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Current Scrutiny Reviews |
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Detail |
Proposed Completion Date |
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Personal Transport Budgets and Independent Travel Training in School Transport |
Following previous discussions on pressures in Home to School Transport, the People Scrutiny Committee undertook an initial scoping exercise in May 2025 to better understand the issues and existing work underway. The Scoping Board concluded that a review into some specific cost avoidance measures could add value and agreed to consider this further in the autumn once additional information was available.
The Scoping Board met again on 29 October 2025 and considered the growing pressures on the Home to School Transport system, driven by rising demand and policy uncertainty, particularly around SEND reforms.
The Board concluded that in light of the current statutory framework the Council is required to work within, and pending national SEND reforms, a broad review of Home to School Transport would be unfeasible, however there was value in conducting a focused scrutiny review on Personal Transport Budgets (PTB) and Independent Travel Training (ITT) where there is potential for the Council to develop local practice. The Board agreed that the scrutiny review should explore what the Council could do to increase the uptake of PTBs and ITT.
Membership of Review Board: Cllrs Belsey, Howell and Webb and John Hayling (Parent Governor Representative).
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To report to March 2026 Committee
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Initial Scoping Reviews |
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Subject area for initial scoping |
Detail |
Proposed Dates |
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Suggested Potential Future Scrutiny Review Topics |
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Suggested Topic |
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Children’s Mental Health Support |
At its 2025 away day the Committee discussed increasing demand for Children’s services due to parental and children’s mental health needs and agreed to include children’s mental health support, including its role in school attendance, to its work programme as a potential topic for a scrutiny review. |
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Carers Partnership Plan
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At its 2024 away day the Committee agreed to recommend that a report on the progress of the Carers Partnership Plan be brought to the Committee and that it may wish to consider this topic for a future scrutiny review.
The Committee discussed this again at its 2025 awayday, noting findings in the recent CQC assessment report that the plan had not been published at the time of writing, and agreed that although the Carers Partnership Plan had now been published, there was a role for scrutiny in monitoring the implementation of this. |
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Reference Group Title |
Subject area |
Meeting Dates |
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Corporate carbon reduction target |
The Committee has agreed to establish a Reference Group (joint with Place Committee) to consider the corporate carbon reduction target and what it would take in terms of cost to meet it, as well as what impact resource constraints, local government reorganisation and the establishment of the Mayoral Combined County Authority would have. Membership of the Reference Group consists of Place Scrutiny Committee members Cllrs Hilton, Redstone, Tutt and Wright and People Scrutiny Committee members Cllrs Cross and Field. |
March and April 2026 |
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Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Reference Group |
The Committee has established a Reference Group, together with members of the Place Scrutiny Committee, to provide scrutiny input into the work related to Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Membership of the Reference Group consists of all Place Scrutiny Committee members and People Scrutiny Committee members Cllrs Cross, Geary, and Howell. |
TBC |
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The Committee agreed at its March 2025 meeting to convert the existing Prevention in Children’s Services Reference Group and the Attendance Reference Group into a single Reference Group focused on national reforms relating to Children’s Services, with a particular focus on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The Reference Group will consider the impact of these reforms on ESCC and scrutinise the Department’s response to these. The Committee agreed to look at the recruitment of foster carers as part of this work. The Group met in June 2025 and received a presentation on key reforms in children’s social care and the department’s work in response to these, including the establishment of the Transformation Board. The Group agreed that the next meeting would focus on the Families First Programme. At its 2025 awayday, the committee agreed to hold further meetings to focus on SEND pressures and reform. Membership of the Reference Group: Cllrs Belsey, Cross, Field, Geary and Howell and John Hayling (Parent Governor Representative) (Chair) |
April 2026 |
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The Reference Group last met on 26 January and received a presentation from the Department on progress against the 2025 CQC findings as well as next steps in the CQC assessment cycle. The Group welcomed progress to date and discussed ongoing work with carers and as well as programmes of work focused on prevention and neighbourhood health.
The Group agreed to next meet in the Spring to consider the updated self-assessment as part of its ongoing role to support the department with preparations for future CQC assessments.
Membership of the Reference Group: Councillors Cross, Geary (Chair), Howell and Webb.
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TBC |
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Health and Social Care Integration Programme (HASCIP) Reference Group
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The Committee agreed to establish a Reference Group to monitor progress of the East Sussex Health and Social Care Integration Programme and identify areas for future scrutiny. It reviews HASCIP progress reports provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board and meets on an ad hoc basis as required to consider issues arising in more detail. The Group last met on 6 October 2025 to consider quarterly progress on the Shared Delivery Plan, focusing on Integrated Community Teams, hospital discharge, and the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The Group also received an update on ongoing reforms to Integrated Care Boards and the wider NHS, discussing potential impacts for East Sussex.
Membership of the group: Councillors Belsey, Clark, Geary (Chair) Howell and Webb.
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TBC
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) Board
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RPPR Board meets annually to agree detailed comments and any recommendations on the emerging portfolio plans and spending and savings proposals to be put to Cabinet on behalf of the scrutiny committee.
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Next meeting: December 2026 |
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Subject Area |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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For the Committee to receive the final Climate Change Health Impact Assessment.
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TBC 2026 |
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Title of Training/Briefing |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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Schools White Paper |
To receive a briefing on the Schools White Paper to develop Member’s understanding of key reforms and implications on local services. |
TBC (depending on publication of White Paper) |
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Author |
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13 July 2026
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
To commence the Committee’s involvement with the RPPR process for 2027/28 financial year by reviewing the information in the Quarter 4 (end of year) (2025/26) Council Monitoring report and the 2026 State of the County report. |
Chief Executive |
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21 September 2026
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
The examine any additional information requested at the July meeting and consider any updated RPPR information for 2027/28. |
Chief Executive |
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Safeguarding Adults Board - Annual Report
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The Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Annual Report outlines the safeguarding activity and performance in East Sussex during the previous financial year, as well as some of the main developments in place to prevent abuse from occurring.
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Chair, Safeguarding Adults Board |
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Annual Review of Safer Communities |
To update the Committee on performance in relation to Safer Communities in 2024/25 and the priorities and issues for 2026/27 that will be highlighted in the Partnership Business Plan. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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23 November 2026
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
The Committee will examine any additional information requested at the September meeting and consider any updated RPPR information for 2027/28. |
Chief Executive |
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East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (ESSCP) Annual Report |
Presentation of the annual report of the East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership.
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Independent Chair, East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership |
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Items to consider for future work programme
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