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 Hannah Matthews at County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE, or telephone 01273 335138 or send an e-mail to Hannah.matthews@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 335089.
FORWARD PLAN – EXECUTIVE DECISIONS (including Key Decisions) –1 September 2025 to 31 December 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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8 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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The East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) - Request Assessment Process (Transport Schemes) To consider the updates to the ‘Request Assessment Process’, to ensure alignment with the East Sussex LTP4, adopted by Full Council in October 2024. This will inform how requests for transport schemes are prioritised for inclusion in the annual Integrated Transport Capital Programme from 2026/27 onwards.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Douglas Chapman 07514 724422
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8 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Highway Maintenance Incentive Funding 2025/26 A condition of the 2025/26 Highway Maintenance Block Funding is to provide information to the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding the value of the Council’s highway assets and evidence that the Council is following certain best practice criteria. The DfT require the information to be signed off by either the Leader of the Council or Lead Member for Transport and Environment. The report recommends approval of the draft report to the Department for Transport containing the information required.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Andrew Turner 07526 567283
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8 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Petition regarding the 51 bus service To consider the petition on the 51 bus service. The petition is to ‘Stop Stagecoach from changing the 51 bus service to Eastbourne to hourly from half-hourly’.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Craig Lamberton 01273 337525
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8 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Strategic Highways Policies and Plans - Update and Approvals As part of best practice, the Contracts Management Group for the East Sussex Highways contract is conducting a comprehensive review of East Sussex County Council’s strategic highways plans and policies to create a consistent, long-term approach to asset management. The Lead Member will consider proposed updates to key documents—including the Highway Asset Management Policy and Strategy - and consider introducing new policies on Commuted Sums and Winter Service. These updates align with Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) objectives, address identified policy gaps and reflect current best practice and government expectations linked to future funding.
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rosslyn Mills 01273 336337
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15 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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East Sussex Local Growth Assurance Framework (ESLGAF) Capital Programme report To note the project progress and final spend in 2024/25 across the Local Growth Fund, Getting Building Fund and Growing Places programmes and agree the scheme spend profiles for the Local Growth Fund, Getting Building Fund and Growing Places programmes for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Mirco Cordeiro 07731 343705
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15 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Observer Building, Hastings - reprofiling finances To consider reprofiling and further support proposals for the Observer Building project in respect of the Growing Places Fund loan.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Alex Colbran 07729 108123
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15 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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East Sussex Lane Rental Scheme - approval of Policy for surplus fund spend The East Sussex Lane Rental Scheme contains a surplus revenue policy which states that the East Sussex Lane Rental Scheme Board will determine the use of any surplus revenue. After bids have been reviewed by the Board, approval is required. As this relates to an executive function, the Leader will consider the addition of a new delegation to the Officer Scheme of Delegations to authorise the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to approve any Scheme Lane Rental surplus bids under £500,000.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Pippa Mabey 01273 335506
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15 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Local Government Reorganisation: Proposal for a single tier of local government across East Sussex The Leader is asked to consider and note the full proposal for a single tier of local government in East Sussex, and to seek the views of Full Council ahead of consideration by Cabinet, and prior to the proposal being submitted to Government by 26 September 2025.
|
KD |
If the proposal is agreed by Government it would impact on all Members’ divisions. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Philip Baker 01273 481564
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15 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Devolution: Consent to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Sussex Government has confirmed the statutory tests for a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Sussex have been met and that it intends to proceed with its establishment. The Leader is asked to consider and note the summary content of the Statutory Instrument that will establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority, and to seek the views of Full Council ahead of consideration by Cabinet.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Philip Baker 01273 481564
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24 Sep 2025 |
Cabinet
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East Sussex County Council's approval as a constituent authority of the final draft of Transport for the South East's Transport Strategy To approve of the finalised Transport Strategy that has been developed by Transport for the South East ahead of its proposed formal adoption by their Partnership Board in October 2024 and submission to the Department for Transport
|
KD |
Transport for the South East undertook a public consultation on their draft strategy between 10 December 2024 and 7 March 2025. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Lisa Simmonds 0345 6080190
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24 Sep 2025 |
Cabinet
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Local Government Reorganisation: Proposal for a single tier of local government across East Sussex Seeking Cabinet approval of the full proposal for a single tier of local government in East Sussex following discussion at Full Council, prior to submission to Government by 26 September 2025.
|
KD |
If the proposal is agreed by Government it would impact on all Members’ divisions. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Philip Baker 01273 481564
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24 Sep 2025 |
Cabinet
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Council Monitoring Quarter 1 To consider the Council Monitoring report for the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26 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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24 Sep 2025 |
Cabinet
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Ashdown Forest Trust Fund To inform Cabinet of the movements on the Trust Fund during 2024/25 and the closing position as at 31 March 2025.
