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 December 2025 to 31 March 2026
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
|
List of Documents to be submitted to decision maker |
Contact Officer |
|
3 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
|
School Organisation Plan 2025 to 2029 To seek Lead Member approval to publish a School Organisation Plan for the period 2025 to 2029. The School Organisation Plan sets out how East Sussex County Council (the local authority), in accordance with its statutory duty, seeks to ensure there are sufficient primary, secondary, and special school places in the right locations to meet demand.
|
|
Schools, academy trusts and local diocesan education services are being consulted on the draft plan prior to Lead Member approval being sought to publish the plan.
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Gary Langford 01273 481758
|
|
5 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
|
Phoenix Centre, Lewes - Decision regarding the grant of a new lease On 12 August 2025, the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change agreed that the property be let in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972. Following a marketing period, the Lead Member will consider offers made and the analysis. A decision will be made regarding the organisation that is to take a lease on the property.
|
P
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
|
|
5 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
|
Updates to the East Sussex County Council Social Value Policy To consider proposed changes to the Social Value Policy including a new Social Value Model as a method for securing social value through its procurement activity. This will replace the Social Value Measurement Charter. The new Social Value Model will be reviewed by the Place Scrutiny Committee ahead of consideration of the policy by the Lead Member.
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Anne Epsom 07977 350180
|
|
8 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
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.
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Lisa Simmonds 034560 80190
|
|
8 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
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
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Lisa Simmonds 034560 80190
|
|
8 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for Eastbourne Town Centre Movement and Access Package Phase 2b and Victoria Place Levelling Up Fund (Seaside Road to Grand Parade) Further to the Lead Member approval for Eastbourne Town Centre Movement and Access Package Phase 2b & Victoria Place Levelling Up Fund (Seaside Road to Grand Parade) to progress to detailed design and construction, a further decision is required on the proposal to implement an experimental Traffic Regulation Order on Phase 2b. This would allow for options regarding timings of restricted hours to be explored for each phase to identify the most suitable hours for the local traders and/or residents.
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Emma Burt 01273 481170
|
|
15 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
|
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.
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Michael Courts 01273 336034
|
|
15 Dec 2025 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
|
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
|
Tony Proom 01273 335252
|
|
16 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
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
|
Victoria Beard 07894 708914
|
|
16 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Annual Report of Looked After Children To consider the annual report of the Looked After Children
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Sally Carnie 01323 747194
|
|
16 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Treasury Management Annual Report and Mid-Year Report 2025 To consider a report on the review of Treasury Management performance for 2024/25 and the outturn for the first six months of 2025/26, including the economic factors effecting performance, the Prudential Indicators and compliance with the limits set within the Treasury Management Strategy. |
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Ian Gutsell 01273 481399
|
|
16 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
RPPR Update - Update on planning for 2026/27 and beyond 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. |
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Claire Lee 07523 930526
|
|
16 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Annual accounts for the Lewes Public Library and Museum Charitable Trust Cabinet will consider a report on the annual accounts of the Lewes Public Library and Museum Charitable Trust, and consider whether there have been any issues that require further action by the County Council as a Corporate Trustee. |
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Jane Clarke 07355 926 603
|
|
16 Dec 2025 |
Cabinet
|
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): East Sussex County Council's responses to Government's statutory consultation on proposals for a single tier of local government in the area of East Sussex
Cabinet will consider East Sussex County Council’s response to government’s statutory consultation on proposals for a single tier of local government in the area of East Sussex.
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Philip Baker 01273 481564
|
|
Between 19 Dec 2025 and 31 Dec 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
|
Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) fare update To consider ceasing the following BSIP fares from the 1 January 2026: • Short hop fare £1 • Short hop fare £2 • 19-29 multi operator day ticket £4.75 • Under 19 multi operator day ticket £3.75 • Child accompanied £0.50
And to consider the following fares to remain in place until 31 March 2026: • Multi operator day ticket £6.10 • Child unaccompanied (off peak) £1.00 • Freedom weekly ticket £15.00 |
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Craig Lamberton 01273 337 525
|
|
December 2025 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
|
The Commissioning of the East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS) To award the contract for the East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS) following the outcome of the commissioning process.
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Caz Kearton-Evans 07879 117579
|
|
December 2025 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
|
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.
|
P KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Ian Glover 01273 336389
|
|
19 Jan 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
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
|
Kate Cole 01273 481621
|
|
19 Jan 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
Petition for traffic calming measures to be introduced along The Village, Eastbourne To consider a petition calling for the installation of traffic calming measures along The Village between the junction of Matlock Road and Coltstocks Road.
