Member Training Programme: November – December 2025
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Date, Time and Venue |
Activity / content |
Target audience |
Lead Officer(s) |
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Wednesday 19 November
2.00pm - 3.00pm
Microsoft Teams |
SEND and Mainstream Home to School Transport
This training session is designed to provide Councillors with a thorough and practical understanding of the policies, financial challenges, and day-to-day operational processes involved in delivering Home to School Transport (HTST) services. It places emphasis on the complexities of transport provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who often require tailored arrangements and additional support. The session will explore how eligibility is determined, how applications and appeals are managed, and how services are commissioned and monitored. It will also highlight the financial pressures facing the service, including recent overspends and the strategies being implemented to reduce costs while maintaining safe and equitable access to education.
Key Topics Covered: 1. HTST Budget and Forecast. 2. Eligibility Criteria 3. Applications and Appeals 4. Commissioning 5. Cost Avoidance Strategies
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All Members |
Louise Carter and Gilly Laughlin |
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Wednesday 26 November
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Microsoft Teams |
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Children’s Services works with many partners in both the county council and with external organisations, particularly the NHS commissioners and providers, schools, and colleges; and the independent voluntary sector to support children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing (MHEW). This session will set out more information about the services delivered such as providing: · information, advice, and guidance · working with schools to take a whole school (preventative) approach · providing Mental Health Support Teams in schools · encouraging children and families to participate in positive activities in their local communities · Child Adolescent Mental Health Services commissioned by NHS ICB.
Officers will also share some of the priority areas for improvement.
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All Members |
Louise Carter and Deborah Ennis |
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Thursday 4 December
11.30am - 12.30pm
Microsoft Teams |
Member briefing – Climate Change update
All Members are invited to attend an upcoming Climate Change update. This session will be delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams.
The update will cover: · An update on the council’s progress towards targets · The national policy landscape · Update on key areas of the council’s work on net zero and the environment, including the Council’s plans for: o increasing renewable energy and reducing fuel poverty, including its domestic retrofit strategy, Solar Together (the group-buying Solar PV scheme) and the winter home check service o decarbonising transport, e.g. with the on street EV charging infrastructure roll-out and other transport initiatives and improving biodiversity and nature recovery |
All Members |
Ros Parker and Rupert Clubb |
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Tuesday 13 January 12.00pm – 1.00pm |
The Prevent Duty and ‘Debate Not Hate’ 7 in 10 Councillors reported experiencing abuse or intimidation in the last year according to the LGA's 2025 ‘Debate Not Hate’ survey. This session will provide an overview of Councillors’ role in the Prevent Duty, focussing on ways to build community cohesion and resilience while protecting their own safety. Practical early intervention tools will include:
The session will be delivered by the Local Authority Prevent Lead and Safer Communities Manager. |
All Members |
Jodie Thomson and Justine Armstrong-Smith |
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Available upon request |
Social media training Bespoke 1-1/small group social media training sessions can be arranged with the ESCC Communications Team. Please contact Warwick Smith (Warwick.Smith@eastsussex.gov.uk) to discuss your requirements. |
All Members |
Warwick Smith |
Please contact Hannah Matthews if you have any queries:
Email: hannah.matthew@eastsussex.gov.uk Phone: 01273 335138