273 336879
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31 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Write-off of Debts 2024/25 To seek Lead Member approval for writing off certain debts in excess of £10,000.
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P
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Alina Dunn 01273 481250
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31 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Land parcels at the Phoenix Causeway and North Street, Lewes - Disposal of Freehold The Lead Member for Resources previously declared parcels of land to be surplus to the County Council’s operational requirements in 2018. The Council now proposes to retain some of the surplus land but dispose of its land holdings in this locality. There will be delegations to the Chief Operating Officer to finalise the detailed terms with the preferred purchaser.
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P
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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31 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Former Sidley Depot Site, Bexhill - Alternative Occupation Arrangements To consider proposed alternative property agreements in respect of the Former Sidley Depot Site, Bexhill. The report will set the heads of terms for a proposed lease to be granted for the site.
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P
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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31 Mar 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act ('RIPA') and Investigative Powers Act ('IPA') update Set the policy for the year ahead as required by the Policy in relation to the use of covert investigative techniques.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Robert Freeman 01273 336715
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Between 20 Mar 2025 and 31 Mar 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Award of contract to carry out the final business case development for the A22 Major Road Network corridor scheme Award of contract, following the conclusion of a procurement process, to a consultant to undertake the development of the full business case in relation to the A22 Major Road Network (MRN) corridor scheme for submission to the Department for Transport (DfT).
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KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jon Wheeler 01273 482212
|
|
March 2025 |
Chief Operating Officer
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Former Broad Oak Primary School (main site only) - Disposal of Freehold Approval by the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change was given on 19 November 2024 to formally declare the site to be surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and for it to be disposed of. Authority was delegated to the Chief Operating Officer to approve the final sale terms. The site has been marketed on the open market and the Chief Operating Officer will approve the sale terms.
|
P
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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|
March 2025 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Discretionary East Sussex Support Scheme (DESSS): Proposal to cease the provision of DESSS funding In light of the financial position of East Sussex County Council, it is proposed to cease funding for the Discretionary East Sussex Support Scheme (DESSS). It should be noted that specific funding for this purpose has not been provided by Government since 2014/15. Currently £130,000 is allocated to the DESSS.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Frood Radford 07552 289413
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|
March 2025 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Decision not to reprocure the contract for provision of dental checks and treatment for clients experiencing homelessness and substance misuse To consider not reprocuring a contract for provision of dental checks and treatment for clients experiencing homelessness and substance misuse, through monthly mobile clinics in Eastbourne and Hastings. The current contract with Dentaid is due to end in March 2025. This service was part funded by Public Health (£18,000) and part by external funding from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities via substance misuse funds (£18,000). The external funding is not available for 2025/26.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Emma King 03456 080190
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|
March 2025 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Proposal to reduce the funding given to (a) GP Surgeries and (b) pharmacies (via sub-contracting arrangements under the Integrated Health Services Contract) to deliver NHS Health Checks It is being proposed that the current £300,000 budget available to GP practices to provide NHS Health Check appointments will be reduced by half to £150,000. This will result in a reduction in the number of appointments that GP practices will be able to provide to eligible individuals of approximately 35%. In addition, it is proposed that all Health Checks delivery by pharmacy, sub-contracted by One You East Sussex (OYES), total £10,000, will be ceased, along with £3,000 of back-office efficiencies. The Officer is asked to make a decision on the proposal to reduce the NHS Health Checks budget as part of the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) process.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rob Tolfree 07923 240932
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|
March 2025 |
Director of Children's Services
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Extension period of 24 months to the Youth Employability Service (YES) contract Approval of an extension period of 24 months to the Youth Employability Service (YES) contract. The current contract has the facility to extend up to 36 months. The YES contract delivers the Council’s statutory duty to provide appropriate and targeted Information Advice and Guidance to those 16 and 17 year old young people who face specific and complex barriers to participation and are vulnerable and disengaged from learning.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Penny Mackay 07745 107434
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|
March 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Award of contract to carry out a Detailed Design for the A22 Major Road Network (MRN) corridor scheme Award of contract, following the conclusion of a procurement process, to a consultant to undertake a detailed design for the A22 MRN corridor scheme. |