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Andy Fowler 01273 481774
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25 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Playing field adjacent to the Tilling Green Community Centre - outcome of the public consultation of the Council's proposal disposal of the land On 22 April 2025, the Lead Member gave approval to enter into a public consultation regarding the proposal to dispose of the land as per the requirement to do so under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972. The consultation was held, and the responses will be considered by the Lead Member. Options for next steps will also be considered.
|
KD |
Public consultation was held. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
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25 Sep 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Acre Wood Academy (previously Grove Park School)- award of building contract for new school facilities Award of Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Building Contract in relation to the constructing a new building to provide Special Educational Needs (SEN) Secondary facilities on the existing Acre Wood Academy (previously Grove Park Primary School) site in Crowborough. The Secondary is relocating from its current shared site. The project will enable education provision for 60 pupils aged 2-16 with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) in one location.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Nigel Brown 07394 410630
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September 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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East Sussex on-street electric vehicle chargepoint contract award Award of contract, following the conclusion of a procurement process, of an operator to install and manage on-street electric vehicle charge points on the road network in East Sussex.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ian Glover 01273 336389
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September 2025 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Contract Award - Adult Drug and Treatment Services To decide of the outcome of the commissioning process to award the contract for the Adult Drug and Treatment Services.
|
P KD |
The following have been consulted: A range of professional stakeholders, those who use or have used the existing service in the past, those who do not use the service, those who care for people use or have used the existing service and the wider community.
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Caz Kearton-Evans 07879 117579
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September 2025 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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BHT Sussex, Provision of Housing-Related Floating Support, use of allowed for contract extension As part of its savings programme and following public consultation, the Council has agreed that the funding for the Floating Support Service should be reduced from 1 October 2025. The current contract held by BHT Sussex runs to November 2026 allowing for an extension of up to five years. It is proposed, as part of the contract amendment to reduce the funding, to extend the contract from November 2026 for a further three years to November 2029 with the option to use the further 2 years as +1 and + 1 to allow for flexibility, provide continuity and enable additional funding from Districts and Boroughs to be added to the contract.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Tamsin Peart 07881 282732
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6 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School To make a final decision on the proposal to establish a specialist facility with a designation of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Chailey St Peter's CE Primary School.
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Consultation was undertaken with the school community and other interested parties between 25 April and 23 May 2025. A statutory proposal, to be published in July 2025, provides interested parties with a further opportunity to comment on, or object to, the proposal. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Gary Langford 01273 481758
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14 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Economy
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Endorsement of the Get Sussex Working Plan The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has requested that the council develops a ‘Get Sussex Working Plan’ for the period 2025-2035, outlining priorities and actions for moving East Sussex towards an employment rate of 80%. The plan must be co-produced and endorsed by West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, and must also be endorsed by the Integrated Care Board for Sussex and the South-East Regional Area Team for the DWP, prior to being sent to the Minister for Employment for final approval. It will be taken forward initially by the 3 upper tier authorities and then under the remit of the proposed new Mayoral Combined County Authority.
|
KD |
Over 100 local stakeholders from across Sussex have informed the plan through surveys, stakeholder consultation exercises and user voice exercises. Skills and Employment East Sussex have had the opportunity to review the report and implementation plan. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Holly Aquilina 01323 463538
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20 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Petition: Installation of a pedestrian crossing and a 20mph speed limit in Lewes Road, Newhaven To consider a petition to install a pedestrian crossing and a 20mph speed limit between Lawes Avenue and Robinson Road, in Lewes Road, Newhaven.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Clare Akehurst 03456 080193
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20 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Authorisation to carry out public consultation regarding the proposed introduction of parking charges at Broomhill Sands Car Park, Camber Authorisation is being sought to carry out a public consultation in relation to the proposed introduction of parking charges at Broomhill Sands Car Park, Camber.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Andrew Le Gresley 03456 080193
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20 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Community Match schemes 2025 To consider agreement that 50% match funding is allocated towards applicants that have applied for match funding through the Community Match programme 2025/26.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Victoria Rojanachotikul 03456 080193
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20 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Installation of Fire Suppression Systems at Waste Transfer Stations To seek Lead Member approval to fund the installation of fire suppression systems at Maresfield and Pebsham waste transfer stations. This is to reduce the likelihood of a fire causing damage and disruption at both facilities, and reduce the consequent impact that the loss of either facility would have on waste collection and disposal services in East Sussex.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Justin Foster 01273 335805
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21 Oct 2025 |
Cabinet
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Devolution: Consent to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Sussex Government has confirmed the statutory tests for a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Sussex have been met and that it intends to proceed with its establishment. Cabinet is asked whether to provide consent to the laying of the Statutory Instrument in Parliament by which the Mayoral Strategic Authority will be established with the Council becoming a Constituent Authority.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Philip Baker 01273 481564
