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 February 2026 to 31 May 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 |
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16 Feb 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
Approval of allocation of bus grant revenue allocation The Department for Transport confirmed East Sussex County Council’s bus grant funding on 5 December 2025. The allocation was for 3 years of revenue funding totalling £16,561,590. A decision is required to approve the allocation of this revenue allocation.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Craig Lamberton 01273 337525
|
|
16 Feb 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
|
|
16 Feb 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
Petition for improved road safety measures around Chyngton Primary School To respond to a petition calling on the County Council to consider the establishment of a School Street scheme and the installation of a new zebra crossing on Hillside Avenue, Seaford. |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Warwick Hadley 03456 080193
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16 Feb 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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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.
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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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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
|
|
23 Feb 2026 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
|
Crisis and Resilience Funding for Free School Meal Eligible children in the Easter and May 2026 school holidays To consider the use of some of the Crisis and Resilience Fund for the spend on vouchers for Free School Meal eligible children in the Easter and May 2026 school holidays.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jessica Stubbings 01323 463537
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2 Mar 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
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2 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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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 |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Johnny Parish 07849 303899
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9 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development
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Eastbourne Fisherman's Quayside and infrastructure development project - reprofiling finances To consider proposals to reprofile the Growing Places Fund and East Sussex Invest loans for the Eastbourne Fisherman’s Quayside and infrastructure development project.
|
P
|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Alex Colbran 07729 108123
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|
9 Mar 2026 |
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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|
16 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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East Sussex Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2026-36: Public Consultation To consider the draft East Sussex Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2026 – 2036 and authorise public consultation on the draft strategy to commence.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Natalie Jamfield 01273 481409
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|
16 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Record Office Collections Policies Approval of updated 2025 collections policies for the East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Record Office, as required to maintain The National Archives’ Accredited Archive status.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Anna Goddard 07734 301730
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|
16 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
|
Approval of allocation of bus grant capital allocation The Department for Transport confirmed East Sussex County Council’s bus grant funding on 5 December 2025. The allocation was for 4 years of capital funding totalling £17,305,288. A decision is required to approve the allocation of this capital allocation.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Craig Lamberton 01273 337525
|
|
16 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements 2026/27 To seek Lead Member approval, following consultation with local members, on the local transport schemes and associated expenditure included in the capital programme for design and/or delivery in 2026/27. |
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
|
Andrew Keer 01273 336682
|
|
17 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Crisis Resilience Fund To consider the proposed spend of the Crisis Resilience Fund in East Sussex, including services for adults.
|
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Mark Hendriks 07701 394501
|
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23 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
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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 |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Jane Spice 01323 747425
|
|
23 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Children and Families
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Crisis Resilience Fund To consider the proposed spend of the Crisis Resilience Fund in East Sussex, including services for Children and Families
|
KD |
|
Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Mark Hendriks 07701 394501
|
|
31 Mar 2026 |
Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change
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Write-off of Debts 2025/26 To seek Lead Member approval for writing off certain debts in excess of £10,000.
|
P
|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Alina Dunn 01273 481250
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|
March 2026 |
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 312371
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March 2026 |
Chief Operating Officer
|
Oracle Programme Resources Modification of existing contract to incorporate the 2026/27 resource envelope, required to deliver the Oracle Programme.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ros Parker 01273 481412
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|
March 2026 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Contract for the provision of a county-wide Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Service To consider the use of a direct award to the current provider of the Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Service which would ensure the continuation of the service for a further 12 months following the end of the current contract so that a full tender process can be undertaken to meet the agreed objectives of the co-design and co-commissioning groups.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Tamsin Peart 07881 282732
|
|
March 2026 |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Allocation of Government Funding for Substance Misuse Services 2026/27 The Council has received government funding for local substance misuse services. This decision will agree how that funding will be allocated so that specialist commissioned services can meet the aims of the Government’s drug strategy, reduce drug and alcohol‑related deaths in East Sussex, and support people affected by substance misuse to achieve positive outcomes.
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KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Caz Kearton-Evans 07879 117579
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March 2026 |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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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 Environment to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport at a decision-making meeting on 10 November 2025.
|
P KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ellie McDaniel 01273 335464
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17 Apr 2026 |
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Changes to the process for disability-related expenditure within non-residential financial assessments To approve changes to the East Sussex County Council’s disability-related expenditure process, to ensure all adults have an appropriate allowance for disability-related expenditure and allow the Council to reduce risk and comply with legal advice. If agreed, the changes would apply in new assessments from August 2026 and be applied to existing financial assessments as part of the annual review process, planned to begin in summer 2026.
|
KD |
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Ben Baker 07923 382464
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21 Apr 2026 |
Cabinet
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Scrutiny Review into Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training in School Transport To consider and comment on the report of the People Scrutiny Committee and agree the response to the recommendations of the review.
|
|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Rachel Sweeney 07561 267461
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21 Apr 2026 |
Cabinet
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Scrutiny Review of Street Works To consider and comment on the report of the Place Scrutiny Committee and agree the response to the recommendations of the review.
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|
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Report, other documents may also be submitted
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Patrick Major 07701 258227
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