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jon Wheeler 01273 482212
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|
March 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Hastings Public Realm and Green Connections Detailed Design East Sussex County Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Environment approved proceeding Hastings Public Realm and Green Connections to Detailed Design on 23 September 2024. This decision considers direct award of the Detailed Design to Arup via the CCS Framework. Arup worked on previous design work for this project, both in early stage led and managed by Hastings Borough Council, and the preliminary design and consultation in early 2024. This project has £9.754m of funding from Hastings Town Deal and £400k from the Local Growth Fund. This commission is expected to be valued at circa £700k. |
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ellie McDaniel 01273 335464
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|
22 Apr 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Internal Audit Strategy and Plan 2025/26 This report sets out the Council's Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Plan of internal audit work to be carried out during the financial year 2025/26 for approval by Cabinet.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Nigel Chilcott 01273 481992
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|
22 Apr 2025 |
Cabinet
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Ofsted and Care Quality Commission East Sussex Area SEND Inspection Cabinet is asked to note the findings of Ofsted and Care Quality Commission East Sussex Area SEND inspection East Sussex, 11 – 22 November 2025 and the next steps.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Amanda Watson 01273 481339
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22 Apr 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Sandbanks, Hailsham - Disposal of Freehold Lead Member approval is being sought to formally declare the property to be surplus, and to approve the disposal of the asset. The Lead Member will consider delegation of authority to the Chief Operating Officer to agree detailed terms with the preferred purchaser at a later date.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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22 Apr 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Rye Bay Project Office - Disposal of Freehold Lead Member approval is being sought to formally declare the property to be surplus, and to approve the disposal of the asset. The Lead Member will consider delegation of authority to the Chief Operating Officer to agree detailed terms with the preferred purchaser at a later date. |
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|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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22 Apr 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Playing field adjacent to the Tilling Green Community Centre - Approval to commence consultation under s123 of Local Government Act 1972 to consider future use of playing fields at Tilling Green Community Centre The playing fields adjacent to the Tilling Green Community Centre, Mason Road, Rye are currently leased to Rye Partnership on the basis of a 30 year lease. Approval is being sought to commence consultation under s123 of Local Government Act 1972 to consider future use of playing fields at Tilling Green Community Centre.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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29 Apr 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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Post-16 Transport Policy Statement 2025-2026 The Lead Member is recommended to approve the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement for the 2025-26 academic year following the required consultation.
|
KD |
· Public consultation between 28/2//25 – 28/3/25 · Areas - All Areas · Audiences - Anybody with an interest · Interests - Children and young people, Learning disability or difficulty, Support for parents, carers and young people, Public Transport |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ian Crudge 03003 309472
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April 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Approval of modification to the Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) Contract to increase spend to more than £500,000 per annum To approve a contract increase in the amount that can be spent under this contract, due to gaining grant funding, so further RTPI hardware can be purchased. The Contract Modification being sought has been provided for in the existing contract documents and is therefore considered to be an ‘Allowed for Modification’.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Craig Lamberton 01273 337525
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|
4 Jun 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Adult Social Care What Matters To You Strategy - Year 2 Action Plan (2025-26) approval Together with residents and partners, the Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) department developed an adult social care strategy for the county – What Matters To You. The strategy, launched in June 2023, is specific to East Sussex, providing a person-centred framework that gives direction for staff and services. An action plan was developed to run from 1 April 2024. This action plan is being successfully met by the 17 teams working across 64 actions. The next iteration of this plan for 2025-26 will focus on 16 key actions. It is this plan that is being presented for approval.
|
KD |
· Citizen’s Panel · East Sussex Seniors Forum · Inclusion Advisory Group · Disability Rights Reference Group |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Colin Brown 07701 394807
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|
24 Jun 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Council Monitoring: Quarter 4 2024/25 - Year end To consider the Council Monitoring report for the fourth quarter of 2024/25 as part of the Council's Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process.
|
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Victoria Beard 07894 708914
|
|
24 Jun 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) - State of the County To consider the State of the County report and begin the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process for 2026/27 and beyond.
|
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Victoria Beard 07894 708914
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