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23 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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East Sussex Housing Partnership Strategy To approve a draft strategy which has been developed by East Sussex Housing Partnership. The strategy sets out a vision and priority areas of work for the local housing sector.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Michael Courts 01273 336034 |
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23 Oct 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Proposal to introduce admin fees for adults who fully fund care and support arranged by East Sussex County Council To consider the outcome of the public consultation on the proposed implementation of 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 set up care on their behalf. The proposed fees would offset set-up costs and invoicing charges that the Council incurs when setting up this care
|
KD |
A public consultation will be undertaken for this proposal (running from May-July). The 2400 individuals who could be impacted were contacted directly. The survey is available publicly online and will be promoted through local networks and the council social media channels. Feedback from this consultation will be used to inform the final proposal. This proposal has the potential to impact individuals across all wards, as adults who fully fund their care live countywide. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ben Baker, Sonny Butler 01273 482830
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Between 7 Oct 2025 and 31 Oct 2025 |
Chief Operating Officer
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Site 6, Eastbourne - Disposal of Long Leasehold Interest On 14 January 2025, the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change declared Site 6, Eastbourne (the property) to be surplus and approved the disposal of it. Authority was delegated to the Chief Operating Officer to agree the terms of sale, jointly with Eastbourne Borough Council. The property has been marketed on the open market. The Chief Operating Officer will consider the offers made.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rebecca Lewis 07955 312 371
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Between 20 Oct 2025 and 31 Oct 2025 |
Director of Children's Services
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Contract award from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 for the Early Help Partnership Procurement 0- 5 Years Health Visiting Service and Early Help Services (Healthy Child Programme) To award a contract from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 for the Healthy Child Programme services funded from the ring-fenced Public Health Grant, comprising: • 0 to 5 Health Visiting Service provided by East Sussex Healthcare Trust - total value for a 1+1-year contract is £15,358,626. • Early Help Services provided by East Sussex County Council Children’s Services - total value for a 1+1-year contract is £1,783,000. There is potentially a small amount of additional funding from the ICB Better Care Fund to support the 0 to 5 Health Visiting Service. This contract falls under the Provider Selection Regime.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Alison Amstutz 01273 335009
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3 Nov 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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Admission arrangements for East Sussex schools 2027-28- permission to consult To seek Lead Member approval to consult on the proposed admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools for the 2027-28 academic year. |
KD |
Public consultation to be published on website. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jo Miles 01273 481911
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11 Nov 2025 |
Cabinet
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RPPR Update - 2026/27 next steps and Medium Term Financial Plan To consider an update on the reconciling policy, performance and resources (RPPR) process for 2026/27, the next steps and the medium term financial plan.
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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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November 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Award of construction contract for the Exceat Bridge replacement scheme Following the procurement process under the Hampshire Gen5 framework, which allowed 6 suppliers to submit bids for the construction of the new bridge, the Exceat Bridge Replacement Project Board will review the bid evaluations and provide a recommendation to the Director of Communities, Economy, and Transport to make the final contract award decision.
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P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Karl Taylor 01273 482207
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8 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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The East Sussex Rail Strategy 2025 - 2050 To consider responses from the key stakeholder and public consultations on the draft East Sussex Rail Strategy, alongside seeking approval of this as a supporting document to the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Lisa Simmonds 0345 608 0190
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8 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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The East Sussex Freight Strategy 2025 - 2050 To consider responses from the key stakeholder and public consultations on the draft East Sussex Freight Strategy, alongside seeking approval of this as a supporting document to the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Lisa Simmonds 0345 608 0190
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8 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy The County Council has a statutory duty to prepare a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the county, including the administrative area of Brighton & Hove City Council. The report will be to seek Lead Member approval for the final LNRS, as well as the necessary statutory stages that lead to publication of the final LNRS.
|
KD |
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been developed through significant consultation with a large range and number of stakeholders. Ahead of the Lead Member decision, a draft Strategy will have been subject to a 6-8 week period of public consultation. |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Kate Cole 01273 481621
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9 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
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Council Monitoring Quarter 2 To consider the Council Monitoring report for the second quarter of the financial year 2025/26 as part of the Council’s Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) budget monitoring process.
|
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Victoria Beard 07894 08914 |
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9 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Annual Report of Looked After Children To consider the annual report of the Looked After Children
|
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Sally Carnie 01323 747194
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16 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Circle Room Young Persons Sexual Health clinic, Lewes - consultation outcome To consider the feedback from the consultation in relation to the future of the Circle Room Young Persons Sexual Health clinic in Lewes and to make a decision in relation to next steps.
|
KD |
Circle Room’s service users (young people aged up to 25 years old) |
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Tony Proom 01273 335252
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