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Warwick Hadley 0345 6080193
|
|
19 Jan 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
Community Match schemes 2025/26 To consider agreement that 50% match funding is allocated towards applicants that have applied for match funding through the Community Match programme 2025/26.
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Victoria Rojanachotikul 03456 080193
|
|
22 Jan 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
|
Future of the Orbis Partnership Decision on the future of the Orbis Partnership and the joint working with Surrey County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council across IT & Digital, Internal Audit, Procurement, and the Treasury Management and Insurance Centres of Expertise.
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Ros Parker 01273 481412
|
|
22 Jan 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
|
ESCC Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy To consider the adoption of the ESCC Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy as the Council’s dedicated framework for managing AI use. If adopted the policy would replace the previous reliance on the Data Protection and Information Security policy for AI governance.
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
David Matthewman
|
|
27 Jan 2026 |
Cabinet
|
Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 To consider the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27. This includes setting the Prudential Code and approving the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2025/26
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Ian Gutsell 01273 481399
|
|
27 Jan 2026 |
Cabinet
|
Ashdown Forest Conservators 2024-25 Outturn report Approval is required to agree the funding of the operational deficit on the Core Budget, as per the Ashdown Forest Act.
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Andy Fowler 01273 481774
|
|
27 Jan 2026 |
Cabinet
|
Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR): Draft Council Plan 2026/27, Revenue Budget and Capital Programme To ask Cabinet to approve the draft Council Plan, Council Tax levels, Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2026/27 for recommendation to the County Council (including Savings Proposals, Equality Impact Assessment, Engagement and Scrutiny feedback).
|
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Claire Lee 07523 930526
|
|
27 Jan 2026 |
Cabinet
|
Value for Money (VfM) External Auditor's Annual Report on East Sussex County Council 2024/25 External Auditor's Annual Value for Money (VfM) Report on East Sussex County Council 2024/25 from Grant Thornton.
|
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Ian Gutsell 01273 481399
|
|
January 2026 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
|
Supported Living - contract extension for the Supported Living Care Services provision for Working Age Adults with Learning Disabilities at Burfield Court, Hailsham & Gilda Close, Polegate Schemes. The current provider was awarded the care and support contract for a 5-year period which allowed for a further 24-month extension increasing this to 7 years in total. The 5-year initial term comes to an end on 31st March 2026. This is to endorse the allowed for additional 24-month term extension of the existing service Contract on its current terms. |
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Matt Holmes 07827 084704
|
|
23 Feb 2026 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
|
Admission arrangements for East Sussex schools 2027-28- determine The Lead Member is asked to determine the admission arrangements for 2027-28 for schools for which East Sussex County Council is the admission authority. |
KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Jo Miles 01273 481911
|
|
24 Feb 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
|
Playing field adjacent to the Tilling Green Community Centre - Decision regarding disposal of the freehold interest On 25 September 2025, the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change considered the outcome of the responses from members of the public concerning the intention to dispose of the site. Approval was given to market the site on the open market. Following a marketing period, the Lead Member will consider offers made and the analysis. A decision will be made regarding the organisation that is to purchase the site. |
P KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
|
|
February 2026 |
Chief Operating Officer
|
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. |
P KD
|
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Rebecca Lewis 07955 312371
|
|
23 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
|
East Sussex Childcare Sufficiency Duty 2026/2027 To seek Lead Member approval to publish a Childcare Sufficiency Duty report for 2026/27. The childcare sufficiency duty is a legal requirement for local authorities in England, under the Childcare Act 2006. Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare places "so far as is reasonably practicable". |
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Jane Spice 01323 747425
|
|
31 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change |
Write-off of Debts 2025/26 To seek Lead Member approval for writing off certaiN debts in excess of £10,000. |
P |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted |
Alina Dunn 01273 481250
|
|
31 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
|
Award of contract for school meals catering Approve the award of the school meals catering contract to the successful bidder following a competitive tender process. This contract award will be for a period of 5 years plus an option for an additional 2 years. The 2-year extension will be subject to contract performance. |
P KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Johnny Parish 07849 303899
|
|
March 2026 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
|
Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections Construction Procurement To award the contract for the construction of Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections following a competitive tender process. The tender will be advertised via the Hampshire Gen 5 Framework early 2026. This decision was delegated by the Lead Member for Transport and Environement to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport at a decision-making meeting on 10 November 2025.
|
P KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Ellie McDaniel 01273 335464
|